Harold J. Greene
{{Short description|United States Army general (1959–2014)}}
{{use American English|date=August 2014}}
{{use mdy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Harold J. Greene
| image = Harold J. Greene.jpg
| image_size =
| alt = A photograph of a grinning man in a United States Army uniform. Behind the man are two separate flags that comprise the background, one being the national flag of the United States of America and the other being the personal standard of a United States Army major general.
| caption = Greene in 2012
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1959|02|11|mf=yes}}[http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/c/downloads/359102.pdf NSSC This Week remembers Major General Harold Greene] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903101601/http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/c/downloads/359102.pdf |date=September 3, 2014 }}, p. 24
| birth_place = Boston, Massachusetts, United States{{cite news|url=http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cuomo-orders-flags-at-half-staff-for-general-from-5671641.php|last1=Yusko|first1=Dennis|work=Albany Times-Union|publisher=Hearst Newspapers|location=Albany, New York|date=August 6, 2014|title=Father of major general killed in Afghanistan: 'Something is missing'|access-date=August 6, 2014}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2014|08|05|1959|02|11|mf=yes}}
| death_place = Camp Qargha, Kabul, Afghanistan
| placeofburial = Arlington National Cemetery
| allegiance = United States
| branch = United States Army
| serviceyears = 1980–2014{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/05/us/afghanistan-general-greene/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |title=Army Maj. Gen. Harold Greene killed in Afghanistan |publisher=CNN |date=August 5, 2014 |access-date=August 6, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806160727/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/05/us/afghanistan-general-greene/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |archive-date=August 6, 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140805/NEWS/308050075/Insider-attack-victim-identified-Maj-Gen-Harold-Greene |title=Insider attack victim identified as Maj. Gen. Harold Greene |publisher=Army Times |date=August 5, 2014 |access-date=2014-08-06}}
| rank = Major General{{cite web|url=http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/c/downloads/271929.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805214944/http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/c/downloads/271929.pdf|archive-date=August 5, 2014|url-status=dead |title=Major General Harold J. Greene — Deputy for Acquisitions and Systems Management Headquarters, Department of the Army |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=2014-08-06}}
| servicenumber =
| unit =
| commands = Natick Soldier Systems Center
| battles = War in Afghanistan{{KIA}}
| awards = Army Distinguished Service Medal{{cite news |date=August 6, 2014 |title=Army General Officer Killed in Afghanistan |url=https://www.army.mil/article/131282/Army_general_officer_killed_in_Afghanistan |newspaper=Army.mil |location=Washington, DC}}
Legion of Merit (4){{cite web|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/us/maj-gen-harold-greene-receives-full-burial-honors-at-arlington-1.298353|title=Maj. Gen. Harold Greene receives full burial honors at Arlington|first=C.J.|last=Lin|work=Stars and Stripes|date=August 14, 2014|access-date=August 21, 2014}}
Purple HeartPosthumously awarded.
| children = 2
| laterwork =
}}
Harold Joseph "Harry" Greene (February 11, 1959 – August 5, 2014) was an American military officer. During his time with the United States Army, he held various commands associated with engineering and logistical support for American and coalition troops in Afghanistan. At the time of his death, he was the deputy commanding general of the Combined Security Transition Command.
