The Uniform of U.S. Army Major General James Francis Cochran III

The Model 1954 Class “A” uniform was tailored in Korea and it is comprised of the tunic and trousers. The left shoulder bears the insignia of the 24th Infantry Division, while the right shoulder bears the patch of the 1st Infantry Division. The shoulders carry the rank stars of a Major General, while the upper left breast displays a Combat Infantry Badge; a Command Paratrooper Wig; and ribbons which reflect General Cochran’s combat service in the Korean War and in Vietnam, with decorations including the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster; the Bronze Star with “V” device; and the Purple Heart. The General Staff identification badge is present on the right breast. The uniform is in excellent condition. General Cochran died in 2010. His obituary states as follows: General Cochran was born in Tallahassee on 29 September 1929, son of the late James F. Cochran Jr. and Helen Saxon Cochran. A graduate of Leon County High School, he received a BA from the University of Florida and a MBA from George Washington University. He served 30 years as an officer in the US Army attending numerous schools and earning multiple medals for valor including the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with “V” device. He was also a recipient of the Purple Heart. He fought in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. In 1967 and ‘68 he commanded 1st Battalion 28th Infantry in the Republic of Vietnam where his radio call sign was Defiant 6; a designation he treasured for the rest of his life. During his years in the US Army, he served with great distinction as a combat Airborne Infantryman, culminating in his command of the 24th Infantry Division at Ft. Stewart, GA from 1979 to 1981. Following his retirement from the US Army, he went on to have a successful career in private industry.