Col Adolf “Dolf” Carlson

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Col Adolf “Dolf” Carlson Veteran

Birth
New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut, USA
Death
6 May 2013 (aged 65)
Tbilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia
Burial
Denver, City and County of Denver, Colorado, USA Add to Map
Plot
Section 35, Site 133
Memorial ID
View Source
Adolf Carlson was born to Clifton and Jeannette Eva (Nee: Lowe) Carlson in New Britain, Conneticut on 15 October 1947
Both were members of the Army - Jeannette was a Nurse. They met in Route to Africa in WWII.

His grandfather, Adolf, was a Swedish immigrant, who arrived about 1900 and started an insurance company.

Dolf graduated from West Point in 1969

He attended the following military schools: Electronic Warfare Officer, Advanced Infantry officer, Advanced Armored Officer, Command and Staff Officers College, Military Intelligence Officer, Special Forces Officers course, and Armed Forces Staff Officers College. He was awarded a Senior Service Officer's Fellowship.

His education and scholarly achievement is immense. He held a Master's Degree in International Relations from Boston University, was the Chair of the US Army War College Distance Education Department, and graduated from eight various universities and military courses. He was a visiting lecturer, a historian, and author of many scholarly articles and published a book. He taught classes in US, European, and classical military history at the US Army War College and it was Dolf's determined effort that led to the curriculum being accredited for awarding a Master's Degree in National Strategic Studies. Now every War College student receives this degree upon graduation. He was visiting defense fellow @ Queen's University at Toronto, Canada. of Theater Strategy and Operations. He was the director. He also was Chairman of Corresponding Studies @ Army War College. He was a NATO Planning Officer.

Medals awarded: Silver Star, 4 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, Defence meritorious medal, 4 meritorious Service medals, 3 Air Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army of Occupation medal, 2 national Defense medals, Vietnam service medal with 3 bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, 2 awards of Army Overseas Ribbons, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Award with Palm, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist badge, Ranger Tab, and Joint Chief of Staff Identification Badge.

In September 1971 Dolf became the commanding officer of C company, 2/5 Calvary, 1st Calvary Division until April 1972 When he escorted the colors back to Ft. Hood, TX. (I was his Chief Medical Specialist in Viet Nam)
His last assignment was at the War Collage at Carlisle, Pennsylvania as an instructor.

He taught History for a time.

Not being one to retire, after his thirty year military career, Dolf continued his life of service by taking his immense education and experience to international schools and former Soviet countries. He was a Senior Advisor to the ministries of defense in several nations and influenced modernization efforts in Ukraine, Zaire, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Lithuania, Romania, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The respect he garnered from his peers and students, wherever he stood, was remarkable.

Dolf was Provost of Aspen University in Colorado. (about 2002-2005). He became a Defense advisor at Cubic Defense Applications

At the time of his death he served as a military advisor in Georgia, (Of The former USSR) He was employed in Ukraine (beginning 2008 to the autumn 2011) and his contribution towards the transition of the Armed Forces of the countries of former USSR (Lithuania, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan) should be noted.

For "Dolf"'s memories of Viet Nam, as the Last CO of C 2/5 read:

http://tallcomanche.org/Stories_Dolf_Carlson_The_Last_Days.htm

In the 1970s Maj. Carlson was placed in charge of the "Berlin Brigade".

Dolf was the main author of Eisenhower and Korea- The Forgotten War and The Joint U.S. Army-Navy war planning on the eve of the First World War its origins and its legacy and the co-author of Yugoslavia's Wars:: The Problem from Hell: Strategic Studies Institute.

His most notable quote is "The practice of blaming subordinates for failure was one of the least appealing characteristics of failed leaders (throughout history)."

Dolf was married to ADJ. General (Maj. General) Kathryn George Carlson ( born 7 Nov 1948) upon return from Viet Nam. Their marriage ended in divorce. She met and married Congressman Martin Frost (D, TX). She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and passed away on 18 August 2006. (see:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp dyn/content/article/2006/08/19/AR2006081900828.html

Dolf's sister proceeded him in death - Linda Lowe Carlson - Death: 17 Oct 1971 - Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama She was a member of Woman's Army Corps.

He is survived by Amanda J. (Carlson) Etherington (2d wife) and their children: Megan, Danielle and Clifton

His current wife, Marina (nee Saks) and their children: Oskar and Karolina.
Adolf Carlson was born to Clifton and Jeannette Eva (Nee: Lowe) Carlson in New Britain, Conneticut on 15 October 1947
Both were members of the Army - Jeannette was a Nurse. They met in Route to Africa in WWII.

