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John J. Yeosock

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United States Army general
John J. Yeosock
Yeosock in 1989
Born(1937-03-18)March 18, 1937
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedFebruary 15, 2012(2012-02-15) (aged 74)
Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S.
BuriedArlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1959–1992
RankLieutenant General
CommandsThird United States Army
1st Cavalry Division
Battles / warsVietnam War
Gulf War
AwardsArmy 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, 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 with a B.S. degree in industrial engineering. He later earned an M.S. degree in operations research and systems analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1969. As an infantry officer Yeosock served in the Vietnam War. During the 1980s, Yeosock was the head of an U.S. 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. 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.

Family

Yeosock had two children with his wife Betta Hoffner: son John and daughter Elizabeth. Through the latter, he is the father-in-law of General Paul E. Funk II.

Awards

Combat Infantryman Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
Bronze oak leaf cluster Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
VBronze 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
Bronze starBronze star Vietnam Service Medal with two campaign stars
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral "2"
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with bronze star
Order of King Abdulaziz, 2nd class (Saudi Arabia)
Legion of Honour, Knight (France)
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

References

  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. "Major General John J. Yeosock". Army Executive Biographies. Headquarters, Department of the Army. 1985. p. 477. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  3. "Operations Research: Distinguished Alumni". Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  4. "Commander Airlifted". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. February 19, 1991. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  5. Wellock, Bill (February 16, 2012). "Three-star general John Yeosock dies in Georgia". The Citizens' Voice. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  6. "Lt. Gen. John J. Yeosock (Ret.)". Times Leader. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  7. Bonzo, Madison. "A Family Business: General Funk's Army Legacy". Army.mil. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
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