01 JAN 1920
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| Distinguished Service Cross |
03 JAN 1941
World
War I Veteran and PA Xi Brother First Lieutenant Paul H. Cunningham, U.S. Army was sworn in on this date as a member
of the Seventy-seventh Congress. Brother Cunningham served the people of Iowa’s
6th District until 1943 when he was elected to serve the 5th District.
31 DEC 1942
NC
Epsilon Brother Charles Henderson
joined the U. S. Navy after graduation, and served 26 months overseas before
being discharged at the end of the war at the rank of Lieutenant.
01 JAN 1943
The next
day, just up from North Carolina, DC Alpha Brother Kenneth H. Brunner joined the U.S. Army on this date. Brother
Brunner was a graduate of the George Washington University Class of 1928, and
served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before being discharged after more
than two year of "interesting duty" with the Manhattan District in
Tennessee – the headquarters for the atomic bomb project.
03 JAN 1943
Making
the ultimate sacrifice on this date, World War II Veteran and MI Alpha Brother
First Lieutenant James L. Lee, U.S.
Army was killed in action over Western Europe while serving as a co-pilot with
the U.S. Army Air Corps 323rd Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group (Heavy).
Brother Lee was MI Alpha’s first casualty of WWII.
A SigEp
at MI Alpha between 1935 and 1937, Brother Lee entered the service in the Fall
of 1941 after graduating from Carnegie Institute of Technology at Pittsburgh.
After his training, James received his silver wings and commission at Shaw
Field, in the summer of 1942.
His
awards include the Purple Heart and Air Medal.
Brother
Lee is memorialized at the Brittany American Cemetery, St. James (Manche),
France.
On this date, World War II Veteran MS Alpha Brother Private First Class Robert D. Keller, U.S. Army was discharged after 18 months of service with the Armored Infantry in the European Theater, and WI Alpha Brother Lieutenant William H. Zuehlke, Jr., U.S. Navy Reserve was also discharged following four years overseas.
03 JAN 1949
Bill was a 32nd Degree Mason, Shriner, and he enjoyed working with Mobile Meals, delivering meals to the needy in OKC.
Respect can be paid to Brother Dingler at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, OK.
02JAN1944
World
War II Veteran and VT Alpha Brother Irving
L. Branch was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army Air Force on
this date.
03 JAN 1944
KS Beta
Brother Lieutenant Commander L.W.
Newcomer, U.S. Navy, a Seabee Officer, arrived on Guadalcanal on this date and
set up camp as he staged for the pending attack on Bougainville.
30 DEC 1944
For his
leadership at Bastogne, WV Beta Brother (then) Brigadier General Anthony “Nuts!” Clement McAuliffe, U.S.
Army was awarded the DSC on this date by General Patton. Brother McAuliffe
would go on to become a four-star General, be one of five SigEp Patriots to
earn the DSC, and was awarded the SigEp Citation in 1965.On this date, World War II Veteran MS Alpha Brother Private First Class Robert D. Keller, U.S. Army was discharged after 18 months of service with the Armored Infantry in the European Theater, and WI Alpha Brother Lieutenant William H. Zuehlke, Jr., U.S. Navy Reserve was also discharged following four years overseas.
06 JAN 1946
U.S.
Army World War II Veteran and UT Alpha Brother Worth Barber McNeel was discharged from active duty on this date.
When the war broke out, Worth joined the Enlisted Reserve Corps at Utah State
University. In 1943, he joined the U.S. Army, and served in the Philippines,
Okinawa and Korea. After his patriotic service, Worth brought his wartime
leadership to Utah State and became a noble member of our beloved fraternity.
In later years, he joined the Idaho National Guard in Blackfoot, ID.03 JAN 1949
03 JAN 1953
World
War II Veteran and FL Alpha Brother Captain Donald R. Matthews, U.S. Army was sworn in this date as a member of
the Eighty-third Congress of the United States joining Brother Paul Cunningham.
03 JAN 1955
World
War II Veteran and VA Kappa Brother Major William
P. Jennings, U.S. Army was elected to represent the people of Virginia’s
9th District, and was sworn in this date as a member of the Eighty-fourth
Congress, joining brothers Cunningham,
Matthews, and VA Zeta Brother William M. Tuck already serving in Washington.
