Department of Military Science, College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Notables:
- 1LT Ruppert Sargent (1938 - 1967)
- Field: Military Leadership & Valor
- Achievement: First Virginia State University alum to receive the Medal of Honor for heroic sacrifice in Vietnam. He threw himself on two grenades, saving his comrades from death or serious injury.
- Date of Action: March 15, 1967
- Colonel Porcher L. Taylor, Jr. (1925–2024)
- Field: Military Service & Education
- Achievement: A distinguished member of the Tuskegee Airmen, Taylor served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, later becoming a professor and administrator at Virginia State University.
- Commissioned as Colonel: Date not specified
- Deshauna Barber (b. 1989)
- Field: Military Service & Pageantry
- Achievement: First U.S. Army Reserve officer to win Miss USA (2016), highlighting the capabilities of service members beyond the military.
- Commissioned as Officer: 2011
The Generals (Circle of 13)
- Brigadier General Alfred J. Cade (Retired)
- Field: Military Leadership & Corporate Development
- Achievement: Served as a distinguished military leader before transitioning to corporate leadership. Held executive roles, including Senior Vice President for Government Relations at Caesar’s Atlantic City Resort and Casino.
- Promoted to General: 1952
- Major General Ernest R. Morgan (Retired)
- Field: National Guard Leadership & Military Administration
- Achievement: Served as the Adjutant General of the D.C. National Guard and later commanded the National Guard of the U.S. Virgin Islands. His military career spanned 35 years, including service in Korea and Vietnam.
- Promoted to General: 1952
- Major General Leo A. Brooks, Sr. (Retired)
- Field: Military Administration & Leadership Development
- Achievement: A pioneering leader in the U.S. Army, Brooks had a distinguished career. His legacy continued through his sons, both of whom also became generals, making them one of the few families with such a military tradition.
- Promoted to General: 1954
- Lieutenant General Alonzo E. Short, Jr. (Retired)
- Field: Military Communications & Defense Systems
- Achievement: Served as the Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and Manager of the National Communications System, playing a pivotal role in advancing military communications.
- Promoted to General: 1962
- Brigadier General Bert W. Holmes, Jr. (Retired)
- Field: National Guard Leadership & Military Affairs
- Achievement: The first African-American state surgeon in the Virginia National Guard. He later served as the Assistant Adjutant General, overseeing both Army and Air National Guard units in Virginia.
- Promoted to General: 1963
- Major General W. Montague Winfield (Retired)
- Field: National Security & Military Operations
- Achievement: Served as Deputy Director for Operations for the National Military Command Center and was the General Officer in Charge during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, overseeing critical military responses.
- Promoted to General: 1975
- Brigadier General Sheila R. Baxter (Retired)
- Field: Military Medicine & Healthcare Management
- Achievement: In 2003, Baxter became the first female general officer in the Army Medical Service Corps, pioneering advancements in military healthcare administration.
- Promoted to General: 1978
- General Dennis L. Via (Retired)
- Field: Military Leadership & Logistics
- Achievement: Became the first Signal Corps officer in U.S. Army history to achieve the rank of four-star general. Served as the 18th Commanding General of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, overseeing 120,000+ personnel worldwide.
- Promoted to General: 1980
- Brigadier General Alfred F. Abramson III
- Field: Military Procurement & Ammunition Development
- Achievement: Served as Deputy Program Executive Officer Ammunition and Senior Commander at Picatinny Arsenal, leading efforts in munitions development and procurement for U.S. military forces.
- Promoted to General: 1988
- General Charles R. Hamilton
- Field: Military Logistics & Strategic Command
- Achievement: In 2023, Hamilton was promoted to four-star general, assuming command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. He is the second VSU alumnus to achieve this prestigious rank.
- Promoted to General: 1990
- Brigadier General William L. Thigpen
- Field: Infantry Command & Tactical Operations
- Achievement: Served as the Deputy Commander of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, with a combat-proven record in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Promoted to General: Year not specified
- Brigadier General James S. Moore, Jr.
- Field: Military Sustainment & Global Operations
- Achievement: Commanded the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and served in various command roles, including deployments in Iraq and operational assignments in Europe.
- Promoted to General: Year not specified
- Brigadier General Leo A. Brooks, Jr.
- Field: Military Leadership & Strategic Operations
- Achievement: Son of Major General Leo A. Brooks, Sr., he continued his family’s military legacy by becoming a Brigadier General and serving in various high-level Army leadership roles.
- Promoted to General: Year not specified
