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(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) John Hersey Michaelis (ASN: 0-20328), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff, 101st Airborne Division, from 1943 to 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Michaelis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), [then Colonel]

    Action Date:

    June 5, 1945 – February 7, 1948
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 17 (March 5, 1948)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), [then Colonel] John Hersey Michaelis (ASN: 0-20328), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Senior Aid to the Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 5 June 1945 to 7 February 1948. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Michaelis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army. (Par. 2, sec. XI, General Orders 70, WD 1947, pertaining to the award of the Army Commendation Ribbon to Lieutenant Colonel Michaelis (then Colonel), for service from June 1945 to May 1947, is rescinded.)

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General
    Unites 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, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General John Hersey Michaelis (ASN: 0-20328), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Michaelis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    April 1966 – January 1969
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 13 (March 6, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General John Hersey Michaelis (ASN: 0-20328), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility from April 1966 to January 1969. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Michaelis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    July 1963 – March 1966
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 15 (April 1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General John Hersey Michaelis (ASN: 0-20328), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, during the period from July 1963 to March 1966. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Michaelis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    Infantry Battalion

    Regiment:

    502d Parachute Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, General Orders No. 6 (1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John Hersey Michaelis (ASN: 0-20328), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of an Infantry Battalion of the 502d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against the enemy in France, in 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Michaelis distinguished himself in a bitter struggle to secure a bridge near Carentan, France. During this action against German troops, two battalions of American parachute troops became isolated on the south bank of the Douve River. Lieutenant Colonel Michaelis repeatedly exposed himself to enemy gun fire to pass back and forth across the causeway to carry orders to his battalion commander. His courage and the ferocious barrage laid down by his me finally led to a disorganized retreat of enemy troops. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Michaelis, 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:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    27th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1950 – 1951
    Unites States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) John Hersey Michaelis (ASN: 0-20328), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in Korea from 1950 to 1951. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Michaelis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    27th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 1 – 4, 1951
    Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 138 (February 19, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) John Hersey Michaelis (ASN: 0-20328), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of the 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. From 1 to 4 January, 1951, at Seoul, Korea, Colonel Michaelis’ regiment was blocking the advance of numerically superior hostile forces while the Division displaced to new positions. Reconnoitering well in advance of the hostile assaults, he skillfully prepared a series of formidable blocking positions which enabled his men to effect rapid, orderly withdrawals from one emplacement to another, while inflicting staggering losses on the onrushing enemy and completely disrupting their plans to invest the Division. Throughout the entire engagement, despite exposure to intense hostile fire, the close proximity of infiltrating enemy and the most adverse climate conditions, he remained with the front line elements, encouraging his men to maximum effort. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    27th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 3, 1950
    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 96 (October 4, 1950)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) John Hersey Michaelis (ASN: 0-20328), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Colonel Michaelis distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea near Sinsen-ni, Korea, on 3 September 1950. On that date, Colonel Michaelis’ regiment launched an assault against heavily fortified enemy positions. While the attack was in progress Colonel Michaelis, although all avenues of approach were under heavy mortar and sniper fire, walked forward from the Regimental Command Post to personally determine the tactical situation. During this period the enemy launched a determined counterattack, penetrating the forward elements and forcing the Command Post group to take shelter in a culvert. Colonel Michaelis, despite heavy fire, remained in the open until he had made a complete estimate of the situation; then retiring to the culvert, he attempted to contact the Regimental command Post for support communications were out. Without regard for his own personal safety, Colonel Michaelis, disregarding the heavy mortar and sniper fire, made his way to the Regimental Command Post where he called for an air strike on the enemy position. The air strike was successful, causing the enemy to withdraw in disorder and permitting the 3d Battalion to take its objective. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Colonel Michaelis on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    U.S. Military Academy

    Action Date:

    October 15, 1956 – August 19, 1959
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 33 (September 10, 1959)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General John Hersey Michaelis (ASN: 0-20328), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, from 15 October 1956 to 19 August 1959. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Michaelis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.