John J. Yeosock

John J. Yeosock
John J. Yeosock
Born	March 18, 1937; Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	February 15, 2012 (aged 74); Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S.
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1959–1992
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands held	Third United States Army; 1st Cavalry Division
Battles/wars	Vietnam War; Gulf War
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal (2); Legion of Merit (2); Bronze Star Medal (2)

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

Early life

John J. Yeosock was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania,[1] on March 18, 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 Reserve Officers' Training Corps 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.

As a major general, Yeosock commanded the 1st Cavalry Division from June 1986 to May 1988, having been the 1st Cav's Assistant Division Commander (ADC) as a brigadier general during REFORGER in 1983. Promoted to lieutenant general, in 1989 he was given command of the Third United States Army. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, the Third 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 Lieutenant General 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

	Army Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
	Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
	Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and one oak leaf cluster
	Army Meritorious Service Medal
	Army Commendation Medal
	National Defense Service Medal with service star
	Vietnam Service Medal with two campaign stars
	Army Service Ribbon
	Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral "2"
	Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

France

Legion of Honour

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References

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

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[1] "Lieutenant General John J. Yeosock". Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina: United States Army Central. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. 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". Times Leader. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Retrieved February 16, 2012.