Paul M. Nakasone

Nakasone was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Edwin M. Nakasone, a retired United States Army Colonel who served in the Military Intelligence Service during World War II, and Mary Anne Nakasone (née Costello).[1][2][9][10] Nakasone's father is a second-generation Japanese American.[11] Nakasone grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and attended White Bear High School.[5][12][13] He is married and has four children.[1][5]

Nakasone attended St. John's University, where he received a commission in 1986 through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.[1][12] Nakasone also attended the University of Southern California, the National Defense Intelligence College, and the United States Army War College, earning a Master's degree from each institution.[1][5][12][14] He also is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College.[6]

Nakasone casing the Second Army's colors in 2017 at its inactivation ceremony

Nakasone has commanded at the company, battalion, and brigade levels.[5] He also served in foreign assignments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea and has served as a senior intelligence officer at the battalion, division, and corps levels.[5] Nakasone served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff as Deputy Director for Trans-Regional Policy in 2012 when he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and previously served as a staff officer for General Keith B. Alexander.[1][15]

Prior to promotion to lieutenant general in 2016, Nakasone was the Deputy Commanding General of United States Cyber Command and later commander of the Cyber National Mission Force at Cyber Command.[5][6][16][17][18] Nakasone has twice served as a staff officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was the Director of Intelligence, J2, for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.[5] On October 14, 2016, he took command of the United States Second Army and United States Army Cyber Command.[5][6] Nakasone was also given control of United States Cyber Command's Joint Task Force-ARES, a task-force designed to coordinate electronic counter-terrorist activities against the Islamic State.[6][19] He served as commander of the Second Army until it was inactivated for the fourth time in its history on March 31, 2017 and continued to serve as commander of United States Army Cyber Command until his appointment as NSA Director.[7]

In January 2018, it was reported that Nakasone was on the list of potential replacements for outgoing NSA Director Michael S. Rogers.[20] In February 2018, he was nominated for promotion to general.[21]

In April 2018, Nakasone was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate as Director of the National Security Agency and head of the United States Cyber Command.[22] He was also promoted to the rank of general.

	Combat Action Badge
	National Security Agency Badge
	United States Cyber Command Badge
	Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
	V Corps badge worn as his Combat Service Identification Badge
	Army Military Intelligence Corps Distinctive Unit Insignia
	4 Overseas Service Bars

	Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
	Defense Superior Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
	Legion of Merit
	Bronze Star Medal
	Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
	Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
	Army Commendation Medal
	Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
	Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
	Joint Meritorious Unit Award
	National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
	Afghanistan Campaign Medal
	Iraq Campaign Medal
	Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Korea Defense Service Medal
	Army Service Ribbon
	Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 5
	NATO Medal for service with ISAF

[5]

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