When it came to the sport of wrestling, a young sixth grader named Ken Leuer probably didn't have much of a choice but to be a part of it. He followed the example of his older brother and cousins in Wayzata, Minnesota. And by the time he himself was a senior in high school, he had established himself as one of the all time great wrestlers in the state with back-to-back state titles.

In 1952, he went on to the University of Iowa for a successful career as a two-time All-American with an NCAA championship title in 1956.

While at Iowa, he enrolled in the ROTC program earning a Commissioned Officer position. He started his active duty upon graduation, launching a meritorious 32 year military career. Leuer was hand-picked by the Army Chief of Staff and given the charter for the formation of the modern Ranger Battalions. Training was the Rangers top focus and Leuer instilled two values into the elite force; standards and discipline. Leuer started, selected and trained 680 men that are considered the pinnacle of highly trained and specialized troops in the world.

His many awards and decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star with two Oak-Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and a Silver Star. He was a charter inductee into the Ranger Hall of Fame and has been awarded the prestigious Order of Saint Maurice, Primicerius Level.

He retired from the military in 1988, and assumed the position of President and CEO of Goodwill Industries, a nonprofit organization that specializes in rehabilitation for the disabled and disadvantaged.

Major General Leuer credits his successful career not only to the support of his family, but also to the great lessons of discipline and physical/mental preparation that were learned during his many years on the wrestling mat.

• Former Commander of the Rangers
• Commander of Fort Benning, Georgia
• Ranger Hall of Fame Charter Inductee
• Order of Saint Maurice, Primicerius Level
• 32-Year Military Career

Ken Leuer was an NCAA champion at 191 pounds in 1956 for the University of Iowa and a two-time All-American. He is a retired Major General in the United States Army.