Last Week in SigEp Patriot History, Volume 26 / 2014, 01 – 07 SEP

Brother,

The first day of this week marked the 75th anniversary of the start of World War II, a war that would shape the world. The SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) works tirelessly to learn about all of our military brothers, but takes particular interest in the WWII patriots as the VA says they are dying at the rate of 1000 a day. Obituaries are one way to learn about a person. However, I can’t possibly articulate the loss we experience if we fail to learn something about these men and their service from them while they are still alive. A shout out to the men of the California Pi chapter who get it, and are working with the Library of Congress’ Veteran’s History Project to interview veterans living near Stanford University.

WWI U.S. Army
Ambulance Service Patch

01 SEP 1918
This marks the date New Hampshire Alpha Brother Private First Class Charles E. Tayntor, U.S. Army Ambulance Service, Army Medical Corps sailed for France for his World War I service in Europe.

05 SEP 1919
World War I Veteran and Ohio Gamma Brother Captain Robert L. Tavenner, U.S. Army completed his service in Europe with the American Expeditionary Force on this date.

01 SEP 1942
On this date, the same year he became a SigEp, Alabama Alpha Brother William H. Weldon joined the U.S. Navy.

05 SEP 1942
A graduate of the University of Delaware (Class of ’34), Delaware Alpha Brother S. Clifford Dunn entered the Army on this date.

05 SEP 1944
Ohio Epsilon Brother Haldean S. Lindsey, member of the Class of ’34 at Ohio Wesleyan, entered the service of the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps on this date.

05 SEP 1945
Discharged on this date after nearly 42 months of service was World War II Veteran and District of Columbia Alpha Brother Staff Sergeant Logan P. Crossland, U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC).

07 SEP 1956
A SigEp Patriot made aviation history on this date.

Bell X-2
Photo Credit Wikipedia

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, Volume 17/2014, 23 – 29 JUN

Brothers,

This week, we remember two Army Air Corps brothers killed in action during WWII are very happy to welcome a brother home from Afghanistan, and honored to announce that tomorrow one of our own will be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for non-combat heroism.

Navy and
Marine Corps
Medal

In total, this week, we celebrate 15 brothers, representing 13 chapters, serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force and National Guard in places like Afghanistan, Egypt, France, Japan, Korea, the South Pacific and the U.S.

24 JUN 1918

NH Alpha Brother Private First Class Charles E. Tayntor, Jr., U.S. Army was a member of the Medical Corps, Base Hospital Unit 83, American Expeditionary Force when he was called in to the service on this date.

27 JUN 1942

This is the enlistment date of OR Alpha Brother Jack Liljeberg in the U.S. Navy, and MA Delta Brother Kenneth G. Merriam in the U.S. Army.

26 JUN 1943

This marks the date the only SigEp Patriot of the Iowa Alpha Chapter was killed in action in WWII.

Taxpayer's Pride, 1942
Photo Credit PacificWrecks.com

World War II Veteran and IA Alpha Brother Second Lieutenant Sumner Luten Beck, U.S. Army Air Corps made the ultimate sacrifice while serving as a navigator about a B17F (Fighting Fortress) nicknamed “Taxpayer’s Pride” during a night mission over Rabaul, New Britain. Brother Beck and his crewmates were shot down by a J1N1 (Irving) and crashed into the jungle near Mount Varzin.

The Class of 1938 graduate from Iowa Wesleyan College had nearly completed his training as an Air Corps navigator when he was commission in MAY 1943. Just weeks later, Sumner arrived in the SW Pacific Theater, and he would be killed in less than a month.

Very early on 26 JUN 1943, before the sun was above the horizon, Sumner and his comrades took off in the B-17 from Dobodura Airfield on a bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Strict radio silence was maintained during the mission. Nothing was heard from this bomber after takeoff. Upon reaching their objective, they successfully bombed the target then turned for home. According to an account from the Japanese pilot who shot the plane down, within minutes of their bombing run, Sumner and the crew were taking 20mm cannon fire from the Irving, and the B-17 caught on fire before crashing in to the jungle.

Starting at 0230 hours, other U.S. aircraft over the target reported an aircraft had crashed, and that a fire could be seen on the ground in the vicinity of the down airplane. When the bomber failed to return, the crew were declared missing in action. The War Department declared them “presumed lost” in JAN 1946.

In actuality, the tail gunner managed to parachute out and away from the falling debris. He served in a Japanese Army POW camp the remainder of the war.

Post war, the crew's remains were recovered at the crash site near Mount Varzin. However, Brother Beck’s body was not among them. Several years later, his remains were recovered, and returned to the States.

Respect can be paid to Brother Beck at Fairview Cemetery in Lee County, IA.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 05 – 11 AUG

Brothers,

05 AUG 1917

OH Gamma Brother Robert Lester Tavenner was commissioned a second lieutenant and infantry officer in the U.S. Army on this date, and went on to serve in France and Belgium during WWI. At OSU, Brother Tavenner was Junior Class President and Captain of the Company of Cadets.

11 AUG 1975

World War I, World War II and Korean War Veteran, Hero of Bastogne, SigEp Citation Recipient and WV Beta Brother General Anthony Clement “NUTS!” McAuliffe, U.S. Army (Retired) died on this date in Chevy Chase, Maryland at the age of 77. He was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 3, Site 2536.

Born in Washington, DC in 1898, Brother McAuliffe was a student at West Virginia University from 1916 to 1917, before attending and graduated from West Point in NOV 1918. He rose through the ranks from second lieutenant in 1918 to his promotion to four-star general in 1955.



