Colonel Jack LeMaster Treadwell was a highly decorated United States Army officer whose military career spanned more than three decades and included service in World War II and the Vietnam War. A recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration for valor, Treadwell became known for extraordinary courage under fire and for leadership that inspired the soldiers serving alongside him.
During World War II, he served with the 180th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division in campaigns across North Africa, Sicily, Italy, southern France, Alsace, and the Rhineland. His most remarkable act of bravery came on March 18, 1945, near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany, when he advanced alone against heavily fortified enemy positions and captured six German pillboxes and 18 prisoners. His actions helped break through a defended section of the Siegfried Line and enabled his company to accomplish its objective.
Treadwell continued serving after World War II, taking on command and staff positions in the United States, Europe, and Vietnam. By the time he retired in 1974, he had completed more than 33 years of military service and had received an extraordinary collection of American and foreign decorations.
Early Life and Struggles: Jack LeMaster Treadwell was born in Ashland, Alabama, in March 1919. He graduated from Snyder High School in 1937 and attended Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma, during 1937 and 1938.
In an era when the United States was moving toward the massive military mobilization that would accompany World War II, Treadwell chose a path of military service. On January 29, 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army from Snyder, Oklahoma. He was trained as an infantryman, beginning a career that would eventually take him from the battlefields of Europe to senior command positions around the world.
The available account does not provide extensive details about personal hardships during his childhood or education. Instead, his early story is defined by his decision to enter military service and develop himself as an infantry soldier and leader.
Military Enlistment and Heroics: Treadwell served throughout World War II with the 180th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division. His unit deployed to North Africa in June 1943 and participated in the Allied invasion of Sicily in July. He subsequently fought at Salerno in September 1943, in southern France in August 1944, and in the campaigns in Alsace and the Rhineland.
His advancement through the ranks reflected his battlefield leadership. On March 23, 1944, he received a battlefield commission. By March 1945, he was serving as a first lieutenant and commanding Company F of the 180th Infantry Regiment.
Treadwell had already demonstrated exceptional leadership before the action that earned him the Medal of Honor. On May 24, 1944, near Carano, Italy, he led his weapons platoon during an enemy attack by a superior force. Under heavy artillery and mortar fire, he reorganized two rifle platoons whose officers were unavailable and moved across a 400-yard front to direct the defense. He also directed friendly artillery and mortar fire while operating close to the enemy positions and personally participated in close combat. His leadership during the engagement earned him the Distinguished Service Cross.
Defining Moment: Treadwell's defining moment came on March 18, 1945, near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany, along the Siegfried Line.
His company had been pinned down for hours by intense enemy automatic weapons, rifle, and artillery fire. Concrete fortifications and interconnected trenches protected the hill ahead. Eight American soldiers had already attempted to attack one position and had all become casualties.
Rather than remain behind the stalled advance, Treadwell moved forward alone. Armed with a submachine gun and hand grenades, he crossed exposed ground under heavy enemy fire and attacked the nearest pillbox. He reached the position, forced his weapon through an opening, and drove four German soldiers out. A fifth enemy soldier was found dead inside.
Treadwell then directed the captured prisoners toward the American lines before continuing his advance. He attacked another pillbox and captured its commander. Still under concentrated fire, he crossed the crest of the hill in full view of enemy machine gunners and snipers and attacked a third position.
He continued his assault until he had captured six pillboxes and 18 prisoners. His actions disrupted the enemy defenses and inspired the soldiers of Company F to follow him. The company then stormed the hill, overcoming resistance and creating an opening in the Siegfried Line that allowed the battalion to reach its objective.
For this extraordinary action, Treadwell was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was subsequently promoted to captain. President Harry S. Truman presented him with the Medal of Honor on August 23, 1945.
Treadwell was wounded during the March 1945 fighting and later required hospitalization. His injuries included a serious wound involving his neck and chest. After recovering, he returned to military duty at the Infantry School at Fort Benning in March 1946.
