Certificate – General Staff Badge To Lt. Colonel Glenn K. Otis, 1969- SOLD

Description

Certificate – General Staff Badge To Lt. Colonel Glenn K. Otis, 1969.

The certificate has the GS badge in color with typed name for Lt. Colonel Otis, and his branch of service “Armor.” It is dated 20 July, 1969 and signed by the Secretary of the General Staff. Measures 10 x 12 inches.  Included is the brass and enameled General Staff badge with 3 clutches, and hallmarked NS MEYER NEW YORK.

The badge appears to be from the late 40s 50s era, with early clutches. Enamel is fine.  2 inches.

Included is a b&w photograph of Major General Otis as commander of the 1st Armored Division, taken in 1977.

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).