Beta Heroes

BETA

HEROES

B eta H

eroes

by L.E. (Erv) Johnson, Idaho 1953 Editor Emeritus, The Beta Theta Pi

B eta H

eroes

First Edition C opyright 2011 by Beta Theta Pi Fraternity 5134 Bonham Road, Oxford, Ohio 45056

All Rights Reserved

Published by The Beta Theta Pi Foundation

2011 Printing by Alliance Printing M iddletown, OH

Dedicated to the brave brothers herein and unnamed others who set a courageous example over 170-plus years for the guidance of new Sons o f the Stars and all Sons of the Dragon.

C lockw isefrom lop left: F ounder John H olt Duncan; H um anitarian Jim m y Yen; World War I ’s Gen. O m ar Bundy; E xplorer B arry Bishop; P earl H arbor victim Jam es H avetfield; M edal o f H onor recipient Terrence Graves; Canadian w ar hero M ike M alone; A stronaut P a u l Weitz; C ivil W ar’s Jo el Battle; Coach John Wooden; A ctivist William Lowry; Civil W ar’s John Gordon. Center, fro m top: A llied spy E ric Erickson (left) with actor William H olden; M edal o f H o n o r recipient/Ace Terry M cG uire a nd crew; P O W survivor Alfi'ed O liverw ith Gen. D ouglas M acArthur; m ilitary cemetery.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Beta Theta Pi’s First Hero ........................................................................................................................ 1 U.S. Medal of Honor Recipients ..............................................................................................................2 Astronauts ................................................................................................................................................... 8 In the Crosshair of Terrorists ................................................................................................................. 12 Heroes Through the D e c a d e s ................................................................................................................15 U.S. Naval A cadem y................................................................................................................................. 17 The Fire at B e rke le y................................................................................................................................. 32 Heroes Who Sacrificed Their Lives For O th e rs.................................................................................. 46 Battleship S kippers................................................................................................................................... 50 Overcoming Personal Disability O d d s .................................................................................................. 66 Serving the Disadvantaged in the Third W o rld ................................................................................... 75 Peace C orps...............................................................................................................................................78 Mexican War, 1846-48 ............................................................................................................................ 81 Key to The Beta Theta Pi Volume N um bers........................................................................................81 Civil War, 1861-65 ................................................................................................................................... 82 Chapter Deaths in the Civil W a r............................................................................................................ 93 Corea (Korea) Engagement, 1881 .......................................................................................................96 Spanish-American War, 1898 ................................................................................................................96 Boxer Rebellion, 1902 ............................................................................................................................ 99 Balkan Wars, 1912-13 ............................................................................................................................ 99 Mexico Expedition, 1 9 1 6 ......................................................................................................................... 99 Military A cro n y m s ................................................................................................................................... 100 Military M edals......................................................................................................................................... 101 World W ar I, 1914-19..............................................................................................................................102 Toronto C hapter.......................................................................................................................................126 Chapter Deaths in World W ar 1............................................................................................................ 132 World W ar II, 1939-45 ........................................................................................................................... 136 Named in Honor of Beta H e ro e s ......................................................................................................... 186 World W ar 11 Prisoners of W a r..............................................................................................................187 An Alumni Association in G erm any......................................................................................................188 Chapter Deaths in World W ar II........................................................................................................... 198 Korean War, 1950-53 ........................................................................................................................... 212 Chapter Deaths in the Korean W a r.....................................................................................................216 U.S. Action in Lebanon, 195 8 ...............................................................................................................218 Vietnam War, 1965-74 .......................................................................................................................... 219 Vietnam Prisoners of W a r......................................................................................................................228 Chapter Deaths in the Vietnam W a r .................................................................................................. 230 Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-80 ...............................................................................................................233 Gulf War: Operation Desert Shield, 1991 ......................................................................................... 235 Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, 2001- .....................................................................................................235 A cknow ledgem ents................................................................................................................................ 239 World W ar I W ar Dead List .................................................................................................................. 241 World War II W ar Dead List ................................................................................................................. 244 Index.......................................................................................................................................................... 251

FEATURED HEROES Joseph P. Allen IV, DePauw 1959, A s tro n a u t................................................................................. 9, 49 Riley Harris Allen, Washington 1 9 0 5 .................................................................................................... 26 Joel Allan Battle, M iam i 1859 ................................................................................................................. 89 Donald K. Bennett, Oregon State 193 6 ..............................................................................................153 Barry Chapman Bishop, Centre 1954................................................................................................... 52 Omar Bundy, DePauw 1 8 8 1 ................................................................................................................. 104 Kenneth D. Cameron, M IT 1971, A s tro n a u t................................................................................. 11, 58 William Chester Carpenter, Idaho 1923................................................................................................ 68 Jay Norwood (Ding) Darling, Beloit 1899 ............................................................................................ 22 John Holt Duncan, Miam i 1840, o f ever honored m e m o ry ................................................................1 Eric Erickson, Cornell 1 9 2 1 .................................................................................................................. 138 John Brown Gordon, Georgia 1853.......................................................................................................87 Terrence Collinson Graves, Miami 1967, Medal of H o n o r......................................................... 7, 226 Welles Hangen, Brown 19 4 9 ................................................................................................................221 Mark O. Hatfield, Willamette 1943......................................................................................................... 40 James V. Johnston, Oregon State 1939.............................................................................................166 Richard A. Kersting, Dartmouth 1942................................................................................................. 176 Howard Clayton Knotts, Knox 1916.....................................................................................................120 Jonathan Letterman, W&J 1845............................................................................................................ 86 Willliam E. Lowry, Jr., Kenyon 1956 ......................................................................................................54 Maurice (Mike) Malone, Toronto 1917................................................................................................ 128 William R Marontate, Washington 1941............................................................................................ 175 James R. McConnell, Virginia 1 9 1 0 ................................................................................................... 112 Thomas Buchanon McGuire, Jr., Georgia Tech 1942, Medal of H onor.................................. 5, 171 Clark W. Miller, H anover 194 2 ..............................................................................................................178 Joseph Morton, Jr., Nebraska 1935.....................................................................................................202 C. W illiam (Bill) Nelson, Yale 1965, A stronaut..............................................................................11, 51 Alfred Cookman Oliver, Jr., West Virginia 1906.................................................................................. 97 Emory Jamison Pike, Iowa Wesleyan 1898, Medal of H onor................................................... 3, 106 Everett Parker Pope, Bowdoin 1941, Medal of H onor................................................................ 4, 165 Matthew Stanley Quay, Washington & Jefferson 1850, Medal of H onor.................................. 3, 92 Cedric A. Smith, Michigan 1 9 1 7 .......................................................................................................... 121 Albert William Stevens, M iam i 190 7 ................................................................................................... 110 Michael E. Synar, Oklahoma 1 9 7 2 ........................................................................................................56 James Edwin Taylor, Jr., Dickinson 1936 .......................................................................................... 159 William Grant Tennille, Jr., North Carolina 1936...............................................................................158 D. Wayne Waddell, Georgia Tech 1956..............................................................................................228 Charles Duy Walker, VM 11869 ..............................................................................................................91 William H. Wallace, W estm inster 1871................................................................................................. 20 David C. Waybur, California 1942, Medal of H o n o r........................................................... 6, 125, 173 Paul J. Weitz, Penn State 1954, A s tro n a u t.................................................................................... 9, 48 W ilbert W. White, W ooster 1912.......................................................................................................... 114 H. Ford Wilkins, St. Lawrence 1 9 2 4 ................................................................................................... 141 John R. Wooden, Purdue 1 9 3 2 ..............................................................................................................36 Y.C. James Yen, Yale 1 9 1 8 .....................................................................................................................30

BETA HEROES

IV

PREFACE Hero! How can such a small word have such an expansive meaning? Further, how can the word be defined? Truly, identifying a person proclaimed as a hero is such a personal thing. On the battlefield, acts of heroism speak of courage and valor in the face of almost certain death. In daily life, heroes come in all shades . . . staking one’s career on a matter of principle . . . stepping up in an emergency when those around you are turning their b a c k s ... fighting for a person whom you believe has been wronged when seemingly all others are lined up against him.

Among the mounting incidents o f school and w orkplace shootings, there always seems to be at least one hero — a teacher, professor, associate — who stands and dies . .. taking the bullets himself. And we ponder, “Would I have put my life at risk?”

W riter May Sarton suggested, “One must think like a hero to behave like a merely decent human being.” Really? Are we such a sick society that those rare individuals, heroes, are the only backbone remaining of our humanity? As terrorism reigns across the Middle East and pours outward worldwide, perhaps that concept will become clearer at some far future date.

In Dixon W ecter’s 1941 book, The Hero in America: A Chronicle o f Hero Worship, he concluded: “The hero is he whom every American should wish to be. His legend is the m irror o f the folk soul.”

Just who are our heroes, mythical, contrived or otherwise? Sergeant York and Helen Keller, Abraham Lincoln and Neil Armstrong come to mind. Their history-making performances seem clear cut.

And w hat about heroes in Beta Theta Pi? Well, it seems safe to start with the founder, John Holt Duncan, M iam i 1840, o f e ver honored memory, who lost his leg in the Civil War, then devoted his life to the farm fam ily who saved him, dying penniless. Certainly, the Fraternity’s Medal of Honor recipients, risk-defying astronauts and military heroes who demonstrated their bravery in almost death-certain circumstances as well as the non-battle courage of such obvious heroes as Thomas A. Martin, W estm inster ’95, who dashed back into his burning home to save his son . . . and perished. All such Beta heroes, about whom I have learned from extensive study, are included here.

Too often, it seems to me, “hero” is awarded to those who are simply outstanding at what they do — sports champions, entertainers, other high-profile public figures, for example. While there have been legions of exceptional Betas in these fields, few are included in this volume.

On the other hand, in my judgment, an abundance o f men who have lived exemplary lives readily qualify as heroes: benefactor to the homeless Maurice G. Chase (Father Dollar Bill), UCLA 1943; medical pioneer, inventor, educator Dr. Hugh E. Stephenson, Jr., M issouri 1943; prostate cancer activist James L. Kirkgasser, Syracuse 1955. In each of their corners of the world, they embraced courage to the fullest.

W hy pen a tome such as this? As we witness the proliferation of the term “hero” by the news media in recent years, I noted that many of the Betas about whom I wrote in The Beta Theta Pi and Son o f the Stars owned those true heroic qualities that help guide our individual lives. Further­ more, their examples can be quickly lost among the newly initiated as they struggle to measure up to the high standards the Fraternity demands o f its Men o f Principle, requiring members to live principled lives. Not surprisingly, history is difficult to capture and preserve, thus examples are the best teachers.

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Often, too, though a man may be in a category rife with its “celebrities” — politicians, sports stars, popular entertainers — a handful are heads above the crowd because they took a principled position: e.g., Senator Mark O. Hatfield, Willamette 1943, who stood alone early in defiance of the Vietnam W ar and, later, the Iraq War, or on the other side of the aisle in the Lower House, Congressman Michael L. Synar, Oklahoma 1972, singled out by the John F. Kennedy Founda­ tion as a Profile in Courage honoree. Remember, too, the NCAA’s w inningest basketball coach UCLA’s John R. Wooden, Purdue 1932, idolized by many for his standards for living — heroism demonstrated over a lifetime of manly example and principle.

The word hero sometim es will stretch reality. Since 1992, for example, Delta Rho chapter at Texas-Arlington University has undertaken a laudable program, “Heroes for Hope,” began by Christopher J. Folmar, Texas-Arlington 1993. The Betas and young women friends dress as comicstrip super-heroes and visit terminally ill children at the two large Dallas-Fort Worth children’s medical centers. The effort with terminally ill children by Batman, Spiderman, Superman, W onder Woman and others attracted national media coverage and drew high praise from the children, their parents and the medical staffs. (The Beta Theta Pi, spring 1993, page 200) W henever a w riter sets thoughts in type, he invites critique. Rightly so, as will be the case in this treatise. Readers will be surprised at some of the inclusions and disappointed over many of the omissions. Who are you to anoint the heroes, it will be argued. Indeed, when politics are involved, unanimity is impossible — e.g., Nixon w histle-blower “Deep Throat” W. Mark Felt, Idaho 1935; baseball pioneer and showman Bill Veeck, Kenyon 1936, or the aforementioned TexasArlington chapter’s “Heroes for Hope” program to cheer up dying children . . . after all, what has that to do with real heroes! Perhaps more than we know.

And within days after the ink is dry, new heroes will emerge, perhaps never-to-be-included in this distinguished company. Such was the case in one of the last Beta books to address a similar subject, Betas o f Achievement, by William Raimond Baird, Stevens 1878/Columbia 1882, in 1914.

Regrettably — to paraphrase the Greek philosopher Hericlitus who opined, One cannot step in the same river twice because fresh waters are forever flowing over y o u !— nothing written at a point in time can be totally comprehensive, thus criticisms o f omission are expected and will be accepted.

In the end, it is simply true that all of the Betas noted herein made something happen. Things didn’t always happen to them; however, for each one o f them a circumstance presented itself.

Examples abound: David A. Smith, Tennessee 1993, whose “Paper Clip Project” drew worldwide notice to the Holocaust (page 61); Thomas A. Martin, W estm inster 1995, who dashed back into his burning home and perished with his young son (page 63); or Brian J. Caoette, Northwestern 2000, who guided poor Panamania villagers into meaningful cottage industries (page 78.)

Each of these responsible and responsive Betas recognized a need or a challenge, then determined to make a difference. Each acted in such a w ay that we all admire because he took a stand, set things in motion or served his fellows or the greater good in a most extraordinary way. And it must also be true that so long as Beta Theta Pi produces Men o f Principle, there will continue to be Beta heroes. — EJ

BETA HEROES

VI

FOREWORD

BY D. WAYNE WADDELL, GEORGIA TECH 1956 N ow living in Marietta, Ga., Col. D. Wayne Waddell, United States A ir Force (ret.) survived close to six years as a prisoner o f w ar in North Vietnam (1967-73), as reported in The Beta Theta Pi, spring 1994, and on page 228 o f this volume. With perseverance and patience, self-confidence and humor, he withstood the trauma o f a lengthy ordeal and em erged to continue his life with re s o lv e . . . and without hate. There seems little question that Wayne W addell is im m inently quali­ fied to talk about heroism and “courage, ” which he did, at the e d ito r’s request, in the spring 1997 issue o f The Beta Theta Pi. The text o f that guest column follows. — EJ My dictionary defines courage as “the quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face dif­ ficulty, danger, pain, etc. with firm ness and w ithout fear.” I put great stock in the spirit part. It’s not something you can put your finger on but you surely can feel it, and sometimes, its absence.

