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General John
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After the death of General John Vessey in 2016 The Coalition of Allied Vietnam War Veterans recognized the outstanding service to not only the United States but his dedication to our allies. General Vessey served in numerous countries throughout his career and would often attend foreign national allies gathering as time and health permitted.
His service inspired our coalition to ask the Minnesota State Legislature to establish a day dedicated to General Vessey service as an inspiration to all Minnesotans. In 2017 the Minnesota State Legislature officially established June 29th, his birthday, as General John W. Vessey Day. Today we celebrate his life, honor his life long dedication to constantly improve himself through education and his military service to our nation..
His service inspired our coalition to ask the Minnesota State Legislature to establish a day dedicated to General Vessey service as an inspiration to all Minnesotans. In 2017 the Minnesota State Legislature officially established June 29th, his birthday, as General John W. Vessey Day. Today we celebrate his life, honor his life long dedication to constantly improve himself through education and his military service to our nation..
Minnesota's Top Soldier
Born John William Vessey Jr., June 29th, 1922, Minneapolis, Minnesota Died August 18th, 2016, North Oaks, Minnesota ( Aged 94) United States Military Officer, United States Army
Years of Service, 1939-1941 ( U.S. Army National Guard)
1941-1985 ( United States Army)
Commands held:
34th Infantry Division
2nd Battalion, 73rd Field Artillery, 3rd Armored Division
3rd Armored Division, Artillery
4th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
8th United States Army
Commander in Chief of the Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Com. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Wars: World War II Korean War Vietnam War
Awards:
Distinguished Service Cross Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Years of Service, 1939-1941 ( U.S. Army National Guard)
1941-1985 ( United States Army)
Commands held:
34th Infantry Division
2nd Battalion, 73rd Field Artillery, 3rd Armored Division
3rd Armored Division, Artillery
4th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
8th United States Army
Commander in Chief of the Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Com. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Wars: World War II Korean War Vietnam War
Awards:
Distinguished Service Cross Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Presidential Medal of Freedom
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General John W. Vessey, Jr. - The 10th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
General John W. Vessey, Jr. was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 29 June 1922. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in May 1939 while still in high school, becoming a member of Headquarters, 59th Field Artillery Brigade, 34th Infantry Division. He was only 16 and fibbed about his age to join. With other members of his unit he was called to active duty in February 1941. When war came, the 34th became the first American division sent to Europe, where it initially fought in North Africa and then in Italy. A natural leader, Vessey rose quickly in the enlisted ranks until 6 May 1944 when, pinned down on the Anzio Beachhead amidst high casualties, the 21-year old battery first sergeant was given a battlefield commission and sent forward to direct artillery fire.
Vessey decided to stay in the Army after war. During his first 30 years of military service, he spent most of his time in combat divisions. In addition to his World War II assignment with the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division in North Africa and Italy, Vessey served with the 4th Infantry Division and 3rd Armored Division in Germany, the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam and was commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Carson, Colorado.
He attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He also graduated from the University of Maryland. His love of flying prompted him to earn his wings, which he always wore proudly. When he graduated from the Army Helicopter School in 1970, he was 15 years older than the next oldest student.
One of Vessey’s toughest days as a Soldier came in 1967 when, as a lieutenant colonel, he rallied
his 300-man artillery battalion against an intense six-hour assault by 2,000 enemy troops. Despite
wounds, he assisted as a cannoneer, lowering the howitzer barrels and firing point blank into the onrushing attackers, sometimes just as they reached the guns. He finally spotted a group of enemy rocket launchers that were inflicting severe damage. “He seized a grenade launcher, moved into an open area and knocked out three of the insurgents’ weapons,” read the citation that earned him a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions that day.
In 1970, he returned to Southeast Asia for his first assignment as a brigadier general. He initially commanded USARSUPTHAI (US Army Supply Thailand), a supply and staging area for American Soldiers fighting in Southeast Asia, and then moved on to Laos, where he was responsible for coordinating U.S. military operations until the cease-fire was signed in February 1973. In 1974, he was promoted to major general and given command of the 4th Infantry Division.
