ROSEMOUNT, Minn. - On Jan. 4, the adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard, Army Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, many distinguished visitors and more than 130 guests, including friends and family, gathered at the Rosemount Armory to honor the promotion of William J. Lieder to brigadier general. Lieder was described by Nash as a peacemaker on the international stage as well as a tested and accomplished warrior, who has raw leadership talent and a passion for soldiers and their families.
Lieder is the director of the Joint Staff for Joint Force Headquarters of the Minnesota National Guard. He leads the Minnesota National Guard’s efforts in emergency response operations, government relations, strategic planning, facilities management and international affairs.
Lieder is a native to the Twin Cities, born in Minneapolis, raised in Golden Valley and graduate of Saint Cloud State University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology. He received a commission as a 2nd Lt. in the Military Police Corps and graduated from the U.S. Army War College in 2010, earning a Master of Science in Strategic Studies. In the civilian sector, he is currently an executive for the Minnesota-based Target Corporation as the company’s corporate security manager.
Having held command positions at every level leading to this promotion, he has completed such challenging assignments as; commander of the 1st Battalion, 216th Air Defense Artillery; commander of the Brigade Special Troops Battalion of the 1st Brigade 34th Red Bull Infantry Division during a deployment to Iraq; Operations Officer during Joint Task Force - Republican National Convention; commander of the General Studies, 2nd Battalion of the175th Regional Training Institute, and commander of the 84th Troop Command. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device.
When President Bush announced his “surge” strategy in 2007, Lieder’s battalion was part of the brigade that extended their deployment to 22 months, more than any other Brigade Combat Team serving in Iraq, setting the conditions for stability in Iraq. His battalion provided convoy escort security for 29,790 trucks traveling through Iraq, covering 2,872,264 miles.
“He’s a good one! He takes leadership seriously and cares about the soldiers. He gets involved and gets it done. I am 100 percent confident in his abilities,” said Maj. Gen. David Elicerio, commanding general of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division.
“I am so proud of him. He has been an excellent role model and mentor,” said Lieder’s daughter, 1st Lt. Andrea Kostiuk. “I guess I am just lucky that way. It brings tears to my eyes.”
During Lieder’s speech, he recognized members of his family and friends who have helped and supported him along the way.
Date Taken: | 01.04.2013 |
Date Posted: | 01.25.2013 16:21 |
Story ID: | 101047 |
Location: | ROSEMOUNT, MINNESOTA, US |
Hometown: | EAGAN, MINNESOTA, US |
Web Views: | 319 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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