THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

        PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES JOSEPH LAPOSATA AS SECRETARY OF 
               THE AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

The President today announced the appointment of Joseph S. Laposata as Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

"I am happy to name Joseph Laposata as Secretary to the American Battle Monuments Commission," the President said. "His career with the Armed Forces will provide the commission with a wealth of experience that will certainly prove beneficial."

Mr. Laposata is a retired Lieutenant General, who served his entire professional career in the United States Army. He was the Chief of Staff of the Allied Forces Southern Europe. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics for the U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army; as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Military Command in Europe; as Director of Plans and Operations of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics for U.S. Army; and as Commander of the 8th Support Group in Southern Europe. He has received numerous awards for his service including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Knight-Commander award from the Republic of Italy.

The American Battle Monuments Commission is responsible for commemorating the U.S. Armed Forces in places where they have served since April 6, 1917, by designing, constructing, operating and maintaining permanent American military burial grounds on foreign soil. The Commission also controls the erection of military monuments and markers in foreign countries by other American citizens, both in the public and private sectors. The Commission operates and maintains 24 military burial grounds for War Dead and 73 memorial structures worldwide. Over 11 million people visited these cemeteries, monuments, and memorials last year.

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