WV Beta Brother
Anthony C. "NUTS! McAuliffe
(then) Brigadier General, U.S Army
[photo taken prior to D-Day]



On D-Day, Brother McAuliffe was serving as Commander of Division Artillery of the 101st Airborne Division when he parachuted into Normandy. He subsequently entered Holland during Operation MARKET GARDEN in a military glider. In DEC 1944, when the German army launched the surprise Battle of the Bulge, General Maxwell D. Taylor, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, was away, attending a staff conference in the United States.

In Taylor's absence, acting command of the 101st and its attached troops fell to (then) Brigadier General McAuliffe. At Bastogne, the 101st was besieged by a far-larger force of Germans under the command of General Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz.

On 22 DEC 1944, through a party consisting of a German major, captain, and two privates under a flag of truce that entered the American lines southeast of Bastogne, General von Lüttwitz sent the following ultimatum to General McAuliffe: 

“To the U.S.A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne.

The fortune of war is changing. This time the U.S.A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Our near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet. Libramont is in German hands.

 

There is only one possibility to save the encircled U.S.A. troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note.

If this proposal should be rejected one German Artillery Corps and six heavy A. A. Battalions are ready to annihilate the U.S.A. troops in and near Bastogne. The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hours term.

All the serious civilian losses caused by this artillery fire would not correspond with the well-known American humanity.

The German Commander.”

According to various accounts from those present, when General McAuliffe was told of the German demand for surrender he said "Nuts!" At a loss for an official reply, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Kinnard suggested that his first remark summed up the situation well, which was agreed to by the others. The official reply: "To the German Commander, NUTS!, The American Commander" was typed and delivered by Colonel Joseph Harper, commanding the 327th Glider Infantry, and his S-3, Major Jones, to the German delegation. Harper had to explain the meaning of the word to the Germans, telling them that in "plain English" it meant "Go to hell.”

In Memoriam

In Bastogne, there is McAuliffe Square where a “Nuts!” festival takes place every year. A bust of Anthony was unveiled in 1967 and is located next to a tank at a corner of the square.

In the 1997, the NUTS! McAuliffe Society was formed and consists of extremely dedicated volunteers. The current NUTS! Brigadier General is IN Epsilon Brother John Stumpf.

A southern extension of Route 33 in eastern Northampton County, Pennsylvania, completed in 2002, was named the General Anthony Clement McAuliffe 101st Airborne Memorial Highway, and in 2009 the post headquarters building at Fort Campbell, Kentucky opened and was re-named McAuliffe Hall.

Our Brother left us with quite a lot to think about as to how to react and respond in incredibly stressful situations.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 29 April – 05 May

Brothers,

02 MAY 1918

On this date, NY Beta Brother (then) First Lieutenant James “Jimmy” Armand Meissner, U.S. Army Air Service won his first aerial engagement while flying a French-made Nieuport 28 about three miles above Foret De La Rappe, France. Jimmy would go on to become an American Ace during WWI and attain the rank of Major.

For his service on this date, Brother Meissner was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in accordance with General Order 121, W.D., 1918,

“The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James A. Meissner, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the Toul Sector on 02 MAY 1918. First Lieutenant Meissner attacked three enemy planes at an altitude of 4,800 meters over the Foret De La Rappe, France. After a short fight he brought down one of the machines in flames. During the combat the entering wedge and the covering of the upper wings of his plane were torn away and after the battle he was subjected to heavy fire from antiaircraft batteries, but by skillful operation and cool judgment he succeeded in making a landing within the American lines.”

04 MAY 1925

Born in Ontario, Canada, World War I Veteran and Renaissance Brother Captain James Naismith, U.S. Army National Guard (Kansas) became a naturalized U.S. citizen on this date.

01 MAY 1942

MT Alpha Brother John Woodrow Bonner entered the U.S. Army on this date and served during World War II.

01 MAY 1956

On this date, World War II Veteran and VA Zeta Brother General Robert Jefferson Wood, U.S. Army became commanding general of Fort Bliss and commandant of the Antiaircraft Artillery and Guided Missile School. Brother Wood was presented with the SigEp Citation in 1967.

02 MAY 1998

FL Theta Brother Christopher Sacra began his patriotic service in the U.S. Navy on this date.

01 MAY 1999

On this date, TN Theta Brother Kenneth Michael Ballard began his patriotic service in the U.S. Army. He would serve until 30 MAY 2004 when, while serving as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he was killed in Najaf, Iraq.

The Last Two Weeks in SigEp Patriot History, 08 – 21 April

“If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.” ~ John D. Rockefeller

 

Brothers,

Given the holdings of the SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) have become quite extensive and the desire of the author to keep “This Week” a reasonable length, it must be stated that this and further editions of this work will not be a full representation of what is known to SPP. We thank all of you for your contributions to date, and we remain interested in hearing from anyone willing to honor and celebrate the service of SigEp Patriots. If you would like to share or learn about a SigEp Patriot, please write to me at sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

 

Fraternally,

 

Ed

 

10 APR 1926

World War I Veteran and OH Gamma Brother Captain Robert Lester Tavenner, U.S. Army died on this date in Columbus, Ohio while serving as an instructor in the Department of Military Science and Tactics at The Ohio State University (OSU).

