Donald V. Rattan

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Donald V. Rattan
Colonel Rattan in Congo (cropped).jpg
Colonel Rattan in 1964
Nickname(s)Snapper
Born(1924-09-12)September 12, 1924
Fort Benning, Georgia
DiedMarch 8, 2017(2017-03-08) (aged 92)
San Antonio, Texas
Buried
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1940–1973
RankUS Army O8 shoulderboard rotated.svg Major General
Commands held1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division
8th Infantry Division
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsSilver Star

Donald Volney Rattan (September 12, 1924 – March 8, 2017) was a United States Army Major General.

Early life and education[]

Rattan was born at Fort Benning, Georgia on 12 September 1924 to William Volney Rattan, an Infantry officer, and Rose Harriett Ross.

Career[]

Rattan attended the United States Military Academy graduating in the class of 1945.

In May 1960 then Lieutenant Colonel Rattan wrote "Antiguerrilla Operations: A Case Study from History" a study of U.S. Cavalry General George Crook's Indian War campaigns of the 1870s which was published in the United States Army Combined Arms Center journal Military Review.

In August 1964, LCol Rattan was serving with the US Consulate in Bukavu in eastern Congo where he advised Government forces in the defense of the city during the Simba rebellion and in the rescue of western hostages in Operation Dragon Rouge.[1]

Vietnam War[]

Col. Rattan served as commander of the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division from April 1967 to March 1968.[2] In November 1967 the 1st Brigade was placed under the operational control of the 4th Infantry Division and saw combat at the Battle of Dak To.[3] In late January 1968, following the transfer of the entire 1st Cavalry Division north to I Corps he led the brigade in the successful defense of Quảng Trị City during the Tet Offensive.[4]

Post Vietnam[]

MGen Rattan commanded the 8th Infantry Division from August 1970 until May 1972.

Later life[]

Rattan died on 8 March 2017 in San Antonio, Texas and was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

References[]

  1. ^ Villafana, Frank (2017). Cold War in the Congo: The Confrontation of Cuban Military Forces, 1960-1967. Routledge. ISBN 9781351313308.
  2. ^ 1st Air Cavalry Division: Memoirs of the First Team, Vietnam, August 1965-December 1969. Turner Publishing Company. 1995. p. 44. ISBN 9781563111808.
  3. ^ de Chaunac, Jacques-François (2003). The American Cavalry in Vietnam: "First Cav". Turner Publishing Company. p. 196. ISBN 9781563118906.
  4. ^ Pearson, Willard (1975). The War in the Northern Provinces 1966–1968. United States Army Center of Military History. p. 53. ISBN 9781780392486.

External sources[]

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