Amer Khammash, (born 14 November 1924, in
Al-Salt
Al-Salt ( ar, السلط ''As-Salt'') is an ancient salt trading city and administrative centre in west-central Jordan. It is on the old main highway leading from Amman to Jerusalem. Situated in the Balqa highland, about 790–1,100 metres ...
,
Transjordan Transjordan may refer to:
* Transjordan (region), an area to the east of the Jordan River
* Oultrejordain, a Crusader lordship (1118–1187), also called Transjordan
* Emirate of Transjordan, British protectorate (1921–1946)
* Hashemite Kingdom of ...
) was a
Jordan
Jordan ( ar, الأردن; tr. ' ), officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,; tr. ' is a country in Western Asia. It is situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, within the Levant region, on the East Bank of the Jordan Rive ...
ian
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
, political and personal adviser to King
Hussein of Jordan
Hussein bin Talal ( ar, الحسين بن طلال, ''Al-Ḥusayn ibn Ṭalāl''; 14 November 1935 – 7 February 1999) was King of Jordan from 11 August 1952 until his death in 1999. As a member of the Hashemite dynasty, the royal family of ...
as well as being His Majesty's Special representative, and being the Chief of
The Royal Hashemite Court
The Royal Hashemite Court (RHC) ( ar, الديوان الملكي الهاشمي, ''Al-Diwan Al-Malaki'' ''Al-Hāshimy''), which is historically known as Al-Maqar ( ar, المقر, ), is the administrative and political link between the King of Jor ...
twice. Along with being a member of the
Senate of Jordan
The Senate of Jordan is the upper house of the Jordanian Parliament which, along with the House of Representatives forms the legislature of Jordan. for five different terms.
Biography
He was the son of a lawyer and judge "Mohammad Baseem" Khammash, who was well known for being the country's first court judge. Amongst his achievements, General Khammash was the first recognized Jordanian pilot and received his pilot training in
RAF Middle Wallop
Middle Wallop is a village in the civil parish of Nether Wallop in Hampshire, England, on the A343 road. At the 2011 Census the population was included in the civil parish of Over Wallop. The village has a public house, The George Inn, and a pe ...
in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
in 1949, and received his wings in 1950 from the Late Founder of Jordan,
King Abdullah I
AbdullahI bin Al-Hussein ( ar, عبد الله الأول بن الحسين, translit=Abd Allāh al-Awwal bin al-Husayn, 2 February 1882 – 20 July 1951) was the ruler of Jordan from 11 April 1921 until his assassination in 1951. He was the Emir ...
. He returned to
Jordan
Jordan ( ar, الأردن; tr. ' ), officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,; tr. ' is a country in Western Asia. It is situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, within the Levant region, on the East Bank of the Jordan Rive ...
and later attended
United States Army Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC or, obsolete, USACGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military ...
in
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth () is a United States Army installation located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, in the city of Leavenworth, Kansas, Leavenworth. Built in 1827, it is the second oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C., an ...
,
Kansas
Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the ...
in 1958, where his portrait hangs in The Hall of Fame in the Staff College.
After graduating from the College he returned to Jordan and was promoted to General Chief of Staff in 1967 after the
Six-Day War
The Six-Day War (, ; ar, النكسة, , or ) or June War, also known as the 1967 Arab–Israeli War or Third Arab–Israeli War, was fought between Israel and a coalition of Arab world, Arab states (primarily United Arab Republic, Egypt, S ...
. Following this he held various high ranking positions such as:
Minister of Defence
A defence minister or minister of defence is a Cabinet (government), cabinet official position in charge of a ministry of defense, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. The role of a defence minister varies considerably from coun ...
, Personal Representative of his Majesty King Hussein, Minister of the Royal Hashemite Court, and Personal and Political Advisor to His Majesty King Hussein until he was appointed to the Upper House of the
Parliament of Jordan
The Parliament of Jordan ( ar, مجلس الأمة ') is the bicameral Jordanian national assembly. Established by the 1952 Constitution, the legislature consists of two houses: the Senate ( ar, مجلس الأعيان ''Majlis Al-Aayan'') ...
in 1988. He held this position until the year 2000.
General Khammash died after a short illness in
Amman, Jordan
Amman (; ar, عَمَّان, ' ; Ammonite: 𐤓𐤁𐤕 𐤏𐤌𐤍 ''Rabat ʻAmān'') is the capital and largest city of Jordan, and the country's economic, political, and cultural center. With a population of 4,061,150 as of 2021, Amman is ...
on 13 February 2010 at the age of 85. He was given a full
military funeral
A military funeral is a memorial or burial rite given by a country's military for a soldier, sailor, marine or airman who died in battle, a veteran, or other prominent military figures or heads of state. A military funeral may feature guards ...
in Jordan, which was televised throughout the
Middle East
The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabian Peninsula, Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Anatolia, Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Pro ...
, and was survived by his two sons Mazen and Maher, daughter Suzi, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.
Awards and decorations
Amongst his many achievements and medals that he received in his well-accomplished career, the most notable were the
Légion d'honneur
The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...
, the highest-ranking French decoration, which was awarded to him by President
Charles De Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle (; ; (commonly abbreviated as CDG) 22 November 18909 November 1970) was a French army officer and statesman who led Free France against Nazi Germany in World War II and chaired the Provisional Government ...
of
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
.
Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. She was queen ...
also presented him with an Associate Knighthood of the
Venerable Order of St John
The Order of St John, short for Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (french: l'ordre très vénérable de l'Hôpital de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem) and also known as St John International, is a British royal order of c ...
.
He was also awarded the highest honor medals from
King Hussein bin Talal for duties to his country: Grand Cordon (1st class) of the
Order of Independence
Order of Independence or Independence Order ( vi, Huân chương Độc lập) is a Vietnamese decoration.
