John William Vessey, Jr. Quotes

John William Vessey, Jr. was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. He was an American army officer. He attained the rank of general, and is most notable for his service as the tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff  from 1982-1985. He earned a BS degree in Military Science from the University of Maryland University College in 1963. He earned an MS degree in Business Administration from George Washington University in 1965. In 1939, he began his 46-year military career by falsely claiming to be 18 so he could join the Minnesota Army National Guard's 59th Field Artillery Brigade, a unit of the 34th Infantry Division. His unit was activated for World War II, and he took part in combat in the North African and Italian Campaigns. During the Vietnam War, he served as executive officer of the 25th Infantry Division Artillery and acting commander of 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery, and he received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during the Battle of Suoi Tre. He received other medals, including Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Presidential Medal of Freedom (awarded by President George H. W. Bush). He married Avis Claire Funk in 1945. They had two sons, John III and David, and a daughter, Sarah.