Colonel Robert J. Gerard graduated from OCS Class 13, 9 May 1952. Colonel Gerard served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer of a Rifle Company with the 3d Battalion, 224th Infantry in Korea, 1953-1954. Following the end of the Korean Conflict, Colonel Gerard served as an instructor with the Weapons Department, USAIS, Fort Benning, for two years. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Staff Officer to the U.S. Army Aviation School, Fort Rucker and Commanding Officer of the 110th Aviation Company, Verona, Italy. In October of 1965, Colonel Gerard began his first tour of duty in Vietnam, serving as Operations Officer for the 173d Assault Helicopter Company. He was subsequently assigned as a Staff Officer; then Chief, Organizational Branch, and Aviation Director, OACSFOR, Washington, D.C. Colonel Gerard returned to Vietnam in July of 1970 and served as the Commander, 158th Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Ambl) and as the Executive Officer of the 101st Aviation Group within the 101st Airborne Division. | Colonel Gerard graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He served on the faculty of the U.S. Army War College and as Chairman of the Department of National and International Security Studies. | Colonel Gerard's awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal - 17th Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, General Staff Identification Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Senior Aviator Badge.