General Lloyd James Austin, III, the first African American to lead the U.S. General Command.

General Lloyd James Austin, III, the first African American to lead the U.S. General Command. He is responsible for our troops and transitions in 20 countries in the Middle East and southwest Asia. Austin is now the 12th Commander of the US central Command. General Lloyd J. Austin III is a native of Thomasville, Ga. He attended the U.S. Military Academy and obtained a master’s Degree from Auburn University. General Austin was the first African American to serve as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. He holds a silver star for his service in Iraq through Operation New Dawn and his tenure in Afghanistan. General Austin is also a 2007 inductee into the Thomasville-Thomas County Sports Hall of Fame. Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin and his wife, Charlene. (Photo Courtesy of Jack Hadley Black History Museum)