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LTG Elvy Roberts, a paratrooper in World War II, a combat veteran of the Viet Nam War, and a former commander of the Sixth Army in the Presidio of San Francisco, died 11 Oct 2005 after a long illness.</p>
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<em>Elvy Benton Roberts</em> was born on 21 Aug 1917 in Manchester, KY to Farris F. and Iola Hatton Roberts. He graduated from Barbourville High School in 1934 and Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College in 1939. He abandoned premedical studies to enter West Point at the urging of his 149th Infantry National Guard commander. In the National Guard for three years, he attained the grade of Sergeant.</p>
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At West Point, Elvy participated in fenc­ing, light-heavyweight boxing and track. He was also in the Cadet Chapel Choir, the Glee Club, and the Dialectic Society. His January ’43 <em>Howitzer</em> entry says, “Elvy came to USMA with a fervent love for classical music, singing in the choir and enjoying the finer things of life. Academics made the going tough at best, but after starting anew he doggedly overcame all tight situations that arose. Although earnest in his application to work, there was earnest indulgence in amusement too. He takes to the Infantry a perseverance coupled with precise and good thinking—the very attributes of suc­cess. ‘Good Luck,’ loyal son of the blue grass.”</p>
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Elvy graduated from West Point in January 1943. After the Basic Infantry Course at Ft. Benning, GA, he attended Parachute School with eighteen “ dough foot” classmates and received his jump wings in May 1943. He married a college friend from his hometown, Drucilla Wilson of Vinegrove, in December and, after a quick honeymoon, went to England with the 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.</p>
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During the bloodiest days of World War II, Elvy made combat jumps in the invasion of Normandy and of Holland, receiving a Bronze Star and the Dutch Bronze Lion, Order of Leopold. Participating in five major campaigns, including the Battle of Bastogne, he was a company commander, regimental operations officer and battalion commander in the 501st and 502nd Parachute Infantry regiments and advanced to the rank major in March 1945.</p>
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Elvy was battalion executive officer and commander in the 82nd Airborne Division, 1946–47, when daughter Catherine was born. While he was on the faculty at Ft. Benning, GA in 1949, daughter Sandra was born. After attending the CGSC, Elvy served on the EUCOM Staff, 1950–53, and the Army Staff, 1955–58, and attended the Army War College, 1958–59. He was promoted to colonel in 1959, while serving in the Military Assistance Group in Iran, and son Bill was born in 1960.</p>
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Elvy commanded a brigade in the 101st Airborne Division, 1961–63, and was chief of staff, 11th Air Assault Division, the divi­sion that tested the airmobile concept and became the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). He commanded the 1st Airborne Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, during its first battles in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam, 1965–66, and then became secretary of the joint staff for GEN Westmoreland in the Military Assistance Command, Viet Nam.</p>
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Elvy became a brigadier general in 1966 as deputy commander and, later, commander of Ft. Jackson, SC, 1966–68. Returning to Viet Nam in 1968 as assistant division command­er, 9th Infantry Division, he became a heli­copter pilot, flying “First Horse.” Promoted to major general, Elvy commanded the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Viet Nam and led U.S. and South Vietnamese Forces against enemy strongholds in Cambodia in May 1970.</p>
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After returning to the Pentagon as Chief of Plans, 1970–71, and Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, 1971–72, Elvy was named head of the U.S. Delegation for Mutual and Balanced Force Reduction in Vienna. Promoted to lieutenant general in 1973, he became Commanding General, Sixth Army, at the Presidio of San Francisco, 1973–75, as the Sixth Army was shifting its main responsibility from Regular Army to Reserve and National Guard units.</p>
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Elvy received the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Master Parachutist Badge to­gether with numerous decorations, including two Distinguished Service Medals, a Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, four Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, 13 Air Medals, two Commendation Medals, and Dutch and French awards.</p>
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Upon retiring in 1975, Elvy became a district manager of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, then Vice President of Heald Colleges in California (eight business and three engineering colleges) and later a consultant for two decades. During his 1968 tour in Viet Nam, Elvy met Kim Ngo, a Vietnamese law student, who later came to the U.S. and became an American citizen in 1980. He married Kim in 1989.</p>
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Elvy enjoyed downhill skiing, skeet and trap shooting, fresh water fishing, reading historical novels and singing popular songs for friends in his deep baritone voice.</p>
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He was also a passionate animal lover, own­ing three adopted strays: two dogs and a cat. He was a member of the Bohemian Club, St. Francis Yacht Club, Rotary Club, and Guide Dogs for the Blind. He also was a director of the Salvation Army and the Boy Scouts.</p>
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When asked for words of wisdom for those coming after him, Elvy replied, “In the military profession, as in most others, a sense of humor is vital. Always keep it and never lose it. Equally important, sort minutia out from the important and keep effort focused on the important. Never lose sense of propor­tion and sense of perspective.”</p>
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Elvy was admired for his kindness to oth­ers, modesty, enjoyment of life, good humor, and the example he set. His enthusiasm, grace, poise and ram-rod straight posture made him an imposing figure recognized by everyone. He was, indeed, a great man, hero, human be­ing, and dear and cherished friend of bound­less generosity.</p>
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Elvy’s wife Kim; children: William Roberts of Fairfield, CA, Catherine Repine of Miami Beach, FL, and Sandra Halford of Cedar Rapids, IA; and five grandchildren survive him.</p>
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<em>—Frank Camm, LTG, Ret., ’43 JAN classmate</em></p>