Charles Henry "Chuck" Swannack Jr. (born March 9, 1949) is a former

general officer A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". OED O ...

in the United States Army who, once retired, called for the resignation of Defense Secretary

Donald Rumsfeld Donald Henry Rumsfeld (July 9, 1932 – June 29, 2021) was an American politician, government official and businessman who served as Secretary of Defense from 1975 to 1977 under president Gerald Ford, and again from 2001 to 2006 under Presi ...

.More Retired Generals Call for Rumsfeld's Resignation
''New York Times'', April 13, 2006
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/ref> Swannack is a 1971 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He later earned an M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and became a Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia. As a lieutenant colonel in the late 1980s, Swannack commanded the 2nd battalion (2/9) of the 9th Infantry Regiment (United States), 9th Infantry Regiment garrisoned at Fort Ord, California. During his command, the unit deployed as part of the 7th Infantry Division (Light) for Operation Just Cause in Panama. On February 12, 2004 Fallujah insurgents attacked a convoy carrying Swannack and General John Abizaid, commander of US forces in the Middle East, firing on the vehicles from nearby rooftops with Rocket-propelled grenade, RPGs, after seemingly infiltrating the Iraqi security forces.Attack on Fallujah police highlights lack of US control in Iraq
/ref> Swannack's last position within the Army was Deputy Commanding General of the 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg. Prior to this assignment he served as the commander of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. His last rank was Major general (United States), major general. On April 13, 2006, and after retirement, Swannack called for the dismissal of United States Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. In an interview with ''The New York Times'', Swannack said:

We need to continue to fight the global war on terror and keep it off our shores, But I do not believe Secretary Rumsfeld is the right person to fight that war based on his absolute failures in managing the war against Saddam in Iraq.

CNN reports that Swannack, the second General who served in Iraq under Rumsfeld told their reporter:

I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense because Secretary Rumsfeld carries way too much baggage with him,://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/14/iraq.rumsfeld/ Bush: Rumsfeld 'exactly what is needed': Statement of support follows chorus of criticism from generals], ''CNN'', April 14, 2006 Retired Maj. General: 'We need a new secretary of defense'
''CNN'', April 14, 2006

After his retirement from active duty, Swannack became the Chief Operating Officer of U.S. Logistics, Inc. In 2014, he became Executive Director of Speedway Children's Charities.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Swannack, Charles H. Jr. 1949 births Living people United States Military Academy alumni Georgia Tech alumni Recipients of the Legion of Merit United States Army generals American anti–Iraq War activists

See also

References