John John Yeosock (March 18, 1937 – February 15, 2012) was a United States Army lieutenant general who commanded the Third United States Army during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
John J. Yeosock | |
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| Born | March 18, 1937 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 15, 2012 (aged 74) Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1959–1992 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | Third United States Army 1st Cavalry Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War Gulf War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) |
Early life edit
John J. Yeosock was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania,[1] on March 18, 1937, and grew up in Plains Township. He studied at the Valley Forge Military Academy where he graduated as valedictorian. Unable to get into West Point due to bad eyesight, Yeosock joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Pennsylvania State University, graduating in 1959 with a B.S. degree in industrial engineering. He later earned an M.S. degree in operations research and systems analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1969.[2][3] As an infantry officer Yeosock served in the Vietnam War. During the 1980s, Yeosock was the head of an U.S. military team sent to help modernize the Saudi Arabian National Guard.
Command edit
As a major general, Yeosock commanded the 1st Cavalry Division from June 1986 to May 1988, having been the 1st Cav's Assistant Division Commander (ADC) as a brigadier general during REFORGER in 1983. Promoted to lieutenant general, in 1989 he was given command of the Third United States Army. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, the Third Army was sent to Saudi Arabia in the buildup of coalition forces protecting the Kingdom during Operation Desert Shield. During the ground phase of the Gulf War, the 3rd Army formed the nucleus of the forces performing the "left hook" against the Iraqi Army. On February 19, 1991, he needed medical evacuation to Germany for emergency surgery, his command temporarily taken over by Lieutenant General Calvin Waller until his return to Saudi Arabia approximately ten days later.[4] Yeosock retired from the army in August 1992.
Death edit
Yeosock died on February 15, 2012, in Fayetteville, Georgia, aged 74, from lung cancer and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.[5]
Family edit
Yeosock had two children with his wife Betta Hoffner: son John and daughter Elizabeth.[6] Through the latter, he is the father-in-law of General Paul E. Funk II.[7]
Awards edit
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Combat Infantryman Badge |
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Army Staff Identification Badge |
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3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia |
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Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |
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Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster |
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Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and one oak leaf cluster |
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Army Meritorious Service Medal |
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Army Commendation Medal |
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National Defense Service Medal with service star |
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Vietnam Service Medal with two campaign stars |
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Army Service Ribbon |
 
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Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral "2" |
 
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross with bronze star |
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Order of King Abdulaziz, 5th class (Saudi Arabia) |
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Legion of Honour, Knight (France) |
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation |
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Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal |
References edit
- ^ "Lieutenant General John J. Yeosock". Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina: United States Army Central. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- ^ "Major General John J. Yeosock". Army Executive Biographies. Headquarters, Department of the Army. 1985. p. 477. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
- ^ "Operations Research: Distinguished Alumni". Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
- ^ "Commander Airlifted". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. February 19, 1991. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
- ^ Wellock, Bill (February 16, 2012). "Three-star general John Yeosock dies in Georgia". The Citizens' Voice. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ "Lt. Gen. John J. Yeosock (Ret.)". Times Leader. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ Bonzo, Madison. "A Family Business: General Funk's Army Legacy". Army.mil. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- Swain, Richard Moody (1997). Lucky War: Third Army in Desert Storm (PDF). U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Press. ISBN 9780788178658. Retrieved 2023-03-01. Page 6 via Google Books.