Elmer D. Pendleton

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J. A. "Andy" Chacon on January 26, 2011:

Elmer Dean Pendleton, Jr Born June 26, 1927 -- Died January 19, 2011 Elmer Dean "Penny" Pendleton, Jr., was born 26 June 1927 at Kansas City, Missouri. He received an Army of US appointment to West Point in 1947. During his cadet years, he was sales manager for the Pointer and was on the Policy Committee the last two years. At West Point Penny took Academy life in the same stride as he had previously conquered his studies at Wyoming and Missouri and had dominated his tour in the Infantry. Penny returned to the Infantry on graduation. His first assignment was as an Infantry Platoon Leader with the 188th Airborne Infantry Regiment in 1951. He was then appointed Company Commander with the 31st Infantry, 7th Division in Korea for which service he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Purple Heart. On his return, he served as Company Commander and Battalion S3 with the 82nd Airborne Division from 1954 to 1956 and received the Commendation Medal for his service. His next assignment was as an Instructor at the Ranger School from 1957 to 1958. Next, he was named Aide de Camp to the Military Assistance Advisory Group Commander, Iran in 1958. He became Assistant S3 of the 3rd US Infantry from 1958 to 1959. Penny then attended the Command and General Staff College in 1960. His next assignment was to the Office Chief of Staff US Army from 1960 to 1961. Then to War Plans in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations from 1961 to 1963. He went with the Armed Forces Staff College in 1964, and became Battalion Commanding Officer 21st Infantry from 1964 to 1965. Penny was named Sector Advisor Republic of Vietnam from 1965 to 1966, and Battalion Commander and G3 1st Division Republic of Vietnam from 1966 to 1968 for which he was decorated with 4 Silver Stars; 2 Legion(s) of Merit; 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses; seven Bronze Star Medals, one for valor; 44 Air Medals; and a second Combat Infantryman Badge. He then went to the Air War College in 1969. He obtained an MS degree in International Relations from George Washington University in 1969. Elmer was appointed Brigade Commanding Officer 1st Division Republic of Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 and was awarded a third Legion of Merit, and an eighth Bronze Star Medal. From September 1971 to February 1975, he was Assistant G3 (Operations), later Assistant Chief of Staff, G3 (Operations), and still later Deputy Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg. This time he was decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal. From February 1975 to September 1978, he was Commander, 1st Corps Support Command, Fort Bragg. From September 1978 to July 1980 was Commanding General, 19th Support Command, Korea, and from July 1980 to September 1981 was Director, Logistics, J-4, United States Readiness Command, MacDill AFB. From September 1981 to July 1982 was Director, Operations, J-3, United States Readiness Command. From July 1982 to July 1986, Penny was Chief, Joint United States Military Mission for Aid to Turkey. This was his last military duty and he received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, and the Distinguished Service Medal on his retirement. Elmer Dean "Penny" Pendleton retired in 1986 from the United States Army after 35 years of service as a Major General. He and his wife Anne have made their home in Falls Church, Virginia.

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