John W. Hendrix
Encyclopedia
John Walker Hendrix is a retired United States Army
four star general, and served as Commander, United States Army Forces Command
from 1999 to 2001.
, and received his commission after graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology
in 1965 with a degree in electrical engineering. He earned a master's degree in history in 1978 from Middle Tennessee State University
, and is a graduate of both the U.S. Army War College
and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
.
His other commands include V Corps in this position he served as commanding general of Task Force Hawk
; 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia; and the United States Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Georgia.
He also served as deputy chief of staff for operations, United States Army Europe and 7th Army; assistant division commander, 1st Armored Division during the Persian Gulf War; executive officer to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe, Belgium; and assistant commandant, U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning.
He completed several NATO assignments during the Cold War, and served two tours of duty as a rifle company commander in the Republic of Vietnam. He retired from the Army in 2001.
His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
, Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit
with three oak leaf clusters, the Silver Star
with oak leaf cluster; and the Bronze Star
with "V" device and three oak leaf clusters. He also holds the Combat Infantryman Badge
, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger tab
, and Army Aviator Badge
.
.
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, and served as Commander, United States Army Forces Command
United States Army Forces Command
United States Army Forces Command is the largest Army Command and the preeminent provider of expeditionary, campaign-capable land forces to Combatant Commanders. Headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, FORSCOM consists of more than 750,000 Active Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and Army National...
from 1999 to 2001.
Military career
Hendrix was born on September 22, 1942, in Bulloch County, GeorgiaBulloch County, Georgia
Bulloch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 8, 1796. Bulloch County has undergone rapid growth in recent years. As of 2000, the population was 55,983. The 2009 Census Estimate showed a population of 69,213. The county seat is Statesboro.In...
, and received his commission after graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
in 1965 with a degree in electrical engineering. He earned a master's degree in history in 1978 from Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States....
, and is a graduate of both the U.S. Army War College
U.S. Army War College
The United States Army War College is a United States Army school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the 500 acre campus of the historic Carlisle Barracks...
and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
.
His other commands include V Corps in this position he served as commanding general of Task Force Hawk
Task Force Hawk
Task Force Hawk was the unit constructed and deployed by General Wesley Clark to provide additional support to NATO's Operation Allied Force by NATO operations against the former Yugoslavian government during the 1999 unrest in Kosovo...
; 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia; and the United States Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Georgia.
He also served as deputy chief of staff for operations, United States Army Europe and 7th Army; assistant division commander, 1st Armored Division during the Persian Gulf War; executive officer to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe, Belgium; and assistant commandant, U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning.
He completed several NATO assignments during the Cold War, and served two tours of duty as a rifle company commander in the Republic of Vietnam. He retired from the Army in 2001.
His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Defense 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...
, Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, 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 three oak leaf clusters, the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
with oak leaf cluster; and 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" device and three oak leaf clusters. He also holds 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...
, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger tab
Ranger Tab
The Ranger Tab is a service school military decoration of the United States Army signifying completion of the 61-day long Ranger School course in small-unit infantry combat tactics in woodland, mountain, and swamp operations. In December 2009 a British NCO earned the Ranger tab...
, and Army Aviator Badge
United States Aviator Badge
A United States Aviator Badge refers to three types of aviation badges issued by the United States military, those being for Army, Air Force, and Naval aviation....
.
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...
with oak leaf cluster
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
with oak leaf cluster
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 three oak leaf clusters
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 V Device and three oak leaf clusters
Post military
In retirement, Hendrix sits on the board of advisors of the National Infantry Foundation and worked for United Defense Industries. He was National Chairman of the Military Officers Association of AmericaMilitary Officers Association of America
The Military Officers Association of America, or MOAA, is an association of 370,000 military officers, including active duty, retired, National Guard, Reserve, and former officers and their families. It is an independent, nonprofit, and politically nonpartisan organization...
.