'America did not change on September 11th-it is the same as it has been for the past 226 years. There remain plenty of evil people in the world who will attempt to deny us our freedom. We have acted like Americans have always acted when faced with adversity-we chose to fight back. It is our basic belief that all humans regardless of race or religion deserve to live in a free world.' Walter E. Piatt

Colonel Walter E. Piatt
Commandant, United States Army Infantry School

Colonel Piatt enlisted in the Army in 1979. He attended Basic, Infantry, and Airborne training at
Fort Benning, Georgia, before being assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North
Carolina. His enlisted service also included assignments with the 172nd Infantry Brigade, Fort
Wainwright, Alaska, and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Colonel
Piatt was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1987 upon graduating from Lock Haven University with
a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. His military education includes the Infantry Basic and
Advanced courses, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Command and General Staff College, and the
School of Advanced Military Studies. Colonel Piatt holds a Master of Science degree in Military
History and a Master of Arts degree in Military Science.
Colonel Piatt’s command experience includes Commander, A Company, 4th Battalion, 26th
Infantry Regiment, Fort Dix, New Jersey; Commander, C Company, Air Base Ground Defense School,
Fort Dix, New Jersey; Commander, C Company, 5th Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment (Light), Fort
Kobbe, Panama; Commander, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield
Barracks, Hawaii, and Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; and Commander, 3rd Infantry
Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and Operation Iraqi
Freedom, Iraq.
Additional assignments include Platoon Leader and Scout Platoon Leader, 5th Battalion, 20th
Infantry, Camp Casey Korea; Adjutant, 193rd Infantry Brigade, Fort Clayton, Panama; Battalion S4, 5th
Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment (Light), Fort Davis, Panama; Aide-de-Camp to Commanding General,
United States Army South, Fort Clayton, Panama; Battalion S3, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, Brigade S3,
2nd Brigade, and Secretary of the General Staff, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum,
New York; Deputy Chief of Staff, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York, and
Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; Division G3, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks,
Hawaii, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq. Colonel Piatt’s last assignment was with the Institute for the
Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service,
Washington, DC.
Colonel Piatt has earned numerous awards and decorations, to include the Legion of Merit,
Bronze Star Medal (with four oak leaf clusters), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious
Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army
Achievement Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal, Humanitarian Service
Medal (with oak leaf cluster), and the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon.
He has also earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and
Ranger Tab.