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U.S. Army Gen. David M. Maddox was a true Cold Warrior. He entered the Army as the nation heightened its efforts in Vietnam and retired shortly after the Soviet Union dissolved. As a testament to his service, both Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine and U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve attended his funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, with full military funeral honors with escort, on Aug. 18, 2026. A 1960 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Maddox commissioned as an armored officer. He served two tours in Vietnam, including one as a senior operations advisor with Military Assistance Command in Vietnam which directed strategy, logistics and combat operations. His combination of clever tactical skills and gray hair led his soldiers to call him “the Silver Fox.”
Throughout his military career, Maddox held numerous command positions, primarily in West Germany. He commanded the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and then the 8th Infantry Division. It was while he commanded the 8th that the Berlin Wall fell on Nov. 9, 1989.Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, who attended Maddox’sfuneral and served under him in the 8th, said that when thewall fell, Maddox kept his staff working on war plans. “He kept the division focused on its warfighting mission,” Kimmet said. “He didn’t flinch.”
The next year, Maddox took command of the Army’s V Corps in West Germany. The Corps did not deploy to the Middle East during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm but remained in Europe as part of NATO defenses. He relinquished command in June 1992, when he was promoted to four-star general and became the 28th Commander of U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR), commander of the U.S. Seventh Army and commander of NATO’s Central Army Group.
Following the breakup of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War in 1991, Maddox oversaw the drawdown of U.S. forces in Europe, while ensuring the combat capabilities of American units remained in place. Maddox’s ability in handling the fluid situationimpressed his subordinates. “When we were drawing down out of Europe, he was spot-on with all of his knowledge and recommendations,” said Maj. Gen. George Harmeyer, who also attended Maddox’s funeral. Harmeyer had served as the V Corps chief of staff during Maddox’s tenure asthe USAREUR commander.
Maddoxhelped plan the deployment of NATO peacekeeping troops into Bosnia before he retired in 1995, although, retirementdid not signal the end of Maddox’s service. He served on the Army Science Board and the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees. He also held memberships in various academies and institutions. After serving his country in uniform for more than 34 years and completing a civilian career, Maddox passed away on Jan. 3, 2026.
Maddox’s funeral service in Section 34 of Arlington National Cemetery commenced with four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters flying a missing man formation, as well as a 17-gun salute commensurate with his general rank, a riderless horse, a firing party, a bugler sounding Taps and an Army Band playing the “America the Beautiful.” U.S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Matthew Fouchett told the mourners that Maddox made a beautiful homeland through “his commitment to our nation and his commitment to all who sacrificed for our nation.” After prayers and the folding of the flag that had been draped over Maddox’s casket, LaNeve presented the tri-folded flag to Maddox’s wife of 57 years, Ethelmary.
Following the service, several retired officers who served under Maddox spoke of their respect for him.Brig. Gen. Leslie Fuller and Col. Paul Lenze, extolled Maddox’s leadership. Lenze called Maddox a phenomenal leader who gave his officers opportunities to make their own decisions, “and he supported us to an infinite degree.” Fuller called Maddox a dynamic leader with a good sense of humor who liked to keep his staff on their toes. “He would accept mistakes,” Fuller said, “but you didn’t want to make them again.”
Col. Christopher Yuknis, who served under Maddox for most of his own career in Germany, said that Maddox always let his officers speak and he respected their opinions. “He never wore his rank,” Yuknis said, but the general always knew what he was doing. “When Dave Maddox told you to do something, you did it,” Yuknis explained, “not because he was a general, not because he outranked you; you did it because you knew, at the end of the day, Dave Maddox was right.”
Almost 200 people, somewearing different Army unit lapel pins and others in uniform, representingwarriors past and present, attended Maddox’s funeral service. They showed upto say a final goodbye to a highly respected Cold Warrior.
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2026 14:31 |
| Story ID: | 572765 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 25 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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