TOWNSEND HARRY WHEATLAND TOWNSEND Colonel, U.S. Army Colonel Harry Wheatland Townsend, a resident of Silver Spring, MD, was born December 22, 1922, in Philadelphia, PA and passed peacefully on February 18, 2021. He was proceeded in death by parents Harry W. Townsend Sr. and Ella Mae Townsend; and spouse Gloria C. Townsend. Colonel Townsend attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania for two years. He later received his Bachelor's degree from The University of Nebraska at Omaha. Always interested in the military, he started training in the Citizens Military Training Corps, a program designed to train civilians, who could not attend ROTC at colleges to obtain a commission. Colonel Townsend enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Guard and rose from private to Second Lieutenant. In 1944 he volunteered for Army service as an Infantryman. In October 1945, he was commissioned an Infantry Second Lieutenant after graduating from Officer Candidate School (OCS). In 1949, he received a regular Army commission after successfully completing one year in the Competitive Tour Program. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, Infantry Replacement Center, Fort McClellan, Alabama. His subsequent duty assignments included; Platoon Leader, 555th Parachute Bn,(Triple Nickel) 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 Commander, 268th Combat Aviation Battalion, Vietnam; Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, DA; Senior Army Representative, Land Uti- lization Team, Office, Asst, Secretary of Defense. As a master Parachutist and Master Army Aviator with over 8,000 flying hours, his assignments included service in the Army's 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (Black Panthers), the 24th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, The Green Berets, and the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He served in the Army of Assault Battalion Commander in Vietnam. He also served in various command and staff positions in the 8th Infantry Regiment, the 60th Infantry Regiment, Combat Developments Command, The Office of The Army Inspector General, and the Offices of the Secretaries of the Army and Defense. Colonel Townsend's awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal w/9 Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Good Conduct Medal. Additional accomplishments of Colonel Townsend: In 1982 he served as the Chairman of the Board of the ROCKS, Inc., a professional military officers' organization; he was a Founding Member of United Stated Army Black Aviation Association (USABAA) and in 1985 he served as the Chairman of the Board; in 1996 he was recognized as The ROCK of the Year; in 1972, he was inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame, Ft. Benning, GA; and in 2004 he was inducted into the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Hall of Fame. Colonel Townsend leaves to cherish his memories a son, Steven C. Townsend and daughter, Diana L. Townsend both of Silver Spring, MD; great nephew, and nieces, Torron Brinkley, Torraya - (Tori) Brinkley, and Tia Brinkley all from Philadelphia, PA. His close family friends, Ann Burke, Bobby and Linda, Burke, Bernie and Robin Weems, Norman and Judy Vehannan. and a host of other friends. The family has chosen to follow the CDC COVID-19 guidelines in order to protect the health and well-being of family and friends. Although the Service will be private, friends, family and colleagues are encouraged to participate via the Zoom link or phone numbers provided. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to one of the following scholarship funds in Honor of COL (Ret) Harry W. Townsend. ï¿½ï¿½AAAA: https://quad-a.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage ï¿½ï¿½ROCKS: [email protected], 301-423-5500. PO Box 47435, Forestville, MD 20753. ï¿½ï¿½ USABAA Condolences may be forwarded to: The Townsend Family, 11741 Lovejoy Street, Silver Spring, MD 20902-1632. This information may be viewed at the Collins Funeral Home, Inc. Silver Spring, MD website: www.collinsfuneralhome.com. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date, to be determined. Thank you for your attendance, thoughts, and prayers.