United States Army General, Author. A four-star general, he served as Commander in Chief of the United States Southern Command in Panama from 1985 until 1987 and Commander in Chief of the United States European Command from 1987 until 1992. Additionally, he held the position of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR). Born into an Irish-American family, his father was a bricklayer and plasterer, young John enlisted with the Massachusetts Army National Guard in 1948 and was assigned to the 182nd Infantry Regiment. He was accepted to the United States Military Academy (West Point) and was commissioned a second lieutenant, while attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and later receiving his Master of Arts degree in English from Columbia University. Among one of his earliest assignments was serving with an infantry unit stationed in Puerto Rico. During the 1960s, he was promoted to commander of the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry and served as an officer in plans and operations during the Vietnam War. In 1973, he was assigned to American forces in Europe and rose to Assistant Division Commander of the 8th Infantry Division in Mainz, Germany. He would go on to serve as Commanding General of the United States VII Corps in Stuttgart, Germany, prior to his command position in Central America. He retired in 1992 and returned to West Point where he served as Olin Distinguished Professor of National Security. He served as the Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He later served as an envoy with the status of Ambassador in Bosnia with the United States State Department and was praised for his efforts to broker peace. He penned the book "Air Assault: The Development of Airmobile Warfare" (1969). An interest in American history led to his writing of the books "Three Men of Boston" (1997) and "The Minute Men" (2006). His autobiography "Fighting the Cold War: A Soldier's Memoir" was published a few months prior to his death. Among the many honors during his career include a Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Air Medal with V Device for valor. In 1997, he was the recipient of the United States Military Academy Distinguished Graduate Award.