John Francis Uncles John Francis Uncles ( September 18 , 1898 – January 20 , 1967 ) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army . He attained prominence as commander of the United States VII Corps . Early life . Uncles was born on September 18 , 1898 in Chillicothe , Missouri . His family moved to Kansas City when he was six , and he was educated at St . Vincent ' s parochial school and De La Salle Academy , graduating with special honors in 1916 and receiving the Bishop ' s medal for finishing with first honors in the literary - scientific course . After graduation he joined the Missouri National Guard , enlisting a few days following the declaration of war for World War I . Uncles was assigned to the unit which was federalized as Battery D , 129th Field Artillery , and he served in France under battery commander Harry S . Truman . Early Military Career . Chosen by Truman when unit commanders were asked after the armistice to help replenish the Army ' s supply of junior officer by nominating candidates from the enlisted ranks , in 1918 Uncles began attendance at the United States Military Academy . He graduated in 1922 with a commission as a second lieutenant of Artillery . Uncles served in Artillery assignments of increasing responsibility and rank throughout the United States and overseas . In 1927 he graduated from the Field Artillery Officer Course . From 1930 to 1934 Uncles was an instructor at the United States Military Academy . Uncles served with the 11th Field Artillery Regiment in Hawaii from 1934 to 1937 . In 1938 Uncles graduated from the Command & General Staff College , afterwards being assigned as instructor in the Department of Tactics & Communications at the Fort Sill , Oklahoma Field Artillery School , where he served until 1940 . Uncles served as assistant personnel officer , G - 1 , in the office of the Chief of Field Artillery from 1940 to 1942 . World War II . In 1942 Uncles was assigned as assistant personnel officer , G - 1 , at Headquarters , Army Ground Forces , where he remained until 1943 . Uncles was assigned to the staff of the Field Artillery School at Fort Sill in 1943 , and later that year attended the New Division Officers Course , also at Fort Sill . At the end of 1943 Uncles was assigned as commander of the 404th Field Artillery Group , serving until 1944 , when he assumed command of the 34th Field Artillery Brigade , which he led in combat throughout France , Belgium and the Netherlands until the end of World War II . Post World War II . In 1945 Uncles was appointed to command the 32nd Field Artillery Brigade in Germany , serving until 1946 . He served as Chief of Field Artillery in the Army ’ s Career Management Branch from 1946 to 1948 . In 1948 Uncles became Chief of Staff of United States Constabulary in Europe , serving until 1950 , when he was named commander of the 4th Infantry Division Artillery , which he led until 1951 . Uncles was commander of Seventh Army Artillery from 1951 to 1952 , after which he was assigned to the staff of the Army ’ s Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics , G - 4 , as deputy assistant chief of staff for research and development , where he served until 1953 . From 1953 to 1954 Uncles was the Army ’ s Chief of Research & Development . Uncles was appointed Chief of Staff for United States Army , Europe in 1954 , and served in this assignment until 1956 . In 1956 Uncles was assigned as commander of the VII Corps , serving until his 1958 retirement . Awards and decorations . Uncles ’ awards included two Distinguished Service Medals , the Legion of Merit , and the Bronze Star . Retirement and death . General Uncles retired in 1958 , afterwards residing in Washington , D . C . He died at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington , D . C . on January 20 , 1967 . Uncles was buried at Arlington National Cemetery Section 3 , Grave 8982 - C . Personal . In 1926 Uncles was married to Elizabeth Bowman Banks ( 1902 – 1999 ) . Their daughter Margaret U . " Marka " Huffman ( 1930 – 2009 ) , was married to Army Major General Burnside E . Huffman ( 1920 – 2005 ) . External sources . Find A Grave page , John F . Uncles , accessed January 13 , 2011 Arlington Cemetery web site page , John Francis Uncles , accessed January 13 , 2011