President Obama nominates Schenectady native Maj. Gen. Taluto for national post

Sen. Charles Schumer says President Obama has nominated Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, New York's top soldier, to direct the Army National Guard.

Taluto, adjutant general and commander of the New York Army National Guard since 2006, is the only person nominated for the three-star lieutenant general position overseeing more than 360,000 troops nationwide.

If confirmed by the Senate, Taluto will succeed Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, who retires Friday.

The 61-year-old Taluto grew up in Schenectady and lives in Fort Ann, 55 miles north of Albany. As commander of the Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division, he oversaw a task force of 24,000 troops in north-central Iraq in 2004-2005.

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