Key Iraq war strategist and former army chief Raymond Odierno dies at 67

Retired General Raymond T. Odierno, who commanded US and coalition forces during the Iraq War, has died at the age of 67.

“It is with deep regret that I can confirm the death of General Raymond T. Odierno on October 8, 2021,” a family spokesperson said in a statement shared with The Hill.

“The general died after a courageous battle with cancer; his death was unrelated to COVID. There are no other details to share at this time, ”the statement continued. “Her family is grateful for the concern and asks for privacy.”

Odierno, a native of New Jersey, graduated from West Point in 1976 with a field artillery commission, according to his biography. Odierno commanded units in Albania, Kuwait, Iraq and the United States.

Odierno notably commanded the 4th Infantry Division from October 2001 to June 2004, at the head of the division during Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 2003 to March 2004. The division participated in the military operation which captured Saddam Hussein.

After Hussein was found in an underground bunker north of Baghdad, Odierno said, “He was just caught like a rat,” the Washington Post noted. “When you’re at the bottom of a hole, you can’t fight back. “

Two years later, in 2006, Odierno served as the commanding general of the Multinational Corps in Iraq, working as the operational commander of the increase in forces.

Odierno’s stay in Iraq ended as commanding general of the Multinational Force-Iraq, then of the American Forces in Iraq, from 2008 to 2010.

The highest military leader was the 38th Army Chief of Staff from 2011 to 2015. He was later replaced by the general. Marc MilleyMark MilleyKey Iraq war strategist and former army chief Raymond Odierno dies at 67 Feehery: Republican Congress needed to fight left’s slide towards autocracy White House warns China MORE, who is now the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In July, Odierno was appointed administrator of North Carolina State University, where he received his Master of Science in Nuclear Effects Engineering. He was chairman of North Carolina-based consulting firm Odierno Associates.