Three 42nd Infantry Division leaders on move
Three top leaders of the New York Army National Guard’s Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division are on the move.
Joseph Biehler of Webster, Monroe County, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq wars, has been promoted to major general just before he assumed command of the 20,000-soldier division during a ceremony at the New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham. Biehler replaced Maj. Gen. Thomas Spencer of York, Maine, a Persian Gulf and Iraq war veteran. Spencer received a Distinguished Service Cross upon his retirement after 34 years of exemplary service.
Peter Fiorentino of Cumberland, R.I., an Iraq war veteran, was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony at the Union Station Grand Hall, Worcester, Mass. He now serves as the deputy commander of sustainment for the 42nd Infantry Division in Troy. In his new role, he is responsible for the division’s support and logistical operations.
The 42nd Infantry Division has units in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New Hampshire.
Biehler served as 53rd Troop Command commander and as assistant adjutant general at Joint Force Headquarters in Latham. He also commanded the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Syracuse with units across the state. He was assistant division commander for maneuver from 2017 to 2021.
“Joe was selected based on his leadership style, experience, and how well he takes care of his people,” said Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, state adjutant general, during the change of command ceremony. “You have a critical job leading one of the Army’s 18 divisions. Keep focusing on our people within the organization, and you will continue to be successful,” Shields told Biehler.
Biehler was commissioned as an infantry officer lieutenant in May 1987. He also has held positions as a rifle platoon leader, mortar platoon leader, support platoon leader, company commander, battalion supply, operations and executive officer, division liaison officer, and battalion commander. He was operations officer of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment during its deployment to Iraq in 2004 and commanded the battalion as Task Force Iron during its deployment to Afghanistan in 2012.
As a civilian, Biehler is the senior finance manager for Rochester’s Harris Corporation. He has earned three Legion of Merit Medals, two Bronze Star Medals, four Meritorious Service
Medals, an Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Unit Meritorious Unit Commendations, four Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals, a Basic Parachutist Badge, an Air Assault Badge, a Ranger Tab, and a Combat Infantryman Badge.
Spencer has led the 42nd Infantry Division since 2021. He previously served as division deputy commander for sustainment during a Middle East deployment in 2020. He was platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery in the Persian Gulf war. Spencer was company commander in the 4th Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment during Operation Restore Hope in Mogadishu, Somalia from December 1993 to March 1994. He also served as assistant division aviation officer for the 1st Armored Division in Bosnia in 1995 and 1996. He was an operations officer with the 197th Field Artillery Brigade in Iraq.
In civilian life, Spencer is a pharmaceutical sales manager for Astellas Urological in New England and eastern New York. Spencer has earned a Legion of Merit, a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, an Army Superior Unit Award, an Army Aviator Badge and a Parachutist Badge.
Fiorentino previously commanded the 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery. That unit lineage is historical going back to the South Regiment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony militia in 1636. He is is a former commander of the 151st Regional Support Group and the 51st Troop Command. His partner, Army Chief Warrant Officer Monique Tremblay and their son pinned his general rank insignias on during the ceremony.
The general is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. He also earned a master in international relations from Salve Regina University. He has earned a Legion of Merit, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, an Air Force Commendation Medal and a Combat Action Badge.
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