John Adams Wickham, Jr., was born in Dobbs Ferry, New York on 25 June 1928; graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1950; was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to the 18th Infantry; was a troop officer in the 6th Infantry in the United States and Europe, 1950–1953; was promoted to temporary first lieutenant, December 1951; graduated from the infantry and airborne officer courses at the Infantry School, 1953; was a platoon leader and executive officer in Company L, 511th Airborne Infantry, 1953–1954; was an aide-de-camp successively in Headquarters, 37th and 10th Infantry Divisions, 1954; was promoted to temporary captain, October 1954; attended Harvard University to earn degrees in public administration and in politics, economics, and government, 1954–1956; married Ann Lindsley Prior, 1955; was instructor and then assistant professor of the department of social sciences, West Point, 1956–1960; was promoted to temporary major, June 1959; graduated from the Command and General Staff College, 1961; was operations officer of the 1st Battle Group, 5th Cavalry, in Korea, 1961–1962; graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College, 1963; served in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations, 1963–1964; was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel, July 1963; served in the Special Studies Group, Office of the Chief of Staff, 1964; was assistant executive officer and aide to the chief of staff of the United States Army, 1964–1966; graduated from the National War College, 1967; commanded the 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in Vietnam, 1967; was wounded and hospitalized at Walter Reed Medical Center, 1967–1968; was promoted to temporary colonel, August 1968; served in the Strategic Plans and Policy Division, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1968–1969; was commander of the 1st Brigade, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army, Europe, 1969–1970; was a staff group member in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1970–1971; was deputy chief of staff for economic affairs, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, 1971–1973; was promoted to temporary brigadier general, July 1972; was deputy chief and U.S. representative, Four-Party Joint Military Commission, Vietnam, 1973; was promoted to temporary major general, July 1973; was military assistant to the secretary of defense, 1973–1976; commanded the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 1976–1978; was assistant deputy chief of staff for operations and plans in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, 1978; was promoted to temporary lieutenant general, August 1978; was director of the Joint Staff, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1978–1979; was promoted to temporary general, July 1979; was commander in chief of the United Nations Command and commander of the United States Forces and Eighth Army, Korea, 1979–1982; was vice chief of staff of the United States Army, 1982–1983; was chief of staff of the United States Army, 23 July 1983–23 June 1987; implemented an Army concept for a new light division structure, supervised a corollary increase in force structure from sixteen to eighteen regular divisions and eight to ten reserve divisions with attendant stationing arrangements, and stressed measures to care for Army families; retired from active service, June 1987.

The Artist

Margaret Holland Sargent received her education in art at the University of California-Los Angeles and the Art Students League in New York City, supplemented by private study with Herbert Abrams and John Sanden. She has painted the portraits of many prominent government leaders and private citizens. Her widely exhibited work has won her a number of awards, including several from the Salmagundi Club. She was the first woman artist certified by the American Portrait Society for highest quality and outstanding achievement. Sargent maintains a studio in Los Angeles.

John Adams Wickham, Jr.
By Margaret Holland Sargent
Oil on canvas, 52" x 32", 1986
 

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