Senate Confirms Maj. Gen. Butch Graham As Next Corps Chief
The Senate on July 31 confirmed Army Maj. Gen. William H. “Butch” Graham Jr. as the next chief of engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced on July 10 that President Joe Biden had nominated Graham to the post, along with an appointment to the grade of lieutenant general. Graham will succeed Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, whose four-year term as chief ends on September 13.
“I not only count Butch as a colleague; I also consider him a close friend,” Spellmon said. “He is a fine Soldier, leader and engineer. He has proven time and again that he has the vision to continue our 249-year legacy and the drive to push USACE and our regiment to new, innovative heights in the years to come. The future of USACE and the Army Engineer Regiment is in excellent hands.”
Industry leaders, including Tracy Zea, CEO of Waterways Council Inc., and William Doyle, CEO of the Dredging Contractors of America, praised the appointment.
“WCI is excited about the confirmation of Maj. Gen. Graham to become the next chief of engineers,” Zea said. “He has been a strong partner to WCI and supporter of the inland waterways, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the years ahead.”
“General Butch Graham is a great American,” Doyle said. “He is an outstanding leader and will bring exceptional experience and continuity to this role. He knows what he is doing and understands the importance of partnering with the dredging, marine construction and all private sector industries.”
Graham is currently serving as the deputy chief of engineers and deputy commanding general for Civil Works and Emergency Operations.
Graham received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1989 from the University of Pittsburgh. He is an Engineer Officer who has commanded soldiers at all levels up to division. He has served in support roles in Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was director, Task Force Enhanced Security Zone, of Operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan.
Among his stateside assignments, Graham served as deputy commander of the Pittsburgh Engineer District, and assistant division engineer of the First Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Riley, Kan.
Graham is a graduate of the Senior Service College Fellowship at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School and United States Army Command and General Staff College. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science degree in environmental engineering from the University of Kansas.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with one bronze oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star Medal (with four bronze oak leaf clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (with three bronze oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster), and the Combat Action Badge.Graham is a graduate of the Senior Service College Fellowship at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School and United States Army Command and General Staff College. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science degree in environmental engineering from the University of Kansas.
