Joseph M. Cosumano

Lieutenant General Joseph M. Cosumano Jr. (born December 15, 1946),^[1] was the commander of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) and the U.S. Army Space Command from April 30, 2001 to December 16, 2003 when he was replaced by Lieutenant General Larry J. Dodgen.

Lieutenant General Joseph M. Cosumano Jr.

Raised in Shreveport, Louisiana,^[2] Cosumano is a 1964 graduate of Woodlawn High School.^[3] He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in industrial technology from Northwestern State College.^[2] Commissioned through the Army ROTC program at Northwestern State in 1968,^[1] Cosumano reported for duty after completing his master's degree in 1970.^[4]

In 2013, he joined CFD Research Corporation (CFDRC) as President.^[5]

LTG (Ret) Joseph Cosumano currently serves as the Honorary Colonel of the Northwestern Demon Regiment at his alma mater, Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, Louisiana.^[6]

Awards and decorations

His military decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters and the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters.^[7] He has earned the Parachutist Badge, Army Aviator Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge and Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge.^[8]

•   Defense Distinguished Service Medal
•   Army Distinguished Service Medal
•   Defense Superior Service Medal
•   Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
•   Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

In 2016, Cosumano was inducted into the U.S. Army ROTC National Hall of Fame.^[9] In 2020, he was presented the Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award.^[7]

References

1. US Army Register: Regular Army Active List. Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. January 1, 1972. p. 88.
2. 1970 Potpourri. Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State College. p. 270.
3. "Class of 1964 Directory". Shreveport, Louisiana: Woodlawn High School Class of 1964. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
4. "ROTC Honorees". Alumni Columns. Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Winter 2008. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
5. "LTG(ret) Joseph M. Cosumano Jr. Joins CFDRC". Archived from the original on 2013-02-14. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
6. "NDR Organization". Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
7. West, David (October 15, 2020). "NSU alumnus retired Lt. Gen. Joseph M. Cosumano, Jr. to receive Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award". Natchitoches Times. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
8. LTG Cosumano assumes command at USASMDC Archived 2007-08-12 at the Wayback Machine
9. Jackson, Leah (July 26, 2016). "Alumni inducted to ROTC Hall of Fame". Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Retrieved 2021-03-21.