In my profession, it helped to offset the uncertainty o f flying je t fighters. Combat meant suck­ ing it up a little more . . . or a lot. Before one mission, my flight leader’s hands shook so badly he couldn’t write. A t the target, amid anti-aircraft attack, MIG fighters and SAM missiles, he was as steady as a rock — just as I knew, and relied on, him to be.

Mercifully, this spirit transcends prison walls. Besides our varied individual experiences, coura­ geous leaders in Vietnam inspired a diverse group offlyboys to live for “unity over self.” It worked, if imperfectly, and allowed us to “return with honor.”

The heroism by Medal of Honor recipients w asn’t something saved up for the right moment.

Most felt it was up to them to act if they and/or their buddies were to make it. Many posthumous awards confirm this special devotion to comrades-in-arms.

Speaking of comrades, would any of us be Betas today if our founders hadn’t organized and held meetings, knowing the consequences if discovered? How about putting that pin on their shirts every day, albeit under a coat? Thanks to them, we soon had the Miami Triad and, later, the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic.

Sometimes it’s the principle o f the thing or w hat you believe deep down. Signers on the 4th of July 1776 rightfully felt they might well hang together (and gave us a cliche for black humor.)

Nathan Hale hung alone and has inspired patriots ever since.

More recently, it took guts to ride out the first rocket launch, the first reentry, the moon landing and Apollo 13. And those brave souls who sat through countdown on the flight after Challenger w eren’t daredevils looking for thrills.

Then there are those ordinary people leading ordinary lives — or are they? Going on after a divorce or the death o f a loved one, or starting over after being downsized while a fam ily relies on you, is a test of one’s mettle. To their credit, we seldom know whose courage comes in daily doses.

It’s Masters golf season and I’m reminded of Bobby Jones’ greater courage that came from a wheelchair. Now, also, a pledge mate is facing experimental cancer treatment. Positive attitudes such as theirs inspire others who have similar challenges. You know, a hospital visit offers a virtual sem inar in courage.

VII

Did you ever wish someone (you?) had shown a little courage — stood up to a bully or spoken up in a group? W ouldn’t it be nice if politicians were honest with us and did w hat they said? Yep, the absence o f courage is noticeable, too.

Many of you, I’m sure, have experienced the calm assurance that comes with this special spirit to sustain us in our times of need. The mystical spirit of Wooglin is a tradition we revere as Betas, but divinely-inspired courage is a treasure we share with humanity. May Wooglin always smile on us and our sojourn here bring Godspeed.

M any fa m o u s Betas, including her heroes, are recou n ted in the B eta Theta P i A rchives a n d M useum, a g ift o f L ee B. Thompson, O klahom a 1925.

BETA HEROES

VIII

INTRODUCTION Individual and group heroics, through the more than 170 years since Beta’s first initiates were admitted to the light, have been the stories of legend. Among them: Andrew Poppleton, Michigan 1851, (page 15) and numbered others who were expelled rather than relinquish their association with Beta Theta Pi; Dr. James Ambler, Washington & Lee 1867, last to die on the ill-fated Arctic expedition (page 18); Ding Darling, Beloit 1899, (page 22) famous political cartoonist whose pointed illustrations irritated politicians and captivated the public at large, and Riley Allen, Washington 1905, (page 26) savior of 500 Russian refugees.

Additionally, there are Lee Tate, M issouri 1911, (page 27) who died when he crashed his car to avoid hitting another vehicle driven by a woman; Wendell Bennett, Chicago 1927, (page 33) who drowned trying to rescue his daughter from the surf; Beta heroes in the fire on the Berke­ ley campus (page 32); Adolph Dubbs, Beloit 1942, (page 39) assassinated U.S. diplomate and Thomas Martin, W estm inster 1995, (page 63) who dashed into his burning home to rescue his son only to perish in the attempt.

As with any compilation, anthologists struggle with the inevitability that tributes to such notables are incomplete; however, how many unknown Beta heroes were too modest to allow their acts of courage to be identified for public acclaim? The Beta Theta Pi's some 900 issues since 1872 yield perhaps only a fraction o f the deserving brothers who merit the appellation of “hero.” And, of course, little was recorded of the heroes, 1839-72. Nonetheless, as with all ego-fortified authors, this one offers “a compendium of the brave,” incomplete as it may be, for your appreciation and enjoyment.

As in the first edition of this trilogy, Beta Statesmen, which needed a two-page erratum after its publication, Beta Heroes will likewise anticipate errata to correct any errors and include any omitted from the original text. So be it. Better to be accurate and thorough.

The first mem ber of Beta Theta Pi to be a soldier was Joshua Hall Bates, Cincinnati 1841. In fact, he was a soldier before he was a Beta. He graduated from the Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1837. According to custom, he was sent to fight the Indians. He did this in what was known as the Florida War, a desultory sort of contest which lasted for seven years, 1835-42, when the U.S. removed the Indians in Florida to new reservations w est of the Mississippi River.

This experience seemed to satisfy the warlike zeal of Captain Bates. He left the army, settled in Cincinnati, joined Beta Theta Pi and, after graduating, began the practice o f law. W hen the Civil War broke out, he offered his services and was promoted to brigadier general until the end of the w ar in 1865. Twice a mem ber of the Ohio senate, he was once a presidential elector.

Founder Samuel Taylor Marshall, M iam i 1840, o f ever honored memory, was next. The spirit of adventure seized him. He crossed the border to Canada and joined the “patriot arm y” in what is usually called the “Canadian Rebellion.” For his activity and military zeal, Marshall was com­ missioned a lieutenant colonel. He and a comrade were captured and imprisoned. A court martial found them guilty and sentenced them to be transported to Van Dieman’s land for incarceration.

Marshall so successfully feigned indifference to his fate that he was freed, returning home.

Seven years after the Fraternity’s founding, the Mexican W ar arrived. It was not at all popular in the northern states, as it was considered an effort to bolster slave-holding. Nonetheless, the

IX

Beta who became the most fam ous in those early years was Humphrey Marshall, Transylvania 1845, no relation to founder Samuel Taylor Marshall. (Transylvania chapter closed in 1843.)

He had graduated from W est Point in 1832, but after a few years as a second lieutenant, he resigned, went to Lexington and entered Transylvania University law school. In 1846, he went back to fighting as colonel in command of the 1st Kentucky Cavalry. Later, he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1849-52 and 1855-59, separated by a tour as Minister to China, 1852-54. In the Civil War, he was a Confederate brigadier general, 1861-63, and served in the Confederate Congress.

The first Beta to die in military service was Lt. Daniel McCreary, M iam i 1844, in the Mexican War, June 23, 1847, at Vera Cruz, Mexico. (See page 81.) Through the years, Betas have distin­ guished them selves up through Desert Storm, beginning with the remarkable story of Founder John Holt Duncan, M iam i 1840, o f ever honored memory, who sacrificed his livelihood for the family of the farm er who saved his life during the Civil War, through the Medal of Honor heroics of Betas in the Civil War, World W ar I, World W ar II and Vietnam War, then concluding, at least in this volume, with the valor of Andrew Stern, Tennesse 2001, (see page 236) who sacrified his life to save a fellow Marine in Iraq. And so the story continues. — EJ

PRINCIPAL BIBLIOGRAPHY “Ibid.” is a som ewhat archaic, but nonetheless succinct, form to avoid needless repetition in the extensive footnoting of repetitive sources. Some sources in “Ibid.”

(No. 1 — The Beta Theta Pi magazine) are listed by the “volum e” of the issue; oth­ ers, by the “m onth/year” of issue. The correlation is found on page 81.

Ib id .: The Beta Theta Pi magazine, 1872-2010 Ibid. 2: The Beta Book*, 1927, by Francis W. Shepardson, PhD, LLD, Denison 18821Brown 1883 Ibid. 3: Beta Lore: Sentiment, Song and Story, 1928, by Shepardson Ibid. 4: Beta Life: Individuals, Incidents and Inspirations, 1929, by Shepardson Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievement, 1914. by Wm. Raimond Baird, ME, LLB, Stevens 1878IColum bia 1882 Ibid . 6: The Beta Book*, 1929, by Shepardson Ibid. 7. The Beta Book*, 1930, by Shepardson Ibid. 8: The Beta Book*, 1933, by Shepardson Ibid. 9: The Faithful Home o f the Three Stars, 1988, by P eter J. Floriani, PhD, Lehigh 1977 *The Beta Books of 1927, 1929, 1930 and 1933 served as Fraternity histories and pledge manuals prior to Son o f the Stars, 1939, by G. Herbert Smith, EdD, LLD, DePauw 1927, and Son o f the Stars, 2002, by L.E. (Erv) Johnson, Idaho 1953.

Note: F or easy reference, excerpts o f these sources are stream ed across the bottom o f the pages in this book, beginning with page 1. O ther sources are noted in the text o r footnoted at the bottom o f pertinent pages.

BETA HEROES

FOUNDER JOHN HOLT DUNCAN, M IAM11840 . . . OF EVER HONORED M EMORY W hat could be more appropriate to introduce this treatise about Beta Heroes than the actions of Alpha C hapter’s first president, John Holt Duncan, o f e ver honored memory?

W hile Duncan was not the only founder to w ear a uniform in the W ar Between the States — Michael Clarkson Ryan, M iam i 1839, o f ever honored memory, was a Union colonel; Thomas Boston Gordon, M iam i 1640, o f ever honored memory, a Confederate captain — Duncan was certainly the most remarkable for his bravery and character. The relic of his remarkable heroism, a rustic hand-hewn wooden leg, is displayed in the Fraternity’s Museum and Archives (a gift of Lee B. Thompson, Oklahoma 1925) in Beta Theta Pi’s Administrative Office in Oxford, Ohio.

In college, Founder Samuel Taylor Marshall, M iam i 1840 . . . o f ever honored memory, said Duncan “was a Southerner, the best dressed boy in the class and the best appearing young Founder John Holt Duncan

gentleman in the whole college (which numbered some 150 students.) B ut he co u ld n ’t study m athem atics; in other

departments, he stood well. ” Born July 7,1820, in Cynthiana, Harrison County, Kentucky, he was a grandson of Major Thomas Holt of Lafayette’s staff at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

As described in the Beta Theta Pi pledge manual, Son o f the Stars, page 167: “After practicing law in his home state of Mississippi, Duncan moved to Bexar County, Texas, and became a judge. When the war began, he was called to service in the Confederate cavalry and fought in bitter campaigns in Missouri and Arkansas. His regiment made a raid into Union-held territory in Southwest Missouri, engaging Northern troops on Sept. 30, 1862, south of Joplin at Newtonia.

“As his company fought furiously against superior Union forces, Duncan was wounded in the leg while ‘gallantly charging the enemy.’ Surgeons amputated his right leg to save him; however, they could not transport him when they retreated because o f the close pursuit of Union forces, and he was left with a fam ily at a nearby farmhouse.

“The penalty for harboring Confederates was death. As fate would have it, the farmer, a Confederate soldier, came home on leave. Days later, Union cavalry found Duncan with the farm er and his family. The troops dragged Duncan and the farm er outside, stood them against the barn and shot the farm er in view of his family. They would have killed Duncan, too, had the farm er’s widow and children not pleaded for his life.”

A fter the war, Duncan settled in Houston where he practiced law and was city attorney, county clerk and city recorder. Though he earned an adequate income, he lived frugally, almost as if he were destitute. Further, though deeply enamored

D uncan’s wooden leg is in the Beta Museum.

of a lovely woman, he never married.

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930; Ib id 8.: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9. Faithful Home o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

2

Puzzled by his strange behavior, friends regarded him as an eccentric miser. He died in a Con­ federate old soldier’s home in Austin, Texas, on May 27, 1896, virtually penniless because from the day the farm er was killed, he pledged, and kept, his promise to support the widow and educate the children of the farm er who died for him. Duncan was buried at the Texas State Cemetery.

Years later, Texas Betas replaced his simple veteran’s marker with a handsome granite monolith, shaped in the eight-sided outline of the Beta badge. The Beta Theta Pi Foundation’s John Holt Duncan Society recognizes those who establish a planned or life-income gift.

Medal of Honor Recipients

Unquestionably,many of the most outstanding examples of heroism have been defined by those whose actions have earned them the nation's highest battlefield honor — the Medal of Honor. Six Betas are saluted in a special exhibit in Oxford, Ohio, in the Beta Theta Pi Museum and Archives, a gift of Lee B. Thompson, Oklahoma 1925.

“Medal of Honor recipients are a great cross-section of the public but also unique,” stated Emory P. Pope, Bowdoin 1941, one of only two Betas (Matthew S. Quay, Washington and Jefferson 1850) o f the Fraternity’s six Medal of Honor recipients to survive his battlefield heroism. “We were all scared but able to overcom e fears and do what was expected of us.”

Medal of Honor recipients meet annually. O f the some 150 living honorees at the start of the 21s1 century, fewer than 100 attended. Headquarters of the Medal of Honor Society is on-board the USS Yorktown, docked at Charleston, S.C. On Aug. 7,1782, General George Washington established a medal to recognize “any singularly meritorious action.” Records show that the Badge of Military Merit was awarded to only three men. The medal fell into oblivion until 1932 when Gen. Douglas MacArthur pressed for its revival.

Reinstituted on Feb. 22, 1932, the medal is now recognized as the Purple Heart, given to those wounded and/or killed in enemy action.

Early in the Civil War, a medal for remarkable individual valor was proposed. The medal found support in the Navy, and it was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on Dec. 21, 1861, “to be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and Marines as shall most distin­ guish them selves by their gallantry.” Soon after, a sim ilar resolution was introduced on behalf of the Army. Signed into law July 12,1862, the measure provided for awarding a M edal o fH o n o r“io (those) who shall most distinguish them selves by their gallantry in action.”