His grandfather, Adolf, was a Swedish immigrant, who arrived about 1900 and started an insurance company.

Dolf graduated from West Point in 1969

He attended the following military schools: Electronic Warfare Officer, Advanced Infantry officer, Advanced Armored Officer, Command and Staff Officers College, Military Intelligence Officer, Special Forces Officers course, and Armed Forces Staff Officers College. He was awarded a Senior Service Officer's Fellowship.

His education and scholarly achievement is immense. He held a Master's Degree in International Relations from Boston University, was the Chair of the US Army War College Distance Education Department, and graduated from eight various universities and military courses. He was a visiting lecturer, a historian, and author of many scholarly articles and published a book. He taught classes in US, European, and classical military history at the US Army War College and it was Dolf's determined effort that led to the curriculum being accredited for awarding a Master's Degree in National Strategic Studies. Now every War College student receives this degree upon graduation. He was visiting defense fellow @ Queen's University at Toronto, Canada. of Theater Strategy and Operations. He was the director. He also was Chairman of Corresponding Studies @ Army War College. He was a NATO Planning Officer.

Medals awarded: Silver Star, 4 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, Defence meritorious medal, 4 meritorious Service medals, 3 Air Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army of Occupation medal, 2 national Defense medals, Vietnam service medal with 3 bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, 2 awards of Army Overseas Ribbons, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Award with Palm, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist badge, Ranger Tab, and Joint Chief of Staff Identification Badge.

In September 1971 Dolf became the commanding officer of C company, 2/5 Calvary, 1st Calvary Division until April 1972 When he escorted the colors back to Ft. Hood, TX. (I was his Chief Medical Specialist in Viet Nam)
His last assignment was at the War Collage at Carlisle, Pennsylvania as an instructor.

He taught History for a time.

Not being one to retire, after his thirty year military career, Dolf continued his life of service by taking his immense education and experience to international schools and former Soviet countries. He was a Senior Advisor to the ministries of defense in several nations and influenced modernization efforts in Ukraine, Zaire, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Lithuania, Romania, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The respect he garnered from his peers and students, wherever he stood, was remarkable.

Dolf was Provost of Aspen University in Colorado. (about 2002-2005). He became a Defense advisor at Cubic Defense Applications

At the time of his death he served as a military advisor in Georgia, (Of The former USSR) He was employed in Ukraine (beginning 2008 to the autumn 2011) and his contribution towards the transition of the Armed Forces of the countries of former USSR (Lithuania, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan) should be noted.

For "Dolf"'s memories of Viet Nam, as the Last CO of C 2/5 read:

http://tallcomanche.org/Stories_Dolf_Carlson_The_Last_Days.htm

In the 1970s Maj. Carlson was placed in charge of the "Berlin Brigade".

Dolf was the main author of Eisenhower and Korea- The Forgotten War and The Joint U.S. Army-Navy war planning on the eve of the First World War its origins and its legacy and the co-author of Yugoslavia's Wars:: The Problem from Hell: Strategic Studies Institute.

His most notable quote is "The practice of blaming subordinates for failure was one of the least appealing characteristics of failed leaders (throughout history)."

Dolf was married to ADJ. General (Maj. General) Kathryn George Carlson ( born 7 Nov 1948) upon return from Viet Nam. Their marriage ended in divorce. She met and married Congressman Martin Frost (D, TX). She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and passed away on 18 August 2006. (see:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp dyn/content/article/2006/08/19/AR2006081900828.html

Dolf's sister proceeded him in death - Linda Lowe Carlson - Death: 17 Oct 1971 - Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama She was a member of Woman's Army Corps.

He is survived by Amanda J. (Carlson) Etherington (2d wife) and their children: Megan, Danielle and Clifton

His current wife, Marina (nee Saks) and their children: Oskar and Karolina.

Inscription

COL US Army
Vietnam, Persian Gulf



  • Maintained by: ColoradoM
  • Originally Created by: K M
  • Added: May 8, 2013
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • ColoradoM
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110240349/adolf-carlson: accessed ), memorial page for Col Adolf “Dolf” Carlson (15 Oct 1947–6 May 2013), Find a Grave Memorial ID 110240349, citing Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, City and County of Denver, Colorado, USA; Maintained by ColoradoM (contributor 48136503).