Mark H. Landes | |
|---|---|
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| Born | (1968-05-19)19 May 1968 (age 57) Kingsport, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Service years | 1990–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | U.S. Army Infantry Branch |
| Commands | First United States Army First Army Division East Security Force Assistance Command 3rd Brigade,1st Armored Division 2nd Battalion,23rd Infantry Regiment |
| Conflicts | Iraq War War in Afghanistan Operation Inherent Resolve |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (5) Bronze Star Medal (3) Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (5) Army Commendation Medal (2) |
| Alma mater | United States Military Academy (BS) Tennessee Technological University (MBA) United States Army Command and General Staff College Yale University (United States Army War College fellowship) |
| Spouse | Morri Nichols[1] |
| Children | 2[1] |
Mark Hamilton Landes (born 19 May 1968) is a career officer in theUnited States Army who has commandedFirst United States Army since September 2024. A 1990 graduate of theUnited States Military Academy, and a veteran of theIraq War,War in Afghanistan, andOperation Inherent Resolve, he was promoted tomajor general in 2021. Landes' commands included 2nd Battalion,23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade,1st Armored Division,Security Force Assistance Command, andFirst Army Division East. In March 2024, Landes was appointed special assistant to the U.S. Army Forces Command commander. In June 2024, he was nominated for promotion tolieutenant general and assignment as commander ofFirst United States Army. His promotion and assignment were confirmed in August 2024.
Landes' awards include theLegion of Merit with fouroak leaf clusters,Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters,Defense Meritorious Service Medal,Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, andArmy Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and"V" device for valor.
Mark Hamilton Landes was born inKingsport, Tennessee in May 1968, a son of Junior H. Landes II and Rebecca Linn (Davidson) Landes.[2][3][4][5] He was raised and educated in Kingsport, and is a 1986 graduate ofDobyns-Bennett High School.[6] While in high school, Landes played basketball, was a member of the cross-country and track and field teams, and was a member of theKey Club andNational Honor Society.[7]
In 1986, U.S. RepresentativeJimmy Quillen appointed Landes to theUnited States Military Academy at West Point, which he attended from 1986 to 1990.[8] Landes graduated with aBachelor of Science degree in computer science and was commissioned as asecond lieutenant ofInfantry.[7][9][10]
Landes' military education includes:[10]
In addition, Landes completed aMaster of Business Administration degree atTennessee Technological University.[10]
Landes' initial assignments included postings to Germany, Hawaii, andDahlonega, Georgia.[10] He served in one of the first units to employ theStryker combat vehicle and helped validate the newly formed Stryker concept forcombined arms fighting.[10] He also served as an instructor at theAustralian School of Infantry.[10]
In 2007, Landes was assigned to command 2nd Battalion,23rd Infantry Regiment, which he led during operations in theDiyala Governorate as part of theIraq War troop surge of 2007.[10] After completing his command tour, he was assigned to the Operations Group at theFort Polk Joint Readiness Training Center.[10] Following his promotion tocolonel, he was appointed to command 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division.[10] He led the brigade during its 2011 deployment to Afghanistan in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom, including operations in the provinces ofLogar,Wardak, andBamyan provinces.[10]
Landes served as executive officer to theVice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 2014 to 2016.[10] After promotion to brigadier general, he served as 1st Armored Division's deputy commanding general for support.[10][11] From July 2018 to July 2021, he served as commander ofSecurity Force Assistance Command.[10] He was commander ofFirst Army Division East from August 2020 to December 2022, and he was promoted tomajor general in February 2021.[10][11] In March 2024, Landes was appointed special assistant to the U.S. Army Forces Command commander.[11]
In June 2024, Landes was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and appointment as commanding general of theFirst United States Army.[12][13] The promotion and assignment were effective in August, and he officially assumed command in a ceremony held on 6 September 2024.[14]
Landes' awards and decorations include:[10]
In addition, Landes is a recipient of theCombat Infantryman Badge,Expert Infantryman Badge,Senior Parachutist Badge,Ranger Tab, andArmy Staff Identification Badge.[10]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| New office | Commanding General of theSecurity Force Assistance Command 2018–2020 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commanding General ofFirst Army Division East 2020–2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commanding General of theFirst United States Army Acting 2023–2024 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commander of theFirst United States Army 2024–present | Incumbent |