LaPorte, who spent nearly 13 years of his 38-year Army career at Fort Hood, trooped the line mounted on horseback with his host, Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, Army chief of staff. Following close behind were Lt. Gen. Thomas F. Metz, commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, and Command Sgt. Maj. Neil L. Ciotola.
Afterward Schoomaker awarded LaPorte the Distinguished Service Medal as his wife, Judy Ann, stood at LaPorte
