John J. Hennessey
Encyclopedia
John Joseph Hennessey was a United States Army
four star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Readiness Command (USCINCRED) from 1974 to 1979.
for three years, he enrolled in the United States Military Academy
and graduated in 1944, receiving his commission in the infantry. He deployed to the Europe Theater, serving as a platoon leader and company commander.
In the Korean War he served on the staff of I Corps. By the Vietnam War he was a battalion commander in the 11th Air Assault Division, later serving as executive officer of the division's 1st Brigade. When the 11th Air Assault Division was converted to the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) in 1965, he accompnied that unit to Vietnam as executive officer of the 1st Brigade, later becoming brigade commander after being promoted to full colonel. As a brigadier general he served as assistant division commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, then became assistant division commander of the 101st Airborne Division
, deploying with that unit to Vietnam as its commander in 1970.
In 1974 he received his fourth star and assumed command of the United States Readiness Command at MacDill Air Force Base
in December 1974. He retired in 1979 at the end of that tour.
, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit
with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star
with "V" and three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal
with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Combat Infantryman Badge
, Army Aviator Badge and Master Parachutist badge.
and was executive director of the Tampa Bay Area Research and Development Authority under the University of South Florida
.
Hennessey died of a stroke on March 20, 2001 at the age of 80.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
four star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Readiness Command (USCINCRED) from 1974 to 1979.
Military career
After attending Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaSaint Mary's University of Minnesota
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private, comprehensive, coeducational university with an undergraduate campus in the city of Winona, Minnesota, United States...
for three years, he enrolled in the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
and graduated in 1944, receiving his commission in the infantry. He deployed to the Europe Theater, serving as a platoon leader and company commander.
In the Korean War he served on the staff of I Corps. By the Vietnam War he was a battalion commander in the 11th Air Assault Division, later serving as executive officer of the division's 1st Brigade. When the 11th Air Assault Division was converted to the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) in 1965, he accompnied that unit to Vietnam as executive officer of the 1st Brigade, later becoming brigade commander after being promoted to full colonel. As a brigadier general he served as assistant division commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, then became assistant division commander of the 101st Airborne Division
101st Airborne Division (United States)
The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
, deploying with that unit to Vietnam as its commander in 1970.
In 1974 he received his fourth star and assumed command of the United States Readiness Command at MacDill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base is an active United States Air Force base located approximately south-southwest of downtown Tampa, Florida...
in December 1974. He retired in 1979 at the end of that tour.
Decorations
His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service MedalDefense Distinguished Service Medal
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with "V" and three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
, Army Aviator Badge and Master Parachutist badge.
Defense Distinguished Service MedalDefense Distinguished Service MedalThe Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
Army Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with oak leaf cluster
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Combat V and three oak leaf clusters
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with four oak leaf clusters
Post military career
After retiring from the Army, Hennessey served on the Board of Trustees of the University of TampaUniversity of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
and was executive director of the Tampa Bay Area Research and Development Authority under the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
.
Hennessey died of a stroke on March 20, 2001 at the age of 80.