Biography
A Lifetime of Service
General Russel Honoré is a decorated 37-year army veteran and a global authority on leadership, disaster management, and climate preparedness. At the request of the Speaker of the House, the General led Task Force 1-6 Capitol Security Review to improve Capitol security following the attacks on January 6, 2021. As the commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, he became known as the “Category 5 General” for his leadership in coordinating military relief efforts in post-hurricane New Orleans.
General Honoré knows that the future of our national security depends on protecting our environment, and he’s fighting for a brighter future for us all. A Louisiana native, he founded the GreenARMY, a coalition of environmental experts and advocates, to protect against pollution while fighting climate change and the natural disasters it causes.
During his military career, General Honoré held numerous commands, including Vice Director for Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Commander of the Standing Joint Force Headquarters-Homeland Security.
Assignments
- Commanding General, First Army
- Commanding General, SJFHQ-HLS, U.S. Northern Command
- Commanding General, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea
- Deputy Commanding General/Assistant Commandant, United States Army Infantry Center and School, Fort Benning, Georgia
- Assistant Division Commander, Maneuver/Support, 1st Calvary Division, Fort Hood, Texas
- Brigade Commander, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia
- Senior Mechanized Observer/Controller, “Scorpion 07,” National Training Center (25 rotations)
- Commander, 4th Battalion, 16th Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Germany
- Lead, Task Force 1-6 Capitol Security Review
Civilian Awards & Recognition
- NAACP Humanitarian Award
- Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award
- National Newspaper Publishers Association Newsmaker of the Year Award
- McDonald’s 365Black Award
- Master of Arts in Human Resources from Troy State University
- Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration from Southern University and A&M College
- Honorary Doctorate in Laws from Stillman College
- Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Stillman College
- Keys to the City for Chisholm, Minnesota; Riverdale, Georgia; St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana; and New Orleans, Louisiana
Military Awards & Qualification Badges
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2)
- Distinguished Service Medal (2)
- Legion of Merit (5)
- Bronze Star Medal
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal (4)
- Army Commendation Medal (4)
- Army Achievement Medal
- National Defense Service Medal (3)
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Southwest Asia Service Medal (2)
- Global War on Terror Service Medal
- Korean Defense Service Medal
- Armed Forces Service Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon (4)
- Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi)
- Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
- Joint Meritorious Unit Award
- Expert Infantry Badge
- Parachutist Badge
- Joint Staff Identification Badge