Five decades after his graduation, a legendary general returns to Northeastern as an inductee into the ROTC Hall of Fame - Northeastern University College of Science

Salvatore Cambria, a retired U.S. Army major general, had not visited Northeastern University since he graduated with a biology degree in 1976.

On Friday, he made his return while receiving an unprecedented honor. Maj. Gen. Cambria was inducted into the United States Army Cadet Command Hall of Fame — the first Northeastern graduate to be so recognized.

Cambria retired in 2012 after a highly decorated career of 36 years.

After serving in the U.S. Army Infantry for five years, Cambria completed the Special Forces Qualification Course as an honor graduate. He spent his last 31 years in uniform as a Special Forces officer at different levels of command.

As the first Special Forces officer to lead two regional commands, Cambria served as commanding general, Special Operations Command South (overseeing South America and Central America) as well as commanding general, Special Operations Command Pacific (covering Asia and the Pacific theaters).