# William J. Maddox Jr

William J. Maddox Jr (May 22, 1921 – January 5, 2001) was a United States Army Aviator and a major general in the United States Army. During his career he amassed over 10,500 flying hours, almost 4,000 of those in combat over Korea, Vietnam and Cambodia.
He served three tours in Vietnam. In 1976, he commanded the United States Army Aviation Center. Maddox was instrumental in identifying the need for air mobility, developing a management structure that ensured the Army met its aviation objectives. Maddox is one of army's most highly decorated aviators.

## Biography

Maddox was born on May 22, 1921, in Newburgh, New York. He was a graduate of Wilson High School in Washington D.C. and Michigan State University. He received a master's degree in international relations from George Washington University. Maddox was married to Jaye Maddox (née Kurusu), the daughter of Japanese diplomat Saburo Kurusu. They had one son and daughter. Jaye Maddox died in 1999.
After his retirement from the Army, he served as Advisor to King Hussein of Jordan and served as the commandant of Jordanian Aviation Academy. He later served as managing director of Arabian Helicopters in Saudi Arabia, and as managing director of Bell Helicopters in Asia.
Maddox died on January 5, 2001, due to sepsis at a hospital in Bedford, Texas. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

## Awards and decorations

Maddox is one of the most decorated Army Aviators. His awards include:
Combat Infantryman Badge :
| Army Master Aviator Badge |||
| Army Distinguished Service Medal | Silver Star with 3 bronze oak leaf clusters | Silver Star with 3 bronze oak leaf clusters |
| Legion of Merit with 4 bronze oak leaf clusters | Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 silver and 2 bronze oak leaf clusters | Soldier's Medal |
| Bronze Star with Combat V and 3 bronze oak leaf clusters | Purple Heart with 3 bronze oak leaf clusters | Air Medal with Combat V and award numeral 127 |
| Army Commendation Medal with Combat V and 2 bronze oak leaf clusters | Army Good Conduct Medal | American Campaign Medal |
| Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal | World War II Victory Medal | Army of Occupation Medal |
| National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star | Korean Service Medal with Arrowhead and 3 bronze campaign stars | Vietnam Service Medal with 1 silver and 3 bronze campaign stars |
| Korean Defense Service Medal | Armed Forces Reserve Medal | Order of National Security Merit Cheon-Su Medal (Korea) |
| National Order of Vietnam (Knight) | Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order (2nd Class) | Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with 3 Palms and 2 Silver Stars |
| United Nations Korea Medal | Vietnam Campaign Medal | Republic of Korea War Service Medal |
| Army Presidential Unit Citation | Army Presidential Unit Citation | Army Presidential Unit Citation | Army Presidential Unit Citation | Army Presidential Unit Citation | Army Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
| Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation | Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation | Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation | Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation | Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation | Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation | Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation | Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation | Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation | Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation | Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation |