Background
Vessey, John William was born on June 29, 1922 in Minneapolis. Son of John William and Emily (Roche) Vessey.
Vessey, John William was born on June 29, 1922 in Minneapolis. Son of John William and Emily (Roche) Vessey.
Bachelor of Science, U. Maryland., 1963; Master of Science, George Washington University, 1967; Doctor of Laws, Concordia College, St. Paul, 1978; Doctor of Laws, U. Maryland., 1983; Doctor of Laws, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, 1983; Division of Medical Sciences (honorary), Norwich U., Northfield, Vermont, 1985; graduate, Command and General Staff College, 1958; graduate, Industrial College Armed Forces, 1966.
Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, United States Army, 1944; advanced through grades to general, United States Army, 1976; commander United States Army Support Command, Thailand, 1970-1971; chief Military Assistance Advisory Group, Laos, 1972-1973; director operations Department Army, Washington, 1973-1974; commander 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado, 1974-1975; deputy chief of staff-operations Department Army, Washington, 1975-1976; commander-in-chief United Nations Command/United States Forces in Korea, Seoul, 1976-1979; commander-in-chief Republic of Korea/United States Combined Forces Command, 1978-1979; vice chief of staff United States Army, Washington, 1979-1982; chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, 1982-1985; retired, United States Army, 1985; presidential emissary to Hanoi for Prisoner Of War/Master of International Affairs matters, 1987-1993.
Board of directors National Flag Day Committee. With Mission Superior vena cava syndrome Lutheran Church, Missouri. Chair board vistors UMUC.
Chairman of the Board Center Preventive Action, Defense Science Board. Member Veterans of Foreign Wars (Eisenhower medal), Association United States Army (George Marshall medal), Army Aviation Association, United States Armor Association, Council Foreign Rels. (chair board directors center for prevention action), Phi Kappa Phi.
Married Avis Claire Funk, July 18, 1945. Children: John William, David, Sarah.