4 Star Army General Glenn K. Otis’ Camouflage Fatigues & Cap – SOLD

Description

4 Star Army General Glenn K. Otis’ Camouflage Fatigues & Cap.

This set of camo fatigues came from several boxes of material from residence of General Otis, through a friend who directly obtained his material. The fatigues are from Gen. Otis’ period of commander in chief of U.S. Army Europe. The embroidered 4 star rank, name & U.S. Army tags are most definitely original. The contract tag is quite worn. General Otis was not a big man in stature, and I don’t know the sizes for the coat and pants. Patches are NATO Allied Land Forces patch and Ranger tab, and 25th Infantry Division. The pants have no labels remaining, both having been laundered several time over. The camp cap has two pair MG star shirt size rank pinned on (clutch back). I did not find a photo of this cap, but have included an 8×10″ photo of Otis wearing this shirt. The cap has its original label, size 7 1/4.

Also included 5 b&w photos of Otis in camos.

Fine condition overall.

General Otis began his career as an enlisted soldier on occupation duty in Korea following WWII, was selected from the ranks to attend West Point, taught at the Military Academy, fought valiantly as a cavalry squadron commander in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive of 1968, directed the XM-1 Tank Force that produced the technologically superior Abrams main battle tank, and positively affected the lives and training of thousands of soldiers as Commanding General of the 1st Armored Division, Commanding General of Training and Doctrine Command, and as Commander in Chief of the U.S. Army Europe during key periods of the Cold War. He then continued his service to his country as a core member of the Defense Science Board, the highest level board advising the Secretary of Defense, and a number of similar, national-level advisory boards.

In Vietnam, he commanded the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, of the 25th Infantry Division during the Tet Offensive of 1968. On 30 January he rapidly deployed his outnumbered squadron at Tan Son Nhut Air Field and defeated a superior attacking force by dint of personal leadership and inspiration. For that battle, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart. For their gallantry in action, the entire squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. For other actions, he received the Silver Star, another Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, and eight Air Medals.

After promotion to brigadier general (the first in his WP class to reach the rank) he was assigned as director of the XM-1 Tank Task Force.  As commander of the 1st Armored Division in Germany, he was reinforced with a Canadian brigade for a Reforger exercise against the 1st Infantry Division.

General Otis commanded the Training and Doctrine Command during a time of critical change in the concept of how best to coordinate air and ground forces in the Air-Land Battle and integrate  new equipment, known as the “Big Five,” into our combat units. He met that challenge and then applied it on the ground as Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe, effectively modernizing his myriad of units, gaining the respect of our Allies, and establishing tentative contacts with military leaders of nations of the Warsaw Pact.  (taken from the USMA Assoc. of Graduates, 2004).