In August 2014, at the rank of major general, Greene became the highest-ranking American service member to have been killed by hostile action since Lieutenant General Timothy Maude was killed in the September 11 attacks in 2001, and also the highest-ranking service member to have been killed on foreign soil during a conflict since Rear Admiral Rembrandt C. Robinson was killed during the Vietnam War in May 1972.{{cite news|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Matthew|last2=Kakaraug|first2=Haris|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/06/world/asia/afghanistan-attack.html |title=U.S. General Is Killed in Attack at Afghan Base, Officials Say |newspaper=The New York Times |date=5 August 2014 |access-date=5 August 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/maj-gen-harold-greene-highest-ranking-soldier-killed/story?id=24856054 |title=Maj. Gen. Harold Greene Is Highest Ranking Soldier Killed Since Vietnam |work=ABC News |date=August 5, 2014 |access-date=August 6, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806160449/https://abcnews.go.com/International/maj-gen-harold-greene-highest-ranking-soldier-killed/story?id=24856054 |archive-date=August 6, 2014 }} To date, Greene is the highest-ranking American fatality of the ongoing Global War on Terrorism.{{cite web |url=http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/08/one-american-killed-about-a-dozen-injured-as-suspected-afghan-soldier-opens-fire-at-kabul-military-b.html |title=Major General Harold Greene killed in Afghanistan attack; highest ranking officer killed in combat since 1970 |author= |date=2014-08-05 |website=WJLA.com |agency=Associated Press |access-date=2014-08-08 |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811030641/http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/08/one-american-killed-about-a-dozen-injured-as-suspected-afghan-soldier-opens-fire-at-kabul-military-b.html |url-status=dead }}
While at Camp Qargha in Kabul, Greene and a delegation of general officers and other dignitaries were conducting an inspection tour when 22-year-old Private Rafiqullah of the Afghan National Army (ANA) opened fire on the group, killing Greene and wounding 14 NATO and ANA personnel. The assailant was then shot dead by two NATO service members. A subsequent investigation indicated that Rafiqullah had carried out the fragging due to his irritation and unhappiness over being denied leave to travel home during Eid al-Fitr.
Greene's body was flown back to the United States, arriving at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on August 7, 2014. A week later, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Early life and education
Greene was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 11, 1959, to Eva May Shediak (May 22, 1928 – February 15, 2013) and Harold F. Greene (born 1930).{{cite web |title=In Memory of Eva S. Greene 1928–2013 |url=http://www.newcomeralbany.com/obituary.aspx?obitid=65334 |website=New Comer-Cannon Funeral Home |access-date=2014-08-07}} He grew up in Schenectady, New York{{cite news| title=Afghan soldier who killed US general hid in bathroom with NATO gun| url=https://nypost.com/2014/08/06/insider-who-killed-general-hid-in-bathroom-used-nato-gun/| author=Bob Fredericks| work=New York Post}} graduated from Guilderland High School in 1977,{{cite web |title=With deepest condolences on the loss of Maj. Gen. Harold Greene |url=http://www.guilderlandschools.org/district/newsarchive/1415/080614MajGenGreene.cfm |website=Guilderland Central School District |access-date=2014-08-06 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090139/http://www.guilderlandschools.org/district/newsarchive/1415/080614MajGenGreene.cfm |url-status=dead }} and from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) with a bachelor's degree in materials engineering in 1980.Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D., President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, [http://news.rpi.edu/content/2014/08/06/statement-death-major-general-harold-j-greene-80 Statement on the Death of Major General Harold J. Greene '80], August 5, 2014 Greene's father lived in Guilderland, New York at the time of his death. His mother died in February 2013. Greene received a master's degree in industrial engineering from RPI, and a master's in materials engineering from the University of Southern California (USC). In addition, he received a master's degree in mechanical engineering from USC, and a Doctor of Philosophy (1992) in materials science, also from USC.
Greene's military education included the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, and the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He completed the Defense Systems Management College's Advanced Program Management Course at the Defense Acquisition University, and also held a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College.{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/131262/Army_general_killed_in_Afghanistan/ |title=Army general killed in Afghanistan |author=United States Army |publisher=Army.mil |date=August 2014 |access-date=August 6, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806142651/http://www.army.mil/article/131262/Army_general_killed_in_Afghanistan/ |archive-date=August 6, 2014 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/id/122858/|title=Officials Identify Army Major General Killed in Afghanistan|author=Garamone, Jim|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense|date=August 6, 2014|access-date=August 14, 2014}}
Career
File:Gen. Harold J. Greene, May 6, 2010.jpg
File:Shyu Greene.jpg, United States Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology]]
File:140807-F-BO262-026 Army team transfers remains of Harold Greene.jpg
Greene received his commission as an engineer officer in 1980, after completing Reserve Officer Training Corps at RPI.
