Michael Linnington

{{short description|CEO of Wounded Warrior Project, US Army Lieutenant General}} {{Promotional|date=December 2025}} {{Use American English|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox military person |honorific_prefix = |name = Michael Linnington |honorific_suffix = |image = Michael S. Linnington.jpg |image_upright = |alt = |caption = Michael Linnington |native_name = |native_name_lang = |birth_name = |other_name = Michael S. Linnington |nickname = |birth_date = 30 Sept 1958 |birth_place = Cape May, New Jersey, United States |death_date = |death_place = |burial_place = |burial_label = |burial_coordinates =  |allegiance = {{flag|United States of America}} |branch = {{army|United States|size=20px}} |branch_label = Branch |service_years = 1980-2015 |service_years_label = Service years |rank = Lieutenant General |rank_label = |service_number = |unit = |commands = 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans) |battles = {{tree list}} * War on terror ** Operation Enduring Freedom ** Operation Iraqi Freedom {{tree list/end}} |battles_label = |awards = Expert Infantryman's Badge<ref name=":3" /><br/>Combat Infantryman's Badge<ref name=":3" /><br/>border|22pxBronze Star Medal<ref name=":0" /><br/>22pxLegion of Merit<ref name=":0" /><br/>22pxDistinguished Service Medal<ref name=":0" /> |memorials = |known_for = Wounded Warrior Project, USO |alma_mater = U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, National War College |spouse =  |children = |relations = |other_work = |signature = |signature_size = |signature_alt = |website = |module = }}

'''Michael Linnington''' (born 1958, Cape May, New Jersey<ref name="mdw" />) is the current CEO of the United Service Organization<ref>{{cite press release |title=The USO Appoints Lieutenant General (retired) Michael Linnington as New Chief Executive Officer to Lead Its Next Chapter of Service and Innovation |publisher=USO via GlobeNewswire |date=August 15, 2025 |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/08/15/3134213/0/en/The-USO-Appoints-Lieutenant-General-retired-Michael-Linnington-as-New-Chief-Executive-Officer-to-Lead-Its-Next-Chapter-of-Service-and-Innovation.html |access-date=August 19, 2025 }}</ref> and former CEO of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and a retired United States Army Lieutenant General.<ref name="audacy">{{cite web|last=LeDoux|first=Julia|title=Wounded Warrior Project CEO, Army veteran will retire in Jan. 2024|website=audacy.com|date=2023-08-14|url=https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets/news/wounded-warrior-project-ceo-will-retire-in-january-2024|access-date=2024-04-25}}</ref><ref name="marinecorpstimes">{{cite web|last=Perez|first=Zamone|title=Wounded Warrior head set to retire in early 2024|website=Marine Corps Times|date=2023-08-09|url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-military/2023/08/09/wounded-warrior-head-set-to-retire-in-early-2024/|access-date=2024-04-25}}</ref> He has more than 35 years of military experience and was the first permanent Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.historynet.com/dpaa-director-michael-linnington.htm|title=DPAA Director Michael Linnington|date=2015-11-23|website=HistoryNet|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref>

Throughout his 35-year military career, Linnington has served as a Military Deputy to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, was the Commanding General of the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region,<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/12/military-maps-out-obama-inauguration-security/|title=Military maps out Obama inauguration security|newspaper=The Washington Times|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> the Deputy Commanding General at Fort Benning, GA, Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy for the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan.<ref name=":3" />

Linnington graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1980<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /> and holds master’s degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the National War College.<ref name=":3" />

== Early life and education == Linnington was born in Cape May, New Jersey<ref name="mdw">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110917144656/http://www.mdw.army.mil/leadership/Linnington.htm The United States Army | Military District of Washington]</ref> and grew up in the Villas section of the Lower Township, New Jersey. He grew up with five brothers and went to military high school and military college. He attended the former St. Raymond's Roman Catholic School while working in a local restaurant and nearby Citgo gas station.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/lower_capemay/major-general-from-lower-township-heads-task-force-providing-military/article_7880e844-44c5-11e2-a132-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Major general from Lower Township heads task force providing military support for Obama's inauguration|first=Richard|last=Degener|website=Press of Atlantic City|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> He then graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in 1976.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vfmac.edu/dvteam/lieutenant-general-michael-linnington-usa-ret-76/|title=Lieutenant General Michael Linnington USA (Ret.) '76|last=tbrennan|date=2016-01-12|website=Valley Forge Military Academy and College|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref>

In 1980, he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he met his wife Brenda, who also graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1981.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article28998391.html|title=Linningtin returns to West Point|last=|first=|date=2008-05-01|work=Ledger-Enquirer|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref> He has master's degrees in Applied Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and in National Security Strategy from the National War College.<ref name=":3" />

== Military career == [[File:USMC-101111-M-1558F-016.jpg|thumb|Linnington with Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, Nawa, Afghanistan, Nov. 11, 2010|296x296px]] Michael Linnington is a military veteran with a 35-year career in the United States Army. Linnington is airborne, air assault, and ranger qualified. Throughout his career, he held a variety of command and staff positions in various locations around the world.

