Former Alabama National Guard top officer dies

MONTGOMERY, AL (02/12/2013)(readMedia)-- The Alabama National Guard mourns the loss of retired Maj. Gen. Henry Hammond Cobb Jr, who served as Alabama National Guard adjutant general from 1979 to 1983.

Cobb, age 92, of Birmingham, Ala., passed away Feb. 7, 2013, and was buried with full military honors Monday.

Cobb was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1943 as a field artillery officer and served the military for more than 40 years, culminating in his assignment as the Alabama National Guard's top officer. Cobb also served as the commander, of the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in Korea with the 8th United States Army, and fought in World War II. During his career, Cobb was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in the Hurtgen Forest in November 1944.

Cobb's civilian career included working with New York Life Insurance Company and founding Southern Restaurant Group.

Military funeral honors were rendered by members of the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the Alabama National Guard.

-30-