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General George A. Joulwan (born 1939)

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A bronze bust of General George A. Joulwan on a granite pedestal in Pottsville, in dress uniform and service cap, above a bronze plaque reading 'GENERAL GEORGE A. JOULWAN, UNITED STATES ARMY, SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER OF NATO FORCES 1993-1997,' noting his Pottsville birth and his awards.
The bronze bust of Gen. George A. Joulwan, the Pottsville-born four-star general and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Schuylkill Hub

A Pottsville-born four-star general who rose to NATO’s top military command. Markers: verified · confirmed · corrects a common error · open/caution.

General George A. Joulwan, born in Pottsville in 1939, rose to become NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe — the alliance’s senior military officer — from 1993 to 1997. He entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduated with the Class of 1961.

Over a 36-year Army career he served in Vietnam, where he was decorated with two Silver Stars (the first for gallantry in September 1966). He commanded the 3rd Armored Division and V Corps, and from November 1990 to October 1993 was Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Southern Command, responsible for U.S. military activity across Latin America.

In 1993 he was appointed Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), succeeding General John Shalikashvili — a role he held until 1997, spanning NATO’s post–Cold War enlargement and its engagement in the Balkans. He retired as a four-star general in 1997.

Pottsville has not forgotten him: a public park in the city is named in his honor.

Sources

  • Wikidata: George Joulwan (Q321368)
    License: CC0

    Verified live 2026-07-05: label 'George Joulwan', description 'United States Army general'; date of birth 16 November 1939; position held Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 22 October 1993 – 11 July 1997 (predecessor Shalikashvili, successor Wesley Clark); educated at the United States Military Academy.

  • George Joulwan — Wikipedia
    License: CC-BY-SA-4.0

    Born 16 November 1939 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania; SACEUR 1993–1997; Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command, November 1990 – October 1993; West Point Class of 1961; two Silver Stars; retired 1997; a public park in Pottsville named in his honor.

  • Military Times — Hall of Valor: George Alfred Joulwan
    License: reference

    Verified live 2026-07-05: General (4-star), U.S. Army; Silver Star (Vietnam, September 1966), Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Distinguished Service Medal (two), Legion of Merit; commands include 3d Armored Division and V Corps (1989–1990), U.S. Southern Command (1990–1993), and European Command / SACEUR (1993–1997); West Point 1961; retired 1997.

Frequently asked

Who is General George Joulwan?
George A. Joulwan is a retired four-star U.S. Army general, born in Pottsville in 1939, who reached the top of the NATO command structure. From 1993 to 1997 he was Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) — NATO's senior military commander — and before that (1990–1993) he led U.S. Southern Command. A 1961 West Point graduate, he earned two Silver Stars in Vietnam over a 36-year career.
How is he connected to Pottsville?
He was born in Pottsville in 1939. A public park in the city is named in his honor.