29/06/2026
Each year on June 29, we are proud to celebrate General John Vessey Day.
Army Gen. John William Vessey Jr. (June 29, 1922 – August 18, 2016) began his 46-year military career in the Minnesota National Guard in 1939 when he was only 16. With the Red Bulls, he was part of heavy fighting in Africa and Italy during World War II, rapidly to the rank and responsibility of first sergeant, before earning a battlefield commission during the Battle of Anzio.
His Army career did not stop there: Vessey later served in during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, with heroic conduct under fire in the latter earning him a Distinguished Service Cross. In his later career, he graduated from the Army Helicopter School at Fort Rucker Ala., being the oldest in his class by 15 years. He would also serve as the commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, commander-in-chief for United Nations command, and commander of the 8th U.S. Army.
In 1982, President Ronald Reagan appointed him as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a position he would hold for over three years. At the time of his retirement in 1985 at the age 63, he was the last four-star General who was also a combat veteran of World War II on active service - as well as the longest-serving active-duty member in the U.S. Army.
In retirement, Vessey became involved in efforts to account for military personnel listed as missing in action from the Vietnam War, making several trips to Vietnam to search for remains as part of resolving the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992. The Arden Hills headquarters for the Red Bulls, where Vessey's career began, is named in his honor.
Passing away in 2016, he now rests back in his home state at the Camp Ripley State Veterans Cemetery.
Happy birthday, General Vessey.
