Photo By Spc. Duncan Foote | Brig. Gen. Augusto Villalaz sits alongside Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general...... read more read more
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By Spc. Duncan Foote, Louisiana National Guard's State Public Affairs Office
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard promoted Panamanian native Col. Augusto “Gus” Villalaz-Higuero to the rank of brigadier general during a promotion ceremony at the Multi-Use Center at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans, Aug. 15.
Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, presided over the ceremony and provided remarks.
“Gus, you’re the definition of the American dream…Thank you for your part in making us a better organization every day,” stated Friloux. He concluded, “There’s no place I’d rather be today than seeing you finally pin on those stars.” Villalaz served in the brigadier general officer billet for more than two years before receiving his well-earned promotion.
Villalaz serves as the Louisiana National Guard’s director of the joint staff, where he is a principal advisor to the adjutant general and helps oversee the coordination of operations, programs and policies affecting the 11,000-member force.
He began his military career in 1993 with five years of enlisted service in the U.S. Army as an armor crewman before receiving a direct commission into the Infantry. Since 1998, he has served in the Louisiana National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves. Throughout his career, Villalaz has served in numerous command and staff positions at the state and federal levels.
Villalaz mobilized for active federal service eight times. His deployments and assignments included Germany in support of the United Nations Protection Force in 1996, Macedonia in 1997, Operation Noble Eagle in 2001 and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III and IV in 2004. He later deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn in 2009 and mobilized for assignments supporting First Army and the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
His military education includes the Infantry Officer’s Basic and Career Courses, Maneuver Captains Career Course, Intermediate Level Education, Joint Firepower Course, Joint Capabilities Planners Course, Joint Task Force Commander Course and Dual-Status Commander Course. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Master of Strategic Studies in 2022.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a master’s degree in criminal justice from American Military University.
Villalaz’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Villalaz is a retired deputy U.S. marshal, was previously a trooper with the Louisiana State Police and resides in New Orleans with his family.
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2026 16:17 |
| Story ID: | 572781 |
| Location: | NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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