Brig. Gen. Lou Coroso of the Georgia State Defense Force recently retired after serving 50 years in the Military. BG Coroso served in the US Army, US Army Reserve, US Army National Guard, and ended that service in the Georgia State Defense Force. During his many years of service he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Award with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the National Defense Medal with Star.

Georgia Deputy Adjutant General Joe Ferrero attended a retirement ceremony that marked 50 years of military service for Georgia State Defense (GSDF) Brig. Gen. Lou Coroso Dec. 4, 2021, Ellenwood, Ga.

Brig. Gen. Coroso’s half-century of uniformed service included 20 years in the GSDF. He most recently served as the GSDF Deputy Commanding General.

Brig. Gen. Coroso also served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and the National Guard. His military awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Award with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He also has the National Defense Medal with Star.

During the event, Brig. Gen. Coroso was promoted from colonel to one-star general. GSDF Commanding General Brig. Gen. Mark D. Gelhardt Sr. and others presented Brig. Gen. Coroso awards and honors during the event.

Georgia State Defense Force photo by PFC Oliver Price

Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Soldiers stand in formation during a retirement ceremony that followed 50 years of military service from Brig. Gen. Lou Coroso (center, right) Dec. 4, 2021, Ellenwood, Ga.

Brig. Gen. Coroso’s half-century of uniformed service included 20 years in the GSDF. He most recently served as the GSDF Deputy Commanding General.

Brig. Gen. Coroso also served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and the National Guard. His military awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Award with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He also has the National Defense Medal with Star.

During the ceremony, GSDF Commanding General Brig. Gen. Mark D. Gelhardt Sr. (center, left), GSDF Command Staff, and others presented Brig. Gen. Coroso various honors and awards.

Georgia Deputy Adjutant General Joe Ferrero, Retired GSDF Commanding General Brig. Gen. Jerry J. Bradford, Retired GSDF Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. E. H. “Rusty” Hightower, the Coroso family, and other guests joined GSDF troops in attendance.

Georgia State Defense Force photo by Warrant Officer 3 Raymond Clunie