Alfonso E. Lenhardt (born October 29, 1943) represented the United States as Ambassador to Tanzania from 2009 to 2013. He was also accredited as the US representative to the East African Community (EAC) in 2010. He left his post in October 2013. From 2001 to 2003, he served as Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate. From 1965 to 1997, he had a distinguished military career in the U.S. Army, with multiple assignments to various parts of the world, retiring as a highly decorated Major General. Born in New York City, Lenhardt earned a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska. Lenhardt later received an M.A. degree in Public Administration from

Central Michigan University Central Michigan University (CMU) is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Established in 1892 as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, the private normal school became a state institution and renamed Cen ...

and an M.S. degree in the Administration of Justice from Wichita State University. Portrait of U

Commissioned as an infantry officer in October 1966, Lenhardt commanded a platoon in Vietnam, earning a

Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wh ...

, a Purple Heart and two Air Medals. After returning to the United States, he continued his career commanding and training military police detachments. Approved for promotion to major general in August 1993, he retired from active duty in August 1997. Among his other military honors were the Distinguished Service Medal,

Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members who perform superior meritorious service in a position of significant ...

, two awards of the

Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...

and three awards of the Meritorious Service Medal. On September 18, 2014, Lenhardt was confirmed to be the Deputy Administrator of the Agency for International Development. Following the departure of USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah in February 2015, Lenhardt assumed the role of acting administrator.

Gayle Smith Gayle Elizabeth Smith (born February 23, 1956) is the CEO of the One Campaign. Smith was formerly Coordinator for Global COVID Response and Health Security at the U.S. Department of State. and was the former Administrator of the United States Ag ...

, President Barack Obama's nominee to be Shah's permanent successor, was confirmed by the

Senate A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

on November 30, 2015, and assumed the role of administrator on December 2, 2015. Cumulatively, Lenhardt served over 40 years in various government positions throughout his career. Beginning with his service as a young U.S. Army draftee in 1965, he had increasingly higher levels of responsibility and distinction in service to the Nation.

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, - , - 1943 births Living people People from Manhattan University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War Recipients of the Air Medal Central Michigan University alumni Wichita State University alumni Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States) Recipients of the Legion of Merit United States Army generals Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) Sergeants at Arms of the United States Senate African-American diplomats Ambassadors of the United States to Tanzania 21st-century American politicians Administrators of the United States Agency for International Development 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American politicians {{US-diplomat-stub

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