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|
PA
Brother Ed Strecker
in his World War I uniform
|
02 JAN 1959
World
War I Veteran and PA Beta Brother Major/Doctor Edward A. Strecker, U.S. Army died on this date. Brother Strecker
entered WW I as a First
Lieutenant (Neuro-Psychiatrist) with the famous 28th Division. He served with
this unit in combat zones until the Armistice, when he was honorably discharged
as a Major. During WWII, he was named a consultant to President
Roosevelt and received a presidential citation from President Truman.
After
graduating from Jefferson Medical College in 1911, Dr. Strecker joined
Pennsylvania Hospital in 1913, serving as chief medical officer at The
Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital from 1920 to 1928. He continued his
association with the hospital until his death in 1959. Edward served as
professor and head of nervous and mental diseases at Jefferson Medical College;
professor and head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of
Pennsylvania School of Medicine and later professor and emeritus professor and
chair of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of
Medicine. In addition, he was clinical professor of psychiatry and mental
diseases at Yale University and was the first professor of psychiatry at Seton
Hall College of Medicine. He was president of the American Psychiatric
Association in 1943.
A
prolific writer, he authored ten books and more than 200 papers, on such
diverse subjects as alcoholism, childhood behaviors, encephalitis, head trauma,
sex offenders, war neuroses, and civilization and culture. He authored
five editions of the best-known standard textbook at that time, Fundamentals of
Psychiatry.
Many
honors were bestowed on Brother Strecker, including four honorary doctoral
degrees.
The
Edward A. Strecker, MD Award, sponsored by Pennsylvania Hospital, University of
Pennsylvania Health System, has been awarded annually since 1964 to an
individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of clinical
psychiatry.
Respect
can be paid to Brother Strecker at Greenmount Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA.
03 JAN 1959
On this
date, Brother Paul Cunningham
completed 18 years of service in the U.S. Congress.
04 JAN 1962
On this
date, U.S. Army Air Corps World War II Veteran TX Alpha Brother Frederick H. Korth was appointed
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) by President Kennedy. Brother Korth served as
SECNAV for two years (1962-63), including during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
 |
| TX Alpha Brother and Secretary of the Navy Frederick H. Korth meets with President Kennedy 16 JAN 1962 at the Oval Office |
03 JAN 1967
This
marks the last day of congressional service for brothers Donald Matthews and William
Jennings.
03 JAN 1969
On this
date, after more than 15 years of service in the U.S. Congress, U.S. Marine
Corps World War I Veteran, Virginia State Senator, Governor (Virginia) and VA
Zeta Brother William M. Tuck served
his last day in Congress as the representative from Virginia’s 5th District.
02 JAN 2000
World
War II, Korean War & Vietnam War Veteran, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), and
Renaissance Brother Admiral Elmo “Bud”
Russell Zumwalt, Jr., U.S. Navy (Retired) died on this date at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North
Carolina.
According
to representatives in Richmond/HQ, Admiral Zumwalt was initiated by the Connecticut Alpha
chapter in New York City in
APR 1985. However, multiple online resources state he was
initiated in 1980 including http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmo_Zumwalt
– which contains information confirmed by Navy biographers. To make things a
bit muddier, The Journal of Sigma Phi
Epsilon Volume 98, Number 1 (Spring 2000) stated, “SigEp mourns the passing
of Admiral Elmo Zumwalt (Connecticut '42) who served as Chief of Naval
Operations during a turbulent era and was famous for his celebrated
"Z-grams." However, Brother Zumwalt never attended Connecticut.
Eagle Scout, high school
valedictorian, cum laude graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) and
commissioned an Ensign on 19 JUN 1942, he was the youngest naval officer ever
promoted to Rear Admiral (one-star) at age 44. At age 49, Bud was the youngest
four-star Admiral in U. S. naval history, and the youngest to serve as CNO –
the most senior naval officer in the Department of the Navy. In 1998, he was presented with the
Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest civilian award in the United
States.
The military accomplishments of Brother Zumwalt cannot
be completely displayed due to the magnitude of his service and contributions
during his 32 years of active duty service. Go to the Naval History &
Heritage Command site to read about our renaissance brother - http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq93-1.htm
Respect can be paid to Brother Zumwalt in Section 3,
Lot Number 0382 at the USNA Cemetery and Columbarium in Annapolis, MD.
