Mark H. Landes

Mark H. Landes is a career officer in the United States Army. A 1990 graduate of the United States Military Academy, and a veteran of the Iraq War, War in Afghanistan, and Operation Inherent Resolve, he was promoted to major general in 2021. Landes' commands included 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Security Force Assistance Command, and First Army Division East.

Mark H. Landes
Head and shoulders photo of Major General Mark H. Landes, dress uniform, head and shoulders, in front of United States and First Army flags
Landes as a brigadier general commanding First U.S. Army Division East, circa 2020
Born (1968-05-19) May 19, 1968
Kingsport, Tennessee, U.S.
ServiceUnited States Army
Years of service1990 – Present
RankMajor General
UnitU.S. Army Infantry Branch
Commands held2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division
Security Force Assistance Command
First Army Division East
First United States Army
ConflictsIraq War
War in Afghanistan
Operation Inherent Resolve
AwardsLegion of Merit (5)
Bronze Star Medal (3)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (5)
Army Commendation Medal (2)
Alma materUnited 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(s)Morri Nichols[1]
Children2[1]

Landes' awards include the Legion of Merit with four oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and "V" device for valor. In December 2022, Landes was appointed acting commander of First United States Army.

Early life

Mark Hamilton Landes was born in Kingsport, 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 of Dobyns-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 the Key Club and National Honor Society.[7]

In 1986, U.S. Representative Jimmy Quillen appointed Landes to the United States Military Academy at West Point, which he attended from 1986 to 1990.[8] Landes graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry.[7][9][10]

Career

Military education

Landes' military education includes:[10]

In addition, Landes completed a Master of Business Administration degree at Tennessee Technological University.[10]

Assignments

Landes' initial assignments included postings to Germany, Hawaii, and Dahlonega, Georgia.[10] He served in one of the first units to employ the Stryker combat vehicle and helped validate the newly formed Stryker concept for combined arms fighting.[10] He also served as an instructor at the Australian School of Infantry.[10]

In 2007, Landes was assigned to command 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, which he led during operations in the Diyala Governorate as part of the Iraq War troop surge of 2007.[10] After completing his command tour, he was assigned to the Operations Group at the Fort Polk Joint Readiness Training Center.[10] Following his promotion to colonel, he was appointed to command 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division.[10] He led the brigade during its 2011 deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, including operations in the provinces of Logar, Wardak, and Bamyan provinces.[10]

Brigadier General Landes as commander of Security Force Assistance Command, circa 2020

Landes served as executive officer to the Vice 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 of Security Force Assistance Command.[10] He was commander of First Army Division East from August 2020 to December 2022, and he was promoted to major general in February 2021.[10][11] In December 2022, Landes was appointed acting commander of First United States Army.[10][12]

Awards

Landes' awards and decorations include:[10]

In addition, Landes is a recipient of the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and Army Staff Identification Badge.[10]

References
  1. Burge, David (November 28, 2016). "Brig. Gen. Mark Landes touts readiness as top priority". El Paso Times. El Paso, TX. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Who's Whose: Announcing New Arrivals; Mark Hamilton Landes". Kingsport Times. Kjngsport, TN. May 31, 1968. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Obituary of Mary Ellen "Midge" Barnes Davidson Fultz". Ford Funeral Homes.com. Fairmont, TN: Ford Funeral Homes. June 1, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  4. "West Virginia Marriages Index, 1785-1971, Entry for Junior H. Landes II and Rebecca Linn Davidson". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. 1964. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  5. Jones, Becky (March 29, 1981). "Korean twins completed their family". Kingsport Times-News. Kingsport, TN. p. 1E – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Graduates: Dobyns-Bennett High School". Kingsport Times-News. Kingsport, TN. May 16, 1986. p. 6A – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Area students honored". Kingsport Times-News. Kingsport, TN. May 30, 1990. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Hooper, Phyllis (February 20, 1986). "35 persons nominated for academy appointments". Kingsport Times-News. Kingsport, TN. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Academic Program: Introduction". West Point.edu. West Point, NY: United States Military Academy. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  10. "Biography, MG Mark H. Landes". First Army.mil. Rock island, IL: First United States Army. 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  11. "Biographical Summary, Major General Mark H. Landes". GOMO.army.mil. Washington, DC: United States Army General Officer Management Office. 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  12. Turner, Jonathan (December 1, 2022). "Aguto will lead a new Army headquarters in Germany after leaving Rock Island Arsenal". Quad Cities.com. Rock Island, IL.
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