Commanders-in-chief / Commanders
Previously, this position held the title "Commander-in-Chief (CINC), United States European Command". However, following an order dated 24 October 2002 by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, all CINCs in the United States military were retitled "Commanders" and the use of "CINC" as an acronym was forbidden.
| Name | Photo | Branch | Term began | Term ended | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | General Matthew Ridgway | U.S. Army | 30 May 1952 | 11 July 1953 | |
| 2. | General Alfred Gruenther | U.S. Army | 1 July 1953 | 20 November 1956 | |
| 3. | General Lauris Norstad | U.S. Air Force | 20 November 1956 | 1 January 1963 | |
| 4. | General Lyman Lemnitzer | U.S. Army | 1 January 1963 | 1 July 1969 | |
| 5. | General Andrew Goodpaster | U.S. Army | 1 July 1969 | 15 December 1974 | |
| 6. | General Alexander M. Haig, Jr. | U.S. Army | 15 December 1974 | 1 July 1979 | |
| 7. | General Bernard W. Rogers | U.S. Army | 1 July 1979 | 26 June 1987 | |
| 8. | General John Galvin | U.S. Army | 26 June 1987 | 23 June 1992 | |
| 9. | General John Shalikashvili | U.S. Army | 23 June 1992 | 22 October 1993 | |
| 10. | General George Joulwan | U.S. Army | 22 October 1993 | 11 July 1997 | |
| 11. | General Wesley Clark | U.S. Army | 11 July 1997 | 3 May 2000 | |
| 12. | General Joseph Ralston | U.S. Air Force | 3 May 2000 | 17 January 2003 | |
| 13. | General James L. Jones | U.S. Marine Corps | 17 January 2003 | 7 December 2006 | |
| 14. | General Bantz J. Craddock | U.S. Army | 7 December 2006 | 30 June 2009 | |
| 15. | Admiral James G. Stavridis | U.S. Navy | 30 June 2009 | Incumbent |
Read more about this topic: United States European Command