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.
20 MAY
2005
On this date, U.S. Army World War II D-Day
Veteran DE Alpha Brother Robert L.
Snowberger died at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. Robert served with
distinction in the U.S. Army during World War II, participating in the Normandy
Invasion at Omaha Beach on D-Day. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic
action against an "out numbering enemy force" in Germany on 06 APR
1945.
Robert graduated from A.I. DuPont High School and
was an all-state football player. After military service, he went on to
graduate from the University of Delaware, and then worked for the DuPont
Company in advertising. Taking an early retirement, he became an independent
manufacturer's representative and was actively involved in many entrepreneurial
ventures.
25 MAY 2007
Korean War Veteran, three-time Representative in the West Virginia House of Delegates and WV Beta Brother Major David Lee Solomon, U.S. Army Reserve died on this date in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Brother Solomon served in the Korean War as a Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps, and later in the Judge Advocate General's Reserves, rising to the rank of Major.
David was born in 1929 in Shinnston, West Virginia, and earned
his undergraduate degree from West Virginia University in 1951. After his
military service, he graduated from the WVU School of Law in 1956 and began his
celebrated career in law. Brother Solomon was admitted to law practice in the
West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, the Northern and Southern Federal
District Courts & the U.S. Supreme Court, and was a member of the West
Virginia State Bar Association and the West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.
He founded Solomon & Solomon where he practiced law for over 50 years with
his sons, Michael and Alex. David held membership in the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, West Virginia Moose Association and the Elks Lodge.
Respect can be paid to Brother Solomon at St. Mary's
Peace Garden in Star City, West Virginia.
RECENT LOSS TO THE
ROLL
17 MAY – National
Guard Veteran and AR Gamma Brother Mitchell
Joseph Ash, Jr. passed away in Collierville,
TN at the age of 64 after a brief illness. The family requested memorial contributions
are made to the American Heart Association, 2170 Business Center Drive, Memphis, TN 38134 and St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
The thoughts and prayers of the SigEp Patriots Program
are with the family, friends and chapter brothers of Brother Ash.
CELEBRATIONS!
* AL Theta Brother
Specialist Josh Sims, U.S. Army
National Guard (Alabama) was recently awarded an Army Achievement Medal.* RI Beta Brother Sergeant CJ Wesley, U.S. Army National Guard (Massachusetts) rendered the first salute to RI Beta Brother Matt Cabral on 17 MAY at his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, and the RI Beta legacy continues.
* On 18 MAY, TX Theta Brother Nathan Dorsey was promoted to Specialist, U.S. Army National Guard (Texas).
* DC Delta Brother Anthony King was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force on 20 MAY 2013.
* This Week, SC Epsilon Brother Second Lieutenant Patrick Hamlin, U.S. Army completed Ground Week at the Airborne School at Fort Benning. Best of luck to Brother Hamlin during Tower and Jump weeks.
* RI Beta Brother Second Lieutenant Brian Plamondon, U.S. Marine Corps posted on Facebook today that he completed his first solo in the T-6B and that next come aerobatics!
Fraternally and Very Respectfully,
Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta ‘96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
sigepswhoserve@gmail.com
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
