Brig. Gen. Rick Porter ’78 inducted into 82nd Airborne Division Hall of Fame

Brig. Gen. Rick Porter ’78 inducted into 82nd Airborne Division Hall of Fame

Retired Brig. Gen. E. Eric (Rick) Porter ’78 was among 12 inducted into the 82nd Airborne Division Hall of Fame. The division inducted its third class during a ceremony Thursday, July 9, in Fort Bragg, N.C.

The 12 paratroopers recognized embody the “honor, valor and courage that defines service in America’s Guard of Honor,” according to the division’s program.

Porter was handpicked to be the adjutant general for U.S. Forces Grenada. As one of the first adjutant general officers to deploy to Grenada in support of Operation Urgent Fury, Porter led his paratroopers from the front, both on the ground and in the air, providing outstanding support to the division, the program outlined.

Upon returning from Operation Urgent Fury, he commanded the 82nd Adjutant General Company, which was the largest company in the division at the time.

He went on to become the division G-1 and implemented “unprecedented” initiatives to increase the division’s personnel readiness posture, the program said. He concluded his 32 years of service as the U.S. Army Forces Command G-1.

To read more about Porter’s service and the service of his son, 1st Lt. Cam Porter ’15, revisit their story in the Spring 2019 edition of the PC Magazine.