Ronald James Fairfield, Jr. Major General, U.S. Army Retired – Obituary. October 18, 1919 — September 19, 2014. General Fairfield complied with his last Permanent Change of Station orders when he passed away on 19 September 2014. His 35 year career was one of challenges and frustrations and yet one that gave him satisfaction and a true sense of accomplishment at his retirement ceremony in 1975. He fought in four wars, three of them twice. He fought in Europe with the U.S. 9th Armored Division. He was assigned to Co. C, 656th Tank Destroyer Battalion and was involved in the first crossing of the Rhine River at Remagen Germany. Two tours in Korea, the first as a Captain, tank company commander and the second tour years later as a Brigadier General, Assistant Division Commander, of the U.S. Seventh Division with a brigade on the DMZ. Two tours in Viet Nam, the first as a Lt. Col. tank battalion commander and the second as a Brigadier General with the Third Regional Command as Deputy Commander directing the war from Saigon out to the Cambodian border. The fourth war was the Cold War against the Soviet Union. He commanded U.S. forces twice--first in the vicinity of the Czechoslovakian border and later as a Cavalry Squadron Commander in support of the 14th U.S. Cavalry in the vicinity of the Fulda Gap The second instance found him as a Colonel, Commander of Support Command of the 3rd Infantry Division against opponents opposite the Fulda Gap of West Germany. His active duty career began as a Sergeant in an Illinois National Guard unit ordered into Federal Service by President Roosevelt in September 1940 and ended with his retirement as a Major General U.S. Army in 1975. His many decorations and awards include but are not limited to: Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star; Legion of Merit, 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, 2 with V Device for Valor; Purple Heart, 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Medal, 16 Oak Leaf Clusters; U.S. Presidential Unit Citation; Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Cross with two Palms and Gold Star; Republic of Viet Nam National Order Fifth Class; Republic of Korea Order of National Security. His Education included BS, General Education, University of Omaha; MS, International Affairs, George Washington University; U.S. Army War College. His parents were Colonel (U.S. Army Reserve) Ronald J. and Vera Thielke Fairfield. He is survived by his wife, 2nd Lieutenant (U.S. Army Retired) Susan Lanzer Fairfield; daughters, Claudia Quick (Hugh), Barbara Hayes (Mike) and Leslie Budd (Richard) and grandchildren, Jeffrey Budd and Emily Allen (Christopher). Arrangements entrusted to ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES (Dodge Chapel) (520-326-4343)