 

On 05 AUG 1917, Brother Tavenner was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Ohio Army National Guard, and subsequently assigned to the 37^th Division of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). Soon after arriving in the European Theater, he selflessly led his men while performing heroic acts that earned him the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) – the highest award presented by the U.S. Army second only to the Medal of Honor.

 

Brother Tavenner is one of five SigEp Patriots to be awarded one or more DSCs.

 

In General Order 98 (1919), the U.S. War Department stated, “The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Robert L. Tavenner, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Division, AEF, near Cierges, France, 29 September 1918; and near Olsene, Belgium, 31 October 1918. Without regard for his own safety, Captain Tavenner personally conducted a tank in an attack on a machine-gun nest. After several of the tanks had been put out of action and the others had withdrawn, he walked up and down the firing line under heavy machine-gun fire, cheering his men, despite severe losses, fought till all of their ammunition was exhausted. On 31 October he was severely wounded while making a personal reconnaissance of the enemy's position.”

 

Robert was born in Clark County, Ohio, and attended the College of Arts at OSU where he was also in the Corps of Cadets. He graduated in 1908.

 

Respect can be paid to Brother Tavenner at Mound View Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Ohio.

 

13 APR 1945

On this date, World War II Veteran and OK Alpha Brother First Lieutenant Frank Marion Pinney, U. S. Army made the ultimate sacrifice during action at Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines. Brother Pinney enlisted in the Army in MAY 1941, and during his service he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and Presidential Citation.

 

A son of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Frank was born 12 SEP 1917, and graduated from Stillwater High School. He became a SigEp while attending Oklahoma A & M for three years, where he was also a member of the Pershing Rifles, Scabbard and Blade, and the Aggie Society.

 

Frank is memorialized alongside other patriotic citizens of Oklahoma on the website for The Oklahoma Veteran’s Memorial Gardens, Oklahoma’s War Dead, World War II Years 1941 to 1945.

 

Respect can be paid to Brother Pinney at Rose Hill Memorial Park, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

14 APR 1953

U.S. Marine Corps World War I Veteran, Governor (Virginia) and VA Zeta Brother William Munford Tuck began his service to the citizens of Virginia and the United States on this date as a member of the Eighty-Third Congress. Brother Tuck was reelected to seven succeeding Congresses.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 17 – 23 DEC

Brothers,

While it is terrific that some SigEp Patriots have recently returned home from service overseas, it important to remember that brothers (and other Americans serving to defend our country) are still standing duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, Bahrain, Kuwait and other parts of the world. Please keep them in mind when you express your thanks this holiday season, and always remember the sacrifices they make all year.

19 DEC 1917

World War I Veteran and OH Gamma Brother Robert Lester Tavenner was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant on this date.

22 DEC 1944

On this date, after being presented a proposal for the surrender of the troops under his command at Bastogne, WV Beta Brother Brigadier General Anthony Clement McAuliffe, U.S. Army spoke the most famous quote of World War II: “Nuts!”

To read the entire story go to http://www.sigepblog.org/2012/12/22-december.html#idc-container

20 DEC 1968

World War II Veteran and VT Alpha Brother Raymond J. McGarry died on this date at the age of 64 in the Veterans Hospital at White River Junction, Vermont after a short illness.

Respect can be paid to Brother McGarry at the Calvary Cemetery in Rutland, Vermont.

19 DEC 1979
Mexican War and World War I Veteran CO Beta Brother Colonel Maurice C. Bigelow, U.S. Army died on this date. Maurice became a member of the Colorado National Guard in 1908, and graduated from the University of Denver in 1912 before studying law for two years at UD and another two semesters at the University of Munich. After graduation, he returned to the States and worked briefly at a bank before he was mobilized to the Mexican border with the First Colorado Infantry. When the U.S. declared war on Germany, his unit was immediately redesignated the 157th Infantry. Brother Bigelow was made a captain in the 157th Infantry and sent to Europe where he commanded the machine gun company of that regiment.

While overseas he was transferred to the First Division, which suffered over 100% casualties. At the outset the division numbered approximately 28,000 men and 31,000 men, including replacements, were lost in the conflicts in which this division was engaged. Even so, Maurice was never wounded. He proved to be a very efficient officer and gained much practical experience in the science of military tactics. He returned from Germany with the Third Machine Gun Battalion, First Division – the first to be sent to Europe for the war and the last to return.

After his return, Maurice was sent to several commands before being detailed to Fort Benning, Georgia where he attended the infantry school and graduated in 1923.

OWA State College in Ames, Iowa secured the services of Brother Bigelow to be assistant professor of Military Science and Tactics on a four years detail. He instructed in machine guns and automatic weapons, and their use in modern warfare.

Respect can be paid to Brother Bigelow at Section 4, Site 2701, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Last Week in SigEp Patriot History, 03 - 09 SEP

Brothers,

On 05 SEP 1969, the Guardsmen of the 116th Engineer Battalion (Combat) were released from active duty having just returned from their eleven-month tour of service in Vietnam. This marked the sixth time in 70 years that the battalion served on active duty. In fact, the 116th was the only Guard unit, Army or Air, to serve in theater during both the Korean and Vietnam wars.

How many SigEps served with this dedicated group of men? Nobody knows – not yet, for the SigEp Patriots Project (SSP) will continue to work to answer this and other questions pertaining to SigEps who serve, and we hope you can help us. Please write to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com if you are or know of a brother who served with the 116th.

05 SEP 1919

World War I Veteran and OH Gamma Brother Captain Robert Lester Tavenner, U.S. Army completed his service in Europe with the American Expeditionary Force on this date.