Post-War Life and Career: Treadwell's service did not end with World War II. He continued serving in increasingly responsible positions throughout the postwar Army.
From 1948 to 1949, he served with the 7th Infantry Regiment at Fort Devens before attending the Armored School at Fort Knox. He later served as a company commander and executive officer with the 350th Infantry Regiment in Austria from 1950 to 1952. From 1952 to 1954, he served as aide-de-camp to the commander of First United States Army at Fort Jay.
He subsequently completed the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth and served as headquarters commandant of Army Forces on Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. He returned to the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning and later attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia.
His career continued through assignments at Fort Sam Houston, the Army War College, and the University of Omaha. He then served with United States Army Europe and commanded a battalion in West Germany. In 1966, he became Chief of the Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning and later commanded the 197th Infantry Brigade there until 1968.
Service in Vietnam
During his Vietnam service, Treadwell made more than 100 parachute jumps and participated in three campaigns: Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V, Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI, and the Tet Offensive.
After Vietnam, he served with Headquarters Fourth United States Army at Fort Sam Houston, which was redesignated Fifth United States Army in 1971. He later became Senior Army Advisor to the U.S. Army Reserve in Columbia, South Carolina.
In June 1970, Treadwell received the Oklahoma Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism involving great personal danger and for outstanding service to the Oklahoma Army National Guard from 1941 through 1970.
After more than 33 years of military service, Treadwell retired on February 27, 1974. During his retirement ceremony, he received the third oak leaf cluster for his Legion of Merit, recognizing exceptional meritorious conduct during his final assignment as Senior Army Advisor to the 120th Army Reserve Command. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation from General Creighton Abrams, then Chief of Staff of the United States Army.
Following retirement, Treadwell and his wife, Maxine Johnson, settled in Oklahoma, where they planned to raise horses. They had three daughters, two of whom married U.S. Army officers.
Treadwell died on December 12, 1977, at the age of 58, following open-heart bypass surgery. He was buried with full military honors at Fort Sill Post Cemetery near Lawton, Oklahoma.
Military Awards and Decorations: Jack L. Treadwell's military record included an exceptional collection of decorations earned during his long career.
Among his most significant awards were:
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Medal of Honor
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Soldier's Medal
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Bronze Star with Valor device and two oak leaf clusters
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Purple Heart with three oak leaf clusters
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Meritorious Service Medal
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Air Medal with award numeral 13
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Army Commendation Medal
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Army Good Conduct Medal
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American Defense Service Medal
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American Campaign Medal
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European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
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World War II Victory Medal
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Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp
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National Defense Service Medal
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Vietnam Service Medal
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French Croix de Guerre with Silver-Gilt Star
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Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star
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Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st Class
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Vietnam Campaign Medal
He also received the Combat Infantryman Badge and Senior Parachutist Badge. His record included the Army Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.
These decorations reflect service across multiple conflicts and assignments, from the battlefields of World War II to Vietnam and senior leadership positions in the postwar Army.
Colonel Jack L. Treadwell's military career was marked by battlefield courage, leadership, and more than three decades of service to the United States Army. From his enlistment as an infantryman in 1941 to his later command and staff assignments, he repeatedly accepted positions of responsibility in times of war and peace.
His Medal of Honor action in Germany remains the most dramatic chapter of his service. Faced with a stalled company and heavily defended enemy positions, Treadwell moved forward alone, captured six pillboxes, and took 18 prisoners. His actions changed the course of the immediate battle and encouraged his men to advance with him.
Yet his story extended far beyond one battlefield. He continued serving after World War II, held important leadership positions in Europe and the United States, commanded troops in Vietnam, and retired after more than 33 years in uniform.
Jack L. Treadwell died in 1977, but his remarkable record of service remains part of the history of the United States Army. His Medal of Honor action, extensive military career, and extraordinary collection of decorations provide a lasting reminder of the responsibilities accepted by those who dedicate their lives to military service.