“Our debt to the heroic
men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They
have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”
~ President Harry S. Truman during a
joint session of Congress on 16 April 1945
Greetings
from the temporary SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) home office at Fort Bragg, NC. My
apologies. The goal for 2014 was to write one edition of this work each week,
however, the U.S. military had some plans for me that have been keeping me very
busy.
This
week, we remember and honor 12 brothers, including two who made the ultimate
sacrifice, and one brother who was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross
(DSC).
10
APR 1926
 |
| Distinguished Service Cross |
World
War I Veteran and OH Gamma Brother Captain Robert L. 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).
Brother Tavenner was
commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Ohio Army National Guard in 1917, and
subsequently assigned to the 37th Division of the American Expeditionary
Force.
Soon
after arriving in the European Theater, he selflessly led his men while
performing heroic acts for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
(DSC) – the highest award presented by the U.S. Army second only to the Medal
of Honor.
The SPP
archives show that Brother Tavenner is one of five SigEp Patriots to be awarded
one or more DSCs.
Robert
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, during Operation VICTOR II, World War II Veteran and OK Alpha Brother
First Lieutenant Frank M. Pinney, U. S. Army was serving with the
182nd Infantry Battalion of the Americal Division when he made the ultimate
sacrifice near Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines.
In MAY
1941, Brother Pinney received a reserve commission in the U.S. Army upon his
graduation with a degree in Aeronautics Administration, and was shipped
overseas in SEP 1943. He was assigned to the 182nd as the Battalion Supply
Officer.
 |
| Brother Pinney's Purple Heart Certificate and a letter of condolence from President Truman |
On 13
APR 1945, during a battle on Hill 260, First
Lieutenant Pinney volunteered to
lead a "carrying party" up Hill 260 in order to refit a rifle company
engaged with the enemy and in desperate need of re-supply. While slugging his
way up a trail, his party was ambushed and he was and killed instantly by a
Japanese machine gun.
For his
actions on this date he was posthumously awarded his second Bronze Star.
Frank became
a SigEp during his three years at Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State
University), 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.(http://www.oklahomaveteransmemorial.us/lost_war2.html)
Respect
can be paid to Brother Pinney at Rose Hill Memorial Park, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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.”
Brother
Atchison 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.
James 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 was promoted to the rank of Captain 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.
07 APR 1984
Vietnam
Veteran and NE Beta Brother Lieutenant Commander Kenneth G. Doeschot, U.S. Navy (Retired) died on this date in
Newark, California at the age of 49 after a long illness. Upon his death, Kenneth
was buried at sea. During his career he served two tours in Vietnam.
At NE
Beta, Brother Doeschot was the 117th initiate with a grand chapter number of
44,525.
07 APR 2001
On this date, World War II Veteran and CA Beta Brother Ensign Gaylord G. Goble, U.S. Navy died
in La Jolla, California at the age of 80. Brother Goble served aboard the aircraft carrier
USS Point Cruz (CVE-119). Gaylord attended USC and graduated
from the School of Dentistry in 1945.
10
APR 2010
U.S.
Army Air Corps World War II Veteran and TN Alpha Brother James M. 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.
RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
* World War II Veteran and OR Alpha Brother Captain
Gene F. Empey, U.S. Army Reserve
passed away 13 MAR in Colorado Springs, CO. During WWII, Brother Empey served in
the infantry in the Philippines.
* U.S. Army World War II Veteran and PA Epsilon
Brother Major Lynn C. Bartlett, U.S.
Air Force Reserve, 92, passed away 18 MAR at The Pines Nursing Home in
Poughkeepsie, NY. During WWII, Lynn entered the Army as a Private and left as a
Captain. Subsequently, he joined the Air Force Reserve.
* U.S. Navy Korean War Veteran and IL Epsilon
Brother Thomas L. Porter passed away
after a brief battle with cancer on 01 APR in Midlothan, TX. Tom entered the
Navy’s air force division 17, and attended Evansville University following his four
years of military service. The family asks that as a
meaningful alternative to flowers and expression of sympathy, memorial
contributions may be sent to the Salvation Army at 8060 Singleton Rd., Midlothian,
Texas 76065.
* World War II Veteran and MA Beta Brother
Lieutenant Commander Carl J. Lindegren,
Jr., U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired), 97, passed away 02 APR in Shrewsbury, CT
surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational
Church of Shrewsbury on 25 APR at 11am. Internment with naval military honors
occurred on 05 APR. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Brother Lindegren’s
long-held passion for supporting the education of future Mechanical Engineers,
please consider making a memorial contribution to the C. John Lindegren, Jr.
Scholarship at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Attn: Gift Recording, 100
Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609.
* U.S. Navy World War II Veteran and MO Gamma
Brother John F. “Jack” Stephens, 88,
passed away in Dallas, TX on 04 APR.
Our
thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and chapter brothers of
SigEp Patriots Empey, Bartlett, Porter, Lindegren & Stephens. The SigEp Patriots
Project (SPP) pledges that their lives and service to the Nation will always be
remembered.
CELEBRATIONS!
* AK Alpha Brother Specialist John Anderson, U.S. Army is now engaged! Ms. Michaella Rice found a
ring at the end of her fishing line placed there by John while ice fishing and
she said, “Yes!” Congratulations to John and Michaella.
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
sigepswhoserve@gmail.com
