Colonel John E. Lance, Jr. was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 28 December 1943, class number 311. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, 406th Infantry, 102d Infantry Division, European Theater of Operations. | His subsequent duty assignments include:  Company Executive Officer, Company Commander, 406th Infantry, 102d Infantry Division, CONUS & European Theater of Operations; Company Commander, 406th Inf, 102d Inf Div; Headquarters & Headquarters Troop Commander, Athletic Officer, 14th Constabulary Regiment; Assistant Athletic Officer, Headquarters, U.S. Constabulary; PMS Wofford College, South Carolina; Instructor, Company Tactics, The Infantry School; Advisor, 7th Div & 3d Army, JUSMAG, Thailand, Royal Thai Army; Assistant Officer, Infantry Branch, Career Management Division; Action Officer, Personnel Procurement Division, ODCSPER; D.CO, 1st BG, 35th Inf, 25th Inf Div, Hawaii, Thailand; OACoS G3, Headquarters, USARPAC, Combat Development Division; Faculty, United States Army War College; Senior Advisor, 7th ARepublic of Vietnam Div, U.S. MAC-V; Commander, 2d Training Brigade, USATC, Infantry. | Colonel Lance's awards and decorations include: Distinguished Service Cross; Bronze Star Medal (V) w/Cluster; P.H.; VN Cross of Galantry, Armed Forces level ( 2 awards); LM, AM w/6 Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal (Meritorious); CR.