Former Ft. Bliss Commanding General Oblinger dies

Retired Maj. Gen. John B. Oblinger, Jr., the 78th commanding general of Fort Bliss, died Monday morning following a lengthy battle with a heart condition, confirmed John Ceballos, a spokesman for 82nd Airborne, El Paso chapter.

General Oblinger died at 7:31 a.m. in Colorado. He was in his mid-80s.

Originally from Cleves, Ohio, General Oblinger was commissioned in 1953, served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, and enjoyed a variety of command positions throughout the Army and the world.

In 1979, he became the commanding general of Fort Bliss and commandant of the U.S. Army Air Defense School.

In a 2012 article for the 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Oblinger said his time at commanding general was his proudest moment while serving in the military, because of his love for ADA, his original branch.

During that interview, Oblinger described his entry into the service, important assignments, the spicy food in Korea, the changes he has seen at Fort Bliss since his time as commanding general, and what his life was like after leaving the Army.

According to the Veterans History Project (VHP), he served in the 11th Airborne Division; 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team; 82nd Airborne Division; Defense Atomic Support Agency; 5th Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery; and the 94th Air Defense Artillery Group.

General Oblinger was the grand marshal of the 2009 Sun Bowl Parade.

Funeral arrangements are pending.