John French Conklin

John French Conklin
Born	April 20, 1891 Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Died	January 25, 1973(1973-01-25) (aged 81) Washington, D.C.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1915 - 1951
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands held	Chief Engineer, Third U.S. Army
Battles/wars	Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II Operation Torch Operation Overlord
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal

John French Conklin (April 20, 1891 - January 25, 1973) was an American Brigadier general, who served most of his career in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. During the World War II, Conklin served as Chief Engineer, Third U.S. Army.

He was a recipient of the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal.

Early years

John French Conklin was born on April 20, 1891 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas as a son of Army Colonel, John Conklin and his wife Rosalie French Conklin. He came from the family with a long military tradition, because his maternal grandfather was Union major general William H. French and also maternal uncle was major general John Clem. So John F. Conklin attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and graduated as a part of "the class the stars fell on" on June 12, 1915. He was also commissioned a Second lieutenant on that date.

His first assignment was with 2nd Battalion of Engineers, with whom he served on the Mexican Border during the Pancho Villa Expedition until April 1917. He was subsequently appointed an Instructor and Assistant Adjutant of the Officers Training Camp at Fort Myer, Virginia.

Decorations

Here is Brigadier General Conklin's ribbon bar:

1st Row	Army Distinguished Service Medal				Legion of Merit				Bronze Star Medal				Army Commendation Medal
2nd Row	Mexican Service Medal				World War I Victory Medal				American Defense Service Medal				American Campaign Medal
3rd Row	European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five service stars				World War II Victory Medal				Army of Occupation Medal				National Defense Service Medal
4th Row	Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (France)				French Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with Palm				Belgian Croix de guerre 1940-1945 with Palm				Soviet Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class