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CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea - Retired Army Lt. Gen. Henry Everett “Hank” Emerson had a saying on his wall which stated “Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away.”
On Feb. 4 our fellow Warrior “faded away” at the age of 89.
Emerson, who was born in Washington, D.C., May 28, 1925, was best known for being the commander for the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea during the mid-1970s.
Emerson began his military career in 1947 when he graduated from West Point and was commissioned to second lieutenant. He then served as a company commander with the 5th Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War. He went on to serve as staff and faculty for the Infantry school and tactical officer at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He was best known not only for being a company commander during the Korean War but also as a battalion commander in the Dominican Republic and brigade commander in the Vietnam War.
As he moved up in the ranks his assignments included assistant division commander for the 82nd Airborne Division, commanding general for the 2nd Infantry Division, and commanding general for the John F. Kennedy Center for Military Assistance. His last assignment was as the commanding general for the XVIII Airborne Corps from 1975 to 1977.
During an interview with Jonathan Jackson in 2004 Emerson stated, “If I couldn’t stay at Bragg, and if I couldn’t go to the job in Korea, I would just as soon retire.”
Emerson soon then retired June 30, 1977.
Emerson served a total of 30 years in the U.S. Army and during his time he served overseas in Korea, Japan, Hawaii, London, Dominican Republic and Vietnam.
Emerson who was often called “The Gunfighter” by his troops, and was also known as one of the most decorated officers in the history of the Army. He received the Master Parachutist Badge, Combat/Infantry Badge with a star, Army Aviator Badge, two Distinguished Service Crosses, three Distinguished Service Medals, five Silver Stars, and two Purple Hearts among a few others.
His memorial services will be held late this spring at the Arlington National Cemetery. The exact date will be announced at a later date.
Emerson is survived by his nephew, Richard Emerson Wilkins; a niece, Marie Page Riggle; a grandniece, Elizabeth Page Wilkins and her husband Lt. Col. Joseph G. Marine; and two great-grandnephews, William Quinn Hardisty and Joseph William Marine.
| Date Taken: | 02.04.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2015 06:56 |
| Story ID: | 158919 |
| Location: | CAMP RED CLOUD, KR |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fellow Warrior 'Fades Away', by SFC Neysa Canfield, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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