Jonathan O. Seaman
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
Jonathan Owen Seaman (December 11, 1911 – February 18, 1986) was a 1934 graduate of the United States Military Academy
, a career U.S. Army officer and combat commander between World War II
and the Vietnam War
.
, graduating with the class of 1934 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 16th Field Artillery at Fort Myer, Virginia. In December 1935 to 1938, Seaman served as a White House military aide. After a teaching assignment at West Point in 1939, he was promoted to captain with the 4th Field Artillery
at Fort Bragg.
He served in World War II in both European and Pacific theaters.
From 1953 to 1954, he commanded the 30th Field Artillery Group at Yorkhof Kasserne, Germany. Seaman was later honored in 1999 by the 30th Field Artillery when the 3rd Battalion headquarters at Fort Sill, Oklahoma was named "Seaman Hall".
, Kansas. The 1st Division was the first Army combat division to be called up for service during the Vietnam War, arriving in theater in July 1965, with Seaman being the first of six combat commanders during the war. In March 1966, Seaman was promoted to commander of II U.S. Field Force, a 100,000 man fighting force that included the 1st Division, along with two other divisions and several independent brigades.
In 1967, he returned stateside and assumed command of First United States Army at Fort Meade, Maryland. Seaman was the deciding official in cases of 13 officers involved in the failure to investigate or cover up the 1968 My Lai Massacre
during the Vietnam War
.
In 1971, he retired to Beaufort, South Carolina
after 37 years of active duty. Seaman died at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina
on February 18, 1986 at age 74, He was buried at the Beaufort National Cemetery
.
Seaman was married to Mary Grunert, daughter of U.S. Army general and a former First United States Army commander, George Grunert
.
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
Jonathan Owen Seaman (December 11, 1911 – February 18, 1986) was a 1934 graduate of 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...
, a career U.S. Army officer and combat commander between World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Education and early career
Seaman was born in Manila, Philippines, the son of a U.S. Army officer, B/Gen Albert Owen Seaman and his wife, Florence Thompson (Look) Seaman, 11 Dec 1911. He was appointed to United States Military AcademyUnited 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...
, graduating with the class of 1934 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 16th Field Artillery at Fort Myer, Virginia. In December 1935 to 1938, Seaman served as a White House military aide. After a teaching assignment at West Point in 1939, he was promoted to captain with the 4th Field Artillery
4th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)
The 4th Field Artillery Regiment is an Field Artillery regiment of the United States Army first formed in 1907.-History:The 4th Field Artillery Regiment was first activated in 1907 from numbered companies of artillery...
at Fort Bragg.
World War II and Cold War
By 1942, as a major and battalion commander of the 4th Field Artillery regiment.He served in World War II in both European and Pacific theaters.
From 1953 to 1954, he commanded the 30th Field Artillery Group at Yorkhof Kasserne, Germany. Seaman was later honored in 1999 by the 30th Field Artillery when the 3rd Battalion headquarters at Fort Sill, Oklahoma was named "Seaman Hall".
Vietnam and Retirement
As a major general in 1965, Seaman was named commander of the 1st Infantry Division (United States) at Fort RileyFort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
, Kansas. The 1st Division was the first Army combat division to be called up for service during the Vietnam War, arriving in theater in July 1965, with Seaman being the first of six combat commanders during the war. In March 1966, Seaman was promoted to commander of II U.S. Field Force, a 100,000 man fighting force that included the 1st Division, along with two other divisions and several independent brigades.
In 1967, he returned stateside and assumed command of First United States Army at Fort Meade, Maryland. Seaman was the deciding official in cases of 13 officers involved in the failure to investigate or cover up the 1968 My Lai Massacre
My Lai Massacre
The My Lai Massacre was the Vietnam War mass murder of 347–504 unarmed civilians in South Vietnam on March 16, 1968, by United States Army soldiers of "Charlie" Company of 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade of the Americal Division. Most of the victims were women, children , and...
during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
In 1971, he retired to Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
after 37 years of active duty. Seaman died at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
on February 18, 1986 at age 74, He was buried at the Beaufort National Cemetery
Beaufort National Cemetery
Beaufort National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in Beaufort County, in the city of Beaufort, South Carolina. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005, had 18,511 interments.- History :...
.
Seaman was married to Mary Grunert, daughter of U.S. Army general and a former First United States Army commander, George Grunert
George Grunert
George Grunert was a United States Army cavalry officer who retired as a Lieutenant General in a 47 year career that extended from the Spanish-American War to the end of World War II.-Education and early career:...
.