07 SEP 1956

On this date, Korean War Veteran and Ace, SigEp Citation Recipient and IN Alpha Brother Captain Iven Carl "Kinch" Kincheloe, Jr., U.S. Air Force piloted the Bell X-2 research rocket plane more than 2,000mph and to a world's record altitude of 126,200 feet – the first flight ever above 100,000 feet. For this he was nicknamed "America's No. 1 Spaceman" and received the Mackay Trophy the next year.

06 SEP 2003

World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Veteran, and PA Mu Brother Brigadier General William Robert Sarber, Jr., U.S. Army (Retired) died on this date in a nursing home in Yorktown, Virginia.

Born 21 FEB 1929, in Charleston, West Virginia, Brother Sarber graduated from Temple University with a bachelor's degree in Accounting, and began his 31-year military career in 1946. He also received a master's degree in Banking and Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of the Armor School, Transportation School, Command and General Staff College, Armed Forces Staff College and the Industrial College of The Armed Forces. General Sarber's commands included the 7th Transportation Group, Fort Eustis, VA; Kaiserslautern Army Depot Complex, U.S. Army, Europe; and Eastern Area, Military Traffic Management Command, Bayonne, NJ.

Respect can be paid to Brother Sarber at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. While William is gone, SPP pledges that his life and patriotic service will always be remembered.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 13 – 19 FEB

Brothers,

Yesterday, I had the honor of visiting the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA during a visit to the brothers at VA Omicron. If you have never seen this memorial, I highly recommend it. As I stood there and tried to envision the incredible acts of valor and selfless commitment during the largest invasion in world history, I couldn’t help but think, “I wonder how many brothers heroically served on the beaches of Normandy on 06 JUN 1944.” It is a shame that we as a Fraternity can’t recognize the incredible acts performed this day by our brothers, but it is a goal of the SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) to learn the names and accomplishments of those brothers.

15 FEB 1891
WWI Veteran and PA Delta Brother Doctor Major William Bates, U.S. Army was born on this date.

19 FEB 1914
World War II Veteran and NC Delta Brother Staff Sergeant Clifton Robert “Tip” Faucette, Jr., U.S. Army was born on this date.

17 FEB 1921
WWII Veteran and CO Delta Brother First Lieutenant Douglas Lawrence Pearce, U.S. Army Air Corps was born on this date in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He graduated with an engineering degree, and soon thereafter enlisted in the Army in Salt Lake City as a First Lieutenant, 9th Army Air Force.

On the same date, U.S. Army World War II Veteran UT Alpha Brother Worth Barber McNeel was born in Afton, Wyoming. He served in the Philippines, Okinawa and Korea, and was discharged in 1946. He then went to Utah State, graduating in 1947, and in later years he joined the Idaho National Guard.

14 FEB 2006
On this date, one of our brothers made the ultimate sacrifice, and the SigEp Patriots Project pledges that his selfless devotion to all of us will never be forgotten.

Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and LA Delta Brother Lance Corporal Matthew Ryan Barnes, U.S. Marine Corps was killed in action six years ago in Qa’im, Iraq. He was 20 years old.

Brother Barnes was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. He was killed when a suicide car bomb attacked the vehicle he was in. Matthew and another Marine were killed when a bomber rammed their Humvee.

Brother Barnes was a student at the University of Louisiana at Monroe until he joined the Marines in May 2004.

Respect can be paid to Brother Barnes at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Calhoun, LA.

16 FEB 2006
U.S Coast Guard World War II Veteran DC Alpha Brother Vernon Edgar “Ben” Benjamin died on this dates in Bradenton, Florida. Ben was born in East Moriches, Long Island, New York, and a graduate in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University. He served in the United States Coast Guard during WWII as an electrical technician on the atomic bomb project at Los Alamos, NM.

13 FEB 2010
CO Beta Brother Captain Robert Donnice Urbana, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired) died on this date. Brother Urbana was born in Denver on 25 JAN 1930, and raised there among his large, extended Italian family. Bob joined the U.S. Navy at age 17, went through the naval ROTC program and graduated from the University of Denver in December 1952 with a degree in business and a commission in the U.S. Navy.

The Navy moved Bob to San Diego where he served as executive officer on the USS Koka. He left active duty in 1955, but continued his naval career as a reservist in Boise, Idaho. Bob's passion was the Navy. As a reservist he completed the Armed Forces Staff College, the Naval War College and was a member of the U.S. Naval Advancement Board. Brother Urbana commanded units in Boise; Longview, Washington; and Salem, Oregon. He finished his naval career as the RDAC officer (recruiting district assistance council) for Oregon, retiring in 1978 after 31 years of service. Bob instilled his love of the Navy in the next generations. He had the privilege of swearing in his grandson, Alexander, into the U.S. Navy in 1999. He was a member and past president of the Portland Navy League and served on the Rose Festival Naval committee. At various times in his life he belonged to the Kiwanis, Lions and Rotarians and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

14 FEB 2010
Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and FL Iota Brother Lance Corporal Yoni Haim, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve was mobilized to active duty one year ago on this date for his first deployment to Afghanistan. Brother Haim volunteered for mobilization, and is safely back home. We honor his commitment to the Corps and the Country.

