COL. GERALD E. YORK (retired)
(An Expert on Korea, Iraq & the Middle East)
Col. Gerald E. York (retired) is a highly-skilled intelligence professional who served in the U.S. Army for thirty-one years. Colonel York’s final assignment was serving as Chief of the Office of Operations, Defense HUMINT Services, Directorate of Operations (DHO). In 1998 he was Chief of Intelligence Operations in Youngsan, South Korea, gathering intelligence on the weapons capability of Korea and other countries of the region. On September 21, 2000, Gerald York retired to accept employment with the Phoenix Consulting Group, Huntsville, Alabama, a company that consults with US intelligence agencies and the US Military. York is the grandson of World War I military hero, Sergeant Alvin C. York, and like his grandfather, he is known for his strong leadership qualities. He has built a reputation as a leading authority on military issues, and is an expert on Korea, Iraq and other Middle-Eastern countries.
Col. York has a Bachelor of Arts
degree in history from Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, Tennessee and is a graduate
of Command and General Staff College. His military training includes the Military
Operations Training Course, Military Intelligence Officers Advance Course, Intelligence
Research Officer Course, Vietnam Language Course at the Defense Language Institute and the
U.S. Army Airborne School.
York received his commission through the ROTC. His initial active duty assignment was in Vietnam as a coordination advisor. His next assignments were at military intelligence detachments at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Colonel York also served at area intelligence offices in Fort Monmouth, Redstone Arsenal, and Ft. MacArthur. In May 1995, he was base chief in Los Angeles, California, and in 1998, he was base chief in Youngsan, South Korea.
Col. York is a decorated combat intelligence veteran with a tour of duty in Vietnam. Among his awards and decorations are the Defense Intelligence Director’s Award, the Defense Superior Service Medal, The Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit award, a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service medals, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, two National Defense Service Awards, Vietnam Service Award, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Parachute Badge. In addition, the Director of Central Intelligence Agency has recognized Gerald York for several special project activities.
York is frequently invited to be a guest speaker both here and abroad and has been featured in several TV documentaries regarding his grandfather. He is married to Supervisory Special Agent Betsy York, an FBI agent. They have three children; Dr. Gerald E. York II, a captain in the U.S. Army; Deborah Marie York, a teacher in Idaho, and Michael Anthony York, a student at West Potomac High School.