Upon promotion to lieutenant general in 1975, Vessey became the U.S. Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. He received his fourth star in 1976 upon assignment to Korea as commander-in-chief, United Nations command; commander, U.S. forces, Korea; and commanding general, Eighth U.S. Army. In
General John W. Vessey, Jr. was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 29 June 1922. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in May 1939 while still in high school, becoming a member of Headquarters, 59th Field Artillery Brigade, 34th Infantry Division. He was only 16 and fibbed about his age to join. With other members of his unit he was called to active duty in February 1941. When war came, the 34th became the first American division sent to Europe, where it initially fought in North Africa and then in Italy. A natural leader, Vessey rose quickly in the enlisted ranks until 6 May 1944 when, pinned down on the Anzio Beachhead amidst high casualties, the 21-year old battery first sergeant was given a battlefield commission and sent forward to direct artillery fire.
Vessey decided to stay in the Army after war. During his first 30 years of military service, he spent most of his time in combat divisions. In addition to his World War II assignment with the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division in North Africa and Italy, Vessey served with the 4th Infantry Division and 3rd Armored Division in Germany, the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam and was commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Carson, Colorado.
He attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He also graduated from the University of Maryland. His love of flying prompted him to earn his wings, which he always wore proudly. When he graduated from the Army Helicopter School in 1970, he was 15 years older than the next oldest student.
One of Vessey’s toughest days as a Soldier came in 1967 when, as a lieutenant colonel, he rallied
his 300-man artillery battalion against an intense six-hour assault by 2,000 enemy troops. Despite
wounds, he assisted as a cannoneer, lowering the howitzer barrels and firing point blank into the onrushing attackers, sometimes just as they reached the guns. He finally spotted a group of enemy rocket launchers that were inflicting severe damage. “He seized a grenade launcher, moved into an open area and knocked out three of the insurgents’ weapons,” read the citation that earned him a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions that day.
In 1970, he returned to Southeast Asia for his first assignment as a brigadier general. He initially commanded USARSUPTHAI (US Army Supply Thailand), a supply and staging area for American Soldiers fighting in Southeast Asia, and then moved on to Laos, where he was responsible for coordinating U.S. military operations until the cease-fire was signed in February 1973. In 1974, he was promoted to major general and given command of the 4th Infantry Division.
Upon promotion to lieutenant general in 1975, Vessey became the U.S. Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. He received his fourth star in 1976 upon assignment to Korea as commander-in-chief, United Nations command; commander, U.S. forces, Korea; and commanding general, Eighth U.S. Army. In
1978, he also became the first commander-in-chief of the Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command. General Vessey returned to Washington in July 1979 to become the vice chief of staff, United States Army.
President Ronald Reagan selected Vessey as the tenth chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, a position he held from 18 June 1982 to 30 September 1985. He was widely recognized in the Army as a “Soldier’s Soldier,” fair and firm, who always stood up for his troops. Believing that strength was the best deterrent to war, he championed Reagan’s military buildup. Upon his retirement on 1 October 1985, he had served longer than anyone then in the Army, with over 46 years of active military service. He is the only Chairman who had been neither a service chief nor commander of a unified or specific command.
He is the recipient of numerous U.S. and foreign military decorations and awards, four honorary doctorates, and other honors too numerous to mention. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defense Distinguished Service Medals, the Purple Heart, and medals from 19 friendly and allied nations. In 1992, President George H. W. Bush awarded him the nation’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
General Vessey is married to the former Avis Funk of Minneapolis. They have two sons, John III and David, and a daughter, Sarah. They retired to a home near Garrison, Minnesota, but the general remained “on call.” As a post-retirement assignment, he led negotiations with the government of Vietnam to account for missing American servicemen in that country. The task, which was to last three months, took more than six years. He remains in demand as an advisor and speaker.
