Last Week in SigEp Patriot History, 29 JUL – 04 AUG

Brothers,

Things were quite busy at Conclave, so this blog entry is a bit overdue. Another Conclave is in the books, and it was a great one for SigEp Patriots and the SigEp Patiots Project (SPP). It is unfortunate that so many SigEp Patriots have died in the two years since Conclave Phoenix without having their stories archived for eternity. However, the names of more military brothers were stated during the necrology at the Brotherhood Luncheon – including statements by several presenters of the brothers’ combat veteran status – than I can recall during my previous four Conclaves.

In addition, one of our own – Vietnam War Veteran, Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and PA Epsilon Brother Rear Admiral Charles R. Kubic, U.S. Navy (Retired) was awarded the SigEp Citation for lifetime achievement in his military career. SPP awarded its first registration scholarship this Conclave, and it was great to see Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and MT Alpha Brother Specialist Branden Ramsdell, U.S. Army enjoying himself at his first Conclave.

 

Finally, the SPP logo (above) and t-shirts made their debut. A special thanks to IA Beta Brother Jeff Prouty for sporting his t-shirt during the Sound Mind/Sound Body 5K, as well as to Kosovo and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran, FL Theta Brother Lieutenant Commander Chris Sacra, U.S. Navy and SPP Point of Contact NE Beta Brother Cory Butler for their diligent support and assistance. White SPP t-shirts remain available for $10 in large and extra large sizes. Please email me at sigepswhoserve@gmail.com with the details of your t-shirt request.

 

Fraternally and Respectfully,

 

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

sigepswhoserve@gmail.com

 

01 AUG 1918

WWI Veteran
NY Beta Brother
James Meissner



On this date, World War I Veteran and Ace and 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.

 

03 AUG 1941

CA Beta Brother Richard A. Halpern was commissioned an Ensign, U.S. Navy Reserve on this date.

 

30 JUL 1983
World War II Veteran, U.S. Congressman (Delaware) and DE Alpha Brother Major Herbert Birchby Warburton, U.S. Army died on this date. Upon his graduation, Brother Warburton was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Recruit Officer Training Command (ROTC) program, and it appears he graduated from the Dickinson School of Law before commencing active duty as a first lieutenant of the One Hundred and Twenty-Second Antiaircraft Battalion. Upon his release from active duty in 1945, Brother Warburton began practicing law in Wilmington.

 

Born in Wilmington in 1916, Herbert served as city solicitor from 1949 to 1952 before being elected to the Eighty-Third Congress (1953-55). Continuing his service to the American public, Brother Warburton was appointed special assistant to the Secretary of Labor, James P. Mitchell (02 MAR 1955 – 07 NOV 1957), as general counsel, Post Office Department (07 NOV 1957 – 20 JAN 1961), and as minority counsel to the House Government Operations subcommittee (MAR 1961 to SEP 1964).

 

Upon his death, Brother Warburton was cremated and the family retained his ashes.

 

02 AUG 1994

On this date, World War II Veteran, U.S. Congressman (Virginia) and VA Kappa Brother Major William Pat Jennings, U.S. Army died in Marion, Virginia following an accident in which a tractor he was driving overturned and crushed him. Brother Jennings entered the U.S. Army in JUL 1941, serving in the U.S. for two years, and in the European Theater of Operations for two and a half years with the 29th Infantry as a platoon leader, company commander and operations officer.

 

Following his combat service, William was assigned as an instructor in ROTC at the University of Illinois when he was discharged in MAY 1946 at the rank of major. He 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.

 

Brother Jennings was elected Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives for the Ninetieth Congress, and reelected to the four succeeding Congresses, and served from 10 JAN 1967, until his resignation 15 NOV 1975, to become president of Slurry Transport Association.

 

His memberships included Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Freemasons, Shriners, and Kiwanis.

 

03 AUG 1995

WA Alpha Brother Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert Jay John, U.S. Army (Retired), 64, died on this date in Spokane, Washington. Brother John served in the Army from 1953 to 1974, and upon his retirement became a high school counselor from 1975 through 1990.

 

Respect can be paid to Brother John at Pines Cemetery in Spokane.

 

01 AUG 1997

Vietnam War Veteran and Prisoner of War, SigEp Citation Recipient, and KS Beta Brother Brigadier General James Downs Latham, U.S. Air Force retired on this date. His final assignment was as assistant deputy under secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs at the Pentagon. After his retirement from the Air Force, Jim went to work for Lockheed-Martin in Fort Worth, Texas.

