This Week in SigEp Patriot History, VOL 12/14, 19 – 25 MAY

"The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten." - Calvin Coolidge

Brothers,

On the eve of Memorial Day, it is important to remember why there is a three-day weekend. In this edition of "This Week in SigEp Patriot History," the SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) honors and remembers 24 brothers currently serving and who have since passed because SPP believes it is our duty always remember the accomplishments and sacrifices of this group of brothers.


22 MAY 1949
On this date, World War I Veteran, Secretary of the Navy, first Secretary of Defense and NH Alpha Brother Lieutenant James V. Forrestal, U.S. Navy Reserve died in Bethesda, Maryland. When the U.S. entered World War I, Brother Forrestal enlisted in the Navy as a Seaman Second Class in June 1917. After flight training, he was commissioned an Ensign, Naval Reserve Flying Corps at Boston, MA, and he gained his wings of gold before the year was out. He served until late 1919 when he was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant.

Brother James Forrestal
Photo credit: Ernest Hamlin Baker

After graduating from high school, James worked for three years on local newspapers in New York before entering Dartmouth College in 1911 where he became a Brother of SigEp. The following year he transferred to Princeton University, however he left school in his senior year prior to completing work on his degree.

During World War II, Brother Forrestal held several government jobs, and was appointed Secretary of the Navy on 19 MAY 1944. He participated prominently in the development of the National Security Act of 1947 - which created the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Defense, and went on to become the first Secretary of Defense.

Brother Forrestal is the second SigEp to have a U.S. Navy ship named after him, and I proudly served on that ship for over three years. The aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV-59) was the first U.S. super-carrier, and affectionately referred to as the “FID,” recognizing the ships motto “First in Defense.”

President Truman and 2,500 guests attended the ceremony where James was laid to rest with full military honors. Honorary pallbearers at his funeral included Herbert Hoover, former President of the United States; Fred M. Vinson, Chief Justice of the United States; General of the Army George C. Marshall, former Secretary of State and former Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, and General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Respect can be paid to Brother Forrestal this Memorial Day and every day at Section 30, Site 674 SH in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 16 – 22 SEP

Brothers,
[Reminder: To see the complete work including pictures, go to www.sigepblog.org.]

“We who have a deep concern for our Fraternity chapter are vitally conscious of the importance of its history. History is tradition and if we are wise, we seek guidance and discipline in tradition. But we observe sadly that events of importance, here today, have a way of becoming lost very quickly in the dim yesterdays. And if we are to make use of our history we cannot be satisfied to let significant events remain buried.”

~ Brother Pedro Campa, Illinois; from the Sigma Phi Epsilon Journal, Volume 67, Number 4, published May 1970

Even though today is the day after POW/MIA Remembrance Day, the SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) believes it is important to always honor the following Brothers who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action:

Robert Douglas Avery – MIA & POW, TN Gamma ‘65

Paul S. Beard – POW, OH Epsilon ‘04
Heywood Davis – POW, DC Alpha
William C.A. Enke – POW, MT Alpha
Elmer J. Gray – POW, PA Delta
James Downs Latham – POW, KS Beta ‘69
George Robert Law – POW, WI Alpha ‘34
John “Bill” William Rambo, Sr. – POW, TN Alpha ‘58
Waldo E. Schmitt – MIA & POW, DC Alpha ‘40
John R. Vaughn – POW, CO Gamma ‘38
Edgar A. Waite, Jr. – POW, PA Delta ‘49

NEVER FORGOTTEN

18 SEP 1946

World War II Veteran and CA Alpha Brother Captain William E. Turpen, U.S. Army was discharged on this date after more than six years of service.

NH Alpha Brother
James V. Forrestal

17 SEP 1947

On this date, President Truman’s selection as first U.S. Secretary of Defense was sworn in – World War I Veteran and NH Alpha Brother Lieutenant James Vincent Forrestal, U.S. Navy Reserve. During the same week three years later, a bronze bust of Brother Forrestal was unveiled at the Mall entrance to the Pentagon (22 SEP 1950).

22 SEP 1995

AZ Beta Brother (then) Captain Alan Mark “Vodka” Gemmill, U.S. Navy completed his tour as Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on this date.

20 SEP 2008

On this date, Operation DESERT STORM Veteran MO Lambda Brother Jay Scott Danner, U.S. Air National Guard (Missouri) died at St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 43.

Scott was born in 1964 in Maryville, MO, and graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1988 with a BS degree in Business Administration. He worked for Philip Morris USA for 19 years and his final job was as a Unit Manager.

Respect can be paid to Brother Danner at Prairie Home Cemetery, Graham, MO.