Maj. Gen. (Retired) Henry H. Cobb Jr., age 92, of Birmingham, Ala., passed away on Feb. 7, 2013. The son of Henry H. Cobb Sr., and Virginia Cobb, he was born on Oct. 8, 1920. He attended Ramsey High School and is a graduate of The Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. Maj. Gen. Cobb graduated from Princeton University with a degree in economics.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb led a long and distinguished life as an Army officer and business entrepreneur. His military career began in 1943 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant of field artillery. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's more than 40-year military career included successful leadership and command positions at all ranks through major general. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's military service is highlighted by his establishment and subsequent tenure as the Commander, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), service as Adjutant General, Alabama National Guard, service in Korea with 8th United States Army, and his distinction as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in the Hurtgen Forest in November 1944 during World War II.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's professional career also included over 30 years of faithful and distinguished service with New York Life Insurance Company in Birmingham; a 25-year partnership in Cobb-Kirkland Pontiac and Cadillac of Montgomery; and founder of Southern Restaurant Group with prospering restaurants in Destin and Panama City, Fla., and Orange Beach, Ala., which now continue under family leadership.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb is preceded in death by his wife, Alice Wise Cobb; his parents, Henry H. Sr., and Virginia Cobb; sister, Mary Cobb Hulse; and great-grandsons, Pierce and Jude Reyher. He is survived by three children, Cathy Stephenson (Jack), Hammond Cobb III (Linda); and Margaret Reyher (Jim); eight grandchildren, Robert Comer (Laura), John Comer (Brooke), Matt Comer, Hammond Cobb IV (Candice), Will Cobb (Haley), Richard Cobb, Wes Reyher (Meredith), and Alice Kudart (Chris); three great-grandchildren, Alison Cobb, Leyden Comer, and Lucy Comer; and three very special people, Lulie Hodges, and Mary Lou and Howard Cowgill.
"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Henry H. Cobb, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 42d Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces from 10 November to 12 November 1944, in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany. Lieutenant Cobb, Forward Observer for a field artillery unit, displayed remarkable courage and competence, and was largely responsible for averting disaster to elements of friendly infantry which had become surrounded. On four distinct occasions, he faced either direct tank fire from points as near as seventy-five yards, or intense hostile artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, in order to direct effective artillery fire against the attacking enemy. One direct hit demolished a dugout from which he was operating. Later, a heavy artillery near miss buried him, momentarily, in debris. Undaunted by these perilous circumstances, he pursued until he had successfully repulsed every assault and on one occasion annihilated an entire enemy force of approximately seventy-five men. First Lieutenant Cobb's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. "
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb led a long and distinguished life as an Army officer and business entrepreneur. His military career began in 1943 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant of field artillery. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's more than 40-year military career included successful leadership and command positions at all ranks through major general. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's military service is highlighted by his establishment and subsequent tenure as the Commander, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), service as Adjutant General, Alabama National Guard, service in Korea with 8th United States Army, and his distinction as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in the Hurtgen Forest in November 1944 during World War II.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's professional career also included over 30 years of faithful and distinguished service with New York Life Insurance Company in Birmingham; a 25-year partnership in Cobb-Kirkland Pontiac and Cadillac of Montgomery; and founder of Southern Restaurant Group with prospering restaurants in Destin and Panama City, Fla., and Orange Beach, Ala., which now continue under family leadership.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb is preceded in death by his wife, Alice Wise Cobb; his parents, Henry H. Sr., and Virginia Cobb; sister, Mary Cobb Hulse; and great-grandsons, Pierce and Jude Reyher. He is survived by three children, Cathy Stephenson (Jack), Hammond Cobb III (Linda); and Margaret Reyher (Jim); eight grandchildren, Robert Comer (Laura), John Comer (Brooke), Matt Comer, Hammond Cobb IV (Candice), Will Cobb (Haley), Richard Cobb, Wes Reyher (Meredith), and Alice Kudart (Chris); three great-grandchildren, Alison Cobb, Leyden Comer, and Lucy Comer; and three very special people, Lulie Hodges, and Mary Lou and Howard Cowgill.
