Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene, killed in Afghanistan, laid to rest
Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene, who held leadership positions at Aberdeen Proving Ground, is to be laid to rest Thursday at Arlington National Cemetery.
Greene was shot to death last week as he visited Afghanistan’s national military academy in Kabul. He was the highest-ranking U.S. Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War.
- The Army band leads the procession during a full honors funeral service for US Army Major General Harold Greene at Arlington National Cemetery, August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- The Army band leads the procession during a full honors funeral service for US Army Major General Harold Greene at Arlington National Cemetery, August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- A caisson from the Army’s Old Guard carries the casket of US Army Major General Harold Greene, during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on August 14, 2014. Major General Greene was shot dead on August 5, 2014 at a training center in Kabul in an attack that left more than a dozen others wounded, including a senior German officer. He was the highest ranking US Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Saul Loeb/Getty Images)
- A spot of sunlight hits the casket of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene as it rides on a caisson during a full honors funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery, August 14, 2014 in Washington, DC. Greene was shot and killed as he visited Afghanistan’s national military academy in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is the highest ranking Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- Members of The Old Guard, U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Regiment, carry the casket of Major General Harold J. Greene of the U.S. Army, towards his grave site in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- Military pallbearers carry the casket of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene during a full military honors burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, August 14, 2014. Greene was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month and is the highest ranking U.S. military officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Larry Downing/Reuters photo)
- A bugler plays taps during funeral services for US Army Major General Harold Greene at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on August 14, 2014. Major General Greene was shot dead on August 5, 2014 at a training center in Kabul in an attack that left more than a dozen others wounded, including a senior German officer. He was the highest ranking US Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Saul Loeb/Getty Images)
- Members of the Army’s Old Guard approaches the burial site of US Army Major General Harold Greene, during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- Members of the U.S. Army salute as the casket of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene is carried to the gravesite during a full honors funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery, August 14, 2014 in Washington, DC. Greene was shot and killed as he visited Afghanistan’s national military academy in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is the highest ranking Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- Dr. Susan Myers, center, salutes as her husband, Major General Harold J. Greene, U.S. Army, is carried off towards his gravesite in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- Members of the U.S. Army honor guard prepare to lower the casket of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene during a full honors funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery, August 14, 2014 in Washington, DC. Greene was shot and killed as he visited Afghanistan’s national military academy in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is the highest ranking Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- An American flag is ready to be folded over the casket of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene during a full honors funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery, August 14, 2014 in Washington, DC. Greene was shot and killed as he visited Afghanistan’s national military academy in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is the highest ranking Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- Amelia Greene, daughter of Major General Harold J. Greene of the U.S. Army, looks down as her father is honored at his burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 14, 2014. Amelia is standing next to her grandfather, Harold Greene, left, 1st Lt. Matthew Greene, right, and her mother, Dr. Susan Myers, far right. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- Susan Myers, widow of US Army Major General Harold J. Greene, stands alongside son First Lt. Matthew Greene (second, from left) and daughter Amelia Greene (Left) during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on August 14, 2014. Major General Greene was shot dead on August 5, 2014 at a training center in Kabul in an attack that left more than a dozen others wounded, including a senior German officer. He was the highest ranking US Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Saul Loeb/Getty Images)
- Members of the Army’s Old Guard fold an US flag that was draped on the casket of US Army Major General Harold Greene, during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on August 14, 2014. Major General Harold J. Greene was shot dead on August 5, 2014 at a training center in Kabul in an attack that left more than a dozen others wounded, including a senior German officer. He was the highest ranking US Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Saul Loeb/Getty Images)
