Black Mess Dress Uniform
Director of the Inter-American Defense College

Major General Van Natta was born on November 10, 1906 in the Philippines. He was a commissioned cavalry officer from the U.S. Military Academy in 1928. During WWII, he served in Paraguay (1941-43), and on the staff as Combat Liaison Officer at Headquarters, China-Burma-India (1944-45).

He served in the 2d Armored Division (1950-51); 1st Armored Division (1951); as G2 of 8th Army in the Korean War (1952-53); as G2 of the Office of the Chief of Army Field Forces in DC (1953); Commander 3AD (1958-59); Deputy for Intelligence at USAREUR (1959-61); at headquarters Continental Army Command (1961-62); and as Director of the Inter-American Defense College (1962-63).

He retired in 1963 as a Major General. His awards include two Distinguished Service Medals, two Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and two Air Medals.

He died in Santa Barbara, California on September 13, 1988.