Joseph J. Taluto
Encyclopedia
Joseph J. Taluto is a retired United States Army
general who served as the Adjutant General
of New York State. He held the rank of Major General
. As such, he was the director of the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs, and served as overall commander of the New York Army National Guard
, New York Air National Guard
, New York Guard
and New York Naval Militia
. Taluto commanded the "Rainbow Division" in Iraq
during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2006.
in 1965. He attended Officer Candidate School
at Empire State Military Academy, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1968.
After graduating from Air Defense Artillery basic course, Taluto served as a platoon leader for Headquarters Company, New York Army National Guard, then was then assigned to the Nike-Hercules Missile Program
. After a transfer to the Armor branch, he held a variety of positions in the 1st Battalion, 210th Armor, including command positions in three companies while completing the Armor Officer Advanced Course. After serving in operations officer assignments at several levels of command, he was assigned as Chief of Staff
, Headquarters, Troop Command, New York Army National Guard, with subsequent assignments as Chief of Staff, 42nd Infantry Division; Chief of Staff, State Area Command; Deputy Commander
, 27th Infantry Brigade; Assistant Division Commander, 42nd Infantry Division; and Commander of the 42nd Infantry Division.
In 1986 Taluto received a Bachelor of Science
degree from Excelsior College
. In 1995 he graduated from the Army War College.
Taluto served as the Joint Task Force Commander during the 42nd Infantry Division’s initial emergency response mission to assist the New York City
in its security and recovery operations following the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center
. He directed a force of some 2,000 Soldiers, Airmen, sailors and Marines to assist the city’s Office of Emergency Management.
.
The Task Force included the first and third brigades of the 3rd Infantry Division, the 116th Infantry Brigade
, engineer and aviation units of the 82nd Airborne Division, the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion.
in Tikrit
, Iraq
. Captain Phillip Esposito and First Lieutenant
Louis Allen, from a New York Army National Guard
unit of the United States
42nd Infantry Division, were killed by a Claymore mine placed in the window of Esposito's office.
Esposito was commander of the unit which supported Taluto, his assistant division commanders and division staff, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 42nd Infantry Division. Allen had recently arrived in Iraq to serve as Esposito's executive officer, or second in command.
Military investigators determined that the mine was deliberately placed and detonated with the intention of killing Esposito and Allen. Staff Sergeant
Alberto B. Martinez from the officers' unit was charged in the killing but was acquitted in a court martial trial at Fort Bragg
, North Carolina
, on December 4, 2008. The case was one of only two publicly-announced alleged fragging incidents among American forces during the Iraq war.
for the State of New York
on January 23, 2006.
In May, 2009 Taluto was nominated for the position of Director, Army National Guard, a position second only to the Chief, National Guard Bureau in the Guard's leadership. The director's position would have included promotion to Lieutenant General
.
Senate
action on Taluto's nomination was delayed because of opposition from Siobhan Esposito, the widow of Captain Esposito. Mrs. Esposito argued through her blog
and other forums that the murders of her husband and Allen could have been prevented if Taluto and his staff had taken proactive measures to prevent Staff Sergeant Martinez from acquiring and employing the Claymore mine.
Taluto's nomination for Director, Army National Guard had not been acted on by the Senate when Taluto retired in February, 2010.
, Legion of Merit
, Bronze Star
, Meritorious Service Medal
with Silver and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with Silver and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal
with Bronze Service Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal
, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
, the Humanitarian Service Medal
, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal
with Gold Hourglass, Bronze Hourglass and M Device, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
general who served as the Adjutant General
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
of New York State. He held the rank of Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
. As such, he was the director of the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs, and served as overall commander of the New York Army National Guard
New York Army National Guard
The New York Army National Guard is a component of the New York National Guard and the Army National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
, New York Air National Guard
New York Air National Guard
The New York Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of New York. It is, along with the New York Army National Guard, an element of the New York National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as its state mission...
, New York Guard
New York Guard
The New York Guard is the State Defense Force of New York State. As of June 2008, the New York Guard, a recognized command under the New York State's Military law, has line-item funding in the state budget....
and New York Naval Militia
New York Naval Militia
The New York Naval Militia is the Naval Militia of New York State and is under the command of the Governor of New York.With the New York State Guard, as well as the Army National Guard and Air National Guard, it is under the control of the New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs and New...
. Taluto commanded the "Rainbow Division" in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2006.
Military career and background
Taluto enlisted in the Army National GuardArmy National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
in 1965. He attended Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School or Officer Cadet School are institutions which train civilians and enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a commission as officers in the armed forces of a country....
at Empire State Military Academy, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1968.
After graduating from Air Defense Artillery basic course, Taluto served as a platoon leader for Headquarters Company, New York Army National Guard, then was then assigned to the Nike-Hercules Missile Program
Project Nike
Project Nike was a U.S. Army project, proposed in May 1945 by Bell Laboratories, to develop a line-of-sight anti-aircraft missile system. The project delivered the United States' first operational anti-aircraft missile system, the Nike Ajax, in 1953...
