We Remember SigEp Patriots

[My apologies for the late post. This was scheduled to post at 8:30am East Coast Time yesterday - about 20 minutes prior to when the first plane hit the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001]

Brothers,

The SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) honors the lives, accomplishments and sacrifices of the following Brothers by remembering them on the 13th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11. May they rest in peace.

SigEp Patriots Killed in Action Since 9/11:
Texas Rho Brother Kim Orlando, KIA: 16 OCT 2003, Karbala, Iraq
Georgia Delta Brother Bradley “Dad” Arms, KIA: 19 NOV 2004, Al Anbar Province, Iraq
New York Eta Brother Jacob “Puck” Pfister, KIA: 19 APR 2005, Baghdad, Iraq
Georgia Delta Brother Noah Harris, KIA: 18 JUN 2005, Baqubah, Iraq
Florida Epsilon Brother William Wood, KIA: 27 OCT 2005, Baghdad, Iraq
Louisiana Delta Brother Matthew Barnes, KIA: 14 FEB 2006, Qa’im, Iraq
Ohio Kappa Brother Norman Tollett, KIA: 28 APR 2007, Baghdad, Iraq
Tennessee Theta Brother Jonathan Dozier, KIA: 09 JAN 2008, Sinsil, Iraq
Tennessee Kappa Brother Israel “Izzy” O’Bryan, KIA: 11 JUN 2010, Jalula, Iraq
Tennessee Eta Brother Joshua Lawrence, KIA: 08 OCT 2011, Kandahar City, Afghanistan

The following SigEp Patriots were also killed while in the service of our country overseas since the start of the global war on terrorism:
Tennessee Theta Brother Kenneth Ballard, 30 MAY 2004, Iraq
Tennessee Alpha Brother Joseph “Trane” McCloud, 04 DEC 2006, Iraq

SPP pledges that these men and their service will always be remembered.

Anyone interested in additional information about these brave men please drop me an email.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta '96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
sigepswhoserve@gmail.com
@SigEpsWhoServe

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, Volume 17/2014, 23 – 29 JUN

Brothers,

This week, we remember two Army Air Corps brothers killed in action during WWII are very happy to welcome a brother home from Afghanistan, and honored to announce that tomorrow one of our own will be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for non-combat heroism.

Navy and
Marine Corps
Medal

In total, this week, we celebrate 15 brothers, representing 13 chapters, serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force and National Guard in places like Afghanistan, Egypt, France, Japan, Korea, the South Pacific and the U.S.

24 JUN 1918

NH Alpha Brother Private First Class Charles E. Tayntor, Jr., 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.

26 JUN 1943

This marks the date the only SigEp Patriot of the Iowa Alpha Chapter was killed in action in WWII.

Taxpayer's Pride, 1942
Photo Credit PacificWrecks.com

World War II Veteran and IA Alpha Brother Second Lieutenant Sumner Luten Beck, U.S. Army Air Corps made the ultimate sacrifice while serving as a navigator about a B17F (Fighting Fortress) nicknamed “Taxpayer’s Pride” during a night mission over Rabaul, New Britain. Brother Beck and his crewmates were shot down by a J1N1 (Irving) and crashed into the jungle near Mount Varzin.

The Class of 1938 graduate from Iowa Wesleyan College had nearly completed his training as an Air Corps navigator when he was commission in MAY 1943. Just weeks later, Sumner arrived in the SW Pacific Theater, and he would be killed in less than a month.

Very early on 26 JUN 1943, before the sun was above the horizon, Sumner and his comrades took off in the B-17 from Dobodura Airfield on a bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Strict radio silence was maintained during the mission. Nothing was heard from this bomber after takeoff. Upon reaching their objective, they successfully bombed the target then turned for home. According to an account from the Japanese pilot who shot the plane down, within minutes of their bombing run, Sumner and the crew were taking 20mm cannon fire from the Irving, and the B-17 caught on fire before crashing in to the jungle.

Starting at 0230 hours, other U.S. aircraft over the target reported an aircraft had crashed, and that a fire could be seen on the ground in the vicinity of the down airplane. When the bomber failed to return, the crew were declared missing in action. The War Department declared them “presumed lost” in JAN 1946.

In actuality, the tail gunner managed to parachute out and away from the falling debris. He served in a Japanese Army POW camp the remainder of the war.

Post war, the crew's remains were recovered at the crash site near Mount Varzin. However, Brother Beck’s body was not among them. Several years later, his remains were recovered, and returned to the States.

Respect can be paid to Brother Beck at Fairview Cemetery in Lee County, IA.

