Maj. Gen. Alan A. Nord, a native of Faulkton, South Dakota, began his military career with enlisted service in the Military Police Corps in 1946-47. Upon graduation from South Dakota State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1952, he received his regular Army commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate and a Rhodes Scholarship for study at Oxford University in England. He has earned a Master of Arts degree in chemistry from Oxford University and a Master of Science degree in international affairs from George Washington University. He also attended John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University for a three week summer session. His military education includes the U.S. Army Infantry School Basic Course, the U.S. Army Chemical School Career Course, the Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College.
Nord has served in a wide variety of military assignments in both command and staff positions during his career. In addition to numerous stateside tours, he served overseas in Vietnam and Europe. His assignments include duties as an infantry company commander; assistant professor of chemistry at the United States Military Academy; chemical combat developments staff officer at the Chemical School; chemical plans officer and then secretary of the General Staff with the XVIII Airborne Corps; chemical staff officer in J-3 (Operations), Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; chemical staff officer in the Office of the Army Chief of Staff; chief of nuclear plans and fire support in G-3 Division, Central Army Group, Europe; project manager for safeguard munitions; commander of Seneca Army Depot; director of procurement and then deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Armament Command and Director of Supply and Maintenance in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics at Department of the Army.
Nord was assigned as commanding general of the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in 1980 and was privileged to host the landing of the nation's third flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia in March 1982. From 1982 to 1985, General Nord was Commanding General of Fort McClellan, Alabama, and Commandant of the U.S. Army Chemical School. As proponent for the Chemical Branch, he also served as chief of the Chemical Corps. Nord retired from the Army in July 1985 after more than 34 years of active service.
Military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Parachute Badge.
General Nord and his wife, Elizabeth, are the parents of three sons, Brian, Andrew and Kevin.