Keith Kellogg Explained

Keith Kellogg should not be confused with Will Keith Kellogg.

Keith Kellogg
Office:National Security Advisor to the Vice President of the United States
Vicepresident:Mike Pence
Term Start:April 27, 2018
Term End:January 20, 2021
Predecessor:Andrea L. Thompson
Successor:Nancy McEldowney
Office2:Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff of the United States National Security Council
President2:Donald Trump
Term Start2:January 20, 2017
Term End2:April 27, 2018
Predecessor2:Suzy George
Successor2:Frederick H. Fleitz
Office3:United States National Security Advisor
Status3:Acting
President3:Donald Trump
Term Start3:February 13, 2017
Term End3:February 20, 2017
Predecessor3:Michael T. Flynn
Successor3:H. R. McMaster
Birth Name:Joseph Keith Kellogg, Jr.
Birth Date:12 May 1944
Birth Place:Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:Paige Kellogg
Children:3
Education:Santa Clara University (BA)
University of Kansas (MS)
United States Army War College
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Army
Serviceyears:1967–2003
Rank:Lieutenant General
Commands:82nd Airborne Division
Special Operations Command Europe
Battles:Vietnam War
Operation Just Cause
Gulf War
Mawards:Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star Medal (5)

Joseph Keith Kellogg Jr. (born May 12, 1944) is a former United States government official and a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army. He previously served as the National Security Advisor to Vice President Mike Pence, and as the Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff of the United States National Security Council in the Trump administration. He served as National Security Advisor on an acting basis following the resignation of Michael T. Flynn.

Life and career

Early life and military service

Kellogg was born in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Helen (Costello) and Joseph Keith Kellogg.[1] In 1961, he received his diploma from Long Beach Polytechnic High School.[2] Kellogg was commissioned into the Army through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at Santa Clara University as an Infantry Officer. During his time in service, Kellogg earned an M.S. in international affairs from the University of Kansas. Kellogg later went on to study senior level management and diplomacy at the United States Army War College.

During the Vietnam War he served in the 101st Airborne Division[3] and, after qualifying as a U.S. Army Special Forces officer, as a special forces adviser to the Cambodian Army.[4] It was during his time in Vietnam that Kellogg earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star with "V" Device, and Air Medal with "V" Device. Kellogg also commanded 3rd Brigade, 7th Infantry Division during Operation Just Cause.

In 1980, then LTC Kellogg commanded 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and became the first light infantry unit to rotate to the Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC) located in the Mojave Desert.

During Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, from 1990 to 1991, Kellogg served as the Chief of Staff of the 82nd Airborne Division and then as its Assistant Division Commander. Kellogg was subsequently selected as the Commander of Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). In 1996, he took command of the 82nd Airborne Division and retired from the Army in 2003, as a lieutenant general after serving as director of command, control, communications and computers for U.S. forces under the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Kellogg was in the Pentagon during the attacks on September 11, 2001. Following the crash of American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon, Kellogg assumed responsibility of the alternate command post at Raven Rock Mountain Complex with United States Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz.

From December 2003 to 2004, following his retirement, he held a leading position in the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA).[5] [4] [6] Kellogg was asked to serve as Chief Operating Officer for the CPA in Baghdad, the transition government of Iraq, after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of that country and the signing of Coalition Provisional Authority Order 2 which disbanded the Iraqi Army.[7] During this time, Kellogg, with a reputation as an "expediter" known for cutting through red tape, was tasked with ensuring speed and discipline during the massive reconstruction process.[8] Following his service with the CPA, Kellogg was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

Private sector

Following Kellogg's retirement from active duty, he joined Oracle Corporation as an adviser to its homeland security division.[9] He was employed by Cubic Corporation and earlier by CACI International Inc., since January 2005.[10]

Trump campaign and administration

Kellogg was named a foreign policy advisor to then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in March 2016.[11] Trump put Kellogg in charge of the presidential transition agency action team for defense.[12] On December 15, 2016, it was announced that Kellogg would be appointed Chief of Staff and Executive Secretary of the United States National Security Council by President-elect Donald Trump.[13]

On February 13, 2017, following the resignation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, Keith Kellogg became the Acting National Security Advisor in the interim of a permanent replacement being appointed.[14] [15] President Trump interviewed Kellogg and three others to determine who permanently to fill the position of National Security Advisor.[16] [17] The position ultimately went to H. R. McMaster.[18]

In April 2018, Vice President Mike Pence chose Kellogg to serve as his national security advisor.[19] [20] [21] According to the White House, Kellogg would continue to serve as an assistant to Trump.[22] [23]

