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John W. Vessey Jr.

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Article Genealogy
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John W. Vessey Jr.
NameJohn W. Vessey Jr.
CaptionGeneral John W. Vessey Jr.
Birth date29 June 1922
Death date18 August 2016
Birth placeMinneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Death placeNorth Oaks, Minnesota, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States
Serviceyears1939–1985
RankGeneral
CommandsChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, United States Readiness Command, 4th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment
BattlesWorld War II, Korean War, Vietnam War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Order of National Security Merit (Korea), Order of the Phoenix (Greece)
LaterworkSpecial Envoy to Vietnam

John W. Vessey Jr. was a highly decorated United States Army officer who rose to the nation's highest military office. His distinguished career spanned nearly five decades, from enlisting as a private to serving as the tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Vessey played a pivotal role in modernizing the all-volunteer military and later served as a key diplomatic envoy. He is remembered as a soldier's soldier whose leadership was marked by integrity and a deep commitment to his troops.

Early life and education

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Vessey's path to military service began unconventionally. He dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in 1939, serving with the 59th Field Artillery Brigade. His natural aptitude for artillery was quickly recognized. During World War II, he received a battlefield commission to Second Lieutenant in North Africa while serving with the 34th Infantry Division. After the war, he completed his high school education and furthered his military training at institutions like the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.

Military career

Vessey's operational experience was extensive and varied across three major conflicts. In World War II, he fought in the brutal Italian Campaign, including the battles of Monte Cassino and the Gothic Line. During the Korean War, he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, providing critical support during intense fighting. His service in the Vietnam War included roles as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations for Military Assistance Command, Vietnam and later as commander of the 4th Infantry Division. He also held significant stateside posts, including command of United States Readiness Command.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, Vessey served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1982 to 1985. His tenure was defined by managing a major defense buildup during the final years of the Cold War and overseeing complex military operations. Key events included the invasion of Grenada in 1983 and the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, which deeply affected him. He was a steadfast advocate for the all-volunteer force, focusing on improving morale, pay, and family support within the United States Armed Forces. He worked closely with Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and advised the National Security Council.

Post-military career and diplomacy

Upon retirement from the United States Army in 1985, Vessey began a second career in diplomacy. At the request of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, he served as the Presidential Emissary to Vietnam on POW/MIA affairs. In this sensitive role, he made numerous trips to Hanoi to press the Vietnamese government for greater cooperation in accounting for missing American servicemen. His persistent and respectful diplomacy was credited with breaking long-standing logjams and facilitating the repatriation of remains, a crucial step in the normalization of relations between the two former adversaries.

Awards and decorations

General Vessey's valor and service were recognized with a vast array of U.S. and foreign military awards. His highest American decorations included the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star for gallantry in Korea, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. Notable international honors were the Order of National Security Merit (Tong-il Medal) from the Republic of Korea and the Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix from Greece.

Personal life and death

Vessey married Avis Faye Hardgrove in 1944, and they had three children. Known for his humility and Midwestern values, he was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. After a lifetime of service, he retired to North Oaks, Minnesota. John W. Vessey Jr. died on August 18, 2016, at the age of 94, and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery. He is memorialized by the Vessey Theater at the National Defense University and the USNS *Vessey*, a maritime prepositioning ship.

Category:1922 births Category:2016 deaths Category:United States Army generals Category:Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Category:American military personnel of World War II Category:American military personnel of the Korean War Category:American military personnel of the Vietnam War Category:Recipients of the Silver Star Category:People from Minneapolis