David Howell Petraeus was born on November 7th, 1952 in Cornwall-on-Hudson in New York to parents, Sixtus and Miriam (Howell) Petraeus.  His mother, American born was a librarian and his father who immigrated here from the Netherlands at the beginning of WWII was a sea captain.   David Petraeus grew up in Cornwall-on-Hudson and graduated in 1970 from Cornwall Central High School.  He furthered his education at the United States Military Academy at West Point.  Petraeus distinguished himself from his first year as a cadet, participating in sports and as a cadet captain on the brigade staff.  He excelled in his academics and graduated 4th in his class in 1974. 

After graduation David went to Ranger school and upon completion was assigned to light infantry unit, the 509th Airborne Battalion Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy. It wasn't until 1979 that he was made a commander of a company in the 24th Infantry Division that was stationed in Fort Stewart, Georgia.  In 1981 he was named to the position of aid-de-camp to the Commanding General of 24th Infantry Division.  During the 80's David furthered his education attending the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1982-83.  In 1985 to 1987 he attended Princeton and in 1985 to 1987 he went back to West Point where he taught classes and received his PHD.

David Petraeus moved up in the ranks over the next decade and in 1999 was named brigadeer general, second in command of operations of the 82nd Airborne Division.  In 2001 he was promoted to Major General.  In 2007 Petraeus was promoted to  General and soon after in April 2008 he was nominated by President Bush to command U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida.  He was confirmed by the Senate in June 2010 and officially took command at the Central Headquarters on July 4th, 2010.

Having served in battles and campaigns in places such as Bosnia, Haiti, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan Petraeus has proved his extraodinary abilities to plan and lead his troops to victory again and again throughout his career.  For his efforts on the battlefield he has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal twice,the Army Distinguished Service Medal twice, Legion of Merit 4 times, the Bronze Starwith Valor V and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.   Because of his service and dedication to our country this American patriot has been honored with his being nominated to head up the Central Intelligence Agency as the agency's director.

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