LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Major General Stephen J. Townsend for
his service to our country and his leadership as Commanding General of
the 10th Mountain Division

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Major General
Stephen J. Townsend for his service to our country and his leadership as
Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division; and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend graduated from North Geor-
gia College in 1982, and was commissioned through ROTC; and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend's initial assignment was
with the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served as a platoon leader,
executive officer and assistant S3 in the 2nd Battalion (Airborne),
505th Infantry and deployed for Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada; and
WHEREAS, Following the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Major General
Stephen J. Townsend was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division (Light) at
Fort Ord, California, where he served as the battalion S3 of 4th Battal-
ion, 21st Infantry and commanded Alpha Company; and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend was then reassigned to Fort
Benning, Georgia, where he served as the S3 (Air) and assistant S3 at
HQs, 75th Ranger Regiment, deployed for Operation Just Cause, Panama and
commanded Charlie Company, 3rd Ranger Battalion; and
WHEREAS, Upon completion of the Command and General Staff College, he
returned to Fort Benning where he served as Senior Liaison Officer at
Ranger Regiment HQs and S3 of the 3rd Ranger Battalion and deployed for
Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti; and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend was then assigned to United
States Pacific Command, Hawaii as a J-5 Action Officer and later as
Special Assistant to the Commander; and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend was then reassigned to Fort
Drum, New York, where he was S3 of 2nd Brigade, 78th Division (Training
Support), before taking command of the Polar Bears of 4th Battalion,
31st Infantry, 10th Mountain Division (Light); and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend led Task Force Polar Bear
to Afghanistan for Operation Anaconda and then, following the completion
of his education at the United States Army War College, he returned to
Fort Drum where he served as the Division G3, 10th Mountain Division
(Light) and then Director of Operations, C/J3, Combined Joint Task
Force-180, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend was next assigned to Fort
Lewis, Washington where he served as the Commander, 3rd Stryker Brigade
Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and led Task Force Arrowhead on
offensive operations across Iraq; and
WHEREAS, Following his time at Fort Lewis, Major General Stephen J.
Townsend served as Executive Officer to the Commander, United States
Central Command, Tampa, Florida; and
WHEREAS, He then served as the Senior Commander at Fort Campbell,
Kentucky and later Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 101st
Airborne Division (Air Assault) and CJTF-101 in Operation Enduring Free-
dom, Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Before returning to the North Country, Major General Stephen
J. Townsend served as Director, Pakistan/Afghanistan Coordination cell,
Joint Staff, Washington, DC; and

WHEREAS, In December of 2012, Major General Stephen J. Townsend
returned to Fort Drum and since that time, has served as the 10th Moun-
tain Division's Commanding General; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his service, Major General Stephen J.
Townsend has been the recipient of numerous awards and decorations,
including the Combat Infantryman Badge (with star), Combat Action Badge,
Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist and Air Assault Badges and
Ranger Tab; and
WHEREAS, Major General Townsend is an individual who has gone above
and beyond to serve his country, as well as to lead the 10th Mountain
Division; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Major General Stephen J. Townsend for his service to our country
and his leadership as Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Major General Stephen J. Townsend.