Terence Hildner

Terence Hildner
Brigadier General Terence J. Hildner
Born	(1962-02-20)February 20, 1962 New Haven, Connecticut
Died	February 3, 2012(2012-02-03)(aged 49) Kabul,Afghanistan†
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1984–2012
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands held	23rd Quartermaster Brigade 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)
Battles/wars	Gulf War Iraq War War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Awards	Legion of Merit Bronze Star(3) Defense Meritorious Service Medal Army Meritorious Service Medal(4) Joint Service Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal(5) Army Achievement Medal(2)

Brigadier GeneralTerence John Hildner(February 20, 1962 – February 3, 2012) was aUnited States ArmyGeneral Officerwho served as commander of the13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)from 2010 until his death in 2012.He is the second highest-ranking American officer to die while serving in thewar in Afghanistan.

Military career

Hildner graduated from theUniversity of Notre Damein 1984. He was commissioned as an Armor officer and his first assignment was with the3rd Armored Cavalry Regimentat Fort Bliss, Texas. In 1988 he joined the2nd Armored Cavalry Regimentin the Federal Republic of Germany where he served as the Regimental Training Officer and later took command of a ground cavalry troop.

During his company command, Hildner deployed his troop toSaudi Arabiaand was part of the U.S. VII Corps' attack into Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. His unit also conducted the last U.S. patrol along the East-West German border before the unification of Germany in 1990.

Later Hildner served in several assignments at Fort Hood, Texas, to include2nd Armored Divisioncomptroller andaide-de-campto the commanding general4th Infantry Division.Following his branch transfer to theQuartermaster Corps,he graduated from the U.S.Army Command and General Staff Collegein 1997.

Hildner served in a variety of staff positions, to include battalion executive officer of the296th Forward Support Battalion,supply & services chief for I Corps G4 at Fort Lewis, Washington, and J4 for the Department of Defense's counterdrug task force (JTF-6). As alieutenant colonel,Hildner assumed command of the13th Corps Support Command'sSpecial Troops Battalionat Fort Hood, TX. The battalion deployed twice during his nearly two years of command. The first was toIraqas part ofOperation Iraqi Freedomwhere the battalion served in the capacity of a Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, providing general logistical support to units located aroundJoint Base Baladas well as theAbu Ghraib prisoncomplex. The second deployment was as part of Logistical Task Force Lone Star, providing both military and humanitarian support operations to the victims ofHurricane Katrina.

In 2007, Hildner authored a paper titledInteragency Reform: Changing Organizational Culture Through Education and Assignmentas part of his master of strategic studies degree program.

Hildner commanded the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade atFort Lee,VA from July 2007 to July 2009, training more than 20,000 Quartermaster Soldiers annually. From 2009-2010 he served as the G3/Director of Training & Doctrine for theCombined Arms Support Command(CASCOM).

On August 19, 2010, he assumed command of the 13th Sustainment Command, and subsequently deployed to Afghanistan from his headquarters atFort Hoodin Texas.

Hildner died February 3, 2012, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of apparent natural causes, and is the second highest-ranking American to die in theAfghan war.

Hildner's funeral was held on February 29, 2012, at the Memorial Chapel onJoint Base Myer–Henderson Hall,Virginia. The Army's Chief of Chaplain's Major GeneralDonald L. Rutherfordpresided over the Catholic Mass and the Chief of Staff of the Army, GeneralRaymond T. Odiernoand many other senior military officers attended the service. Hildner was buried in Section 60 ofArlington National Cemeterywith full military honors provided by Charlie Company,3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).

Awards and decorations

Combat Action Badge

Parachutist Badge

	Legion of Merit
	Bronze Star Medalwith twooak leaf clusters
	Defense Meritorious Service Medal
	Army Meritorious Service Medalwith three oak leaf clusters
	Joint Service Commendation Medal
	Army Commendation Medalwith four oak leaf clusters
	Army Achievement Medalwith oak leaf cluster
	Valorous Unit Award
	National Defense Service Medalwithservice star
	Southwest Asia Service Medalwith three service stars
	Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Humanitarian Service Medal
	Army Service Ribbon
	Overseas Service Ribbon
	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Other honors

• 2006 Recipient of the Military Distinguished Order of Saint Martin (Army Quartermaster Corps).
• 2011 Inducted as a Distinguished Member of the Quartermaster Regiment.
• 2012 Inducted into the Quartermaster Hall of Fame.