W hile created for the Civil War, Congress made the Medal of Honor perm anent in 1863. More than 3,400 men and one woman have received the award for heroic actions in the nation's wars, including 440 during World W ar II (250 of them posthumously.) The honor is often referred to as the Congressional M edal o f H onor because the President presents the award “in the name of the Congress.” So highly respected is the medal that even a five-star general salutes one who wears the Medal of Honor.

Ibid.: The B eta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid.3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

3

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MATTHEW STANLEY QUAY WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON 1850

...

Born in Dilkburg, Pa., Sept. 30, 1833, Col. Quay attended Jefferson College (where Gamma Chapter merged in 1865 with Nu Chapter at W ashington College. The chapter remains the oldest continuously active chapter in the international collegiate Greek community. A com m encement orator at graduation, Quay studied law and began practice at Beaver, Pa., where he was prothonotary, 1856-61.

Quay joined the Union Army on Dec. 13,1862, as a lieutenant Matthew Quay

of the 10th Pennsylvania Reserves. “Although out of the service fo r a time, he voluntarily resumed duty (as a colonel in the 134th

Pennsylvania Infantry) on the eve of the battle (Dec. 13, 1862, Fredericksburg, Va.) and took a conspicuous part in the charge on the heights,” which earned him the Medal of Honor, one of only 16 so honored in the Civil War. He also was lieutenant colonel and assistant comm issary general of Pennsylvania and major and chief of Transportation and Telegraphs. For a time, he also was state military agent at Washington, DC, and military secretary to the governor of Pennsylvania.

In the Pennsylvania State Legislature, 1865-67, he was Secretary of State, 1872-78, 187982, and recorder, city o f Philadelphia in 1878. He was State Treasurer in 1885 and served as a politically powerful U.S. Senator for three terms, 1887-1904. He was chairman of the Republican state committee, 1878-79, and of the National Republican Committee in 1888. He died in 1904.

| EMORY JAMISON PIKE ■* IOWA WESLEYAN 1898 # Born in Columbia City, Iowa, Lt. Col. Pike was a division machine gun officer in the 82nd Division. On Sept. 15, 1918, near Vandieres, France, the Medal of Honor citation reports he had “gone forward to reconnoiter new machine gun positions.

He offered his assistance in reorganizing advance infantry units which had become disorganized during a heavy artillery shelling.

He succeeded in locating only about 20 men, but with these he advanced; and, when later he was joined by several infantry pla­ Em ory Pike

toons, he rendered inestimable service in establishing outposts, encouraging all by his cheeriness in spite of the extreme danger.

“When a shell had wounded one of the men in the outpost, Lt. Col. Pike immediately went to his aid and was severely wounded him self when another shell burst in the same place. While waiting to be brought to the rear, Lt. Col. Pike continued in command, still retaining his jovial manner of encouragement, directing the reorganization until the position could be held. The entire operation was carried on under terrific bombardment, and the example of courage and devotion to duty, as set by Lt. Col. Pike, established the highest standard of morale and confidence to all under his charge. The wounds he received were the cause of his death.”

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930; Ib id 8.: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: Faithful Home o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

4

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EVERETT PARKER POPE BOW DOIN 1941

W hile four of the six Beta Theta Pi Medal of Honor recipi­ ents died in the actions that earned their honors, Captain Pope survived. Indeed, the form er Beta Sigma Chapter president and a Phi Beta Kappa responded to his country's call to arms again in the Korean War, 1950-51. He died in 2009, one of the oldest Medal of Honor survivors o f World W ar II. Born July 16,1919, in Milton, Mass., his life was recounted in

Everett Pope

The Beta Theta P i’s spring 2002 issue, interviewed when he was 82 years old: “A native of Boston, Mass., Pope enlisted in the

Marine Corps four days after graduation in the spring of 1941.

He made three landings — Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester and Peleilu. He received the Bronze Star, with Combat V, for action on Cape Gloucester. Wounded on Peleliu, he was awarded the Medal o f Honor for his heroics on Sept. 19, 1944. The medal was presented by President Harry S Truman at the W hite House, June 21,1945, “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity (courage) at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while comm anding officer, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau group.

“Subjected to point-blank cannon fire which caused heavy casualties and badly disorganized his company while assaulting a steep coral hill, Capt. Pope rallied his men and gallantly led them to the summ it in the face o f machine gun, mortar and sniper fire. Forced by widespread hostile attack to deploy the remnants of his com pany thinly in order to hold the ground won, and with his machine guns out of order and insufficient w ater and ammunition, he remained on the exposed hill with 12 men and one wounded officer, determined to hold through the night.

“Attacked continuously with grenades, machine guns and rifles from three sides, he and his valiant men fiercely beat back or destroyed the enemy, resorting to hand-to-hand com bat as the supply of ammunition dwindled, and still maintaining his lines with his eight remaining riflemen when daylight brought more deadly fire and he was ordered to withdraw. His valiant leadership against devastating odds while protecting the units below from heavy Japanese attack reflects the highest credit upon Capt. Pope and the U.S. Naval Service.”

Between the two periods of wartime service, Pope was in banking in Boston. After the Korean War, in 1953, he was president of Workingmens Cooperative Bank and remained as president,

Bloody Peleliu The action on Peleliu was vividly described in the bestseller H elm et fo r M y Pillow, 1958, by the noted journalist and author Robert Leckie: “Peleliu became holocaust in the fullest sense. (Now) we were leaving. The battle had been won. Extermination had come to the Japanese ten thousand on Peleliu, and my regiment was licking its wounds on the beach. O f my battalion, a force o f some 1,500 men, there remained but 28 effectives when the command came for the last assault on that honeycomb o f caves and pillboxes which the Japanese had carved into Bloody Nose Ridge — in men and blood and agony the most costly spit o f land in the wide Pacific.”

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; lbid.3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

5 chairman and CEO until retiring in 1980.” He married Eleanor Hawkins in 1942. They had two sons: Laurence, U.S. Am bassador to the UN and Middle East advisor, and Ralph, a Boston busi­ ness executive. Pope stayed active in the affairs of Bowdoin College, as president of the Board o f Overseers and chairman o f the Trustees, well into the 1980s. Pope also was chairman, Mass.

Higher Education Assistance Corp.; vice chairman, Mass. Bay United Way; trustee, C hildren’s Hospital Medical Center; director, New England Education Loan Marketing Assn.; trustee, Marine Corps Command & Staff College Foundation, and a director o f 25 mutual funds.

Recalling his years in the Beta Sigma Chapter (founded in 1900, closed in 1991), “It was a wonderful experience. I spent three years in the house. We had 50 to 60 men in the chapter.” He held an honorary doctor of laws from Bowdoin. See additional biography on page 165.

> y THOMAS BUCHANON MCGUIRE, JR. GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF H TECHNOLOGY 1942 M ajor M cG uire’s actions w ere considered so heroic that New Jersey’s McGuire A ir Force Base is named in his honor.

Born in Ridgewood, N.J., he was a junior at Georgia Institute of Technology in 1941, majoring in aeronautical engineering, when the U.S. entered World W ar II. He enlisted in the Army A ir Corps at Sebring, Fla. After flight school, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant and sent to the South Pacific as a fighter pilot with the Thomas McGuire

475th Fighter Group. In his first engagem ent with enemy planes, he downed three Japanese aircraft. By age 24, he had downed

38 enemy planes to become Am erica’s second-leading air ace.

On Dec. 26, 1944, his citation read, Maj. McGuire “fought with conspicuous gallantry and intre­ pidity over Luzon, the Philippines. Voluntarily, he led a squadron of 15 P-38’s as top cover for heavy bombers striking Mabalacat Airdrome, where his formation was attacked by 20 aggressive Japanese fighters. In the ensuing action, he repeatedly flew to the aid of embattled comrades, driving off enemy assaults while him self under attack and at times outnumbered three to one, and even after his guns jam m ed, continuing the fight by forcing a hostile plane into his w ingm an’s line of fire. Before he started back to his base he had shot down three Zeros.

“The next day he again volunteered to lead e scort fighters on a m ission to strongly defend C lark Field. During the re­ sultant engagem ent, he again exposed him self to attacks so that he m ight rescue a crippled bomber. In rapid succession he shot down one aircraft, parried the attack o f fo u r enem y

The U .S .’s second-leading A ir A ce M cG uire, his P-38 showing 21 o f his eventual 38 kills o f enem y aircraft Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930; Ib id 8.: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

6

fighters, one o f w hich he shot down, single-handedly engaged three more Japanese, destroy­ ing one, and then shot down still another, his 38th victory in aerial com bat. On 7 January 1945, w hile leading a voluntary fig h te r sw eep over Los Negros Island, he risked an extrem ely hazardous m aneuver at low altitude in an attem pt to save a fellow flye r from attack, crashed and was reported m issing in action. W ith gallant initiative, deep and unselfish concern for the safety o f others and heroic determ ination to destroy the enem y at all costs, Maj. M cG uire set an inspiring exam ple in keeping with the highest traditions o f the m ilitary se rvice .” He w as elected to the G eorgia A viation Hall o f Fame in 1997. — Ibid, spring 1998, page 19. See a dditional bio gra phy on page 171.

DAVID C. WAYBUR h CALIFORNIA 1942 World War II was already six months underway when David W aybur graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, near his birthplace in Oakland. He entered the Army at Pied­ mont, Calif., and advanced to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the 3rd Reconnaissance Troop, 3rd Infantry Division. For action near Agrigento, Sicily, July 17, 1943, he received the Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call o f duty in action involving actual conflict with the enemy.

“Com m ander of a reconnaissance platoon, Lt. W aybur volun­ teered to lead a three-vehicle patrol into enemy-held territory to locate an isolated Ranger unit.

Proceeding undercover of darkness, over roads known to be heavily mined and strongly defended by road blocks and machine gun positions, the patrol’s progress was halted at a bridge which had been destroyed by enemy troops and was suddenly cut off from its supporting vehicles by four enemy tanks. Although hopelessly outnumbered and out-gunned, and him self and his men completely exposed, he quickly dispersed his vehicles and ordered his gunners to open fire with .30 and .50 caliber machine guns.

“Then, ammunition exhausted, three of his men hit and him self seriously wounded, he seized his .45 caliber Thompson submachine gun (see page 103) and standing in the bright moonlight directly in the line of fire, alone engaged the leading tank at 30 yards and killed the crewmembers, causing the tank to run onto the bridge and crash into the stream bed. A fter dispatching one of his men for aid, he rallied the rest to cover and withstood the continued fire of the tanks until the arrival o f aid the following morning.” See additional biography on page 173.

Father and Son, Brothers in Battle Medal of Honor recipient David W aybur (above) was unquestionably a “chip off the old block.” An incident in World W ar I saw his father, Lt. Robert R. Waybur, California 1912, as a participant in the battle of the Argonne Forest. F or the story, as reported in the Beta magazine by A.J.G. Priest, Idaho 1918, turn to page 125.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

7

* fP

TERRENCE COLLINSON GRAVES MIAM11967

Born July 6, 1945, Terry Graves was a native of Corpus Christi, Texas. Initiated by the Alpha Chapter on Sept. 24,1965, he was student com m ander of the Navy ROTC, and represented Beta on the Interfraternity Council and in many intramural athlet­ ics. On active duty, he was a platoon leader with the 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam.

In action Feb. 16, 1968, “for conspicuous gallantry and intre­ Terrence Graves

pidity at the risk o f his life above and beyond the call of duty .. . while on a long-range reconnaissance mission, 2nd Lt. Graves’s

eight-man patrol observed seven enemy soldiers approaching their position. Reacting instantly, he deployed his men and directed their fire on the approaching enemy.

“After the firing had ceased, he and two patrol members commenced a search of the area, and suddenly came under a heavy volume of hostile small arms and autom atic weapons fire from a numerically superior enemy force. When one o f his men was hit by the enemy fire, Lt. Graves moved through the fire-swept area to his radio and, while directing suppressive fire from his men, requested air support and adjusted a heavy volume of artillery and helicopter gunship fire upon the enemy.

“After attending to the wounded, Lt. Graves, accompanied by another marine, moved from his relatively safe position to confirm the results of the earlier engagement. Observing several of the enemy still alive, he launched a determined assault, eliminating the remaining enemy troops. He then began moving the patrol to a landing zone for extraction, when the unit again came under intense fire which wounded two more marines and Lt. Graves. Refusing medical attention, he again adjusted air strikes and artillery fire upon the enemy while directing fire by his men.

“He led his men to a new landing site into which he skillfully guided the incoming aircraft and boarded his men while remaining exposed to hostile fire. Realizing that one of the wounded had not embarked, he directed the aircraft to depart and, along with another marine, moved to the side o f the casualty. Confronted with a shortage of ammunition, Lt. Graves utilized supporting arms and directed fire until a second helicopter arrived. They boarded the aircraft; however, at this point, the volume of enemy fire intensified, hitting the helicopter and causing it to crash shortly after liftoff. All aboard were killed. Lt. Graves’s outstanding courage, superb leadership and indomitable fighting spirit throughout the day were in keeping with the highest traditions o f the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

In 1989, the Force Recon. Assn.'s first annual “top team leader” award was named in honor of Graves. The first recipient of the award was Donald P. (Donnie) Kelly, Auburn 1988, former president of his chapter who was a sergeant in the 34th Force Reconnaissance Co., USMC Reserve, 1984-92.

See additional biography on page 226. A lso, see “Relatives o f M edal o f H onor Recipients, ” page 98.

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The B eta Book, 1930] Ib id 8.: The B eta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

8

ASTRONAUTS Four distinguished Betas have explored the heavens as American astronauts. All have moved on from those courageous pursuits into executive roles, e ith e r w ith the N ational A eronautic and Space A dm inistration (N ASA) or in the private sector . . . or both. A dditionally, C. W il­ liam Nelson, Florida/Yale 1965, w as a United States S enator w hen he flew as an astronaut.

Joseph P. A llen IV, D e P a u w 1959, U.S. astronaut, 1967-85, w as m ission controller fo r two A pollo m issions and the firs t space shuttle, S T S -1 . He flew as a m ission specialist on shuttle flights C olum bia STS-5 and D isco ve ry STS-20. He w as assistant ad m in istra tor of NASA for legislative affairs, 1975-78, and d ire c to r o f a s tro n a u t training and operations in the early 1980s.

N avy C aptain (re t.) Paul J. W eitz, P enn S ta te 1954, piloted S kylab 2 and co m ­ m anded C h a lle nger STS-6.