03 JAN 2004
World
War II Veteran and CO Delta Brother First Lieutenant Otto Eastlond, Jr., U.S. Army died on this date. Brother Eastlond
was a member of the Class of 1934, entered the service in FEB 1941, served as a
Battalion Adjutant, and was discharged from the Army in DEC 1945.
Respect
can be paid to Brother Eastlond at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, CO.
05 JAN 2005
World
War II Veteran and NY Beta Brother Technician Fourth Grade Perry C. Euchner, Jr., U.S. Army, 78, died on this date in
Huntington Station, New York. Perry joined the Army in NOV 1944, and after the
war was a member of the Class of 1948.
Respect
can be paid to Brother Euchner at Temple Hill Cemetery, Geneseo, NY.
06 JAN 2005
U.S. Navy World War II Veteran CA Beta Brother David R. Billings was 80 years old when
he died on this date in Stockton, California from complications associated with
Alzheimer’s. Brother Billings
graduated from the University of Southern California in 1946.
06 JAN 2007
At the
age of 77, Korean War and Vietnam War Veteran, NM Alpha Brother Lieutenant
Commander Jack C. Bolander, U.S.
Navy (Retired) died on this date at McGuire V.A. Hospital in Richmond,
Virginia. Brother Bolander graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1951,
and conducted post-graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University and the
University of Southern California. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Post 284, National Sojourner,
Gideons, Sea Scouts (leader), Navy League, and Duncan, Oklahoma Lodge #60, AF
& AM.
Respect
can be paid to Brother Bolander at Section 20, Site 525, Quantico National
Cemetery, Triangle, VA.
04 JAN 2009
On this
date, U.S. Army World War II Veteran VA Epsilon Brother Neil C. Pascoe died in Naples, Florida at the age 99. Neil was a
life member of Private Peter S. Hotalen Post No. 157, and a past Sussex County
Commander of the American Legion.
He
attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and was a graduate of Washington
and Lee University's Class of 1934. Returning to Branchville after WWII, Brother
Pascoe served on the Borough Council, and was a charter member of the Culver
Brook Restoration Foundation. He also served as Chairman of the Selective
Service Draft Board No. 41 from 1950 to 1969. Prior to his retirement, he was a
Senior Vice President and Personnel Director of Selective Insurance Company in
Branchville. After moving to Naples, FL, he was a founding member of the Quail
Run Country Club.
Respect can be paid to Brother Pascoe at Branchville Cemetery, Branchville, NJ.
Respect can be paid to Brother Pascoe at Branchville Cemetery, Branchville, NJ.
04 JAN 2011
On this date,
IN Beta Brother Ryan Zipper
31 DEC 2011
Vietnam
War Veteran and GA Gamma Brother Lieutenant John Robert O'Neal, Sr., U.S Navy Reserve died on this date at the
age of 66. Following high school, John attended Valdosta State College where he
pledged SigEp. After graduating from college, Brother O’Neal entered the U.S.
Navy and became a pilot. He served his country on active duty for five years,
and additionally as a reserve officer. John was honorably discharged at the
rank of lieutenant.
Following
his military service, he discovered that he had a knack for sales. In fact, he
was described as being able to "sell ice to a bartender at the North
Pole." After working sales in several industries, John returned to the
world of aviation, and spent 32 years as a member of the Sales Department at
Eagle Aviation in Columbia, from which he retired in SEP 2011.
Respect
can be paid to Brother O’Neal at Section 3, Site 415, Fort Jackson National
Cemetery in Columbia, SC.
02 JAN 2012
World
War II Veteran and VA Alpha Brother Major John
Thomas Watkins, Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps died on this date in Morganton,
North Carolina. Brother Watkins graduated from the University of Richmond in
1940, joined the Army Air Corps in November, and in 1941 graduated from
advanced flying school. On 08 DEC he left Langley Field, VA with the 22nd Bomb
Group for Australia. John was in action until JUL 1944, when he was transferred
home. He was discharged from the service as a Major in 1946.
