Baltimore District welcomes 68th commander in traditional change of command ceremony

Published July 13, 2018
Col. John T. Litz accepts the organizational colors, symbolizing the taking of responsibility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, from Maj. Gen. William H. Graham, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division, during a traditional change of command ceremony in downtown Baltimore Friday morning July 13, 2018. Litz assumed command of Baltimore District from Col. Edward P. Chamberlayne, who is retiring after a 25-year career with the U.S. Army.

Col. John T. Litz accepts the organizational colors, symbolizing the taking of responsibility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, from Maj. Gen. William H. Graham, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division, during a traditional change of command ceremony in downtown Baltimore Friday morning July 13, 2018. Litz assumed command of Baltimore District from Col. Edward P. Chamberlayne, who is retiring after a 25-year career with the U.S. Army.

BALTIMORE - Col. John T. Litz became the 68th commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, during a military change of command ceremony this morning at the Radisson Hotel downtown. He assumed leadership from Col. Edward P. Chamberlayne who had commanded Baltimore District since July 2015.

Litz, a native of Kingsport, Tennessee, takes command of one the largest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers districts, with a staff of more than 1,100 personnel serving the Mid-Atlantic region and the nation.

“There’s no place I’d rather be right now than in the city of Baltimore taking command of this district,” Litz said, during the ceremony this morning. “To the district’s many partners and stakeholders, I want you to know you have my commitment to providing the best service possible. It’s what the American public demands and deserves.”

As commander and district engineer at Baltimore District, Litz oversees a more than $1-billion annual undertaking of engineering, construction and real estate missions for the Army, Air Force and other defense activities in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. This mission involves managing construction activities for 14 military installations as well as other federal and defense partners.

Litz is also responsible for Baltimore District’s water resources development activities within the Susquehanna River and upper Chesapeake Bay watersheds, which includes a six-state area and the District of Columbia, and Corps-built flood risk management projects that have prevented more than $16 billion in damages to date. 

As commander of Baltimore District, Litz also formally takes on the title of “Supervisor of the Harbor” for Baltimore Harbor, overseeing the Corps’ missions supporting the efficient operations of the Port of Baltimore — a significant regional economic engine.

This assignment is Litz’s second time commanding a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district, having previously commanded the Charleston District in South Carolina. Other previous assignments supporting U.S. Army Corps of Engineers organizations include time with the Louisville District in Kentucky; the Gulf Region District, South in Iraq; the Afghanistan Engineer District; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

Litz was commissioned into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in August 1995 after graduating from University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He has subsequently served around the U.S. and the world on various assignments and deployments.

Litz’s military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Infantry Captain’s Career Course, and the Command and General Staff College. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at Clemson, South Carolina. He also holds a Project Management Professional Certification.

Litz’s military awards and decorations include two Bronze Star Medals; Meritorious Service Medal; three Army Commendation Medals; five Army Achievement Medals; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Kosovo Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals; NATO Medals for Kosovo and Afghanistan; Iraq Campaign Medal; and the Air Assault Badge. 

Chamberlayne retires with more than 25 years of service to the nation after relinquishing command of Baltimore District.


Contact
Chris Gardner
410-962-2809
christopher.p.gardner@usace.army.mil

Release no. 18-044