Ronald F. Lewis
{{short description|US Army general, former assistant to the Secretary of Defense}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}{{Use American English|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
|honorific_prefix =
|name = Ronald F. Lewis
|honorific_suffix =
|image = Ronald F. Lewis (1).jpg
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|alt =
|caption = Lewis as a brigadier general
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|birth_date = {{birth year and age|1966}}
|birth_place = Kittery, Maine{{cite web|url=https://bangordailynews.com/2015/02/01/news/army-general-born-in-kittery-gets-his-second-star/|title=Army general born in Kittery gets his second star|date=2015-02-01|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Bangor Daily News}}
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|allegiance = United States
|branch = United States Army
|branch_label = Branch
|serviceyears = 1987-2017
|rank = Lieutenant General (demoted to Brigadier General)
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|commands = Chief of Army Public Affairs
159th Combat Aviation Brigade
1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
|battles = Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
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|awards = Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Army Stars and Stripes Award
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|alma_mater = United States Military Academy (BS)
Naval War College (MNSS)
|spouse =
|children = 2
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Ronald Flynn Lewis{{cite web|url=https://www.westpointaog.org/FindaGradDisplay?reid=b9NVvlJl0QCb1sCmDlNzUQ%3d%3d&bbsys=0&bbrt=0&chid=252|title=West Point Association of Graduates}} (born 1966) is a former three-star general in the United States Army, retroactively demoted to brigadier general. He last served as special assistant to Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army Daniel B. Allyn, and prior to that was the senior military assistant to United States Secretary of Defense Ash Carter from April to November 2015.
Early life and education
Lewis was born in Kittery, Maine to Richard and Emma Lewis, the former being a retired United States Air Force sergeant with 12 years of military service. He was raised in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Vanderpoel Elementary School and later Mendel Catholic Preparatory High School before proceeding to West Point in 1983. He graduated from West Point with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. Lewis was a student in the United States Naval War College from 2006 to 2007, where he received a master's degree in national security and strategic studies.{{cite web|first=Katherine|last=Skiba|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-army-general-ron-lewis-met-20150129-story.html|title=Two-star general comes a long way from being a 'punk kid from Chicago'|date=2015-01-30|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Chicago Tribune}}
Military career
File:U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Mark Milley, left, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, speaks with Brig. Gen. Ronald Lewis, the deputy commanding general for support, 101st Airborne 130522-A-UO630-001.jpg (left), then the commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, speaks with Brig. Gen. Lewis (right) at Forward Operating Base Gamberi in Laghman province, Afghanistan, 22 May 2013]]
Lewis was commissioned into the Army as a second lieutenant in May 1987. Notable individuals in his class include Edward M. Daly (commander of United States Army Materiel Command), David Mikolaities (adjutant general of New Hampshire) and John H. Moellering Jr. (son of retired general John H. Moellering).{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/100th-congress/346|title=PN346 — Army, 100th Congress (1987-1988)|access-date=2021-06-09|website=U.S. Congress|date=May 15, 1987}} Initially intending to become an infantry officer, a mentor inspired him to join the aviation branch instead.
Lewis had three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the 101st Airborne Division. His command assignments include being commander of the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade from 2008 to 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.quad-a.org/images/awardees/AAAA_Historical-Recipient-List-by-Award_11.4.2020.pdf|title=NATIONAL/FUNCTIONAL AWARDS - OUTSTANDING AVIATION UNIT OF THE YEAR|date=2020-04-11|access-date=2021-06-09}} In Afghanistan, Lewis was deputy commanding general for support of the 101st Airborne Division, dual-hatted as deputy commanding general for support of Regional Command East from 2012 to 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Photos/igphoto/2001116632/|title=U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ronald F. Lewis escorts U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter to an awaiting helicopter as he wraps up a visit to Jalalabad Air Base, Afghanistan, May 13, 2013.|date=2013-03-13|website=U.S. Department of Defense}}
Lewis later became military assistant to Ash Carter three times - when Carter was Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Deputy Secretary of Defense and finally Secretary of Defense. He also served as a member of Carter's SecDef transition team, introducing him to key senators and preparing him for his Senate confirmation hearing.{{cite web|url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/02/09/army-demotes-former-defense-secretary-s-3-star-aide-after-scathing-ig-investigation/|title=Army demotes former defense secretary's 3-star aide after scathing IG investigation|date=2017-02-09|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Army Times}} He was chief of Army public affairs from 2014 to 2015, promoting to major general on 7 January 2014.
General James C. McConville was his commanding officer on all three of his combat deployments. McConville praised Lewis as "extremely competent" and "exactly the type of leader that we want at the highest levels of the Army". One of Lewis's mentors, former Army vice chief of staff Richard A. Cody commented that his protégé was an unambitious but principled officer, not "worried about the next rung on the ladder" but "worried about doing the right thing every day."