 

28 JUL 2004
AL Beta Brother First Lieutenant William “Bill” Denson Yates, Jr., U.S. Army died on this date. Bill was a member of the Pledge Class of Fall 1951 and in ROTC at the University of Alabama. Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the U.S. Army, and after his discharge Brother Yates returned to his hometown of Lanett, Alabama. There he owned and operated Yates Printing and Office Supplies until his retirement in 1997.

 

Respect can be paid to Brother Yates at Old Oakwood Cemetery, Lanett, AL.

 

02 AUG 2010

On this date, U.S. Navy World War II Veteran of Tarawa, Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima VA Epsilon Brother John Howard Lawrence died peacefully at the age of 90.

 

Following graduation, John joined the Navy in AUG 1942, and was present at some of the most intense battles of the Pacific Theater of Operations – serving as the Gunnery Officer and later the Executive Officer on USS LST-84 during the amphibious invasions listed above. 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.

 

Respect can be paid to Brother Lawrence at Collinsville Cemetery in Collinsville, CT.

 

WWII Veteran
MI Alpha Brother
George Allan Roney



03 AUG 2011

U.S. Army World War II Veteran and MI Alpha Brother George Allan Roney, 89, died on this date in Ventura, California. George was an undergraduate at the University of Michigan when he was drafted in to the Army in 1942. After his training, Brother Roney served in the European Theater. After the war, he completed his Bachelors Degree at Wayne State University in Detroit.

 

Brother Roney worked in Detroit with various companies, beginning with Michigan Mutual Life Insurance. His career culminated with 17 years in management for the U.S. Postal Service. George and his wife retired to Hendersonville, NC, in 1990, and in 2009 moved to Ventura to be closer to family. He loved sports, played hockey and baseball at the University of Michigan, and played golf throughout his life. He instilled a love of sports in his children and spent many hours coaching and supporting them in their various activities.

 

George was active in his church, in the Knights of Columbus, and in his obituary listed himself as a life member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

 

Respect can be paid to Brother Roney at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, MI.

 

03 AUG 2011

On this date, U.S. Army World War II Veteran and National Guard (Idaho) Soldier, UT Alpha Brother Worth Barber McNeel, died in Pocatello, Idaho. He was 90 years old. Worth had nearly completed his third semester at (then) Utah State College when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in DEC 

WWII Veteran
UT Alpha Brother
Worth B. McNeel

1941. With that, he joined the College’s Enlisted Reserve Corps, and in APR 1943 joined the U.S. Army. Worth was trained in anti-aircraft artillery, and in JAN 1944, he arrived at Pearl Harbor. He later served in the Philippines, Okinawa and Korea, and was discharged in 1946. In later years, he was a member of the Idaho National Guard in Blackfoot, ID.

 

Following his WWII discharge, Worth returned to Utah State, joined Sigma Phi Epsilon, and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in general agriculture in 1947. One of Brother McNeel’s first jobs after graduation was as a Veteran’s Vocational Agriculture Instructor, and he also drove a bus to make ends meet and support his family. In 1952, he got a job with the Idaho Department of Agriculture as a dairy inspector where he served for 34 years.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you donate to the city of Blackfoot, ID for the American flag fund.

 

Respect can be paid to Brother McNeel at Grove City Cemetery in Blackfoot.

 

04 AUG 2011

World War II Veteran, NE Alpha Brother and NE Alpha AVC President Colonel Addis Thompson “Tad” Ward, U.S. Army & U.S. Army Reserve (Retired) died on this date in Scottsdale, Arizona after a short illness. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1946 to 1983.

 

Following his graduation from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Tad was employed in a variety of positions at Miller & Paine from 1949 to 1988, starting as a Management Trainee and retiring as a Divisional Manager and Director. In addition to his continued volunteer work with SigEp, Brother Ward served on many boards and as an officer in many organizations including, president of the Executive Club of Lincoln, and commander of the Birkner Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars.

 

Tad loved good food and travelling, having visited all fifty states and many countries on four continents. He was an avid follower of current events and loved discussing them with others, especially his coffee club buddies.

31 JUL 2012

Korean War Veteran and PA Delta Brother Commander Robert Twigg Mullen, U.S. Navy (Retired), 83, died on this date in Melbourne, Florida. He served four years active duty during the Korean War, and continued for an additional 18 years in the Navy Reserves before retiring as a Commander.

