John Chevalier was born in 1947 in New Jersey. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 5, 1967, and completed basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, in February 1968. Pvt Chevalier next attended Advanced Individual Training as a cook, also at Fort Dix, from February to May 1968, followed by service as a cook with the 5th Transportation Company in South Vietnam from June 1968 until he was captured in Cambodia and taken as a Prisoner of War while serving aboard the landing craft LCU-1577 on July 17, 1968. After spending 156 days in captivity, PFC Chevalier was released by his Cambodian captors on December 19, 1968. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Fort Dix, and then served as an admin specialist and as a Supply Sergeant in the Cook's Course with 2nd Battalion of the 5th Combat Support Training Brigade at Fort Dix from February 1969 until he received an honorable discharge from the Army on December 4, 1969.

The Soldier's Creed:

I am an American Soldier.

I am a warrior and a member of a team.

I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.

I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.