2024 Bull Simons Award video for Brig. Gen. Richard W. Potter, Jr.

Brigadier General Richard W. Potter, Jr., is a member of the group of pioneers who envisioned the role Special Operations Forces could play in the Nation's Defense. Over his 340year career, he served in a myriad of assignments culminating as the Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

During his service, he participated in numerous operational deployments, including three tours in Vietnam, support of Eagle Claw in Egypt, operations in Lebanon, Provide Comfort in Iraq, Silver Anvil in Sierra Leone, and Uphold Democracy in Haiti.

His contributions include training and leading indigenous and U.S. Special Forces in operations in four combatant commands' areas of responsibility; establishing and leading a special mission unit; commanding an operational-level, joint special operations headquarters in humanitarian operations; developing training and helping establish Special Forces Branch and Career Management Field; and continuing to mentor Army War College special operations students after his retirement.

Brig. Gen. Potter never gave up on his vision or veered from his path, even in the post-Vietnam era. His lifetime of service helped lay the foundation of today's Special Operations Forces.