Edgar Collins Doleman Sr.

Edgar Collins Doleman Sr. (September 8, 1909 – October 31, 1997) was a Lieutenant General in the United States Army whose career spanned 35 years and included command at every level including Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence and commander of the Army in the Pacific. He was on the faculty of several institutions including being the deputy commandant of the Army War College. He later became a conservative political radio commentator based in Honolulu.

Early life and education

Born in Washington, D.C., Doleman received a National Guard appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon graduation from USMA class of 1933, he was commissioned as a first Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry. He was a graduate of the Infantry School, the Command and General Staff College, and completed the joint operations course at the Armed Forces Staff College.

Military Career

During World War II, Doleman served as a battalion commander in the 30th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division through the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Southern France. In 1945 he became chief of the United States Military Mission to Bolivia, a position he held until June 1948. In the Korean War, he led a regiment in the fighting during 1952 and 1953 and later commanded the 31st Infantry of the 7th Infantry Division while also serving as assistant to the deputy chief of staff for plans with the Eighth Army.

In 1958 Doleman was named deputy commandant of the Army War College, succeeding Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Dunn. Doleman came to the War College from Third Army Headquarters at Fort McPherson, Georgia, where he had served as assistant chief of staff for operations, plans, and training.

In 1962 he was Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR). At age 51, he qualified as a parachutist when he assumed command of the 8th Infantry Division in Germany. From 1964 to 1965 he served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence. Between February 14 and July 15, 1965, Doleman commanded the I Corps in South Korea before returning to Hawaii to serve as deputy commander in chief and chief of staff of the Army in the Pacific, a post he held until his retirement in October 1968.

Awards and Decorations

Throughout his distinguished career, Doleman received numerous awards and decorations. His honors include:

* the Distinguished Service Cross
* the Distinguished Service Medal
* the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster
* the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster
* the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
* the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters
* the French Legion of Honor
* the Korean Order of Ulchi

He was wounded on two separate occasions during his service.{{Cite web , title=Edgar Doleman , url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-6070/ , access-date=2025-02-23 , website=Hall of Valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star, U.S. Military Awards , language=en-US

Post-Military Career and Public Service

After retiring from active duty, Doleman remained an influential figure in Hawaii. He worked as a consultant and served as director of two Army studies involving Vietnam and Korea. His leadership extended into the civilian realm as he assumed roles as chairman of the board for the local chapter of the American Heart Association and Hawaii Pacific College (now Hawaii Pacific University). He also contributed to community organizations, serving on the Aloha Council Boy Scout board and the board of Government Efficiency Teams. His long-standing commitment to service was further recognized on December 12, 1996, when he was inducted into the Gallery of Heroes of the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii at Fort DeRussy.

Political Views and Public Commentary

Known for his conservative political views, Doleman frequently aired his opinions on Honolulu radio stations. For 15 years, he was a regular contributor to KHVH's Viewpoint program and KHNR's opinion program. His perspectives, often shared through letters to the editor in local publications such as The Advertiser, addressed a broad range of subjects including nuclear proliferation, U.S. involvement in Central America, the legacy of slavery in the United States, and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Personal Life and Death

Doleman was married to Dorothy Elizabeth (Devery) and was the father of three sons—Robert, Edgar, and William—and four grandchildren. He spent his retirement in Hawaii, where he remained active in both public affairs and community service. Doleman died at his Kahala home in Honolulu on October 31, 1997, at the age of 88. He was interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

References

1909 births
1997 deaths
United States Military Academy alumni
United States Army personnel of World War II
Recipients of the Silver Star
United States Army generals
National War College faculty
Lieutenant generals