John Harold Tilelli, Jr.
General, U.S. Army

John Harold Tilelli, Jr. was born on 2 October 1941 in Brooklyn, NY, and was raised in Holmdel Township, NJ. He is a 1963 graduate of Pennsylvania Military College (now named Widener University) where he received a Bachelor's degree in Economics and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Armor branch. He earned a Master's degree in Administration from Lehigh University in 1972 and is a 1983 Army War College graduate.

Tilelli served two tours in Vietnam, four in Germany, and three in the Pentagon. His combat tours include assignments as a company commander in Vietnam and as Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division during the 1991 Gulf War.

He served as Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army (VCSA) from 1994-95; Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM) from 1995-96; and Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK) from 1996-99.

General John Harold Tilelli, Jr. retired from active service in the Army on 31 January 2000.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with Award Numeral 3
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge

Honors

● He received an honorary Doctorate in Business Management from Widener University.

● He received an honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Maryland.

In Retirement

Since retiring, Tilelli has served as president of the United Service Organizations (USO). He was elected to the Board of Trustees of The Aerospace Corporation and also sat on the board of directors of Raytheon until 4 May 2005.

In 2006, he joined the board of directors for Xcelaero.