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, 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.

Last Week in SigEp Patriot History, 09 – 15 SEP

Brothers,

13 SEP 1944

World War II Veteran and UT Alpha Brother Lieutenant Paul Pratt Reeder, U.S. Navy made the ultimate sacrifice on this date. Brother Reeder was a pilot with VT-22 off of the USS Cowpens (CVL-25) when he was killed in action when his TBM-1C Avenger crashed during the bombing of Negros Island, Philippines. He entered the Naval Air Corps in OCT 1941, and was commissioned JUL 1942 in Corpus Christi, TX. Before he was killed Brother Reeder had participated in four major battles against the Japanese.

Respect can be paid to Brother Reeder at Plot C-41-10 at Smithfield City Cemetery, Smithfield.

14 SEP 1998

On this date, U.S. Army Air Forces World War II Veteran, Secretary of the Navy, Assistant Secretary of the Army, SigEp Citation Recipient and TX Alpha Brother Frederick Herman Korth, 89, died at his home in El Paso, Texas. After graduating from the University of Texas and receiving a law degree from George Washington University, he returned to Fort Worth to practice law, and joined the Air Transport Command with the outbreak of WWII.

TX Alpha Brother
Frederick H. Korth
World War II Veteran

After the war, Fred became president of Continental National Bank, a post he left for two years to serve as an assistant secretary of the Army in the Truman Administration. In 1962, President Kennedy appointed Brother Korth the 57th Secretary of the Navy. It was here that Fred Korth was a part of history in two respects.

 

During those 13 dark days in October 1962, the U.S. Navy stood their ground staring down Soviet freighters carrying nuclear weapons to Cuba. Fred also fought to upgrade our Navy's ships. He saw that nuclear powered ships were the future and that they would be the most effective way to transport our troops and defend our borders. While not successful in making this change at first, time proved him right. After serving as Secretary of the Navy, Brother Korth spent the next 36 years practicing law with his son in Washington, DC.

In 1965, Fred was presented the SigEp Citation.

Brother Korth was laid to rest under a three century old Texas Live Oak on his ranch.

10 SEP 2008

NY Beta Brother Robert S. Spangler died on this date in Concord, North Carolina. He was a veteran, a retired salesman and marketer, and active in the community.

14 SEP 2010

On this date, U.S. Navy Medical Services Corps World War II Veteran and NC Epsilon Brother Samuel Adamson Burgess, Jr. died in Raleigh, North Carolina. Sam studied at Davidson College until he was old enough to volunteer for service in the Navy, Upon the completion of his military service, he returned to Davidson and graduated in 1948.


NC Epsilon Brother
Samuel A Burgess, Jr
U.S. Navy World War II Veteran

After attending the School of Business at Columbia University in New York City, Brother Burgess was employed in the cashier’s office of the Equitable Life Assurance Society in Harrisburg, PA for a year before entering Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA to study for the Presbyterian ministry. Upon graduation in 1952, he was ordained in Sparta, NC by the Presbytery of Winston-Salem and called to the Elkin Presbyterian Church in Elkin, NC.

Sam and his wife soon went to Scotland to engage in Form Critical New Testament Studies at the University of St. Andrews. Upon completing his studies, Sam returned home and became the organizing pastor of a new Presbyterian church in Garner, NC in 1956. During his pastorate, Sam served as a Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1960, 1976, and 1984. Love of community and people led him to serve in various offices and organizations including Boards of Directors of the American Cancer Society and the Triangle Counseling Center, president of the local PTA, and Chaplain for many years at the Garner Civitan Club. Upon retirement in 1990, Sam volunteered his time tutoring students in the field of reading at Vandora Springs Elementary School and providing support to patients as a volunteer at Rex Hospital.

Respect can be paid to Brother Burgess at Williamsburg Cemetery, Kingstree, SC.

09 SEP 2012

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and NH Alpha Brother Edward “Ted” Robert Haskell, 84, died on this date at Southern Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine with his family by his side. Following high school, Ted was accepted at Dartmouth College and then deferred, enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1947. After proudly serving in the Marine Corps, he attended Dartmouth, played on the hockey team, and received a business management degree in the Class of 1952.

Brother Haskell worked with his dad to create the Robert Haskell Company, an office products organization, originating in Beverly, MA in 1953. Following the early passing of his dad and the advent of computer technology, the company evolved into Systems Automation, Inc (SAI), and Ted worked to take SAI from one of the prominent Boston area office automation and computer networking companies to one of the nation’s top office automation dealerships.

