Brigadier General Joseph H. Gardner II is Commanding General, 38th Infantry Division, Indianapolis. Prior to assuming command of the 38th Infantry Division, Brig. Gen. Gardner served as Deputy Commanding General-Operations, 38th Infantry Division (Operation Spartan Shield- Task Force SPARTAN).
During more than three decades of military service, Brig. Gen. Gardner has served in positions of increasing levels of responsibility and has held command at all levels through Brigade. Key assignments include command of C Company, 201st Engineer Battalion; Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 206th Engineer Battalion; Commander, 103rd Chemical Battalion; Commander 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade-Military Engagement Team; and Commander, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 38th Infantry Division. Brig. Gen. Gardner has four Title 10 mobilizations (Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom III and Operation Spartan Shield 2) serving in command and staff positions. Brig. Gen. Gardner served 26 years as an Active Guard Reserve in the Kentucky Army National Guard, culminating as the KYARNG Chief of Staff.
Brig. Gen. Gardner was commissioned in 1995 from Morehead State University ROTC and is a graduate of the Engineer and Chemical Officer Advanced Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. He holds a Master of Science, Management from University of Maryland Global Campus, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
