Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Captain (Armor) John Spencer Caldwell, Jr., United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 10 March 1970 while serving as Troop Commander of Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, his element came under heavy fire from a battalion-size North Vietnamese force. Captain Caldwell immediately led his troop in an assault upon the enemy, deploying his vehicle so as to draw the enemy fire away from the other elements. Disregarding his own safety, Captain Caldwell moved from vehicle to vehicle motivating and reassuring the members of his element. Throughout the remainder of the battle, he directed his troop with exacting skill and leadership, taking every tactical advantage. In addition to utilizing his own unit’s maximum fire power, Captain Caldwell called in air strikes and rocket artillery to effectively subdue the enemy force. Captain Caldwell’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    1995
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General John Spencer Caldwell, Jr., 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 in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (RDA), in 1995.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    1996
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General John Spencer Caldwell, Jr., United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, Army Digitization Office, Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army, in 1996.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    1997 – 1999
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General John Spencer Caldwell, 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 with the Army Material Command, Deputy Chief of Staff (RDA), from 1997 to 1999.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    1985 – 1987
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General John Spencer Caldwell, 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, 2d Battalion, 66th Armor, 2d Armored Division, Germany, from 1985 to 1987.

  • Defense Superior Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    1988 – 1990
    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 Lieutenant General John Spencer Caldwell, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense as OJ-5, Plans and Policy Directorate, Joint Staff, from 1988 to 1990. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Caldwell reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    2001 – 2004
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General John Spencer Caldwell, Jr., 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 with the Military Department, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), from 2001 to 2004.