Speaker Biography

General Barry McCaffrey An expert commentator for NBC News and BBC TV on matters associated with the War on Terrorism and other U.S. military activity, General Barry McCaffrey also writes a weekly column for U.S. News and World Report. He is the Olin Distinguished professor of National Security Studies at the United States Military Academy and head of a consulting firm specializing in international security issues. One of the great military leaders of our time, General McCaffrey was, at retirement from active duty, the most highly decorated and youngest four star general in the U.S. Army. He was commander of the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division during Operation Desert Storm, served as assistant to Colin Powell and supported the chairman as Joint Chiefs of Staff advisor to the secretary of state. He was twice awarded the nation's second highest award for valor - the Distinguished Service Cross - and received three Purple Heart medals for wounds received in combat.