Major General Howard H. Cooksey was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School on 24 July 1943, class number 274.  His first duty assignment was as Training Platoon Leader, 1RTC, Camp Croft, South Carolina. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Platoon Leader, 100th Infantry Division; Platoon Leader, 158th Regimental Combat Team, Luzon, Philippine Islands; Platoon Leader, Honor Guard Company, Tokyo, Japan; Commanding Officer, GHeadquarters Guard Company, Tokyo, Japan; Assistant PMS & T, Drexel Institute of Tech; Student-Advanced Course, Armor School, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Company Commander, 31st Regiment, 7th Division, Korea;  S-3, 31st Regiment, 7th Division, Korea;  Student, C&GSC;  Staff Officer, Office, Chief Research and Develop, DA;  Student, Armed Forces Staff College; Staff Officer, SJS, Headquarters, USEUCOM; Deputy CO, 2d Battle Gp, 6th Inf, Berlin Command; Student, National War College; Branch Chief, Office, Chief Research and Develop, DA; Division Chief, Office, Chief Research and Develop, DA; Executive, Office, Chief Research and Develop, DA; Brigade Commander, 1st Brigade, 2d Inf Division, Korea; Director of Personnel, J1,Headquarters, USSTRICOM; Asst Div Commander, Headquarters, 23d Inf Div (Americal). | His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (V), 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal 12 Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman Badge w/star, Parachute Badge.