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Donald L. Kerrick Biography

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National Security Council

Biography of Lieutenant General Donald L. Kerrick


Lieutenant General Donald L. Kerrick became the Deputy National Security Advisor to the President of the United States in July 2000.

Prior to becoming the Deputy National Security Advisor, Lieutenant General Kerrick served as the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from August 1999 to July 2000. He served at the White House as the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from January 1997 to August 1999. In 1995 and 1996, Lieutenant General Kerrick served as the Director for Operations for the Defense Intelligence Agency where he directed the Defense HUMINT Service and the Defense Attache System. In 1994 and 1995, he served on the White House's national Security Council as Director of European Affairs, where he was responsible for developing and managing United States policy in Europe, including the former Yugoslavia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He also served, by Presidential appointment, as the White House and National Security Council representative on the United States' Balkans Peacekeeping Delegation that concluded a peace accord ending the Balkan conflict.

Lieutenant General Kerrick has extensive foreign service with two tours in Germany in Berlin and Augsburg, two in the Republic of Korea both at Camp Humphreys, and one in Thailand at Ramasun Station, and in Saudi Arabia while assigned to Third Army, the Army component of United States Central Command.

Lieutenant General Kerrick's combat experience includes service in Southeast Asia and Southwest Asia (Desert Storm). He has commanded a Military Intelligence Company, an Aviation Company, a Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation), and a Military Intelligence Brigade. Staff assignments include service with the U.S. Army Berlin, the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, the Third Army, the Army Staff, the Joint Staff, the National Security Council, and the White House.

Lieutenant General Kerrick was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army upon graduation from Florida Southern College. He holds a Master of Science Degree from the University of Southern California. Military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, the Military Intelligence Officer Advance Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.

Military awards and decorations which Lieutenant General Kerrick has received include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Superior Service medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Additionally, he is a Master Army Aviator and is authorized to wear the Army General Staff, Joint Staff Identification, and Presidential Service Badges. He also received the Defense Intelligence Agency Director's Award in 1997. His civilian awards include the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award, the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Citation for Distinguished Career Achievement from Florida Southern College, and Doctor of Diplomacy (HON) conferred by Florida Southern College.

Lieutenant General Kerrick is married to Thayne W. Kerrick.


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