U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade jump from a C-130. | Red Falcon Historical Society

Major General (Retired) John R. D. Cleland Jr. enlisted in the United States Army in August 1943, beginning a legendary career that would span three major conflicts: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. After completing Basic Training at Camp Hood, Texas, Cleland attended Parachute School and Parachute Demolitions School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He later volunteered for Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer. Assigned to the 503rd Parachute Regimental