19 FEB 2010
On this date, World War II Veteran and IN Alpha Brother Captain Harvie M. Merrill, IV, U.S. Army Air Corps died in Winter Park, Florida. Born in Detroit Michigan, he graduated at the top his class at Purdue University with a degree in chemical engineering. In addition to SigEp, he was a member of Scabbard & Blade, and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. He did graduate work at Yale University and served in World War II as a captain in the US Army Air Corps. He had a long career at Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. Later, he became Vice-President of Stauffer Chemical Co. before becoming President of Hexcel Corp. in San Francisco. As Chairman and CEO there, he initiated international divisions of the company in Paris, London and Brussels and brought the company to listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

19 FEB 2011
World War II Veteran and OH Gamma Brother First Lieutenant Robert Warren Bishop, U.S. Army died a year ago in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was born 26 OCT 1922, in Cleveland, Ohio, and a graduate of The Ohio State University.

Bob is a U.S. Army veteran of World War II where he served in Central Europe as a Company Commander in the Corps of Engineers in General Patton’s 3rd Army. During his career he had worked for General Motors, Philco Corporation, Westinghouse and J.I. Case Company, where he served as general manager of the Terre Haute plant before his retirement. Very active in the Terre Haute community, Bob was past president and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Downtown Terre Haute Rotary Club, and a past president and board member for 16 years for Junior Achievement.

Brother Bishop was laid to rest with full military honors, and respect can be paid to him at Mount Hope Cemetery in Huntington, Indiana. The family kindly requests that memorial contributions may be made to Union Hospital Foundation, 1606 N. 7th St., Terre Haute, IN 47804; or to Hospice of the Wabash Valley, 400 8th Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47804.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
* World War II Veteran and NY Delta Brother Lieutenant Edward Nicholas Stevensen Jr., U.S. Marine Corps died on 28 JAN in Windsor Lakes, Connecticut. Brother Stevensen’s obituary stated, “He was commissioned a Lieutenant (most likely a Second Lieutenant) in the U.S. Marine Corps (1943-1946) and served as an Engineering Officer with the Third Marine Aircraft Wing on Midway Island during World War II.”
* U.S. Merchant Marine World War II Veteran Leander Newton "Pete" Trammell, born 13 JUL 1927, in Atlanta, Georgia died 13 FEB 2012 at Hospice Atlanta. After his World War II service he attended Davidson College in North Carolina.
* World War II Veteran and VA Eta Brother Major George Claiborne Calkins, U.S. Air Force (Retired) also passed away on 13 FEB while residing in a retirement community in Winter Park, Florida. Brother Calkins began his patriotic military service at the age of 19 in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and later became an Air Force officer and pilot.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of these Brothers, and the SigEp Patriots Project pledges that their service to the Nation will never be forgotten.

CELEBRATIONS!
* Last weekend, during his reserve duty, the U.S. Marine Corps recognized the leadership potential of FL Iota Brother Frank Slamka and meritoriously promoted him to the rank of Lance Corporal!
* MD Alpha Brother Adam H. Reiffen, U.S. Navy will be moving to Jacksonville, FL to join helicopter squadron HSM-74 – the Swamp Foxes. HOOYAH!
* After 13 years of committed service in the U.S. Army, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and LA Alpha Brother Brock Bosson was honorably discharged on 10 FEB 2012 at the rank of Captain. Thank you for your service!

Congratulations to all of our brothers!

UPDATE: SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP)
* SPP now has data about 1,080 SigEp Patriots who serve/served in the U.S. military!
* The official SPP Facebook group now numbers more than 430 SigEp Patriots with the addition of the following Brothers: Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and FL Iota Brother Corporal Alex Boody, U.S. Marine Corps; Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and former Florida National Guard Staff Sergeant FL Iota Brother Frank Ring; Operation DESERT STORM and OPERATION NEW DAWN Veteran, CA Theta Brother Lieutenant Ian Marks, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve; CA Theta Brother Nathan Fleshman, U.S. Army, and OH Gamma Brother Yannis Hadjiyannis, U.S. Army.

To join the Facebook group go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve. Not on Facebook? Join our listserve by sending an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com. All we need to know is your military affiliation and home chapter.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta ‘96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 26 DEC – 01 JAN

31 DEC 1917
World War II – Battle of Midway – Veteran and IL Alpha Brother Ensign Joseph Metcalf Hissem, U.S. Navy Reserve was born on this date in Mount Carroll, Illinois.

01 JAN 1920
On this date, World War I Veteran and OH Gamma Brother Captain Robert Lester Tavenner, U.S. Army was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for extraordinary heroism in action near Cierges, France on 29 SEP 1918.

27 DEC 1934
Vietnam War Veteran and OR Alpha Brother Major George “Vern” Ellison, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) was born this date in Eugene, Oregon.

30 DEC 1944
For his actions at Bastogne, France while serving as the acting commander of the 101st Airborne Division, World War II and Korean War Veteran, SigEp Citation Recipient and WV Beta Brother General Anthony Clement McAuliffe, U.S. Army (Retired) was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General George S. Patton.

26 DEC 1947
On this date, Former Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Persian Gulf War and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran, SigEp Citation Recipient and MO Zeta President General James Terry Conway, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) was in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.

26 DEC 1953
World War I Veteran, U.S. Ambassador and KS Alpha Brother First Lieutenant Monnett Bain Davis, U.S. Army died on this date in Ramat Gan, Israel while serving as U.S. Ambassador to Israel.

Respect can be paid to Brother Davis at Arlington National Cemetery.

