Major General George W. Putnam, Jr., has served U.S. Army Aviation as a planner, a manager, and a commander. His expertise in aviation personnel and materiel management was recognized by his appointment to the legendary Howze Board in 1962, the board that defined and charted the course of Army's airmobile concept.

General Putnam's contributions to personnel acquisition, the individual training of both pilots and mechanics, and the development of warrant officer aviators continue today as guidelines for aviation personnel management.

Throughout his long career, General Putnam applied his leadership and understanding of Army Aviation in combat. Between April 1967 and July 1968, he served as Division Artillery Commander and Chief of Staff of the 1st Cavalry Division.

During this period, the division fully developed the airmobile concept in the battles of Hue and Khe Sanh and an assault into the stronghold of the Ashau Valley. He returned on a subsequent tour in Vietnam to command the 1st Cavalry Division.

General Putnam's farsighted management led to the acceleration of aviation modernization. His success with the UH-1 program was a landmark achievement which brought Army Aviation to lower operational costs, led to its increased effectiveness, and brought about unprecedented aviation achievements in the Vietnam conflict.