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, 24 – 30 DEC

"Diligence overcomes difficulties, sloth creates them"
-Ben Franklin

Brothers,

Another year has come and gone, and with it at least 86 of our brother patriots. They served during World War II, in the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf wars, as well as in Bosnia. Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Guardians and Airmen, active and reserve, they rest in peace as those of us who serve now – their legacy – continue to stand the watch.

 

The SigEp Patriots Project wishes you and yours a terrific 2013!

30 DEC 1919

Following his service in World War I, NH Alpha Brother James Vincent Forrestal was discharged from the Navy Reserve at the rank of Lieutenant on this date.

26 DEC 1943

On this date in SigEp Patriot history, USS Hissem (DE-400) – a destroyer escort of the EDSALL class named in honor of World War II Veteran and IL Alpha Brother Ensign Anthony Metcalf Hissem, U.S. Navy Reserve – was christened and launched in Houston, TX. Brother Hissem was declared Missing In Action / Buried at Sea when none of the aircraft from his squadron returned following an attack against the Japanese during the Battle of Midway. USS Hissem proudly defended the nation from 1944-1970, actively serving in World War II, Vietnam and the Cold War.


USS Hissem (DE-400)

24 DEC 1944
World War II Veteran and KS Beta Brother First Lieutenant John J. Jackson, U.S. Army was killed in action in Belgium on this date. Brother Jackson graduated from Kansas State in 1941, and he taught and coached at Osborne, Kansas for a year. In JUN 1942 he joined the Army, and his armored division was sent overseas in AUG 1944.

Respect can be paid to Brother Jackson at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka, Kansas.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 23 – 29 JAN

Brothers,

“The lists of members of Illinois Alpha in service were published regularly in the SigEp Journal. The first such listing was in November 1941 and these continued to be published until February 1946. The records indicate that our chapter had 154 members in military service during World War II.” ~ Taken from IL Alpha website

Why hasn’t The Journal regularly done the same since the beginning of the global war on terrorism? The SigEp Patriots Project has plenty of information and continues to desire to assist Richmond in recognizing our patriotic Brothers.

23 JAN 1928
KY Beta Brother Pharmacist Mate Third Class Kenneth James Goodman, U.S. Navy was born on this date.

25 JAN 1930
On this date, CO Beta Brother Captain Robert Donnice Urbana, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired) was born in Denver, Colorado.

28 JAN 1931
Korean War Veteran and Prisoner of War, TN Alpha Brother Sergeant First Class John William “Bill” Rambo, U.S. Army / Tennessee National Guard was born on this date.

25 JAN 2004
On this date, U.S. Army World War II Veteran FL Alpha Brother Jack McKay Dyer, Sr. died in Winter Haven, Florida. SigEp Patriot Dyer was born on 20 OCT 1926 in Orlando, FL. His obituary listed him as “a life member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at University of Florida”, and “a U.S. Veteran serving in the Army during WWII.”

Jack was an administrative manager for the groves department with Coca-Cola Foods for 40 years, and past Treasurer and President of the Orlando Amateur Athletic Association.

Respect can be paid to Brother Dryer at the Rolling Hills Cemetery in Winter Haven.

29 JAN 2005
World War II Veteran and CO Delta Brother Private Erling “Swede” Kristian Arnston, U.S. Army died on this date. SigEp Patriot Arnston was born on 04 MAR 1925, and before attending Colorado School of Mines he served as a combat infantryman in the Pacific during World War II.

Ever the Renaissance man, Swede enjoyed reading and sharing poetry or a good story, and was always the first to figure out an innovative way to fix something. In 1987, he retired from a career with Amoco Oil and moved to Grand Junction, Colo. It was there that he became active in the local Rotary club, participating in community activities and organizing its annual Christmas bell-ringing activities. Swede’s love of life was recognized throughout his lifetime and he received many honors and distinctions including the Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Loyal Alumnus Award from the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and the Paul Harris Fellow Award from his fellow Rotarians.

Respect can be paid to Brother Arnston at Sidney Cemetery in Sidney, Montana.

27 JAN 2009
U.S. Army Air Corps World War II Veteran IL Delta Brother James Powers died on this date in Peoria, Illinois. SigEp Patriot Powers was awarded the Bronze Star medal for his service in World War II, and was a founding member of the Army Air Museum in Great Britain. James was a sales engineer for Wilkins Pipe & Supply, retiring in 1995.

