NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 24, 2011) – Lt. Col. James A. DeLapp became the 62nd commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District in a Command of Command ceremony today at the Grand Masonic Lodge in Nashville, Tenn.
Maj. Gen. John W. Peabody, commander of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division in Cincinnati, Ohio, officiated the change of command ceremony and welcomed DeLapp to his new post in Nashville. He also commended Lt. Col. Anthony P. Mitchell, outgoing commander, for his service and dedication during his two-year tenure as commander.
DeLapp comes to Nashville from the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., where he served as the legislative assistant to former Chief of Staff of the Army General George W. Casey, Jr.
“What an honor to have been entrusted with such an awesome responsibility,” DeLapp said. “I could not be happier to be selected to lead such a great team of people and the best organization in the United States Army.”
A native of Oak Park, Ill., DeLapp was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers in 1994. He has served in engineer leadership positions from platoon leader to company commander. His military experience includes a variety of engineer command and staff assignments. His command assignments include: sapper platoon leader and executive officer in the 41st Engineer Battalion (Light), Fort Drum, New York; company commander of Bravo Company 37th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne); area commander - Phoenix Office and deputy district commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District.
DeLapp earned his Bachelor's of Architecture degree from Kansas State University in 1994. He earned his Master's of Science in Construction Management from Texas A&M University in 2003. DeLapp is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, Ranger School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, and the 82nd Airborne Division Jumpmaster School.
DeLapp has 32 months in operational deployments including: Bosnia –Operation Joint Endeavor Implementation Force (IFOR) and later Operation Joint Guard Stabilization Force (SFOR); Kosovo- Operation Joint Guardian Kosovo Force (KFOR); Iraq – Operation Iraqi Freedom; and Afghanistan – Operation Enduring Freedom with the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF). His awards and decorations include two Bronze Star Medals; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; three Meritorious Service Medals; four Army Commendation Medals; three Army Achievement Medals; the National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star); the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the Armed Forces Service Medal; the Humanitarian Service Medal; three NATO Medals; the Kosovo Campaign Medal (with Bronze Service Star); the Afghanistan Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star); the Iraqi Campaign Medal (with two Bronze Service Stars); the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals; the Tennessee National Guard Commendation Ribbon; two Meritorious Unit Awards; and the Army Superior Unit Award. He also wears the Ranger Tab, Army Staff Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, the Venezuelan parachute badge, and the Bronze de Fleury Medal.
DeLapp is married to the former Angela Eichem of Wamego, Kansas.
The outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Anthony Mitchell bid farewell to the District he commanded since July 2009. In a tearful farewell address, he thanked God, his family and friends, and Nashville District team members for their support and his success. Under Mitchells’ tenure, the Nashville District met many challenges including complex rehabilitation work at Wolf Creek and Center Hill Dams, and construction work at Kentucky Lock and Chickamauga Lock and Dam. He most notably led the Nashville District through the May 2010 flood. Mitchell becomes the officer-in-charge/commander of the Iraq Area Office in Baghdad.
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