Major General Edward J. Chrystal, Jr., U.S. Army
Director
The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration

Maj. Gen. Edward (Ed) J. Chrystal, Jr., is the Director for The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. He serves in a dual capacity, as both a non-career member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and as a Major General in the Army National Guard.

Chrystal joined the Commemoration in 2022 to carry out Operation Welcome Home, and was promoted to Director in 2023.

This national Commemoration is a Secretary of Defense initiative, authorized by Congress, and launched by the president in 2012, to primarily thank and honor our Nation's Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.

A native of New Jersey, Gen. Chrystal enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1985 and received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He commanded at all levels and held a variety of senior staff positions, to include: Commander, 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; Assistant Adjutant General, New Jersey National Guard; and Land Component Commander, New Jersey Army National Guard. As such, Gen. Chrystal was responsible for the welfare, training and readiness of five thousand soldiers assigned to the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 42nd Regional Support Group and the 57th Troop Command. Most recently, he was assigned as Deputy Joint Operations Officer at U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Gen. Chrystal’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Basic Paratrooper Badge.

Chrystal earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice along with a Master of Arts in Education from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. He also earned a Master of Strategic Studies Degree from the U.S. Army War College.

Following a twenty-six-year civilian career in the New Jersey State Police, Gen. Chrystal retired at the rank of Lieutenant.

Chrystal lives with his wife, Georgette, and family in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.