Brother Mullen received his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from The University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School in 1950. While attending the university, Robert was an Ivy League and IC4A track champion. He was most notably a member of the last UPenn team to win the 4 x 800 relay and Distance Medley at the prestigious Penn Relays.

 
Brother Mullen was the Owner and President of Mullen Brothers Jewelers in Swansea, MA and was a third generation jeweler. Active in his community, Robert was past President and member of the Fall River Kiwanis Club and the Center City Business Association, and a Board Member of the Fall River Five Cent Savings Bank and the Boys & Girls Club of Fall River for over 30 years. He was also a Mason with the King Philip Lodge in Fall River for 50 years.

 

Contributions in his honor may be made to the American Cancer Society 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 or The Autism Project 1516 Atwood Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919.

 

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL

* U.S. Navy World War II Veteran and OH Epsilon Brother Harold M. Buckey passed away 25 MAY at home in Walla Walla, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts in Harold's name to Walla Walla City Library earmarked for their film collection through Mountain View-Colonial DeWitt, 1551 Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

* U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and FL Alpha Brother Marvin F. Buntrock passed away in Florida 26 JUL after a long illness. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church, 11 SW 11th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315 and the Sample-McDougald House Preservation Society (Special Fund), P.O. Box 1599, Pompano Beach, FL 33061.

 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and chapter brothers of SigEp Patriots Buckey and Buntrock. They are gone, but SPP pledges that they will always be remembered.

 

CELEBRATIONS!

* 30 JUL – Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and AR Beta Brother Specialist Jacob Hicks, U.S. Army got engaged! Congratulations to Jacob and his fiancée, Kasie.

* 03 AUG – Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and NV Alpha Brother Specialist Thomas Green, U.S. Army re-enlisted for two more years and negotiated a change in MOS. Best of luck to Thomas as he begins the next chapter in his military career.

 

Have great news? SPP would love to share it with everyone! Just send an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 22 – 28 JUL

Brothers,

 

Sixty years ago yesterday, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed insuring a cessation of hostilities ending the Korean War. Almost 1.8 million Americans served during the Korean War. How many SigEp Patriots served? The SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) has information showing that at least 68 Brothers served in the Korea War, but we believe we are missing many names. If you are or know of a Brother who served in Korea, we hope you will pass him our way.

22 JUL 1940

CA Alpha Brother William E. Turpen began his service with the U.S. Army on this date.

23 JUL 1943

On this date, World War II Veteran and IL Alpha Brother Corporal Willard Harold Lindeman, U.S. Army Air Corps made the ultimate sacrifice during action in New Guinea while serving as a gunner with the 408th Bomber Squadron, 22nd Bomber Group (Heavy). Willard was born in 1920, and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in JAN 1941. After a year at the University of Illinois, Brother Lindeman left for service in the Pacific.

Respect can be paid to Brother Lindeman at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, Plot Q, Row 0, Site 73.

26 JUL 1945

USS Hissem (DE-400) arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on this date following service in the Atlantic Theater, and she would remain there through the end of the war. Hissem was named in honor of IL Alpha Brother Ensign Joseph Metcalf Hissem, U.S. Navy Reserve who was killed in action at the Battle of Midway. For his heroic actions, Brother Hissem was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross – making him one of the highest decorated SigEp Patriots.

26 JUL 1958

Korean War Veteran and Ace, American test pilot, SigEp Citation Recipient and IN Alpha Brother Captain Iven Carl "Kinch" Kincheloe, Jr., U.S. Air Force died on this date when his F-104 Starfighter crashed near Rosamond Dry Lake in California. Brother Kincheloe earned fame for piloting the Bell X-2 research rocket plane to a world's record of 126,200 feet on 07 SEP 1956. He was nicknamed “America’s No. 1 Spaceman.”

Born in Detroit in 1928, Iven was interested in aircraft from a very young age. At just four years of age, he took his first airplane ride with a barnstormer, and obtained his pilot’s license when he was 16 years old.

Brother Kincheloe graduated from Purdue University with degrees in mechanical and aeronautical engineering, and entered the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He took pilot training at Randolph Air Force Base, Arizona and earned his wings in 1950. Later that year, Kinch began flying mission over Korea. Before the conclusion of hostilities, he had flown more than 130 missions, and shot down 10 communist planes – making him one of 12 Air Force pilots with 10 or more jet victories. For his exemplary wartime service, Iven was awarded the Silver Star, three Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Air Medals.

