General John Adams Wickham, Jr

Gen John Adams Wickham Jr, age 95, born in Dobbs Ferry, New York June 25, 1928 passed away peacefully on May 11, 2024 in Oro Valley, Arizona. He is survived by his beloved wife Ann Prior Wickham of 69 years, Oro Valley, AZ.

A 1950 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point NY, John had extensive duty with combat units beginning in Berlin as a company commander through division and theater commands, with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and US Forces Korea, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. In October 1967, while an infantry battalion commander for the 5th Battalion 7th Cavalry 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) he earned his first Silver Star for Valor. A month later, he earned a second Silver Star for the Battle of LZ Colt, where he was nearly mortally wounded. On his second tour in Vietnam as a one-star general, he served as Deputy Chief and US Representative for the Four-Party Joint Military Commission in Vietnam negotiating the peace treaty and prisoner of war issues with North Vietnamese and Viet Cong leaders. After being promoted to a four star general officer, he commanded over half a million men and women as Commander in Chief, US and Korean forces, and United Nations Command in Korea.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan appointed General Wickham as the 30th Chief of Staff of the Army, responsible for over $70 billion of annual programs, leading the Army to upwards of 2 million soldiers and civilian employees. He vigorously pursued modernization of the Army with particular focus on advanced technology and information systems. He sought retention of high-quality soldiers, improvement in ground and aviation safety standards (achieving the best records in Army history), promoting professional development and quality of life for soldiers and their families, and the strengthening of Army values, leadership, and ethics. The Army's creation of Light Infantry Divisions, development of high technology capabilities, and substantial increase in combat battalions within the existing strength of the Army were among his initiatives. He spearheaded the first Army Family Action Plan. Working closely with Air Force Chief of Staff General Gabriel, he also pursued initiatives to minimize duplication of programs and to strengthen cooperation with the Air Force in war fighting and doctrine. Four initiatives led to cost avoidance of over one billion dollars. Other initiatives created improved battlefield capabilities which were employed successfully during the recent Gulf Wars.

From 1954-1956, Wickham attended Harvard University, earning master's degrees in Public Administration and in Politics, Economics and Government. He subsequently served as an associate professor in the Social Science Department at West Point. His US military decorations included 8 Distinguished Service Medals (Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force), 2 Silver Stars for valor, 4 Legions of Merit, 11 Air Medals, Bronze Star for Valor, and Purple Heart. Combat Infantry badge, Expert Infantry badge and Parachute badge. He received 21 foreign decorations, including the Republic of Korea's highest military award. In 2005, he received West Point's Distinguished Graduate Award. In 2006, he received the US Army Infantry Center's Doughboy Award.

Following 41 years of service, of which serving 17 years as a general officer, he became the President and CEO of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. Wickham served on several boards and was board chairman for Honeywell and Nortel Federal Systems. He was director of the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, Vice Chairman of the United States-China National Committee, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and served on the Secretary of Defense's Policy Board. In 2005, he wrote "Korea on the Brink-From the 12/12 Incident to the Kwangju Uprising in 2000" published by the National Defense University Press.

John and Ann retired again to the Southwest in Sun City, Tucson from 1992-2006. He was president of Sun City Vistoso Foundation, a nonprofit organization and served as an ordained Elder with St Andrews Presbyterian church. They moved to nearby Splendido afterwards where he served as president of the resident council. John also served on the Pima County Regional Transportation Advisory committee and the Oro Valley Community Foundation. General Wickham was a guest commentator on the McNeil-Lehrer News Hour during the 1st Gulf War, 1990-1991 and on CNN in 2003 commenting on the US focus in Bagdad. John was also a frequent guest of his long-time friend Bill Buckmaster, first on PBS Arizona Illustrated and subsequently on the monthly The Bill Buckmaster Show speaking on global and military issues.

He was preceded in death by his father, COL John Adams Wickham, Sr USA (Ret.) his mother, Jean Koch, and sisters Joan Wickham, Joyce Ray and Nancy Boyd. He is survived by his daughter Lindsley Harner and LTC William Harner, USA (Ret.) of Carlisle, PA, and son Matthew Wickham, and Mary Ellen Wickham of Conifer, Colorado. His son John Wickham III preceded him in death. He has 6 grandchildren Dr. William Harner, Jr LTC USA, CPT Jessica Harner USA (Ret.), Arthur Wickham and Andrew Wickham. And son John's children, Blake and Shane Wickham. He has three great-grandchildren: Lani Crayon, Ezra Harner and Oliver Wickham.

General John Wickham possessed a deep abiding Christian faith and love for his country, his beloved wife, and family. He was an avid hiker, RV enthusiast, an eternal tinkerer and Mr. Fix-it around the house. He was a road cyclist enjoying his recumbent bike. He read voraciously, mostly biographies and history books. John also loved poetry later in life publishing his personal poems in his book "On Life, Love, and Living." He helped train their Belgian Malinois dogs with his wife Annie for agility competitions. Always approachable, always willing to help, John was a friend to all he met.

Should friends desire, donations in his honor can be made to Freedom Service Dogs Inc. and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. Condolences can be mailed to P.O. Box 1012, Conifer, Colorado 80433 or posted to Legacy.com. To be interred at West Point Cemetery at a later date.