26 DEC 1997
Korean War Veteran and Prisoner of War, TN Alpha Brother Sergeant First Class John William “Bill” Rambo, U.S. Army / Tennessee National Guard passed away on this date in Fairfax Station, Virginia after a lengthy illness. A native of Knoxville, he grew up in the Fountain City area and was a graduate of Central High School. He was a member of the Tennessee National Guard and was among the first to serve in Korea. He was a Prisoner of War for 19 months, and was given a heroes welcome by his hometown upon his return in 1953. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Silver Star and the Korean Gold Medal of Honor for his military service. He graduated in 1958 from the University of Tennessee, and was active in student affairs and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Bill was with Kay's Jewelers for over 30 years, serving in many cities prior to his retirement in 1990 as senior vice president and general manager.

Bill was buried with military honors in Section 70, Site 1706 in Arlington National Cemetery.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 31 OCT – 06 NOV

In this edition of “This Week:”
- Happy Founders Day!
- OH Gamma Brother wounded, awarded Distinguished Service Cross
- A Brother made the ultimate sacrifice in Italy
- RI Beta Brother inducted in to hall of fame
- GA Epsilon Brother gets engaged in style

01 NOV 1901 – It is my belief that following the events of this date, Sigma Phi Epsilon would shape future military leaders, and, like other groups of Brothers, SigEp Patiots who have lead during peace and in combat would help to shape SigEp.

The former was true nearly immediately when, upon graduating from Richmond College in June 1902, Founding Father Carter Ashton Jenkens began teaching at a military academy in Chase City, Virginia, and was strongly reinforced when the former commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Persian Gulf War and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran, SigEp Citation Recipient and MO Zeta Brother General James Terry Conway, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) stated at Conclave Atlanta that “Virtually everything I needed to know about leadership in the United States Marine Corps I learned as a part of Sigma Phi Epsilon.”

06 NOV 1911
On this date, World War II Veteran and CO Delta Brother Lieutenant Colonel William W. Little, U.S. Army Reserve was born in Birmingham, Alabama.

31 OCT & 06 NOV 1918
World War I Veteran OH Gamma Brother Captain Robert Lester Tavenner, U.S. Army was wounded near Olsene, on the Lys River, and slightly wounded in action at Cruyschauten, Belgium on these dates, respectively. Research by the SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) determined that as a result of his actions on 31 OCT 1918, Brother Tavenner became the second SigEp awarded the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) – the only medal the Army can award that is higher than the DSC is the Medal of Honor.

31 OCT 1928
U.S. Air Force Veteran and Governor (Colorado) CO Gamma Brother Roy Romer was born on this date in Garden City, Kansas.

01 NOV 1936
MO Alpha Brother Sam Knott, Jr, U.S. Marine Corps passed away 30 SEP 2009. He was born on 01 NOV 1936, in Kansas City, Missouri.

01 NOV 1941
KS Epsilon Brother U.S. Army Reserve Veteran James R. Roth was born on this date in Great Bend, Kansas.

05 NOV 1944
World War II Veteran and SigEp Brother Second Lieutenant Clarence C. Roudebush, Jr., U.S. Army was killed in action on this date in Pescara, Italy. Brother Roudebush was a member of 60th Troop Division.

05 NOV 2005
On this day, Vietnam War and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran RI Beta Brother Colonel Bill Babcock, U.S. Army / Army National Guard (Rhode Island) was inducted in to the University of Rhode Island ROTC Hall of Fame.

01 NOV 2010
Last year on the 109th anniversary of the founding of Sigma Phi Epsilon, World War II Veteran and IN Alpha Brother Lieutenant William E. Smith, U.S. Army passed away. Bill studied Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University class of '40 where he was editor of the Purdue Exponent. After serving in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant during WWII, Bill owned and built a successful business, the Ceilcote Company based in Berea, Ohio. Ceilcote manufactured and installed corrosion resistant linings, floor toppings and FRP Air Pollution Control Equipment. Brother Smith was active in many volunteer organizations including Moderator of Dover Church in Westlake, OH, member of Community Church of Vero Beach, FL, and President of the Westlake School Board and Board of Fairview Hospital.

GREAT NEWS!
* GA Epsilon Brother Captain Kyle Davis, U.S. Marine Corps is getting married! You want to view an example of SigEp style, check this out http://youtu.be/3mjYBoV9AQ8. Congratulations to Kyle and Sarah!

* The holdings of the SPP grew dramatically this week. With some vigorous research and the help of several people we learned additional information about another SigEp four-star general, a two-star general, and the awarding of a Silver Star for service in Vietnam, nine more Bronze Stars, two additional Purple Hearts, 19 Air Medals, and numerous commendation and achievement medals, as well as the SigEp Citation.

* The official Facebook group of the SPP has also increased by 11 Brothers since the last edition of “This Week” and a special thanks to FL Theta Brother LCDR Christopher Sacra, U.S. Navy for referring several Brothers. We would like to wish a sincere welcome to the following Brothers:
Andy Kellner, Guy Priest (U.S. Army), Omar Sanchez, Dan Pugh, Brian Gresham (U.S. Coast Guard), Ohene Gyapong, (U.S. Navy (Retired)), Chris Quast, Thomas Joseph McNamara, Brian Wiktorski, Jon Schlosser (U.S. Army ROTC), and Russ Avey (U.S. Air Force).

* SPP has grown with the extremely helpful addition of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and KY Eta Founding Father Specialist Seth C. Thompson, U.S. Army Reserve.

If you are a SigEp Patriot click on the link to go to the official SPP Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve. Know a Brother who serves/served? Please forward the link to him.


