Richard A. Scholtes
Major General Richard A. Scholtes
Born (1934-03-18) 18 March 1934
Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1951–1986
RankMajor General
Commands held2nd Armored Division
Joint Special Operations Command
Brigade 76, 4th Infantry Division
2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsSilver Star Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Soldier's Medal
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Purple Heart (2)
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal (6)

Richard Adrian Scholtes[1][2] (born 18 March 1934)[3] is a retired United States Army major general who served as the first commander of Joint Special Operations Command.[4][5] Scholtes' experience as the commander of Joint Special Operations Task Force 123 during the United States invasion of Grenada made him an important figure in the reorganization of the US special operations community. After his tenure as JSOC commander, Scholtes retired from active service so he could candidly testify in August 1986 before Congress about the perceived need for a separate, four-star, special operations command. Then-Senator William Cohen described Scholtes' testimony as vital in the decision of Congress to create the United States Special Operations Command.[6]

Scholtes enlisted in the Army on 31 October 1951. He is a 1957 graduate of the United States Military Academy with a B.S. degree in military science. Scholtes later earned an M.B.A. degree in data processing from George Washington University.[1][2][3]

Awards and decorations

  • Unidentified jump wings
V
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Silver star
Silver star

References

  1. 1 2 U.S. Army Register: Active and Retired List. Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1 January 1962. p. 484. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  2. 1 2 "Class of 1957—Register of Graduates". Official Register of the Officers and Cadets. United States Military Academy. 1969. p. 731. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  3. 1 2 "Major General Richard A. Scholtes". Army Executive Biographies. Headquarters, Department of the Army. 1985. p. 391. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  4. ↑ Jeff Gerth, Philip Taubman; et al. (8 June 1984). "U.S. MILITARY CREATES SECRET UNITS FOR USE IN SENSITIVE TASKS ABROAD". New York Times.
  5. ↑ Philip Taubman (5 December 1984). "U.S. MILITARY TRIES TO CATCH UP IN FIGHTING TERROR". New York Times.
  6. ↑ US Special Operations Command. "Tip of the Spear" (PDF). specialoperations.net.
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