He th e n w as d e p u ty c o m ­ m a n d e r o f th e J o h n s o n S p a c e C e n te r, H o u s to n , Texas, retiring in 1994.

M arine Colonel (ret.) K en­ neth D. Cam eron, M IT 1971, piloted A tla ntis STS-37 and comm anded the shuttles D is­ covery STS-56 and A tla n tis S T S -7 4 . He, to o , be ca m e d e p u ty c o m m a n d e r o f th e J o h n so n S p a ce C e n te r in Houston.

U.S. S e n a to r C. W illiam Nelson, F lo rid a /Y a le 1965, c h a irm a n o f th e S e n a te ’s Space sub-com m ittee, was a payload specia list on Space S huttle C olum bia in 1986.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid.3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

9

JOSEPH P. ALLEN IV, DEPAUW 1959 “Do you have to be short to be an astronaut?” an audiencemem ber once inquired of Joseph P. Allen IV, who stands barely five feet. Disarming, intellectual and genuine to the extreme, A llen’s resume reads like someone “ten feet tall!”

Beta Theta Pi’s pioneer astronaut, Allen has that rare ability to make you feel like a long-lost friend from the moment you are introduced. Unlike most who are selected from the military fo r NASA’s flight crews, he was an instructor and research assistant in the nuclear physics laboratory of the University of Washington on a post-doctoral fellowship when he was tapped for the program in 1967. For three space flights — Apollo 15, A stronaut Joseph Allen

Apollo 17 and the first space shuttle, STS-1 — he was a mission controller. He then flew as a mission specialist on two shuttle

flights. He spent more than 13 days in space and more than 3,000 hours flying time in je t aircraft.

Aboard Discovery STS-20 in 1984, he space-walked to com plete the first satellite retrieval and repair. He achieved fam e as the capsule com m unicator in Mission Control who talked directly to the astronauts during the Apollo 15 moon mission, acknowledging that he “knew their problems, shared their hopes and spoke their language.”

Born in Crawfordsville, Ind., June 2 7,1937, he married Bonnie Jo Darling. An inductee into the U.S. National Wrestling Hall of Fame, he wrestled at 123 pounds in college. “W restling pitted me against people my own size, and it gave me a great deal of self-confidence,” he said.

After graduating Phi Beta Kappa in mathematics and physics from DePauw, Allen earned a MS and PhD in physics from Yale. A Fulbright Scholar, his awards include NASA’s Exceptional Scientific Achievem ent Medal and Exceptional Services Medal, the W ilber Cross Medal from Yale and the Lloyd’s of London Silver Medal for Meritorious Service.

In 1985, fresh from NASA, he became the fourth person to join Space Industries, which through several mergers became Veridian, Inc., with 5,000 com puter scientists, software developm ent engineers, systems analysts, scientists, engineers, test pilots and other professionals helping _________________________________________________________

s o lv e c u s to m e r p ro b le m s at m ore than 50 lo c a tio n s in th e U .S. and o ve rs e a s .

He became CEO and Chair­ man. Published widely in the fields o f physics and space re s e a rc h , he a u th o re d the book Exploring Space: An A s­ tronaut’s Odyssey. In the 1998 miniseries From the Earth to the Moon, he was portrayed

by Doug McKeon.

Ibid. 6 : The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ib id 8.: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9 : F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

10

PAUL JOSEPH WEITZ, PENN STATE 1954 Former Deputy Commander of Johnson Space Center, Hous­ ton, Texas, Astronaut Paul J. Weitz, captain U.S. Navy (ret.), had a distinguished military and space career. He was Beta’s first astronaut pilot in orbit of Skylab 2 in June 1973. Born in Erie, Pa., July 25, 1932, he retired in 1994 to Flagstaff, Ariz., with his wife Suzanne.

Weitz joined NASA as an astronaut in 1966. The astronaut, whose Skylab 2 mission with the world’s first orbiting space labora­ tory, made history in 1973, had a distinguished military and space A stronaut Paul Weitz

career. He flew in 1973 as the pilot of Skylab 2 and was com­ mander of the maiden flight of the Challenger space shuttle STS-6

in 1983. He logged two hours and 11 minutes in extravehicular activities. In all, he had 793 hours in space. His last position was as Deputy Commander o f the Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas.

In the spring 1997 issue of The Beta Theta P i, an essay on “Responsibility: a Beta Value” by Captain Weitz, he defined responsibility as “meaning a person who is loyal to and supports the other members of any group to which he belongs, whether that be family, fraternity or employer.”

He added that, for him, a stirring example of personal responsibility is now in the National A r­ chives: a note that Gen. Dwight Eisenhower wrote and put in his wallet on June 5, 1944. This was the statement that he would have made if the European invasion at Normandy on D-Day, the following morning, had been thwarted: “Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold, and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available.

The troops, the air and navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.”

Capt. W eitz added: “Keep this in mind as you go about your daily business.” Perhaps no other profession relies so much upon each member of the team accepting personal responsibility for the mission than the crews of NASA flights.

A Fellow in the American Astronautical Assn., he has NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy’s Distinguished Service Medal, the Commendation Medal (for combat flights in Vietnam) and numerous other honors and awards.

The football field at Harbor Creek High School in Erie, Pa., is named for him. Honored by his alma mater with a Distinguished Alumni Award, Captain W eitz is a five-tim e recipient of the Air Medal for courage in wartime. During his USN career, he logged more than 8,200 hours of flying time, 5,100 o f it in je t aircraft.

He spent 672 hours, 49 minutes aboard Skylab and logged two hours outside the craft in space. — Ibid., Sept. 1974, page 36 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; lbid.3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievement, 1914;

11

KENNETH D. CAMERON, M IT 1971 Early morning on a partly cloudy Nov. 12,1995, Atlantis STS74 punched through a break in the clouds. The launch window was only five minutes to enable the rendezvous with the Russian S p a ce S ta tio n M ir. A t th e c o n tro ls w as M a rin e C o lo n e l K e n n e th D. C a m e ro n .

Born Nov. 29, 1949, in C le ve la n d , O hio, C am eron earned a M a s te r o f S c ie n c e in a e ro n a u tic s and a s tro n a u tic s in 1979 fro m M a s s a c h u s e tts In s titu te o f T echnology, B oston, M ass. He e a rn e d an M B A fro m M ic h ig a n S ta te U n iv e rs ity A stronaut Ken Cameron

in 200 2 , to o k n u m e ro u s c o u rs e s in th e R u ssia n la n g u a g e and g ra d u a te d fro m th e V ie tn a m e s e L a n g u a g e S ch o o l.

A V ie tn a m v e te ra n , he jo in e d N A S A ’s a s tro n a u t co rp s in 1985 and lo g g e d m ore than 3,40 0 h o u rs fly in g tim e in 47 d iffe re n t a irc ra ft. P re v io u s to S T S -7 4 , he w as m issio n c o m m a n d e r on S T S -5 6 in 1993 and p ilo te d S T S -3 7 in 1991. He w as o p e ra tio n a s s is ta n t to th e H u b b le R e p a ir M issio n and th e firs t N A S A D ire c to r o f O p e ra tio n s in S ta r City, M oscow , R u ssia , w h e re he w o rk e d w ith th e C o s m o n a u t T ra in in g C e n te r s ta ff to s e t up a s u p p o rt syste m fo r a s tro n a u t o p e ra tio n s and tra in in g .

C a m e ro n v is ite d B e ta ’s A d m in is tra tiv e O ffic e in F e b ru a ry 1996, p re s e n tin g his “ h ig h ­ fly in g ” Beta badge to th e m useum . R e ca llin g the in flu e n c e o f Beta T heta Pi, he com pared his m issio n as c o m m a n d e r o f th e s h u ttle A tla n tis “to the g o a ls o f th e F ra te rn ity w h ich in clu d e co m m u n ity s e rv ic e , te a m w o rk and fr ie n d s h ip .”

A rc h iv is t H .H . S te p h e n s o n , Jr., M ia m i 1939, n o te d , “W h ile th is m u se u m d is p la y s b a d g e s o f som e o f o u r m o st d is tin g u is h e d B e ta s, e .g ., tw o o f o u r fo u n d e rs , plus the g re a t F ra n cis W a yla n d S h e p a rd s o n , eve n th e d e s ig n e r o f o u r m o d e rn badge, M a jo r G e o rg e C h a n dle r, none o f th o s e b a d g e s has rise n to such h e ig h ts , lite ra lly , as y o u rs .”

C. WILLIAM (BILL) NELSON, FLORIDA/YALE 1965 Bom in Miami, Fla., Nelson received his J.D. from the Univer­ sity of Virginia in 1968 and was admitted to the bar. He retired from two years of active duty in the U.S. Arm y as a captain in 1970. A legislative assistant to Florida Governor Reubin Askew in 1971, he then served in the Florida house of representatives, 1972-78; and the U.S. House of R epresentatives, 1979-91.

Chairman o f the Space sub-Committee, he was an astronaut (payload specialist) on Space Shuttle Columbia, 1986. An unsuc­ cessful candidate for nomination for governor in 1990, he was Florida’s treasurer and insurance commissioner, 1995-2000, and was elected to the U.S. Senate, 2001- (current term to end Astronaut-S enator Nelson

2013). For more, see page 51.

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930', Ib id 8.: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9 : F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

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IN THE CROSSHAIR OF TERRORISTS W hile the handful of Betas who have been victims of terrorist attacks did not know they would be heroes (including two Beta brothers named W eaver), we honor them here for their sacrifices.

OKLAHOMA CITY — APRIL 19, 1995 MICHAEL D. WEAVER, OKLAHOMA 1971 On April 19, 1995, the Alfred R Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla., suffered a dom estic terrorist attack which killed 168 people — the deadliest dom estic terrorist attack in U.S. history — the result of a truck bomb composed of ammonium nitrate, an agricultural fertilizer, and nitro methane, a highly volatile motor-racing fuel. Effects of the blast could be felt 30 miles away.

An attorney with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department in the Federal Building, Michael W eaver was one of the 168 who died in the bombing that day. Weaver, age 54, was living in Edmond, Okla. He Michael Weaver: coach-ed his sons in

was on the 8th floor o f the doomed building.

Michael met Donna, his wife of 21 years, at the University of Okla­

homa, where he graduated in finance. He later earned a law degree from Oklahoma City Uni­ versity. In addition to his wife, Michael left tw o so n s, Don and T im o th y , w h o m he coached in baseball, baske tb a ll and so c­ cer. A friend observed, “M ike's laughter, dry sense o f hum or and ro le o f th e s tra ig h t m an w ill a lw a ys be re m e m b e re d . M ike lo ve d m a n y so n g s, as he sang often . . . and poorly. ‘I’ve got friends in low places,’ he used to joke, ‘and I’ll be okay.’” — Ibid., fall 1995, page 34

The dramatic m em orial in Oklahoma City Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; lbid.3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievement, 1914;

13

NEW YORK CITY, WASHINGTON, DC AND PENNSYLVANIA, SEPTEMBER 11, 20011 KARL W. TEEPE, ILLINOIS 1966 gj —

A resident o f Centerville, Va., Karl Teepe was 57 years old when

H I

American Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. He was a budget analyst with the Departm ent of D efense and a retired Arm y lieutenant colonel.

k

“ If he w asn’t reading or taking a class at the Sm ithsonian, he was I

checking out the latest art exhibit, playing basketball or working on

^

landscaping at his hom e,” his wife said. “The most im portant thing w as his fam ily.”

He lived for 20 years in Centerville, also in G em any and in Columbia, H k _____ Mo., where he taught ROTC, and in several other cities. He was sur-

Karl Teepe: “Most important was his fam ily’’

vived by his m other Ruth, wife Donna, daughter W endy and son Adam.

FREDERICK KUO, JR., CARNEGIE MELLON 1969 Fifty-three years old and a resident o f Great Neck, N.Y., Frederick Kuo was a mechanical engineer for Washington Group International on the 91st floor of Two World Trade Center. He was scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia on September 8, but the electric plant work he was to oversee was postponed.

Frederick would have celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary on October 17 when he and his wife Teresita, sons Frederick, Michael and David and daughter Melissa would take their traditional vacation to the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence River in Ontario. He often arranged transportation for people to attend church, even if it meant enlisting his children or driving them himself. “He poured a lot of everything he had into the church,” said his son Fred. “Many people depended on him for everything.”

JON A. PERCONTI, RUTGERS 1992 Recently moved from Lodi, N.J., to Hoboken, N.J., 32-year-old Jon Perconti was a stock trader for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of Tower One. He had interviewed with the firm ju st a week before the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. A parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, he married his high school sweetheart Tammy who was six months pregnant at the time of the 9-11 attack. He loved to cook on his green oval-shaped backyard grill outside Giants Stadium.

“He was the most generous, thoughtful, loving person,” said Tammy.

“You don’t know how many people loved to be in his presence.”

1lbid., winter 2002; sum m er 2007, page 131 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book,1930\ Ib id 8.: The Beta Book, 1933, Ibid. 9: Faithful Home o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

14

Karl Teepe was a casualty o f the tragic 9-11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. (See page 13)

TODD C. WEAVER, MIAM11993 A New York City resident, Todd W eaver was vice president of Fiduciary Trust International on the 94th floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower.

Thirty years old, he had taught in Japan for one year, traveled the Far East and wrote a series of essays for the Canton (Ohio) Repository in 1994, describing his time in Japan. He married his high school sweetheart Am y in 1993.

“He was one of our rising stars, the youngest senior consultant w e’ve ever had,” said John Ellwood, chairman o f J.H. Ellwood and Associates, Todd Weaver: world traveler and essayist

a Chicago investment company where Todd worked from 1998 to 2000.

“He was a marvelous guy, mature beyond his years.”

RYAN A. KOHART, NORTH CAROLINA 1998 A resident of Manhattan, Ryan Kohart was a trader with Cantor Fitzger­ ald in the W orld Trade Center on the 104th floor of Tower One. A form er varsity lacrosse co-captain at Chapel Hill, he celebrated his engagem ent to Melissa W hite on Saturday before the attack and spent that Sunday with his father Geoffrey watching an NFL Jets game.

