Russell W. Volckmann
| Russell William Volckmann | |
|---|---|
Lt. Col. Russell W. Volckmann, post WW II
|
|
| Born |
October 23, 1911 Clinton, Iowa |
| Died | June 30, 1982 (aged 70) Iowa City, Iowa |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1934–1957 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars |
Korean War Cold War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross (2) Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star (2) Army Commendation Medal |
Russell William Volckmann (September 23, 1911 – June 30, 1982) was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, a U.S. Army infantry officer and a leader of the Philippine Commonwealth military and guerrilla resistance to the Japanese conquest of the Philippines during World War II. After the war, he remained in the U.S. Army and helped create the U.S. Army Special Forces. In addition to his other services to his country, Russell Volckmann, at that time a colonel, is considered a co-founder of the U.S. Army Special Forces (the "Green Berets"), together with Colonels Aaron Bank and Wendell Fertig. He eventually retired as a brigadier general.
Russell Volckmann was born 23 October 1911, in Clinton, Iowa, to Hattie May (Dodds) and William J. C. Volckmann. He attended high school at Shattuck Military Academy, Fairbault, Minnesota.
In 1930, he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry upon graduation in June 1934. Although he asked for assignment to the Philippines, a choice duty station requested by many officers, his below average performance at West Point resulted in assignment elsewhere. Volckmann received orders to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, where he was a rifle platoon leader and later a company executive officer with the 3rd Infantry Division. In 1937, he received orders to attend the Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. After completing this school he served at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as a company commander with the 2nd Infantry Division. In 1940, he finally received orders for duty in the Philippines
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