Criteria
The Vietnamese government states that the decoration "shall be conferred or posthumously
Posthumous may refer to:
* Posthum ...
, Grand Cordon (1st class) of the
Order of the Star of Jordan
The Order of the Star of Jordan (Wisam al-Kawkab al-Urduni) or The Order of Hussein ibn Ali (Wisam al-Hussein ibn Ali) is an award and military decoration of the sovereign state of Jordan and is awarded for military or civil merit. It was founde ...
and Grand Cordon with Brilliants of the
Supreme Order of the Renaissance
The Supreme Order of the Renaissance (, "Medal of the Nahda") is the second knighthood order of the Kingdom of Jordan.
History
The order was instituted in 1917 by Emir Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca. According to correspondence between the ...
. He also received the Vatican Medal from Pope John Paul II and many other Medals from various Arab and International Leaders. During his career, General Khammash met numerous Heads of State including every U.S President starting with
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (born David Dwight Eisenhower; ; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American military officer and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. During World War II, ...
in 1958 and culminating with President
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson Clinton ( né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He previously served as governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and agai ...
in 1992.
Honours
* :
**
![JOR Order of the Renaissance GC](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/JOR_Order_of_the_Renaissance_GC.SVG)
Grand Cordon with Brilliants of the
Supreme Order of the Renaissance
The Supreme Order of the Renaissance (, "Medal of the Nahda") is the second knighthood order of the Kingdom of Jordan.
History
The order was instituted in 1917 by Emir Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca. According to correspondence between the ...
**
![JOR Order of the Star of Jordan GC](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/JOR_Order_of_the_Star_of_Jordan_GC.svg)
Grand Cordon of the
Order of the Star of Jordan
The Order of the Star of Jordan (Wisam al-Kawkab al-Urduni) or The Order of Hussein ibn Ali (Wisam al-Hussein ibn Ali) is an award and military decoration of the sovereign state of Jordan and is awarded for military or civil merit. It was founde ...
**
![JOR Order of Independence GC](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/JOR_Order_of_Independence_GC.svg)
Grand Cordon of the
Order of Independence
Order of Independence or Independence Order ( vi, Huân chương Độc lập) is a Vietnamese decoration.
Criteria
The Vietnamese government states that the decoration "shall be conferred or posthumously
Posthumous may refer to:
* Posthum ...
**
![JOR Order of the Millitary Merit GC](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/JOR_Order_of_the_Millitary_Merit_GC.SVG)
Grand Cordon of the Order of Military Merit
**
![Long Service Medal](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Long_Service_Medal.gif)
Recipient of the Long Service Medal
**
![Medal for the Battle of Karama 1968](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Medal_for_the_Battle_of_Karama_1968.gif)
Recipient of the Medal for Participation in the
Battle of Karameh
The Battle of Karameh ( ar, معركة الكرامة) was a 15-hour military engagement between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and combined forces of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) in the Jor ...
**
![Medal for the Silver Jubilee (Jordan)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Medal_for_the_Silver_Jubilee_%28Jordan%29.png)
Recipient of the Silver Jubilee of Hussein bin Talal
** Recipient of the Medal for Joint Military Operations 1942 (Iraq and Syria Campaign Medal)
** Recipient of the Medal for the 1939-1945 War (World War II Campaign Medal)
** Recipient of the Medal for Military Operations in Palestine 1948
* :
**
![GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 7 Grosskreuz](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/GER_Bundesverdienstkreuz_7_Grosskreuz.svg)
Grand Cross of the
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (german: Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, or , BVO) is the only federal decoration of Germany. It is awarded for special achievements in political, economic, cultural, intellect ...
* :
**
![ESP Isabella Catholic Order GC](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/ESP_Isabella_Catholic_Order_GC.svg)
Knight Grand Cross of the
Order of Isabella the Catholic
The Order of Isabella the Catholic ( es, Orden de Isabel la Católica) is a Spanish civil order and honor granted to persons and institutions in recognition of extraordinary services to the homeland or the promotion of international relations a ...
(gcYC)
* :
**
![Order of St John (UK) ribbon -vector](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Order_of_St_John_%28UK%29_ribbon_-vector.svg)
Associate Knight of Grace of the
Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem
The Order of St John, short for Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (french: l'ordre très vénérable de l'Hôpital de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem) and also known as St John International, is a British royal order of c ...
(KStJ)
**
![Ribbon - 1939-45 Star](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Ribbon_-_1939-45_Star.png)
Recipient of the
1939-1945 Star
**
![Defence Medal BAR](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Defence_Medal_BAR.svg)
Recipient of the
Defence Medal
**
![War Medal 1939–1945 (UK) ribbon](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/War_Medal_1939%E2%80%931945_%28UK%29_ribbon.png)
Recipient of the
War Medal 1939-1945
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular o ...
**
![General Service Medal 1918 BAR](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/General_Service_Medal_1918_BAR.svg)
Recipient of the
General Service Medal (1918)
__NOTOC__
The General Service Medal (1918 GSM) was instituted to recognise service in minor Army and Royal Air Force operations for which no separate medal was intended. Local forces, including police, qualified for many of the clasps, as could ...
* :
**
![US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/US_Legion_of_Merit_Commander_ribbon.png)
Commander 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 ...
External links
Prime Ministry of Jordan websiteAmmon News Article
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khammash, Amer
1924 births
2010 deaths
People from Al-Salt
Jordanian generals
Jordanian aviators
Non-U.S. alumni of the Command and General Staff College
Government ministers of Jordan
Defence ministers of Jordan
Transport ministers of Jordan
Members of the Senate of Jordan
Recipients of the Legion of Honour
Knights of the Order of St John
Recipients of the Order of Independence (Jordan)
Recipients of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany