Donn A. Starry
Encyclopedia
General Donn Albert Starry (May 31, 1925 – August 26, 2011) was a United States Army
four star general who served as Commanding General, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command
(CG TRADOC) from 1977 to 1981; and as Commander in Chief, U.S. Readiness Command (USCINCRED) from 1981 to 1983.
Born in 1925, Starry graduated from the United States Military Academy
at West Point in 1948 as a second lieutenant of Armor, after having enlisted as a private in 1943. His early career included staff and command positions in the United States, Europe, and Korea. During this same period, he attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College. In 1969, he commanded the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Vietnam War
and led its attack into Cambodia in May 1970. On May 5, 1970, Starry was wounded by a North Vietnamese grenade that also wounded future Army General Frederick Franks, Jr.
In 1973, he became commanding general, U.S. Army Armor Center and School, and then commander, V Corps (1976–1977), in the Federal Republic of Germany. Later, as commander of TRADOC, Starry formulated AirLand Battle doctrine
, which prepared the Army for warfighting into the twenty-first century. Starry concluded his career as Commander, U.S. Readiness Command (1981–1983), retiring from the Army in 1983.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
, two awards of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star
, the Bronze Star
with "V" device, the Soldier's Medal
, the Purple Heart
, the Legion of Merit
with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross
, and the Air Medal
with nine Oak Leaf Clusters. He is also the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Starry earned a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University
, and several honorary doctoral degrees. He was also a member of the Defense Science Board
for two terms.
He was married to the former Leatrice (Letty) Gibbs of Kansas City, Kansas
. They have four children and seven grandchildren. On April 10, 2010, he celebrated his new marriage to a long time friend, Karen (Cookie) Deitrick.
Upon retirement from the Army, Starry joined Ford Aerospace
, serving first as Vice President and General Manager of Ford’s Space Missions Group, and later as Executive Vice President of Ford Aerospace and Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of BDM International. He served as a member of the Board of Maxwell Laboratories from 1988 to 1993, and from 1996 to 1998 was Chairman of the Board as the company became Maxwell Technologies
, switching their focus from government to commercial markets. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Universal Voltronics in Brookfield, Connecticut
. In 1991 he became a Senior Fellow on the faculty of the Joint and Combined Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College
.
In retirement, Starry, with George F. Hofmann, edited an anthology of U.S. armor warfare history and doctrine titled Camp Colt to Desert Storm: The History of U.S. Armored Forces. Later his two-volume of select stories, papers, articles, and book excerpts were edited by Lewis Sorley
called Press On! Starry was also one of twenty-one signers, all retired flag officers, of a letter to John McCain
supporting the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005. His civic projects have included membership on the board of the Eisenhower Foundation
in Abilene, Kansas
, Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Cavalry Memorial Foundation, and a member of the Board of the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs.
He died in 2011 after suffering from a rare form of cancer
. He was survived by his second wife, Karen.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
four star general who served as Commanding General, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command
United States Army Training and Doctrine Command
Established 1 July 1973, the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command is an army command of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Eustis, Virginia. It is charged with overseeing training of Army forces, the development of operational doctrine, and the development and procurement of...
(CG TRADOC) from 1977 to 1981; and as Commander in Chief, U.S. Readiness Command (USCINCRED) from 1981 to 1983.
Born in 1925, Starry graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point in 1948 as a second lieutenant of Armor, after having enlisted as a private in 1943. His early career included staff and command positions in the United States, Europe, and Korea. During this same period, he attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College. In 1969, he commanded the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and led its attack into Cambodia in May 1970. On May 5, 1970, Starry was wounded by a North Vietnamese grenade that also wounded future Army General Frederick Franks, Jr.
In 1973, he became commanding general, U.S. Army Armor Center and School, and then commander, V Corps (1976–1977), in the Federal Republic of Germany. Later, as commander of TRADOC, Starry formulated AirLand Battle doctrine
AirLand Battle
AirLand Battle was the overall conceptual framework that formed the basis of the US Army's European warfighting doctrine from 1982 into the late 1990s. AirLand Battle emphasized close coordination between land forces acting as an aggressively maneuvering defense, and air forces attacking...
