Humble leader is promoted to major general

Photo By Master Sgt. Rich Kemp | Retired Sgts. 1st Class Larry Wilhelm and Tony Wentzel presented Maj. Gen. Gerald Lang with his two-star flag during his promotion ceremony Oct. 1, 2011, in Milaca, Minn.  

MILACA, MN, UNITED STATES

10.01.2011

Story by Master Sgt. Rich Kemp 

Minnesota National Guard

MILACA, Minn. - In showing his true passion for his soldiers and family, Maj. Gen. Gerald Lang spent a good portion of his speech thanking his mentors during his promotion ceremony Oct. 1, 2011, in Milaca, Minn.

“But I’ve always said, mentorship doesn’t just come from the top,” Lang commented during his remarks. “I’ve been fortunate to receive 360 degree mentoring … coaching. The lessons I’ve learned from former platoon sergeants, first sergeants and sergeants majors in the Army and my bosses and coworkers in my civilian career have been my guide throughout my career.”

Lang had his two stars pinned on by one of his senior mentors, Maj. Gen. Richard Nash, adjutant general for the Minnesota National Guard. Lang served as the deputy commander under Nash during deployments to Bosnia and Iraq.

“General Lang has held command positions at every level leading up to this well deserved promotion, and I have witnessed first-hand his talent, commitment and accomplishments,” Nash remarked during the ceremony. "Major General Lang has raw leadership ability and a passion for our Soldiers and families."

"His success and results from the deployment to Bosnia led me to again select him as my deputy commander, this time for the 34th Infantry Division's 2009-2010 deployment to Iraq. General Lang performed magnificently. Throughout the nine provinces that we operated in, General Lang was at the forefront of ensuring that the Government of Iraq could build civil capacity, and that America could responsibly draw down our military forces by the end of this year."

In addition to being promoted, Maj. Gen. Lang also starts a new position as the Deputy Commanding General, Army National Guard at the U.S. Army Materiel Command. He is the principal advisor to the AMC commanding general on all matters impacting the Army National Guard and the liaison to the Chief, National Guard Bureau for all AMC issues. He coordinates support for mobilizing and demobilizing ARNG units to ensure equipment and logistical requirements are met.

The U.S. Army Materiel Command is the Army’s premier provider of materiel readiness – technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment. The AMC is headquartered at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.
Lang chose a former mentor, retired Army Col. Tim Wilhelm, to act as the master of ceremonies for the promotion ceremony. Retired chaplain, Army Col. Alan Johnson, read the invocation and benediction. Retired Sgts. 1st Class Larry Wilhelm and Tony Wentzel presented Lang with his two-star flag.

In addition to the many friends from the Milaca area and fellow employees from the Knife River Corporation, there were many current and retired members of the Minnesota National Guard in attendance. Retired Maj. Gens. Eugene Andrieotti, Rodney Hannula, Rick Erlandson and Jon Trost; retired Brig. Gens. John Bathke and Gary LeBlanc; the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. David Elicerio; the Director of the Joint Staff for the Minnesota National Guard, Brig. Gen. Neal Loidolt and the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Command Sgt. Maj., Douglas Julin were in the audience for the ceremony.

Lang received his commission in 1976 through the Officer Candidate School at the Minnesota Military Academy. He served as a platoon leader and executive officer in the 747th Maintenance Battalion. He commanded the 434th Maintenance Battalion and the 434th Main Support Battalion. Lang also served as the 34th Infantry Division G4, Deputy Commanding General for the 34th ID and his most recent assignment as the Assistant Adjutant General for the Minnesota National Guard.

Lang displayed his thanks to the Bauerly brothers and Knife River, his employers for the past 34 years. Knife River donated $1,000 on his behalf to the Minnesota Military Family Foundation.

“When I am having a bad day, I think of the days our deployed Soldiers are having or think back to my uncle Howard, and all of a sudden they aren’t so bad,” remarked Lang. “Uncle Howard joined the Army in 1942 and got out in 1945 as a private class. Pretty typical of a lot of soldiers back in World War II.”

While growing up, Lang would spend summers with his uncle in Montana and try to talk to him about the war. But like many veterans, Howard didn’t say much.

“He was always so proud of my career in the military,” said Lang. “When Howard passed away in 1992, I found a paper, along with a few medals. The paper was awarding the Silver Star for PFC Lang’s gallant actions during a firefight with the Japanese. He saved several gun positions from being overrun and also saved the lives of the US Soldiers who were occupying those positions. Wow… who is proud of whom here?”

Just like his uncle, who was humble about his service in World War II, so is this man who was just promoted to major general.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2011
• Date Posted: 10.07.2011 16:24
• Story ID: 78189
• Location: MILACA, MN, US