Melvin Zais (8 May 1916 – 5 May 1981) was a United States Army general who served in the Second World War and Vietnam War.
Military career A 1933 graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Zais attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. During his freshman year, he studied at the Louisiana State University as a journalism major before transferring to UNH. In 1937 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. In 1940 he was a member of the original Parachute battalion later the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. During World War II, Zais was the commander of the 3rd Battalion and, later, executive officer of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, fighting in Italy, in southern France, and in the Battle of the Bulge.
Zais attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and was also a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College, and the National War College. He was promoted to brigadier general on 1 June 1964; major general on 1 May 1967; and lieutenant general on 1 August 1969. He was named Commanding General, Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe, İzmir, Turkey, effective August 1973 following his promotion to general on July 13 the month prior.
Zais' assignments included Assistant Division Commander, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army, Vietnam, 1966; Director of Individual Training, Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, United States Army, Washington, D.C., 1966–68. In that role he was instrumental in originating the concept that resulted in the creation of the noncommissioned Officer candidate program. During this time he led the army liaison team responsible for the involvement of Federal troops in suppressing the April 1968 Baltimore riot; Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (then designated as Airmobile), Vietnam, 1968–69. He led the 101st Airborne Division in the Battle of Hamburger Hill against the People's Army of Vietnam. He then became the Commanding General, XXIV Corps, Vietnam, 1969–70.
After returning from Vietnam, Zais served Director for Operations, J-3, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., 1970–72 and as Commanding General, Third United States Army from 1972 to 1973.
On 1 August 1973, Zais was promoted to the rank of four-star general and appointed as Commander, Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe. He held the position until his retirement on 31 May 1976. Zais died on 5 May 1981, in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Awards and decorations Combat Infantryman Badge Basic Army Aviator Badge Master Combat Parachutist Badge with one bronze jump star Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge Army Staff Identification Badge Vietnam Master Parachutist Badge 101st Airborne Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia 9 Overseas Service Bars Army Distinguished Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters Silver Star with oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Air Medal with Valor device and bronze award numeral 26 Joint Service Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster American Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star American Campaign Medal European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four service stars World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal with service star Vietnam Service Medal with seven service stars National Order of Vietnam, Commander National Order of Vietnam, Officer Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order, 1st class Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st class Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, 1st class Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation Vietnam Campaign Medal
References
External links Third Army Website – Commander Biographies University of New Hampshire Army ROTC website – Distinguished Alumni