“Ryan never missed a day of w ork,” said his father. “He was just that kind of a kid.” One of his goals was to provide a lacrosse scholarship so that he could repay the University of North Carolina for assistance he received during his four years in Chapel Hill. The scholarship has since Ryan a Tarheel student

5 e e n set Up

f a m j|y.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid.3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

15

HEROES THROUGH THE DECADES ANDREW JACKSON POPPLETON, MICHIGAN 1851 The early years of the Fraternity were marked by loose expansion and growing opposition to secret societies by faculties. The first m ajor victory was by Lambda chapter at the University of Michigan, chartered in 1845, in securing official recognition from the University of Michigan in 1850. This victory, led by Andrew Poppleton, was the zenith of the Fraternity Wars in progress in Ann Arbor for several years previously.

University rules prohibited students from joining an organization which had not submitted its constitution to the faculty and received its approval, a rule that fraternities refused to obey.

Refused to give up Fraternity membership &nd w a s expelled

After repeated suspensions of fraternity men over a period of years, in late 1850 the University expelled known members of Beta Theta Pi, last of the cam pus’s fraternities even though the Betas were held in high esteem by the faculty.

Led by Chapter President Andrew Poppleton, the Betas demonstrated their character and comm itment to the Fraternity's principles by refusing to give up their Beta membership and were expelled, most going to other colleges to complete their education. The expulsions stirred the populace because the expelled students were young men known to be of high character.

At a public meeting, the townspeople adopted resolutions supporting the students and the value of secret societies, and the University’s Board of Visitors agreed. Next, the people took their concerns to the legislature which called a State Constitutional Convention to pass an amendment providing for the popular election of University regents. All of the regents were replaced, and the professors who had caused the problem were dismissed. Poppleton is remembered because of his courageous and resolute leadership resulting in this landmark conclusion.

Leaving college before graduation, he moved to Union C ollege, graduating in 1851. He studied law and w as a m em ber o f the Nebraska Legislature, 1854-55, 1857-58; m ayor of Om aha, 1858-59, and attorney fo r Union P acific R ailw ay Co., 1863-88. He w as elected to the U.S. S enate by the first C onstitutional C onvention o f Nebraska; however, he was not seated as the state w as not yet adm itted to the Union. Keynote speaker at the Beta convention of 1878, he died in Om aha in 1896.

IOTA CHAPTER, HANOVER COLLEGE, HANOVER, INDIANA Chartered in 1853, the lota Chapter at Hanover College operated sub rosa until 1855 when one of its members, John Hanna Gray, H anover 1856, died. When he was laid to rest in the campus cemetery, the Betas erected a marble monum ent at his grave. To the surprise of the college, the monum ent contained a facsim ile of the chapter seal and a motto in Greek, which disclosed Beta Theta Pi’s existence at Hanover. The action so angered some students that they attempted to desecrate the monument.

The Betas formed teams and guarded the monument around the clock for an entire month. Three times the monument was knocked over; three Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: Faithful Home o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

16

times, resurrected. Ultimately, the tom bstone stayed intact. This man-size pylon still graces the Hanover cemetery.

Meanwhile, the members were called before the faculty and given the alternative o f disbanding their organization or being dism issed from college. They declined to disband and were given two weeks to reconsider. Six o f the eight seniors in the small private college were Betas, and they announced that they w ould transfer to Centre College, Danville, Ky. The H anover faculty reconsidered, and the Betas were allowed to remain. — Son o f the Stars, page 30; Ibid. 3, pages 517-518

EDWARD BRUCE CHANDLER, MICHIGAN 1858 For years, Edward Chandler was prominent in telegraph construction and management. After Union service in the war, he was superintendent of the fire alarm telegraph system in Chicago, 186576, se rvin g b ra ve ly during the Great Chicago Fire, Oc­ tober 8, 1871 (right). He was the general w estern agent, G am ew ell Fire A larm Tele­ graph Co., 1876-1904, and president, Police Telephone and Signal Co., 1882-1904.

President of the Beta Theta Pi Convention, 1892, he was a Beta trustee, 1894-97. He died in Chicago in 1904.

E D W A R D C. BOUDINOT, MICHIGAN 1865 Lambda chapter’s next example of Beta character and integrity involved Edward C. Boudinot.

Lambda chapter’s 40 alumni and active members — all fit for military service — left for the Union Army. To preserve the chapter for the duration, they took in a handful of new men, “fillers,” to keep the chapter alive until their return.

Late in the war, these fillers met with Psi Upsilon to talk about becoming a chapter of that fraternity. By fall 1864, Lambda Chapter was composed of 14 fillers, as well as Edward Boudinot, who had just returned from two years in uniform. The fillers urged Boudinot to join them, but he refused.

He had the courage, the character and the integrity to honor his pledge to Beta Theta Pi.

Michigan s Boudinot

Instead, Boudinot wrote Lambda alumni, alerting them to the fillers’ plans. The alumni were furious at the news, but the 14 fillers (now active

Lambda members) betrayed Beta Theta Pi and joined Psi Upsilon.

At Boudinot’s urging, the Beta convention suggested that other chapters send men to Michigan to assist Boudinot in keeping Lambda alive, The next fall, four members of other chapters — Ha­ nover, Indiana and Miami — transferred to Michigan. Remarkably, all but one of Beta’s chapters closed during the Civil W ar were quickly revived (except Chi Chapter at Oglethorpe University), and most exist today.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta B ook , 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B e tas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

17

OMEGA AT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY: THE SMALLEST AND SHORTEST-LIVED CHAPTER IN BETA THETA PI “Chapter o f Heroes” in existence for only a year “Old Omega Chapter! No one knows when or by whom it was established, if it ever was regularly established (estimated 1863); when or where its meetings were held; when or by whom its activities were ended,” when the Academ y was located in Newport, R.l. So opens the text about “Our Naval Academ y Chapter,” in Francis W. Shepardson’s book, Beta Lore: Sentiment, Song and Story in Beta Theta Pi, page 233.

“Including four transfers from other chapters, there were only a handful of members but they made history. A t A n­ napolis, tablets proclaim their achievem ents and records of service tell of their glorious deeds.”

Am ong them : Lieutenant Hugh W ilson McKee, 1863, killed in the line o f duty, July 11, 1871, in an assault on the C orean forts at the mouth o f the Seoul R iver (see page 98.) L ieutenant John Gunnell Talbot, 1863, drow ned at K alahikai Island o f Kauai, in the H awaiian group, w hile seeking assistance fo r his vessel and m issing crewm en

Lt. John Talbot

a fter having made 1,500 m iles in an open boat in 31 days (see page 18)

Also: Robert Steele Ryors, 1865, who became a judge, was a mem ber of the Indiana Senate, 1884-1892; W illiamson Dunn, 1864, w a s a Navy ensign in the Spanish-American War; Lt. Cmdr. David Clarence Woodrow, 1864; Rear Adm iral John Jacob Hunker, 1866, and Rear Adm iral Franklin Hanford, 1866, who circum navigated the globe as navigator on the USS Pensacola, 1881-84, and supervised salvaging Spanish ships sunk

by Admiral Dewey.

Others were Captain Marcus Bainbridge Buford, 1866, skipper of the transport USS Thomas, carrying American teachers to the Philippines, who organized a Beta “chapter” en route; Lt. Godfrey Malbourne Hunter, 1865, who died in 1873 in Barcelona, Spain, while attached to the USS Wabash, and Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Horr Buckingham, W estern Re­ s e rve 1867, the naval attache at the U.S. legations at Paris, Berlin, St. Petersburg and London, author of Observation on Siberia. He wore the Cross of a Knight of the Legion of Honor.

All of these outstanding Betas were active for little more than one year. According to reports, on Feb. 1,1862, Robert Steele Ryors joined Pi Chapter at Indiana University. That same term he left for the Naval Academy, appointed a cadet from New Mexico. Upon leaving, he told his Beta brothers he was going to start a chapter at the Academy. While the chapter was organized unofficially on May 2, 1863, it was never ap­ proved by the Fraternity at large. — Ibid. 3, pages 233-245

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930] Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9 : F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

18

BETA HEROES

JOHN GUNNELL TALBOT, CENTRE 1863/NAVAL ACADEMY 1865 After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1863, Talbot rose to the rank of lieutenant. He was on the steam er Saginaw, which in 1870 was cruising in the Pacific Ocean and wrecked on Ocean Island. He volunteered to command a boat party to go for assistance to the Sandwich Islands, more than 1,400 miles away. On Dec. 19, 1870, he reached the island of Kauai and drowned while trying to land in the surf.

Described as “in a whaling boat,” the party left on November 18, arriving at their destination one month later; he reached the island of Kauai with three sailors in his command. En route, a gale wind took her sea anchor and oars, and most of her provisions were spoiled by salt water. In attempting to run into the bay at Kauai about 2:30 a.m., she got suddenly into the breakers and capsized; the four drowned while attempting to land in the surf. There is a tablet to his memory on the walls of the chapel at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., erected in 1871.

JAMES MARKHAM AMBLER WASHINGTON AND LEE 1867 A t 16, A m bler joined the C onfederate Army, serving in the 12th Virginia Cavalry until the end o f the war. He studied medicine, graduating from the University o f Maryland, and was com ­ missioned an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy in 1874. He was the medical officer aboard the Navy’s Arctic steam er USS Jeannette, Sept. 6, 1879-June 11, 1881, which em barked on a mission to find a Northwest Passage.

-r,.

,

t Hi-

,

The ill-fated campaign resulted in the loss of all lives involved

.

.

D ie d u tte r in g ,

u D u ty

is the noblest word in the English language.

when the ship was in the ice pack of the north polar region and was crushed. A m bler could have left the mission early on when it was determined that major loss of life might result; however, he chose to stay and care for the sick and injured. He died on the banks of the Lena River, Siberia, in October 1881. His last written words: “Duty is the noblest word in the English language.” Those who found the bodies reported they believed that Am bler was the last to die.

As chief scientific and medical officer on the Jeanette, A m bler’s journal of the long struggle on the ice and in the boats on the Siberian coast contains much of general and scientific interest and at the same time furnishes a remarkable narrative o f human endurance and heroism. He was 31 years old.

Reported a high naval official, “His devotion to duty places him high in n r

. ,,

Dr. James Ambler

the list o f heroes in all ages, and his death from starvation in the Lena

a

Delta, shortly after Oct. 20, 1881, furnishes a high example to all pros­ perity.” A bronze tablet in the Naval Museum of Hygiene in Washington, DC, comm emorates his courage and high devotion. A bronze tablet to his memory is on the wall of the chapel at W ash­ ington and Lee, Lexington, Va., in which lie the remains of Robert E. Lee. The inscription reads: “In memory of James Markham Marshall Ambler, Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Navy.” — Ibid., June 1882, pages 237-238; Nov.-Dee., 1894, pages 135-136; Ibid 3, page 493

JOHN HENRY PATTERSON, MIAM11867 Founder of the National Cash Register Company, Patterson led the rescue work and contrib­ uted large am ounts toward rehabilitation when a flood swept Dayton, Ohio, in March 1913. A Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

19 40-foot-tall memorial of marble and gold bronze was erected in Hills and Dales Park, Dayton, as a tribute to the unique Beta.

JOHN SERGEANT WISE, VIRGINIA 1867 G raduating in law from the U niversity of Virginia, he pre­ viously was a student at V irginia M ilitary Institute and was w ounded at the battle o f New M arket (1864.) He becam e U.S. attorney fo r V irginia's Eastern district, 1881-83, served one term as a U.S. R epresentative, 1883-85, and was nom inated but defeated fo r g overnor of V irginia in 1885.

In 1888, he moved to New York and p ra ctice d law. He was the au th o r o f The Old-

Wounded at New Market, he became a famous author and statesman.

fashioned M an’s Letters, The End o f an Era (considered the best book of reflections of the Civil War), Doomed, The Lion's Skin, Recollections o f Thirteen

Future Congressman John Wise fought with the brave VMI cadets at New Market.

Presidents and Citizenship and was a prolific contributor to the periodical press. He died in Maryland in 1913. — F o r more, see page 91

CHARLES W. MERRIMAN, BELOIT 1875 Merriman almost died just at Commencement time. His resistence to the plundering of his home by three robbers, June 27, 1876, were met by a bullet which one of the villains fired into his neck as they escaped. For a time there were fears for his recovery, but he was restored to health and to his duties as principal of Beloit High School.

FRANK BUFFINGTON VROOMAN, HARVARD 1890 Vrooman earned admiration for his exploration of unfrequented regions of Canada. He also studied at Berlin and graduated from Oxford in 1909. He was a Fellow of the Royal Geographi­ cal Society and a lecturer before the School of Geography at Oxford University. He authored Theodore Roosevelt, D ynam ic G eographer and The N ew Politics. Editor of the British Columbia Magazine, he lived in Vancouver, B.C. — Ibid. 5, page 331

KINGSLEY L. MARTIN, STEVENS 1892 An engineer on the East River bridge, New York City, he was prominent in extinguishing the fire which severely damaged that structure. When it is considered that the fire was on a platform 300 feet high up, Martin’s efforts were described as “heroic” and his bravery deserving of the consensus comm endation which it received in the columns of New York newspapers.

JAMES O’DONNELL BENNETT, MICHIGAN 1893 One of the best-known World W ar I correspondents, Bennett died in 1940. At the beginning of the war, he was sent to London by the Chicago Tribune. Then followed an experience in Brussels, where with three other correspondents, he was arrested by the German army. Later, however, Bennett got into Germany and remained there until the U.S. entered the war. During the U.S. participation in the war, he was in Stockholm writing “most-entertaining m aterial.” In 1918, he

Continued on page 21 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: Faithful Home o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

20

WILLIAM HOCKADAY WALLACE, WESTMINSTER 1871 “He Broke Up the Jesse James Gang. ” Lawyer, prohibitionist, cynic of politics and prosecuter of the Jesse James Gang in the 1880s, Judge Wallace, 89, died in 1937 in Kansas City, Mo. In the 1880s, when Missouri had gained the reputation of the “Robber State” for the number of post-war gangs who terrorized, robbed and murdered, Wallace believed that the reign of the outlaws must be brought to an end. The young lawyer, age 32, ran for Jackson County prosecutor on a promise that he was going to break up the Jesse James outlaw gang. In spite of the personal danger involved, he rode right into the comm unities where the sentiment was strongest in support of the raiders. He spoke in churches, schoolhouses and outdoor meetings, invaded the “C rackerneck” neighborhood and the “Six Mile” section. He was a superb orator, and everyone knew that his integrity equaled his courage.

