Rolland V. Heiser

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Rolland Valentine Heiser
Lt. Gen. Rolland V. Heiser.jpg
Nickname(s)Ron
Born(1925-04-25)25 April 1925
Died16 June 2016(2016-06-16) (aged 91)
Buried
Sarasota National Cemetery
Service/branchUnited States Department of the Army Seal.svg United States Army
Years of service1947–1978
RankUS-O9 insignia.svg Lieutenant general
Commands held1st Armored Division
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (3)
Other workPresident, New College Foundation

Lieutenant general Rolland Valentine Heiser (25 April 1925 – 16 June 2016), was a United States Army officer who served in the Vietnam War.

Military career[]

Heiser graduated from Western Military Academy in Alton, Illinois in 1943.[1] He received his bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy in 1947, and his master's degree from George Washington University in 1965.[2]

While in South Korea, he was instrumental in founding the Korea Military Academy. He served in South Vietnam as senior adviser Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Training Directorate from 1967 to 1968.[2]

He served as commander of the 3rd Armored Division (United States) support command and the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He then served as assistant division commander of the 9th Infantry Division. He then served as Director of Plans, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations.[2]

In his role as Director of Plans he served as the head of the ad hoc Strategic Assessment Group to determine the role for the Army's conventional strategy post-Vietnam. The Group's findings were presented in numerous briefings to the U.S. defense community.[3]

In May 1974 he assumed command of the 1st Armored Division remaining in the role until August 1975.[2]

He served as the Chief of Staff of United States European Command until his retirement on 1 October 1978.[4]

Decorations[]

His decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal (2), Defense Superior Service Medal and Legion of Merit (3).[5]

Later life[]

He resided in Sarasota, Florida.

He was a member of the New College of Florida Board of Trustees,[6] and served as president of the New College Foundation, a position he held for 22 years. He was instrumental in raising over $25 million in funds for the college and restoring its financial health.[7] While in this position, Heiser successfully opposed the establishment of a chiropractic college at Florida State University, deeming it an unnecessary imposition on limited educational resources.[8]

He died on 16 June 2016 and was buried at Sarasota National Cemetery.[9]

References[]

  1. ^ "The Brass Factory". The Alton Telegraph. 2 July 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d "News and Notes". Armor: 59. May 1974.
  3. ^ Summers, Harry (1981). On Strategy: the Vietnam War in Context. Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College. p. 111.
  4. ^ "Change of command". Command: 16. November 1979.
  5. ^ "Rolland Valentine Heiser". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  6. ^ "University trustees", Miami Herald (July 8, 2001), p. A21.
  7. ^ Don Oldenburg (15 June 1988). "Retiring to another job". The Washington Post.
  8. ^ Gary Fineout, "Chiropractic college killed", Miami Herald (January 28, 2005), p. B1.
  9. ^ "Former general, community leader Rolland Heiser laid to rest". Sarasota Herald Tribune. 23 June 2016.


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