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A-STATE’S PIPELINE TO THE NATION’S MILITARY BEST: HONORING THE NATIONAL ROTC HALL OF FAME’S NEWEST MEMBERS
FEATURE
STORY
Heroism, valor, leadership, commitment, sacrifice, honor and duty.
A pair of heralded Arkansas State alumni were inducted into the national Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Hall of Fame in Fort Benning, Ga., in September. The two — of A-State’s six twostar major generals — are Maj. Gen. George Barker and Maj. Gen. Elder Granger. June 10, 2016, at Fort Knox, Ky., including Col. (Ret.) Buddy G. Beck, Col. (Ret.) Douglas E. Moore, Dr. Eugene W. Smith, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) James E. Simmons, Ambassador James W. Pardew Jr., Lt. Col. John Lewis, Capt. Felix P. Settlemire and Col. (Ret.) Ray A. Clardy.
In addition to Granger and Barker, the remaining four two-star major generals from A-State are Lynn Hartsell, Bobby B. Porter, James E. Simmons and Eugene L. Stillions Jr.
The one-star brigadier generals are Bradley Cox, John Geis, Wendul G. Hagler II, Lynn Hooper, Keith A. Klemmer, David L. Smalley, Frank J. Toney, Kevin L. Vines, Ernest R. Webster and Bobby G. Wood.
The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC centennial celebration. The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the
“Arkansas State University ROTC has played an integral role in developing some of the Army’s finest officers, producing over 16 generals since its inception in 1936,” noted Lt. Col. Joseph Loar, professor of military science.
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A-STATE’S PIPELINE TO THE NATION’S MILITARY BEST — HONORING THE NATIONAL ROTC HALL OF FAME’S NEWEST MEMBERS Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC alumni who have made lasting significant contributions to the nation, the Army, and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.
Granger and Barker are grateful to be a part of this fraternity and proud that they launched their careers in the military science program at A-State. Both are now retired from military service and enjoyed successful civilian careers thanks to their academic educations.
Elder Granger
“It is a humbling, grateful and divine honor to be inducted into the national ROTC Hall of Fame since so many worthy individuals’ military careers had his or her start or beginning at Arkansas State and other universities’ ROTC programs,” said Granger, who also enjoyed a professional medical career as part of his military training.
“I became interested in medicine when I was in junior high school and did a research project on sickle cell anemia,” said Granger. “While in high school, I had the honor of visiting the research lab of one of the world experts in the evaluation and treatment of sickle cell diseases, Dr. Lemuel Diggs at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and the co-founder of St. Jude Research Center. I was trained and served in the Army National Guard as a combat medic prior to my acceptance in the Arkansas State ROTC program as a three-year scholarship recipient.”
A native of West Memphis, Granger earned a bachelor of science degree in zoology (cum laude). While in college, his honors included superior freshman cadet, a military history award, distinguished military student, distinguished military graduate and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.
After serving his time as a combat medic, he received his doctor of medicine degree in 1980 from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). He was commissioned as an Army officer and held several leadership positions, including division surgeon of the fourth infantry division in Fort Carson, Colo.; commander, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany; commander/command surgeon, European regional medical command/7th Army, Heidelberg, Germany; commanding general/command surgeon, 44th Medical Command/XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.; and commander, Task Force
44th Medical Command and Command Surgeon for Multinational Corps-Iraq, in Baghdad, Iraq. like I did in the military as an enlisted soldier on active duty that we as a nation must continue to focus on what we have in common.
- Maj. Gen. Elder Granger
Granger worked as deputy director of TRICARE, a Department of Defense (DoD) field activity responsible for operating the health care provider for the U.S. Military health system. He was responsible for TRICARE health and medical resources, supervising and administering TRICARE programs, funding and other resources. Granger directed a staff of more than 1,800 people and an annual Defense Health program budget of $22.5 billion with oversight including the effective provision of high-quality, accessible health care for 9.2 million beneficiaries worldwide. “Uplifting and providing real and equal opportunities for all have more power and value than our racial or other background differences. Finally, Arkansas State and the ROTC program provided me an excellent foundation for a blessed and upward mobility career and life that has not stopped even after my 38 years of military service.”
Granger is married to Brenda W. Granger and they reside in Centennial, Colo. They have a son Elder Granger II, an attorney, and a daughter Eldesia L. Granger, MD.