As a test pilot, Brother Kincheloe piloted 70 different types of U.S. and foreign aircraft before being selected as a pilot for the X-2 and taking it to its record altitude. For this achievement Kinch was presented with the Mackay Trophy, as well as another Distinguished Flying Cross, and nicknamed.

Brother Kincheloe was selected as one of the first three pilots in the next rocket-powered aircraft program, the X-15, and would have been part of the Man In Space Soonest Project if not for his crash in 1958. Later that year, the Society of Experimental Test Pilots established the Iven C. Kincheloe Award to recognize outstanding professional accomplishment in the conduct of flight testing, and his accomplishments and memory live on each year the award presented.

In SEP 1959, Kinross Air Force Base, Michigan, was renamed Kincheloe Air Force Base in his honor, and remained in service until SEP 1977. He posthumously received a number of awards including the Air Force Association David C. Shilling Award, the Astronautic Award from the American Rocket Society, and the Legion of Merit from the Air Force. A monument also stands a few miles east of his hometown of Cassopolis, Michigan. It is an angular stone slab twelve feet high bearing a silver model of the X-2 pointed skyward.

In 1992, he was inducted into the Aerospace Walk of Honor in Lancaster, CA, and in 2011, Iven was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Respect can be paid to Brother Kincheloe at Section 2, Site 4872-1 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 15 – 21 JUL

Brothers,

15 JUL 1918

For his actions on this date, World War I Veteran and VT Alpha Brother (then) Major Guy Ichabod Rowe, U.S. Army was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross – second only to the Medal of Honor – with War Department General Orders No. 99 of 1918:

Distinguished
Service
Cross



“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 Major (Infantry) Guy I. Rowe, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, A.E.F., east of Chateau-Thierry, France, 15 July 1918. For fourteen and a half hours on 15 July 1918, Major Rowe held his battalion in an advanced and exposed position on the Marne, although violently and persistently attacked on his front and on both flanks by greatly superior enemy forces.”

Brother Rowe went on to serve in WWII and attain the rank of Brigadier General.

16 JUL 1918

On this date, World War I Veteran and NY Alpha Brother Lieutenant Henry Q. Griffin, U.S. Army / American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) made the ultimate sacrifice during while engaging the enemy near St. Agnan, France. Brother Griffin was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his action on this date.

 “The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Harry Q. Griffin, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, A.E.F., on Hill 200, near St. Agnan, France, 16 JUL 1918. When the first attack on Hill 200 was made by American troops on 16 JUL 1918, Second Lieutenant Griffin led his platoon to the most advanced point reached by any detachment and was killed when within 20 yards of an enemy machine-gun emplacement.”

19 JUL 1918

IL Alpha Brother
First Lieutenant
Louis Irving Phillis
U.S. Army

World War I Veteran and First Secretary of IL Alpha First Lieutenant Louis Irving Phillis, U.S. Army Aviation Corps was killed on this date in Tours, France. Information obtained by SPP states Brother Phillis was killed in an accident versus in combat as previously reported.

Brother Phillis was reportedly the first secretary of IL Alpha and the first chapter brother to cross the Atlantic to “fight the Kaiser.” Unfortunately, he was also the first IL Alpha man to be killed in World War I. At the time of his death, Brother Phillis was serving in the same unit – the 95th Aero Squadron – as Quentin Roosevelt, the son of Former President Theodore Roosevelt.

Respect can be paid to Brother Phillis at Union Cemetery, Morrisonville, New York.

21 JUL1918

MT Alpha Brother Albert Schak was awarded the French Croise de Guerre for his action on this date during the final stages of the Battle of the Marne, and was subsequently with the first unit to cross the Rhine River.

Last Week in SigEp Patriot History, 25 MAR – 01 APR

25 MAR 1942
World War II Veteran and IL Alpha Brother Henry George Gansz was killed in action on this date. The SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) pledges that Brother Gransz and his service will be always be remembered.

30 MAR 1945
On this date, World War II Veteran and IL Alpha Brother First Lieutenant John Robinson Lang, U.S. Army Air Corps was reported missing in action over Luzon while serving with the 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group in the Philippines. John was a gunnery instructor in Texas before going overseas.

Brother Lang is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. You and your service will always be remembered by SPP, Brother.

01 APR 1952
For his actions 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 was awarded the Silver Star for gallant action over Korea.

