Born in Ashburton, John Mace graduated from the Royal Military College,
Duntroon in 1953 and was commissioned in the infantry. From 1955
to 1957 he was in Malaya with the original New Zealand SAS Squadron,
and took part in Malayan Emergency operations, gaining a mention in
dispatches.

After serving in the Defence Secretariat for two years, he commanded
the squadron between 1960 and 1962 and again in 1965, following his
return from attendance at the Staff College at Camberley in the
United Kingdom.

He was involved in Confrontation operations in 1966 as a company
commander in 1RNZIR, and the Vietnam War the following year as
the first commander of V Company. For this service he was awarded
the MBE.

Postings included to Director of Infantry and SAS (1969-70),
Commanding Officer, 1RNZIR in Singapore (1971-1973) and Commander,
New Zealand Force South East Asia (1979-80). He studied at the Joint
Services Staff College, Canberra, in 1974 and the Royal College of Defence
Studies in London in 1981.

After serving as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff
for three years, he became Chief of General Staff in 1984, and was appointed
Chief of Defence Staff three years later. He was made a CB in 1986 and a
KBE in 1990.