Eugene Forrester

Lieutenant General Eugene Priest Forrester (April 17, 1926 – July 25 2012) was a senior officer in the United States Army. He served as commander of United States Army Western Command from 1981 until his retirement in 1983.

Eugene Forrester
Born(1926-04-17)April 17, 1926
Watertown, Tennessee
DiedJuly 25, 2012(2012-07-25) (aged 86)
Washington, D.C.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1948–1983
RankGeneral
Commands heldUnited States Army Western Command
Sixth United States Army
United States Army Recruiting Command
3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
Battles/warsKorean War
Vietnam War
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star
Legion of Merit (4)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal (3)

Education

Forrester graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1948, where he was a classmate of Alexander Haig.[1] He also earned a Master of International Studies from George Washington University and a Legum Doctor from Chung Ang University in Korea. His military schooling includes the Armed Forces Staff College, the British Army Staff College, and the National War College.[2]

Military career

During the Vietnam War, Forrester served two combat tours, commanding the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in 1968 and as assistant division commander for the 1st Cavalry Division in 1970. The following year he served on the Civil Operations and Rural Development Support for the Headquarters of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.[3]

In October 1970 Forrester was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on 9 June 1970 during the Cambodian Campaign. The medal citation stated that Forrester was flying in his command helicopter when he directed ground troops in an engagement and came under enemy fire. The helicopter then delivered ammunition to the troops and evacuated wounded. However, enlisted men in the 1st Cavalry Division's awards and decorations office revealed that they had been ordered to fabricate the action so that Forrester could be awarded the medal before he left the division. Following an investigation the award was rescinded and the division chief of staff who instigated the award was reprimanded.[4]

Forrester oversaw the amnesty program for Vietnam era deserters and draft evaders.[1]

Major commands for Forrester included the United States Army Administration Center at Fort Harrison, Indiana, from 1973 to 1975. He commanded the United States Army Recruiting Command at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, from 1975 to 1978. Prior to his Hawaiian command he commanded the Sixth United States Army at the Presidio, and then the Combined Field Army in Korea.

Among Forrester's decorations are the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with trhee oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters.[3]

Forrester died in Washington, D.C. in 2012.[5]

References
  1. Witt, Linda (20 October 1974). "Deserters Come in Slowly for Their Medicine". People Magazine.
  2. "Lt. General Eugene Forrester". Eugeneforrester.com. 1983-07-01. Archived from the original on 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2013-04-15.
  3. "History, Commanding Generals – United States Army, Pacific". Usarpac.army.mil. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2013-04-15.
  4. Fulghum, David; Maitland, Terrence (1984). The Vietnam Experience South Vietnam on Trial: Mid-1970–1972. Boston Publishing Company. p. 47. ISBN 0939526107.
  5. "Gen. Eugene Forrester, 86". Wilsonpost.com. 2012-07-31. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2013-04-15.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.