Joseph Wawro

Joseph D. Wawro, a colonel in the U.S. Army, was a visiting military fellow at The Washington Institute from 2013-2014. A native of Chicago, he was commissioned in 1988 as a second lieutenant in armor upon graduation from the University of Illinois. He also earned a master's degree in national security and policymaking from the Naval War College in 2008 and a master's degree in business administration from Embry-Riddle University in 1998.

Col. Wawro has commanded armored units stationed in the United States, Germany, and Korea, and deployed to Bosnia in 1997 as part of the Implementation Force's Task Force Eagle, and in 2004 to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to Afghanistan in 2010.

Col. Wawro's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (3rd Award), Bronze Star (3rd Award), Meritorious Service Medal (5th Award), Army Commendation Medal with V device, Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), and Army Achievement Medal (6th Award). His badges include the Combat Action Badge and Parachute Wings.