Not on Facebook. There is also a listserve that you can join by sending an email to me at sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta ‘96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 01 – 07 AUG

"It is only the dead who have seen the end of war." ~ Plato

05 AUG 1917
World War I Veteran / OH Gamma Brother / Captain Robert Lester Tavenner, U.S. Army (Ohio State University, 1908) was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and Infantry Officer on this date, and went on to serve in France and Belgium during WWI. At OSU, Brother Tavenner was Junior Class President and Captain of the Company of Cadets.

01 AUG 1918
On this date, World War I Veteran and Ace / NY Beta Brother / Major James Armand Meissner, U.S. Army Air Corps had his fifth air victory while a member of the 147th Aero Squadron while flying a SPAD XIII over Fère-en-Tardenois, France northeast of Paris.


01 AUG 1920
CA Beta Brother / Ensign Gaylor Goble, U.S. Navy (University of Southern California ’45) was born on this date in Flagstaff, Arizona. Brother Goble attended USC and graduated from USC School of Dentistry in 1945. He was an Ensign in the U.S. Navy aboard the escort aircraft carrier, USS Point Cruz (CVE-119).

06 AUG 1924
WV Beta Brother James Frederick Haught (West Virginia University) was born in Weston, Lewis County, West Virginia on this date. Political Graveyard stated his affiliations include the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), organizations with U.S. veterans on their role.

Brother Haught served in the West Virginia State Legislature (1959-60), and as a primary worker for the 1960 Kennedy for President Campaign in West Virginia. In addition, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum contains the transcript of an 18-page interview Brother Haught had with President Kennedy on 13 JUL 1964.

01 AUG 1941
VT Beta Brother / Captain Ronald Harmon Brown, U.S. Army (Middlebury College ’62) was born on this date in Washington, DC. After his military service, Brother Brown served as the 35th Secretary of Commerce.

02 AUG 1994
World War II Veteran / VA Kappa Brother / Major William Pat Jennings, U.S. Army (Virginia Polytechnic Institute ’41) died on this date in Marion, Virginia following an accident in which a tractor he was driving overturned and crushed him. His burial location is unknown.

Following his wartime service in the Europe Theater of Operations with the 29th Infantry as platoon leader, company commander, and operations officer, Brother Jennings was assigned as an instructor in ROTC at the University of Illinois before being discharged in MAY 1946 at the rank of major. William was Smyth County Sheriff from 1948-54 before being elected to the Eighty-fourth and the five succeeding Congresses (03 JAN 1955-03 JAN 1967) as the representative of Virginia’s 9th District.

02 AUG 2006
The nomination of Gulf War and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran / MO Zeta Brother / General James Terry Conway, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) (Southeast Missouri State University ’69) to become the 34th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps was confirmed by the Senate on this date.

03 AUG 2007
On this date, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran / OK Beta Brother / Major Gen Darrell L. Moore, U.S. Marine Corps (University of Oklahoma ’76) completed his assignment as Commanding General, Marine Corps Mobilization Command, Kansas City, Missouri.

05 AUG 2008
VA Pi Brother / Captain Robert May, U.S. Army (Christopher Newport University ’05) retired on this date.

06 AUG 2008
TN Beta Brother Fred Avil Allen III, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (Memphis State University - now University of Memphis) passed away on this date. The location of his interment is unknown.

Fred was always proud to have earned Eagle Scout status and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity in college, serving as treasurer.

02 AUG 2010
A year ago this week, World War II Veteran / VA Epsilon Brother John Howard Lawrence, U.S. Navy (Washington & Lee ’42) died peacefully at the age of 90.

Following graduation, John joined the Navy in AUG 1942, and was present at some of most intense battles of the Pacific Theater of Operations – serving as the Gunnery Officer and later the Executive Officer on the USS LST-84 (a landing ship tank) in the amphibious invasions of Tarawa, the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. He was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal for taking charge of a shipboard fire fighting detail to battle a gasoline fire between three gun batteries on the ship, and he received a Purple Heart Medal for a wound received during a kamikaze attack at the invasion of Saipan. He later served as the Executive Officer of the USS Agenor (ARL-3), a landing craft repair ship.

CONGRATULATIONS!
We missed these great news items in July.

Heartfelt congratulations go out to CA Upsilon Brother Yannis Dracopoulos upon his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

Brother Dracopoulos is following in the footsteps of his older brother, fellow CA Upsilon Brother / Captain Costas Dracopoulos, U.S. Air Force (California State University – San Bernardino ’05) and like Costas, Yannis will train to become a navigator. Best of luck, Yannis!

It late July, it was announced that congratulations are in order for TX Alpha Brother Robert Hicks, U.S. Navy (University of Texas ’08) on his engagement to Ms. Hadyn Jobe. Brother Hicks served as president of TX Alpha, and earned his commission upon completion of Navy officer candidate school in AUG 2010.

More recently, Robert completed Basic Underwater Demolition Training (BUD/S) for the U.S. Navy SEALs.

Brother Hicks’ wedding is scheduled for 04 SEP at Holman Ranch in Carmel, California.

If you have news, accomplishments or just want to share a story please send an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

If you are a SigEp Patriot who serves/served in the U.S. military in any capacity – including currently in ROTC – you can join more than 300 of your brothers-in-arms on Facebook by requesting to join the “SigEps Who Serve” group. Not on Facebook? Just drop an email to the address above to join nearly 100 military SigEps on the Yahoo listserve.

