Died 1992 (aged 76–77) Name John Lekson Rank Major General | Years of service 1940–1975 Allegiance United States | |
Buried at Section 59, Arlington National Cemetery Battles/wars World War II
North African Campaign
Italian Campaign
Battle of the Bulge
Vietnam War Education Case Western Reserve University Awards Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal Battles and wars World War II, North African Campaign, Italian Campaign, Battle of the Bulge, Vietnam War Unit 504th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
John S. Lekson (1915 — January 19, 1992) was a United States Army officer. He was born to Slovenian immigrant parents. He graduated from Western Reserve University and enlisted in the Ohio National Guard in 1940 as a Private. He was commissioned through Officer Candidate School and rose to Major during World War II. During the war, he served with the 82nd Airborne Division, including the 504th Parachute Infantry, and fought in North Africa, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany, including the Battle of the Bulge. He also served in Austria, Italy and Korea.
In Vietnam he served as Assistant Commander of the 9th Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division in 1967-68, subsequently rising in rank to Major General. His final assignment was Director of Operations for the Readiness Command, predecessor of the U.S. Central Command. He retired in 1975. His medals included the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.
He is buried in Section 59 of Arlington National Cemetery with honors (d. 1992).