Lionel C . McGarr Lionel Charles McGarr ( March 5 , 1904 — November 3 , 1988 ) was a Lieutenant General in the United States Army . He was the last commander of Military Assistance Advisory Group - - Vietnam . Early life and start of military career . McGarr was born in Yuma , Arizona on March 5 , 1904 and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1928 . After receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry he served in command and staff positions of increasing rank and responsibility , including assignments in Hawaii , California and Georgia . World War II . McGarr saw extensive combat in North Africa and Europe during World War II as commander of the 30th Infantry Regiment from October 1943 to December 1944 , acting assistant division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division from December 1944 to January 1945 , and again commander of the 30th Infantry Regiment from January to May 1945 . Post World War II . McGarr was assistant division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division from 1945 to 1946 , and he graduated from the National War College in 1947 , afterwards serving in the Intelligence section of the Army General Staff . In 1948 he was named commander of the 350th Infantry Regiment in Austria , in 1949 he became tactical inspector for U . S . Tactical Command in Austria , and from 1950 to 1951 he was Tactical Command ' s chief of staff . Korean War . McGarr went to Korea as assistant division commander of the 2nd Infantry Division in 1951 and later commander of Allied Prisoner of War Command - - Korea . From October 1953 to May 1954 he was commander of the 7th Infantry Division . Post Korean War . From June 1954 to June 1956 McGarr commanded the US Army Caribbean Command . He was then appointed commandant of the Army Command and General Staff College . Service in Vietnam . In September 1960 he was promoted to Lieutenant General and named commander of Military Assistance Advisory Group - - Vietnam . He served in this post until July 1962 when , against McGarr ' s advice , U . S . military escalation began and he was succeeded by General Paul Harkins , who commanded MAAG - V ' s successor unit , Military Assistance Command - Vietnam . Awards and decorations . His awards included the Distinguished Service Cross , two Distinguished Service Medals , three Silver Star s , three Legions of Merit , five Bronze Star s and seven Purple Heart s . Citation for Distinguished Service Cross . The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lionel C . McGarr , Colonel ( Infantry ) , U . S . Army , for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 30th Infantry Regiment , 3d Infantry Division , in action against enemy forces on 6 September 1944 . Colonel McGarr ' s outstanding leadership , personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself , the 3d Infantry Division , and the United States Army . Headquarters , Seventh U . S . Army , General Orders No . 107 ( 1944 ) Retirement and death . After leaving Vietnam McGarr retired at the Presidio , afterwards living in Lafayette , California until his death in San Francisco on November 3 , 1988 . He was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery , Section B , Site 1606A .