As he worked his way through the ranks, Greene's assignments included platoon leader, company executive officer, and battalion staff officer, Fort Polk; resident engineer in Athens; project engineer in Istanbul; brigade engineer and company commander, V Corps, West Germany; staff officer and materials engineer, Army Aviation and Troop Command, St. Louis; product manager, Aerial Common Sensor, Fort Monmouth; and assistant director, Combat Developments Directorate, U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center, Fort Leonard Wood.{{cite web|url=http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/c/downloads/271929.pdf|title=U.S. Army Biography, Harold J. Greene|access-date=August 14, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805214944/http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/c/downloads/271929.pdf|archive-date=August 5, 2014|df=mdy-all}} At the time of the September 11 attacks in 2001, he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood.
Greene was promoted to brigadier general in late 2009, and served as deputy commanding general of United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground.{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/42933/Army_s_research__development_command_moves_to_historic_facilities/ |title=Army's research, development command moves to historic facilities | Article |publisher=Army.mil |access-date=2014-08-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806160336/http://www.army.mil/article/42933/Army_s_research__development_command_moves_to_historic_facilities/ |archive-date=August 6, 2014 }} and the commanding general of Natick Soldier Systems Center.{{cite web|url=http://www.natick.army.mil/garrison/Master_Plan_Overview.pdf |title=Natick Soldier Systems Center Master Plan Overview |access-date=August 6, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806160841/http://www.natick.army.mil/garrison/Master_Plan_Overview.pdf |archive-date=August 6, 2014 }} While at Natick, Greene urged the military to incorporate smartphones, video games and virtual worlds into military training.{{cite news|last1=Martin |first1=Andrew |last2=Lin |first2=Thomas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/02/technology/02wargames.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& |title=Military Tests Apps and Other Digital Training Tools: Keyboards First. Then Grenades |work=New York Times |location=New York City, New York |date=May 1, 2011 |access-date=August 6, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806163604/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/02/technology/02wargames.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& |archive-date=August 6, 2014 }} Later, he became Program Executive Officer for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology). Promoted to major general in 2012, he was Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management in the same office. In January 2014 he was named deputy commander of Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan.
Death
{{see also|fragging#Coalition forces in Afghanistan}}
On August 5, 2014, Greene died in a fragging incident after being shot by an Afghan soldier with an M16 rifle at Camp Qargha's Marshal Fahim National Defense University in Kabul, Afghanistan.{{cite news|title=American army officer killed, many wounded in Afghan insider attack|url=http://www.afghanistansun.com/index.php/sid/224460361|access-date=7 August 2014|work=Afghanistan Sun}} He had been making a routine visit to a training facility at the time.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-general-killed-in-afghanistan-was-key-figure-in-training-effort/2014/08/05/d25cc80a-1cc4-11e4-ae54-0cfe1f974f8a_story.html | title=U.S. general killed in Afghanistan was key figure in training effort | newspaper=Washington Post | date=5 August 2014 | access-date=5 August 2014}} The Afghan National Army MP, identified as Rafiqullah, began firing from his barracks room window on Greene and about 90 other U.S. and coalition forces who were visiting the university.{{Cite web |last=Tan |first=Michelle |date=2014-12-04 |title=Report: General's killer fired 30 rounds |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2014/12/04/report-general-s-killer-fired-30-rounds/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=Army Times |language=en}} Fourteen NATO and Afghan service members were wounded in the attack,[http://www.latimes.com/world/afghanistan-pakistan/la-fg-us-general-killed-20140805-story.html Afghan insider's killing of U.S. general marks grim renewal of tactic], Los Angeles Times including Brigadier General Michael Bartscher of the German Bundeswehr, two Afghan generals and another Afghan officer, eight Americans, and two British soldiers. The Afghan soldier was shot and killed by two NATO service members identified as one Danish and one American.[http://www.latimes.com/world/afghanistan-pakistan/la-fg-afghanistan-general-20140807-story.html Afghan soldier who killed U.S. general is identified], Los Angeles Times