23 JAN 2010
This was a sad day last year for NC Delta.

World War II Veteran and NC Delta Brother Private First Class Samuel Mallette Gattis III, U.S. Marine Corps died at the age of 84, in Hillsborough, North Carolina. SigEp Patriot Gattis was born on 04 DEC 1925, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II before attending the University of North Carolina. Samuel retired after a long career as the first county manager of Orange County. Respect can be paid to Brother Mallette at St. Matthews Episcopal Church Cemetery, Hillsborough, NC.

Vietnam War Veteran and NC Delta Brother Major Robert Monroe McWhorter, U.S. Army (Retired) was a paratrooper and a weapons system operator, completing 137 combat missions in Southeast Asia. While at UNC, he served in the Air Force ROTC. After retiring from the Army, SigEp Patriot McWhorter worked in the banking industry.

24 JAN 2010
U.S. Army Veteran VT Alpha Brother Ferdinand “Ferd” Mario Anair Collins succumbed to Lou Gehrig’s disease at his home in St. Augustine, Florida at the age of 74. Born in Waterbury, Vermont on 08 DEC 1935, Ferd graduated from Waterbury High School where he distinguished himself as class president each year and as a leading contributor to champion basketball, baseball, and ski teams.

SigEp Patriot Collins began an Army career upon his graduation from Norwich with a B.S. in Business Administration and a commission as a Second Lieutenant. He served in the 14th Armored Cavalry, Bad Hersfeld, Germany, followed by a second tour in Germany in the 82nd Airborne Division Tank Battalion where he was promoted to tank company commander during the Berlin Wall tensions and Cold War. His last three-year assignment was at Middlebury College as an assistant professor teaching military science.

In 1968, Ferd began his civilian career at Deck House, Inc. of Acton, MA, rising to New England regional sales manager. During his 17 years at Deck House, he ranked first or second in sales volume each year. In 1984, his career move was to Pella Windows and Doors of New England as executive vice president and general manager. He brought the company to a 50 percent increase in growth and became president and chief operating officer before retiring.

Brother Collins was an incredible steward of the community. A Boy Scout leader, Little League baseball and soccer coach, and for years he was honored to be the Memorial Day parade marshal and to call out, with reverence, the name of each fallen veteran from Carlisle, MA. While living in Massachusetts, Ferd served his alma mater, Norwich University, for 15 years on the Board of Fellows with several committee assignments including recruitment, admissions, and building committee.

When Ferd and his wife retired to St. Augustine, FL in 1999, he continued his service to the community. He was a volunteer for five years at the Tournament of Players, Sawgrass, serving on the commissary committee for the golf pros. He was also a volunteer marshal at the Legends of Golf Tournament, World Golf Village, for several years, and as a member of the RSVP volunteer organization and for three years delivering Meals on Wheels weekly for the Council on Aging.

27 JAN 2011
On this date, two SigEp Patriots were lost to us.

U.S. Army Veteran MS Gamma Brother Rodney Lee Fulton died in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Rodney was a native of Neshoba County and a longtime resident of the Bond Community. He was a retired teacher and taught business education at Moselle, Bond, Neshoba Central, Choctaw Central and Philadelphia High School, and substitute taught at other tribal schools after retirement. Respect can be paid to SigEp Patriot Fulton at the Bond Methodist Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Vietnam War Veteran and TN Beta Brother Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Henry Milton Labiche, Jr., U.S. Army Medical Corps died in Johns Creek, Georgia. Born in New Orleans on 04 JUN 1936, his family moved to Jackson, Mississippi and there he became involved in the Boy Scouts of America – becoming an Eagle Scout.

Henry did his residency in Pathology in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1965 until 1971 where he obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His service in the Army took him to Honolulu, HI, where he worked at Tripler Army Hospital. Because of the Viet Nam conflict, Tripler was the best hospital offered to learn Pathology. Following Honolulu, He was stationed in St. Louis, MO, where he was Commanding Officer of the Medical Clinic.

After leaving military service, Henry and his family settled in Columbus, GA where he joined a practice in Pathology and later became director. Over the years, they moved several times, and upon retirement settled in LaGrange, Georgia. In retirement, Henry and his wife, Francie, enjoyed a number of charitable works including organizing blood drives for the American Red Cross and visiting hospice patients. Henry was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and was last active in Council 9515.

