Melvin Zais
| Melvin Zais | |
|---|---|
 General Melvin Zais | |
| Born |
May 8, 1916 Fall River, Massachusetts |
| Died |
May 7, 1981 (aged 64) Beaufort, South Carolina[1] |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1937-1973 |
| Rank |
 General |
| Commands held |
1st Infantry Division 101st Airborne Division XXIV Corps Third Army |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Bronze Star |
General Melvin Zais (May 8, 1916 – May 7, 1981) was a United States Army general.
General Zais attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science. In 1937 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. He attended the U.S. 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, June 1, 1964; Major General, May 1, 1967; and Lieutenant General, 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.
He was a veteran of World War II and Vietnam War. His assignments included Commander, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army, Vietnam, 1966; Director of Individual Training, Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C., 1966–68; Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), U.S. Army, Vietnam, 1968–69; Commanding General, XXIV Corps, U.S. Army, Vietnam, 1969–70; Director for Operations, J-3, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., 1970–72; Commanding General, Third Army, 1972–73
In 1940 he was a member of the original Parachute battalion later the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. During World War II, Zais was the Executive Officer of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, fighting in Italy, in southern France and in the Battle of the Bulge. During his command of the 101st Airborne Division in Viet Nam, they fought the Battle of Hamburger Hill.
Awards and decorations
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster; Legion of Merit with Two Oak Leaf Clusters; Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star .
Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Silver Star with oak leaf clusters
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star- Air Medal
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Purple Heart
- American Defense Service Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Army of Occupation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
References
- ↑ Josh Barbanel (1981-05-07). "GEN. MELVIN ZAIS, 64, FORMER NATO CHIEF FOR SOUTHEAST EUROPE - Obituary". United States: NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- 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 |