Glenn K . Otis General Glenn Kay Otis ( March 15 , 1929 – February 21 , 2013 ) was a retired United States Army four - star general who served as Commanding General , U . S . Army Training and Doctrine Command ( CG TRADOC ) from 1981 to 1983 ; and as Commander in Chief , U . S . Army Europe / Commander , Central Army Group ( CINCUSAREUR / COMCENTAG ) from 1983 to 1988 . He was a native of Plattsburgh , New York . Otis enlisted in the U . S . Army in 1946 and served on occupation duty in post - World War II Korea . He was later picked from the ranks to attend the United States Military Academy , from which he graduated in 1953 . He holds a master ' s degree in mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and , in 1965 , was one of the first student officers to receive a Master of Military Art and Science degree from the Command and General Staff College . During the Vietnam War , Otis distinguished himself in the Tet Offensive as commander of the 3d Squadron , 4th Cavalry , 25th Infantry Division . While defending Tan Son Nhut air base , his unit was faced with an enemy battalion of 600 men , his squadron killed 300 and took 24 prisoners . Throughout his tour in Vietnam , Otis received the Distinguished Service Cross , Silver Star , and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster , the Legion of Merit , and eight Air Medal s . The squadron he commanded received the Presidential Unit Citation . As a Brigadier General , he was assigned as director of the XM - 1 Tank Task Force in 1974 , two years after its commencement , overseeing engine change , provisions made to future upgrade of the main gun from 105mm to M256 120mm weapon , the turret was stabilized to permit firing on the move , advanced night vision technology was integrated , and suspension , armor and mobility were upgraded . Key assignments during his career included Deputy Chief of Staff , Combined Arms Combat Development Agency , Fort Leavenworth , 1976 – 78 ; Commander , 1st Armored Division , 1978 – 79 ; Deputy Chief of Staff , Operations and Plans , Department of the Army , 1979 – 81 ; Commanding General , U . S . Army Training and Doctrine Command , 1981 – 83 ; and Commander in Chief , U . S . Army Europe , 1983 – 88 . In retirement , Otis has remained active as a senior fellow of the Institute of Land Warfare , the Association of the United States Army , and as a member of the Army Science Board . He also served as a member of the House Armed Services Committee ' s Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization in 2000 , which was chaired by Donald Rumsfeld . He died at a hospital at Carlisle , Pennsylvania in 2013 of conplications of a heart attack and aneurysm . He was 83 . Distinguished Service Cross Citation . Citation : The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Glenn K . Otis , Lieutenant Colonel ( Armor ) , U . S . Army , for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam , while serving with Headquarters Troop , 3d Squadron , 4th Cavalry , 25th Infantry Division . Lieutenant Otis distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as commanding officer of a cavalry squadron defending against the communist Lunar New Year offensive at Tan Son Nhut Air Base . Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces launched a massive attack on the base and penetrated the defensive wire . Colonel Otis responded to a call for assistance and immediately led his squadron to reinforce the beleaguered friendly elements . Braving devastating rocket , machine gun and mortar fire , he repeatedly ordered low passes over the enemy positions to assess the rapidly changing situation and skillfully coordinate his unit ' s defenses . His aircraft was forced down on three occasions by the intense enemy fusillade , but he refused to leave the battle area and quickly secured another helicopter each time . The battle grew in intensity , as he fearlessly landed amid a curtain of fire to coordinate with his ground commanders and encourage his men to continue their staunch defenses . His skillful and aggressive leadership inspired his men to repel the attack and force the determined insurgents to withdraw . Informed that an estimated Viet Cong battalion , poised outside the perimeter , was threatening the air base , he quickly directed his unit in a search and clear operation . Repeatedly exposing himself to savage enemy fire , he led his men in a fierce attack that totally destroyed the enemy forces . His fearless leadership in the heat of battle was instrumental in preventing the vital military installation from falling into enemy hands . Lieutenant Colonel Otis ' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself , his unit , and the United States Army .