Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
William
Foss
February 13, 1933

–

April 25, 2020

Born:

Hutchinson

, 

Minnesota

Home:

Litchfield

, 

Minnesota

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

John Foss graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1956. He retired in 1993 as a U.S. Army 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    12th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Infantry) John William Foss, United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Battalion Commander, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, from 1967 to 1968.

  • Defense Superior Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1980 – 1982
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in awarding the Defense Superior Service Medal to General John William Foss, United States Army, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense Chief, Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group, Philippine Islands, from 1980 to 1982. The distinctive accomplishments of General Foss reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    12th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Infantry) John William Foss, United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Battalion Commander, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, from 1967 to 1968.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1989 – 1991
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General John William Foss, United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, from 1989 to 1991.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1989 – 1991
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General John William Foss, United States Army, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, from 1989 to 1991.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    12th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John William Foss, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Foss distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in 1967 and 1968. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Foss, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1973 – 1977
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General John William Foss, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command, from 1973 to 1977.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    12th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John William Foss, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Foss distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in 1967 and 1968. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Foss, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1986 – 1988
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General John William Foss, United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps, from 1986 to 1988.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1988 – 1989
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General John William Foss, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Department of the Army, from 1988 to 1989.