Ted was a member of the Salem Five Cent Savings Bank Board of Trustees for over 20 years National Association of Accountants, and the Salem Massachusetts Rotary Club Dartmouth College.

Respect can be paid to Brother Haskell at Swampscot Cemetery in Swampscot, MA.

IA Beta Brother
Whitney McCormack
World War II Veteran

10 SEP 2012



World War II Veteran and IA Beta Brother First Lieutenant Whitney “Whit” McCormack, U.S. Army Air Corps died on this date. He was 89 years old. During his three years of WWII service Whit flew C-54 cargo aircraft. Brother McCormack was a longtime member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and worked for Chance Vought or its successors, Northrop and Lockheed Martin.

Respect can be paid to Brother McCormack at Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL

* NY Beta Brother Lieutenant Colonel James F. Jerome, U.S. Army Reserve (Retired) passed away 05 SEP in Watertown, New York at the age of 83.
* U.S. World War II Veteran and AL Alpha Brother Robert Jones Bedwell passed away 14 SEP in Piedmont, Alabama. Bob graduated from high school in 1944, served in the latter part of World War II, and went to Auburn University after completion of his military service. Funeral services will be at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery AL, tomorrow at 2:00pm with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and chapter brothers of SigEp Patriots Jerome and Bedwell. While they are no longer with us, the greatest casualty is being forgotten, and the SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) pledges these Brothers will always be remembered.

SPP UPDATE

* As of this writing, the archives of SPP now contain the names of 4,302 SigEp Patriots!
* SPP’s official Facebook group – SigEps Who Serve – now numbers 618 such Brothers.
* Not on Facebook. No problem, SPP has an email listserve with over 100 Brothers! Just drop me an email.

Did you serve or know a Brother who does? If so, please let us know by emailing sigepswhoserve@gmail.com or go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve to join your brothers-in-arms. We will ask for your home chapter, rank, branch of service, military status (active, reserve, retired, etc.), and whether you are a combat veteran. Please help SPP find our fellow SigEp Patriots by sending them the link.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

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

sigepswhoserve@gmail.com

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 26 AUG – 01 SEP

Brothers,

29 AUG 1918

Founding Father
First Lieutenant
Franklin Webb Kerfoot
U.S. Army

On this date, Founding Father and Chaplain First Lieutenant Franklin Webb Kerfoot, U.S. Army (Chaplain Corps) was killed in a collision of an automobile and a train on the Southern Railway in Chatham, Virginia. Brother Kerfoot had temporarily returned home from Newport News, VA where he was serving as a Baptist chaplain working among the soldiers departing overseas.

Franklin was born in Buckland, VA in 1986. He was Class of 1902 at Richmond College and later attended Crozer Theological Seminary. At his memorial service he was remembered as “the most original preacher of his time” and it was stated that God took him to welcome the soldiers who had “passed on” from the battlefield.

Respect can be paid to Founding Father Kerfoot at Green Hill Cemetery in Berryville, VA.

01 SEP 1918

NH Alpha Brother Private First Class Charles Enos Tayntor, U.S. Army Ambulance Service, Army Medical Corps sailed for France for his World War I service in Europe on this date.

IL Alpha Brother
Ensign
Joseph M. Hissem
U.S. Navy Reserve

30 AUG 1941

IL Alpha Brother Joseph Metcalf Hissem received his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve on this date. Brother Hissem would go to be killed at the Battle of Midway, and awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery in combat.

26 AUG 1942

World War II Veteran CO Gamma Brother John H. Price, Jr. entered the U.S. military on this date. He would serve 18 months on Guadalcanal before being discharged at the end of the war.

30 AUG 1953

On this date, with the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement the previous month, John W. “Bill” Rambo, Sr. was released after 19-months in captivity. Following his Korean War service, he joined the TN National Guard and attended the University of Tennessee where he became a SigEp.

01 SEP 1962

On this date, World War II Veteran and VA Zeta Brother General Robert Jefferson Wood, U.S. Army (Retired) was promoted to the rank of general (four-stars). In 1967, Brother Wood would receive the SigEp Citation.

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 JUN

Brothers,

What a difference a year makes. The same time last year, the archives of the SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) contained the names and information about slightly more than 2,500 brothers who serve/served in the U.S. military, and as of today there are 4,003 – including four-star generals & admirals, computer scientists, congressman, governors, and 63 brothers listed as killed/missing in action.

