This Military Service Page was created/owned by
MAJ Mark E Cooper
to remember
Mackmull, Jack Vincent (Bobo), LTG.
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Contact Info
Home Town Dayton
Date of Passing Apr 03, 2011
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Few Army Aviators have had the variety of important aviation assignments throughout a career as Lieutenant General Jack V. Mackmull. While Chief of the AWO Branch during the early days of the Vietnam War, he managed the greatest expansion in the history of the Branch. Recognizing that Aviation Warrant Officers had no definite career program, he personally wrote the forerunner of today's Aviation Warrant Officer career program.
He had three combat aviation tours in Vietnam, first commanding the 13th CAB in 1964, then one of only three aviation battalions in USARV. On his second tour, he commanded the 164th CAG that included all aviation in the Mekong Delta and effectively integrated Air Cavalry, airmobile, and attack helicopters and aviation logistics in all combat operations.
In 1972, he returned to USARV for a third tour to command the 1st Aviation Brigade that encompassed all Army Aviation in Vietnam. He effectively managed the draw-down of all aviation units and equipment without incident--a retrograde movement of some 15,000 men and more than 1,000 aircraft--without stopping aviation combat operations.
As Deputy Commanding General of AVSCOM, he participated in the source selection of the Black Hawk and Apache, and designed and implemented "Systems Management" which is used today. As the Commanding General of the JFK Special Warfare Center he established the original requirement for Aviation and Tiltrotor Support of Special Operations Forces, and helped to organize the Delta Force and Special Operations Aviation.
As Assistant Division Commander, and later as Commanding General of the 101st Air Assault Division, Lieutenant General Mackmull designed and implemented the Combat Aviation Management System, several FM's on "Air Assault Operations" and preselected aviation battle drills. While at Fort Campbell, he organized Task Force 160, a major innovation.
In 1982, Lieutenant General Mackmull chaired the Tactical Employment Committee at the Army Aviation Review. This committee's actions led to the establishment of the Army Aviation Branch and recognition of the requirement for helicopter air-to-air combat. He completed his career as Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps.
This highly decorated and respected Combat Infantryman, Special Forces Officer, and Master Parachutist has been called "Mr. Aviation" by the Chief of Staff and FORSCOM and TRADOC Commanders and considered his greatest award to be Master Army Aviator.
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On 25 October 1983, U.S. Forces were ordered to Grenada to rescue Americans. Over 100 Army women participated. Grenada was the first American armed conflict where women were allowed to fly helicopters. Women also served as MP, intelligence officers, mechanics and logistics specialists, and one even served as the crew chief on a Blackhawk medical evacuation helicopter.
Four women military police officers were in Grenada just after the U.S. Invasion, but were promptly sent back to their base at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, when the 82d Airborne Division Commander became aware of the their presence. They were returned a day-and-a-half later by the Commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, LTG Jack Mackmull, an avid supporter of women troops. The first combat support unit with women soldiers arrived five days after the 25 October assault.
Experience in Grenada led to study in all of the services concerning risks that new roles posed for women. In 1988, the Secretary of Defense issued the Standard Risk Rule that required evaluation of the chances of direct exposure to hostile fire or capture when deciding when an assignment should be open to women.
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase VI Campaign (1968-69)
From Month/Year
November / 1968
To Month/Year
February / 1969
Description This campaign was from 2 November 1968 to 22 February 1969. In November 1968 the South Vietnam government with American support began a concentrated effort to expand security in the countryside. This project was known as the "Accelerated Pacification Campaign."
This period covers the election of President Richard M. Nixon and a change of policy brought about by his administration after January 1969 when he announced a coming end to US combat in Southeast Asia and a simultaneous strengthening of South Vietnam's ability to defend itself. Formal truce negotiations began in Paris on January 25, 1969. The period can be characterized as marking time in preparation for an about face. Forty-seven ground combat operations were recorded during this period, the following being the most important:
(1). Operation NAPOLEON in the Dong Ha area initiated previously (1967) by Marine units, terminated on 9 December 1968.
(2). Operation WHEELER WALLOWA by 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division and 196th Infantry Brigade (Light) in north-central Quan Tin Province. This ended on 11 November.
(3). Operation MACARTHUR initiated by 4th U.S. Infantry Division in II Corps tactical zone terminated on 31 January 1969.
(4). Operation COCHISE GREEN conducted by the 173d Airborne Brigade in Binh Dinh Province.
(5). Operation TOAN THANG II consisted of ground operations throughout III CTZ. This was a multi-division operation involving allied forces.
(6). Operation SEA LORDS was a coast and riverine operation. On 6 December Operation GIANT SLINGSHOT was started to disrupt enemy infiltration of materials from the "Parrot's Beak" area of Cambodia. Air operations continued to be important with over 60,000 sorties flown.
