James J. Lindsay was a retired four-star general in the United States Army who served as Special Operations Command (SOCOM)’s first leader and helped found the Airborne and Special Operations Museum.
- Died: August 5, 2023 (Who else died on August 5?)
- Details of death: Died in Vass, North Carolina, of at the age of 90.
- We invite you to share condolences for James J. Lindsay in our Guest Book.
James J. Lindsay’s legacy
Lindsay’s military career spanned nearly four decades of service in the U.S. Army. Running short of money while attending the University of Wisconsin, he enlisted in 1952 to take advantage of the GI Bill. He received a master’s degree in foreign affairs from George Washington University, but opted to stay in the military, where he steadily moved up through the ranks.
Lindsay served with the 82nd Airborne Division and 77th Special Forces Group, among others. When he attained the rank of general, he was given command of the 82nd Airborne. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan named him the first commander of SOCOM. Over the course of his career, he earned four Bronze Stars, four Silver Stars, two Distinguished Service Medals, and the Distinguished Service Cross.
After his retirement in 1990, Lindsay served as a consultant to the U.S. Army’s Battle Command Training Program (BCTP) for nearly 20 years. He also founded the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation and helped create the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina, which opened in 2000. In 2018, he became the city’s first Hometown Hero Award winner.
Notable quote
“I thought I would go into the Army and come back on the GI Bill. And 34 years later, I’m still here.”—from a 1986 interview in Fayetteville News and Observer
Tributes to James J. Lindsay
Full obituary: The Fayetteville Observer
