Melvin Zais
Melvin Zais (May 8, 1916 – May 7, 1981) was a United States Army general who served in the Second World War and Vietnam War.
Melvin Zais | |
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| Born | May 8, 1916 Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | May 7, 1981 (aged 64) Beaufort, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1937–1976 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe Third United States Army XXIV Corps 101st Airborne Division 1st Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II Vietnam War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (4) Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Bronze Star Medal |
Military career
Zais attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. In 1937 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. In 1940 he was a member of the original Parachute battalion later the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. During World War II, Zais was the commander of the 3rd Battalion and, later, executive officer of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, fighting in Italy, in southern France, and in the Battle of the Bulge.
Zais attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and was also a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College, and the National War College. He was promoted to brigadier general on June 1, 1964; major general on May 1, 1967; and lieutenant general on August 1, 1969. He was named Commanding General, Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe, Izmir, Turkey, effective August 1973 following his promotion to general on July 13 the month prior.
Zais' assignments included Commander, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army, Vietnam, 1966; Director of Individual Training, Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, United States Army, Washington, D.C., 1966–68, during this time he led the army liaison team responsible for the involvement of Federal troops in suppressing the April 1968 Baltimore riot;[1]:320–2 Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (then designated as Airmobile), Vietnam, 1968–69. He led the 101st Airborne Division in the Battle of Hamburger Hill against the People's Army of Vietnam. He then became the Commanding General, XXIV Corps, Vietnam, 1969–70.
After returning from Vietnam, Zais served Director for Operations, J-3, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., 1970–72 and as Commanding General, Third United States Army from 1972 to 1973.
On August 1, 1973 Zais was promoted to the rank of four-star general and appointed as Commander, Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe. He held the position until his retirement on May 31, 1976. Zais died on May 5, 1981 in Beaufort, South Carolina.[2]
Awards and decorations
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References
- Scheips, Paul (2005). The Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1945–1992 (PDF). US Army Center of Military History. ISBN 9781517253783.
- Josh Barbanel (1981-05-07). "GEN. MELVIN ZAIS, 64, FORMER NATO CHIEF FOR SOUTHEAST EUROPE – Obituary". United States: NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
External links
- Third Army Website – Commander Biographies
- University of New Hampshire Army ROTC website – Distinguished Alumni
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Albert O. Connor |
Commanding General of the Third United States Army 1972–1973 |
Succeeded by Warren Bennett |
| Preceded by Olinto M. Barsanti |
Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division 1968–1969 |
Succeeded by John Wright |
Authority control  |
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