Announced plans to capture the James Brothers The names of Jesse and Frank James — form er members of Quantrill’s guerillas during the latter stages and after the Civil W ar — as well as Ed Miller, Dick Liddell, Bill Ryan and others were hurled at W allace’s audiences as being robbers and murderers. W allace was elected prosecuting attorney and took office in January 1881.

Soon after, Ryan of the James Gang was arrested in Tennessee for participation in a Chicago & Alton train robbery at Glendale in 1879 and brought to Jackson County for trial. Citizens were thunderstruck, as many people were sympathetic to the glamorous legends of the outlaws. W allace heard warnings and threats; undeterred, he prepared for trial. The courtroom filled with Ryan’s friends, most of whom were armed. But so fiery was W allace’s prosecution and so skillfully prepared his evidence that Ryan was convicted and sentenced to 25 years.

Pardoned Ford This prosecution started the James gang on the road to rapid disintegration. Ed M iller’s body was found in a blackberry patch. It was said he had been killed by Jesse James himself. Dick Liddell surrendered; Wood Hite was killed. Finally,

Wallace’s plea to the ju ry was said to be “the finest example o f courtroom oratory extaunt. ”

April 3,1882, Jesse himself was killed by one of his own men, Robert Ford, shot in the back. Ford was later pardoned by the governor and given the $10,000 reward offered.

Frank James alone remained. He surrendered to Missouri Governor Thomas T. Crittenden, Centre 1855, and was in-

dicted for the murder of a train conductor in a robbery at Winston, Mo. W allace served as special prosecutor and again he received threats to his life. He was to be shot on sight.

Nevertheless he prosecuted the case with vigor.

W allace’s plea to the ju ry was said to be the finest example of courtroom oratory extaunt.

Still the jury acquitted. In later years, Frank James became a ticket taker at the Standard Theatre in St. Louis and was never in any further trouble. — Ibid., Vol. 6 5 \ pages 241-242 1See chronology o f magazine volume numbers, page 81

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

21

Continued from page 19 returned to Chicago and became the city’s leading dram atic critic. — Ibid., Vol. 67, page 790 Announcing Bennett’s retirement from the Chicago Tribune to devote himself to “leisure and books,” he was reported to have said, “I shall relax, take things easily and enjoy myself. There will be work, too; the kind I like.” The Tribune said, “For 46 years Mr. Bennett has been in newspaper work as a reporter, dram atic critic and w ar correspondent. He was one o f the first Americans to cable eyewitness accounts of the world war. His articles are regarded as classics of accurate and vivid reporting.” — Ibid., Vol. 66, page 353

GEORGE FRANCIS MYERS, CORNELLL 1894 Myers submitted a patent application on a helicopter in 1897. The patent office turned it down; on his attem pt to fly it the next year, he failed. Years later, however, Congress presented him a plaque for “the first attempted helicopter flight in Am erica.” A better model in 1904 rose six inches from the qround before its engine exploded. Twenty-two years later, a Myers helicopter

.

.

„

.

.

An aircraft pioneer, he . . invented the helicopter. .

actually made a successful flight, and in 1928 he sued the Sikorsky Aviation Corp. for infringement of his patent rights. Myers also built and flew an airplane at Buffalo, N.Y., in 1909. He received a patent on a gun mount that would make a fighter plane out of an aircraft that same year and had designed a parachute as early as 1905. He died at 96 in 1961. — Ibid., Oct. 1961

ACTON POULET. KANSAS 1896/YALE 1897 Back when Vietnam was part of China, the U.S. destroyer USS Noa was compelled to remain in the port of Saigon because of a shortage of fuel. Reason for the shortfall: the American naval supply in the Far East was depleted by a courteous act in conveying a new plane from Tokyo to Akyab to enable a British aviator, Stuart Maclaren, to continue his flight. As a result, when fuel was sought for the Noa from a British petroleum company, the m anager refused to give credit to the U.S. Navy. At this point, Brother Poulet, Standard Oil Company m anager at Saigon, had no fuel as the British company had the local monopoly. But Poulet had faith in Uncle Sam. He advanced $1,000 to Cmdr. Theobald o f the U.S. Navy. The destroyer USS Noa secured the needed fuel and steamed north to join the Asiatic fleet. — Ibid. 3, pages 402-403

EDWARD R. WARNER McCABE, VIRGINIA 1897 Lt. McCabe, an officer in the Cavalry School, Fort Riley, Kansas, was detailed to ride an Arabian stallion from Portland, Ore., to New York City to test the usefulness of Arabian stock for cavalry purposes. As described by Major General Bell, chief o f staff, “Such a ride would, of course, be almost as much a test of endurance of the rider as of the horse. I have concluded that Lt. McCabe possesses the necessary qualifications to a higher degree than any other.” As Arabians are small horses, the General reasoned, and McCabe was of small stature, he would be ideal, noting that McCabe was also “an expert and experienced horseman with grit and endurance and is a modest boy.” McCabe completed the trip. — Ibid., June 1907. Also see page 99.

JAMES W. MULROY, CHICAGO 1906 Mulroy won a 1924 Pultizer Prize for journalism . He and another reporter discovered evidence that helped convict Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb of the murder of Bobby Franks. He was the managing editor of the Chicago Sun, later serving as executive assistant to Gov. Adlai Stevenson, 1949-51. He died in 1952. — Ibid., Vol. 80, page 84 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book,1933\ Ibid. 9: F aith ful H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

22

JAY NORWOOD (DING) DARLING (1876-1962), BELOIT 1899 Presidents, premiers, industrialists and unionists were targets Born in Norwood, Mich., Darling was a two-tim e Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist. At Beloit, he was art editor of the college yearbook, signing his artwork as a contraction of -------------------------------------- 1

his last name, D ’ing.

In 1900, he was drawing caricatures and cartoons as a

|||^ H

young reporter for The Sioux City Journal. In 1906, he was hired by The Des Moines R egister and Leader as its editorial cartoonist. Except for two years with The New York Times and three years with the New York Herald Tribune, he was with the Register his entire career. From 1919 to 1949. his editorial cartoons were carried by the Herald Tribune and syndicated to hundreds of U.S. newspapers.

One o f D arling’s best-rem em bered cartoons portrayed Nazi Adolph Hitler caught in a bear trap by Soviet forces at

Cartoonist Darling

Stalingrad, 1942-43, a turning point of the war. Presidents and premiers, industrialists and unionists were equal and regular targets of his pointed and p e rs u a s iv e a tta c k s . He was noted for his mem o­ rial to President Theodore R o o s e v e lt in “The Long Long Trail,” (see page 97) showing the beloved lead­ er, e v e r the a d ve n tu re r, w aving a friendly farewell as he embarks on the ride up the long trail. — Ibid. 4, page 306 Darling is best-known for his political cartoons, but he also was a tireless advo­ cate for preservation of the environm ent, a them e he often dealt with in his car­ toons. He became known as “the best friend a wild duck ever had.”

In 1934, he d re w the design for the first Federal

WORLD WAR II ENDS

Duck s ta m P- He was ap­

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

23

Cartoonists As They See Themselves

pointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as chief of the Biological Survey, forerunner of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and was prim ary founder, later president, of the National W ildlife Federation.

Known as well for protection of wildlife The J.N. (Ding) Darling Foundation and The Ding Darling W ildlife Society are still very active. Darling was the initial inductee by the W ildlife Federation of Florida, where the J.N. (Ding) Darling National W ildlife Refuge spreads across some 5,000 acres of untouched Sanibel mangrove wetlands. With almost a million visitors annually, Sanibel is one of the top 10 birding spots in the U.S. — a fitting tribute to a tireless advocate for wilderness protection. a/

The 4th edition of Ding: The Life o f Jay Norwood Darling (Maecenas Press, 2001) is praised by one critic as a “rich,

vivid biography of an enriching, vivid American. Ding Darling loved the American earth as few have loved it.” — Ibid., w inter 2002, page 9. See also M ay 1962, pages 454-457 for six o f his cartoons

Darling became D ’ing, then became simply Ding His sobriquet o f “Ding” came from a drawing in the Beloit College yearbook — satiriz­ ing the faculty as chorus girls — when he first scribbled his name as “D’ing” so the faculty w ouldn’t know who drew it. But the faculty found out anyway, and the artist was suspended, later reinstated, graduating in 1900. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 180.

An article in The Beta Theta Pi, Vol. 68, pages 394-396, includes a self-portrait drawing (above) in a story about “How to be a Cartoonist.”

There are various types of service in war. Reported James B. Weaver, The Des Moines Register: “We are thankful for certain voices that have especially helped America visual­ ize clearly the trem endous issues in the world drama; one

“One o f the certain voices that have especially helped America visualize clearly the tremendous issues in the world dram a”

outstanding name is Jay N. Darling.

“His unfailing grasp of the underlying thought o f the Allies as it gathered in power and determination and his thoroughly distinctive and always delightful technical skill have won for him the very front rank among the w orld’s cartoonists and made of his pencil one of the vibrant moral forces in the great spiritual contest now reaching its clim ax.” He died in 1962, at age 86. — Ibid., Jan. 1919, pages 184-185:

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9 : F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

24

ALBERT W. STEVENS, MAINE 1907 Balloonist Stevens opened a new frontier of the upper air, reaching an altitude of 74,187 feet.

In the Jan. 12,1929, Literary Digest, an earlier flight was titled Frozen to the Sky. “A t 37,854 feet, Captain Stevens secured a good photograph of 30 square miles in the vicinity of Dayton, Ohio. In the seven-mile trip into the sky, they went from 71 degrees above zero to 76 degrees below, then came back to 79 above. A t 34,700 feet, the intense cold produced results suggested by ‘frozen to the sky.’” — Ibid. 4, pages 324-325. F or Col. Stevens biography see page 110.

RUSSELL ARTHUR JEWITT. OHIO WESLEYAN ^05/W ESTERN RESERVE 1907 Dr. Jewitt w ent to Europe in September 1914, sailing on the first Red Cross Hospital ship on which every state in the Union was represented by a physician or surgeon, Dr. Jewitt representing Ohio. He was a surgeon in military hospitals in Budapest and Vienna where he often operated 18 hours a day w ithout relief. For more than a year, he was in charge of a large officers’ hospital in Vienna; he was decorated with two Red Cross medals by Ferdinand, brother of the former Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. When Red Cross funds gave out, he w ent to Russia on the staff of the U.S. Embassy under the direction of his personal friend, Am bassador David R. Francis, Washington in St. Louis 1870, form er g o ve rn o r of Missouri. The Russian governm ent determined that Dr. Jewitt and two of his nurses were spies and deported them. He returned to the U.S. in 1917 and was in charge of the medical work at Newport News under Surgeon General Gorgas.

Later, he was named Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service.

LUCIOUS W. JOHNSON, PENNSYLVANIA 1907 Holder of four Navy medals, including the Navy Cross, Captain Johnson, M.C., USN, was one of the outstanding Navy medical leaders. Since August 1942, he had been on duty in a naval base outside the U.S.; previously he was commanding officer, U.S. Naval Hospital, Pensacola, Fla. He saw active service in World W ar I, and was awarded the Navy Cross for taking charge of the entire medical and surgical situation in the Dominican Republic following a disastrous hurricane, Sept.

3, 1930. The citation stated: His “organization carried on so efficiently that probably no disaster of such magnitude ever had so slight an afterm ath.” — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 6

An honorable Beta worked 15 years to pay his debts Cincinnati newspaper story: “Prior to the removal of Col. D.W. McClung (Miami 1854) to this city, he was engaged in the manufacture of paper at Hamilton (30 miles northwest of Cincinnati, 10 miles southeast of Oxford, Ohio.) His worldly possessions were invested in the mill there, which, about 15 years ago, was destroyed by fire.

This unfortunate disaster fell heavily upon him, for not only did it leave him almost penniless but worse, a debt of $20,000 hanging over his head.

He was advised by his friends in this emergency to avail himself of the laws in force at that time for the benefit o f insolvent persons. To these doubtless well-meaning friends Col. McClung indignantly declared that such laws were not made for the benefit of honest people, but simply as a means by which the unscupulous might defraud their legitimate creditors.

“He turned from the ashes of his paper mill with the solemn avowal that he would never cease until he had paid every dollar of that indebtedness. How well he kept that promise may be known from the fact that one day this week the last dollar was paid with interest from the time it was due.”

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

25

Governor Wallace Farrington, Maine 1891, welcomes the Southern Cross fliers at Wheeler Field, Oahu, Hawaii, when they landed after a flight o f 2,406 miles from Oakland, Calif. Left to right: Gov. Farrington: radioman James Warner, Martin Jensen, Captain Charles Kingsford-Smith, pilot, and navigator Harry Lyon, Dartmouth 1908. — Ibid. 3, page 84

HARRY WARE LYON. DARTMOUTH 1908 In June 1928, the world was thrilled by the first successful flight of an airplane, the Southern Cross, across the Pacific Ocean, from Oakland, Calif., to Sydney, Australia, via Honolulu, Hawaii.

For Beta Theta Pi, the epoch-making performance was shared by Harry Lyon, Dartmouth 1908, navigator on the four-m em ber trail-breaking crew. W hile en route to Hawaii, he sent a message to Governor W allace Farrington, Maine 1891, which was picked up by radio operators around the world and given wide publicity. It said, “A brother Beta is coming to see you on the Southern Cross. Lyon.” Lt. Lyon was greeted warm ly by the Honolulu Betas. The flight continued on suc­ cessfully. — Ibid. 3, pages 83-84 An adm iral’s son who was bilged out of the Naval Academy because he was more interested in athletics than studies, Lyon later ran away from Dartmouth College at age 20 to go to sea in a sailing ship. He became a master mariner, comm anded a Navy transport in World W ar I and commanded the freighter James G. Blaine in World W ar II. A merchant mariner, he had never flown before the historic flight on the Southern Cross. — Ibid, Jan. 1964, page 276

CHARLES BERNARD NORDHOFF, STANFORD 1908 C o-author of M utiny on the B ounty (1932) and other rom antic South Seas novels, Nordhoff, 60, died in Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1947. He served in the Lafayette Flying Corps during World W ar I with James Norman Hall. After the war, they w ent to Tahiti where they collected the lore that provided the setting for most of the novels on which they collaborated. In Tahiti, Nordhoff married Pepe Tearai, daughter of a native chieftan, in 1920. They had six children. Among other

3

books written by Nordhoff and Hall were The Hurricane (1935),

...

