Onslow S. Rolfe | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 1953 photo of Rolfe as commander of Headquarters and Service Command, Far East Command. | |
| Born | January 16, 1895 Concord, New Hampshire, US |
| Died | January 29, 1985 (aged 90) Winter Park, Florida, US |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1954 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Service number | 0-8637 |
| Unit | Infantry Branch |
| Commands | 1st Battalion, 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment Mountain Training Center, Camp Hale, Colorado Land Area Salzburg 71st Infantry Division Northern Command Area, Japan Logistics Command Headquarters and Service Command, Far East Command |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Purple Heart |
| Relations | Onslow Stearns (grandfather) |
Onslow S. Rolfe (January 16, 1895 – January 29, 1985) was a career officer in the United States Army. He attained the rank of brigadier general during World War II as commander of the Mountain Training Center at Camp Hale, Colorado, and the 71st Infantry Division.
Rolfe graduated from West Point shortly before U.S. involvement in World War I. He served in combat with the 7th Infantry Regiment, and received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism and the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in a gas attack.
Between World Wars I and II, Rolfe carried out a variety of assignments with increasing rank and responsibility, including professor of military science at Rutgers University, and senior observer and advisor for the Wisconsin National Guard. He also graduated from the Command and General Staff College and the Field Artillery Officer Course, after which he served as senior Infantry instructor at the Fort Sill Field Artillery School.
During World War II, Rolfe specialized in winter operations and mountain warfare; he commanded 1st Battalion, 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, then advanced to command of the regiment. After promotion to brigadier general, he commanded the Camp Hale, Colorado Mountain Training Center, where he oversaw organization and training of the 10th Light Division (Alpine).
Near the end of World War II, Rolfe went to France as deputy commander of the 71st Infantry Division, and took part in the Rhineland campaign and the Western Allied invasion of Germany.
Rolfe performed post-war occupation duty in Austria, and commanded Land Area Salzburg and the 71st Infantry Division.
After World War II, Rolfe was chief of the development section in the research and development office at Headquarters, Army Field Forces. During the Korean War, he commanded the Japan Logistics Command's Northern Command Area, and then Headquarters and Service Command, Far East Command.
After his 1954 retirement, Rolfe resided in Winter Park, Florida. He died there on January 29, 1985, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.