During the Trump–Ukraine scandal which led to Trump's impeachment (and subsequent acquittal), Kellogg said he "heard nothing wrong or improper" in Trump's call with the Ukrainian president.[24]

Kellogg spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention on August 26, 2020.[25]

During the 2021 United States Capitol attack Kellogg defended Pence's decision not to leave the Capitol. While the Secret Service was attempting to get Pence to ride to a safer place, Pence insisted on staying. Kellogg reportedly told Anthony Ornato, former Secret Service and at the time White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, why Pence would not be evacuated, “You can’t do that, Tony. Leave him where he’s at. He’s got a job to do. I know you guys too well. You’ll fly him to Alaska if you have a chance. Don’t do it.” Kellogg made it clear that Pence would stay, even if he needed to remain all night."[26] Kellogg is viewed as a "key witness" in the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack because he was with Trump in the White House as the attack occurred. Kellogg testified under oath to the committee in December 2021,[27] telling them that the president's staff encouraged the president to take immediate action to quell the unrest, but that he refused.[28]

In June 2024, Kellogg and Fred Fleitz, who both served in Trump’s National Security Council staff, presented Trump with a detailed peace plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine.[29] Fleitz said Trump has responded favorably to the plan. Kellogg told Reuters: "Our concern is that this has become a war of attrition that’s going to kill a whole generation of young men."[30]

Personal life

Kellogg is the second oldest of four children. His older brother, Mike Kellogg, is a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge. His sister, Kathy, is a former actress who is now a clinical psychologist and his younger brother, Jeff, is a former Long Beach city councilman, served as President of the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees, and now currently works for the California Community College system.[31] [32]

Kellogg married his wife, Paige, in 1980. Paige is a former U.S. Army officer and paratrooper who served during the 1983 U.S. invasion of Grenada.[4] Together, they have three children.

Awards and decorations

Silver Star Citation

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

Action Date: Vietnam WarService: ArmyDivision: 101st Airborne Division

Kellogg's major decorations and badges include:[33]

