Jack LeMaster Treadwell

Colonel Jack L. Treadwell, Medal of Honor

Jack LeMaster Treadwell rose from enlisted infantryman to colonel during more than three decades of Army service, fighting in two wars and earning both the Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross. During the Second World War he was wounded four times, received a battlefield commission, and became one of the most highly decorated soldiers of the 45th Infantry Division. More than twenty years later, he returned to combat in Vietnam.

Early Life and Army Service

Jack LeMaster Treadwell was born on March 31, 1919, in Ashland, Alabama. He later lived in Oklahoma and entered the United States Army from Snyder, Oklahoma.

Treadwell began his military career as an enlisted infantryman. During the Second World War he served with the 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, and participated in the division’s campaigns across the Mediterranean and Europe.

His ability as a combat leader brought promotion through the enlisted ranks, eventually reaching platoon sergeant. In 1944, after extensive combat experience, he received a battlefield commission as an infantry officer.

Distinguished Service Cross

On May 24, 1944, near Carano, Italy, Treadwell distinguished himself in combat during the difficult Allied operations following the Anzio landings.

His actions that day resulted in the award of the Distinguished Service Cross, the United States Army’s second-highest decoration for valor in combat.

Treadwell continued fighting with the 45th Infantry Division as it advanced through Europe. By the end of the war he had been wounded on four separate occasions, represented by his Purple Heart with three oak leaf clusters.

His greatest action was still to come.

Medal of Honor Action

By March 1945, First Lieutenant Treadwell was commanding Company F, 180th Infantry Regiment, as American forces fought their way into Germany.

On March 18, near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany, his company encountered heavily fortified German defensive positions. Intense machine-gun and rifle fire stopped the American advance, and an eight-man assault group attempting to break the position became casualties.

Treadwell moved forward alone.

Under direct enemy fire, he advanced against the German fortifications and attacked them at close range. Moving from position to position, he captured six pillboxes and took 18 German soldiers prisoner.

His assault broke the resistance that had stopped his company and allowed his men to resume their advance.

For his actions at Nieder-Wurzbach, Treadwell was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor Citation

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed)

First Lieutenant Jack L. Treadwell distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany, on March 18, 1945.

When intense enemy fire halted his company and an assault group sent against the German defenses became casualties, Treadwell advanced alone through heavy fire. Attacking the fortified positions at close range, he captured six pillboxes and 18 enemy soldiers.

His actions destroyed the resistance blocking his company’s advance and enabled his men to continue the attack.

His extraordinary courage, determination and leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

A Highly Decorated Combat Soldier

Treadwell emerged from the Second World War with an exceptional record of combat service.

In addition to the Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross, his decorations included the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. His four wounds were represented by three oak leaf clusters on his Purple Heart.

His European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal reflected extensive campaigning with the 45th Infantry Division, including participation in amphibious operations and numerous campaigns across the Mediterranean and European theatres.

After the war, Treadwell chose to remain in the Army.

Vietnam War

More than two decades after his Second World War combat service, Colonel Treadwell again served in a war zone during the Vietnam War.

He served as Chief of Staff of the Americal Division and subsequently commanded the 11th Infantry Brigade.

His Vietnam service included participation in the Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V, Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI and Tet 69 Counteroffensive campaigns.

His service in Southeast Asia added another chapter to a combat career that had begun as an enlisted infantryman before the United States entered the Second World War.

Later Career and Retirement

Following Vietnam, Treadwell continued in senior Army assignments, including service connected with Fourth and Fifth U.S. Army and duties involving the Army Reserve.

During his long career he accumulated an extraordinary collection of American and foreign decorations. His awards included four Legions of Merit, three Bronze Star Medals, including an award for valor, four Purple Hearts, and 13 awards of the Air Medal, in addition to numerous campaign, service, unit and foreign decorations.

Colonel Jack L. Treadwell retired from the United States Army in February 1974 after more than 33 years of military service.

He had entered the Army as an enlisted infantryman and retired as a colonel.

Death and Burial

Jack L. Treadwell died on December 12, 1977, at the age of 58 following heart surgery.

He was buried with full military honors at Fort Sill Post Cemetery in Oklahoma.

Treadwell’s military career spanned an extraordinary period of American history. From an enlisted infantryman fighting across Europe, to a battlefield-commissioned officer who attacked six German pillboxes alone, and finally to a colonel commanding soldiers in Vietnam, his career encompassed more than three decades of active service.

The Medal of Honor recognized his actions on one day in Germany, but his Distinguished Service Cross, four combat wounds, extensive campaign service and later command in Vietnam reveal the much broader record of a soldier who spent most of his adult life in the United States Army.