Robert H. York

Robert H. York (April 23, 1913 – April 15, 1988) was a career officer in the United States Army. A 1938 graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point), he attained the rank of lieutenant general, and was a veteran of World War II, Allied-occupied Germany, the Malayan Emergency, the Vietnam War, and Operation Power Pack, the 1965 U.S. intervention in the Dominican Republic during its civil war. His command assignments included the 331st Infantry Regiment, director of the Tactical Department and director of instruction at the United States Army Infantry School, director of the International Division in the army's Office of the Chief of Research and Development, director of Defense Research and Engineering for the United States Department of Defense, director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Research and Development Field Unit and Joint Operations Evaluation Group in South Vietnam, the 82nd Airborne Division, the Infantry School, and XVIII Airborne Corps.

York retired in 1968, and his awards and decorations included the Distinguished Service Cross, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, and Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster. In retirement, he was a resident of Hartselle, Alabama. In 1983 he moved to San Diego, California. He died in San Diego on April 15, 1988. York was buried at West Point Cemetery.

Early life

Robert H. York was born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 23, 1913, the son of Arthur Leonidas "Lonnie" York and Carrie (Cooper) York. His mother died when he was five years old, and he was raised in Hartselle by his aunt and uncle, John and Eula Cooper, who became his legal guardians. In 1933, York began attendance at Marion Military Institute and also enlisted in the Alabama National Guard. In 1934, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy (West Point) by U.S. Representative Archibald Hill Carmichael. He graduated in 1938 ranked 290 of 301 and received his commission as a second lieutenant.

Start of career

Originally slated for the Army Air Corps, a diagnosis of astigmatism prevented him from flying, and he was assigned to the Infantry. In this assignment, he aided in coordinating U.S. support to Great Britain during the Malayan Emergency, and he remained until 1956. In July 1959, York was appointed deputy chief of staff for the United Nations Command in South Korea. He returned to the United States in July 1960 and was assigned as chief of the International Division in the army's Office of Research and Development.

Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters Air Medal Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (eight campaigns) World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation of Germany Medal National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Service Medal Meritorious Unit Commendation Combat Infantryman Badge Army General Staff Identification Badge Master Parachutist Badge Aviator Badge Crolx de Guerre with Palm (France) Legion of Honor (Chevalier) (France)

Family In 1941, York married Grace Buckland, the sister of a West Point classmate, and they were married until his death. The Yorks were the parents of five daughters, one of whom did not live to adulthood.