TopCombat Infantryman Badge
1st rowArmy Distinguished Service MedalSilver Star Medal
2nd rowDefense Superior Service MedalLegion of Merit w/ one oak leaf clusterBronze Star Medal w/ "V" device and four oak leaf clusters
3rd rowDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service MedalAir Medal w/ "V" device and bronze award numeral 4
4th rowJoint Service Commendation MedalArmy Commendation Medal w/ four oak leaf clustersArmy Achievement Medal
5th rowJoint Meritorious Unit AwardArmy Meritorious Unit CommendationDepartment of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service
6th rowNational Defense Service Medal w/ two service starsArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ Arrowhead deviceVietnam Service Medal w/ seven service stars
7th rowSouthwest Asia Service Medal w/ two service starsGallantry Cross (Vietnam) w/ two gold starsMedal of National Defense in bronze (Cambodia)
8th rowBundeswehr Gold Cross of Honour (Germany)Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit CitationRepublic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation
9th rowVietnam Campaign Medal w/ '60- deviceKuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
BadgesMaster Parachutist BadgeMilitary Freefall Parachutist BadgePathfinder Badge
BadgesSpecial Forces TabRanger tabGerman Parachutist Badge in bronze
BadgesOffice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification BadgeArmy Staff Identification Badge504th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Joseph Keith Kellogg (B. 1944) – Ohio Birth Index, 1908–2011 . December 25, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170811060600/http://birth-records.mooseroots.com/l/7107050/Joseph-Keith-Kellogg . August 11, 2017 . dead .
  2. Web site: Pres. Trump Taps Retired Gen'l Keith Kellogg – With Long Beach Family Ties – As Interim Nat'l Security Advisor. www.lbreport.com. February 14, 2017.
  3. Gal Perl Finkel, "US National Security Adviser Faces Challenges at Home and Abroad", The Jerusalem Post, February 22, 2017.
  4. News: Cuningham. Henry. Kellogg Assumes Command of the 82nd. November 11, 2016. Fayetteville Observer. November 28, 1996. February 22, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170222092350if_/http://www.fayobserver.com/news/local/kellogg-assumes-command-of-the-nd/article_ee3c182b-e483-5efd-8cca-dd555c895834.html. dead.
  5. News: Ryan. Missy. With Trump as commander in chief, 'America is in uncharted territory'. November 11, 2016. Washington Post. November 9, 2016.
  6. Web site: Fordham . Evie . RNC speakers: What to know about Keith Kellogg . August 26, 2020 . . November 14, 2020.
  7. News: Ryan. Missy. Mufson. Steven. One of Trump's foreign policy advisers is a 2009 college grad who lists Model UN as a credential. November 13, 2016. The Washington Post. March 22, 2016.
  8. Web site: In the effort to rebuild Iraq, Keith Kellogg's job is to keep things moving. John. Hendren. Los Angeles Times. December 20, 2003.
  9. News: Oracle exec flies out to Iraq to help with rebuilding. November 11, 2016. Computer Weekly. November 27, 2013.
  10. S & P Global. Company Overview of Cubic Corporation. Bloomberg website Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  11. News: Rappeport . Alan . Top Experts Confounded by Advisers to Donald Trump. The New York Times . November 13, 2016. The New York Times. March 22, 2016.
  12. News: Romm. Tony. New details emerge on Trump transition organization. November 13, 2016. Politico. November 9, 2016.
  13. Web site: President-Elect Donald J. Trump Announces Key Leadership Appointments for the National Security Council . Trump Transition . December 15, 2016 . December 15, 2016 . February 14, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170214194705/https://greatagain.gov/key-leadership-appointments-for-the-national-security-council-3c891ab5b487#.7wr95l81o . dead .
  14. Web site: National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigns. The Hill. February 13, 2017. February 14, 2017.
  15. News: Yuhas . Alan . Keith Kellogg: Who is Trump's Acting National Security Adviser? . February 14, 2017 . . April 27, 2018.
  16. News: Boyer . Dave . Trump to Interview Bolton, 3 Others for National Security Adviser Post . February 18, 2017 . . February 20, 2017.
  17. News: Baker . Peter . Haberman . Maggie . Trump Meets With Four Candidates for National Security Adviser . February 19, 2017 . . February 20, 2017.
  18. News: Trump Names Lt Gen HR McMaster as National Security Adviser . February 20, 2017 . BBC News . February 20, 2017.
  19. Web site: Sink . Justin . Pence Names Keith Kellogg as Top National Security Adviser . April 23, 2018 . . April 27, 2018.
  20. Web site: Pence Picks Kellogg to Serve as National Security Adviser . April 23, 2018 . Voice of America (from the Associated Press) . April 27, 2018.
  21. Web site: Swan . Jonathan . The Backstory on Pence's Decision to Bring on Keith Kellogg . April 24, 2018 . . April 27, 2018.
  22. Web site: Griffiths . Brent D. . Nussbaum . Matthew . Pence Taps Gen. Kellogg as National Security Adviser . April 23, 2018 . . April 27, 2018.
  23. Web site: Vice President Mike Pence Announces Lieutenant General (Ret) Keith Kellogg as National Security Advisor . April 23, 2018 . . . April 27, 2018.
  24. Web site: November 19, 2019. Vice president's national security adviser pushes back on Williams' impeachment testimony. September 4, 2020. PBS NewsHour. en-us.
  25. Web site: Pence national security adviser Keith Kellogg: "Trump is no hawk" . August 27, 2020 . . November 14, 2020.
  26. The Washington Post, "Anthony Ornato has repeatedly disputed key White House conversations,"June 30, 2022 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/06/30/anthony-ornato-dispute-conversations/
  27. CNN, "January 6 committee has 'firsthand' knowledge of Trump's behavior during the riot from multiple sources," January 3, 2022 https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/03/politics/january-6-committee-firsthand-knowledge-trump-actions/index.html
  28. Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. Letter to Ivanka Trump, January 20, 2022 https://january6th.house.gov/sites/democrats.january6th.house.gov/files/2022-1-20.BGT%20Letter%20to%20Ivanka%20Trump%20-%20Cover%20Letter%20and%20Enclosures_Redacted%202.pdf
  29. News: Exclusive-Trump handed plan to halt US military aid to Kyiv unless it talks peace with Moscow . SWI swissinfo.ch . 25 June 2024.
  30. News: Trump's Advisers Draw Up Plan to Give Ukraine Twisted Ultimatum . . 25 June 2024.
  31. Web site: Daily Journal Judicial Profiles . April 28, 2018.
  32. Web site: Former City Councilmember Jeff Kellogg Elected New President of LBCCD Board of Trustees. Jason. Ruiz. July 26, 2013. July 26, 2017. October 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151022205747/http://lbpost.com/news/education/2000002640-former-city-council-member-jeff-kellogg-elected-new-president-of-lbccd-board-of-trustees. dead.
  33. Book: Portrait of U.S. Army LT. Gen. Joseph K. Kellogg, (Uncovered), (U.S. Army photo by Mr. Scott Davis) (Released) (PC-193372), VIRIN: 001117-A-3569D-001. Series: Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files, 1921 – 2008. November 17, 2000. National Archives and Records Administration. March 23, 2017. March 24, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170324084207/https://research.archives.gov/id/6672193. dead.