Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Pelham
Yarborough
1912-05-12

–

2005-12-07

Born:

Seattle

, 

Washington

Home:

Seattle

, 

Washington

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

William Yarborough graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1936. In the early 1960s he was Commandant of the US ArmyÕs Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, NC, where he oversaw the buildup of the ArmyÕs Special Forces, and is generally considered the “Father of U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets).” He retired in 1971 as a U.S. Army Lieutenant General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1966 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General William Pelham Yarborough (ASN: 0-202362), United States Army, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1966 to 1968.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    509th Parachute Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1943
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Pelham Yarborough (ASN: 0-202362), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, attached to the 3d Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operations, in 1943. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Yarborough and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    December 1966 – July 1968
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 44 (August 22, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General William P. Yarborough (ASN: 0-202362), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, during the period from December 1966 through July 1968.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Division:

    15th Army Group

    Action Date:

    1945 – 1947
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) William Pelham Yarborough (ASN: 0-202362), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Provost Marshall, FIFTEENTH Army Group & U.S. Forces Austria, from 1945 to 1947.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1965 – 1966
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General William Pelham Yarborough (ASN: 0-202362), United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1965 to 1966.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    I Corps Group, Korea

    Action Date:

    1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General William Pelham Yarborough (ASN: 0-202362), United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, FIRST Corps Group, Korea, in 1968.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    Special Warfare Center, Fort Bragg

    Action Date:

    January 1961 – February 1965
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 11 (March 26, 1965)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General William P. Yarborough (ASN: 0-202362), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General, Special Warfare Center, Fort Bragg, during the period from January 1961 to February 1965.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Division:

    U.S. Army Pacific

    Action Date:

    1969 – 1971
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General William Pelham Yarborough (ASN: 0-202362), United States Army, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commanding General and Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Pacific, from 1969 to 1971.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    473d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    92d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 92d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 41 (1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) William Pelham Yarborough (ASN: 0-202362), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 473d Infantry Regiment, 92d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Yarborough, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.