Oliver K. Marshall, a longtime resident of Colorado Springs, passed away April 6, 2005 with his loving wife of 65 years, Eleanor, and their four daughters by his side. He was born August 18, 1916 in Dayton, Ohio to Oliver K. and Carrie D. Marshall and is survived by Eleanor and daughters: Katherine (Wallace Claus) of Colorado Springs, Virginia (Bill Edwards) of Denver, Mary Marshall of Eugene, Oregon, and Barbara (Vasily Kalentzos) of Athens, Greece. Three grandchildren: Adrienne, Gianni and Eleni also survive him; along with cherished nieces and nephews. He graduated from The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, in 1938 and entered his military career as a lieutenant in: the Coast Artillery, the U.S. Army Reserve and then into the regular Army. Early in World War II, he served as the Executive Officer, 62nd Coast Artillery Regiment, Fort Totten and the European Theater of Operations. His expertise led to many achievements in the Algeria-French Morocco, Sicily, and Tunisia campaigns. Following the war, he served as Executive Officer, Ground Plans Section, HQ, Army Ground Forces in Washington D.C. and then as an instructor and Assistant Chief, Instructor Training Section, Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He served as Commanding Officer, 48th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, 1st Infantry Division in Germany and then as S3, HQ, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, after which he was promoted to the position of Commanding Officer, 33rd Field Artillery Battalion, United States Army, Europe. Upon returning to the States, he developed logistic plans and studies pertaining to wartime operations in the European, Mediterranean-Middle East areas while serving as a staff officer in the Plans Division, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff G4, in Washington D.C. He served as the Senior Artillery Advisor to the First Republic of Korea Army and then as Commanding Officer of the 10th Antiaircraft Artillery Group, Army Forces, Far East-Korea, and was recognized for his achievements in connection with the training of the Republic of Korea antiaircraft artillery units. At Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, he served in many capacities, culminating with his responsibility as: Director, Plans Analysis, in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Policy, Headquarters, Continental Air Defense and North American Air Defense Command. His next assignment took him to Athens, Greece where he served as Army Attach and then as the Defense Attach to Greece during a changing military and political climate in that country. His military career culminated with his performance as Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Headquarters, United States Army, Europe and Seventh Army, in Heidelberg, Germany. He retired August 1, 1969. During his vast military career, he continually augmented his military education by attending: Command and General Staff College, the Artillery School Advanced course, the Army War College, the 3387th Technical Training Squad (Sage), the Sage Familiarization Course, the Command and General Staff College Senior Officer Nuclear Weapons Orientation, Air Training Command, U.S.A.F., The United States Army Language School and the Defense Intelligence School Army Military Attach . He was highly decorated with numerous awards and medals, including the Legion of Merit with the second Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European African-Middle Eastern campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Meritorious Unit Insignia Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant. Upon his retirement, General W. C. Westmoreland, United States Army Chief of Staff, recognized his efforts with a letter of appreciation for his vast accomplishments during his 30 year career. He retired in Colorado Springs and enjoyed many years of happiness with family, gun shows, listening to opera and collecting books. He was a true renaissance man who will be missed by all. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Memorial contributions may be made in Oliver Marshall’s memory to: Pikes Peak Hospice, 825 East Pikes Peak, Suite # 600, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80903.
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