Michael D. Maples
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
Michael David Maples, USA
(born 1949) served as the 16th Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
(DIA
), appointed on November 4, 2005. He received his third star on November 29. Maples also commanded the Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JFCC-ISR) for the United States Strategic Command
(USSTRATCOM). He transferred his Directorship of the Defense Intelligence Agency and his Command of JFCC-ISR to LTG Ronald Burgess
on March 18, 2009. Maples formally served as the Vice Director of Management of the Joint Staff.
, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery following graduation from the United States Military Academy
in 1971. He holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Behavior from Pacific Lutheran University
. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College
.
on August 23, 2001. Prior to assuming his present duties, Maples served at Headquarters, Department of the Army as the Director of Operations, Readiness and Mobilization, and the Director of Military Support in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. He was previously assigned as the Assistant Division Commander (Support), 1st Armored Division
, and Senior Tactical Commander of the Baumholder
Military Community. As the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps
(ARRC), and for the Kosovo Force (KFOR), LTG General Maples planned and executed the entry of NATO forces into Kosovo. Previous assignments include serving as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G3, V Corps, Heidelberg, Germany and Deputy Chief of Staff Operations for United States Army Europe
(FWD), Taszar, Hungary, supporting United States forces in the Balkans in Operation Joint Endeavor.
Maples commanded the 41st Field Artillery Brigade
, Babenhausen
, Germany; the 6th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery (MLRS) at Fort Sill
, Oklahoma and Desert Shield/Desert Storm
; and B Battery, 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery (155 T), 2d Infantry Division, Republic of Korea. During Desert Storm
, his battalion was the only ATACMS capable unit in theater and provided support to both VII and XVIII Corps, as well as the 6th French, 101st Airborne, 24th Infantry, 1st Armored and 1st Infantry Divisions.
; Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General United States Army Readiness Region VII; Training Management Officer, United States Army Readiness Group, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; and Fire Direction Officer and Executive Officer in C Battery, 2d Battalion, 34th Field Artillery (155 SP), at Fort Lewis, Washington and Fort Knox, Kentucky.
with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star
, the Meritorious Service Medal
with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Achievement Medal. Foreign decorations include the French Croix de guerre
with Silver Star. While CDR, 41st FA BDE in Baubenhausen, Germany, then COL Maples was awarded the Georgia Commendation Medal [Georgia National Guard - USA] by LTC Frank Williams - 3ID RTOC, in July 1996.
. On February 27, 2008, he testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that waterboarding is not consistent with Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions
and that it is inhumane.
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...
Michael David Maples, USA
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...
(born 1949) served as the 16th Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
The Director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency is a three-star military officer and is the highest ranking intelligence officer in the Department of Defense. He is the primary military intelligence advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and also...
(DIA
Dia
Dia is free and open source general-purpose diagramming software, developed originally by Alexander Larsson. Dia uses a controlled single document interface similar to GIMP and Sodipodi.- Features :...
), appointed on November 4, 2005. He received his third star on November 29. Maples also commanded the Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JFCC-ISR) for the United States Strategic Command
United States Strategic Command
United States Strategic Command is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Department of Defense . The Command, including components, employs more than 2,700 people, representing all four services, including DoD civilians and contractors, who oversee the command's operationally...
(USSTRATCOM). He transferred his Directorship of the Defense Intelligence Agency and his Command of JFCC-ISR to LTG Ronald Burgess
Ronald L. Burgess, Jr.
Lieutenant General Ronald Lee Burgess, Jr., USA is the 17th Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and Command of the Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance...
on March 18, 2009. Maples formally served as the Vice Director of Management of the Joint Staff.
Early life
Maples, a native of Bonham, TexasBonham, Texas
Bonham is a city in Fannin County, Texas, United States. The population was 10,127 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Fannin County. James Bonham sought the aid of James Fannin at the Battle of the Alamo....
, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery following graduation from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1971. He holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Behavior from Pacific Lutheran University
Pacific Lutheran University
Pacific Lutheran University is located in Parkland, a suburb of Tacoma, Washington. In September 2009, PLU had a student population of 3,582 and approximately 280 full-time faculty...
. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
.
