United States. A Distinguished Service Medal Group To Lieutenant General Taber, United States Army 1967

Includes:

1. Army Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.

2. Legion of Merit, Legionnaire Grade with three bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (engraved "R.C.T." on the reverse).

3. Soldier's Medal (engraved "R.C. TABER" on the reverse).

4. Bronze Star Medal (engraved "R.C. TABER" on the reverse).

5. Purple Heart (engraved "R.C. TABER" on the reverse).

6. Air Medal with two bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (engraved "R.C. TABER" on the reverse).

7. Joint Service Commendation Medal (engraved "R.C. TABER 6-7-64" on the reverse).

8. Army Commendation Medal (engraved "R.C. TABER" on the reverse).

9. American Defense Service Medal.

10. American Campaign Medal.

11. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

12. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze Stars.

13. World War II Victory Medal.

14. National Defense Service Medal with bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

15. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

16. Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze Stars. Each of the American medals with its original ribbon and brooch pinback.

17. China, Republic: Order of the Resplendent Banner, VI Class Officer, 4th Grade: three-piece construction, in silver with red, white and blue enamels, number impressed "1357" on the reverse, measuring 56 mm (w) x 57.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, chipping and loss evident in the white enamels on two star points, large rosette affixed to its original ribbon.

18. Vietnam, Republic (South Vietnam): National Order, V Class Knight: two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red, blue and green enamels, measuring 42.5 mm (w) x 66.5 mm (h) inclusive of its dragon head and laterally-pierced ball suspension, original ribbon with dual prong pinback.

19. Vietnam, Republic (South Vietnam): Gallantry Cross: in bronze, measuring 38 mm (w) x 57.5 mm (h) inclusive of its dual dragon heads suspension, original ribbon with pinback.

20. Vietnam, Republic (South Vietnam): Campaign Medal with 1960- Clasp: in bronze gilt with red, white and green enamels, measuring 38 mm (w) x 59 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, original ribbon with pinback.

21. Korea, Republic (South Korea): Order of Military Merit, III Class: multi-piece construction, in silver gilt with red and blue enamels, number impressed "1227" on the reverse, measuring 51.5 mm (w) x 71.8 mm (h) inclusive of its star and wreath suspension, on its full-length neck ribbon with slotted clasp closure.

22. Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge: two-piece construction, insignia in silver gilt with red, white, blue and green enamels, mounted to a sterling silver base with multiple emanating rays, engraved "R.C. TABER / LT. GEN. USA / 245-60-5462 / 24 APRIL 1972", maker marked "N.S. MEYER, INC. NEW YORK", marked with the N.S. Meyer shield and marked "STERLING" on the reverse, measuring 50 mm in diameter, all three push pin points and enamels intact.

23. Master Parachutist Badge: in 1/20 silver filled metal, marked "KREW G-I" on the reverse, measuring 38.3 mm (w) x 30.7 mm (h), both push pin points intact.

24. Lieutenant General Stars Collar Badge Pair: in sterling silver, marked "STERLING" on their reverses, measuring 54.5 mm (w) x 14 mm (h), both push pin points intact on each.

25. Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) Cambodia Patch: in red, white and blue embroidery, sticker inscribed 'MADE IN JAPAN: affixed to the reverse, measuring 65 mm in diameter. Near extremely fine.

Footnote: Robert Clinton Taber was born on October 11, 1917 in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. He graduated from Cornell University, his military career beginning in July 1940 as Assistant Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Cornell. Earlier, he had received a reserve commission on completion of the ROTC program. He commanded the Equitation Department and it’s forty-five man enlisted platoon, taught artillery gunnery, coached the Cornell varsity polo team and graduated with a BSc (Bachelor of Science) in 1938. Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, Taber was commissioned in the regular army, confirmed in the rank of Second Lieutenant on October 1, 1942, and assigned as a Battery Commander in the 66th Armored Field artillery battalion, 4th Armored Division at Pine Camp and was promoted to Captain. He served as Deputy Director of Army Plans and Policy.

For his Second World War service, he was awarded the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze Stars; and the World War II Victory Medal. In addition, he was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. During the Vietnam War, he served as Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division from February 1970 to April 1971. In the rank of Brigadier General, Taber was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal by the Department of the Army, General Orders No. 50 (September 26, 1968), for actions taken during the Vietnam War, his citation stating: "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 Brigadier General Robert C. Taber (ASN: 0-25270), 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 July 1967 through August 1968."

He was also awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze Stars; along with three Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) awards: the National Order, V Class Knight; the Gallantry Cross; and the Campaign Medal with 1960- Clasp. Tabor later achieved the ranks of Major General and finally, Lieutenant General. He was awarded many citations and decorations, including the aforementioned Army Distinguished Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; the Legion of Merit, Legionnaire Grade with three Oak Leaf Clusters; the Soldier's Medal; the Bronze Star Medal; the Purple Heart; the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Later, he was a military assistant to the Army Chief of Staff, Supreme Allied Powers Europe (NATO) as commander Joint Military Assistance Advisory Group, Cambodia, in addition to many other commands and groups. International awards included: the Republic of China Order of the Resplendent Banner, VI Class Officer, 4th Grade; and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) Order of Military Merit, III Class.

Brigadier General Robert C. Taber, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College was a member of the Advisory Committee (as of June 17, 1966), contributing to a publication printed in 1968 entitled "United States Army in World War II: The Technical Services, The Ordnance Department: On Beachhead and Battlefront" by Lido Mayo. After his retirement from the Army, Taber worked as a management consultant, and served on the Fales Committee advising the superintendent of the United States Naval Academy on professional development of midshipmen. He also developed the "Man Overboard Safety" protocol now used all over the world. Lieutenant General Robert Clinton Taber died on February 22, 2007, at the age of 89. A memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 4th in the chapel of the Sun City Center United Methodist Church, in Sun City Center, Florida.

In the Spring, Lieutenant General Taber was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, Section 7-A, Site 181, with full military honors on May 22, 2007. His first wife, Elizabeth Jane "Ella" Feeter Taber (born June 15, 1920, died July 25, 1983), the mother of his only child, John Robert Taber, predeceased him, passing away at the age of 63. She is buried in the same plot at Arlington. Upon his death he was survived by his second wife, Lynn Sullivan Taber (born February 21, 1947, died January 8, 2009, age 61), his son, Colonel John Robert Taber of Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, and a brother, Carl. Upon her death, Lynn Sullivan Taber was also buried in the same plot at Arlington.