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 37th 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others had withdrawn, he walked up and down the firing line under heavy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.
12 APR 1970
On this date, Vietnam War Veteran, WV Beta Brother and
Captain James Mitchell Atchison,
U.S. Army made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. His heroic actions on that
day are recognized in the following award citation issued by Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General
Orders Number 1984 (May 21, 1970):
“The President of
the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926,
takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to
Captain (Armor) James Mitchell Atchison, United States Army, for heroism while
participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond
the call of duty on 12 April 1970, while serving as a Pilot with the Air
Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On
this date, Captain Atchison was flying a reconnaissance mission over known
enemy locations. While making several low-level passes, the craft came under
intense ground fire from the dense jungle. Although he was wounded, he realized
that the helicopter's controls were seriously damaged and attempted to aid the
pilot to maneuver the craft. Captain Atchison quickly briefed the crew on how
to prepare for the crash. As a result of his actions, four men were saved and
soon evacuated. Captain Atchison's actions were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit and the United States Army.”
Born in Paintsville, Kentucky, James graduated from
Frederick High School in Maryland, and earned his B.A. in History at the
University of West Virginia where he was a member of the marching band, Sigma
Alpha Theta History Honorary Fraternity, ROTC and the Scabbard & Blade
Society. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army
upon graduation in 1967.
Brother Atchison is one in a long line of SigEp Patriot
aviators. In April 1969, he graduated from the Army Primary Helicopter School
at Fort Wolters, TX. He was then stationed at Hunter Army Air Field, Savannah,
GA, where he received advanced flight training, and earned his Wings in AUG
1969. James’ tour of duty in Vietnam started in OCT 1969, and he received his
Captaincy in DEC 1969. In addition to
the Distinguished Flying Cross, Brother Atchison’s awards include the Air Medal
(with seven oak leaf clusters), Purple Heart, and National Defense Service
Medal.
Respect can be paid to Brother Atchison at Section 8,
Site 6371 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
14 APR 1970
World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Veteran Admiral Elmo Russell Zumwalt, Jr., U.S. Navy was
nominated on this date by President Nixon to be Chief of Naval Operations – the
highest military office in the U.S. Navy. Admiral Zumwalt became a Renaissance
Brother several years after his retirement.
18 APR 1993
On this date, U.S.
Army War II Veteran and OK Alpha Brother Carmon Coleman Harris died
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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, TN
Eta Brother Joshua Sean Lawrence raised his hand and swore to defend the
United States against all its enemies. Sean, a Captain in the U.S. Army, was
killed in action in Kandahar, Afghanistan on 08 OCT 2011.
19 APR 2005
Just three days
after Josh Lawrence joined the Army, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and
NY Eta Brother Specialist Jacob M. “Puck” Pfister, U.S. Army was
killed in action 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’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 his gravesite at Saint Vincent de Paul Cemetery, Derby, New York, and at a memorial cenotaph located at Fort Stewart, GA.
Respect can be paid to Brother Pfister at his gravesite at Saint Vincent de Paul Cemetery, Derby, New York, and at a memorial cenotaph located at Fort Stewart, GA.
20 APR 2006
On this date, World War II Veteran and DE Alpha Brother Pharmacist
Mate Second Class Donald Lee Huston, U.S. Navy died 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.
10 APR 2010
U.S. Army Air Corps
World War II Veteran and TN Alpha Brother James
Milton Delzell died on this date. James
served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. After the war, he received his
bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee. He retired from National
Life and Accident Insurance Company, and served on
the Board of Ravenwood Country Club.
Respect can be
paid to Brother Delzell at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, TN.
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” 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 Mercantile 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 on this date 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.
16 APR 2012
Two SigEp Patriots
who served our country in the U.S. Army during World War II died on this date.
OK Beta Brother Kenneth Hardy “Buddy” Bell died in
Oklahoma City, OK. A 1955 graduate of OU, Brother Bell served with the 101st
Airborne, and upon his discharge he spent 20 years in California before
returning to Oklahoma. He owned the Golf Outlet in Oklahoma City.
MO Alpha Brother Paul
R. Manocchio died in Morristown, NJ at the age of 87. Paul proudly served and
was awarded the European-African-Middle-Eastern Theatre Ribbon (with 3 bronze
stars), American Theatre Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory
Medal.
Respect can be paid to Brother Manocchio at Saint Mary’s
Cemetery, Boonton, NJ.
Mid-April 2012
This time last year, family, friends and brothers welcomed
home Operation ENDURING FREEDOM veterans OH Kappa Brother Sergeant Mike Woodall, U.S. Marine Corps and FL Iota Brother Corporal Alex Boody, U.S. Marine Corps!
CELEBRATIONS!
* Congratulations
to VA Pi Brother Lieutenant Steven
Whelpley, U.S. Navy on his recent engagement to Jessica Belz!
SPP UPDATE
* The SPP
official Facebook group – SigEps Who Serve (SWS) – has nearly 570 SigEp
Patriots, and we are gaining additional brothers nearly every day! You can join SWS by going 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 home
chapter, rank, branch of service, military affiliation and whether you are a combat
veteran.
* The SPP
database now has the names of more than 3,830 SigEp Patriots who serve/served
in the U.S. military.
Fraternally and Respectfully,
Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta ‘96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta ‘96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
