J. Harold (Bob) Mashburn

Colonel (Ret.) J. Harold (Bob) Mashburn

Colonel (Retired) J. Harold (Bob) Mashburn was commissioned in August 1965 as a Reserve Officer in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at East Tennessee State University. He completed Army Airborne training in 1966. He entered active duty military service in December, 1969, upon completion and graduation of the Chemical Officer Basic and Advanced Courses. He received his Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1972.

From 1969 – 1970, he was deployed as Assistant Division Chemical Officer with the 2/17 Air Calvary Squadron, 101st Airborne Division (Air Mobile), Camp Eagle, Republic of Vietnam. He served as Air Mission Commander for 250 air combat missions involving aerial reconnaissance, personnel detection, flame and munition drops covering the sector from the demilitarized zone down through the Ashau Valley to Laos. He was awarded 12 Air Medals, two of which were for Valor. He was awarded the Air Crewmember Badge.

Colonel (Retired) Mashburn served as Assistant Professor and Course Director of the Chemistry Department at the U.S. Army Military Academy, West Point, New York. After this, he served as the V Corps Chemical Officer and Third Armored Division Chemical Officer in Frankfurt, Germany. Other notable assignments include: Staff Officer, Headquarters Department of the Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; Commander of 2nd Battalion, Fort Hood, TX; Director of the Nuclear Biological Chemical Proponency Training Department, U.S. Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL; Commander of the US Army Toxic and Hazardous Materials Agency; Director of the Army Environmental Office, Office of the Assistant Chief of Engineers, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; Director of Combat Developments, U.S. Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL; and Assistant Commandant, U.S. Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.

Colonel (Retired) Mashburn was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the Chemical Corps Regiment in recognition for his contribution to the corps. After his retirement in 1996, he continued his work in environmental management as Contract Program Director for the Army’s Regional Environmental Office in Atlanta, GA. Colonel (Retired) Mashburn also served as Superintendent of the Log Cabin Community Sunday School and worked as an assistant to the Boy Scout Troop.

His awards include: Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal; Air Medal with Device; Army Commendation Medal; Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, RVN Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star; RVN Civic Action Honor Medal; RVN Campaign Medal with 60 Devise; RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm; Aircraft Crewman Badge; Overseas Service Barb; Parachutist Badge; and Army Staff Badge.