Palmer, Bruce

▪ 2005

      Canadian bass guitarist (b. Sept. 9, 1946, Liverpool, N.S.—d. Oct. 1, 2004, Belleville, Ont.), was a founding member of the influential folk-rock band Buffalo Springfield. The group, which also included Palmer's good friend Neil Young, lasted for only two years (1966–68) but produced three acclaimed albums and one hit, “For What It's Worth” (1967). Palmer's bass lines strengthened the group's rock edge, and his habit of performing with his back to the crowd lent him an air of eccentricity.

▪ 2001

      American four-star general and U.S. Army vice chief of staff (b. April 13, 1913, Austin, Texas—d. Oct. 10, 2000, Alexandria, Va.), was the author of The 25-Year War: America's Military Role in Vietnam (1984), which went against conventional wisdom regarding the strategy of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to win the Vietnam War. In his book, Palmer claimed that the Joint Chiefs were never able to define the role of the United States in Southeast Asia and, thus, could not devise a strategy. Palmer served as deputy commanding general of American troops in South Vietnam and was for a time considered a leading candidate to succeed Gen. William C. Westmoreland as commander, a post that was given instead to Gen. Creighton W. Abrams.

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