. After a transfer to the Armor branch, he held a variety of positions in the 1st Battalion, 210th Armor, including command positions in three companies while completing the Armor Officer Advanced Course. After serving in operations officer assignments at several levels of command, he was assigned as Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
, Headquarters, Troop Command, New York Army National Guard, with subsequent assignments as Chief of Staff, 42nd Infantry Division; Chief of Staff, State Area Command; Deputy Commander
Deputy Commander
Deputy commander was a rank in the London Metropolitan Police which existed between 1946 and 1968.In 1946, the rank of chief constable, which was between superintendent and deputy assistant commissioner, was renamed deputy commander. At the same time, the rank of deputy assistant commissioner was...
, 27th Infantry Brigade; Assistant Division Commander, 42nd Infantry Division; and Commander of the 42nd Infantry Division.
In 1986 Taluto received a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from Excelsior College
Excelsior College
Excelsior College is a private, non-profit institution of higher education in Albany, New York. It is a constituent member of The University of the State of New York, and has its own charter and Board of Trustees. Excelsior College offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level...
. In 1995 he graduated from the Army War College.
Taluto served as the Joint Task Force Commander during the 42nd Infantry Division’s initial emergency response mission to assist the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in its security and recovery operations following the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
. He directed a force of some 2,000 Soldiers, Airmen, sailors and Marines to assist the city’s Office of Emergency Management.
Operation Iraqi Freedom
General Taluto was assigned as the Commander, 42nd Infantry Division, New York Army National Guard, and commanded the division as well as Task Force Liberty during its deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. The unit rotated into Iraq to replace Task Force Danger, composed of the 1st Infantry Division and commanded by Maj. Gen. John R. S. BatisteJohn Batiste
Major General John Batiste is a retired officer of the United States Army.John Batiste was commissioned as an infantry officer from West Point and served in five US Army heavy divisions over the next 31 years...
.
The Task Force included the first and third brigades of the 3rd Infantry Division, the 116th Infantry Brigade
116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States)
The 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was formerly known as the 1st Brigade, 29th Infantry Division. It is currently assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard. The Brigade is headquartered in Staunton, Virginia, at the Thomas Howie Memorial Armory....
, engineer and aviation units of the 82nd Airborne Division, the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion.
Deaths of Esposito and Allen
The deaths of Phillip Esposito and Louis Allen were caused on June 7, 2005, at Forward Operating Base DangerForward Operating Base Danger
Forward Operating Base Danger was a forward operating base operated by United States military forces in Tikrit, Iraq from the time of the occupation of Iraq in 2003 until November 2005 when it was handed over to the government of Iraq. The base was centered on Saddam Hussein's presidential palace...
in Tikrit
Tikrit
Tikrit is a town in Iraq, located 140 km northwest of Baghdad on the Tigris river . The town, with an estimated population in 2002 of about 260,000 is the administrative center of the Salah ad Din Governorate.-Ancient times:...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. Captain Phillip Esposito and First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
Louis Allen, from a New York Army National Guard
New York Army National Guard
The New York Army National Guard is a component of the New York National Guard and the Army National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
unit of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
42nd Infantry Division, were killed by a Claymore mine placed in the window of Esposito's office.
Esposito was commander of the unit which supported Taluto, his assistant division commanders and division staff, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 42nd Infantry Division. Allen had recently arrived in Iraq to serve as Esposito's executive officer, or second in command.
Military investigators determined that the mine was deliberately placed and detonated with the intention of killing Esposito and Allen. Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
Alberto B. Martinez from the officers' unit was charged in the killing but was acquitted in a court martial trial at Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, on December 4, 2008. The case was one of only two publicly-announced alleged fragging incidents among American forces during the Iraq war.
Post Operation Iraqi Freedom
Taluto was appointed the Adjutant GeneralAdjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
for the State of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on January 23, 2006.
In May, 2009 Taluto was nominated for the position of Director, Army National Guard, a position second only to the Chief, National Guard Bureau in the Guard's leadership. The director's position would have included promotion to Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
.
Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
action on Taluto's nomination was delayed because of opposition from Siobhan Esposito, the widow of Captain Esposito. Mrs. Esposito argued through her blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
and other forums that the murders of her husband and Allen could have been prevented if Taluto and his staff had taken proactive measures to prevent Staff Sergeant Martinez from acquiring and employing the Claymore mine.
Taluto's nomination for Director, Army National Guard had not been acted on by the Senate when Taluto retired in February, 2010.
Awards and decorations
Taluto's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with Silver and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with Silver and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
with Bronze Service Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004. The Iraq Campaign Medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry....
, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003...
, the Humanitarian Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
The Humanitarian Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States armed forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under...
, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. The medal recognizes service performed by the Reserve and National Guard forces of the United States of America....
with Gold Hourglass, Bronze Hourglass and M Device, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross.
Post military career
In 2010 Taluto joined Excelsior College as Executive in Residence, responsible for expanding the school's outreach to military members and veterans.See also
External links
- Globalsecurity.org - Task Force Liberty
- News report, Obama's National Guard Pick Faces Hurdle, by Brian Mann for the program All Things Considered, May 29, 2009
- Newspaper article, National Guard Nominee Withdraws, by Associated Press, printed in USA Today, January 28, 2010
- News article, Taluto Retires as TAG, Withdraws Nomination as Army Guard Director, National Guard Bureau News Archives, January 28, 2010
- Newspaper article, Did Army Widow Help End Career?, by Dennis Yusko, Albany Times Union, January 29, 2010
- Excelsior College Press Release, Taluto is New Excelsior College Executive in Residence, October 20, 2010