John William Vessey Jr. ( June 29 , 1922 -- August 18 , 2016 ) was a United States Army general , and the tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , from June 18 , 1982 , to September 30 , 1985 .
John William Vessey Jr. ( June 29 , 1922 -- August 18 , 2016 ) was an American military officer . 
 He was a United States Army general , and served as the tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from June 18 , 1982 , to September 30 , 1985 .