President Ronald Reagan selected Vessey as the tenth chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, a position he held from 18 June 1982 to 30 September 1985. He was widely recognized in the Army as a “Soldier’s Soldier,” fair and firm, who always stood up for his troops. Believing that strength was the best deterrent to war, he championed Reagan’s military buildup. Upon his retirement on 1 October 1985, he had served longer than anyone then in the Army, with over 46 years of active military service. He is the only Chairman who had been neither a service chief nor commander of a unified or specific command.
He is the recipient of numerous U.S. and foreign military decorations and awards, four honorary doctorates, and other honors too numerous to mention. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defense Distinguished Service Medals, the Purple Heart, and medals from 19 friendly and allied nations. In 1992, President George H. W. Bush awarded him the nation’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
General Vessey is married to the former Avis Funk of Minneapolis. They have two sons, John III and David, and a daughter, Sarah. They retired to a home near Garrison, Minnesota, but the general remained “on call.” As a post-retirement assignment, he led negotiations with the government of Vietnam to account for missing American servicemen in that country. The task, which was to last three months, took more than six years. He remains in demand as an advisor and speaker.
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Awards and Decorations
Aviator Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identificationn Badge
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Army Staff Identification Badge
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
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Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster
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Air Medal with award numeral 4
Joint Service Commendation Medal
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Army Commendation Medal with "V" device
Purple Heart
Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
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European-Americn-Midle eastern Campaign Medal with silver and bronze campaign stars
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
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National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
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Vietnam Service Medal with two campaign stars
Croix de Guerre with bronze palm (France)
Order of Military Merit, Taegeuk Cordon (Korea)
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with bronze palm
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Assignments
- 1939: National Guard enlisted service
- 1941: 34th Division Artillery, Camp Claiborne, LA, Northern Ireland, North Africa, and Italy as S/Sgt, 1st Sgt, and then battlefield commission to 2Lt (Communications Officer/Forward Observer/Air Observer)
- 1945: US Army Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, OK
- 1949: Student, Field Artillery Officers Advanced Course, Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, OK
- 1950: Battery Officer; then Battery Commander, 18th Field Artillery, Fort Sill, OK
- 1951: Assistant S-3 and Liaison Officer; then Headquarters Battery Commander; then Assistant S-3 and Liaison Officer, 4th Infantry Division Artillery US Army, Europe
- 1954: Student, Artillery Officer Advanced Course, Artillery and Guided Missile School, Fort Sill, OK
- 1955: Battery Commander, Artillery and Guided Missile School Officer Candidate School
- 1956: Gunnery Instructor, Artillery and Guided Missile School, Fort Sill, OK
- 1957: Student, US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS
- 1958: Artillery Section, Eighth US Army with duty station CINCPAC Coordination Center, Philippines
- 1958: Chief, Operations Branch, Artillery Section, Eighth US Army, Korea
- 1959: Assignment Officer, then Executive Officer, Artillery Officers Division, Office of Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Washington, D.C.
- 1963: Student, Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA
- 1963: Commander, 2d Battalion, 73d Artillery, 3d Armored Division, US Army, Europe
- 1965: Student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C.
- 1966: Executive Officer, 25th Infantry Division Artillery, Vietnam
- 1967: Commander, 3d Armored Division Artillery, US Army, Europe
- 1969: Chief of Staff, 3d Armored Division, US Army, Europe
- 1970: Student, US Army Primary Helicopter School, Fort Wolters, TX; later US Army Aviation School, Fort Rucker, AL
- 1970: Commanding General, US Army Support Command, Thailand
- 1972: Deputy Chief, JUSMAGTHAI (Chief MAAG, Laos)
- 1973: Director of Operations, Office Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Washington, D.C.
- 1974: Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Carson, CO
- 1975: Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, US Army, Washington, D.C.
- 1976: Commanding General, Eighth US Army; and Commander in Chief, US Forces, Korea; and Commander in Chief, United Nations Command
- 1978: Commander in Chief, Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command, Korea
- 1979: Vice Chief of Staff, US Army, Washington, D.C.
- 1982: Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.
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Minnesota House File 2011, Establishing General John W. Vessey Day
