Julius W. Becton Jr.
Recipient of the Purple Heart medal / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Julius Wesley Becton Jr. (June 29, 1926 – November 28, 2023) was an American military official. He was a United States Army lieutenant general. He served as Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush presidencies from 1985 to 1989. He was also an education administrator.
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Julius Wesley Becton Jr. | |
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Born | (1926-06-29)June 29, 1926 Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | November 28, 2023(2023-11-28) (aged 97) |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Army FEMA (1985–1989) |
Years of service | 1944–1946 1948–1983 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Commands held | VII Corps 1st Cavalry Division |
Battles/wars | World War II Cold War |
Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star (2) Air Medal (2) with V Device Army Commendation Medal (2) Purple Heart (2) Combat Infantry Badge, 2nd Award. Parachutist Badge |
Other work | Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency |
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Becton went on to serve in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant general in 1978 and command of VII Corps in Europe during the Cold War. Becton retired from the U.S. Army in 1983, after nearly 40 years of service.
His autobiography, Becton: Autobiography of a Soldier and Public Servant, was published in 2008 by Naval Institute Press.[1]