Greenwich resident Todd Bookless retires from the New York Army National Guard after 30 years of service
Col. Todd Bookless served in Iraq and Kuwait during career in the Active Army and Army National Guard
Camp Smith Training Site, New York (05/07/2024) — New York Army National Guard Col. Todd Bookless, a Greenwich resident, and a veteran of the Iraq War, retired from the Army after 30 years of service during a May 5 ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.
Bookless, a senior assistant vice president for HSBC in civilian life, is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and deployed to Kuwait and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba while serving with the New York Army National Guard.
During the ceremony, Bookless was presented with the Legion of Merit and the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, in recognition of his accomplishments.
His wife Meredith was also presented with the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal for her support of her husband's military career.
Bookless graduated from West Point in 1994 and served on Active Duty in the 24th Infantry Division and the 1st Cavalry Division.
In 2002 he transferred to the New York Army National Guard and served in the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade. In 2004-2005 he served at Forward Operating Base Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq as the brigade's assistance operations officer.
IN 2011-2012 he deployed to Kuwait with the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and served as the executive officer of the 27th Military Engagement Team, which conducted missions with Jordanian and Iraqi militaries.
In 2015-2016 he served as the Officer in Charge of a team from the 42nd Infantry Division which assisted in running the detention facilities in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Bookless served as the deputy director of operations for the interservice task force responsible.
He served as t he commander of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion from 2016 to 2018, and then went on to lead the 53rd Digital Liaison Detachment in 2019 and 2020. When the COVID pandemic hit, Bookless served as the New York National Guard liaison to the New York City Office of Emergency Management.
He then went on active duty and served as chief of force management for the North American Air Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command in 2021 and 2022.
He returned to the New York Army National Guard in 2023 and served as the Deputy Commander of the 53rd Troop Command.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Col. Todd Bookless is congratulated by Brig. Gen. Jack James, the commander of the 53rd Troop Command, after receiving the Legion of Merit and the New York Conspicuous Service Medal during his retirement ceremony on May 5, 2024, at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill. Bookless, who served as the deputy commander of the 53rd Troop Command, retired after 30 years in the Army and Army National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spec. Joseph Liggio)
New York Army National Guard Col. Todd Bookless poses with his wife Meredith and daughter Emma, following his retirement ceremony on May 5, 2024, at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill. Bookless, who served as the deputy commander of the 53rd Troop Command, retired after 30 years in the Army and Army National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spec. Joseph Liggio)
New York National Guard
Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- Training involving explosive simulators and smoke will take place a Camp Smith April 17-18
- NY Army Guard Staff Sgt. Derek Tucker, a Corning resident, wins NY Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition
- New York Army National Guard conducting joint training with New York Air Guard on Friday, April 10 at Youngstown Local Training Area
- NY Army National Guard Specialist Trevor Lock, a Lockport resident, wins statewide Best Warrior Competition
- NY Army Guard Col. John Sandefur, a Gansefoort resident, receives Legion of Merit as he retires after 36 years of service
- Two Airman assigned to NY Air Guard's 105th Airlift Wing brave cold during Minnesota training course
- Clifton Park Airman is named New York Air National Guard Company Grade Officer of the Year
- NY Air Guard's 109th Airlift Wing moves 1,086 passengers and millions of pounds of supplies across Antarctica during 2025-26 mission season
- NY National Guard's "Fighting 69th" Infantry leads New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade for the 175th Time
- NY Air Guard Senior Master Sgt. John McGhee, a Bay Shore resident, wins New York Air Guard statewide honor