Brigadier General Stephen D. Korenek

Brigadier General Stephen D. Korenek. . Brigadier General (BG) Stephen D. Korenek was born on 7 September 1946. He began his 35 year Army career as a distinguished military graduate from Texas A&M University on 25 May 1968. He was commissioned an Infantry Second Lieutenant and completed Infantry Officer's basic course at Fort Benning, Georgia. He completed the course on the Commandant's List and was chosen for Army Ranger School, a nine week intensive tactics and leadership course. His first assignment was 5th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood. He completed Airborne School on his way to Vietnam. As an Airborne Ranger, he was assigned as the Operations Officer for Company P, 75th Ranger Regiment, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, I Corps, near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Vietnam. As the only officer besides the Company Commander, he ran the critical Tactical Operations Center. As Command and Control Officer, he coordinated the unit's six man team, five day reconnaissance/combat patrols, helicopter insertions and extractions, artillery fire, helicopter gunships' suppressive fire, and Air Force close air support against North Vietnamese Army (NVA) regulars from across the DMZ. On patrol, he was an equal team member. Captain Korenek was released from active duty in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1975. He joined the Alaska Army National Guard serving in command and staff billets from company through brigade. He was promoted to Brigadier General to command the 207th Infantry Brigade, scout. Following successful command, Brigadier General Korenek was then appointed by the Alaska governor to be the Commanding General of the Alaska Army National Guard. Brigadier General Korenek's awards and decorations include Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Air Medal, Airborne Badge, Ranger Tab, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Legion of Merit, Army Achievement Medal (7), Army Commendation Medal (4), National Defense Service Medal (2), and numerous reserve component and Alaska National Guard Awards. He retired on 30 January 2003. He and his wife Becky live in Brownwood, their four daughters include an Army combat veteran and an Army reserve veteran.