, , .

,

The World War I _ , . , Escadrille pilot co-wrote ....

..

„

.

M utiny on the Bounty,

P itcairn’s Island (1934), The D ark River, Men A gainst the Sea (1934), and a two-volum e history, The Lafayette Flying Corps (1920). — Ibid., Vol. 66, page 349; Vol. 75, pages 210-211.

CHARLES NELSON BALLENTINE, MICHIGAN 1909 Capt. Ballentine joined the U.S. Arm y in World W ar I, rose to captain, serving overseas with the 100th Engineer Regiment, 32nd Division. Previously, he was in the crew of the Lusitania, sunk by the Germans, but was rescued and landed on the coast of Ireland. He died in 1938 in Lakeland, Fla. — Ibid., Vol. 66, page 213 Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book,1930\ Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

26

RILEY HARRIS ALLEN, WASHINGTON 1905 Risked his life to save 500 refugees A charter mem ber of Beta Omega Chapter, Allen did not graduate but transferred to the University of Chicago where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1904. In the Seattle PostIntelligencer, May 2,1919, an article tells of the “Heroism of M ajor Allen,"describing how he “risked his life to give aid, saving 500 out of 2,800 refugees on a train on which 1,400 had died en route.” The story continues, “Allen, now Red Cross financial secretary in Siberia, is recovering from malignant typhus fever contracted in the line of duty at Peterropavlosk, 3,000 miles inland from Vladivostok.”

In mid-November, 1918, a refugee train left Bolshevik Rus­

“If ever a man deserved a m edal o f Congress, it is Major Allen, who risked death every minute. ”

sia two months or more before, reaching Vladivostok after a journey of more than 4,500 miles. Its passengers, numbering about 2,800 when the train started, were distinguished Russians, men and women, many of them titled, all accustom ed to the best things in life. They set out from Samara.

The Bolsheviks had wired up the doors of the cars and posted guards so that no one was allowed to leave the train. En route, typhus and other malignant diseases broke out.

More than 1,400 died.

The bodies were thrown out along the tracks by the guards. None of the towns along the way would permit the passengers to leave the train, even at Vladivostok. The train went on to Nikolsh, 69 miles to the north, where guards continued to prevent them from leaving.

Major Allen and a few Red Cross nurses and doctors went into the filthy, disease-ridden cars and performed their laborious w ork of rescue. They carried out the dead and dying, and they carried the sick to the Japanese evacuation hospital on their shoulders. Major Allen and his team cared for the refugees and managed to save about 500.

“If ever a man deserved a medal o f Congress,” said Lem A. Dever, a representative of the U.S. Cham ber of Commerce, “it is Major Allen. One risked death every minute in entering that train. The men and women were packed in there tier on tier. The conditions were indescribable.”

By February, M ajor Allen built and equipped a train of 16 cars, leaving Vladivostok for Omsk, seat of the Siberian government. He w ent on into Perm, Bolshevik country, in utter disregard of Bolshevik hatred. It was his purpose to establish hospital life-saving stations clear across Siberia, but he became seriously ill. — Ibid., Oct. 1919, page 252

DAVID L. COFFIN, JR., DENVER 1978

Murdered during a robbery Murdered Dec. 10,1996, during a robbery in Atlanta, Ga., David Coffin had worked for Dexter Corp., 1982-85, leaving to pursue a career in the environmental field. He was an avid skier and sportsman. — Ibid., fall 1998, page 34

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

27

HAROLD KIRKHAM HINE, BOWDOIN 1911 Commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the air service, he was promoted to 1st lieutenant in the balloon service at Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas. He had been transferred to Langley Field for about one month when he died aboard the U.S. dirigible Roma, which crashed and was destroyed on Feb. 21, 1922. — Ibid. 4, page 317

LEE HENRY TATE, MISSOUR11911 Lee Tate died in St. Louis in 1921 when his automobile crashed into a street car to avoid hit­ ting another car driven by a woman. He served in World W ar I in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant junior grade. With six others from St. Louis, he presented to the Navy a motor boat which was used in the Gulf patrol service. On Oct. 1, 1927, the Lee H. Tate Memorial Law Building was form ally dedicated at the University of Missouri. An oil painting of Tate was presented by Elton Lewis Marshall, M issouri 1912, his roommate in college. A bronze bust o f Tate (showing his Beta pin) and a bronze tablet of dedication were placed in the building.

At the dedication, Guy A. Thompson of the St. Louis bar, indicated the spirit of the memorial: “Lee H. Tate stood at the threshold of a brilliant career. Here he had been equipped with a splendid education. Heaven

Bronze bust o f Lee Tate in the University o f Missouri s Tate Hall

had bounteously endowed him with an attractive personality and strong traits of character which the precepts and examples of home and the inspiration he received there had unfolded and developed. He gave up his own life that a stranger might live. Heroism inspiring, self-sacrifice

glorious, service sublim e.” — Ibid. 3, pages 546-548

CARL MELZER, DENVER 1912 Associate professor emeritus, Denver University, and noted mountain climber, Melzer died in 1981 at age 90. Earning Masters and Doctoral degrees at Columbia and California (Berkeley), in 1938 he became a professor in basic sciences at DU and taught in the College o f Business for 25 years. With the Colorado Mountain Club, he began climbing Colorado peaks in the 1930s. In 1936, he and his son became the first to scale all 52 peaks more than 14,000 feet in elevation in Colorado and the 14 mountains in the same class on the W est Coast in a single season. He also scaled M exico’s highest mountains: Orizaba, Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl. An active mountain­ eer until age 75, he kept extensive diaries and photos of his climbing. — Ibid., fall 1981, page 56

WENDELL L. WILLKIE, INDIANA 1913 Sen. Paul H. Douglas, Illinois, eulogized Republican Presidential can­ didate, the late Wendell L. Willkie, likening his World W ar II role to that o f Stephen A. Douglas in pre-Civil W ar days, noting that had he lived (W illkie died in 1944 at age 52), “W illkie would not yet be 60. He died, in part, of a broken heart,” Douglas said. “We rem ember his meteoric political rise and the unprecedented upsurge of popular sentiment, which brought him the Republican nomination in 1940 and which nearly car­ ried him into the White House. In that campaign, those of us who were compelled to oppose him came to admire his gallant and courageous W£YlCl@ll W lllK ie Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9 : F aith fu l H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

28 struggle and his basic sportsmanship.

“Then came defeat, which sometim es sears and em bitters m en’s hearts and cripples their ca­ pacity for usefulness and strength. After an inspection trip to England at the height of the Battle of Britain, he came back to tell America of the dangers which faced us if the forces of Nazism and of Germ any’s police state were to be victorious. Just as Stephen A. Douglas, while the conflict between the North and the South was drawing near, rallied the forces of Northern democracy behind his personal rival, Abraham Lincoln, so did W illkie help rally Republicans behind his po­ litical rival, Franklin Roosevelt. It was in these years, I believe, that Willkie, again like Stephen Douglas, reached his greatest heights. He had the courage to stand alone when he felt he was right.” — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 716.

FRANCIS JENKINS, IDAHO 1914 Wagonmaster, miner, educator, dynamic pater of Gamma Gamma Chapter, University of Idaho, Frank Jenkins was “generous to a fault,” noted District Chief Charles H. Darling, Idaho 1920. “He knew more about how to handle an unruly sophomore or a slipping freshman than any man I ever met.” Indeed, the native-born W elchman, son of a coal miner, knew

,

..

■ •

.

In the mining wars, he w g s

g

s u p e r jn fe n c ] e n t

w h(J u n d e r s t o o d m e n

how to handle men of all ages.

In the Coeur d ’Alene mining region in the 1890s, the gold and silver comm unity was a seething volcano of disorder, strikes and dynamiting.

The miners were in an ugly mood. The superintendent turned the corner and started down the street. Across the muddy expanse that served as a street, disgruntled strikers were clustered in an angry knot.

“Suddenly,” described an onlooker, “a shot was fired by someone in the group. The bullet whizzed by the superintendent’s head. He stopped

Jenkins led the effort to budd the chapter house at Moscow, Idaho.

short and turned to face the direction o f the anonymous shooter. Frank j en|<jnSi m jne superintendent, had guts. But what was more, he knew men. Unarmed, he took a step toward the now-silent clump o f muckers.

Pausing in the middle of the street, he calmly asked, ‘W h a t__________________fired that shot?’

He stood there a full minute, waiting. No one answered. The shooter, whom ever he was, did not fire again. Contemptuously, Jenkins turned on his heel and resumed his unhurried walk.” He understood men. — Treasure o f the Hills: the First 100 Years o f Beta Theta Pi in Idaho, page 28

CHARLES STUART, /W/71911 and CHARLES FOX, MIT 1914 The pair were with the American Red Cross in Serbia when they were captured early in 1916.

Stuart had been in charge o f the ARC work in Serbia.

CARL ALBERT BLAUROCK, COLORADO MINES 1916 The first American to climb all 69 mountains over 14,000 feet in the continental U.S. (of which 52 are in Colorado) and last surviving charter member of the Colorado Mountain Club, Blaurock died in 1993 at the age of 98. Blaurock, who lived in Aurora, made his first big climb in 1909 when he was 15, scaling Pikes Peak with his father and uncle. He climbed his last summit, Notch Mountain, in 1973 when he was 79. To celebrate his ascents, he would often perform a headstand upon reaching the summit. He did that, he said, because it got his feet higher than anyone else's who had ever climbed the mountain. He helped write a book about his life, A C lim ber’s Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B e tas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

29 Climber. He also climbed in Mexico and Switzerland. Professionally, he supplied gold and silver to dentists. A veteran of World War I, he also enjoyed photography, playing piano and flying his own plane. — Ibid., spring 1993, page 251

HARVEY CONOVER, WISCONSIN 1916 President and co-founder of Conover-Mast Publications, the giant publishing firm, he drowned when his yacht sank in 1958. An ambulance driver and pilot in the Franco-American Flying Corps in France in World W ar I, he was wounded in 1918 on a strafing mission, receiving the Croix de Guerre. — Ibid., M ay 1958, pages 435-436

FRANK HAMILTON STUART, KENYON 1916 Born in Wyoming, Ohio, he died on his ranch near Tampico, Mexico. A fam ily letter advised: “Since the war, Frank had been in Mexico, in the employ of the Sinclair Oil Companies and The Foundation Company; more recently, he acquired a ranch near Tampico which he was operat­ ing with native labor. One of his employees was an unusually skillful driver of tractors and other autom otive machinery but was a troublemaker. Frank had several m inor difficulties with him and finally discharged him after he drew a gun which Frank took from him.

“Some six weeks later, while Frank was sitting quietly in his home reading, this man, presumably under the influence o f a drug to which he was said to have been addicted, returned to the ranch and w ithout warning shot twice through the screen door into the room where Frank was sitting.

Both bullets made fatal wounds. Frank never had a chance. He was alone at the time except for his Chinese cook, having let most of his hands go down the river to a party. The murderer made his escape. Frank lived long enough to outline the circumstances and give the name o f the murderer, who was not apprehended. Frank was a quiet, easy-going, big-hearted fellow, though perfectly fearless.” — Ibid., Dec. 1924, pages 218-219

SAMUEL ENGLE BURR, JR, RUTGERS 1919 In February 1978, fate in the form of a fire dealt Dr. Samuel Burr a tragic blow. He and Mrs. Burr awoke at 3:00 a.m. to discover their house afire. Struggling down a burning stairway with lungs full of smoke, they made it to the porch and collapsed. Alice Burr was killed when she hit her head on the pavement. They had been married 53 years. Dr. Burr passed out and an hour-and-a-half later was found near death. A t the hospital, he was discovered to have two broken legs, smoke inhallation, pneumonia, deep abrasions and frozen fingers and toes. Lost in the fire were family heirlooms, personal possessions and even the membership

Champion o f his forebear, Vice President Aaron Burr

mailing list of the Aaron Burr Association.

Dr. Burr formed the Association more than 30 years ago (as of 1978) to “right the w rong” early historians had done in their castigations of Dr. Burr’s ancester, Col. Aaron Burr, vice president of the U.S., 1801-05, who was labeled a traitor and a scoundrel after he killed Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, in a duel which was lawful at the time.

Dr. Burr is convinced early writers latched onto Aaron as a “whipping boy,” and that he was actually a highly respectable gentleman with valid reasons for his actions. Over three decades, he has done exhaustive research, written books, given lectures and built a sizeable organization to prove the point. Its members say the Association will live and grow, but it had suffered a severe

Continued on page 33 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9. Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

30

DR. Y.C. JAMES YEN, YALE 1918 One o f A m erica’s “10 Greatest M odem Revolutionaries” Respected worldwide as a leading humanitarian and educator, Dr. Yu-Chuen James Yen received the Beta Theta Pi Oxford Cup at the Fraternity’s 148th General Convention at the Grove Park Inn, Asheville, N.C., on Aug. 20,1987. Against formidable odds, he had become known for having set in motion forces which made possible the education o f more than 60 million Chinese, bringing functional literacy to the common man for the first time.

Young Jimmy Yen was asked by the YMCA’s National War Work Council to go to France upon graduation from Yale (Phi Chi Chapter at Yale was chartered in 1892, closed in 1966 and rechartered in 1991.) Thereafter, he assisted with the thousands of “coolies” in the Chinese Labor Corps, recruited by the Allies in World W ar I, and began his literacy aid which turned out to be a “crusade” affecting millions.

Jimmy Yen founded the Chinese Mass Education Movement

Eductor Dr. Jimmy Yen

in 1923. He worked with the governm ent to bring about pri­ mary health care to the villages and started an unprecedented

program of “village scholars.” This program brought about the most modern techniques of agriculture and animal husbandry to the hinterlands by educating a chosen few and then having them educate the masses.

His practical training methods helped people on three continents.

To carry this work to the world, he founded the International Institute of Rural Reconstruc­ tion (IIRR) in 1960. His unique practical training assisted the people o f Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Philippines.

