General Joseph S. Stringham

Brigadier General Joe Stringham has served in his country’s military for 32 exemplary years. After graduating from West Point, he served multiple tours in Korea and SE Asia. Besides duty in Vietnam with Special Forces, Joe was a Company Commander and Principal Staff Officer to the 31st Infantry’s Battalion Commander, and at one point, formed a unique mercenary battalion, code named “MIKE FORCE,” which later became the subject of the John Wayne movie, “The Green Berets.”

After Vietnam, Major, and then Lieutenant Commander Stringham commanded three infantry battalions, culminating in his command of the 1st Ranger Battalion. In the 1980s, now Colonel Stringham was given yet another combat assignment as Commander of the U.S. Military Group in El Salvador during a critical phase of the insurgency there. Under his command, the Military Group successfully trained and developed the Salvadoran Armed Forces to the point where free and safe elections could be successfully held. In recognition, Joe received El Salvador's highest military decoration for bravery and meritorious service, “The Medal of Gold.”

Brigadier General Stringham retired from active duty on November 30, 1992 with two Distinguished Service Medals, four Legion of Merit medals, seven combat decorations for valor including the Silver Star, and six foreign decorations for meritorious service in combat. He has been awarded several foreign parachutist wings from the United Kingdom, Republic of Vietnam, Israel, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Panama.

There is little more our country could ask of Joe Stringham, so the Doyon Government Group is especially grateful he accepted our invitation to serve on our Advisory Board.