United States Army General. He was a highly decorated combat veteran and one of the few American army personnel to rise from Private to four-star General. In 1948, he enlisted in the United States Army as a Private and after basic training was accepted for Officers' Candidate School, being commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry in December 1949. During the Korean War, he came to prominence commanding a rifle platoon which led the advance toward the Yala River at the Chinese border. After the war, he was a Ranger instructor and commanded troops at each level from platoon to brigade. In 1966, as Colonel in command of the 3rd Special Forces, he performed classified missions across the Vietnamese borders during the Vietnam War. From 1970 to 1980, he served as Division Commander of the 1st Infantry, commander of the United States Army Institute for Military Assistance, and Commanding General of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division in Tongduchon, Korea. In 1981, he was promoted Lieutenant General and named the first Chief of United States Central Command, which deployed ground, sea and air units to the Middle East. He was promoted to four-star General in November 1984 and retired from active duty in 1985. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, two Distinguished Service Medals, two Silver Stars, four Legion of Merit Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Bronze Stars. He is also inducted into the Ranger, Command and General Staff College halls of fame.
United States Army General. He was a highly decorated combat veteran and one of the few American army personnel to rise from Private to four-star General. In 1948, he enlisted in the United States Army as a Private and after basic training was accepted for Officers' Candidate School, being commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry in December 1949. During the Korean War, he came to prominence commanding a rifle platoon which led the advance toward the Yala River at the Chinese border. After the war, he was a Ranger instructor and commanded troops at each level from platoon to brigade. In 1966, as Colonel in command of the 3rd Special Forces, he performed classified missions across the Vietnamese borders during the Vietnam War. From 1970 to 1980, he served as Division Commander of the 1st Infantry, commander of the United States Army Institute for Military Assistance, and Commanding General of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division in Tongduchon, Korea. In 1981, he was promoted Lieutenant General and named the first Chief of United States Central Command, which deployed ground, sea and air units to the Middle East. He was promoted to four-star General in November 1984 and retired from active duty in 1985. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, two Distinguished Service Medals, two Silver Stars, four Legion of Merit Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Bronze Stars. He is also inducted into the Ranger, Command and General Staff College halls of fame.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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