John Porter Lucas
Major General, U.S. Army

John Porter Lucas was born on 14 January 1890 in West Virginia.

Lucas was a graduate of the Class of 1911 of the U.S. Military Academy. Following his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in June 1911, his first military service was in the Philippines and later, in the Mexican Punitive Expedition before the U.S. entered World War I.

During World War I, he was a Lieutenant Colonel, commanding the Division's Signal Units for the 33rd Division, during which he was wounded. Recognized for his leadership and abilities, he served on the War Department General Staff from 1932-36.

During World War II, he entered the North African campaign as an observer for the War Department, and later became a Deputy to Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton. During the Sicily Campaign, he succeeded General Omar S. Bradley as Commander of the U.S. Second Corps, and later served as Commander of the Sixth Corps, becoming in 1944 one of the few Army officers ever to be awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

After World War II, he served as Deputy Commanding General of 5th U.S. Army, retiring in 1948.

Medals and Awards

Army Distinguished Service Medal (2 Awards)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Mexican Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal

Death and Burial

Major General John Porter Lucas died on 4 December 1949 at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Great Lakes Navy Center, IL. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.