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.

The Last Two Weeks in SigEp Patriot History, 08 – 21 April

“If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.” ~ John D. Rockefeller

 

Brothers,

Given the holdings of the SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) have become quite extensive and the desire of the author to keep “This Week” a reasonable length, it must be stated that this and further editions of this work will not be a full representation of what is known to SPP. We thank all of you for your contributions to date, and we remain interested in hearing from anyone willing to honor and celebrate the service of SigEp Patriots. If you would like to share or learn about a SigEp Patriot, please write to me at sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

 

Fraternally,

 

Ed

 

10 APR 1926

World War I Veteran and OH Gamma Brother Captain Robert Lester Tavenner, U.S. Army died on this date in Columbus, Ohio while serving as an instructor in the Department of Military Science and Tactics at The Ohio State University (OSU).

 

On 05 AUG 1917, Brother Tavenner was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Ohio Army National Guard, and subsequently assigned to the 37^th Division of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). Soon after arriving in the European Theater, he selflessly led his men while performing heroic acts that earned him the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) – the highest award presented by the U.S. Army second only to the Medal of Honor.

 

Brother Tavenner is one of five SigEp Patriots to be awarded one or more DSCs.

 

In General Order 98 (1919), the U.S. War Department stated, “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 Captain (Infantry) Robert L. Tavenner, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Division, AEF, near Cierges, France, 29 September 1918; and near Olsene, Belgium, 31 October 1918. Without regard for his own safety, Captain Tavenner personally conducted a tank in an attack on a machine-gun nest. After several of the tanks had been put out of action and the others had withdrawn, he walked up and down the firing line under heavy machine-gun fire, cheering his men, despite severe losses, fought till all of their ammunition was exhausted. On 31 October he was severely wounded while making a personal reconnaissance of the enemy's position.”

 

Robert was born in Clark County, Ohio, and attended the College of Arts at OSU where he was also in the Corps of Cadets. He graduated in 1908.

 

Respect can be paid to Brother Tavenner at Mound View Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Ohio.

 

13 APR 1945

On this date, World War II Veteran and OK Alpha Brother First Lieutenant Frank Marion Pinney, U. S. Army made the ultimate sacrifice during action at Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines. Brother Pinney enlisted in the Army in MAY 1941, and during his service he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and Presidential Citation.

 

A son of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Frank was born 12 SEP 1917, and graduated from Stillwater High School. He became a SigEp while attending Oklahoma A & M for three years, where he was also a member of the Pershing Rifles, Scabbard and Blade, and the Aggie Society.

 

Frank is memorialized alongside other patriotic citizens of Oklahoma on the website for The Oklahoma Veteran’s Memorial Gardens, Oklahoma’s War Dead, World War II Years 1941 to 1945.

 

Respect can be paid to Brother Pinney at Rose Hill Memorial Park, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

14 APR 1953

U.S. Marine Corps World War I Veteran, Governor (Virginia) and VA Zeta Brother William Munford Tuck began his service to the citizens of Virginia and the United States on this date as a member of the Eighty-Third Congress. Brother Tuck was reelected to seven succeeding Congresses.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 04 – 09 March 2013

08 March 1918
On this date, World War I Veteran and Ace, NY Beta Brother Lieutenant James “Jimmy” Armand Meissner, U.S. Army Air Service reported to Major John Huffner, Commander, 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, American Expeditionary Force. Known as the “Hat in the Ring Squadron” it was the first entirely American fighter squadron to serve in WWI.

Contrary to popular belief and the information passed by SigEp about Brother Kiffen Rockwell,

Jimmy went on to be the most successful SigEp Ace fighter pilot to serve with the U.S. Army Air Service in World War I. While he served nobly as an aviator during WWI, Rockwell served in the French Air Service.

Brother Meissner went on to attain the rank of Major, and founded the Alabama Air National Guard, serving as the unit’s first commanding officer.

05 March 1941

NC Delta Brother Lieutenant Seymour Anderson Johnson, U.S. Navy died on this date when the Grumman F4F-3 he was piloting crashed near Norbeck, Maryland. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC.

Seymour was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, graduated from Goldsboro High School and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for three years before entering the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. After graduating from the academy, Seymour was commissioned as an ensign and entered flight training at Pensacola, FL. He received his pilot wings in 1929, and after completing flight training he served as a pilot aboard battleships and aircraft carriers.

In 1937, he volunteered for duty as a test pilot, an assignment usually lasting two years. Brother Johnson was assigned to Anacostia Naval Air Station in Washington, DC beginning in 1938 and served as a test pilot until his death. During his last flight, he reported he was at 43,000 feet and was getting low on oxygen. His death was attributed to a lack of oxygen at high altitude.