- Dr. Susan Myers receives the flag that covered the casket of her husband, Major General Harold J. Greene of the U.S. Army, from U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno, as she sits alongside her son, 1st Lt. Matthew Greene, during Greene’s burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- Dr. Susan Myers looks at the flag that covered the casket of her husband, Major General Harold J. Greene of the U.S. Army, as she sits alongside her son, 1st Lt. Matthew Greene, during Greene’s burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- 1st Lt. Matthew Greene kisses the hand of his mother, Dr. Susan Myers, during funeral services for US Army Major General Harold Greene at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Al Drago)
- 1st Lt. Matthew Greene wipes his brow alongside his mother, Dr. Susan Myers, after receiving a rose to place on the casket of his father, Major General Harold J. Greene of the U.S. Army during his burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- The immediate family of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene sits during a full military honors ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, August 14, 2014. Greene was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month and is the highest ranking U.S. military officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (From left to right) Seated are: Harold Greene, father, Amelia Greene, daughter, First Lt. Matthew Greene, son, and Susan Myers, wife. (Larry Downing/Reuters photo)
- Amelia Greene, daughter of Major General Harold J. Greene of the U.S. Army, is consoled by her grandfather, Harold Greene, left, and her brother, 1st Lt. Matthew Greene, at the burial of her father at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- Amelia Greene, daughter of Major General Harold J. Greene of the U.S. Army, is consoled as she sits beside her grandfather, Harold Greene, left, and her brother, 1st Lt. Matthew Greene, at the burial of her father at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- Susan Myers, wife of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene, puts a rose on his casket during the end of a full military honors funeral at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, August 14, 2014. Greene was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month and is the highest ranking U.S. military officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Larry Downing/Reuters photo)
- Dr. Susan Myers places a rose on the casket of her husband, Major General Harold J. Greene of the U.S. Army as her son, 1st Lt. Matthew Greene consoles her during Greene’s burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- 1st Lt. Matthew Greene places a rose on the casket of his father, Major General Harold J. Greene of the U.S. Army during his burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Thursday, August 14, 2014. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- First Lt. Matthew Greene kneels down at the casket of his father, US Army Major General Harold Greene, during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on August 14, 2014. Major General Greene was shot dead on August 5, 2014 at a training center in Kabul in an attack that left more than a dozen others wounded, including a senior German officer. He was the highest ranking US Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Saul Loeb/Getty Images)
- Amelia Greene kisses the casket of her father, US Army Major General Harold Greene, alongside Harold Greene’s widow, Susan Myers (Left) and son First Lt. Matthew Greene (2nd from Left) during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on August 14, 2014. Major General Harold J. Greene was shot dead on August 5, 2014 at a training center in Kabul in an attack that left more than a dozen others wounded, including a senior German officer. He was the highest ranking US Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Saul Loeb/Getty Images)
- Roses are placed on top of the casket of US Army Major General Harold Greene at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on August 14, 2014. Greene was the highest ranking US Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- Harold Greene salutes over the casket of his son, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene during a full honors funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery, August 14, 2014 in Washington, DC. Greene was shot and killed as he visited Afghanistan’s national military academy in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is the highest ranking Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- Widow Dr. Susan Myers receives a hug from Army Arlington Lady Lynda Flowers after being presented a flag during the burial of US Army Major General Harold Greene at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on August 14, 2014. Greene was the highest ranking US Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Al Drago/Baltimore Sun)
- Visitors watch the funeral service for US Army Major General Harold Greene at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on August 14, 2014. Greene was the highest ranking US Army officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War. (Al Drago/Al Drago)
- U.S. Army soldiers carry the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on August 7, 2014 in Dover, Delaware. According to reports, Greene, who was from Schenectady, New York, assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command, was killed after his unit was attacked in Afghanistan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
- U.S. Army soldiers carry the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on August 7, 2014 in Dover, Delaware. According to reports, Greene, who was from Schenectady, New York, assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command, was killed after his unit was attacked in Afghanistan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
