It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Major Brian Banks, U.S. Army, Retired.  Major (Ret.) Banks died on September 13, 2019 after battling various health issues since suffering a severe stroke in late 2013.  He was 64 years old.

Major (Ret.) Banks entered the United States Army in January, 1975 and completed Infantry Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana.  He served as an Infantryman (11C) in the 2nd, 4th and 10th Infantry Divisions before returning to college at University of Colorado and earning dual major bachelor degrees in Political Science and History in 1983.  He subsequently earned his juris doctor from Washburn University School of Law and entered the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps in 1987.  Major (Ret.) Banks' positions and assignments included: Trial Defense Attorney; Legal Assistance Attorney; Chief of Justice; 7th Region, Criminal Investigation Command Judge Advocate; Chief of Legal Assistance, 101st Airborne Division; Group Judge Advocate, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Senior Judge Advocate Observer Controller; Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, 5th US Army; Senior Defense Counsel, 3rd Infantry Division; Command Judge Advocate, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School; and Staff Judge Advocate of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Kharshi-Kanabad, Uzbekistan and Bagram, Afghanistan. 

Major (Ret.) Banks retired from the U.S. Army in 2004 after a stellar and often adventurous career in the JAG Corps.  His military awards and decorations include:  Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (2d award), ARCOM (4th award), AAM (3d Award), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2d Award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal(w/2 stars) , Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2), the MSM (6th Award) and the Bronze Star.  He was also authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the German, Egyptian, and Royal Australian Parachutist Badges as well as Master Parachutist, Air Assault and Expert Infantry Badges.

In 2005, Major (Ret.) Banks returned to work for the Army as a civilian attorney at 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  He served as an Administrative Law attorney an earned a reputation for being the consummate team player dedicated to taking care of people, his team, and the mission.  This was especially evident when Major (Ret.) Banks volunteered to deploy as part of the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in Early 2013 were he was lauded for his exceptionally meritorious service as a Freedom of Information Act Attorney.

Major (Ret.) Banks is survived by his wife Joyce of Raeford, North Carolina; two daughters: Ashley Martin and Janelle Banks Campbell; a son: Owen Cross; six grandchildren; and a sister, Penny Banks Mitchell (Brother-in-law, Herman).


CHARLES N. PEDE
Lieutenant General, USA
The Judge Advocate General