2024 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 55
BY SENATOR REESE
A RESOLUTION
To commend David W. Gardner on the occasion of his recent promotion to the rank of
Major General of the United States Army.
WHEREAS, Major General (MG) David W. Gardner is the commander of Fort
Johnson and its Joint Readiness Training Center in Vernon Parish, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point,
New York, in 1994; and
WHEREAS, prior to 1998, MG Gardner served as an Infantry Platoon Leader,
Mortar Platoon Leader, Headquarters Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Logistics
Officer in the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment in the 82nd Airborne
Division; and
WHEREAS, upon graduation from the Field Artillery Advanced Course, he was
assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment in the 3rd Infantry Division
(Mechanized) where he commanded in Kosovo and in the invasion of Iraq; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 2008, MG Gardner served as a Battalion Executive
Officer, Brigade Operations Officer, and Brigade Executive Officer in the 504th Parachute
Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, before assuming command of the 2nd Battalion,
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment; and
WHEREAS, he deployed that battalion to Afghanistan in 2012, under the 1st Infantry
Division in Regional Command-East; and
WHEREAS, MG Gardner subsequently commanded the 2nd Armored Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, from 2016 to 2018, and deployed with that command
to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve; and
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 55 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, after commanding the Operations Group, Joint Readiness Training
Center from 2018 to 2020 located at Fort Polk (now known as Fort Johnson), Louisiana, MG
Gardner was then assigned as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Operational Test
Command located at Fort Hood, Texas, until the summer of 2022; and
WHEREAS, MG Gardner's non-troop assignments include: Strategist on the Army
Staff; Division Future Operations Lead Planner; Military Assistant to the Commander,
International Security and Assistance Force/US Forces, Afghanistan; and, Instructor at the
School of Advanced Military Studies; and
WHEREAS, MG Gardner holds a bachelor's degree in Physics and masters degrees
from Harvard University, National Defense University, and the U.S. Army Command and
General Staff College; and
WHEREAS, MG Gardner's awards and decorations include the Afghanistan and Iraq
Campaign Medals (with six Campaign Stars), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Combat and Expert
Infantryman Badges, Ranger Tab, and Master Parachutist Badge; and
WHEREAS, he was recently promoted from Brigadier General (one star) to the rank
of Major General (two stars) effective on March 3, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the rank of Major General is the third highest rank an Army soldier can
attain in peacetime; and
WHEREAS, MG Gardner's promotion and lifetime of distinguished service to the
United States of America, the United States Army, and the state of Louisiana merits
recognition, respect, and gratitude of a grateful nation, the citizens of Louisiana, and the
Louisiana Senate.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate David W. Gardner for his recent promotion from
Brigadier General to the rank of Major General of the United States Army.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Major General David W. Gardner.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 2 of 2