Brigadier General David L. Buckner began his commissioned service in the United States Army upon successful completion of Officer Candidate School Class number 11, 10 April 1952. He was first stationed at Camp Polk, Louisiana where he served as a Platoon Leader in the 145th Infantry. In February, 1953, he was assigned to the 2d Bn, 14th Inf Reg, Far East Command in Korea where he performed the duties of Platoon Leader and then Battalion Adjutant before his return stateside. Colonel Buckner was then released from active duty, returning 5 years later in August 1958 to serve as Executive Officer in A Company, 1st Airborne Battle Group, 325th Inf, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Upon completion of this tour he attended Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama and in April 1960 was assigned to the Airborne Department at Fort Benning. While at Fort Benning, he attended the Officer Advanced Course and Ranger School. After completion of several Special Forces Schools, Colonel Buckner became a Detachment Commander, A Company, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Badtoltz, Germany, where he remained, serving in many different capacities including Group S-4 Officer and Group Adjutant, until February 1964. | He was then transferred to the Plans Section of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters, United States Army, Europe, then he was assigned as a student to the Command General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was Executive Officer and later Battalion Commander of 4th Bn, 503d Inf, 173d Airborne Brigade, Republic of Vietnam. He also served as the Brigade Executive Officer of the 173d Airborne. From January 1969 to June 1970, Colonel Buckner was with Headquarters, USAREUR and Seventh Army, in the Office of the Chief of Staff of Personnel, later as Assistant Secretary of the General Staff and as Executive Officer to the Chief of Staff. In June 1970, he assumed command of the 3d Bn, 6th Inf, Berlin Brigade. In August 1971, he was assigned as a student to the National War College in Washington, D.C. | He completed a tour of duty as Executive Officer for Plans and Policy Directorate with the United States Army Element, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was in transient status prior to his duty assignment as Brigade Commander of the 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. | Brigadier General Buckner earned a Masters Degree in Education Administration from Eastern New Mexico University. His military specialities include: Ranger, Master Parachutist, Pathfinder and Aviator. | His awards and decorations include: Combat Infantryman Badge, 2d award; Legion of Merit w/One Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal; Air Medal w/l Oak Leaf Cluster; Purple Heart; and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross w/Gold Star.