After his
war-time service, Brother Watkins spent his career in business working for
Travelers Insurance Company, Monsanto Chemical Company, Fabricon Products, and
Watkins Machine Sales, which he founded, and his level of civic involvement
would be tough to beat.
In 1981,
John and his wife retired to Morganton where he was involved in many civic
activities including Director of Economic Development, president of the Friends
of the Library, the Morganton Kiwanis Club and the Western Piedmont College
Foundation. Brother Watkins was also very active in the Burke County Chamber of
Commerce, participated in fundraising for the Phifer Learning Center, and
co-chaired the Burke County United Way. Additionally, he assisted in the
restoration of the Quaker Meadows House, helped construct homes with Habitat
for Humanity, repaired bicycles for Christmas Cheer, and tutored for the
Literacy Council. His selfless commitment to his community was recognized in
1996 when he was honored as the Morganton Rotary Club's "Man of the
Year".
04 JAN 2012
U.S.
Army Air Corps World War II Veteran and NY Delta Founding Father Byron Davega Forster, 91, of Dallas,
Texas died on this date. After graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
with the Class of 1941 with a degree in graduated (Management Engineering),
Brother Forster enlisted in the Army Air Corps in JAN 1942, and was honorably
discharged in JAN 1946.
After
the war, Byron was successful as financial consultant to individuals,
partnerships and corporations, and was a member of the Boy Scouts, American
Legion, and Lions Club.
05 JAN 2012
05 JAN 2012
On this
date, U.S. Army World War II Veteran NC Beta President James L. Holloway died in North Carolina. During WW II, James
served in the Philippines with the 38th Infantry Division. After the war, he brought
his leadership to NC State University (NCSU) and graduated in 1950.
After
leaving NCSU, Brother Holloway worked for Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical for 33
years before retiring in 1988.
30 DEC 2012
30 DEC 2012
U.S.
Army World War II Veteran MA Beta Brother Edgar
B. Carpenter, 94, died on this date at his home in Canton, Connecticut. Ed served
in the U.S. Army as a member of the 701st Tank Destroyer Battalion that entered
the war in North Africa and fought campaigns through Italy. He was awarded
several medals including the Bronze Star and the French Croix de Guerre.
Following his WWII service, Ed attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and
graduated in 1950 with bachelors degrees in both Mechanical and Electrical
Engineering, in addition to being active with Sigma Phi Epsilon.
He
worked for the Elevator Division of Westinghouse Electric Corporation for 32
years prior to retirement, and was responsible for the sale and installation of
most of the Westinghouse elevators in Connecticut's tallest buildings. Brother
Carpenter was a long-time member of the Canton Volunteer Fire Department and
served on various boards for the Town of Canton. A beloved Canton Little League
Coach for a whole generation of boys, Ed coached even the years when he did not
have a son on the team.
In 1997,
a multi-sport field complex named Carpenter Field was dedicated in Ed's honor
at Avon Old Farms School in Avon. All three of Mr. Carpenter's sons went to
Avon Old Farms and he was fondly remembered by his family - as well as the
faculty and staff - as being at every game and sporting event, even if it was
in the middle of the week, and even if his son was sitting on the bench. To
this day, Carpenter Field is said to be one of the best high school baseball
fields in all of New England.
In
Nashville, Tennessee we also lost U.S. Marine Corps Veteran TN Theta Founding
Father Jim Wiseman, 71, on this date
following his battle with cancer. While at Middle Tennessee State University,
he helped establish TN Theta, and served as their chapter counselor for many
years, as well as on their alumni board. He loved mentoring young persons,
whether through the fraternity or the practice of law.
Brother
Wiseman has always been a teacher, beginning with teaching in the Watts area of
South Los Angeles. He was a former Associate MTSU Professor, and a retired
attorney. He taught at many State universities around the country, while
accumulating a master's degree, a specialist in education degree, and an Ed.D,
before concluding with his law degree.
He practiced law in Murfreesboro, TN over 30 years, first as a solo practitioner, then for thirteen years in partnership with his wife. He retired once, but then found his favorite legal work of all in juvenile court, including time spent as Assistant and Regional General Counsel for the Department of Children's Services.
Jim was a Mason, a Shriner, a Life Member of Friends of Linebaugh Library, and a current board member of the Rutherford County Family YMCA.