 

Seymour had more than 4,000 hours in a variety of Naval and Grumman Aircraft Corporation aircraft. He had been selected for promotion to lieutenant commander and would have pinned on his oak leafs in June 1941.

In August 1940, the War Department designated the airport near Goldsboro as essential to national defense, and in December funds were authorized for the construction of a U.S. Army Air Corps Technical Training School. On 30 October 1942, Congressman Graham H. Barden informed the Goldsboro News-Argus that "the Army Air Forces Technical Training School in Goldsboro had been named Seymour Johnson Field."

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is the only Air Force base named in honor of a naval officer.

Respect can be paid to Brother Johnson at Section 7, Site 8153, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 07 – 13 JAN 2013

Brothers,

The SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) ended 2012 with,

- 3,686 SigEp Patriots in the Project database;
- 102 brothers-in-arms receiving email via the SPP list serve;
- 712 pages of stories and information about brothers who serve/served in the U.S. military;
- 637 photographs of military brothers;
- 548 SigEp Patriots are members of SigEps Who Serve – the Official Facebook group of SPP, and
- 37 brothers volunteering at chapters around the country as a liaison or point of contact (POC) with SPP in a mutually beneficial relationship of sharing and remembrance.

07 JAN 1941
DE Alpha Brother G. H. Kadel entered the U.S. Army on this date.

09 JAN 1941
On this date, IL Alpha Brother Joseph Metcalf Hissem joined the U.S. Navy Reserve and received a commission as an Ensign. He would go on to heroically serve at the Battle of Midway and made the ultimate sacrifice being reported missing in action / buried at sea.

08 JAN 1943

After graduating from Purdue, IN Alpha Brother William J. Meyer, Jr. entered the Army on this date.

10 JAN 1943

On this date, World War II Veteran and WA Alpha Brother Captain Ben Francis Ferguson, U.S. Army performed gallantly at Guadalcanal while leading his company to an assault position in the face of intense enemy fire. He proceeded to direct an enveloping movement towards the objective, resulting in the occupation of the enemy’s position. For this, he was cited for bravery in action and awarded the Silver Star on 24 MAR 1943.

11 JAN 1944

TX Alpha Brother T. Roland Parrett entered the Army on this date.

12 JAN 1944

On this date, TX Alpha Brother Richard T. Scott joined the Army Air Force and served in the medical corps.

13 JAN 1944
A ship named in honor of Brother Hissem was commissioned on this date, Lieutenant Commander W. W. Low in command. The ship, USS Hissem, was a Destroyer Escort of the EDSALL class, with the designation DE-400. It was launched by Brown Shipbuilding Company, Houston, TX, and sponsored by Miss Elizabeth D. Hissem, Joseph’s sister. Hissem received one battle star for World War II service.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 16 – 22 APR

Brothers,

18 APR 1993

U.S. Army War II Veteran and OK Alpha Brother Carmon Coleman Harris of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma died on this date.

17 APR 2002

NY Alpha Brother Major Oscar Bomboy Millard, U.S. Army (Retired) died on this date. Oscar was born in Centralia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Syracuse University with a business degree. Later he was a resident of Jacksonville and Atlantic Beach, FL. After retiring from the Army, Brother Millard had a career in Civil Service Finance before completely retiring. His memberships included Northeast Florida Chapter of the Retired Officers Association, Solomon Masonic Lodge #20, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry.

Brother Millard was laid to rest with military honors, and respect can be paid to him at Arlington Park Cemetery, Jacksonville, FL.

16 APR 2005

On this date, an American hero entered the U.S. Army. Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and TN Eta Brother Captain Joshua Sean Lawrence, U.S. Army, who was killed in action in Kandahar, Afghanistan last year, raised his hand swearing to defend our country.

19 APR 2005

Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and NY Eta Brother Corporal Jacob M. “Puck” Pfister, U.S. Army made the ultimate sacrifice on this date in Baghdad, Iraq when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia. Brother Pfister was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart and was posthumously promoted to corporal. He was 27 years old, and his wife was pregnant with their first child, Maddison.

Jacob grew up in Buffalo, NY and attended Grover Cleveland High School, where he played tight end on the football team and received a citizenship award at graduation. After attending Buffalo State College, he joined the Army and moved to Florida.

Jacob’s mom described her son as a serious man who loved his family. “The way he put it to me is, ‘Mom, who would you rather have over there defending you, me or some other joker?”’ That was classic Puck.

