John W. Hendrix

This article is about the armed forces general and commander. For other people with similar names, see John Hendricks (disambiguation).

John Walter Hendrix (born 22 September 1942) is a retired United States Army four-star general who served as Commander, United States Army Forces Command from 1999 to 2001.

John W. Hendrix
General John W. Hendrix
Born	(1942-09-22) 22 September 1942 (age 82) Bulloch County, Georgia, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Years of service	1965–2001
Rank	General
Commands	United States Army Forces Command Task Force Hawk V Corps 3rd Infantry Division United States Army Infantry Center 2nd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division
Battles / wars	Vietnam War Gulf War Invasion of Panama Kosovo War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (4) Bronze Star Medal (4)

Early life and education

Hendrix was born on 22 September 1942, in Bulloch County, Georgia,^[1] and received his commission after graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1965 with a degree in electrical engineering. Hendrix is of English, Scottish and Italian descent.^[2] He earned a master's degree in history in 1978 from Middle Tennessee State University,^[3] and is a graduate of both the United States Army War College and the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

Military career

Hendrix's commands include V Corps; Task Force Hawk;^[4] 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia; and the United States Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Georgia.

Hendrix also served as deputy chief of staff for operations, United States Army Europe and 7th Army; assistant division commander, 1st Armored Division during the Gulf War; executive officer to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Belgium; and assistant commandant, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning.

Hendrix completed several NATO assignments during the Cold War, including commander of 2nd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, and served two tours of duty as a rifle company commander in the Republic of Vietnam. He retired from the army in 2001.

Awards and decorations

Combat Infantryman Badge

Basic Army Aviator Badge

Ranger tab

Master Parachutist Badge

Army Staff Identification Badge

Silver German Parachutist Badge

1st Armored Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

13th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

? Overseas Service Bars

Defense Distinguished Service Medal

Army Distinguished Service Medal

Silver Star with one bronze oak leaf cluster

Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters

Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and three oak leaf clusters

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Air Medal with bronze award numeral 4

Army Commendation Medal with Valor device and silver oak leaf cluster

Army Presidential Unit Citation

Valorous Unit Award

Meritorious Unit Commendation

National Defense Service Medal

Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and one bronze service stars

Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars

Army Service Ribbon

Army Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 4

Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm and gold star

Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation

Vietnam Campaign Medal

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Post-military

In retirement, Hendrix sits on the board of advisors of the National Infantry Foundation,^[5] and worked for United Defense Industries.^[6] He was National Chairman of the Military Officers Association of America.^[7]