Brigadier General Donald Dunwody Blackburn was a United States Army Special Forces officer, best known for his significant command and developmental roles in the United States Army Special Forces.
20 Facts About Donald Blackburn
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Donald Blackburn was the commander of the highly classified Studies and Observations Group from 1965 to 1966.
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Donald Blackburn was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Infantry Reserve on May 30,1938, and entered into active duty with the Army September 22,1940, assigned to the 24th Infantry at Fort Benning, Georgia.
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In January 1945, Blackburn established his headquarters in Tuao, building a C-47 airfield, roads, and re-establishing schools and hospitals in the Kalinga, Bontoc, Cagayan and Apayao.
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Donald Blackburn's men supported Sixth United States Army Force B in the capture of Aparri on 20 June 1945.
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Donald Blackburn was awarded the Silver Star after he led his men in the capture of Mayoyao, Ifugao, a stronghold of General Mikami's forces in August 1945.
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Donald Blackburn was assigned to the Department of Military Psychology and Leadership, Tactical Department, United States Military Academy, in 1950.
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Donald Blackburn was then assigned to NATO's Allied Forces Northern Europe, Oslo, Norway.
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Donald Blackburn was promoted to the rank of colonel on 20 July 1955.
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In 1959, as commander of the 77th SFG, Donald Blackburn spearheaded Operation Hotfoot and it follow on, Operation White Star, in Laos.
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Donald Blackburn then served as deputy director of developments for Special Warfare, Office of the Chief of Research and Development from 1961 to 1964.
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Donald Blackburn was then reassigned to the office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations as Director of Special Warfare.
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Donald Blackburn was SOG Commander Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, from May 1965 to May 1966.
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On 7 January 1968, Donald Blackburn was promoted to brigadier general.
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In 1969 Donald Blackburn was appointed as Special Assistant for Counterinsurgency and Special Activities and acted as the primary advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on special operations.
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Donald Blackburn was part of the briefing of National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger.
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Donald Blackburn served as the assistant deputy director, Defense Communications Planning Group from August 1966 to August 1967, the assistant division commander, 82nd Airborne Division from September 1967 to October 1968, and the director of plans and programs, office of the Chief of Research and Development from October 1968 until his retirement in 1971.
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Donald Blackburn died on May, 24 2008, at Sarasota, Florida, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
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Donald Blackburn was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, the Gold Star Medal, the Medal of Merit and the Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Medal.
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Donald Blackburn was authorized to wear the Distinguished Unit Citation with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Infantryman Badge.