Melvin Zais

Melvin Zais (May 8, 1916 – May 7, 1981) was a United States Army general who served in the Second World War and Vietnam War.

Melvin Zais
Born(1916-05-08)May 8, 1916
Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedMay 7, 1981(1981-05-07) (aged 64)
Beaufort, South Carolina, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1937–1976
RankGeneral
Commands heldAllied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe
Third United States Army
XXIV Corps
101st Airborne Division
1st Infantry Division
Battles/warsWorld War II
Vietnam War
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal (4)
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit (3)
Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
Bronze Star Medal

Military career

A 1933 graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School,[1] Zais attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. During his freshman year, he studied at the Louisiana State University as a journalism major before transferring to UNH.[1] In 1937 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. In 1940 he was a member of the original Parachute battalion later the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. During World War II, Zais was the commander of the 3rd Battalion and, later, executive officer of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, fighting in Italy, in southern France, and in the Battle of the Bulge.

Zais attended the United States Army 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 on June 1, 1964; major general on May 1, 1967; and lieutenant general on 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.

Zais' assignments included Commander, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army, Vietnam, 1966; Director of Individual Training, Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, United States Army, Washington, D.C., 1966–68, during this time he led the army liaison team responsible for the involvement of Federal troops in suppressing the April 1968 Baltimore riot;[2]:3202 Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (then designated as Airmobile), Vietnam, 1968–69. He led the 101st Airborne Division in the Battle of Hamburger Hill against the People's Army of Vietnam. He then became the Commanding General, XXIV Corps, Vietnam, 1969–70.

After returning from Vietnam, Zais served Director for Operations, J-3, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., 1970–72 and as Commanding General, Third United States Army from 1972 to 1973.

On August 1, 1973 Zais was promoted to the rank of four-star general and appointed as Commander, Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe. He held the position until his retirement on May 31, 1976. Zais died on May 5, 1981 in Beaufort, South Carolina.[3]

Awards and decorations

Combat Infantryman Badge
Basic Army Aviator Badge
Master Combat Parachutist Badge with one bronze jump star
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge
Vietnam Master Parachutist Badge
101st Airborne Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
9 Overseas Service Bars
Army Distinguished Service Medal with three bronze 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 Medal
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Valor device and bronze award numeral 26
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
American Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
American Campaign Medal
European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four service stars
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal with service star
Vietnam Service Medal with seven service stars
National Order of Vietnam, Grand Officer
National Order of Vietnam, Officer
Unidentified ribbon
Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order, 1st class
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st class
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, 1st class
Unidentified ribbon
Unidentified ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation
Vietnam Campaign Medal

References

  1. Munroe Dion, Marc (August 27, 2012). "Zais Building named after a distinguished war hero". The Herald News. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  2. Scheips, Paul (2005). The Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1945–1992 (PDF). US Army Center of Military History. ISBN 9781517253783. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. Josh Barbanel (1981-05-07). "GEN. MELVIN ZAIS, 64, FORMER NATO CHIEF FOR SOUTHEAST EUROPE – Obituary". United States: NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
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
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