General (Ret.) James Lindsay, of Vass, the former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, 18th Airborne Corps, and the 82nd Airborne Division, has passed away of natural causes at the age of 90 years old on Aug. 5, according to a statement from the 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty.
“Last night, the Airborne and Special Operations Forces communities lost one of its greatest leaders with the passing of Gen. Jim Lindsay. His leadership impacted the fabric of our Nation, and our generation owes him tremendously for his presence and mentorship. Gen. Lindsay was truly the heart and soul of what we are all about. We extend our sincerest thoughts and prayers to Gen. Lindsay’s family as we all grieve this loss,” shared Lt. Gen. Chris Donahue, Commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty.
Lt. Gen. James Lindsay, featured in his office in 1985 while serving as the Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg. Lindsay went on to serve as the first Commander in Chief of U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
Gen. Lindsay served in the U.S. Army for 38 years. After enlisting into the U.S. Army on February 1952, Gen. Lindsay was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon attending Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. His initial assignment was as a Platoon Leader in the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
Gen. Lindsay would go on to serve at Fort Liberty, then Fort Bragg, with the 77th Special Forces Group (unit has since deactivated), at the Fort Bragg Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and in numerous roles within the 82nd Airborne Division.
“It is with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Gen. James Lindsay. As a former senior leader in the Airborne community, Gen. Lindsay embodied everything it means to be Paratrooper, a leader, and most importantly a good and decent human being. With more than 38 years of service to his country, commanding and leading Soldiers at every echelon, he left an amazing legacy for us to emulate in the 82nd Airborne Division and he will truly be missed. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the Lindsay family and friends as they mourn the loss of this great American,” shared Maj. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.
Upon activation of the U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, on April 16, 1987, Gen. Lindsay became the unit’s first Commander in Chief. He also commanded XVIII Airborne Corps, U.S. Army Infantry School, 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army Readiness Command, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, and Company B, 1st Airborne Battle Group, 503rd Infantry Regiment.
Feature photo: Major General James J. Lindsay directs President George H.W. Bush’s attention at Fort Bragg in (1989 to 1992). During his career, Lindsay would go on to serve as the Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps and as the first Commander in Chief of U.S. Special Operations Command.
Courtesy photos/Contributed.
