Ann E. Dunwoody
U.S. Army, first four-star general in U.S. military history
Ann Elizabeth Dunwoody (born 14 January 1953) is a retired general of the United States Army. She was the first woman in United States military and uniformed service history to achieve a four-star officer rank, receiving her fourth star on 14 November 2008.
In 2005 Dunwoody became the United States Army's top-ranking female when she received the promotion to lieutenant general (three stars) and became the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4 (logistics). She was nominated as Commanding General, United States Army Materiel Command, by President George W. Bush on 23 June 2008, and confirmed by the Senate one month later. She served in that capacity until 7 August 2012, and retired from the Army on 15 August 2012.
Early life and education
Dunwoody was born in 1953 at Fort Belvoir, Virginia to Elizabeth and Harold H. Dunwoody. Harold was a career U.S. Army officer who retired as a brigadier general, and Dunwoody's family followed him on assignment overseas. Ann lived in Germany and Belgium while growing up, graduating from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) American High School in 1971.
At age 5, Dunwoody decided she wanted to become a doctor or nurse. Although she came from a family with a strong tradition of military service, she initially had very little interest in serving in the military.
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