Dale Allen Vesser

Dale Allen Vesser died at home, surrounded by family, on September 16, 2025 after a brief struggle with cancer. He had been playing tennis just a couple of weeks before his diagnosis and had recently celebrated his 93rd birthday with family and friends.

Dale had a distinguished 47-year career in the military. After retiring at the rank of Lieutenant General, he was appointed to the Department of Defense Civilian Senior Executive Service by both Republican and Democratic administrations, who recognized him as a problem-solver.

He was born on September 10, 1932, in California but grew up in Pocatello, Idaho where his father, a former professional football player, worked as football coach at Idaho State University. Dale grew up playing football, running track, and wrestling.

Though young, he had a strong work ethic, and during World War II worked digging potatoes alongside Mexican laborers. His first taste of military service came through a stint in the Idaho National Guard, where he served with WWII veterans.

Dale was accepted at Harvard, but his family could not afford the tuition. He also won a full scholarship at Columbia but could not cover the room and board. His solution was to attend West Point, where all his expenses were covered, to explore a career in the military.

He did well there, rising academically to second in his class, playing lacrosse, and excelling in pistol shooting. He helped lead the team to three national championships. With the recommendation of one of his professors, he won a Rhodes Scholarship and began at Christ Church College, Oxford University, in 1954.

At Oxford he rowed crew, played lacrosse, and earned a B.A. in political science and an M.A. in economics. Most importantly, he met Valerie Catmur, a native lass and law student at Oxford, who became his wife of 69 years.

Dale's military assignments included instruction, combat operations, and service at the Pentagon, with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security Council at the White House. He taught Social Sciences at West Point and Leadership and Command at the Armor School. He worked on nuclear missile defense and arms control negotiations. His work on plans and policy required developing scenarios for future international developments to find strategy, force structure and weapons selection recommendations within likely budgets.

Dale completed two year-long tours in Vietnam. During his second tour he served as an air assault and infantry commander in the First Cavalry Division. After surviving several helicopter crashes, he decided it was a good idea to know how to fly one himself, quickly learning to pilot choppers. For his service, he was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, among many others. Between tours, he authored a volume that later became part of what is known as "The Pentagon Papers."

He spent a year in Germany as brigade commander of the largest tank brigade in Europe. He also served as Deputy Commanding General of Fort Hood, TX, and Commanding General of the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Polk, LA.

After retiring from active duty, Dale served as Assistant Under Secretary of Defense for Resources and Plans during the George H.W. Bush administration.

He was later asked to lead the Gulf War Illness Task Force to find answers for veterans suffering from war-related illnesses and symptoms. After more than 100 town hall meetings with veterans and over 40 published studies, it became difficult not to conclude that "we did this to ourselves."

Dale was a man of eclectic tastes. He loved golden retrievers, roses, books (both potboilers and rare antiques), collecting guns, the Tetons, poetry, squash and tennis. He believed in hard work, doing your duty, maintaining high standards, and intellectual rigor — but also civility, courtesy, and kindness. These values resulted in numerous deep friendships and mentorships throughout his life. When asked near the end how he wanted to be remembered, he said, "As someone who cared."

He is survived by his wife Valerie, daughter Melanie, son Barry, and many relatives and friends. Private service.