Leon J. LaPorte

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Leon J. LaPorte
1946-
LaPorte before the Senate Armed Services Committee on September 23, 2004
Place of birth	Providence, Rhode Island
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1968-2006
Rank	General
Commands held	U.S. Forces Korea
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Gulf War
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal(4) Air Medal (With Valor Device) Army Commendation Medal (With Valor Device)

General LaPorte with Vice President Cheney during his visit to Yongsan Garrison in 2003

Leon J. LaPorte is a retired United States Army general who served as Commander, United States Forces Korea until 2006.

[edit] Military career

LaPorte graduated from the University Of Rhode Island in 1968 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army as an Armor Officer. From 1969 until 1970 he served with the 3rd Infantry Division, in 1971 he transfer to the 238th Aerial Weapons Company in the Republic of Vietnam. In 1975 he received his Master's Degree in Administration from the University of California. From 1977 until 1980 he was as assistant Professor at the United States Military Academy. In October 1990 as the Chief of Staff, 1st Cavalry Division he deployed as part of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. From February 2003 until February 2006 he was commander of United States Forces Korea (USFK) and United Nations Forces, Korea. In February he retired from he Army after 38 years of service, handing command to U.S. Army General Burwell B. Bell III.

Laporte also played a major part in an investigation of the involvement U.S. military personnel in hiring prostitutes and facilitating human trafficking in South Korea, which is increasingly common. [1] [2][3]

Laporte also was the official who gave an apology to the families of the two junior high-school girls that were run over by a U.S. armored vehicle in 2002.[4]