In either case, just let us know your basic info – military affiliation and home chapter – and any other information you feel like sharing.

SigEps Who Serve is part of the SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) – an effort to honor Brothers who serve/served our great Nation by recording and maintaining a working history in order to recognize and respect their accomplishments and sacrifices. It is an unofficial effort and no monies are collected or requested. SPP is looking for Brothers – UG or alum – that are interested in being a chapter point of contact for information about military SigEps from their specific chapter. Drop an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com for more details.

SPP will be at Conclave, and it will be great to see everyone – especially Brothers that serve/served.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

Ed Jones
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
NY Eta ‘96
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project

This Week in the History of SigEp Patriots, 27 December - 02 January

Let me know what you think about the slight format change.

This is a significant week in the lives of three brothers that were recognized for extraordinary heroism.

1896
28 DEC - On this day, Brother Joseph Francis Kiep, Jr., US Army - pilot (PA Delta / University of Pennsylvania) was born.

1915
31 DEC - Brother / Major Samuel Eugene Carpenter, US Army - WWII - Pacific (OK Alpha / Oklahoma A&M '37 - now Oklahoma State University) was born on this day in Fairview, Oklahoma. In 1942, Sam entered the Army as a First Lieutenant and served in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. He left the Army as a Major.

1917
31 DEC - On this day, Brother / Ensign Joseph Metcalf Hissem, US Navy Reserve - WWII - Battle of Midway (IL Alpha / University of Illinois '39) was born in Mt. Carroll, Illinois.

Brother Hissem was postumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions at Midway on 04 JUN 1942. The Navy Cross is the highest award presented by the Navy following the Medal of Honor.

1920
01 JAN - This marks the day that Brother / Captain Robert Tavenner, US Army - WWI - France & Belgium (OH Gamma / The Ohio State University '08) was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal and Army Distinguished Service Cross for action during two seperate feats of "extraordinary heroism" on the battlefield in France and Belgium, respectively, in the fall of 1918.

The Army Distinguished Service Cross is the highest award presented by the Army following the Medal of Honor.

1934
27 DEC - On this day, Brother / Major George "Vern" Ellison, US Marine Corps (Retired) - Vietnam (OR Alpha / Oregon State University) was born in Eugene, Oregon.

Vern was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps in 1957 and served until he retired as a Major in 1977. He was awarded the Bronze Star with a combat "V" (for valor) and twice awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

1944
30 DEC - On this day, Brother / (then) Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe, US Army (WV Beta / West Virginia University) was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross by General Patton for his actions at Bastogne, Belgium.

With this recognition, Brother McAuliffe joined brothers Major James Armand Meissner, US Army Air Service (NY Beta; awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross twice in 1918), and the aforemention Captain Robert Lester Tavenner, US Army (OH Gamma) and Ensign Joseph Metcalf Hissem, US Navy Reserve (IL Alpha) as the highest decorated brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon that served in the United States military.

Brother Meissner is the only SigEp to receive the Army Distinguished Service Cross twice.

Recent Losses - The following SigEp patriots passed away in the month of December:

*Brother Charles J. "Bud" Foster III, US Marine Corps (DE Alpha / University of Delaware) passed away 12 DEC. Brother Foster was a life-long athlete - medaling in the Penn Relays and running in multiple Boston Marathons, and was a voracious reader of American military history. His final resting place was not listed in his obituary.

*Franklin A. Rouse, US Marine Corps (NC Beta / North Carolina State University) died 18 DEC at Carteret General Hospital. In addition to his military service, Brother Rouse was an Eagle Scout, and very active in the community, including serving as Deputy Secretary of the NC Department of Transportation. He was awarded a membership to the NC Republican Party Hall of Fame, and was a recipient of the J. E. Broyhill Award and Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor. His final resting place was not listed in his obituary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the East Carolina Council Boy Scouts of America, payable to ECCBSA, P.O. Box 1698, Kinston, NC 28503, or to the Carteret General Hospital Foundation Critical Care Unit, P.O. Drawer 1619, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

*Brother Kenneth J. Goodman, US Navy Veteran (KY Beta / University of Louisville) passed away at his home in Louisville on Christmas Eve. Ken was a chapter president at KY Beta, and is survived by his real and fellow chapter brother, Joseph G. Goodman. Ken was laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery, and expressions of sympathy may be made to Day Spring (www.dayspringky.org) and the Parkinson Support Center of Kentuckiana (www.pscky.org).

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Fraternally and Respectfully,

Ed Jones
Chief, USNR
NY Eta / Buffalo State College
sigepswhoserve@gmail.com

The weekly works are part of an effort that is sourced by you - brothers who have and have not served in the military, as well as from research on the internet. It is powered by brotherly love and the belief that our Chapter and National histories are extremely important, and that the accomplishments and sacrifices of these brothers are worthy of remembrance and celebration.

All information is vetted to the best of my ability, and any brother that wishes to share personal information or details about the life of a brother who serve/served our country is strongly encouraged to contact me at sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

SigEp patriots who serve or have served can connect with more than 250 brothers-in-arms via the Facebook group SigEps Who Serve - www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5903232706. As this is a closed group set up solely for brother patriots that serve/served in the U.S. military - whether that be active, reserve, retired, ROTC - all are welcome! Your name, home chapter and military affiliation will be required before your request to join the group is confirmed.

A special thanks to Wordjunky for the guidance while I fat-finger these submissions to this terrific blog.