Lloyd J. Austin III
Photo: Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Department of Defense, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons27

Lloyd J. Austin III

American U.S. Army general (born 1953)

Lloyd James Austin III (born August 8, 1953) is a retired United States Army general who served as the 28th United States secretary of defense from 2021 to 2025 under the Biden administration.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Lloyd J. Austin III (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Aug 8, 1953.1

About

Before retiring from the military in 2016, Austin served as the 12th commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), beginning in March 2013. Prior to that he served as the 33rd vice chief of staff of the Army from January 2012 to March 2013, and as commander of United States Forces – Iraq from September 2010 to December 2011. He is the first African American to hold each of these positions. After retiring from the armed services, Austin joined the boards of Raytheon Technologies, Nucor, Tenet Healthcare, and Auburn University. On December 7, 2020, he was nominated for defense secretary by president-elect Joe Biden and was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 22, 2021, by a vote of 93–2.

Austin holds the unique distinction of having commanded in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan at the one-, two-, three- and four-star levels, and was the first African American to command a division, corps, and field army in combat. He is a recipient of the Silver Star, the nation's third highest award for valor, for his actions during the Iraq invasion, as well as five Defense Distinguished Service Medals.

From Wikipedia’s article on Lloyd J. Austin III, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Holdings

Stock this person has reported owning, from the forms officers and directors file with the SEC. See the biggest insider stakes.

Shares held

As of each latest filing. The line shows shares held over time.

Recent filings

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedThomasville High School3
  • Date not recordedUnited States Military Academy3
  • Date not recordedAuburn University3
  • Date not recordedUnited States Army War College3
  • Date not recordedUnited States Army Command and General Staff College3
  • Date not recordedWebster University3

Lloyd James Austin III was born on August 8, 1953, in Mobile, Alabama. He was raised in Thomasville, Georgia. In 1975, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree. While at the academy, Austin played rugby and ran track. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in counselor education from Auburn University's College of Education in 1986, and a Master of Business Administration in business management from Webster University in 1989. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

From Wikipedia’s article on Lloyd J. Austin III (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: military officer, politician.8

  • 2021 to 2025United States Secretary of Defense6 7
  • 2017 to 2021Board member, Nucor5
  • Since 2016Worked at RTX4
  • 2012 to 2013Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army6

Personal life

  • BornAug 8, 1953, Mobile9 10
  • CitizenshipUnited States11

Austin was raised by a devoutly Catholic mother and remains practicing himself.

As of December 2020, Austin and his wife, Charlene Denise Banner Austin, had been married for forty years. She has worked as a non-profit administrator and served on the board of the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University. Austin has two stepsons.

From Wikipedia’s article on Lloyd J. Austin III (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Awards

  • 2025Great Cross with Star and Sash of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany12 16
  • 2023Knight Grand Cross of the Order for Merits to Lithuania12 15
  • 2022Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 2nd class12 14
  • Date not recordedAfghanistan Campaign Medal12
  • Date not recordedArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal12
  • Date not recordedArmy Commendation Medal12 13
  • Date not recordedCombat Infantryman Badge12
  • Date not recordedDefense Distinguished Service Medal12
  • Date not recordedDefense Meritorious Service Medal12
  • Date not recordedDefense Superior Service Medal12
More awards (10)
  • Date not recordedDistinguished Service Medal12
  • Date not recordedGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal12
  • Date not recordedGlobal War on Terrorism Service Medal12
  • Date not recordedHumanitarian Service Medal12
  • Date not recordedIraq Campaign Medal12
  • Date not recordedLegion of Merit12
  • Date not recordedLegionnaire of Legion of Merit12
  • Date not recordedMeritorious Service Medal12
  • Date not recordedNational Defense Service Medal12
  • Date not recordedSilver Star12