=Retirement and demotion=
On 12 November 2015, Lewis was relieved as senior military assistant to Secretary Carter and reassigned as a special assistant to then Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Daniel B. Allyn. Carter cited "alleged misconduct" as the reason for his firing and directed the Inspector General to investigate the matter. Due to no longer holding a three-star position, Lewis was reverted to his permanent rank of major general.{{cite web|first=Corey|last=Dickstein|url=https://www.stripes.com/defense-secretary-carter-fires-senior-military-assistant-1.378639|title=Defense Secretary Carter fires senior military assistant|date=2015-11-12|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Stars and Stripes}}{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Sisk|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/11/12/defense-secretary-fires-top-military-assistant-due-to-misconduct.html|title=Defense Secretary Fires Top Military Assistant Due to 'Misconduct'|date=2015-11-12|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Military.com}}
The IG investigation{{cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/polopoly_fs/1.432732.1475764858!/menu/standard/file/lewis.pdf|title=Report of Investigation: Ronald F. Lewis, Major General, U.S. Army|publisher=Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense|date=2016-10-04|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Stars and Stripes}} concluded in October 2016 that Lewis had demonstrated conduct "unbecoming an officer and a gentleman on multiple occasions" while serving as Carter's military assistant.{{cite web|author=Phil McCausland and Courtney Kube|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/10/former-major-general-demoted-in-retirement-for-using-credit-card-at-strip-clubs.html|title=Former Major General demoted in retirement for using credit card at strip clubs|date=2021-02-10|access-date=2021-06-09|website=CNBC}} Such practices included using a government credit card to pay for bills in strip clubs in Rome and South Korea, spending more than {{Currency|amount=1000|code=US}} on excessive drinking while on duty and engaging in inappropriate relationships with female subordinates. Lewis was also determined to have made false statements to the department in service of other acts of misconduct, claiming his government credit card had been stolen while on duty in South Korea.
As a result of the investigation, Lewis was given an official reprimand by General Allyn and by direction of then Army Secretary Eric Fanning demoted to the retirement rank of brigadier general, which was determined to be the last rank in which he satisfactorily served. His retirement pay was summarily slashed by $20,000, leaving him approximately $80,000 after taxes in his first year of retirement.
Personal life
Lewis is married with two children, including a son named R.J., who in 2015 was a student at East-West University in Chicago.
Awards and decorations
In addition to the below awards, Lewis is also the 2013 recipient of the Army Stars and Stripes Award, which he received in February 2013 during the 27th annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards Global Competitiveness Conference.{{cite web|author=Sgt. David Hodge|url=https://www.army.mil/article/96536/lewis_receives_stars_and_stripes_award_at_annual_beya_conference|title=Lewis Receives "Stars and Stripes" Award at Annual BEYA Conference|date=2013-02-14|access-date=2021-06-09|website=U.S. Army}}
| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:75%; background:transparent;"
!colspan= | Left Side |
| colspan="2" |
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |colspan="3"|170px |
| colspan="3"|170px |
| colspan="3"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}} |
| colspan="3"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|106px}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|106px}} |
| colspan="3"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Soldier's Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}} |
| colspan="3"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}18px{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|106px}} |
| colspan="3"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}21px21px{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}} |
| colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991–2016).svg|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Humanitarian Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO Medal ribbon (Non-Article 5).svg|width=106}} |
| 106px |
|}
| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:75%; background:transparent;"
!colspan= | Right Side |
| colspan="2" |
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" | colspan="3"| 95px |
| colspan="3"| {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|106px}}21px |
| colspan="3"| {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg|106px}}21px{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|106px}}21px21px{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|106px}} |
| colspan="3"| 106px |
| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="5"|7th Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia |
| colspan="6"|Army Presidential Unit Citation with bronze oak leaf cluster |
| colspan="2"|Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation with bronze oak leaf cluster |colspan="2"|Army Meritorious Unit |colspan="2"|Navy Unit |
| colspan="5"|101st Airborne Division Combat Service Identification Badge |
|}
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=William B. Hickman}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commanding General for Support of the 101st Airborne Division|years=2012–2014}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=Frank W. Tate}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commanding General for Support of Regional Command East|years=2012–2014}}
{{s-bef|before=Gary J. Volesky}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chief of Army Public Affairs|years=2014–2015}}
{{s-aft|after=Malcolm B. Frost}}
{{s-bef|before=Robert B. Abrams}}
{{s-ttl|title=Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense|years=2015}}
{{s-aft|after=Eric M. Smith}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lewis, Ronald F.}}
Category:People from Kittery, Maine
Category:Military personnel from Chicago
Category:United States Military Academy alumni
Category:Naval War College alumni
Category:United States Army personnel of the Iraq War
Category:United States Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
Category:African-American United States Army personnel
Category:United States Army aviators
Category:United States Army generals
Category:United States Army personnel who were court-martialed