Donald Blackburn

Brigadier General Donald C. "Don" Blackburn (United States Army, retired) (September 14, 1916 – May 24, 2008) was a United States Army Special Forces officer, best known for his significant command and developmental roles in the U.S. Army Special Forces. He was also the commander of the highly classified Studies and Observations Group from 1965 to 1966. Since most of his military career involved clandestine operations, many of Blackburn's exploits remain unknown to the general public.

Army service
Donald Blackburn was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Infantry Reserve on May 30, 1938, and entered into active duty with the Army September 22, 1940, assigned to the 24th Infantry at Fort Benning, Ga. At the outbreak of World War II, he was serving as an advisor to a battalion of the 12th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Commonwealth Army. Upon the fall of Bataan in April 1942, he evaded capture with his friend Captain Russell W. Volckmann, and until October 1945 conducted guerrilla warfare on the island of Luzon. During this latter period, he reorganized and commanded the 11th Infantry, Philippine Commonwealth Army, which was integrated in October 1945 as a regular unit in the Philippine military establishment.

Following World War II Blackburn served in various command and staff assignments. He was assigned to the Department of Military Psychology and Leadership, Tactical Department, United States Military Academy, in 1950. During 1953, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va. He was then assigned to NATO's Allied Forces Northern Europe, Oslo, Norway. On return to the United States in 1956, he was assigned as commanding officer, 3rd Training Regiment, Fort Jackson, S.C. In 1957, he was assigned to MAAG, Vietnam, and served as the senior advisor to the commanding general, 5th Military Region (Mekong Delta). In October 1958, he was assigned as commanding officer, 77th Special Forces Group (now the 7th SFG) where he was instrumental in initiating Special Forces operations in Southeast Asia. He attended the 1960 class of the National War College. He served as deputy director of developments for Special Warfare, Office of the Chief of Research and Development from 1961 to 1964, and then was reassigned to the office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations as Director of Special Warfare. Blackburn was SOG Commander (Studies and Observations Group) Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, from May 1965 to May 1966. He served as assistant deputy director, Defense Communications Planning Group from August 1966 to August 1967. He was the assistant division commander, 82nd Airborne Division from September 1967 to October 1968. He was the Director of Plans and Programs, office of the Chief of Research and Development from October 1968 until his retirement in 1971.

In retirement
Following his retirement from military service, Blackburn took a position with Braddock Dunn & McDonald, where he served as vice president, special projects until he retired in 1979.

Medals and decorations
Brig. Gen. Blackburn was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, the Gold Star Medal (Philippines), the Medal of Merit (Philippines) and the Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Medal. He is authorized to wear the Distinguished Unit Citation with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Master Parachutist Badge.
 * Silver Star ribbon.svg Silver Star
 * Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters
 * Bronze Star ribbon.svg Bronze Star
 * Purple Heart BAR.svg Purple Heart
 * Meritorious Service ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Medal
 * Air Medal ribbon.svg Air Medal
 * Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Army Commendation Medal
 * American Defense Service ribbon.svg American Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
 * American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg American Campaign Medal
 * Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 service stars
 * World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg World War II Victory Medal
 * Army of Occupation ribbon.svg Army of Occupation Medal
 * National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
 * AFEMRib.svg Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with bronze service star (for Korea and Laos)
 * Vietnam Service Ribbon.svg Vietnam Service Medal with 3 service stars
 * ResMedRib.svg Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Army)
 * Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Meritorious Unit Commendation
 * Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines).svg Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
 * Phliber rib.png Philippine Liberation Ribbon
 * Philippine Independence Medal Ribbon.jpg Philippine Independence Medal
 * Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon.png Vietnam Campaign Medal with device
 * Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg Presidential Unit Citation (United States) 2001 Studies and Observations Group
 * US Army Airborne master parachutist badge.gif Master Parachutist Badge
 * Combat Infantry Badge.svg Combat Infantryman Badge
 * SF-tab.gif Special Forces tab