We are at 3,884
and counting! Those of us at the SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) may be
crazy, but one of our goals is to learn at least the name of every brother of Sigma
Phi Epsilon that ever served in uniform. We realize this is a daunting task –
in addition to gathering stories of brothers’ accomplishments, but our
diligence is reinforced by the amazing feats we learn daily of patriotic
brothers, and we hope that by sharing them they will inspire you as well.
Perhaps some of you will consider helping us, and we look forward to hearing
from you.
21 JUN 1918
On this date, OH Gamma Brother Captain Robert Lester Tavenner, U.S. Army began
his World War I service with the 37th Division, American Expeditionary Force,
and would see action in France & Belgium before being discharged.
18 JUN 1940
KY Epsilon Brother Joseph
Fry Odle, Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on this date and later served
in the pacific theater, including the Battle of Solomon Islands.
17 JUN 1942
VA Alpha Brother John
Beverley Blanton, Jr. enlisted in the Army on this date.
19 JUN 1942
On this date, Elmo
Russell Zumwalt, Jr. graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned
an Ensign. He went on to serve in World War II, as well as the Korean and
Vietnam wars in a notable career that included being appointed the youngest U.S.
Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). As the 19th CNO, Admiral Zumwalt reformed
U.S. Navy personnel policies in an effort to improve enlisted life and ease
racial tensions. He was initiated a renaissance brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon on
10 APR 1985 – 11 years after his retirement from the Navy. |
| IA Gamma Brother William L. Peters, Jr. KIA 21 JUN 1969 Vietnam |
21 JUN 1969
On this date, Vietnam War Veteran and IA Gamma Brother First
Lieutenant William Lee Peters, Jr.,
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve made the ultimate sacrifice when his helicopter crashed
while under enemy gunfire during operations in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. Brother
Peters was a pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED
SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-165), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN (MAG-16), First Marine
Aircraft Wing (1ST MAW).
In separation actions, First Lieutenant Peters was
awarded the Navy Cross (one of only two SigEp Patriots known to have been
awarded the second highest military decoration for valor bestowed to a member
of the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps for extraordinary heroism in combat) and a Silver
Star (the third highest military decoration for valor that can be awarded to
any person serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces).
Brother Peters is
honored on The Wall – the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – on Panel 22W Line 107.
Respect can be
paid to Brother Peters at Elmwood Cemetery, De Witt, Iowa.
