LTG "Bud" Forster made countless outstanding contributions to Army aviation over his 30 year career.

He applied a hi-tech Ph.D. degree and command leadership experiences in Europe, in two Viet Nam tours (173rd Assault Helicopter Company) and in CONUS (10th Combat Aviation Battalion) to drive aircraft combat and logistics systems innovations across the entire aviation fleet. 

Fifteen years after his retirement from the Army, his technical contributions remain a part of every major Army helicopter in service.

 Dual-rated, an experimental test pilot, and program manager (PM) for both the Kiowa and Apache programs, he pioneered the integration of high capability electro-optic and radar systems on Army aircraft.

LTG Forster was the first officer selected by the Army for astronaut training and the first Aviation Program Executive Officer.

In 1992, he became the first US military officer elected to the Russian Academy of Natural Science.

A rare professional, he was the “Renaissance man” of Army aviation from the 1970’s to the 1990’s.

His combat, military service and civilian recognitions, medals and awards include two Distinguished Service Medals, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 17 Air Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, the Senior Army Aviator Badge, the Senior Space Operations Badge, the Army Aviation Association of America Order of St. Michael (Gold Award) and the NASA Award for Outstanding Service.

After retiring in 1995, he continued to excel in private industry, receiving the American Helicopter Society (AHS) Special Award for Lifetime Achievement in advancing vertical flight technology.

He also chaired the Board on Army Science and Technology and serves on the Army Science Board.