John W. Vessey, Jr. (Born 1922)
John William Vessey, Jr. was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a retired United States Army general and served as the tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from June 18, 1982 to September 30, 1985. HE IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS EVER REACHED EVERY RANK THE ARMY HAD TO OFFER. Vessey began his military career in the Minnesota National Guard in 1939 when he was still 16.
Vessey received a battlefield commission during the Battle of Anzio in World War II. He also served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. As a Lieutenant Colonel, he graduated from college in 1963 at the age of 41 and was a student at the Army helicopter school at the age of 48.
Vessey's years of service spanned from 1939 through 1985 and his awards included one Distinguished Service Cross, one Defense Distinguished Service Medal, one Army Distinguished Service Medal, one Navy Distinguished Service Medal, one Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, one Legion of Merit, one Bronze Star, one Purple Heart, and one Presidential Medal of Freedom.
General Vessey was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was the last four star combat veteran of World War II on active service.
PHOTOS (CLICK A PHOTO TO VIEW)
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Vessey (left), greets U.S. Army general and Joint Chiefs chairman Martin E. Dempsey (right) at the Minnesota National Guard Armory in Rosemount, Minnesota on August 16, 2012
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CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
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