Paul Harkins
| Paul D. Harkins | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Birth name | Paul Donal Harkins |
| Nickname(s) | Ramrod |
| Born |
May 15, 1904 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | August 21, 1984 (aged 80) Dallas, Texas |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1929–1964 |
| Rank |
 General
|
| Commands held | F Troop, 3rd Cavalry Regiment Commandant of Cadets, United States Military Academy 45th Infantry Division 24th Infantry Division Allied Land Forces, South East Europe Military Assistance Command, Vietnam |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Korean War Cold War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (3) |
Paul Donal Harkins (May 15, 1904 – August 21, 1984) was a career officer in the United States Army and attained the rank of General. He is most notable for having served during World War II as deputy chief of staff for operations in George S. Patton Jr.'s commands, and as the first Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) commander, a post he held from 1962 to 1964.
Harkins was born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 15, 1904, the second of five children born to newspaper editor Edward Francis Harkins and May E. Kelly. He decided early on a military career, and enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard's 110th Cavalry Regiment in 1922, rising to the rank of sergeant and learning skills including horseback riding and polo. While in the National Guard he took a competitive exam for an appointment to the United States Military Academy, and received the appointment, becoming a cadet in 1925. While at West Point, Harkins continued to play polo, and became captain of the team. He graduated in 1929 and was assigned to the Cavalry branch.
Assigned initially to the 7th Cavalry at Ft. Bliss, Harkins continued to hone his horsemanship and play polo. In 1933 he completed the Cavalry School's equitation course at Ft. Riley, after which he remained there for several years as an instructor. Beginning in 1939 he commanded F Troop, 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Myer, serving under regimental commander George S. Patton, Jr. In 1941 he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
During the period immediately prior to U.S. entry into World War II, Harkins participated in large-scale exercises, including the Louisiana and Pine Camp maneuvers. He then served with the 1st Cavalry Brigade at Fort Bliss.
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