James L. Dozier: Difference between revisions

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Major General James Dozier while assigned to Fort Hood,Texas

James Lee Dozier (born April 10, 1931) is a retired US Army general officer. In December 1981, he was kidnapped by the leftist Italian "Red Brigades" terrorist group. He was freed by Italian anti-terrorist forces after 42 days of captivity. General Dozier was the deputy Chief of Staff at NATO's Southern European land forces headquarters at Verona, Italy. At the time, Dozier had been the first American general officer to be abducted by a terrorist group. The Red Brigade, in a statement to the press, stated the reason behind Dozier's kidnapping was that the Italian and US governments had enjoyed excellent diplomatic relations, and the fact he was an American soldier invited to work in Italy made him a fair target for their actions. [1]

Brigadier General James L. Dozier was kidnapped from his apartment in Verona at approximately 6:00PM on December 17 1981, by 4 men posing as plumbers. It was later reported that as many as 4 additional terrorists provided support with multiple vehicles. His wife was not kidnapped, but was left bound and chained in their apartment. [2]

File:Dozierrescue.jpg

Photo Signed by Judy Dozier and Presented the General Staff of Major General Walter F. Ulmer on the day of General Doziers Liberation from the Red Brigade

The Red Brigades held Brigadier General Dozier for 42 days until January 28 1982, when a team of NOCS (a Special Operations unit of the Italian police) successfully carried out his rescue from an apartment in Padua, thus capturing the entire terrorist cell. After his return to the U.S. Army in Vicenza, he was congratulated via telephone by President Reagan on regaining his freedom.

Dozier was later promoted to Major General and eventually retired from active military service. As a result of his kidnapping, US military personnel are often required to study his case in order to better assess their surroundings in an attempt to avoid a similar abduction happening to them^{[citation needed]}. Dozier's levelheadedness and courage in a dangerous situation are also cited as the example all American military members should emulate if they are being held against their will.

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 The Red Brigades held Brigadier General Dozier for 42 days until [[January 28]] [[1982]], when a team of [[Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza|NOCS]] (a Special Operations unit of the [[Polizia di Stato|Italian police]]) successfully carried out his rescue from an apartment in [[Padua]], thus capturing the entire terrorist cell. After his return to the U.S. Army in Vicenza, he was [http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/textual/topics/dozierj.htm congratulated via telephone] by President Reagan on regaining his freedom.
-Dozier was later promoted to [[Major General]] and eventually retired from active military service. As a result of his kidnapping, US military personnel are often required to study his case in order to better assess their surroundings in an attempt to avoid a similar abduction happening to them{{Fact|date=June 2008}}. Dozier's levelheadedness and courage in a dangerous situation are also cited as the example all American military members should emulate if they are being held against their will{{Fact|date=June 2008}}.
+Dozier was later promoted to [[Major General]] and eventually retired from active military service. As a result of his kidnapping, US military personnel are often required to study his case in order to better assess their surroundings in an attempt to avoid a similar abduction happening to them{{Fact|date=June 2008}}. Dozier's levelheadedness and courage in a dangerous situation are also cited as the example all American military members should emulate if they are being held against their will.
 ==External links==