John Harold Tilelli Jr. (born 2 October 1941) is a retired United States Army four-star general who served as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1994 to 1995; Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command from 1995 to 1996; and Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/United States Combined Forces Command/Commander, United States Forces Korea from 1996 to 1999. He retired from the United States Army on 31 January 2000, and later worked for the USO and The Aerospace Corporation.
Early life and education Tilelli was raised in Holmdel Township, New Jersey, and graduated in 1959 from Red Bank Catholic High School."RBC Welcomes General John Tilelli ('59) for Veteran's Day", Red Bank Catholic High School, November 11, 2024. Accessed April 4, 2025. "Red Bank Catholic was honored to welcome home Retired U.S. Four Star General John J. Tilelli Jr. to his alma mater for a special Veterans Day presentation to the RBC and St. James Elementary communities. General Tilelli grew up in Holmdel, New Jersey and graduated from Red Bank Catholic in 1959." He attended Pennsylvania Military College (since renamed as Widener University), graduating in 1963 with a degree in economics and was commissioned an armor officer.Kozaryn, Linda D. "Marine Corps Fetes USO's Tilelli" , United States Department of Defense, April 6, 2000. Accessed March 15, 2011. He earned a master's degree in administration from Lehigh University in 1972 and is a 1983 Army War College graduate. He also holds honorary doctorates in business management from Widener and in law from the University of Maryland.
Military career
Tilelli served two tours in the Vietnam War, 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 Gulf War.
Awards and decorations Tilelli's awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device and two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge and Army Staff Identification Badge.The Aerospace Corporation bio
Personal life Since retiring, Tilelli has served as president of the United Service Organizations (USO).Opening of new USO corridor at Pentagon He was also elected to the board of trustees of The Aerospace Corporation, and sat on the board of directors of Raytheon until 4 May 2005.Raytheon online Annual Report 2004 In 2006, he joined the board of directors for Xcelaero.Xcelaero Appoints U.S. Army Gen. (Ret.) John H. Tilelli Jr. to Board of Directors From 2008 to 2014, he served on the board of directors of Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), including a two-year term as chairman of the board from 2012 to 2014. About MOAA/Leadership and Governance: Board of Directors
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References Belfer Center bio Center for International Security and Cooperation bio