On 04 JUN 1952, Headquarters, Far East Asia Forces issued General Order Number 272:
“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 09 JUL 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Iven C. Kincheloe, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations as pilot, 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 01 APR 1952. While leading a flight of four F-86 type aircraft, Captain Kincheloe encountered sixteen enemy aircraft attempting to intercept friendly fighter-bombers, Captain Kincheloe quickly broke his flight into elements to engage the enemy, and boldly attacked although greatly outnumbered. He pressed attacks against two of the enemy, completely disregarding efforts of other aircraft to deter him. Displaying unusual aggressiveness, Captain Kincheloe severely damaged the aircraft of the enemy flight leader, forcing him to eject himself, and despite heavy damage to his own aircraft, attacked another and destroyed it completely. Captain Kincheloe's destruction of the two aircraft effectively broke up the enemy force and prevented their attack on the friendly fighter-bombers. Through his personal courage, outstanding airmanship, and devotion to duty, Captain Kincheloe reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.”

28 MAR 1970
World War II Veteran, Governor (Montana), Montana State Supreme Court Justice and MT Alpha Brother Colonel John Woodrow Bonner, U.S. Army died on this date in Helena, Montana.

Brother Bonner, the thirteenth governor of Montana, was born in Butte, Montana on 16 JUL 1902. Bonner first entered politics as the secretary treasurer of the State Democratic Central Committee. He also was chairman of the Lewis and Clark County Democratic Central Committee, and served as attorney general of Montana from 1941 to 1942. His political career was temporarily interrupted with the outbreak of World War II. He served as a major in the U.S. Army, was promoted to the rank of colonel, and earned several medals for his courageous service including the Bronze Star and Croix de Guere. After his military duty, John secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by a popular vote in NOV 1948. During his tenure, a state home for the senile aged was established; highway construction was advanced; the pioneer veterans memorial building was initiated; the department of labor, industry and agriculture was restructured; and a veterans' preference law was sanctioned. After running unsuccessfully for reelection, Bonner left office, and returned to his legal practice. From 1968 to 1970, he served as a justice on the Montana State Supreme Court.

Respect can be paid to Brother Bonner at Section 9, Site 6305, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

29 MAR 1973
This was a great day for the nation and the family and friends of Vietnam War Veteran and Prisoner of War, SigEp Citation Recipient and KS Beta Brother Brigadier General James Downs Latham, U.S. Air Force (Retired). On this date, Captain Latham was released from captivity in North Vietnam.

On 05 OCT 1972, Brother Latham was shot down while flying an F-4E Phantom II over North Vietnam was assigned to the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

28 MAR 2005
U.S. Army Veteran and AL Beta Brother Edward H. Moseley died on this date.

31 MAR 2006
U.S. Army Veteran and IL Kappa Brother Richard Sean Clarke died on this date in Tampa, Florida. Born in Clearwater, Brother Clarke moved back to Tampa in 1996 from Chicago, IL. He was an information technology technician and an Army veteran paratrooper stationed in Germany.

28 MAR 2009
World War II and Korean War Veteran, KS Gamma Brother and Captain Dr. Lawrence Pierre Stream, U.S. Army died on this date. Born 13 MAR 1923 in Kansas City, Kansas, he was recruited by the legendary Phog Allen to play basketball at the University of Kansas. While he was a freshman, he became a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity however, his education was put on hold at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and he joined the enlisted reserve corps and was called into service in March, 1943. After basic training he was selected for the Army Specialized Training Program and sent to Texas A&M. After 12 weeks he was given a medical aptitude test and was transferred to a 3-semester Baylor University pre-dental program. He then spent 6 months at the Borden General Hospital in Chickasha, OK, as an orderly and went to the University of Oklahoma Medical School in July, 1945, where he met his soon to be wife, Millicent Marrs, the daughter of an OU sociology professor. Dr. Stream spent the last 2 years of medical school at the University of Oklahoma Medical School. Brother Stream was then called back into active military service by the doctor's draft during the Korean War, during which he received the Bronze Star medal and attained the rank of Captain. From 1958 to 1988 he was in private practice.

On the same date, we lost U.S. Army World War II Veteran and OH Mu Brother Joseph E. “Joachim” Vouros of Youngstown, Ohio. He was a prominent attorney, community leader, and lifelong Youngstown area resident. Brother Vouros, or “Kimmey,” as his family and friends knew him was born 28 AUG 1922, and graduated from East High School in 1941 as the salutatorian of his class and a member of the National Honor Society.

While a student at Youngstown State University, Brother Vouros interrupted his college studies to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1941. After being discharged, he returned to Youngstown State, where he earned a bachelor of science in education degree, a bachelor of arts in business administration degree, and a juris doctorate degree.

