Charles H. Jacoby Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait of GEN Jacoby, 2013 | |
| Birth name | Charles Hemming Jacoby Jr. |
| Born | (1954-06-19)June 19, 1954[1] Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | April 1, 2025(2025-04-01) (aged 70) Waxhaw, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1978–2014 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United States Northern Command North American Aerospace Defense Command United States Army Alaska I Corps Multi-National Corps – Iraq |
| Battles / wars | Operation Urgent Fury War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (2) |
| Alma mater | United States Military Academy University of Michigan |
Charles Hemming Jacoby Jr.[2] (June 19, 1954 – April 1, 2025) was a top military leader, author, and strategist who served as the fifth Commander ofUnited States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the 22nd Commander ofNorth American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). General Jacoby served as Vice Chairman and Board Member of Agilion Systems, an advanced technology and strategic advisory firm. Previously he was Vice Chairman and Board Member at Tilman & Company, a predecessor to Agilion[3][4]
General Jacoby was a leading expert on modern warfare, strategic planning, and international security, as well as an accomplished writer and historian. He is a co-author of Agility: How to Navigate the Unknown and Seize Opportunity in a World of Disruption (Missionday, 2019),[5] having also published studies on air campaigns, brigade combat teams, ballistic missile defense, and strategic deterrence. He is past Distinguished Chair of the Modern War Institute at theUnited States Military Academy at West Point and a member of theCouncil on Foreign Relations. He has served on the boards of theEl Pomar Foundation, theInstitute for Defense Analysis, Cornerstone Defense, and theUS Army Infantry Museum.
Jacoby’s 37 years of service include commanding at every level in Joint and Army assignments, from Company to Geographic Combatant Command. He has led in combat operations inGrenada with the82nd Airborne Division,Operation Enduring Freedom inAfghanistan, and Multinational CORPIraq during theOperation Iraqi Freedom (2009-2011). Previously, he served as Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy for theJoint Staff, contributed to theMiddle East peace process, and represented theU.S. military at theUnited Nations. As a U.S. Northern Command Commander, he led the military response toHurricane Sandy. As the first Army officer to leadNORAD, he reorganized its 1,800-person bi-national and joint headquarters and integrated 35 federal, state, and non-governmental organizations for the defense and security ofNorth America. He assumed command of USNORTHCOM and NORAD on 3 August 2011. Jacoby is notable as the first non-command pilot to serve as commander of either NORAD/USNORTHCOM, as both commands have traditionally been dominated by Air Force officers and NORAD carries a heavyair interdiction mission.[6][7]
A 1978 graduate of theUnited States Military Academy, Jacoby attended the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, theArmy Command and General Staff College, theSchool of Advanced Military Studies, and theNational War College.
Jacoby earned a master's degree in history from theUniversity of Michigan.[8]
General Jacoby’s contributions have been recognized with military decorations from the governments ofCanada,Mexico,Honduras,Guatemala, andColombia.
  | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with two bronzeoak leaf clusters) |
 | Distinguished Service Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster) |
 | Defense Superior Service Medal (with two bronze oak leaf clusters) |
 | Legion of Merit |
 | Bronze Star Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster) |
 | Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
  | Meritorious Service Medal (with one silver oak leaf cluster) |
 | Joint Service Commendation Medal |
 | Army Commendation Medal (with four bronze oak leaf clusters) |
 | Army Achievement Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster) |
  | National Defense Service Medal (with one bronzeservice star) |
 | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
 | Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with one bronze service star) |
 | Iraq Campaign Medal (with one bronze service star) |
 | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
 | Humanitarian Service Medal (with one bronze service star) |
 | Army Service Ribbon |
  | Overseas Service Ribbon (withaward numeral 6) |
 | Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with two bronze oak leaf clusters) |
 | Meritorious Unit Commendation |
 | Superior Unit Award |
 | Inter-American Defense Board Medal |
_-_ribbon_bar.gif) | Unidentified Medal |
 | Medal "Monja Blanca", 2nd class (Guatemala) |
 | Commander of TheOrder of Military Merit José María Córdova (Colombia) |
 | Condecoración al Mérito Militar, Primera Clase (Mexico)[9] |
 | Condecoración al Mérito Naval, Segunda Clase (Mexico)[9] |
_ribbon.svg) | CanadaMeritorious Service Cross (Military Division) |
 | 82nd Airborne DivisionCombat Service Identification Badge |
 | 504th Infantry RegimentDistinctive Unit Insignia |
 | 5Overseas Service Bars |
General Jacoby is married to Grace A. Dorta, retired Army Lt Col, and has three sons who all serve in the realm of U.S. national security.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Commander of theNorth American Aerospace Defense Command Commander of theUnited States Northern Command 3 August 2011 – 5 December 2014 | Succeeded by |
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