Today, Armory VP Maria Vazquez installed a new US Army uniform in our Cold War and Global War on Terror exhibit gallery. The uniform was worn by Varnum member, Greg Banner. Maria and Varnum Armory Museum docent, Ben Tietze, mounted the uniform on a custom archival grade dress form to ensure its long term survival for generations to come. Here’s the amazing service history of Greg Banner…
Lieutenant Colonel Gregory T. Banner, U.S. Army (Retired)
Rhode Islander • Special Forces and Ranger
Gregory T. Banner served 21 years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Banner built a distinguished career in Infantry and Special Forces assignments. Among his commands he twice led 12-man Special Forces A-Detachments for a total of 4 years. His service also included combat, contingency and advisory roles across Central America, Africa, the Middle East, and Bosnia—reflecting the evolving global missions of the U.S. Army during the Cold War and post-Cold War eras.
In 1991, as a Major, he deployed to El Salvador as a Special Forces advisor. During this 15-month tour he led a district team that worked alongside Salvadoran units during the final phase of their civil war and through the signing of the peace accords. His later assignments included operational planning, instruction, and advisory work that shaped the Army’s readiness for new global contingencies.
Banner holds master’s degrees in International Relations from Troy State University and in Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
After retiring from active duty, he continued serving the public as the Emergency Planner for the Rhode Island Department of Health and later as a Regional Emergency Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Region I – New England). In this later position, over a 20-year career, he helped coordinate federal medical response efforts—including deployments across the U.S. and to Haiti (following the 2010 earthquake). He is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM).
An active community volunteer, Banner also provides medical support and instruction with the National Ski Patrol and is a member of the Rhode Island Medical Reserve Corps. His service uniform—displayed here—features Special Forces “Airborne” and “Ranger” tabs, symbolizing two of the Army’s most elite qualifications and a career dedicated to leadership, service, and resilience at home and abroad.
