Albany Soldier Selected for Battalion Command

Lt. Col. Chris Panzer to Lead 42nd Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion

LATHAM, N.Y. (10/15/2013) (readMedia)-- The Adjutant General of the State of New York, Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, recently announced the selection of New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Christopher Panzer to command the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion for the 42nd Infantry Division in Troy, N.Y.

Panzer, an Albany resident and a veteran of the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, first began his military career as an active duty enlisted Solder serving with the 3rd Infantry Division.

Panzer received his commission as a second lieutenant after graduating from the Empire State Military Academy's Officer Candidate School in 1991.

His past assignments include leadership and staff positions that include Rifle Platoon Leader, Rifle Company Executive Officer and Rifle Company Commander and Battalion Air Operations Officer, all within the 1st Battalion, 105th Infantry.

During his tour with the 1-105th Infantry, Panzer was an initial military responder to the World Trade Center attack in September 2001 and assisted with the establishing military security forces stationed in NYC airports and Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.

Panzer also served as the Battalion Executive Officer to the 42nd Infantry Division Special Troops Battalion and was most recently assigned as Executive Officer to The Adjutant General of the New York National Guard.

A graduate of Regents College, he is also a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advance Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School and Intermediate Level Education (ILE) Common Core and Advanced Operations Course.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with silver oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze star, The Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal.

The 42nd Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion organized in October 2011. It consists of four companies that support the commander and staff of the 42nd Infantry Division. These include the Headquarters and Support Company, Operations Company, Intelligence and Sustainment Company and Signal Company.

The 42nd Infantry Division aligns for training with more than 14,000 Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, the New Jersey National Guard's 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the Vermont National Guard's 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the New Hampshire National Guard's 197th Fires Brigade and the Massachusetts Army National Guard's 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.

The change of command ceremony is planned for this autumn in Troy, N.Y.