Chief of Engineers from October 1, 1996 until his retirement on August 2, 2000. During his career, Lieutenant General Ballard earned a master's degree in engineering management from the University of Missouri–Rolla and graduated from the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. Decorations and badges Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters) Bronze Star (with Oak Leaf Cluster) Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters) Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster) Army Staff Identification Badge See also List of USACE Chiefs of Engineers References This article contains public domain text from External links 1942 births Living people People from Oakdale, Louisiana Southern University alumni African-American United States Army personnel United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War Missouri University of Science and Technology alumni Recipients of the Legion of Merit United States Army generals Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) United States Army Corps of Engineers Chiefs of Engineers 21st-century African-American people African Americans in the Vietnam War