Donations may be made to the Maddison Pfister Fund, c/o J.P. Morgan Chase, 2300 Main Place Tower, Buffalo, NY 14202.
Respect can be paid to Brother Pfister at a memorial cenotaph located at Fort Stewart, GA, or at his gravesite at Saint Vincent de Paul Cemetery, Derby, New York.

20 APR 2006

World War II Veteran and DE Alpha Brother Pharmacist Mate Second Class Donald Lee Huston, U.S. Navy died on this date in Cape Coral, Florida. Don retired as a Civilian Personnel Management Specialist from the Department of Army.

Respect can be paid to Brother Huston at Section WIV, Row A, Site 19 of Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, Delaware.

16 APR 2010

World War II Veteran and NC Delta Renaissance Brother Lieutenant Reginald Frederick “Mutt” McCoy, U.S. Army Air Corps died on this date in Laurinburg, North Carolina. During WWII he was stationed in North Africa, Italy and Corsica, and was awaiting transfer to the Pacific Theater when the war ended.

“The Legend of Laurinburg” was born there on 09 JAN 1916, attended local schools, and studied at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Before completing his college degree, he returned to Laurinburg to help support his mother and siblings and began a 60 year career in the Merchantile and Agribusiness sector that was interrupted by his service to the Nation. Mutt became President of John F. McNair, Inc. and later President and Chairman of McNair Investment Company.

He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award by Boy Scouts of America in 1957 and supported their work throughout his life. His son's chapter made him an honorary member.

21 APR 2011

U.S. Navy World War II Veteran NC Delta Chapter President Charles Taylor Foley died a year ago today in Stuart, Florida. He was 84 years old. Born and raised in Charlotte, NC, he wintered over in Stuart, while spending the summers in Oxford, OH where he had resided since 1970.

Charles attended the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill earning a degree in business administration after his service to the nation. He was extremely active at UNC, in addition to SigEp, he served as president of the YMCA on campus, sang in the Men's Glee Club, was Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the student legislature, President of the Veteran's Association and Vice-president of the University Club.

A businessman his entire working life, he worked for several companies including H.K. Porter, Proctor and Gamble and Square D before becoming a successful small business owner. He sold his final business, Foley's Energy Shop, located outside Cincinnati, OH, in 1997.

Respect can be paid to Brother Foley at the mausoleum at Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte, North Carolina.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL

* We lost World War II Veteran and AL Alpha President Lieutenant Donald Jennings, U.S. Navy Reserve when he passed in Hinesville, Georgia.

* On 16 APR, U.S. Army World War II Veterans OK Beta Brother Kenneth “Buddy” Bell, and MO Alpha Brother Paul R. Manocchio passed away.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the brothers, family and friends of brothers Jennings, Bell and Manocchio.

SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP) UPDATE

* The SPP official Facebook group – SigEps Who Serve – is very happy to welcome ROTC Cadet and SC Epsilon Brother Patrick Hamlin who will graduate this semester and earn his commission in the U.S. Army!

* The SPP database now has the names of more than 1810 SigEp Patriots who serve/served in the U.S. military. We are always looking for brothers-in-arms, and we hope you will reach out to join your brothers. Join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve. Not on Facebook? Write to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com to join the listserve. 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

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 20 – 26 FEB

Brothers,

“This generation of Americans has come to realize, with a present and personal realization, that there is something larger and more important than the life of any individual or of any individual group – something for which a man will sacrifice, and gladly sacrifice, not only his pleasures, not only his goods, not only his associations with those he loves, but his life itself. In time of crisis when the future is in the balance, we come to understand, with full recognition and devotion, what this nation is, and what we owe to it.”
~ President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his Message to the American People (sometimes referred to as “The Map Speech”); February 23, 1942

25 FEB 1926
On this date, U.S. Navy World War II Veteran and IL Alpha Brother Walter William Rust was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Walt served in the U.S. Navy as a radioman aboard the escort aircraft carrier USS Puget Sound (CVE-113) in the South Pacific, and as such was aboard the ship when it entered Tokyo Bay 14 OCT 1945.

26 FEB 1933
NE Beta Brother and First Lieutenant Paul Edgar Fesler, U.S. Air Force was born on this date.

25 FEB 1946
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Veteran and TN Beta Brother Fred Avil Allen III was born on this date.

20 FEB 1992
Gone but never forgotten. NY Eta Brother and First Lieutenant Michael T. Morrisey, U.S. Army Reserve died on this date after being struck by a drunk driver while jogging near his home in Grand Island, New York.

