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Robert C. Forbes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert C. Forbes
Born(1917-07-17)July 17, 1917
Camden, New Jersey
DiedMarch 18, 2002 (2002-03-19) (aged 84)
Buried
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1938–1973
Rank Major general
Commands199th Light Infantry Brigade
Battles / warsWorld War II
Vietnam War
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star

Robert Charles Forbes (1917–2002) was a United States Army major general who served as commander of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade during the Vietnam War.

Early life and education

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He attended William Penn High School and then graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1939.

Military service

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World War II

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He served with the 63rd Infantry Division seeing action in France and Germany.

Post WWII

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Forbes was promoted to Brigadier General in July 1966 and appointed assistant division commander of the 9th Infantry Division.[1]

Vietnam War

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BG Forbe deployed to South Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division in December 1966. He was then reassigned to be chief of staff of II Field Force, Vietnam.[1]

In September 1967 when BG John F. Freund was wounded on operations, Forbes was given command of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade and commanded that unit until May 1968.[1]

During the Tet Offensive Forbes led his Brigade in ejecting the Viet Cong from Saigon.[2]

Post Vietnam

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From September 1968 to September 1969 he served as commander of United States Army Security Assistance Command.

He retired from the Army in 1973.

Later life

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Personal life

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He married Anne Catherine Eckenrode in 1942 and they had 3 sons and a daughter.

References

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Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.

  1. ^ a b c Tonsetic, Robert (2010). Warriors: An Infantryman's Memoir of Vietnam. Random House Publishing Group. p. 18. ISBN 9780307434722.
  2. ^ Villard, Erik (2017). United States Army in Vietnam Combat Operations Staying the Course October 1967 to September 1968. Center of Military History United States Army. p. 567. ISBN 9780160942808.