31 DEC 2012
He practiced law in Murfreesboro, TN over 30 years, first as a solo practitioner, then for thirteen years in partnership with his wife. He retired once, but then found his favorite legal work of all in juvenile court, including time spent as Assistant and Regional General Counsel for the Department of Children's Services.
Jim was a Mason, a Shriner, a Life Member of Friends of Linebaugh Library, and a current board member of the Rutherford County Family YMCA.
31 DEC 2012
Korean
War Veteran and OK Alpha Brother Staff Sergeant William “Bill” Thomas Dingler, U.S. Air Force died on this date in
Oklahoma City at the age of 82. Brother Dingler graduated from Oklahoma State
with a degree in marketing, and his sales career to him to Houston and Denver,
eventually returning to Oklahoma City where he retired from W.R. Grace Company.
Bill was a 32nd Degree Mason, Shriner, and he enjoyed working with Mobile Meals, delivering meals to the needy in OKC.
Respect can be paid to Brother Dingler at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, OK.
03 JAN 2013
World
War II Veteran and MA Beta Brother Richard
“Richie” E. Howard died on this date in Worcester, Massachusetts. During
his WWII service, Richie was awarded the Bronze Star twice. Following the war,
he attended
Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he was Vice President of his class, and a
member of the Honor Society (Skull).
He
worked for many years at the Worcester Gas Light Company before forming Therm,
Inc in 1989. Brother Howard worked tirelessly as the first Vice President of
the Lincoln Square Boys Club Alumni Association and as a District Director of
the Ty Cobb Little League. Richie was also a lifelong member of the
Auburn-Webster Lodge of Elks #2118.
RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
* U.S. Army Korean War Veteran and PA Eta President F. Allen Weisenfluh passed away 20 DEC
after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. A memorial service will be held
at 10 am on 18 JAN 2014, at the Second Congregational Church, Cohasset, MA.
Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the
Scituate Animal Shelter, 780 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Scituate, MA 02066.
* World War II Veteran and DE Alpha President Captain Henry McComb Winchester, Jr., U.S. Army died peacefully 22 DEC. Brother Winchester was senior class president, as well as DE Alpha president. While serving in the Army, Captain Winchester was a member of the World War II Crimes Investigation Team in Germany. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on 09 JAN 2014 for Henry and Richard Winchester at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church, 10 Old Church Road, Greenville, DE. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 9:30. Burial will be private.
* World War II Veteran and DE Alpha President Captain Henry McComb Winchester, Jr., U.S. Army died peacefully 22 DEC. Brother Winchester was senior class president, as well as DE Alpha president. While serving in the Army, Captain Winchester was a member of the World War II Crimes Investigation Team in Germany. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on 09 JAN 2014 for Henry and Richard Winchester at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church, 10 Old Church Road, Greenville, DE. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 9:30. Burial will be private.
* World War II Veteran and TX Alpha President Captain John F. Green, U.S. Army passed away
26 DEC at the age of 93. Before he graduated from the University of Texas at
Austin, Brother Green was inducted into the U.S. Army. After completing basic
training and Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned a second lieutenant,
and assigned to the 275th Engineer Combat Battalion of the 75th Infantry Division.
Overseas he served in three major campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge,
and was awarded the Bronze Star. After the end of hostilities, he was
transferred to military government in Germany, where he served as a military
government officer throughout the remainder of his military service.
* IN Alpha Brother Lieutenant Junior Grade David B. Evans, U.S. Navy passed away
suddenly on 28 DEC at the age of 74. While serving as a communications officer
aboard USS Kearsarge (CV-33), Brother
Evans was involved with the recovery of the Mercury astronauts in the early
days of the U.S. Space Program. A proud Naval veteran, David was a diligent
member of his local American Legion Post.
Our
thoughts and prayers are with the chapter brothers, family and friends of
Brothers Weisenfluh, Winchester, Green and Evans.
CELEBRATIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
* Earlier this week, VA Mu Brother First Lieutenant Craig Stanford, U.S. Air Force and his
wife, Kathleen, welcomed their daughter Audrey (7lbs, 8oz, 18.5in) in to the world
at Yokota Air Base Hospital in Japan.
If you
have some good news you would like to share please send 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.comChief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
