Walter H. Yates Jr.

Major General Walter H. Yates Jr. (born November 6, 1941) is a retired United States Army officer who served as Deputy Commanding General Fifth United States Army. He is a native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Foreign Affairs from George Washington University. In addition, General Yates attended the DOD Joint Warfighting course and the Harvard program for National and International Securities Studies.

During his career, he held a variety of important command and staff positions to include Deputy Commanding General V (US) Corps, United States Army Europe; Commanding General U.S. Army Berlin and the Berlin Brigade; Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver) 3d Armored Division and the Commander of the Giessen Military Community, United States Army Europe; Commander Berlin Brigade, United States Army Europe; Deputy Director National Military Command Center J-3 and Chief of Conventional Plans Division J-7, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, numerous Air Medals, Army Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart.


 * Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg Army Distinguished Service Medal
 * US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Superior Service Medal
 * Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
 * Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg Distinguished Flying Cross
 * Bronze Star ribbon.svg Bronze Star
 * Purple Heart ribbon.svg Purple Heart
 * Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
 * Air Medal ribbon.svg Air Medal
 * Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Army Commendation Medal