Draft:Elmer H. Almquist

Elmer Hugo Almquist (May 17, 1919 in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky; † January 19, 2005 in Alexandria, Virginia) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. Among other things, he was commander of the 8th Infantry Division.

Through Auburn University's ROTC program, Almquist entered the U.S. Army officer corps in 1940. In the army, he then progressed through all officer ranks from lieutenant to three-star general.

In the course of his military career, Almquist completed various courses and trainings. These included the Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces College, and the United States Army War College. He also received an academic degree from Harvard Business School.

During World War II, he was deployed to the Pacific theater of war. Among other things, he was involved in the liberation of the Philippines. In the years that followed, he completed the usual service for officers of the appropriate ranks in various units and locations, including those in Germany and South Korea. This also included duties as a staff officer in various headquarters. He commanded units at various military levels.

Almquist was, among other things, a staff officer in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and in the Ministry of the Army. He was Chief of Staff at USAREUR in Heidelberg. Between February 1969 and August 1970 he commanded the 8th Infantry Division stationed in Bad Kreuznach. He later commanded the South European Task Force in Vicenza. In 1975, Elmer Almquist retired from active military service.

After his retirement, he worked as a consultant in various military fields. These included the military structure in general and the nuclear defense strategy. He was also vice-president of a company also active in the defence sector. The officer, who had been married to Dorothy J. Knight since 1946, died on January 19, 2005 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Orders and awards
In the course of his military career, Elmer Almquist has received the following awards, among others:


 * Army Distinguished Service Medal
 * Legion of Merit
 * Bronze Star Medal
 * Joint Service Commendation Medal