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John J. Yeosock

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John J. Yeosock
Born(1937-03-18)March 18, 1937
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
DiedFebruary 15, 2012(2012-02-15) (aged 74)
Fayetteville, Georgia
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1959–1992
Rank Lieutenant General
Commands1st Cavalry Division
3rd U.S. Army

John John Yeosock(March 18, 1937 – February 15, 2012) was a United States Army general who commanded the 3rd U.S. Army during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

Early life

John J. Yeosock was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania[1] in 1937 and grew up in Plains Township. He studied at the Valley Forge Military Academy where he graduated as valedictorian. Unable to get into West Point due to bad eyesight, Yeosock joined the ROTC at Pennsylvania State University, graduating in 1959. As an armor officer Yeosock served in the Vietnam War. During the 1980s, Yeosock was the head of an American military team sent to help modernize the Saudi Arabian National Guard.

Command

Ground troop movements 24–28 February 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.

He commanded the 1st Cavalry Division from June 1986 to May 1988. Promoted to Lieutenant General, in 1989 he was given command of the 3rd U.S. Army. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, the 3rd Army was sent to Saudi Arabia in the buildup of coalition forces protecting the Kingdom during Operation Desert Shield. During the ground phase of the Gulf War, the 3rd Army formed the nucleus of the forces performing the "left hook" against the Iraqi Army. On February 19, 1991, he needed medical evacuation to Germany for emergency surgery, his command temporarily taken over by LTG Calvin Waller until his return to Saudi Arabia approximately ten days later.[2] Yeosock retired from the army in August 1992.

Death

Yeosock died on February 15, 2012 in Fayetteville, Georgia, aged 74, from lung cancer and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.[3] He is survived by his wife Betta (née Hoffner), son John, and daughter Elizabeth J. Funk.[4]


Awards

Distinguished Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster
V
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and one Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Bronze star
 National Defense Service Medal with service star
Army Service Ribbon

France

References

  1. ^ "Lieutenant General John J. Yeosock". Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina: United States Army Central. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  2. ^ "Commander Airlifted". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. February 19, 1991. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  3. ^ Wellock, Bill (February 16, 2012). "Three-star general John Yeosock dies in Georgia". The Citizens' Voice. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  4. ^ Godin, Eileen (February 16, 2012). "Plains native son Gen. Yeosock dead at 74". The Times Leader. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
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