Joseph A. Healey

Joseph A. Healey (31 March 1930 – 6 December 2005) was a business executive and military officer from New York. A longtime member of the New York Army National Guard, he attained the rank of major general as commander of the 42nd Infantry Division. Healey served from 1948 to 1986, and his awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal and Army Meritorious Service Medal.

A native of Brooklyn, Healey graduated from Brooklyn Preparatory School and received a bachelor's degree from St. John's University. In his civilian career, Healey was employed by New York Telephone, where he rose through the management ranks to become director of economic development.

Healey's military career began in 1948 when he enlisted as a private in the 71st Infantry Regiment of the New York Army National Guard. He attained the rank of sergeant first class before attending officer candidate school, from which he graduated in 1951. Commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry, Healey advanced through the National Guard's ranks to colonel in command and staff assignments that included command of two companies, a battalion, and a brigade. In 1976, he was assigned as assistant division commander of the 42nd Infantry Division with the rank of brigadier general. Healey commanded the division as a major general from 1978 to 1983. From 1983 until retiring from the military in 1986, Healey commanded the New York Army National Guard's Headquarters Troop Command.

Healey was a longtime resident of Rockville Centre, New York, where he continued to live after he retired. He died in Rockville Centre on 10 December 2005. Healey was buried at Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury, New York.

Early life Joseph Andrew Healey was born in Brooklyn, New York on 31 March 1930, He was raised and educated in Brooklyn, and graduated from Brooklyn Preparatory School in 1947. In 1952, he graduated from St. John's University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

Healey's civilian career was spent with New York Telephone, where he rose through the management and executive ranks to become the company's director of economic development. In 1948, Healey began his military career by enlisting as a private in the New York Army National Guard's 71st Infantry Regiment. The Healeys were the parents of four daughters and a son.

Start of career After his OCS graduation, Healey was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry and assigned as a platoon leader with Company B, 71st Infantry. In December 1952, he was assigned as leader of the intelligence and reconnaissance platoon of the 71st Infantry's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and he was subsequently assigned as the company executive officer. From 1983 until his July 1986 retirement, Healey commanded the New York Army National Guard's Headquarters Troop Command, the position held by Lanna prior to Lanna's assignment to division command.

Healey was a longtime resident of Rockville Centre, New York. Army Meritorious Service Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal Army Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon

Among Healey's state awards were:

New York Conspicuous Service Medal New York Meritorious Service Medal New York Military Commendation Medal New York State Long and Faithful Service Award New York State Recruiting Medal New York Exercise Support Ribbon

Dates of rank Healey's dates of rank were:

Major General, 8 February 1979 Brigadier General, 30 July 1976 Colonel, 1 December 1972 Lieutenant Colonel, 4 January 1969 Major, 15 April 1963 Captain, 3 March 1956 First Lieutenant, 28 June 1954 Second Lieutenant, 28 June 1951 Enlisted service, 23 June 1948 to 27 June 1951