"Iron Mike" Healy was the former Commander of 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Vietnam.
Biographical review
Born in Chicago, Illinois, 13 June 1926. Enlisted in the Army in June 1945 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1946. Served in a number of troop assignments in the 1st Calvary Division, Pacific Theater and the Army of Occupation, Japan until 1949. In the Korean War served as a company commander with the 4th Airborne Ranger Company, participating in four major campaigns including the parachute assault on Musan-Ni, Korea in March 1951. Assigned to the 11th Airborne Division. Graduated from the Infantry Officers Career Course and assigned to the Special Warfare Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Attended the U.S. Marine Corps School. Assigned to the European Command as the Group Operations and Training Officer of the 10th Special Forces Group. Attended the Command and General Staff College in 1960. Duty with the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence as Chief, Special Warfare Operations and Foreign Intelligence Branch. In July 1963, assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Forces, Vietnam as the Operations Officer and Senior Advisor to the Republic of Vietnam’s Special Forces. Served as commander of the first mobile guerilla battalion (Mike Force). In August 1964 assumed command of 1st Battalion (Airborne) 501st Infantry, which became part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate). Attended the U.S. Army War College 1967/68. Returned Chapter for a third tour of duty with the U.S. Army Vietnam in March 1969 as Commander of Special Forces. Assumed command of the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam in August 1969 and redeployed with Brigade to Hawaii.
Within three weeks, BG Michael D. Healy was recalled to Vietnam by General Creighton Abrams to command the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Commanded that Group longer than any other commander in the Republic of Vietnam (20 months). Returned to the United States in March 1971.
Assigned as assistant Division Commander, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After eight months, he was again requested by General Abrams to return to Vietnam. In June 1972 he became Commanding General, 2nd Regional Assistant Command, Military Region Two and II Corps and remained in command until U.S. combat forces were ordered out of Vietnam. In May 1973, assumed command of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Center Institute for Military Assistance. Promoted to Major General and remained in command until October 1975. Assigned to Ankara, Turkey as Chief of Staff of the Combined Military Planning Staff, Central Treaty Organization for U.S., United Kingdom, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. In September 1977 assumed command of Army Readiness and Mobilization Region V, Northern Area Fifth Army at Fort Sheridan. General Healy retired from active duty on 28 February 1981 at Fort Sheridan after 35 years, seven months and 29 days of active military service.
Education: B.S. University of Maryland, Graduate School for Social Sciences, University of Chicago.
Decorations: Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), Silver Star (two awards), Legion of Merit (three awards), Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with “V” (Valor) Device - six awards, Air Medal with “V” Device - four awards, Army Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal with “V” Device, Purple Heart Medal (two awards), twelve Decorations of Republic of Vietnam, National Order of Republic of Cambodia and numerous others.
Badges: Master Parachute Badge; Parachute badges of Republic of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Korea, Iran and Pakistan; Diver’s badge.
Chapter XXXVII is named after
MG Michael D. Healy
Decorations: Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), Silver Star (two awards), Legion of Merit (three awards), Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with “V” (Valor) Device - six awards, Air Medal with “V” Device - four awards, Army Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal with “V” Device, Purple Heart Medal (two awards), twelve Decorations of Republic of Vietnam, National Order of Republic of Cambodia and numerous others.
