Colonel Dennis R. Cooper was commissioned a Military Intelligence Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 6 September 1968. His first duty assignment was as Imagery Interpretation Team Chief, European Special Activities Facility, Schierstein, Germany. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Intelligence Operations Officer, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group, Republic of Vietnam; Commander, 502nd Military Intelligence Company, 2nd Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas; Tactical Exploitation of National Space Program Capabilities Staff Officer, U.S. Army Intelligence Center and School, Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Officer in Charge of Operations, Field Station Sinop, Sinop, Turkey; Executive Officer, U.S. Army Intelligence Center and School, Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Force Integration Staff Officer, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Headquarters DA, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; Division Chief and Deputy Director of Operations, Secretary of the Air Force for Special Projects, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California; Chief of The Imagery Division, Deputy Chief of Staff For Intelligence, Headquarters DA, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; Director of Operations, Secretary of The Air Force for Special Projects, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. | Colonel Cooper's military education and training includes: Aerial Surveillance Officer Course, Military Intelligence Officer Advance Course, Electronic Warfare/Cryptologic Officer Course and the Command and General Staff College. | His awards and decorations include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (Two Awards), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon (Three Awards), Vietnamese Staff Honor Medal First Class, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Staff  Identification Badge, Air Force Senior Space Badge, Joint Unit Commendation Medal and Air Force Organizational Excellence Award.