John Chaisson

John Robert Chaisson (27 September 1916 – 20 September 1972) was a United States Marine Corps Lieutenant general who served in World War II and the Vietnam War.

Early life Born 27 September 1916, in Swampscott, Massachusetts. He graduated from Swampscott High School in 1934. He received his BA degree upon graduation from Harvard College in June 1939, then attended Boston College Law School for one year.

Military career He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in October 1940, and was assigned to the Officer Candidates School, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia. He was appointed a Second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve on 20 February 1941, and was commissioned in the regular Marine Corps on 4 August 1941.

On 18 May Walt tasked him with securing the Hàn River bridge in Da Nang which was being contested between Struggle Movement forces and South Vietnamese Marines. He convinced the Vietnamese Marines to be replaced by US Marines, but was unable to convince the Struggle Movement forces similarly and so ordered US Marines to move amongst the Struggle Movement forces and sit down. He and Walt then attempted to convince the Struggle Movement commander not to blow up the bridge with them on it, the commander signalled for the demolition, but nothing happened. The charges were disarmed and the US Marines took control of the bridge. In a press conference on 3 February 1968, he admitted that the Viet Cong had surprised the MACV command with the intensity and coordination of the Tet Offensive. For his role at MACV he earned the Distinguished Service Medal.

He retired from active duty on 31 July 1972 and became deputy director of regulations for the Atomic Energy Commission. He died of a heart attack on 20 September 1972 while playing badminton at the Pentagon. He was survived by his wife Marguerite and their four children.

Awards and decorations His medals and decorations include: Distinguished Service Medal (2); the Silver Star; the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and one gold Star in lieu of a second award; Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"; the Navy Commendation Medal; Presidential Unit Citation (3); Navy Unit Commendation; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze stars; World War II Victory Medal; China Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; Korean Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry; United Nations Service Medal; and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.