A year ago, the SPP official Facebook group – SigEps Who Serve (SWS) – had 470 members. Today, the only FB group comprised solely of SigEp Patriots numbers 600! You can find SWS at www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve. Not on Facebook? Then send an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

Thanks to the numerous SPP chapter points of contact, brothers, friends and Headquarters personnel who have helped keep this noble effort successfully moving forward for another year. Please keep passing the word and helping SPP connect, honor, recognize and remember brothers who have given so much to the nation.

24 JUN 1918

NH Alpha Brother Private First Class Charles Enos Tayntor, 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.

30 JUN 1942

VT Alpha Brother Donald M. Bagbee entered military service on this date.

26 JUN 1953

On this date, U.S. Army WWI Veteran, Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and U.S. Senator (North Carolina) NC Gamma Brother Willis Smith died while serving in the U.S. Congress. All that is currently known about Brother Smith’s military service is that he served in the Army in Virginia during WWI.



Willis Smith, NC Gamma Brother
World War I Veteran, Congressman

Willis was born in 1887 in Norfolk, VA, and pledged SigEp at Trinity College (now Duke University). After graduating in 1910, he attended law school, and was admitted to the bar in 1912.

After the war, Brother Smith returned to practicing law. In 1927, he was elected to the North Carolina State House of Representatives, and he served there until 1932 – the last two years as Speaker. Twice he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

At the Nuremburg Trials in 1946 he was an observer, and after serving as a U.S. delegate to the Interparliamentary Union (1951) he was selected as the chairman of the American delegation to the Union’s meeting in Bern, Switzerland in 1952.

Simultaneously, Willis was serving in the U.S. Congress. In 1950, he was elected to fill a vacancy, and he served until his death in the naval hospital at Bethesda, MD.

Respect can be paid to Brother Smith at Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, NC.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 27 MAY – 02 JUN

“Those who throw dirt only lose ground.” (From a chalk board on ESPN’S “Pardon the Interruption”)

Brothers, 

28 MAY 1917

On this date, NY Beta Brother James Armand Meissner dropped out of Cornell and enlisted in the U.S. Army Signal Service (the branch of the Army then tasked with flying) as a Private First Class. He went on to become a World War I Ace, earn the rank of Major, and founded the Alabama Air National Guard – serving as the unit’s first commanding officer.

02 JUN 1917

Like Brother Meissner, NH Alpha Brother James Vincent Forrestal answered the call of duty following the declaration of war by Congress, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman Second Class on this date. Brother Forrestal went on to become Secretary of the Navy, and serve as the first Secretary of Defense.

30 MAY 1961

U.S. Army Veteran NC Beta President Charles Henry Mateer was killed on this date after volunteering to serve as a co-pilot with Air America (CIA) in Laos. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1936, Brother Charles was in ROTC at North Carolina State University, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduation from there in 1958. He served as an Army helicopter pilot before flying with the CIA.

Respect can be paid to Brother Mateer at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte, NC.

01 JUN 1962

AZ Alpha Brother Edward C. Logan was commissioned on this date through Air Force ROTC at Arizona State. Brother Logan retired a Lieutenant Colonel in 1982 after serving in Okinawa, Thailand, Korea, NY, DC, TX, OK, and CA.


PA Iota Brother
Second Lieutenant
Charles J. Schultz, USMC

03 JUN 1967

On this date, a SigEp Patriot made the ultimate sacrifice. PA Iota President and Second Lieutenant Charles Joseph Schultz, U.S. Marine Corps was killed in action in Vinh Huy Village, Que Son Valley, South Vietnam.

The previous day, during Operation UNION II in the Que Son Valley, the Marines found the enemy entrenched in and around the Vinh Huy village complex. Heavy fighting on the 2nd and 3rd cost 67 American lives. Charles was assigned to F Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

His awards include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign medals.

Brother Schultz is honored on Panel 21E, Line 52 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and respect can also be paid to him at the site of his interment at Hillside Cemetery, Metuchen, New Jersey.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 20 – 26 MAY

“Now do your duty. Your officers cannot have entire command over you now. Each man must do all in his power for his country.” ~ Captain Isaac Hull, Commanding Officer, USS Constitution at the beginning of the battle with HMS Guerriere, the War of 1812

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 Vincent Forrestal, U.S. Navy Reserve died in Bethesda, Maryland. When the U.S. entered World War I, Brother Forrestal enlisted in the United States Navy as a Seaman Second Class on 02 JUN 1917. After flight training, he was commissioned an Ensign, Naval Reserve Flying Corps at Boston, Massachusetts, 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.

James was born in 1892 in Matteawan (now Beacon), New York. After graduating from high school, he 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 this 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, and went on to become the first Secretary of Defense upon the creation of that position.

