West Point Appoints 1st African-American Superintendent

For the first time in history, West Point will be run by an African-American superintendent.

On Monday, during an assumption of command ceremony in Jefferson Hall Lieutenant Gen. Darryl A. Williams was officially named the U.S. Military Academies 60th Superintendent.

Williams replaces Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., who retired on June 22 after serving 43 years in the U.S. Army.

Williams graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point in 1983. He holds masters’ degrees in Leadership Development, Military Art and Science, and National Security and Strategic Studies.

He has served as the Deputy Chief of Staff G3/5/7 of United States Army in Europe, located in Wiesbaden, Germany; the Deputy Commanding General for Support for the 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea; Commanding General for the United States Army Warrior Transition Command, Assistant Surgeon General for Warrior Care and Transition and most recently served as the Commander, Allied Land Command, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Turkey.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Parachutist Badge, Presidential Service Badge and the Army Staff Identification Badge.

Williams is the first African-American superintendent in the United States Military Academy's 216-year history at West Point, CNN reports.