Disgraced Army general fired after ‘inappropriate’ relationship with young woman on staff
WASHINGTON — The Army has stripped a disgraced former division commander of one star and forced him to retire for having an inappropriate relationship with a female captain on his staff.
Wayne Grigsby will leave the service as a one-star general, the Army announced nine months after it fired him from commanding the First Infantry Division in September 2016. Grigsby had been weeks away from deploying to Iraq when the Army recalled him to Washington. He became the first division commander to be relieved in more than 45 years.
In a stinging letter of reprimand, Gen. Daniel Allyn, the vice chief of the Army, wrote that the “manner and frequency” of his communication with the woman compromised the chain of command and created the perception that she was given preferential treatment. Allyn noted that Grigsby had been warned by his top aides about the public appearance of the relationship but continued.
“In doing so, you placed your personal interests above those of the unit as it prepared for combat,” Allyn wrote.
Wayne Grigsby as a brigadier general, the rank at which he will retire following disciplinary action by the Army. Photo courtesy U.S. Army.
Wayne Grigsby as a brigadier general, the rank at which he will retire following disciplinary action by the Army. Photo courtesy U.S. Army.