Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Joseph
Thomas
Palastra
, Jr.
November 10, 1931

–

March 3, 2015

Born:

Portsmouth

, 

New Hampshire

Home:

Portsmouth

, 

New Hampshire

Cemetery:

Cremated

Joseph Palastra graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1954. He retired in 1989 as a U.S. Army 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Joseph Thomas Palastra, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of General Palastra reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Joseph Thomas Palastra, Jr., 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 Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, in the 4th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, from 1968 to 1969.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1987 – 1989

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Joseph Thomas Palastra, Jr., 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, culminating as Commander in Chief, Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Georgia, from 1987 to 1989.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Joseph Thomas Palastra, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of General Palastra reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    12th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1968 – 1969
    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) Joseph Thomas Palastra, Jr., 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 Palastra distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in 1968 and 1969. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Palastra, 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.