He was Deputy Commanding General<ref name=":3" /> in command of 75,000 troops at Fort Benning, Georgia from 2007-2008.<ref name=":0" /> In 2007, he was promoted to Brigadier General<ref name=":0" /> and began a new role as commandant of Cadets at West Point<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> in May 2008.<ref name=":4" />

In 2009, Linnington testified to a U.S. Senate subcommittee on military suicides and prevention efforts at West Point.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?284699-1/military-suicides&start=6288|title=Military Suicides|last=|first=|date=2009-03-18|work=C-SPAN|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref>

Linnington fought in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.<ref name=":0" /> While in Afghanistan, he commanded the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> also known as the Rakkasans.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?177750-1/operations-iraq|title=Operations in Iraq|last=|first=|date=2003-08-08|work=C-SPAN|access-date=2009-02-06}}</ref>

Linnington led 1,500 vehicles in his convoy, and about 5,000 troops in the brigade. In 2009, he returned to Kabul, Afghanistan as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy for the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command.<ref name=":3" />

Linnington fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq<ref name=":0" /> and served directly under Gen. David H. Petraeus.<ref name=":0" />

Linnington served as Commanding General of the Military District of Washington/Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region from 2011-2013.<ref name=":3" /> [[File:Defense.gov photo essay 120528-D-TT977-084.jpg|thumb|Linnington with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Washington, D.C., May 28, 2012|296x296px]]

During his time as Commanding General, Linnington made a number of appearances in Washington, D.C. He walked with US President Barack Obama to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to commemorate Veterans Day on November 11, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/node/96163|title=President Barack Obama Walks With Gen. Michael Linnington|website=The White House|language=en|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref> On November 12, 2011, Linnington hosted the ceremony for the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln's Grand Review at Fort McNair Parade Field, Washington, DC.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?302644-1/150th-anniversary-president-lincolns-grand-review|title=150th Anniversary of President Lincoln's Grand Review|last=|first=|date=2011-11-12|work=C-SPAN|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref> In 2013, Linnington headed the task force for President Obama's second inauguration.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />

Linnington served as Military Deputy to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness)<ref name=":3" /> from 2013 to 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gkccf.guidestar.org/profile/1144429/wounded-warrior-project.aspx|title=GKCCF Nonprofit Search|website=gkccf.guidestar.org|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref>

=== Awards === * Expert Infantryman's Badge<ref name=":3" /> * Combat Infantryman's Badge<ref name=":3" /> * Distinguished Service Medal<ref name=":0" /> * Legion of Merit<ref name=":0" /> * Bronze Star Medal<ref name=":0" />

== Post-military career ==

=== Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) === In 2014, two organizations, the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command were merged into the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). Its mission was to account for missing personnel to their families and provide accurate and timely details of their story. Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Michael S. Linnington was its first permanent director.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/us/pentagon-names-1st-permanent-director-of-new-pow-mia-accounting-agency-1.353435|title=Pentagon names 1st permanent director of new POW/MIA accounting agency|website=Stars and Stripes|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> When Linnington took over, his priorities were to continue the mission during reorganization without disrupting field operations, finish reorganization of conflict accounting, streamline and modernize operations and communications, improve communications to stakeholders, and expand partnerships.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-drive/2015/08/lt-gen-michael-linnington-updating-the-pow-mia-accounting-agencys-mission/|title=Lt. Gen. Michael Linnington: Updating the POW-MIA Accounting Agency's mission|last=Temin|first=Tom|date=2015-08-24|work=Federal News Network|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref>

During his time as director, the agency nearly doubled identification of missing service members.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2016/06/17/wounded-warrior-project-ceo/|title=Wounded Warrior Project Is Getting a New CEO|last=|first=|date=2016-07-17|work=Fortune|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref>

=== Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) === {{Further|Wounded Warrior Project}} On July 18, 2016, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Michael S. Linnington was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Wounded Warrior Project,<ref name=":3" /> a nonprofit veterans service organization providing programs for veterans injured in service on or after 9/11.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20180423/wounded-warrior-project-reports-another-down-year-for-donations-but-sees-rebound|title=Wounded Warrior Project reports another down year for donations, but sees a rebound|last=Bauerlein|first=David|date=2018-04-23|work=The Florida Times-Union|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref> He told a reporter he felt compelled to lead WWP after he observed the organization began suffering due to a media scandal in 2016.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.news4jax.com/video/n4jwwpceorawinterview|title=UNCUT: Wounded Warrior Project CEO Mike Linnington's interview with I-TEAM|last=Gardner|first=Lynnsey|date=2016-09-02|work=News 4 Jax|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref> The allegations of the scandal were later disproved by several audits and investigations held by third parties, including the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. Media coverage resulted in a severe drop in donations and revenue.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stripes.com/wounded-warrior-project-donations-drop-70-million-but-ceo-says-charity-is-on-the-rebound-1.467376|title=Wounded Warrior Project donations drop $70 million, but CEO says charity is on the rebound|last=Cahn|first=Dianna|date=2017-05-08|work=Stars and Stripes|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref> As a result, Linnington's first actions were focused on reducing costs while maximizing impact from veterans programs,<ref name=":5" /> including a pay cut from the previous WWP CEO salary.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/02/08/wounded-warrior-project-cleared-of-spending-lavishly-report-finds/|title=Wounded Warrior Project cleared of 'spending lavishly,' report finds|last=Wax-Thibodeaux|first=Emily|date=2017-02-08|work=The Washington Post|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref>

On March 9, 2017, Linnington testified to Congress about veterans healthcare needs highlighting four major areas:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.veterans.senate.gov/download/wwp-linnington-testimony-03092017|title=United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs|website=www.veterans.senate.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/2017-03-09-Wounded-Warrior-Project-CEO-Meets-with-Congress|title=Wounded Warrior Project CEO Meets with Congress|last=|first=|date=|website=Wounded Warrior Project Newsroom|language=en-us|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghp-news.com/2017-wounded-warrior-project-ceo|title=Global Health & Pharma - Wounded Warrior Project CEO|website=www.ghp-news.com|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref>

# Collaboration between government and nonprofits # Improving care for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) # Improving health insurance for severely injured veterans # Extending In Vitro Fertilization benefits provided by the VA

On February 5, 2019, Linnington announced to ABC/NBC-owned First Coast News that WWP has "turned the corner" and is doing more with less resources. "We are serving more warriors today than ever before in impactful ways that change their lives."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/wounded-warrior-project-has-turned-the-corner-soldier-ride-planned-for-weekend-team-building/77-3237c0c1-586d-48c9-a34a-5b09934524eb|title=Wounded Warrior Project has 'turned the corner'; Soldier Ride planned for weekend team building|last=Amaro|first=Kenneth|date=2019-02-05|work=First Coast News|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref>

In April 2022, Linnington lobbied for H.R. 3967 (Honoring our PACT Act of 2022), a bill to provide healthcare and resources to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hatcher|first=Aleesia|last2=Frazier|first2=Francine|title=Wounded Warrior Project lobbies for bill to help veterans exposed to toxins while serving|website=WJXT|date=2022-04-20|url=https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2022/04/20/wounded-warrior-project-lobbies-for-bill-to-help-veterans-exposed-to-toxins-while-serving/|access-date=2023-02-15}}</ref>

In March 2023, Linnington was named the Grand Marshal of the New York Veterans Day Parade. As the Grand Marshal, Linnington will lead over 20,000 people up Fifth Avenue on November 11, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Veteran and Wounded Warrior Project CEO Mike Linnington named Grand Marshal of 2023 New York Veterans Day Parade|website=ABC7 New York|date=2023-03-20|url=https://abc7ny.com/michael-linnington-grand-marshal-veterans-day-parade-mike/12981727/|access-date=2023-04-07}}</ref>

Linnington also saw the number of peer support group leaders rise to hundreds leading events in their communities as volunteers. He saw the organization shift its focus to provide long-term financial aid for wounded veterans, emotional support for families, career guidance, and social events across the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shane III|first=Leo|title=Outgoing WWP leader sees continued strain on vets, but more support|website=Military Times|date=2024-03-25|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2024/03/25/outgoing-wwp-head-sees-continued-strain-on-vets-but-more-support/|access-date=2024-04-19}}</ref>

== References == {{commons category|Michael S. Linnington}} {{Reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Linnington, Michael}} Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:Lieutenant generals Category:People from Lower Township, New Jersey Category:Valley Forge Military Academy and College alumni