- U.S. Army soldiers carry the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene during a dignified transfer, as U.S. Army Secretary John McHugh holds his hand over his heart, at Dover Air Force Base on August 7, 2014 in Dover, Delaware. According to reports, Greene, who was from Schenectady, New York, assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command, was killed after his unit was attacked in Afghanistan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
- U.S. Air Force Door Attendant Senior Airman Kristina C. Barr, shuts the door of the transfer vehicle, as the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene rest inside during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on August 7, 2014 in Dover, Delaware. According to reports, Greene, who was from Schenectady, New York, assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command, was killed after his unit was attacked in Afghanistan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
- U.S. Army soldiers walk away from the transfer vehicle after carrying the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on August 7, 2014 in Dover, Delaware. According to reports, Greene, who was from Schenectady, New York, assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command, was killed after his unit was attacked in Afghanistan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
- U.S. Army Secretary John McHugh (L) holds his hand over his heart as U.S. Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno (C), and Dignified Transfer Host, U.S Air Force Col. Richard G. Moore salute, during the dignified transfer of the remains of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene at Dover Air Force Base on August 7, 2014 in Dover, Delaware. According to reports, Greene, who was from Schenectady, New York, assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command, was killed after his unit was attacked in Afghanistan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
- U.S. Army soldiers carry the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on August 7, 2014 in Dover, Delaware. According to reports, Greene, who was from Schenectady, New York, assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command, was killed after his unit was attacked in Afghanistan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
- A US Army carry team moves a transfer case with the remains of US Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene from a C-17 cargo plane during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base August 7, 2014 in Delaware. Major General Harold J. Greene was shot dead on August 5, 2014 at a training center in Kabul in an attack that left more than a dozen others wounded, including a senior German officer. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- A US Army carry team moves a transfer case with the remains of US Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene from a C-17 cargo plane during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base August 7, 2014 in Delaware. Major General Harold J. Greene was shot dead on August 5, 2014 at a training center in Kabul in an attack that left more than a dozen others wounded, including a senior German officer. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- A US Army carry team salutes as the remains of US Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene are driven away during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base August 7, 2014 in Delaware. Major General Harold J. Greene was shot dead on August 5, 2014 at a training center in Kabul in an attack that left more than a dozen others wounded, including a senior German officer. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- A US Army carry team moves a transfer case with the remains of US Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene from a C-17 cargo plane during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base August 7, 2014 in Delaware. Major General Harold J. Greene was shot dead on August 5, 2014 at a training center in Kabul in an attack that left more than a dozen others wounded, including a senior German officer. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- The wife of US Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene, Susan Myers (2ndR), son US Army First Lieutenant Matthew Greene (C), daughter-in-law Kasandra Greene (L), daughter Amelia Greene (2nd-L) walk off a C-17 after speaking with the flight crew after a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on August 7, 2014 in Delaware. General Greene was killed at Marshal Fahim National Defense University in the Qarga District of Kabul, Afghanistan by an Afghan soldier. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- The wife of US Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene, Susan Myers (2nd-R) walks with her son US Army First Lieutenant Matthew Greene (3rd-R), daughter-in-law Kasandra Greene (L), daughter Amelia Greene (2nd-L) and others to speak with a C-17’s flight crew after a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base August 7, 2014 in Delaware. Major General Harold J. Greene was shot dead on August 5, 2014 at a training center in Kabul in an attack that left more than a dozen others wounded, including a senior German officer. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- The family of Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene, from left, daughter Amelia Greene, daughter-in-law Kasandra Greene, son Army 1st Lt. Matthew Greene and his wife, retired Col. Susan Myers, arrive at the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base. (Washington Post photo by Linda Davidson)
“Words cannot express the sadness we feel at the senseless loss of Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene,” Secretary of the Army John McHugh said last week in a statement. “Maj. Gen. Greene was a soldier, a scholar and, above all, a trusted professional leader.”
The upstate New York native was 55. He leaves his wife, retired Army Col. Sue Myers, a daughter, Amelia, and a son, Matthew, a recent graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point now serving as an officer in the Army.