Herbert E. Wolff (May 24, 1925 – April 17, 2009) was a United States Army Major General.

Herbert E. Wolff
Born(1925-05-24)May 24, 1925
Cologne, Germany
DiedApril 17, 2009(2009-04-17) (aged 83)
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Buried
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1943–1981
Rank Major General
Commands heldUS Army Security Agency, Pacific
Central Security Service
Deputy Commander, V Corps
US Army CINCPAC Support Group and US Army Support Command
US Army Western Command (WESTCOM)
Battles/warsWorld War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal (3)
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit (4)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal (4) with Valor "V"
Combat Infantryman Badge (2)

Early life and education edit

Wolff was born in Cologne, Germany, on May 24, 1925. Wolff's family fled Nazi Germany in 1939 and moved to the United States.[1]

Career edit

World War II edit

Wolff was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. He served in the Pacific Theater. He volunteered to join the Alamo Scouts and participated in the Raid at Cabanatuan. In 1945 he was given a battlefield commission to the rank of Second lieutenant and was awarded the Silver Star.[2]

Service after World War II and during the Korean War edit

During the Korean War Wolff saw combat and earned a second Silver Star.[3]

1960s and the Vietnam War edit

Wolff graduated from the Army War College.

Wolff's assignments during this period included the following:

1970s to 1981 edit

Wolff's assignments during this period included the following:

Wolff retired from active service in 1981.

Awards and decorations edit

  Combat Infantryman Badge (second award)
  Basic Army Aviator Badge
  Master Parachutist Badge
  Army Staff Identification Badge
  Vietnamese Parachutist Badge
  Unidentified foreign parachutist badge
  ? Overseas Service Bars
    Army Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Silver Star with oak leaf cluster
     Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters
  Distinguished Flying Cross
      Bronze Star with "V" device and three oak leaf clusters
     Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
  Joint Service Commendation Medal
  Army Commendation Medal
  Purple Heart
    Army Presidential Unit Citation with two oak leaf clusters
  Army Good Conduct Medal
  American Campaign Medal
       Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with five bronze service stars
  World War II Victory Medal
  Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf clusters
      Korean Service Medal with four service stars
      Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars
     Philippine Liberation Medal with three service stars
  National Order of Vietnam, Knight
  Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palms and stars
  Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st class
  Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
  Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
  Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
  Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation
  United Nations Korea Medal
  Vietnam Campaign Medal

Personal life edit

While still on active service in Hawaii, Wolff was instrumental in the preservation of Battery Randolph at Fort DeRussy and the creation of a museum there, founding the nonprofit Hawaii Army Museum Society in 1976 and serving as its president for more than 30 years.

After retiring from the U.S. Army in 1981, Wolff remained in Honolulu, Hawaii. Wolff died on April 17, 2009, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. He was survived by two sons and eight grandchildren.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Curtis Lum (April 21, 2009). "Army Maj. Gen. Herbert Wolff". Honolulu Advertiser.
  2. ^ The Hallmark. United States Army Security Agency. 1972.
  3. ^ "The United States Army | United States Army Pacific". www.usarpac.army.mil. Retrieved 2019-09-23.

External sources edit