Warrior Spirit

Brigadier General John Gentry ’91 honored for distinguished military service

Brigadier General John Gentry played football and baseball for PC before graduating in 1991. He returned to the football field to be named honorary captain before the Blue Hose faced off against Gardner-Webb during the Military Appreciation game in November.

The Blue Hose beat the Bulldogs 24-14 that day. The victory was a big one for the Blue Hose, and recognizing Gentry during a weekend devoted to showing appreciation for the military was a fitting conclusion to the College’s 100-year celebration of ROTC.

Gentry began his military career when he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in PC’s ROTC program.

“The PC ROTC program fueled in me a warrior spirit for military service,” Gentry said. “This, coupled with our PC motto, led me in service to my state and country and through service in local government serving in the parks and recreation profession for nearly 20 years.”

Gentry’s first assignment was as a Company Fire Support Officer in the 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery in the South Carolina Army National Guard. He served in several assignments after transferring to the Georgia Army National Guard.

Gentry has earned multiple awards and decorations throughout his distinguished 28-year military career. This past September, two months before being named honorary captain, Gentry received his most significant military promotion when he was named brigadier general.

He is one of only 19 members of the Highlander Battalion to receive the rank of a general officer.

“When I first learned that I was the 19 th general officer commissioned through the Highlander,” Gentry said, “I was first surprised at the number considering the size of the program and later honored to be one of a select few who have the opportunity to serve in our Army at the Flag level.”

Gentry is a former member of the PC Alumni Board and currently serves on the Scotsman Club Board and the executive committee of the PC ROTC Alumni Council.