FYI.
Brigadier General Don Blackburn, one of the early pioneers of the U.S. Army Special Forces, died this past May 24th at the age of 91 and will be buried at Arlington Cemetary on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. The Ft. Myers chapel service and burial ceremony will begin at 1100, with a reception to follow at 1245 at the Officers' Club in the Abrams Room.
I just received the newest edition of
Veritas yesterday and there is an excellent article in it about Blackburn--
Donald D. Blackburn: World War ll Guerrilla Leader and Special Operations Plank Holder.
Some highlights:
At the outbreak of World War II, he was serving as an advisor to a battalion of the 12th Infantry, Philippine Army.
Upon the fall of Bataan in April 1942, he evaded capture and until October 1945 conducted guerrilla warfare on the island of Luzon. During this latter period, he reorganized and commanded the 11th Infantry, Philippine Army, which was integrated in October 1945 as a regular unit in the Philippine military establishment.
In 1957, he was assigned to MAAG, Vietnam, and served as the senior advisor to the commanding general, 5th Military Region (Mekong Delta).
In October 1958, he was assigned as
commanding officer, 77th Special Forces Group (now the 7th SFG) where he was instrumental in initiating Special Forces operations in Southeast, Asia. He served as
deputy director of developments for special warfare, Office of the Chief of Research and Development from 1961-1964, and then was reassigned to the office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations as director of special warfare. He was
commander SOG (Studies and Observations Group) Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, from May 1965 to May 1966. He was the
Special Assistant for Counterinsurgency and Special Activites in the Office of the SECDEF and was the 'architect' for IVORY COAST (Son Tay Raid).
He retired in 1979.
Richard
