Original Item. Only One Available. This is a phenomenal Lieutenant General’s flag attributed to General Howard Cooksey, who served as deputy commander of the 23rd Infantry Division during the Vietnam War, as well as Senior Advisor to Army of the Republic of Vietnam Troops who were serving in I Corps. Cooksey was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Legion of Merit.

Cooksey was born in Brentsville, Virginia and grew up in Manassas. He attended Virginia Tech, graduating in 1943. During World War II, Cooksey served with the 158th Regimental Combat Team which saw extensive service and combat in the Philippines, Panama, Australia, and New Guinea. During the Korean War, Cooksey served in the 7th Infantry Division. In 1961, he served with 2nd Battle Group, 6th Infantry Regiment, part of the Berlin Brigade. In 1964, he obtained a Master's Degree in Foreign Affairs from George Washington University. In 1968, he was the commanding officer of Fort Dix before receiving orders to relocate to South Vietnam in June 1968.

Cooksey served as Deputy Commander of the 23rd ID from June 12th, 1968 until May 1st, 1969. In June 1972, Cooksey took over MG Frederick Kroesen's role as senior U.S. military adviser in I Corps and assumed responsibility for supporting the South Vietnamese forces in undoing the North Vietnamese gains in the Easter Offensive. After the Vietnam War, he served as deputy chief of staff for research, development and acquisition until his retirement from the Army in 1978.

After his retirement he established a military consulting firm in Alexandria, Virginia. He worked as a consultant for Ford Aerospace when they were competing for the award of the Division Air Defense gun system. The contract was awarded to Ford on 7 May 1981. It was later suggested that Ford had acted improperly in engaging consultants such as Cooksey who had only recently retired from key equipment decision-making roles in the Army and an investigation was launched by Undersecretary of the Army, James R. Ambrose, a former Ford Aerospace executive. He died of heart disease on 22 December 1999 at Fort Belvoir and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

The flag measures 48½ x 35”. The flag came from a private collection and retains a small tag that reads Lt. Gen. Cooksey. There are folds and creases from being stored over time but is a phenomenal piece of 23rd ID and Vietnam War history. Don’t miss out!