Respect can be paid to SigEp Patriot Labiche at the St. Teresa Cemetery in Campbell, Missouri.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
* GA Gamma Brother Lieutenant John Robert O’Neal, Sr., U.S. Navy Reserve died on 31 DEC in Blythewood, SC. Following graduation, John entered the Navy and became a pilot. He served his country on active duty for five years, as well as additional years a reserve officer.
* World War II Veteran and VA Alpha Brother Major John Thomas Watkins, Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps died in Morgantown, WV on 02 JAN. John joined the Army Air Corps in November of 1940, left Langley Field, VA for Australia with the 22nd Bomb Group 08 DEC 1941, and served in action until July 1944, when he was transferred home. He was separated from the service as a Major in 1946.
* World War II Veteran and NC Gamma Brother Captain James William Bew II, U.S. Army Air Corps passed away on 08 JAN 2012 at Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart, Florida.
* U.S. Army World War II Veteran IA Gamma Brother Everett “Ev” Ermal Jones died at the hospital on 08 JAN 2012.
* U.S. Air Force and South Carolina Air National Guard Veteran, SC Alpha Brother Roger Krick Sr. passed away on 22 JAN 2012.

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

CELEBRATIONS!
* Proud days for NC MU! Brother Brian Plamondon was recently promoted to Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps, and Brother Jacob Rudy left for Marine Corps Officer Candidate School last week!

Congratulations to our Brothers and we wish them the best of luck!

UPDATE: SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP)
* SPP is very pleased to announce that the following SigEp Patriots have joined more than 420 such Brothers in the SigEps Who Serve Facebook group – the official such group of the SigEp Patriots Project:
TN Gamma Brother & Flight Surgeon Brad Sherman, U.S. Navy and TN Kappa Brother & MP Matt Hall, U.S. Army.

Brothers who serve/served in the U.S. military are welcome to join us at http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve. Not on Facebook? Send an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com to join the SPP listserve.

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, 21 – 27 NOV

In this edition of “This Week:”
- Welcome Home Brother Bosson!
- More SigEp Patriots Getting Married
- AZ Beta Recognizes Three U.S. Navy Chapter Brothers
- NE Beta Weighs In
- Update: SigEp Patriots Project

22 NOV 1918
On this date, World War I Veteran and VA Epsilon Brother Second Lieutenant Cralle Fauntleroy Blackwell, U.S. Army was commissioned a second lieutenant of coast artillery and given his honorable discharge at the same time.

21 NOV 1921
World War II Veteran and NE Alpha Brother First Lieutenant Charley Lewis Dickey, III, U.S. Army was born in Columbus, Nebraska on this date.

25 NOV 1936
U.S. Army Korean War Veteran NC Delta Brother Nathaniel Sullivan Crews was born on this date in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

27 NOV 1950
On this date, U.S. Army WWI Veteran, Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, U.S. Senator (North Carolina) and NC Gamma Brother Willis Smith began his term as U.S. Senator representing North Carolina.

22 NOV 1987
World War II Veteran, Mayor (Jacksonville), Governor (Florida) and MA Theta Brother Lieutenant William Haydon Burns, U.S. Navy died on this date. Born 17 MAR 1912 in Chicago, Illinois, Haydon (as he was often called) an accomplished pilot, initially served in World War II as an aeronautical salvage specialist with the rank of lieutenant in the Office of the Secretary of the United States Navy.

Following his military service, Brother Burns made his home in Florida, and during his first bid for public office (in 1949), was elected to his first of 15 consecutive terms as Mayor of Jacksonville, FL. Haydon served as such until 1965 when he took his post as the 35th Governor of Florida during a “short term” (1965-67).

Changing the course of Florida in two years.

Governor Burns utilized his short tenure to allocate massive funding increases for the state park and educational systems of Florida. In addition, he established strong trade ties with South America, implemented significant revisions of the Florida Constitution, and advocated for tax reform. But perhaps his single most far-reaching accomplishment was to convince the executives of the Walt Disney Corporation to expand their second theme-park in central Florida.

Testaments to Brother Burn’s diligence and commitment to the people of Florida still exist today.

In 1966, the building located at 605 Suwannee Street in Tallahassee, Florida opened and was named the W. Haydon Burns Building. It became home to the State Road Department, now the Florida Department of Transportation.

In 2004, the City of Jacksonville renamed the old City Hall the Haydon Burns City Hall Annex.

In addition to be a being a Brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Haydon was also a Freemason, Shriner and member of the Kiwanis and Knights of Pythias.