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

President Truman and 2,500 guests attended the ceremony where Brother Forrestal 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 in Section 30, Site 674 SH at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

22 MAY 1970

AR Beta Brothers Gregory Felling and Jack Elwin Helms were commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army at their graduation on this date.

Honoring a Brother

Brothers,

I posted the following item twice on SigEps Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/sigmaphiepsilon - but it was removed both times. So, I find myself here diligently trying to honor, respect and show brotherly love to World War I Veteran and NH Alpha Brother James Vincent Forrestal, the first United States Secretary of Defense.

The USS Forrestal (CV-59), the first of the supercarriers, served honorably defending America for nearly 40 years, and it is my opinion that it would be a disgrace for us to do nothing to prevent her from being scrapped when others, non-brothers, are willing to fight for her and the memory of our brother.

Ten seconds is all it takes to sign this petition, support those working to save this glorious ship, and show our respect to Brother Forrestal and all the men and women who served aboard "The First In Defense." http://www.ussforrestal.org/sign-the-petition

Ed Jones
NY Eta '96
USS Forrestal 1984-87, 1989-90

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.

Last Week in SigEp Patriot History, 17 - 23 SEP

Brothers,

In a week that saw the anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force, 9/11 and the 34^th observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the following words remain true and a concern of the SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) serving to motivate and inspire us every day.

“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



NH Alpha Brother
James Vincent Forrestal



17 SEP 1947

President Truman selected World War I Veteran and NH Alpha Brother Lieutenant James Vincent Forrestal, U.S. Navy Reserve to be the first secretary of defense and he was sworn in on this date. 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

On this date, 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) after serving since 20 MAR 1993.

20 SEP 2008

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

Scott was born 25 OCT 1964 in Maryville, Missouri, and was a 1984 graduate of Maryville High School. He graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1988 with a BS degree in Business Administration. Brother Danner served in the Missouri Air National Guard and was a veteran of Desert Storm. 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. While gone, SPP pledges that Scott and his patriotic service will always be remembered.

19 SEP 2009

U.S. Navy World War II Veteran and CO Delta Brother Theodore “Ted” Louis Goudvis died on this date in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Born in 1918, Ted grew up near New York City. He graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a professional degree in mining engineering.

During World War II Ted was a Navy “Seabee” (Construction Battalion) and served in France and the Philippines. After the war, he and a college friend started a small business in northern Ohio manufacturing concrete products. He visited and fell in love with Aspen, Colo., in the 1960s, and built a house there when he retired in 1980. Ted was an avid hiker, skier and nature lover.

At this time, SPP does not know Ted’s final resting place, but we hope you will write if you have that information. In the meantime, SPP will keep looking, and pledges that Ted and his military service are always remembered.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 10 – 16 SEP

Brothers,

This week is the 11th anniversary of the attacks on 11 SEP 2001, and to the best of our knowledge 12 brothers have lost their lives while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please don’t allow yourself to forget them or the Brother’s that continue to serve to protect our way of life. The SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) will continue to work on behalf of brothers living and dead who have served our great nation, and we welcome any assistance with this effort.

15 SEP 2009

On this date, Kosovo, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran AK Alpha Brother Joel Fix, Sr. was promoted to Master Sergeant, U.S. Army

14 SEP 2010

U.S. Navy Medical Services Corps World War II Veteran and NC Epsilon Brother Samuel Adamson Burgess, Jr. died on this date in Raleigh, North Carolina.

He was born in Jacksonville, FL, and immediately upon graduation from high school he entered Davidson College, where he studied until he was old enough to volunteer for the United States Naval Medical Corps during World War II. Upon completing his military service at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia, he returned to Davidson College and graduated in 1948. After attending the School of Business at Columbia University in New York City, Sam was employed in the cashier’s office of the Equitable Life Assurance Society in Harrisburg, PA for a year before entering Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA to study for the Presbyterian ministry. Upon graduation in 1952, he was ordained in Sparta, NC by the Presbytery of Winston-Salem and called to the Elkin Presbyterian Church in Elkin, NC.

Brother Burgess and his wife soon went to Scotland to engage in Form Critical New Testament Studies at the University of St. Andrews. Upon completing his studies, Sam returned home and became the organizing pastor of a new Presbyterian church in Garner, NC in 1956. During his pastorate, Sam served as a Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1960, 1976, and 1984. Love of community and people led him to serve in various offices and organizations including Boards of Directors of the American Cancer Society and the Triangle Counseling Center, president of the local PTA, and Chaplain for many years at the Garner Civitan Club. Upon retirement in 1990, Sam volunteered his time tutoring students in the field of reading at Vandora Springs Elementary School and providing support to patients as a volunteer at Rex Hospital.

