Robert William RisCassi (born 18 January 1936) is an American retired general who served as the 21st vice chief of staff of the United States Army from 1989 to 1990. His previous assignments were as commander of United Nations Command, ROK/US Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea from 1990 to 1993, and concurrently as the commanding general of the US Eighth Army from 1990 to 1992. He also served as director of the Joint Staff from 1987 to 1988, and as deputy chief of staff for operations and plans of the United States Army from 1986 to 1988. RisCassi was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and was commissioned in 1958 through the University of Connecticut Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He was deployed during the Vietnam War, and his awards include the Bronze Star with valor.
Early life and education RisCassi was born on January 18, 1936, in Hartford, Connecticut, and is a 1958 graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and holds a Master of Arts degree from Auburn University in Political Science.National Defense Panel members biographies His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.Spectrum Group bio
Army career He received his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1958 from the University of Connecticut Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. He served in the Vietnam War as chief of plans for the 1st Field Force (G3) before commanding the 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. After returning to the United States, he served as an Infantry Branch Personnel Management Officer, and then as Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management). RisCassi was then sent to Europe, where he commanded the 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division; and served as assistant commander of the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized).
His other assignments include Director of the Joint Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, all in Washington, D.C.; Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and Commanding General of the Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Commander of the 9th Infantry Division (Motorized), Fort Lewis, Washington; Assistant Division Commander of the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Germany; and Assistant Commandant of the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia.The Korean Theater - One-of-a-Kind He was awarded the University of Connecticut Distinguished Alumni Award in 1989.UCAA Distinguished Alumni Award Past Recipients
Awards and decorations Combat Infantryman Badge Senior Parachutist Badge Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge Army Staff Identification Badge Defense Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clustersLegion of MeritBronze Star with "V" Device and two oak leaf clustersMeritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clustersAir Medal with V device and numeral 20Army Commendation MedalNational Defense Service Medal with service starVietnam Service Medal with four service starsArmy Service RibbonOverseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 3Officer of the Ordre national du Mérite (France)Gallantry Cross (Vietnam) with bronze starVietnam Campaign Medal
Post-Army career RisCassi is Vice-President of L-3 Communications Corporation. He served on the Commission on Roles and Missions in 1995, and has been employed as an executive with Loral Corporation and Lockheed Martin. He sits on the boards of Alliant Techsystems, Korea Society, National Intelligence Council, is a member of the SPECTRUM Group's Senior Advisory Group and was a member of the Department of Defense 2001 investigation into the No Gun Ri allegations, and sat on the National Defense Panel in 1997.
Personal life He is married to Virginia (Dubicki) Riscassi, and they have five children.
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