John G. Rossi

John Gregory Rossi[2] was born at Long Island, New York, on June 18, 1961, to Robert Rossi, a New York City police officer and his wife Marie.[1] He attended the United States Military Academy where he earned a B.S. degree, and also earned an M.A. degree from Webster University and an M.A. degree from the U.S. Naval War College. Rossi is also a distinguished graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College.[1]

After graduating from West Point, Rossi was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May 1983, being confirmed to his entry rank by the Senate on May 20, 1983.[4]

His principal staff assignments include serving as operations officer for the 94th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in Germany; chief of the U.S. Central Command Air and Missile Defense Division in Tampa, Florida; operations officer for the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command in Fort Bliss, Texas; deputy commanding general and chief of staff of Fort Bliss, Texas; deputy commanding general (fires and effects), III Corps and Fort Hood; and director of the J33 branch of U.S. Forces - Iraq.[1]

Colonel Rossi assumed command of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade on July 15, 2008, from Colonel Eugene D. Cox.[5] As a brigadier general, Rossi commanded the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command from 2011 to 2012,[6] when he departed to become director of the Army Quadrennial Defense Review in Washington, D.C., from 2012 to 2014, receiving a promotion to major general.[6][7][8]

Rossi presents a gift to Lt. Gen. Junji Suzuki, vice chief of staff of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (left) during a dinner celebrating the 50th Anniversary of JGSDF Annual Service Practice held at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center on November 7, 2014.

He assumed his final command of the United States Army Fires Center of Excellence in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on June 3, 2014[9] from Major General Mark McDonald, who was to assume command of the United States Army Security Assistance Command in Huntsville, Alabama.[10] As the senior commander of Fort Sill, Rossi was responsible for the military education and readiness of the Army's primary institution for fires, or the tasks and systems that provide collective and coordinated use of Army indirect fires, air and missile defense. He relinquished command of the center to Major General Brian McKiernan on July 21, 2016.[11]

At Fort Sill, Rossi was among those who encouraged attention to the problem of military suicides, saying that commanders to this effect are responsible for soldiers on and off duty.[12]

In early April 2016, Major General Rossi was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general.[13] The nomination was reported to the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 26, 2016[14] and confirmed on April 28.[13] His assignment to command the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command was announced in May.[15]

Rossi was married to Liz from 1984 until his death in 2016. He is survived by her and three children, one of whom at the time of his funeral was a captain in the U.S. Army.[1]

Rossi died by hanging himself in his home at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, the home base of his impending three-star command, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, which he was slated to take command of in two days. According to the Army Times, Rossi's corpse was discovered by his wife upon returning home.[16][3]

He was interred at Fort Bliss National Cemetery on August 13, 2016.[1][17] Several high-ranking military figures in addition to Rossi's family were in attendance, including Dennis L. Via, commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command and Paul K. Hurley, Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army.[17] Individuals who had worked with Rossi over the years paid tribute to their former superior and colleague, including former Fort Sill commander, retired Army general and close friend Lee Baxter, who praised Rossi as an "out front, very polished, professional leader" who "stepped up to be a true leader in the community".[18] The Army also issued an official statement, commending Rossi as "a respected leader, valiant warrior and trusted friend who gave more than 33 years of service to this nation."[19]

With Rossi's death, David L. Mann's term as USASMDC commanding general was extended beyond statutory limits pending confirmation of another candidate as his successor. James H. Dickinson was nominated[20] and confirmed in December 2012 for promotion to lieutenant general,[21] and relieved Mann on January 5, 2017.[22][23]

In addition to the below awards, the Major General John G. Rossi Military Fellowship offered by the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance is named after him.[25][26]

U.S. military decorations Army Distinguished Service Medal (3 awards)[17] Legion of Merit (4 awards) Bronze Star Medal (2 awards) Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards) Joint Service Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal (2 awards) Army Achievement Medal (4 awards) U.S. Unit Awards Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation Valorous Unit Award U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons National Defense Service Medal (with 1 service star) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 3 service stars) Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Army Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with award numeral "2") Foreign Medals and Ribbons Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Other accoutrements Air Assault Badge III Corps Combat Service Identification Badge Unidentified DUI