He received more than 30 military and community service awards including the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity man of the year; Outstanding Young Men of America; the Department of Defense Superior Service Medal; U.S. Army Legion of Merit with Three Oak Leaf Clusters; and Bronze Star medal.
In addition, he was selected as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2008, along with his induction into A-State’s ROTC Hall of Heroes. He was the featured speaker at the 2008 spring commencement and is the namesake for the Maj. Gen. Elder Granger M.D. Scholarship. He praised Arkansas State for making available key success factors that impacted his life, saying, “At that time, Arkansas State offered a small academic environment where the professors got to know you and you got to know your professors or instructors very well; it is an excellent academic environment; providing a proactive racial relationship environment under the administration, faculty, students and student organizations where I learned just
George Barker
A 1955 graduate of A-State with a degree in music, it was Maj. Gen. George Barker’s participation in the ROTC program that led to his outstanding career in the military. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in field artillery upon graduation. He was twice awarded the Department of the Army Distinguished Service Medal.
“Joining this esteemed group of National ROTC Hall of Fame inductees is an honor. I am grateful to have been nominated and to have my life of military service recognized,” he said.
“Arkansas State was a great fit for me. Studying in the music department helped me develop good study and practice habits. Hours of refining my musical skills taught me persistence. Participating in ROTC provided the structure and leadership training I needed as a young man and helped me to ignite that spark of potential. “
Click for video of the 2020 Hall of Heroes “The community at Arkansas State also offered me the chance to broaden social skills. Those early years helped me build confidence in myself to become a leader in the military and to continue my life of service with the American Cancer Society.”
His active duty and reserve assignments from 1955 to 1978 include battery officer, 16th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, Headquarters 2nd Armored Division Artillery and aide-de-camp, 77th Infantry
ART THAT INSPIRES, MUSIC THAT MOVES, THEATRE THAT THRILLS. “The community at Arkansas State also offered me the chance to broaden social skills. Those early years helped me to build confidence in myself to become a leader in the military and to continue my life of service with the American Cancer Society . . .It has FOWLER CENTER AT 20: been my privilege to serve my country as a soldier in the United States Army and I will remain a soldier for life. ”
Division as executive officer and battery commander of B Battery, 6th Battalion, 31st Field Artillery. He also served as the headquarters commandant, secretary of the General Staff and director of personnel and administration, 301st Support Brigade. He later served as the commander of the 7th Battalion, 9th Field Artillery and commander of the 5th Battalion, 5th Field Artillery.
Barker’s next assignment was the deputy chief of staff for personnel and administration of the 77th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM) in January 1979. In September 1982, he was appointed chief of staff of the 77th and served in that position until June 1983 when he was selected to command the 353rd Civil Affairs Command and was promoted to brigadier general on February 20, 1984.
Barker was selected as commander of the 77th ARCOM in December 1984 and was promoted to major general in August 1986. During this period, he also served as a member of the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee, Department of the Army.
Upon completion of his four-year command assignment, Barker was appointed to the position of assistant deputy chief of staff Mobilization & Reserve Affairs Department of the Army, individual mobilization augmentee in Washington, D.C., during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He served in this position until his mandatory retirement date of Aug. 15, 1991, concluding 36 years of service.
His military education includes the completion of the basic and advanced field artillery branch courses, civil affairs and transportation advanced officer courses, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, The Industrial College of the Armed Forces National Security Management, and the U.S. Army War College.
During his career, the general has received the following awards and decorations: Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon.
Barker recently completed service as a trustee of the Army War College Foundation at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., and currently serves as a member of the Chancellor’s Circle at Arkansas State University. He is the chairman and a founding member of Arkansas State’s Beck Center for Veterans national advisory council. He was honored as a distinguished graduate of Arkansas State and was also inducted into the Arkansas State University ROTC Hall of Heroes.
Prior to his civilian retirement, Barker held two major positions with the American Cancer Society, CEO of the New York City division of the American Cancer Society and later the national executive vice president for international development.
“It has been my privilege to serve my country as a soldier in the United States Army and I will remain a soldier for life,” he concluded.
General Barker has two daughters Marisa Barker and Nadia Barker. He lives in South Carolina with his wife, Dr. Pamelia S. Phillips.
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