| Leon J. LaPorte | |
| Birth Date: | 5 May 1946 |
| Birth Place: | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Allegiance: | United States of America |
| Branch: | United States Army |
| Serviceyears: | 1968–2006 |
| Rank: | General |
| Commands: | U.S. Forces Korea III Corps 1st Cavalry Division |
| Battles: | 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) |
Leon J. LaPorte (born May 5, 1946)[1] is a retired United States Army General who served as Commander, 1st Cavalry Division from 1995 through 1997 and as Commander, United States Forces Korea until 2006.
LaPorte graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.A. degree in biology[1] 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 transferred to the 238th Aerial Weapons Company in the Republic of Vietnam. In 1977 he received his M.S. degree in Administration from the University of California, Irvine. From 1977 until 1980 he was an 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. He returned in 1995 to command the 1st Cavalry Division until 1997. 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 the Army after 38 years of service, handing command to U.S. Army General Burwell B. Bell III.
LaPorte played a major part in an investigation of the involvement U.S. military personnel in hiring prostitutes and facilitating human trafficking in South Korea.[2] [3] [4] Laporte gave an apology to the families of the two South Korean junior high-school girls that were accidentally run over and killed by a U.S. armored vehicle in 2002.[5]
| Defense Distinguished Service Medal | ||
| Army Distinguished Service Medal | ||
| Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters | ||
| Distinguished Flying Cross | ||
| Bronze Star | ||
| Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters | ||
| Air Medal with "V" device and bronze award numeral 9 | ||
| Army Commendation Medal with "V" device | ||
| Army Achievement Medal | ||
| Meritorious Unit Commendation | ||
| National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars | ||
| Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars | ||
| Southwest Asia Service Medal with three service stars | ||
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | ||
| Armed Forces Service Medal | ||
| Army Service Ribbon | ||
| Army Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 2 | ||
| Bundeswehr Cross of Honor in Silver (Republic of Germany) | ||
| Order of National Security Merit, Tong-il Medal (Republic of Korea) | ||
| Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation | ||
| Vietnam Campaign Medal | ||
| Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) | ||
| Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) |