On the morning of August 7, 2014, Greene's body arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2014/08/07/body-maj-gen-harold-greene-arrived-dover-afb/FUzBDrcgSAbWM4rfkdqjPI/story.html|title=Body of Major General Harold Greene arrives in Dover|agency=Associated Press|work=Boston Globe|date=August 7, 2014|access-date=August 7, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/us/body-of-us-general-killed-in-afghan-insider-attack-arrives-at-dover-afb-1.297136#|title=Body of US general killed in Afghan insider attack arrives at Dover AFB|first=Chris|last=Carroll|work=Stars and Stripes|date=August 7, 2014|access-date=August 7, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mortuary.af.mil/pressreleases/pressreleasearchive/story.asp?id=123420524|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812053139/http://www.mortuary.af.mil/pressreleases/pressreleasearchive/story.asp?id=123420524|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 12, 2014|title=Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene honored in dignified transfer Aug. 7|work=United States Air Force|publisher=United States Department of the Air Force|author=Air Force Mortuary Affairs|date=August 7, 2014|access-date=August 7, 2014}} Greene was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on August 14, 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/nation/2014/08/14/service-honors-gen-harold-greene/14078483/|last=Gruber|first=Jack|work=USA Today|location=Tysons Corner, Virginia|date=August 14, 2014|title=Service Honors Gen. Harold Greene|access-date=August 14, 2014}}
On July 10, 2015, the Town of Natick, Massachusetts renamed Kansas Street in Greene's honor. On September 25, 2015, the nine British servicemen acting as the Close Protection Team for the group were awarded the US Army Commendation Medal for their heroism in saving the lives of many others.{{cite web|last=Cross|first=Charlotte|title=US Army Honours British Soldiers Over Kabul Attack|url=http://www.forces.tv/21107608|date=24 September 2015|publisher=Forces TV|access-date=25 September 2015}}
Personal life
Greene was married to Sue Myers, a doctor[https://www.army.mil/article/131728/ Army memorial ceremony honors Maj. Gen. Greene (Aug. 14, 2014)] and retired colonel who worked as a professor at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. At the time of his death, she lived in Falls Church, Virginia. Greene had two children, a daughter, Amelia Greene, and a son, Matthew Greene, who is a U.S. Army captain.
Awards and decorations
| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="4"|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106px}} |
| style="text-align:center;"|{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106px}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=|ribbon=Purple Heart BAR.svg{{!}}border|width=106px}} | style="text-align:center;"|{{ribbon devices|number=5|type=|ribbon=Meritorious Service ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106px}} |
| style="text-align:center;"|{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106px}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=|ribbon=Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106px}} | style="text-align:center;"|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106px}} |
| style="text-align:center;"|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106px}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106px}} | style="text-align:center;"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}20px |
| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
| 1st row
| colspan="4"|Army Distinguished Service Medal |
|---|
| 2nd row
| style="text-align:center;"|Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters | style="text-align:center;"|Purple Heart Medal | style="text-align:center;"|Meritorious Service Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster |
| 3rd row
| style="text-align:center;"|Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters | style="text-align:center;"|Army Achievement Medal | style="text-align:center;"|National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |
| 4th row
| style="text-align:center;"|Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | style="text-align:center;"|Army Service Ribbon | style="text-align:center;"|Army Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 2 |
See also
Notes
{{Reflist|group=N}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgZncmVlbmUSBmhhcm9sZA--/ Arlington National Cemetery]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Greene, Harold J.}}
Category:American military personnel killed in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Category:Deaths by firearm in Afghanistan
Category:Military personnel from New York (state)
Category:United States Army generals
Category:Military personnel from Boston
Category:People from Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Category:People from Schenectady County, New York
Category:People from Falls Church, Virginia
Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Category:Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni
Category:USC Viterbi School of Engineering alumni
Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni
Category:United States Army War College alumni
Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
Category:United States Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)