John J. Hennessey
John J. Hennessey | |
---|---|
United States of America | |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1944–1979 |
Rank | General |
Commands held | Readiness Command 101st Airborne Division |
Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
Awards | Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star with "V" (4) Air Medal (5) |
Other work | Board of Trustees, University of Tampa |
John Joseph Timothy Hennessey
Military career
After attending Saint Mary's University of Minnesota for three years, Hennessey enrolled in the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1944, receiving his commission in the infantry. He deployed to the Europe Theater, serving as a platoon leader and company commander.
In the Korean War he served on the staff of
On 4 August 1967 the Chief of Staff of the United States Army established the Task Group on Army Preparedness in Civil Disturbance Matters chaired by Hennessey from the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations, the work of this task group was conducted largely by field grade officers and was probably the most comprehensive study of the Army’s civil disturbance mission ever conducted.[2]: 222
As a brigadier general he served as assistant division commander of the
In 1974 he received his fourth star and assumed command of the
Decorations
His awards and decorations include the
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
- Bronze Star with Combat V and three oak leaf clusters
- Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Post military career
After retiring from the Army, Hennessey served on the board of trustees of the University of Tampa and was executive director of the Tampa Bay Area Research and Development Authority under the University of South Florida.
Hennessey died of a stroke on March 20, 2001, at the age of 79.