LT. Gen. (Ret.) William G. Boykin began his military career in 1971 when he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). In his thirty-six years in the Army, he served for more than 24 years in Joint Special Operations, with a command at every level. He was one of the original members of the US Army’s Delta Force and was privileged to ultimately command these elite warriors in combat operations. He participated in clandestine operations around the world, beginning with Desert One, the failed 1979 mission to rescue American hostages held in Iran after the Islamic revolution that toppled the shah. He participated in the invasions of Grenada and Panama in 1983 and 1989 respectively, participated in the capture of Manuel Noriega, and headed the chase to capture Colombian drug czar Pablo Escobar in 1992. In 1993, he clashed with Muslim warlord Osman Atto in Somalia, chronicled in the film Black Hawk Down. LT. Gen. (Ret.) William G. Boykin ultimately served as the Commander of the US Army Special Forces Command and as the Commandant of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. LT. Gen. (Ret.) William G. Boykin also served six years in Intelligence (two with the CIA) and was a member of the National Security Policy Coordinating Committee for Terrorism and Coordinating Sub-Group for Homeland Security. His memoir, Never Surrender: A Soldier’s Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom, was released in 2008. He has also authored three novels, Danger Close, Kiloton Threat, and The Coalition. LT. Gen. (Ret.) William G. Boykin’s latest book, The Warrior’s Soul, was co-authored with Vietnam era 5 th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Officer, Dr. Stu Weber. LT. Gen. (Ret.) William G. Boykin continues to support our military and promote a strong national defense as a board member with Freedom Alliance. He also serves as Chaplain for the Denver Chapter of Healing Waters, a wounded warriors’ program. He and his wife, Ashley, have five children and six grandchildren.