Joseph will be remembered for his successful defense in representing the Youngstown Board of Education in the historic and landmark case of Alexander v. Youngstown Board of Education. He will also be remembered for the case of Fraternal Order of Police, Youngstown Lodge No. 28, et al. vs. Hunter, Mayor, et al. regarding the constitutional question as to whether a municipality can require its employees to be residents of said city, which case was first heard before the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, 303 N.E.2d 103, then before the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Appellate Judicial District, 49 Ohio App.2d 185, before the Ohio Supreme Court, and finally, before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Brother Vouros was also an active participant in many organizations including the American Legion, Youngstown Post 15 and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Ohio Mu Chapter.

26 MAR 2010
U.S. Air Force Veteran TX Beta Brother Charles W. “Bill” Estes died on this date in Sherman, Texas after a brave two year battle with cancer. Bill was born on 03 JUL 1942 in Denton, TX, and went to North Texas University, lettering in college freshman basketball, and earning his BS and masters degrees from the university. He worked as a student fireman in Denton his sophomore through senior years at NTSU.

Brother Estes joined the Air Force in 1968 and went to pilot school at Enid Air Force Base. He was stationed in various bases in Florida, Virginia, and Oregon and finished his USAF career in Diyarbakir, Turkey.

Bill pursued a coaching and teaching career, and he moved his family to Sherman in 1976 for Bill to teach and coach. He was head basketball coach from 1979-1984, and his teams reached the playoffs twice. He retired from coaching to continue teaching science at the high school as head of the science department until his retirement in 1996. He and his wife Kay operated the Book Rack for 27 years until 2008.

Respect can be paid to Brother Estes at West Hill Cemetery, Sherman, TX.

On the same date, U.S. Army Air Corps World War II Veteran and NC Beta Brother Walter “Bud” Thomas Foreman, Jr. died in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bud was born 29 JUN 1924 in Asheville, NC, and as a teenager he achieved Eagle Scout status. Part of our greatest generation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and flew over 30 missions as a bombardier. After the war, Bud received a mechanical engineering degree from NC State University.

29 MAR 2011
Just one year ago, U.S. Air Force Veteran and NE Beta Brother Kenneth D. Kremers died on this date in Omaha, Nebraska. Ken served in the USAF from 1953-1956, and retired from Qwest/US West after 35 years of services as a director of operator services.

RECENT LOSS TO THE ROLL
It is with sadness and regret that we recognize the passing of the following SigEp Patriot and American hero:
* U.S. Veteran and NC Zeta Brother John Edward “Jack” Mueller passed away in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was 85 years old. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Wake Forest University, Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 7227, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, 800-752-8568; or to East Carolina University, Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 901 E. Fifth St., Greenville, NC 27858-4353.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK
25 MAR – ROTC Cadet and WI Zeta Brother Joel Meller.
28 MAR – DC Gamma Brother and U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer Hunter Sheetz.
28 MAR – NE Gamma Brother Captain Alex Straatmann, U.S. Army Reserve.
28 MAR 1931 – U.S. Army Veteran IA Beta Brother John Lambert Phillips was born on this date in Muscatine, Iowa.
30 MAR 1943 – Vietnam War Veteran and WA Beta Brother First Lieutenant Michael S. LaFromboise, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
30 MAR 1956 – U.S. Air Force Veteran and SC Alpha Brother Joseph R. Turnage, Jr.
27 MAR 1978 – Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and MD Delta Brother Captain Rob Taber, U.S. Army.
29 MAR 1980 – OH Theta Brother Lieutenant Phillip Gagen, U.S. Navy.

Happy Birthday Brothers! Did we miss you? If so, it is because we don’t know your birthday. Send an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com if you wish to allow us the honor of celebrating your day.

CELEBRATIONS!
* WELCOME HOME to two-time Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and KS Beta Brother Sergeant Jon Unruh, U.S. Army Reserve who arrived at Ft. Hood this past weekend! We join the chorus of people who welcome you home!
* The Air Force recognized the leadership, experience and accomplishments of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran, TN Beta Brother Captain Aaron Karcher, U.S. Air Force, and notified him that he has been selected for promotion to Major.
* Love is in the air. U.S. Navy and LA Alpha Brother Luke Richmond is now engaged, and OH Pi Brother and U.S. Air Force IT Specialist Scott Klement posted on FB Thursday that he set the date for his wedding to his fiancée, Courtney.
* NY Rho Brother Private First Class Gabriel Vazquez, U.S. Marine Corps completed Marine Corps boot camp on Friday!
Thank you for allowing us to celebration your recent blessings and accomplishments, and SPP sends hearty congratulations your way!

SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP) LEADERSHIP
* Welcome to CA Mu Brother Marvin Samiano who has volunteered to serve as the HI Alpha POC. Brother Samiano lives in Honolulu and is the 25th chapter representative for SPP.
SPP looks forward to working with Marvin and any undergraduate or alumni brother that is interested in serving as a POC. Just write to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

SPP UPDATE
* The SPP archives have grown to 1,728 since the last installment of “This Week”.
* Another good week for the SigEp Patriots Project official Facebook page – SigEps Who Serve (SWS) as we welcome ROTC Cadet and CA Eta Brother Andrew Yacovone, OH Pi Brother and U.S. Air Force IT Specialist Scott Klement, and Clarkson ROTC Cadet and member of the Vermont National Guard NY Chi Brother Matthew Brosseau.

To join SWS, go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve. Not on Facebook? Join the SPP listserve by sending an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com. For both, you will be asked to provide 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

Last Week in SigEp Patriot History, 25 - 31 July

30 JUL 1889
On this date, World War I Veteran / PA Delta Brother / Doctor Edwin P. Longaker, U.S. Army Medical Corps (University of Pennsylvania, 1913) was born.

29 JUL 1939
Vietnam War Veteran / OR Alpha Brother / Captain Ernest “Ernie” A. Harris, U.S. Marine Corps (Oregon State University ’61) was born on this date in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

26 JUL 1958
On this date 53 years ago, Korean War Veteran and Ace / IN Alpha Brother / Captain Iven Carl "Kinch" Kincheloe, Jr., U.S. Air Force (Purdue University ’49) crashed to his death near Rosamond Dry Lake while flying an F-104 ultrasonic jet from Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) over the Mojave Desert. Brother Kincheloe was laid to rest with full military honors in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery.

Kinch was born in Detroit, Michigan on 02 JUL 1928, but grew up in Cassopolis, Michigan. He attended Purdue University, and graduated with degrees in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering and entered the Air Force through the Reserve Officers Training Corps. He took pilot training at Randolph AFB, Arizona, where he got his wings and commission in 1950.

In 1950-51 he served with the 4th and 51st Fighter Wings in Korea, flying 101 combat missions in F-86 Sabrejets and 30 in F-80 Shooting Stars. He shot down ten communist planes, being one of 12 Air Force pilots with ten or more jet victories to his credit during that war. He earned the Silver Star, three Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Air Medals.

After the war, Brother Kincheloe became a test pilot participating in the testing of the Century Series of fighter aircraft. In the mid-1950s, Kincheloe joined the Bell X-2 program and on 07 SEP 1956, he flew the Bell X-2 research rocket plane more than 2,000 mph (3,200 km/h) and to a height of 126,200 feet (38,500 m) (some sources list 126,500), the first flight ever above 100,000 feet.

In SEP 1959, Kinross AFB in Upper Peninsula, Michigan was renamed Kincheloe AFB in his honor (the base closed in SEP 1977), and a monument also stands a few miles east of his hometown of Cassopolis, Michigan – it is an angular stone slab twelve feet high bearing a silver model of the X-2 pointed skyward. In 1992, he was inducted into the Aerospace Walk of Honor, and the Iven C. Kincheloe Award is named in his honor.

30 JUL 1983
World War II Veteran / Congressman / DE Alpha Brother / Major Herbert Birchby Warburton, U.S. Army (University of Delaware ‘38 of Wilmington, Delaware died on this date.

Born in Wilmington on 21 SEP 1916, Brother Warburton graduated from UD in 1938 and was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Recruit Officer Training Command (ROTC) program. It appears Herbert graduated from the Dickinson School of Law before commencing active duty as a first lieutenant of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Antiaircraft Battalion (SEP 1941).

Upon his release from active duty in 1945, Brother Warburton began practicing law in Wilmington, and served as city solicitor from 1949 to 1952 before being elected to the Eighty-Third Congress (1953-55).

Herbert continued his service to the American public with his appointment as special assistant to Secretary of Labor James P. Mitchell (02 MAR 1955 – 07 NOV 1957), as general counsel, Post Office Department (07 NOV 1957 – 20 JAN 1961), and as minority counsel to the House Government Operations subcommittee (MAR 1961 to SEP 1964).

Upon his death, Brother Warburton was cremated and the family retained his ashes.

