General
Donn A. Starry
General Donn A. Starry is Vice President and General Manager for Space Missions, Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation. The four organizations for which he is responsible employ over 5,600 persons in the design, development, and support of major command, control, and communications systems for the Department of Defence and the National Aeronautics and Space Administrations.
General Starry joined Ford Aerospace in 1983, upon retirement from the United States Army in the grade of General, after more than 35 years of active Commissioned Service. During the last decade of his active service, General Starry commanded the Armor Center and School at Fort Knox, the Fifth U. S. Corps of United States Army Europe, the U. S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, and the U. S. Readiness Command. During the Vietnam war, he served twice in that country, and in 1969-70 commanded the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam and during the Cambodian Invasion.Before leaving the Army, General Starry was the principal author of the Army’s AirLand Battle Doctrine, and of concepts shaping Army 21/ Focus 21 – the Army and Air Force long-range operational doctrine, organization, equipment, and training systems for the year 2000 and beyond.General Starry, a graduate of the U. S. Military Academy, and of the Armed Forces Staff College and the Army War College, holds a Master’s degree in international affairs from the George Washington University. He is the author of a book, Mounted Combat in Vietnam, and of more than 50 professional articles. His awards and decorations include the Defense and Army Distinguished Service medals, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Soldier’s Medal, and the Purple Heart. Among his decorations from foreign countries are the French Ordre Nationale du Merite, and West Germany’s Knight Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit – the famed Grosreverdienstkreuz. He is a member of the Episcopal Order of Aaron and Hur.
