Dahlquist, John E. (John Ernest), 1896-1975

General John E. Dahlquist served in the United States (U.S.) Army from 1917-1956 beginning his career in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) at the University of Minnesota from which he graduated in 1917 and was commissioned a second lieutenant, Infantry Reserve. He did not see service during World War I, but served with the Army of Occupation in Magen, Germany (1919-1922). The mid-war assignments of Dahlquist were varied and he rose in rank rather rapidly for an officer during that period of time. He completed the two-year course at Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in 1931 and graduated from the Army War College (AWC) in 1936. He held staff assignments at the Pentagon until May 1941 when he went to London as Assistant Chief of Staff (CoS) for Personnel, G1, Special Army Observers Group. He was promoted to major general (temporary) in 1943. Following World War II, Dahlquist served both in the Pentagon and at various military posts (both stateside and in Germany).

John Ernest Dahlquist (1896-1975) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He commissioned in the infantry with the Officers Reserve Corps in 1917. From 1924 to 1928, he was an instructor at the Infantry School. After graduating from Command and General Staff School in 1931, he did a tour of duty in the Philippines. He graduated from the Army War College in 1936 and joined the personnel division of the War Department General Staff the following year. While assistant chief of the European Theater of Operations during World War II, he advanced to the rank of brigadier general in April 1942. He was then assistant division commander of the 76th Infantry Division until February 1943. The army promoted him to major general in June 1943 during his tenure as commanding general of the 70th Infantry Division. He commanded the 36th Infantry Division from July 1944 until October 1945. After World War II, he served as commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division, from 1949 to 1951, the V Corps, from 1951 to 1953, and the Forth Army, in 1953. In August 1953 he became chief of Army Field Forces. From February 1955 until his retirement at the rank of general in February 1956, he was commanding general of Continental Army Command. His decorations included the Distinguished Service Cross, two Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, and three Bronze Stars.