"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Henry H. Cobb, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 42d Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces from 10 November to 12 November 1944, in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany. Lieutenant Cobb, Forward Observer for a field artillery unit, displayed remarkable courage and competence, and was largely responsible for averting disaster to elements of friendly infantry which had become surrounded. On four distinct occasions, he faced either direct tank fire from points as near as seventy-five yards, or intense hostile artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, in order to direct effective artillery fire against the attacking enemy. One direct hit demolished a dugout from which he was operating. Later, a heavy artillery near miss buried him, momentarily, in debris. Undaunted by these perilous circumstances, he pursued until he had successfully repulsed every assault and on one occasion annihilated an entire enemy force of approximately seventy-five men. First Lieutenant Cobb's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. "
Maj. Gen. (Retired) Henry H. Cobb Jr., age 92, of Birmingham, Ala., passed away on Feb. 7, 2013. The son of Henry H. Cobb Sr., and Virginia Cobb, he was born on Oct. 8, 1920. He attended Ramsey High School and is a graduate of The Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. Maj. Gen. Cobb graduated from Princeton University with a degree in economics.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb led a long and distinguished life as an Army officer and business entrepreneur. His military career began in 1943 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant of field artillery. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's more than 40-year military career included successful leadership and command positions at all ranks through major general. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's military service is highlighted by his establishment and subsequent tenure as the Commander, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), service as Adjutant General, Alabama National Guard, service in Korea with 8th United States Army, and his distinction as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in the Hurtgen Forest in November 1944 during World War II.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's professional career also included over 30 years of faithful and distinguished service with New York Life Insurance Company in Birmingham; a 25-year partnership in Cobb-Kirkland Pontiac and Cadillac of Montgomery; and founder of Southern Restaurant Group with prospering restaurants in Destin and Panama City, Fla., and Orange Beach, Ala., which now continue under family leadership.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb is preceded in death by his wife, Alice Wise Cobb; his parents, Henry H. Sr., and Virginia Cobb; sister, Mary Cobb Hulse; and great-grandsons, Pierce and Jude Reyher. He is survived by three children, Cathy Stephenson (Jack), Hammond Cobb III (Linda); and Margaret Reyher (Jim); eight grandchildren, Robert Comer (Laura), John Comer (Brooke), Matt Comer, Hammond Cobb IV (Candice), Will Cobb (Haley), Richard Cobb, Wes Reyher (Meredith), and Alice Kudart (Chris); three great-grandchildren, Alison Cobb, Leyden Comer, and Lucy Comer; and three very special people, Lulie Hodges, and Mary Lou and Howard Cowgill.
"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Henry H. Cobb, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 42d Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces from 10 November to 12 November 1944, in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany. Lieutenant Cobb, Forward Observer for a field artillery unit, displayed remarkable courage and competence, and was largely responsible for averting disaster to elements of friendly infantry which had become surrounded. On four distinct occasions, he faced either direct tank fire from points as near as seventy-five yards, or intense hostile artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, in order to direct effective artillery fire against the attacking enemy. One direct hit demolished a dugout from which he was operating. Later, a heavy artillery near miss buried him, momentarily, in debris. Undaunted by these perilous circumstances, he pursued until he had successfully repulsed every assault and on one occasion annihilated an entire enemy force of approximately seventy-five men. First Lieutenant Cobb's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. "
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb led a long and distinguished life as an Army officer and business entrepreneur. His military career began in 1943 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant of field artillery. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's more than 40-year military career included successful leadership and command positions at all ranks through major general. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's military service is highlighted by his establishment and subsequent tenure as the Commander, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), service as Adjutant General, Alabama National Guard, service in Korea with 8th United States Army, and his distinction as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in the Hurtgen Forest in November 1944 during World War II.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb's professional career also included over 30 years of faithful and distinguished service with New York Life Insurance Company in Birmingham; a 25-year partnership in Cobb-Kirkland Pontiac and Cadillac of Montgomery; and founder of Southern Restaurant Group with prospering restaurants in Destin and Panama City, Fla., and Orange Beach, Ala., which now continue under family leadership.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Cobb is preceded in death by his wife, Alice Wise Cobb; his parents, Henry H. Sr., and Virginia Cobb; sister, Mary Cobb Hulse; and great-grandsons, Pierce and Jude Reyher. He is survived by three children, Cathy Stephenson (Jack), Hammond Cobb III (Linda); and Margaret Reyher (Jim); eight grandchildren, Robert Comer (Laura), John Comer (Brooke), Matt Comer, Hammond Cobb IV (Candice), Will Cobb (Haley), Richard Cobb, Wes Reyher (Meredith), and Alice Kudart (Chris); three great-grandchildren, Alison Cobb, Leyden Comer, and Lucy Comer; and three very special people, Lulie Hodges, and Mary Lou and Howard Cowgill.
"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Henry H. Cobb, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 42d Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces from 10 November to 12 November 1944, in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany. Lieutenant Cobb, Forward Observer for a field artillery unit, displayed remarkable courage and competence, and was largely responsible for averting disaster to elements of friendly infantry which had become surrounded. On four distinct occasions, he faced either direct tank fire from points as near as seventy-five yards, or intense hostile artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, in order to direct effective artillery fire against the attacking enemy. One direct hit demolished a dugout from which he was operating. Later, a heavy artillery near miss buried him, momentarily, in debris. Undaunted by these perilous circumstances, he pursued until he had successfully repulsed every assault and on one occasion annihilated an entire enemy force of approximately seventy-five men. First Lieutenant Cobb's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. "
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