14 AUG 1918
On
this date, World War I Veteran and MI Alpha Brother First Lieutenant Howard Thornburg Baker, U.S. Army Air
Corps died of wounds received two days earlier. He was 26 years old, yet he
lived an incredible life filled with commitment.
Brother
Baker, of Williamsport, PA, enlisted in the British Army after graduating from
the University of Michigan, and served 22 months in the trenches of
Europe, in addition to much service behind the lines. In JUL 1917, he enlisted
in the U.S. Army, and was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the Coast Artillery.
On 28 MAY 1918, he joined the 91st Aero Squadron American Expeditionary Forces.
Howard was mortally wounded in aerial combat during an evening reconnaissance
on 12 AUG 1919 about five miles behind the German lines when he was attacked.
The Croix de Guerre with Palm was awarded posthumously to
First Lieutenant Baker by Marshal Petain, Commander-in-Chief of the French
forces in the field, and his parents were sent the medal and copy of the
citation.
Brother Baker was buried with full military honors, and respect can be
paid to him at Plot D, Row 27, Grave 2 at St. Mihiel American Cemetery,
Thiaucourt, France.
12 AUG 1942
Following his graduation from Duke University, NC Gamma
Brother James H. Spence entered the
service of the U.S. Army Air Corps on this date. He would attain the rank of
Staff Sergeant before being discharged from his WWII service in 1946.
13 AUG 1944
On
this date, World War II Veteran and WI Alpha Brother Second Lieutenant Stephen R. Boren, U.S. Army Air Corps
made the ultimate sacrifice while killed in action when his P-51D Mustang crashed during a strafing run near
Troesnes, France. The Marinette,
Wisconsin native
joined the 335th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force in
July and was on his second mission when he was killed.
Based on a review of the previously classified eyewitness
account and missing air crew report, as well as communication with the squadron
historian, it appears that Brother Boren’s remains were not recoverable and/or
recognizable due to nature of the crash, and because other pilots went down
that day in that area causing confusion among German investigators.
14 AUG 2009
Operation
ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and TN Gamma Brother Staff Sergeant Tanner Stephen Kuth, U.S. Army was
wounded while riding in a vehicle when it was hit by an improvised explosive
device. Thankfully, Brother Kuth is alive and well, and doing great things to
support and encourage veterans.
14 AUG 1992
NC
Beta Brother Lieutenant Colonel Matthew D.
“David” Cooper, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) was commissioned a Second
Lieutenant in the USMC on this date and began his amazing career. |
| Thomas D. Walt OR Alpha Brother U.S. Navy Veteran |
15 AUG 2009
U.S. Navy Veteran OR Alpha Brother Thomas Dale Walt died
on this date in Raleigh, North Carolina following a hard-fought battle with
cancer. At Oregon State, Brother Walt was captain of the Navy ROTC Scabbard and
Blade honor society. He was 63 years old. Following graduation in 1969, he
entered the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Washington DC, where he served for
five years in the Division of Naval Reactors under Admiral H.G. Rickover.
17
AUG 2009
On this date, World War II Veteran and OH Epsilon
President Lieutenant Commander Charles Henson “Chuck” Pulley, U.S. Navy
died in Lexington, Kentucky of complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Brother
Pulley joined the Navy in 1941, where he attained the rank of Lieutenant
Commander, trained as a fighter pilot, served with naval intelligence and
worked in the research and development of the parachute, a step that set the
direction for his life's work as a safety advocate. His work in parachute
research led to his first job with Irving Air Chute in 1950. He became
president of the company in 1962, which became Irvin Industries, and began the
manufacture of automotive seat belts for General Motors. This established his
life-long mission to promote automotive safety and seat belt use worldwide. His
advocacy took him throughout the world to address legislative bodies, safety
organizations and national media on the life-saving benefits of safety belts and
brought him international recognition.
P.O. Box 1901
P.O. Box 1901