Respect can be paid to Brother Burgess at Williamsburg Cemetery, Kingstree, SC. While Sam is gone, SPP pledges that his life and patriotic service to the nation will always be remembered.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL

- U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and NH Alpha Brother Edward “Ted” Robert Haskell passed away 09 SEP 2012 at Southern Maine Medical Center with his family by his side.

- World War II Veteran and IA Beta Brother First Lieutenant Whitney "Whit" McCormack, U.S. Army Air Corps passed away 10 SEP 2012. Visitation will be at Jeter and Son Funeral Home, 6-8pm, 17 SEP. Funeral Service will be at 11am, Tuesday at Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church, 6000 S Hampton Road, Dallas, Texas 75232. Interment with Military Honors will follow at D/FW National Cemetery.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and chapter brothers of SigEp Patriots Haskell and McCormack. While gone, SPP pledges that Ted and Whit will never be forgotten.

CELEBRATIONS!

* Congratulations are in order for U.S. Army Veteran TX Delta Brother David Ames, Jr. and his wife, Karin as they learned they going to have their first son – a future SigEp, I am sure. Congratuations to the Ames family!

* On Friday, AL Epsilon Navy Brother Leslie Long successfully completed Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) school in Coronado, CA. Quite an amazing accomplishment – we are all proud of you, Leslie!

* Also on Friday, the hard work and commitment of CA Theta Brother Corporal Frank Beardsley, U.S. Army California National Guard was recognized with the awarding of the Army Commendation Medal.

* Congratulations to OH Iota Brother Master Sergeant Ross Altenburger, Ohio Air National Guard as he started his transition to civilian life earlier this week. Best of luck to you, and thank you for your service, Ross!

Fraternally and Very Respectfully,

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

sigepswhoserve@gmail.com

Last Week in SigEp Patriot History, 27 AUG – 02 SEP

Brothers,

Another one of those “just when you start thinking the world is a big place” stories – The other day Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and FL Iota Brother First Lieutenant William “Chase” Busch, U.S. Army sent me a Facebook message telling me about how he was conducting some training of his replacement in Afghanistan, and when they got to talking they learned they were both brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon. What are the chances of that? Two SigEp Patriots not only find each other in Afghanistan, but one is relieving the other.

29 AUG 1918

On this date, Founding Father and Chaplain First Lieutenant Franklin Webb Kerfoot, U.S. Army (Chaplain Corps) was killed in a collision of an automobile and a train on the Southern Railway in Chatham, Virginia. Brother Kerfoot had temporarily returned home from Newport News where he was served as a Baptist chaplain working among the soldiers departing overseas.

Franklin was born at Buckland, Prince William County, Virginia on 02 OCT 1986. He was Class of 1902 at Richmond College and later attended Crozer Theological Seminary. At his memorial service he was remembered as “the most original preacher of his time” and it was stated that God took him to welcome the soldiers who had “passed on” from the battle field.

Respect can be paid to Founding Father Kerfoot at Green Hill Cemetery in Berryville, VA. While he is gone, SPP will proudly join others in remembering Brother Kerfoot’s life and patriotic service.

01 SEP 1918

World War I Veteran and NH Alpha Brother Private First Class Charles Enos Tayntor, U.S. Army Ambulance Service, Army Medical Corps sailed for France for his service in Europe on this date.

30 AUG 1941

World War II Battle of Midway Veteran and IL Alpha Brother Joseph Metcalf Hissem received his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve on this date.

01 SEP 1962

On this date, World War II Veteran, SigEp Citation Recipient and VA Zeta Brother General Robert Jefferson Wood, U.S. Army (Retired) was promoted to the rank of general (four-stars).

02 SEP 2004

U.S. Navy World War II Veteran CO Alpha Brother Donn Beck Brown died peacefully on this date. He was born on 17 DEC 1916, in Dayton, Ohio, and attended the University of Colorado where he earned his mechanical engineering degree. World War II brought Donn to California. He served in the United States Navy in underwater demolition, which was the precursor to the Navy Seals. After his military service, Donn began his career with A.J. Bayer, Co. in Los Angeles, eventually becoming President and Chairman of the company. One of Donn's greatest joys was helping others. He served on the Board of Directors of many organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, the Salvation Army, Florence Crittenton Center, Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, First Lincoln Financial Corp. and Union Bank.