Born in Rochester, NY, he graduated from Grand Island High School, where he was captain of the varsity swim team. While attending Buffalo State College, Mike pledged SigEp, and was very active in the fraternity while also excelling in the ROTC Program at Canisius College.

In memory of Michael, his family set up scholarship funds at Buffalo State College, Canisius College and Geneseo State College. As of 2003, Ninety students have benefited from the generosity of the Morrisey family and other donors.Respect can be paid to Brother Morrisey at St. Stephen's Cemetery on Grand Island.

23 FEB 2008
World War II Veteran PA Delta Brother Sergeant John Metcalf Bickelhaupt, U.S. Army Air Corps died on this date in Saratoga Springs, New York. During WWII, Brother Bickelhaupt served as a pilot and was stationed in the Pacific. After the war, John attended Penn where he was president of the senior class.

Respect can be paid to Brother Bickelhaupt at Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs.

23 FEB 2010
VT Alpha Brother, Maine State Senator and First Lieutenant David Lee Carpenter, U.S. Army Reserve died on this date in Springvale, Maine at the age of 75. Dave was born in Boston, MA, graduated from Needham High School, and received a degree in business administration from Norwich. While at Norwich, Dave was a member of the Outing Club and was a brother in Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Eta Rho. He was also a member of the drill team. Dave served in the Army Reserves as a first lieutenant. He was a co-owner of C&C/Taylor Rental from the late sixties to the mid-seventies when he became a real estate broker with Davis Real Estate, and later owned Carpenter Realty. He was a former member of the Rotary Club and served on the YMCA and Dollars for Scholars boards. Dave ran for the Maine State Senate in 1988 and worked in that capacity for 12 years. The Utilities Committee, State and Local Government and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee were all part of his duties in the Maine State Senate.

A year ago -
* On 22 FEB 2011, U.S Coast Guard Fireman and FL Zeta Brother Tristan Scott McMorran began his patriotic military. Currently, Brother McMorran is serving aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) home ported in Portsmouth, VA.

* A year ago this week, CA Beta Beta Brother and U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet Bryan Ferrell learned that he had obtained a seat for USAF Flight Training. Brother Ferrell is on track to graduate from the University of San Diego this spring, and after receiving his commission in June he will be assigned to Vance, Air Force Base to begin his flight training.

* CA Theta Brother, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and First Lieutenant Adam Wilson, U.S. Army has been very busy since graduating from the Artillery Officer’s school at Ft. Sill about a year ago. He was promoted to First Lieutenant, successfully earning his tab at Ranger School at Ft. Benning, and deployed to and returned from Iraq – for which he was awarded a Bronze Star.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
* Korean War Veteran and CA Beta Brother Captain Glen Chase Ware, U.S. Air Force passed away 17 FEB in The Woodlands, Texas at the age of 83.
* U.S. Army Vietnam War Veteran and FL Gamma Brother Dana Blake Jr also passed away on 17 FEB at the age of 69 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Brother Blake served from 1967 to 1969.
* U.S. Army Vietnam War Veteran and OH Mu Brother Tom Howard Martindale passed away recently in Tucson, AZ. His obituary did not state a date.
* World War II Veteran, UT Alpha Brother and Lieutenant Colonel Junius Wells Robins, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Retired) passed away 21 FEB 2012 at the age of 92. Brother Robins served honorably as a U.S. Marine Corps Artillery Officer in the Pacific in World War II and stayed in the Active Reserves until 1975.

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

UPDATE: SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP)
* SPP now has the names of more than 1,110 SigEp Patriots who serve/served in the U.S. military!
* The SPP leadership ranks continue to grow. SPP would like to welcome the following points of contact that work with SPP to increase the historical holdings of their respective chapters as well as the SPP archives:
#16 – CA Gamma AVC President Brother Scott Carr, #17 – CA Theta Brother and Corporal in the California National Guard Frank Beardsley, and #18 – U.S. Navy Veteran and TX Chi Brother Thurman Walling. Just drop an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com if you are interested in serving as a chapter POC.
* The official SPP Facebook group is closing in on 440 SigEp Patriots with the addition of the following Brothers:
PA Gamma Brother and Navy ROTC Cadet Charles Brand, OH Gamma Brother Oliver J. Mitchell, CA Theta Brother and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Lance Corporal Matt Buelow, OH Pi Brother and Air National Guard Veteran Brad Badgley, U.S. Navy Veteran and TX Chi Brother Thurman Walling, and MD Zeta Brother and U.S. Navy Aviator Ryan Hunt.

Welcome Brothers! To join the group, go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve. Not on Facebook? Join our listserve by sending an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com. 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