Military career
Maples became the Commanding General of the United States Army Field Artillery Center at Fort SillFort Sill
Fort Sill is a United States Army post near Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.Today, Fort Sill remains the only active Army installation of all the forts on the South Plains built during the Indian Wars...
on August 23, 2001. Prior to assuming his present duties, Maples served at Headquarters, Department of the Army as the Director of Operations, Readiness and Mobilization, and the Director of Military Support in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. He was previously assigned as the Assistant Division Commander (Support), 1st Armored Division
U.S. 1st Armored Division
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
, and Senior Tactical Commander of the Baumholder
Baumholder
Baumholder is a town in the Birkenfeld district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, in the Westrich, an historic region that encompasses areas in both Germany and France...
Military Community. As the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps
Headquarters Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps
The Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation High Readiness Force Headquarters ready for deployment worldwide within five to thirty days.-History:...
(ARRC), and for the Kosovo Force (KFOR), LTG General Maples planned and executed the entry of NATO forces into Kosovo. Previous assignments include serving as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G3, V Corps, Heidelberg, Germany and Deputy Chief of Staff Operations for United States Army Europe
United States Army Europe
United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, is an Army Service Component Command of the United States Army and the land component of United States European Command. It is the largest American formation in Europe.-Invasion of Sicily:...
(FWD), Taszar, Hungary, supporting United States forces in the Balkans in Operation Joint Endeavor.
Maples commanded the 41st Field Artillery Brigade
U.S. 41st Field Artillery Brigade
The 41st Fires Brigade is a field artillery brigade of the United States Army based in Fort Hood, Texas. It is a subordinate unit of III Corps.-History:...
, Babenhausen
Babenhausen
Babenhausen is a town in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district, in Hesse, Germany.-Geography:It is situated on the river Gersprenz, 25 km southeast of Frankfurt, and 14 km west of Aschaffenburg. South of its general borders, the mountain range of the Odenwald is situated about 15 km away...
, Germany; the 6th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery (MLRS) at Fort Sill
Fort Sill
Fort Sill is a United States Army post near Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.Today, Fort Sill remains the only active Army installation of all the forts on the South Plains built during the Indian Wars...
, Oklahoma and Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
; and B Battery, 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery (155 T), 2d Infantry Division, Republic of Korea. During Desert Storm
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, his battalion was the only ATACMS capable unit in theater and provided support to both VII and XVIII Corps, as well as the 6th French, 101st Airborne, 24th Infantry, 1st Armored and 1st Infantry Divisions.
Other assignments
Other assignments include Deputy Commander of V Corps Artillery; Senior Military Aide to the Secretary of the Army; successive assignments in the 1st Armored Division Artillery in Zirndorf, Germany, as the Division Artillery Assistant S3; S3 and Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery (8”/MLRS), Division Assistant Fire Support Coordinator and Division Artillery Executive Officer; Tactical Officer, Company D-4, United States Corps of Cadets, United States Military AcademyUnited States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
; Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General United States Army Readiness Region VII; Training Management Officer, United States Army Readiness Group, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; and Fire Direction Officer and Executive Officer in C Battery, 2d Battalion, 34th Field Artillery (155 SP), at Fort Lewis, Washington and Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Decorations
LTG Maples’ decorations include the Defense Superior Service Award with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of MeritLegion 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...
with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the 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...
, 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 three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Achievement Medal. Foreign decorations include the French Croix de guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
with Silver Star. While CDR, 41st FA BDE in Baubenhausen, Germany, then COL Maples was awarded the Georgia Commendation Medal [Georgia National Guard - USA] by LTC Frank Williams - 3ID RTOC, in July 1996.
Testimony on interrogation methods
Lt. Gen. Maples has testified in Congressional hearings with regard to controversies about enhanced interrogation methods such as waterboardingWaterboarding
Waterboarding is a form of torture in which water is poured over the face of an immobilized captive, thus causing the individual to experience the sensation of drowning...
. On February 27, 2008, he testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that waterboarding is not consistent with Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions
Geneva Conventions
The Geneva Conventions comprise four treaties, and three additional protocols, that establish the standards of international law for the humanitarian treatment of the victims of war...
and that it is inhumane.