Years of service 1937-1973 | Name John Tolson Rank Lieutenant General | |
Born October 22, 1915
New Bern, North Carolina ( 1915-10-22 ) Commands held XVIII Airborne Corps, 1st Cavalry Division Battles/wars World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War Died December 2, 1991, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States Books Airmobility, 1961-1971, Airmobility in Vietnam Awards Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross Battles and wars World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War | ||
Allegiance United States of America Service/branch United States Army | ||
John J. Tolson III was a Lieutenant General in the United States Army. During the Vietnam War, he helped implement the airmobile concept use of helicopters in combat with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Tolson gives credit to the U.S Marines for first using helicopters to transport troops into combat in the Korean War, making the ground fight a three-dimensional war, thus freeing our troops from the tyranny of terrain. Maj. Gen. Tolson took command of the division in April 1967 and served in that capacity till July 14, 1969. During his command his division played crucial roles during the Tet Offensive at the former Imperial capital at Hue and at Quang Tri City in January 1968. It also participated in the second biggest battle of the war: the relief of the Marine Khe Sanh Combat Base in March 1968 where all three brigades engaged the enemy, as well as the massive air assault into the A Shau Valley in April 1968 where the First and Third Brigades attacked the north end of the valley and leapfrogged south.
In World War II John J. Tolson was a member of the 503rd Parachute Infantry Battalion and participated in every jump with that unit including the recapture of Corregidor in 1945.