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General Melvin Zais (May 8, 1916 – May 7, 1981) was a United States Army general.
General Zais attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science. In 1937 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. He attended the U.S. 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, June 1, 1964; Major General, May 1, 1967; and Lieutenant General, August 1, 1969. He was named Commanding General, Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe, Izmir, Turkey, effective August 1973 following his promotion to General on July 13 the month prior.
He was a veteran of World War II and Vietnam War. His assignments included Commander, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army, Vietnam, 1966; Director of Individual Training, Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C., 1966–68; Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), U.S. Army, Vietnam, 1968–69; Commanding General, XXIV Corps, U.S. Army, Vietnam, 1969–70; Director for Operations, J-3, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., 1970–72; Commanding General, Third Army, 1972–73
In 1940 he was a member of the original Parachute battalion later the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. During World War II, Zais was the Executive Officer of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, fighting in Italy, in southern France and in the Battle of the Bulge. During his command of the 101st Airborne Division in Viet Nam, they fought the Battle of Hamburger Hill.
Awards and decorations
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with three 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 .
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| Combat Infantryman Badge | ||||||||
| Basic Army Aviator Badge | ||||||||
| Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters | Silver Star with oak leaf cluster | Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster | ||||||
| Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster | Bronze Star | Purple Heart | ||||||
| Air Medal | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster | ||||||
| American Defense Service Medal with service star | American Campaign Medal | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four service stars | ||||||
| World War II Victory Medal | Army of Occupation Medal | National Defense Service Medal with one service star | ||||||
| Vietnam Service Medal with seven service stars | National Order of Vietnam | National Order of Vietnam | ||||||
| Gallantry Cross (Vietnam) | Armed Forces Honor Medal | Vietnam Campaign Medal | ||||||
| Master Combat Parachutist Badge w/ 1 star |