Colonel Dinner Dress white uniform dated 1961 Joint Chiefs of Staff & Army staff badgew/ scrapbook

[TreasureHunter]

Got this from an estate, named and dated 1961, 1950 grad from the academy. Scrapbook has him in 82nd Airborne uniform, jump wings, some Vietnam photos. Appears to be Colonel uniform but a bit confused by the piping and Staff stars on the cuff? 1st Cav book is 1947 & from his estate also. Please confirm this is a Colonel uniform or a Brig. General? Any info on this soldier would be great, not much about him online, he is still living. Comments welcome. Thanks

[TreasureHunter]

Scrapbook....

 

 

[TreasureHunter]

Legion of merit a few times....

 

 

 

 

[TreasureHunter]

More....

 

 

 

[TreasureHunter]

Airborne jump card & 1943 ROTC certificates of rank....

 

 

 

[GIl Sanow]

The sleeve decoration is correct for the late '70's for a full colonel of the general staff. You could also restore his basic jump wings -- mini size -- worn above his mini medals. Nice example.

 

G

[Kaonashi]

AWESOME! *.*

[1SG_1st_Cav]

Something doesn't add up. He was in the WWII History of the 1st Cav and he has a WWII Victory Medal. Then he graduated from some Academy in 1950? Then he has paperwork for the Reserve Officers Corps? He served in Vietnam and he has a several awards of the LOM, and his next highest award is an ARCOM & and Air Medal?

[TreasureHunter]

The reserve officer corps certs are 1943 dated and from a high school. He had quite a few books in his estate. 4 years of Academy yearbooks Howitzer and such.

[lovmilinsig]

Nice!!!

 

Ed

[Wedgehead30]

The Estate sale paid off, nice haul. How did your partner do ?

[Dave]

From the USMA Register of Graduates:

 

Born- NY

Accessed from the Regular Army, Field Artillery (enlisted)

Graduated 1950

Infantry School, 1950

82nd Airborne Div Artillery 1950-1952

Aide de Camp Commanding General 7th Corps Artillery in Europe 1952

287th Field Artillery Battalion 1953-1955 (battalion commander 1954-55)

Earned his masters at Columbia University 1957

Taught in the Department of Chemistry, USMA 1957-1960

Battalion S3 (Ops) 31st Artillery, 1st Cav Division Korea 1960-61 (Commendation Medal)

1st Armored Division 1961-63 (2nd Comm)

Command and General Staff School 1964 (Staff and Faculty 1966-67)

OPO (don't know what that is) 1965-65

HQ Military Assistance Command and Battalion CO 27th Artillery, Vietnam, 1965-66 (LOM and AM earned)

Army War College 1968

ODCSP (don't know) at the Department of the Army 1968-70 (LOM)

Executive Officer to Commander in Chief US Army Pacific (odd title) 1970-71 (LOM)

Commanding officer 23rd Artillery Group, Vietnam, 1971-72 (LOM, BSM, 5 AM)

NATO Military Commission 1972-74 (MSM)

Retired 1974, Colonel

[TreasureHunter]

Thanks Dave, that's great info.

[Bob Hudson]

So is the LOM the GCM for senior officers?

[TreasureHunter]

Bob, not sure, not my field of expertise.

[TreasureHunter]

After reading some of the news paper clippings for marriage engagement in the back, it says his father was a Maj General of the 4th Army and was Commanding General of 1st Cav as a Brig. General in 1945. A picture shows the 2 together at a party the Maj General and his son in Cadet uniform along with a photo of the house with 1st Cav emblem & Brig. General star underneath. Explains where the 1st Cav book came from. Seems their are two Maj General Hugh F T Hoffman, Jr & Sr. Sr being the one in the picture.

[Dave]

So is the LOM the GCM for senior officers?

 

I know you asked that rather-tongue-in-cheek, but it certainly does appear that way. It is also a little odd that he went from receiving LOM after LOM to end his career with a MSM...a step down. A little surprised that he doesn't have a DSM listed as an end-of-career award, as that tend(ed) to be the fashion of the times...

[TreasureHunter]

 

I know you asked that rather-tongue-in-cheek, but it certainly does appear that way. It is also a little odd that he went from receiving LOM after LOM to end his career with a MSM...a step down. A little surprised that he doesn't have a DSM listed as an end-of-career award, as that tend(ed) to be the fashion of the times...

Educate me please....

[rdjmchris]

It is odd, maybe the MSM was just for his time at NATO.

 

@Bob, the LOM is the standard good job, enjoy your next post (read PCS) award for GOs and COLs, unless they are in joint assignments. I know that some LTCs have received it - all three Battalion Commanders got one in 3rd Bde, 1st Cav when they PCS'd after Iraq.

 

Here's a link to the wiki page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legion_of_Merit

[Bodey]

Perhaps a decade too late, but I just purchased the uniform of Hugh Hoffman Jr, his brother. Haven't found any info on Richard but I did find some info on the family if you were still interested..