John Edward Cobb, Jr. – Colonel, United States Army

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From a contemporary press report:

John Edward “Jack” Cobb Jr., 79, a retired Army Colonel who settled in the Washington area in 1970 and was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Alexandria, died June 17, 2003, at his home in Alexandria, Alexandria.

 

He had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Colonel Cobb was born in Wallace, North Carolina, and raised in St. Stephen, South Carolina. He was a graduate of the Citadel and received a master's degree in chemistry from the University of New Hampshire. He also was a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

He served in Europe during World War II. He served in Korea during the war there and commanded a battalion that repaired helicopters during the Vietnam War. His final assignment before retiring from active duty in 1974 was as a staff officer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

His decorations included two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal and three awards of the Army Commendation Medal.

In retirement, he wrote six self-published books, including a fictionalized account of his Citadel class going off to World War II.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Bettie Tillitt Cobb of Alexandria; three children, Katharine Tillitt Cobb of New York, Patricia Grant Cobb of Norwell, Mass., and J. Edward Cobb III of Laytonsville; two sisters; and six grandchildren.

COBB, JOHN EDWARD JR
COL   US ARMY

  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 10/30/1950 – 08/30/1974
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 01/07/1924
  • DATE OF DEATH: 06/17/2003
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 07/15/2003
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 68  SITE 439

 

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