Herbert E. Wolff

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
Died	April 17, 2009(2009-04-17) (aged 83) Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Buried	National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Army
Years of service	1943–1981
Rank	Major General
Commands	US 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 / wars	World War II Korean War Vietnam War
Awards	Distinguished 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

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

World War II

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

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

1960s and the Vietnam War

Wolff graduated from the Army War College.

Wolff's assignments during this period included the following:

• Commanding Officer, Infantry Training Center, Fort Benning, Georgia (1967-1968)
• Deputy Commanding General, US Army Training Center, Fort Dix, New Jersey (1968-1969)
• Assistant Division Commander, 1st Infantry Division, South Vietnam (1969-1970)
• Commanding General, Capital Military Assistance Command, South Vietnam (1970)

1970s to 1981

Wolff's assignments during this period included the following:

• Commanding General, US Army Security Agency, Pacific, Hawaii (1970-1972)
• Central Security Service, Fort Meade, Maryland (1970-1975)
• Deputy Commander, V Corps, West Germany (1975-1977)
• Commander, US Army CINCPAC Support Group and US Army Support Command, Hawaii (1977)
• Commander, US Army Western Command (WESTCOM) (1979)

Wolff retired from active service in 1981.

Awards and decorations

	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

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]