Years of service 1959-1993 Rank General officer Battles/wars Vietnam War | Name Edwin Burba, Battles and wars Vietnam War | |
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Born September 13, 1936 (age 87)
McAlester, Oklahoma ( 1936-09-13 ) Commands held Forces Command
Eighth Army
7th Infantry Division
U.S. Army Infantry School Other work Board of Directors
Global Payments, Inc. Education United States Military Academy, George Washington University Awards Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal | ||
Allegiance United States of America Service/branch United States Army | ||
General Edwin Hess Burba, Jr. (born September 13, 1936) is a retired four-star general who served as Commander-In-Chief of the United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) from 1989 to 1993. His father was also a general officer who was deputy commander of First United States Army from 1968 to 1970, and died in a plane crash.
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Military career
Burba was born in McAlester, Oklahoma in 1936 (one of two 4-star generals born in McAlester, the other being Bennie L. Davis, commander of Strategic Air Command). He attended the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1959, receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant. He has also earned a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University, and is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advance courses, the Armed Forces Staff College and the National War College.
Burba served two tours in Vietnam, and has commanded at all levels from platoon to Major Command, to include the United States Army Infantry School, and the 7th Infantry Division. As an Army officer, he served as Chief of Field Training at the United States Air Force Academy. Prior to assuming command of FORSCOM, he was Commanding General of the Eighth United States Army. He retired from the Army in 1993.
Decorations
His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Purple Heart. He has also earned the Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger tab and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Post military
After retiring from the military, Burba has worked as a Senior Mentor with the Army’s Battle Command Training Program, has sat on the Board of Advisors for the National Infantry Foundation, and the Board of Directors of Global Payments, Inc. He is the 2003 recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award from the Association of Graduates, the U.S. Military Academy alumni association.
General Burba and his wife Trish have three daughters.