Alabama National Guard promotes General, sends off to Maryland National Guard
By Alabama National Guard Public Affairs
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a cooperative ceremony Thursday, Alabama Army National Guard Col. Wesley “Dale” Murray was simultaneously promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and reassigned to a command position in Maryland.
The Adjutant General (TAG) for the Alabama National Guard (ALNG), Maj. Gen. Sheryl E. Gordon, hosted the ceremony at the ALNG Joint Force Headquarters, July 20, 2023.
“You know quality when you see it,” said Maj. Gen. Gordon about Murray.
Brig. Gen. Murray’s promotion also came with a change in title and location. He will assume responsibility as Assistant Division Commander for Support (ADC-S) for the 29th Infantry Division (ID) with the Maryland National Guard. There, Murray will oversee the synchronization of the division’s protection and sustainment warfighting functions.
“I am truly humbled to be honored by this promotion and this role.” said Murray. “And I am very conscious that I share a duty title with General Cota who was one of the many true heroes of D-Day.”
Maj. Gen. Norman Cota served as the ADC for the 29th ID during World War II and landed with the second wave during its assault on Omaha Beach.
Maj. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, the Adjutant General for the state of Maryland, thanked the ALNG for agreeing to release Murray. “It is important that we have this interoperability and that we share Soldiers so the National Guard can continue to lead the way for our nation.”
Murray previously served in a variety of command and staff positions in both the Alabama Army National Guard and the Active Army. He commanded the 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Mobile, Alabama, leading the brigade through two Warfighter exercises and the response to Hurricane Sally in Baldwin County. He also commanded Area Support Group (ASG) – Black Sea, headquartered at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania. Colonel Murray served as the Deputy Commander of the 111th Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Alabama Army National Guard. He commanded 1st Squadron, 131st Cavalry, Alabama Army National Guard, where he developed a Reconnaissance Partnership with the 528th Reconnaissance Battalion in Braila, Romania. As a captain he commanded B Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light) in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he partnered with soldiers from both Iraq and Ukraine. As a platoon leader with K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, he served as a peacekeeper with Stabilization Force 7 in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he worked with a variety of NATO partners in Multi-National Division–North.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation management from Auburn University, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Memphis and is a graduate of the US Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for valor, Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal (for service in the Former Yugoslavia), the Presidential Unit Citation (for service with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Operation Iraqi
Freedom), the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist’s Badge.
Murray concluded by giving three reasons why he chooses to continue serving in the National Guard, stating “I get to serve with some of the best Americans there are… our nation needs us right now… and I owe thousands and thousands of people a return on a kindness, a small little bit of help, and mentorship.”
For additional information contact the Alabama National Guard Public Affairs Office at alngpao@army.mil.
