Edward Lee Trobaugh | |
|---|---|
 Pictured as a major general | |
| Born | (1932-11-07)November 7, 1932 Logansport, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | May 20, 2024(2024-05-20) (aged 91) Washington (state), U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Service years | 1955–1987 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands | 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division 82nd Airborne Division Deputy Commander,Fifth Army |
| Conflicts | Vietnam War US invasion of Grenada |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star |
Edward L. Trobaugh (November 7, 1932 – May 20, 2024) was aUnited States ArmyMajor General.
Trobaugh graduated fromKokomo High School in 1950.
Trobaugh attendedWest Point graduating in 1955 and was commissioned a second lieutenant after graduation.[1]
He served with the3rd Armored Division in West Germany from 1959 to 1961.[1]
From 1967 to 1968 Trobaugh served inSouth Vietnam in the1st Infantry Division.[1]
In April 1970 Trobaugh was appointed to command the2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment replacing Lt Col. Hannas who had been seriously wounded in aPeople's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) attack onFirebase Jay on 29 March.[2] 2-7 Cavalry moved to a new base,Firebase Atkinson after the attack on Jay and it too came under attack in the early hours of 16 April 1970 and Trobaugh was slightly wounded while leading the defense of the base.[2]: 710–1
From 1971 to 1973 he attended theUnited States Army War College. In 1975 he took command of the2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.[1]
In July 1980 BG Trobaugh became assistant commandant of theUnited States Army Infantry School.[3]
In 1981 Trobaugh was promoted to major general and from August 1981 he served asMilitary Assistance Advisory Group, Spain.[1]
Trobaugh served as commander of the82nd Airborne Division from 24 June 1983 to 19 June 1985 and during this time led the division in theUS invasion of Grenada.[1] During the operation theChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, GeneralJohn Vessey, reportedly called MG Trobaugh and said “We have two companies of Marines running all over the island and thousands of Army troops doing nothing. What the hell is going on?”[4]
His final assignment was as deputy commander,Fifth Army.[1]
Trobaugh retired from active service in 1987.
After retiring from the U.S. Army in 1987, he returned to Kokomo, Indiana. He died inWashington (state) on May 20, 2024, at the age of 91. He was buried at theU.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery at West Point.[5]