Colonel Harry W. Townsend was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 9 October 1945. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, Infantry Replacement Center, Fort McClellan, Alabama. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Platoon Leader, 555th Parachute Bn, Fort Benning; Platoon Leader, Company Commander, 505th Abn Inf Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Army Aviator, 25th Inf Div, Korea; Army Aviator, Far East Logistical Command, Japan; Aviation Det Commander, & Asst S-3, 8th Inf Regiment, Europe; Aviation Det Commander, 15th Engr Bn, Europe; Heavy Wpns Company Commander, 60th Inf Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado; Asst Div Aviation Officer, Division Aviation Operations Officer, Aviation Company Commander, G-3 Operations Officer (Post), 9th Inf Div; Chief Aviation Br, Army Aviator, Army Section UUSMAG, U.S. Army Section, JUSMAG, Thailand; Weapons Instructor, Chief, Field Opns, Special Warfare School, U.S. Army Special Warfare School, Battalion Comdr, 268th Combat Aviation Battalion, Vietnam; Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, DA; Senior Army Representative, Land Utilization Team, Office, Asst, Secretary of Defense. | Colonel Townsend's awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal w/9 Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross.