Major General Vanderploog was born in Rochester, New York on 22 March 1941. In 1963, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree from Syracuse University. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Quartermaster Officer Advanced course, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

He has held a wide variety of important command and staff positions culminating as Commander, United States Army Quartermaster Center and School and the 41^st Quartermaster General. Other key assignments held recently include duty as Commander and Deputy Commander, 2^nd Corps Support Command, United States Army Europe; and Commander, 3^rd Infantry Division Support Command, United States Army Europe.

General Vanderploog has served in a variety of career building assignments preparatory to his most recent duties. He command the Aerial Equipment support Company, 15^th Supply and Service Battalion, 1^st Cavalry Division, Republic of Vietnam, throughout 1968 and returned to Vietnam as the Executive Officer, J4, Military Assistance Command in 1972. In 1974, he was assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Department of the Army. While serving in this capacity, General Vanderploog was selected to serve as Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army. Returning to serve with the United States Army Europe in 1978, he assumed command of the 8^th Supply and Transport Battalion, 8^th Infantry Division, and subsequently served as the division’s Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Parachutist Badge, Rigger Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.

He is married to the former Mauricette Bouglé of Fontainebleau, France; they have one son, Scott.