Years of service 1948–1983 Rank Lieutenant general | Name Eugene Forrester | |
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Born April 17, 1926
Watertown, Tennessee ( 1926-04-17 ) Died July 25, 2012, Washington, D.C., United States Education George Washington University Awards Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal | ||
Service/branch United States Army Allegiance United States of America | ||
Lieutenant General Eugene Priest Forrester was the commander of United States Army Pacific (Western Command) from 1981 until his retirement in 1983. A graduate of the West Point in 1948, where he was a classmate of Alexander Haig. He also earned a Master of International Studies from George Washington University and an 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. 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 in Vietnam.
Oversaw the amnesty program for Vietnam era deserters and draft evaders.
Major commands for Forrester include commanding the US 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 General Forrester's decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star.
He died in Washington, D.C. in 2012.