Colonel John P. Geraci

(1925 to 1996)

And

3^rd Bn (Abn) 506^th Infantry

“A Soldier’s Soldier”

By David Rattee

(Historian, Task Force 3^rd Bn 506^th Airborne Infantry Association)

Part Three: From Korea to Vietnam

The Korean War was J.P. Geraci’s second time in combat. It followed his service with the US Marines in the Pacific in WW2.  He arrived in Korea with the 7^th Infantry in 1950 as a temporary 1^st Lieutenant. 12 months later he returned to the US as a Captain with two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star with Valour device, two Purple Hearts and his first CIB.

His Regimental Commander, Col. James O. Boswell, described Capt. Geraci as an outstanding combat commander, courageous, resourceful and who inspires his men by his superior leadership.

By his own character and achievements Capt. Geraci had firmly placed himself in line for career development. The combination of proven leadership in combat may not have marked him out as suitably qualified for his next assignment but it was to be a natural progression.

In September 1951, at the age of 26, he was appointed as Plans & Operations Officer for the Advanced Leaders Course, 53^rd Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Ord, CA. This was to be the first of his many roles spanning the next 27 years, which would see

J.P. Geraci involved in the direction, management, organisation and delivery of military combat training and also marks his personal progress from Captain (AUS) to Colonel, Regular Army.

By the spring of 1952 Capt. Geraci was transferred to Fort MacArthur and the HQ III Corps. He was appointed Assistant G-3 in the Training Branch and his duties entailed making training inspections of General Reserve Units located in the Sixth Army area.

He quickly made a good impression. It was noted that he had “considerable experience with troops in combat which provides him with the background necessary to deal with staff matters pertaining to training”.

In October 1952 he attended the Army Language School, at the Presidio of Monterey, CA, where he came top in his class of 15. It was noted in his academic report that Capt. Geraci had special aptitude as a Translator and Interpreter.

It is clear from the records that Capt. Geraci’s ability with foreign languages and especially French, combined with his combat experience and his qualities as a communicator at all levels, that would be his key to the future. The opportunities that would open up for him across the next 26 years in the US Army would involve assignments with the US Army Europe working with NATO and then take him to Vietnam, Okinawa and Africa.

From Army Language School, in June 1953, Capt. Geraci was assigned as a Language Specialist to the US Army Europe and the Intelligence and Military Police School.

His abilities as a translator and interpreter brought him to the attention of senior officers not only in the US military but also to high ranking officers from other NATO countries.

Brigadier General E.B Gjelsteen, Chief of Staff, sent a Letter of Appreciation on behalf of the Commanding General, 7^th Army, complementing Capt. Geraci for his work as a translator during Exercise “MONTE CARLO” in September 1953.

This exercise was conducted by the Central Army Group (CENTAG) and was the first instance of a NATO air-ground exercise in which atomic weapons were simulated for manoeuvre purposes. The forces included US, Belgian and French troops and the area of manoeuvre was in Germany along the east bank of the Middle Rhine (q.v. Lord Ismay – NATO – The First Five years 1949-1954, Part 3, Ch. 9).

By November 1954, Capt. Geraci was Chief of the Interpreter Section of five allied officers in the NATO, Special Weapons School, US Army Europe. This entailed coordinating activities of British, French and Belgian NATO Officers placed under his jurisdiction.

Although he was noted for being congenial, tactful and diplomatic in manner, it was remarked that when required he could also be forceful and out-spoken.  It was frequently remarked by his superiors that Capt. Geraci was someone that they would definitely want in their command in combat and particularly in command of troops.

The recommendations now were that Capt. Geraci be considered for further schooling at the Infantry Advanced course with subsequent troop duty assignment with an Infantry unit.

It would take 2 years before Capt Geraci would attend the Infantry Officers Advanced Course and 12 years and another war before Capt Geraci, would eventually achieve his first infantry command. Though before then he would acquire a range of experience that was to make him ideal material to command an Airborne Infantry Battalion in Vietnam.

The NATO Field Training Exercise “Cordon Bleu” in 1955 was another opportunity for Capt Geraci to impress. The Letter of Appreciation that he received from

Chas E. Hart, Lt. General. V Corps Commander USAREUR, and which was endorsed by J.H. Phillips, Major General, GS, Asst. Chief of Staff, G2, is clear. Lt General Hart wrote;

“I desire to express my personal appreciation for the assistance rendered by you and the Allied officers of your section during the recent NATO Field Training Exercise “CORDON BLEU”. The interpreting conducted by you and under your supervision throughout the exercise was outstanding in every respect.

Due to the magnitude of the French participation in the exercise, your organization of the interpreter system for the Director Staff briefings and the final critique was particularly of vital importance. The success with which you met and overcame the obstacles which presented themselves in this assignment, both in the briefings at Director Headquarters and in the translation of the final critique at Wurzburg, is evidence of your professional competence, initiative and cooperation.”

Significantly Capt. Geraci was responsible for the translation into French of the technical lesson plans and instructional material associated with Atomics and Special Weapons. This materially assisted the Intelligence and Military Police School in accomplishing the additional mission of instructing Allied NATO officers in this field of subjects.

It was noted that Capt. Geraci also displayed a sound and practical knowledge of tactical military subjects when required to present instruction in the classroom as an additional duty.

It was August 1956 when at last Capt. Geraci arrived at Fort Benning to start the Infantry Officer Advanced Course #1.  The next 4 years were spent advancing his military schooling and academic achievements. In June 1958 he was promoted to Major (AUS) and from September he attended the University of Omaha. In March 1959 he completed his degree course and was awarded Bachelor of General Education.  

While waiting to attend the US Army Command and General Staff College, Major Geraci took on the role of Assistant Executive Officer, 2^nd Airborne Battle Group, 503^rd Infantry at Fort Bragg.  He was now on route to Regular  Course 60-2 at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth due to start that August. The following year on 17 June 1960 he graduated 198 out of 669 students.

Two days after completing the course at CGSC Fort Leavenworth Major Geraci was appointed to the Military Assistance Advisory Group and by September 1960 he was in Vietnam.

His duties were as Staff Advisor to G2, G3 Army Field Command Vietnamese Army in all matters pertaining to operations: training operational readiness, major unit manoeuvres and exercises, Joint manoeuvres, tactics, A3 operations, helicopter operations, Command Post operations and procedures, Field SOP’s and all related subject. Maintaining daily contact with G2-G3 counterparts and accompanying them on manoeuvres, reconnaissances, field visits and training inspections.

Six months later in his March 1961 Efficiency Report, Col. W.W. Stromberg recommended Major Geraci attend Army War College and Col. Eugene J. Stann reported that Major Geraci was “a leader in every respect” and “an officer always respected by both superiors and subordinates”.

Lt. General Le Van Ty, Chief, ARVN General Staff commended Major Geraci for outstanding devotion to duty. This was endorsed by Major General Duong Van Ninh, Commanding General, Field Command, ARVN.

During this period over and above his normal duties Major Geraci had assisted in revising the “Counterinsurgency Tactics and Techniques Study”, an area of warfare in which he would subsequently excel.

To be continued ….