View Full Version : BG Don Blackburn - RIP
bkleonards
05-30-2008, 09:56
RIP General (Former CO 77th SFGA). Click on below link for obit.
http://www.legacy.com/HeraldTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=110564291
NousDefionsDoc
05-30-2008, 10:18
The Nation is poorer for his passing. RIP Sir
The Reaper
05-30-2008, 10:22
RIP General.
Thank you for your service.
TR
Rest in Peace General you be sorely missed.....
Red Flag 1
05-30-2008, 14:35
Rest In Peace General Blackburn!
Roguish Lawyer
05-30-2008, 15:19
RIP
Surgicalcric
05-30-2008, 15:39
RIP Sir.
Thank you for your service to our country.
Crip
I heard BG Blackburn speak at the JFK Center in 1972. He was a contemporary of Charlie Norton who had also served as an Alamo Scout in the RPI during WW2. Blackburn was also the 1st Chief-SOG (with Bull Simons as his OPS-35 director) and also Special Assistant for Counter-Insurgency and Special Activities on the Joint Staff in 1970-71 and initial approving authority for the joint planning group's ("IVORY COAST") concept for "Operation Kingpin" (the Son Tay raid). He was a quiet but powerful speaker and--like COL Bank--rich with first hand antidotes about CI and UW ops.
Richard
Goggles Pizano
06-01-2008, 17:05
In pace requiescat Sir.
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 :munchin
Another Giant among men has left us. God be with his family.
JumpinJoe1010
11-04-2008, 12:37
Rest In Peace Sir
ZonieDiver
11-04-2008, 13:50
Rest in Peace, sir.
Rest in peace, General Blackburn.
I read the article in Veritas today. I have to give it to the General, most would cut and run and make an attempt to seek out friendlies to get out of there. But the good man not only evades capture, but begins to build a fighting force from indigs to take on the Japanese. Simply astonishing what this man accomplished and gave to the future generations of SF Soldiers since.
RIP Sir, you've earned yours
RIP SIR! He was a true American Hero!
greenberetTFS
11-05-2008, 09:08
RIP, Warrior.....:(