, which prepared the Army for warfighting into the twenty-first century. Starry concluded his career as Commander, U.S. Readiness Command (1981–1983), retiring from the Army in 1983.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
, two awards of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with "V" device, the Soldier's Medal
Soldier's Medal
The Soldier's Medal is a military award of the United States Army. It was introduced as Section 11 of the Air Corps Act, passed by the Congress of the United States on July 2, 1926...
, the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, and the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with nine Oak Leaf Clusters. He is also the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Starry earned a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
, and several honorary doctoral degrees. He was also a member of the Defense Science Board
Defense Science Board
The Defense Science Board is a committee of civilian experts appointed to advise the U.S. Department of Defense on scientific and technical matters...
for two terms.
He was married to the former Leatrice (Letty) Gibbs of Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City is the third-largest city in the state of Kansas and is the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the third largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The city is part of a consolidated city-county government known as the "Unified...
. They have four children and seven grandchildren. On April 10, 2010, he celebrated his new marriage to a long time friend, Karen (Cookie) Deitrick.
Upon retirement from the Army, Starry joined Ford Aerospace
Ford Aerospace
Ford Aerospace & Communications Corp. was the aerospace and defense business of Ford Motor Company. It consisted of the Space Systems Division and the Western Development Labs .Partial company timeline:*1956 Aeronutronic becomes Ford Motor Company division.*1961 Ford Motor Company...
, serving first as Vice President and General Manager of Ford’s Space Missions Group, and later as Executive Vice President of Ford Aerospace and Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of BDM International. He served as a member of the Board of Maxwell Laboratories from 1988 to 1993, and from 1996 to 1998 was Chairman of the Board as the company became Maxwell Technologies
Maxwell Technologies
Maxwell Technologies is a developer and manufacturer of energy storage and power delivery-related products.-History:The company was founded in 1965 as Maxwell Laboratories, originally as a government contractor, providing advanced physics, pulsed power, space effects analysis and other research and...
, switching their focus from government to commercial markets. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Universal Voltronics in Brookfield, Connecticut
Brookfield, Connecticut
Brookfield is a town located in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 16,452 at the 2010 census. First settled in 1710 by John Muirwood and several other colonial founders who bartered for the land From the Wyantenuck Nation Under the Sachem Waramaugs who lived...
. In 1991 he became a Senior Fellow on the faculty of the Joint and Combined Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College
Joint Forces Staff College
The Joint Forces Staff College located in Norfolk, Virginia, was established as the Armed Forces Staff College in 1946 and incorporated into the National Defense University in August 1981. It educates and acculturates joint and multinational warfighters to plan and lead at the operational level...
.
In retirement, Starry, with George F. Hofmann, edited an anthology of U.S. armor warfare history and doctrine titled Camp Colt to Desert Storm: The History of U.S. Armored Forces. Later his two-volume of select stories, papers, articles, and book excerpts were edited by Lewis Sorley
Lewis Sorley
Lewis Stone "Bob" Sorley III is an American intelligence analyst and military historian.-Biography:Lewis Sorley was born in 1934, in West Point, New York, the son and grandson of officers in the United States Army who were both also West Point graduates...
called Press On! Starry was also one of twenty-one signers, all retired flag officers, of a letter to John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
supporting the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005. His civic projects have included membership on the board of the Eisenhower Foundation
Eisenhower Foundation
The Eisenhower Foundation continues the work of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders and the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence The Eisenhower Foundation continues the work of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (the Kerner Riot...
in Abilene, Kansas
Abilene, Kansas
Abilene is a city in and the county seat of Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,844.-History:...
, Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Cavalry Memorial Foundation, and a member of the Board of the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs.
He died in 2011 after suffering from a rare form of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. He was survived by his second wife, Karen.
See also
- Commanding General, United States Army Training and Doctrine CommandCommanding General, United States Army Training and Doctrine CommandThe Commanding General of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command is the head of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command . They head approximately 27,000 soldiers and 11,000 civilians who work at 21 installations across the continental United States...