Henry E. Emerson

Henry Everett "Hank" Emerson (May 28, 1925 – February 4, 2015) was a United States Army lieutenant general best known for being the commander of the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea[2] during the mid-1970s, when Colin Powell served as a battalion commander.[2][3] Emerson was a 1947 graduate of the United States Military Academy.

Henry E. Emerson
Nickname(s)"Gunfighter", "Hank"
Born(1925-05-28)May 28, 1925
Washington, D.C., U.S.[1]
DiedFebruary 4, 2015(2015-02-04) (aged 89)
The Villages, Florida, U.S.
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1943–1977
RankLieutenant General
Commands heldXVIII Airborne Corps
2nd Infantry Division
1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division
Battles/warsKorean War
Vietnam War
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross (2)
Army Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Silver Star (5)
Legion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Purple Heart (2)

Military career

Henry Everett Emerson[1] gained recognition during the Vietnam War for his tactical ability on the battlefield. His tactics as a commander were novel.[3] He conceived aerial reconnaissance and combat methods that were employed effectively against the Viet Cong. These included a "checkerboard concept" that involves small groups covering grid squares to seek out an enemy, "jitterbug" tactics which are complex manoeuvres using helicopters to surround an enemy. To the uninitiated this would seem jittery like the dance, and "Eagle Flights" which were helicopters loaded with local soldiers and flown in quickly to assist foreign troops in certain situations.[4][5] He demonstrated that American soldiers could effectively "out-guerrilla" the Viet Cong. Emerson also developed the "seal-and-pile-on technique" (the rapid build-up of combat power to surround and destroy an enemy force). These highly complex tactics shattered many large enemy units.

Emerson in 1975, with his non-standard six-shooter revolver.

Emerson was known for his somewhat eccentric personality, from his training methods to carrying a cowboy-style revolver in place of a regulation M1911 semi-automatic pistol. He was a believer in reverse-cycle training, during which troops trained at night and slept during the day. He also required that they watch the television film Brian's Song, to promote racial harmony. Colin Powell, who would later go on to become a four-star general and the U.S. Secretary of State, has stated that he and Emerson were very close and that what set Emerson apart was his great love of his soldiers and concern for their welfare. When Powell wrote his autobiography, "My American Journey", he dedicated an entire chapter to Emerson. Powell said that Emerson's leadership philosophy was "if we don't do our jobs right Soldiers will not win". In many instances when he was the XVIII Airborne Corps commander he would turn in the tag numbers of excessively speeding vehicles. The next morning, the violator(s) would be escorted by the company and battalion commanders from their unit and a verbal reprimand would be delivered by the brigade commander.

Emerson suffered severe burns after his helicopter was shot down in the Mekong Delta.[6] He had commanded forces during the Vietnam War prior to being stationed in South Korea.[3] He later served as commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, from July 1975 to June 1977. He died at the age of 89 on February 4, 2015.[7]

References
  1. Jackson, Jonathan. "Senior Officer Oral History" (PDF). An Oral History of LTG Henry E. Emerson. U.S. Army Military History Institute. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  2. The Art of Command: Military Leadership from George Washington to Colin Powell, edited by Laver, Harry S. and Jeffrey J. Matthews, University Press of Kentucky, Lexington Kentucky (2009). LCCN 2008-28017
  3. Chales, James R., The God Machine: From Boomerangs to Black Hawks: The Story of the Helicopter, Bantam Dell, New York (2007), ISBN 978-0-553-38352-2
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-03-09. Retrieved 2013-03-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-04-24. Retrieved 2015-02-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Army brigade head hurt in Viet air crash". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. August 29, 1968.
  7. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?pid=174082269
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