NY adjutant general picked to lead ARNG - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

NY adjutant general picked to lead ARNG

Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, who led the New York National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division into combat in Iraq in 2005, has been nominated for a third star and to be director of the Army National Guard.

If confirmed by the Senate, Taluto, who is now the adjutant general of New York, will succeed Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn, who is retiring after almost 40 years in uniform.

“[Taluto] has been a dedicated officer in the New York National Guard for more than 40 years and his selection not only reflects his great ability and tremendous leadership style, but the talent and expertise New York can offer to the rest of the nation,” New York Gov. David Paterson said in a statement.

Taluto joined the Army Guard as a private in 1965, and he is the first Guard general officer to command a division in combat since the Korean War, according to Paterson’s statement. He also served as commander of the Guard joint task force that responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City.

The director of the Army Guard leads an organization of more than 368,000 soldiers in the 54 states and territories.

In a statement, Taluto expressed mixed emotions about his nomination.

“It is with a heavy heart that I leave New York State, but I am looking forward to taking on this challenging new assignment for the great soldiers I serve,” he said. “I look forward to doing all that I can to help our soldiers and their families better serve their states and our great nation, but I will miss the terrific men and women of the New York National Guard with whom I have served nearly all my life.”