Roy Thurman

John Royster "Roy" Thurman III (April 11, 1924 – May 29, 2004) was a United States Army lieutenant general.

Early life and education

Thurman was born in Lexington, Kentucky in 1924 but moved to High Point, North Carolina in 1928. He graduated from High Point Central High School in 1941 and then enrolled at North Carolina State College. and Harvard University's six-week Advanced Management Program (1969). George Washington University awarded Thurman a Master of Science in international affairs. His 1965 thesis was entitled Technology in the Congo - - a progress report.

Military career Before attending West Point, Thurman served as an enlisted man in the United States Army from November 1942 to July 1943.

Thurman held commands during both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In Korea, he was a battery commander for the 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division and the 674th Airborne Field Artillery Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. In Vietnam from August 1965 to March 1968, Thurman commanded the 1st Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment and the 25th Infantry Division Artillery. He was promoted to colonel on December 5, 1967.

Thurman was promoted to major general on March 1, 1973. He served as commander of the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea from May 1975 to June 1976. Thurman then became commandant of the Combined Arms Center, Command and General Staff College and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was promoted to lieutenant general on September 1, 1977.

Roy Thurman was the older brother of General Maxwell Reid Thurman. Thurman's remains are interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Awards Thurman's military awards and honors include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak leaf Cluster, a Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 34 oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and a Master Parachutist Badge.