Respect can be paid to Brother Burns at Oaklawn Cemetery, Jacksonville, FL.

23 NOV 1987
On this date, Vietnam and Persian Gulf War Veteran Renaissance Brother General Colin Luther Powell, U.S. Army (Retired) began his tenure as the 16th National Security Advisor in the administration of President Ronald Reagan.

23 NOV 2009
U.S. Army World War II Veteran and OH Epsilon Brother Dr. Nicholas Billeris died on this date. He was born on 12 MAR 1923 in Youngstown, Ohio, and as a young boy, during the depression years, he and his family moved to Tarpon Springs, FL. He graduated valedictorian and president of his class from Tarpon Springs High School in 1941, and pursued his education by hitchhiking to Tennessee, then traveling on to California to attend UCLA at night where he was employed with the Douglas Aircraft Factory during the day.

In 1943, Brother Billeris was drafted from Los Angeles and served as a sergeant with the Army Air Corps Weather Squadron 2nd Division, gathering and decoding data to transfer to meteorology stations. He also served as a Greek interpreter for Army Intelligence and received four Bronze Stars for his service in the European Theater.

After World War II, Nicholas graduated from Ohio Wesleyan, and was then accepted to Northwestern University in Chicago where he earned his D.D.S. degree in dentistry, graduating with top honors. He also taught meteorology in Chicago to cadets enrolled in the ROTC program.

After moving back to Florida, Brother Billeris had a successful practice for 40 years, and volunteered his time at schools and county dental programs to treat patients who had no resources to receive dental care.

CELEBRATE!
* It continues to look like that time of year. TN Beta Brother Captain Brian Park, U.S. Air Force is now engaged to Ms. Abby Forrester, and U.S. Army Veteran OH Rho Brother Wes Ehninger is engaged to Ms. Janelle Hayes. Congratulations and best of luck to Don & Abby, and Wes & Janelle!
* Welcome Home to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and LA Alpha Brother Captain Brock Bosson, U.S. Army! For his hard work, Brock was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Congratulations and thank you for your service, Brother.
* On Monday, FL Iota Brother Chase Busch on his promotion to First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Congratulations Chase!
* At their inaugural event on 04 NOV 2011, AZ Beta presented U.S. Navy Veteran AZ Beta Brother Richard G. Guthrie with a service award named in this honor, and inducted the following AZ Beta Patriots in to their Hall of Fame:
- Rear Admiral Mark Gemmill, U.S. Navy (Retired) and Ensign John A. Robertson, U.S. Navy
* U.S. Navy Veteran, SigEp Patriots Project IN Beta Point of Contact and Brother Sean Benge is heading back to Fort Meade, this time as a civilian. He was stationed there while attached to Navy Information Operation Command Maryland between May '07 and December '09 as a cryptology technician (CT). We wish him luck in his future endeavors as he continues to support war fighters home and abroad.

SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP) UPDATE
- 360. 410. 11. 430.
* There are now more than 360 pages of information in the SPP archives.
* With the help of fellow SigEp Patriots referring Brothers, SigEps Who Serve (SWS), the official SPP Facebook group now numbers 410. We welcome Brothers Wes Ehninger, Dan Clark, Robert Graves, Steve Haley and Jeff Burriss.

If you are a SigEp Patriot and on Facebook, just click on the link to go to the SWS page http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve. All we need to know is your home chapter and military affiliation. In addition to Facebook, SPP also has a listserve that you can join by writing to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

* SPP Chapter Representatives / Points of Contact (POCs). There are now 11 Chapter POCs, and SPP would like to welcome the following Brothers and thank them for their interest in honoring brothers who serve/served:

- TX Delta POC – U.S. Navy Veteran and TX Delta Brother Petty Officer Third Class Chris Mejia. Chris served aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and was just elected chapter president.

- OH Theta POC – OH Theta Brother Ben Garner, U.S. Air Force ROTC at University of Cincinnati.

POCs can be undergraduate or alumni brothers. Contact SPP at sigepswhoserve@gmail.com to establish a POC.

* This was a great research week for the Project. The names of more than 430 SigEp Patriots were added to the roll. A huge thank you goes out to NE Beta Alumni & NE Beta AVC VP of Communication and Finance Cory Butler for exemplifying our cardinal principles through his efforts to honor Brothers and add information about 30 NE Beta Patriots.

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