Paul J. Kern

Infobox Military Person
name=Paul J. Kern
born= birth year and age|1945
died=


caption=General Paul J. Kern
nickname=
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Army
serviceyears=1967-2005
rank= General
unit=
commands=Army Materiel Command 4th Infantry Division
battles= Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm
awards=Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star with "V" Device (2) Purple Heart (3),
relations=
laterwork=Board of Directors, EDO CorporationGeneral Paul John Kern was the commanding general of the United States Army Materiel Command from 2001–2004.

Kern is a native of West Orange, New Jersey, and attended West Orange High School in his hometown. [ [http://www.amc.army.mil/amc/pa/releases04/kern.html "Major Army Command Says Farewell to Four-Star Commander"] , United States Army Materiel Command press release. Accessed November 19, 2007. "Kern was raised in West Orange , NJ and graduated from West Orange High School."] He was commissioned in 1967 as an Armor officer following graduation from the United States Military Academy. In 1973 he earned master's degrees in both mechanical and civil engineering from the University of Michigan.

Prior to assuming duties as the military deputy, Kern served as the Commander, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), the Army's Experimental Force. He was also the senior military assistant to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense; military staff assistant, Defense Research and Engineering for Test and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense; and Director of Requirements (Support Systems), Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. Kern also served as Team Chief, Light Combat Vehicle Team, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition, and as the Program Branch Chief, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems, Warren, Michigan. He taught weapon systems and automotive engineering at the United States Military Academy and was the department's research officer.

Kern served two tours in Vietnam with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment as a platoon leader and troop commander, and was a battalion operations officer with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. He also commanded the 5th Battalion, 32nd Armor, 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia; commanded the 2nd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart and during Desert Shield/Desert Storm; and was the Assistant Division Commander of the 24th Infantry Division after redeployment to Fort Stewart.

In June 2004 Kern was chosen to head the internal military investigation of the Abu Ghraib torture scandal, also referred to as the Fay Report. [http://me.engin.umich.edu/people/eab/kern.shtml University of Michigan bio] ]

His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star with "V" Device (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Purple Heart (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (with four Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, Parachutist Badge and Ranger Tab.

After retirement in January 2005, Kern joined the Board of Directors of EDO Corporation, [ [http://www.edocorp.com/PaulKern.htm EDO Corporation bio] ] and is a member of the External Advisory Board of the University of Michigan Department of Mechanical Engineering, and a Senior Conselor of The Cohen Group.

Kern now serves as an the Chair of Advanced Technology in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the United States Military Academy. [ [http://www-internal.dean.usma.edu/departments/cme/CME%20Home/facultystaff.htm] ]

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