28 JUL 2004
AL Beta Brother / First Lieutenant William “Bill” D. Yates, U.S. Army (University of Alabama ’55) passed away on this date. Bill was a member of the Pledge Class of Fall 1951 and was in ROTC while at Bama. Upon graduation he received a commission in the U.S. Army, and after his discharged Brother Yates returned to his hometown of Lanett, Alabama. There he owned and operated Yates Printing and Office Supplies until his retirement in 1997.

25 JUL 2010
A year ago on this date, World War II and Korean War Veteran / MS Beta Brother / General William E. “Bill” Callicott, U.S. Army / Mississippi National Guard (Retired) (Mississippi State University ’48) died in Memphis, Tennessee.

Born 16 JUN 1924, Brother Collicott was a lifelong Senatobia resident. He retired as owner of the Callicott Insurance Agency, a business his grandfather began in 1915.

Bill served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1960 to 1976, and later served as Mayor of Senatobia for three terms.

The family asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to the First Presbyterian Church of Senatobia.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISMENTS, MILESTONES AND GREAT NEWS
During July –
-VA Beta Brother / Chris Costello, U.S. Army graduated from 88M (truck) training.
-OH Gamma Brother / Second Lieutenant Scott Dudis, U.S. Army (Veterinary Corps) was commissioned to his present rank.
-AK Alpha Brother / Joel Fix, U.S. Army Reserve has been mobilized and deployed overseas.
-MT Alpha Brother Paul Gerhardt (formerly USMC) got engaged!
-CA Theta Brother / Ted Hornstra graduated from Airborne school.
-VA Beta Brother Erik Kelly joined the U.S. Navy’s Delayed Entry Program and is scheduled to begin serving on active duty when he goes to Recruit Training Command (“boot camp”) in February 2012.

If you have a recent accomplishment, drop me a line at sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

ADDITIONAL LOSSES TO THE ROLL IN JULY
Sadly, the following SigEp Patriots were lost in July and have not been previously listed:

07 JUL
World War II Veteran / NH Alpha Brother / Lieutenant Commander Robert Eastwood Neill, U.S. Navy / U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired) (Dartmouth College ’35) (14 MAR 1914 – 07 JUL 2011). Brother Neill served in the South Pacific during WWII.

09 JUL
World War II Veteran / MI Alpha Brother / Major Robert Jackson Ogden, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (University of Michigan ’42) (29 JAN 1920 – 09 JUL 2011). Brother Ogden served in Alaska during WWII.

09 JUL
TN Alpha Brother / First Lieutenant Thomas Joseph Williams, Jr., U.S. Army National Guard (Tennessee) (University of Tennessee ’07) was 26 years old when he passed away 09 JUL 2011. He is survived by his parents, Thomas Joseph Williams, Sr. and Lynne Tune Williams; sisters, Ann-Marie and Mary Jo Williams; fiancée, Nikki Schmidt, as well as countless friends and loved ones. He was 1LT in the Army National Guard, where he was a pilot of OH-58D(R) and platoon leader in C/1/230th ACS at McGee Tyson Flight Facility. He was the owner and president of Southeast Investment Group. He graduated from Hillwood High School in 2003 and the University of Tennessee in 2007. He was active in Sigma Phi Epsilon and the UT ROTC program.

Brother Williams was laid to rest at the Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens.

12 JUL
Vietnam War Veteran / CA Beta Brother James Robert Smoot, U.S. Army (University of Southern California) (21 JUL 1946 – 12 JUL 2011) The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law will honor him with a memorial reception at the school on 08 AUG at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the James R. Smoot Memorial Fund at Playhouse on the Square, 66 South Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104 or the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Make checks payable to University of Memphis Foundation and mail to: Department 238, U of M Foundation, P.O. Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38148-0001. Include instructions to designate your gift to the Dean Emeritus James R. Smoot Scholarship Fund. Online gifts may be made by visiting www.memphis.edu/law/faculty/smoot.php.

27 JUL
World War II Veteran / MA Beta Brother / Corporal Harold “Harry” Melden, Jr., U.S Marine Corps (Asiatic Pacific Area) (Worcester Polytechnic Institute ’49) (19 JUN 1924 – 27 JUL 2011)

Brother Melden’s obituary stated that the burial plans will be private, and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to support student financial aid may be sent to WPI, Office of Development & Alumni Relations, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609 or Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

Ed "Otter" Jones
Chief, U.S. Navy Reserve
NY Eta '93