President Reagan in 1987 awarded him the Eisenhower Medallion of People to People International recognizing his efforts toward world peace. A distinguished body o f scholars and scientists, asked to pick “the ten greatest revolutionaries of our time" to receive Copernican Citations in 1943, marking the 400th anniversary of the death o f Copernicus, listed him along with, among others, A lbert Einstein, Henry Ford, Orville Wright, Harvey Firestone and Thomas Edison.

A 1987 P re sid e n tia l End H u nger A w ard fo r life tim e achievem ent cited him for “developing and disseminating a sustained, integrated program to overcome the root causes o f hunger and poverty in the Third w orld.”

He was imaginative and aggressive in tapping some of

He educated the few, in agriculture and animal husbandry, who then educated the masses.

his Beta contacts for help in his crusade. Among these were Stanley S. Kresge, Michigan 1924; Charles P. Taft, Yale 1918, and Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, Whitman 1920. He told the Beta Convention audience how such men helped him draft IIRR by-laws, raised funds for IIRR and served on its board at his request.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

31

Jimmy Yen died of pneumonia in New York City, Jan. 17,1990, at age 96. — Beta Theta Pi Oxford Cup, 1987, by Robert T. Howard, DePauw 1937 Dr. Y.C. James Yen, Yale 1918, (he picked up the name “Jam es” or “Jim m y” in college) was accorded the honor of being transform ed into a major character in The Call, the critically acclaimed novel by John Hersey, one of Am erica’s greatest writers. Although the name and some historic details were altered to meet the demands of Hersey’s fictional art, Jimmy Yen’s Beta brothers could easily identify the “rem ark­ able, fie ry” Yale graduate, educator and social reform er named “Johnny W u.” Like Wu, Jimmy Yen did volunteer work with the Chinese labor corps in France during World W ar I and there began an unprecedented program to teach the illiterate coolies to read and write. Like Wu, he w ent on to lead a massive literacy drive in China, and then launched a revolutionary rural reconstruction movem ent to help millions of downtrodden peasants achieve better education, livelihood, health and self-government.

“Not relief, but release,” he stressed.

Although The Call does not relate his more recent activities, readers of articles in the Beta magazine issues of winter 1979 and spring 1984 know that, after leaving China, Jimmy Yen founded the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) to dissemi­ nate his people-centered approach to developm ent — “not relief, but release,” as he puts it — throughout the third world.

At age 91, Dr. Yen was still active as IIRR’s chairman, and in February-March 1985, he delivered six lectures on the history and philosophy of rural reconstruction to developm ent professionals from nine third world countries at the Institute’s world headquarters in the Philippines. Hersey also mentions Beta Theta Pi as one of the leading national fraternities at the turn of the century in The Call. — Ibid., fall 1985, page 25 Additional information about the remarkable international leader, teacher and humanitar­ ian Brother Yen will be found in the article, “Jimmy Yen: For Six Decades a Bright Ray of Hope for the Third W orld’s M illions.” — Ibid., w inter 1978, pages 194-195

THEODORE MILES, BELOIT 1918 (CDG) Earned the Croix de Guerre as a volunteer ambulance driver In World W ar I, Miles was an American Field Service ambulance driver with the French Army, receiving the Croix de Guerre. He later transferred to the USAAC after the U.S. entered the war. He had a career in the oil business as an geologist complet­ ing some o f the earliest explorations of Venezuelan and Columbian jungles. He later was m anager of production for Union Oil Co. o f California In W orld W ar II, he was an executive officer with the Navy Petroleum Board. He died in 1974 in Long Beach.

— Ibid, Sept. 1974, page 77. See also his son, page 197

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930] Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

32

THE FIRE AT BERKELEY, SEPT. 18, 1923

Beekler and Dofflemeyer saved lives in tragic fire Five hundred homes were burned and 3,000 residents were made tem porarily homeless on the University o f California campus at Berkeley on Sept. 18, 1923. The chapter paper, Omega News, described the experience: “Only the most fortunate circumstance saved the Beta house. The fire started from a broken power wire in W ildcat Canyon to the east of Berkeley early on a Monday morning. A high wind from the northeast aggravated the situation and rendered the efforts of the few residents of the canyon unavailable. By 2:00 p.m. the blaze had come over the top of the hill behind North Berkeley and commenced its destructive path toward the campus. Two Betas’ fam ilies lost their homes.

“Classes were dismissed, and 4,000 students joined in the fire-fighting. Equipment to aid the Berkeley fire department was brought from Oakland and San Francisco. A t 4:30 pm it was within two blocks o f the Beta house; the historic home seemed doomed. Chapter records, furniture and clothes were removed from the house. Just as the fire was starting on the next block, the wind veered south. The fire was out in an hour; the house, saved.

“Members volunteered for guard duty in the burned area. Stephens Union was opened to the refugees; women students turned out for relief work. Some 1,000 students and 150 officers and university faculty were homeless. Even so, it was unnecessary to discontinue university exercises for even a day. Two Omega members lost their homes: then-pledge Frank Perry and R.A. Hill, 1923, chapter president.

“It would be difficult to enumerate the deeds of heroism performed by chapter members during the fire. It is known definitely, however, that two Betas saved the lives of fire victims.

“A.M. Beekler, California 1925, w hile in company with another fire fighter, carried an aged woman out of her home under arduous circumstances. The front door jammed on their way out, and Beekler was burned about the face while breaking the door.

“R.A. Dofflemeyer, Utah/California 1923, a transfer from Utah Chapter, also carried a woman out o f her home under arduous circum stances.”

With custom ary modesty, details about either of the rescues could not be obtained from the principals. “Suffice to say that they deported them selves as true Betas.”

Unnamed M IT Betas donated blood to ailing brother Frank W. Holden, Wesleyan 1926, arrived in Boston in the middle of February and was faced with a serious major operation. Mrs. Holden, a stranger in Boston, found it necessary to arrange a blood transfusion for her husband. Hardly knowing what to do in her tense moment of anxiety, she suddenly remembered the Beta name of Clarence L. Newton, Wesleyan 1902, and immediately contacted his office. Former Beta President Newton was away at the time, but his partner, Jasper A. Brickett, whose son was a W esleyan Beta, contacted the MIT Chapter asking for volunteers for a blood transfu­ sion. A large number o f the undergraduates volunteered to aid in the convalescing of a Beta brother. Only two were needed, and with the usual modesty of the Tech men, they exacted a pledge that their names would not be given. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 664

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

33

Continued from page 29 setback. — Ibid., fall 1978, page 27

LARNER SOMERS GARDNER, PENNSYLVANIA 1920 A form er All-American football star, he died of a heart attack on the beach at Atlantic City, N.J., in 1945. A life guard captain, he was attempting to resuscitate an eight-year-old boy who had drowned. Capt. Conover, age 50, a mem ber o f the beach patrol for 25 years, was looking on from his post about a half-mile away when he saw members o f the patrol carry the boy ashore.

He rushed to the scene and took over the respiratory work, but collapsed and died after working several minutes over the boy. He was a well-known football official and an assistant football coach at Penn State for several seasons. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 78

PAUL HORRELL PHILLIPS, WASHINGTON STATE 1921 The New York Herald-Tribune, July 20, 1926, contained this A ssociated Press dispatch from C onstantinople about an exciting episode in the life o f Paul Phillips: “An experience recalling W ild W est days, in w hich two Am erican Near East R elief w orkers, Paul H. Phillips and his wife had a narrow escape in a fight with raiding Tartars in Russian Arm enia, was related today in messages to the Near East Relief officers in Constantinople. Phillips, who superintends the relief organization’s model ranch at Karakalla, was aroused one morning by frightened em ployees crying that Tartar tribesm en from A zerbaijan had crossed the mountains and w ere raiding the ranch. Phillips, who often had encountered cattle rustlers in the western U.S., picked up his rifle and hurried out to see the Tartars driving away prize Swiss stock im ported by the Am ericans to improve A rm enia’s breed.

“He opened fire, but the raiders, numbering from 20 to 30, made a stand behind the rocks and fired back. Alone with his wife and a few orphans, Phillips realized that they were outnumbered and that darkness might prove disastrous. He therefore dispatched the oldest boy on a horse to the nearest American relief post, 18 miles away. In the subsequent fighting, Mrs. Phillips was severely beaten by a tribesman. Throughout the day the sniping and stalking continued. When it was growing dusk, the situation became desperate. Suddenly another relief worker, William Cronin of New Haven, Conn., appeared with a company o f cavalry. They rushed down upon the tribesmen, shooting some and clearing the ranch of the invaders.” — Ibid. 4, pages 502, 504

WENDELL CLARK BENNETT, CHICAGO 1927 Anthropogist Dr. Bennett, who took his M A and PhD at Chicago in 1929-30, drowned Sept. 7, 1953, while trying to rescue his young daughter in heavy surf near M artha’s Vineyard during a fam ily vacation. The girl was saved but her father, due to some indeterm inate mishap (believed to be a heart attack, for he was known to be a powerful swimm er) never got back to the shore alive. He was 48. — Ibid., Vol. 82, page 239

JAMES K. ALLEN, IDAHO 1928 W hen Rev. Allen was mugged and robbed outside his church last Christm as (1985), he prom ptly turned the other cheek, inviting the pair “to come to the church fo r help.” The gesture rated a feature article and photo in the N ew York Times. A ccording to the story, Allen had just stepped out of his church, the Unitarian First Parish in Boston, for a short break after three hours officiating at an Alcoholics Anonym ous meeting designed to help people through the Christm as Holidays w ithout drinking. On the street, two men accosted him, threatened him with Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

34

a screwdriver, Allen, at the church 32 years, continued the service and notified reporters that he would like to help the men.

“They are desperate m en,” he said. “They don’t know how to live and need a better way. . . . I I w ouldn’t turn them in to the p o lic e .. . . After all, w hat’s a bump on the head?” — Ibid., fall 1986, page 75, by Leland Chapman, Idaho 1928

DONALD S. DAWSON, MISSOUR11930 Known for the fastest rise from private to general, Major General Dawson was elected president, Board of Directors, of the Harry S Truman Library Institution for National and International Affairs in 1981. During Trum an’s presidency, Gen. Dawson was deputy assistant to the President, in charge of personnel for the executive branch of the government. Head of his own Washington law firm, he was president of the Reserve Officers Association. In 1990, he retired as president of the Arm y & Navy Club. He was also long-time chairman of the Washington Saints & Sinners and was a Beta Theta Pi Oxford Cup honoree in 1989. — Ibid., fall 1981, page 1

EDWARD P. MORGAN, WHITMAN 1932 A fam ous broadcast journalist, Morgan reported for ABC, CBS and the forerunner of PBS. He worked as a print journalist for two decades — for United Press, The Chicago Daily News and Colliers W eekly— before joining CBS to cover the W hite House after World W ar II. He was named director o f CBS radio and television news in 1954, but went to ABC the following year.

His evening radio show Edward P. Morgan and the News was broadcast for more than 12 years, and he won a 1956 Peabody Award. He took a leave of absence in 1967 to become chief cor­ respondent for the Public Broadcasting Laboratory, but later rejoined ABC, working until 1975.

— Ibid., fall 1994, page 62 Morgan, who died Jan. 27, 1993, at his home in McLean, Va.,

Famous journalist in peace, a foreign correspondent in wars

won the George Foster Peabody award, broadcasting's top honor, in 1956, cited for his skill and brilliance and the public acceptance his program had gained. He also won the Sidney Hillman Founda­ tion, Alfred I. Du Pont and George Polk Memorial Awards and the

Missouri Journalism Medal. He began his career in 1932 as an unpaid sportswriter at the Seattle Star.

He was with the 5th Arm y when U.S. troops captured Rome in 1944 and in London when it was being bombed by the Germans. He reported from the Middle East as a freelance w riter after the war, then moved to CBS in Washington, where he covered assignments that included the White House. His prem ier broadcast for PBS in 1967, a three-hour program on U.S. racial problems, was regarded as a landmark in public television. — Ibid, spring 1993, pages 255-256. A Phi Beta Kappa at Whitman, he received its Doctor o f Letters in 1957. — Ibid., Oct. 1957, page 10

WILLIAM J. NEISEL, COLGATE 1933 Retired for more than a decade in 1983, Neisel was against taking it easy as many retirees do.

With three other retired friends, he climbed all 40 of the 6,000-plus foot peaks o f the southern Appalachians. His principal preoccupation, since retiring in 1970, is re a d in g — not to him self but aloud to the blind. He spent most of his working days as a pharmaceutical salesman in Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Trinidad. His reading to James Stermer, a form er college professor, led to a five-credit course on native American cultures at Berea College in Kentucky. — Ibid., spring 1983, page 329 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2; The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3; Beta Lore; Ib id 4.; Beta Life; Ibid. 5; Betas o f Achievement, 1914;

35

FREDERICK DUNLAP WHITE, WASHINGTON 1934 Fred W hite died in an O kanogan, W ash., hospital hours after an em ergency appendectom y on Jan. 21, 1937. The 24-year-old mining e n g ineer had been stricken five days before at the snow -bound Azurite mine 8,400 feet up in the C ascade M ountains. S um m oned by an am ateur w ireless station, Dr. E.T. M urdock had mushed into the mine to attend him, but had been unable to operate there because o f g astronom ic disturbances caused by the high elevation.

Then, through extrem e sub-zero w eather and a blinding snow storm , the stricken man had been brought 60 miles over the m ountain pass by dog team , bobsled and autom obile to the hospital. The desperate fig h t against alm ost incredible w eather and against tim e, shared in cheerfully and bravely by patient and doctor, won the adm iration and prayers o f all in the Pacific N orthw est. — Ibid., Vol. 64, page 471

W. MARK FELT, IDAHO 1935 Never fully confident that he did the right thing, nonetheless Mark Felt was sure that he did n ’t like the term “Deep T h ro a t” and believed he should take his secret to the grave. A fter more than three decades, his fam ily convinced him otherw ise.

Felt w as the F ederal Bureau o f In v e s tig a tio n ’s second in com m and w hen the W atergate scandal broke during P resident R ichard N ix o n ’s second term in the e a rly 1970s. W hen Felt becam e convinced th a t the W hite H ouse w as co vering up its role in the W atergate breakin, an action he believed w as dam aging the country, he g ru d g in g ly contacted a reporter he knew (Bob W oodw ard o f the W ashington P ost) and e ncouraged him to dig dee p e r into the scandal.

F e lt’s id e n tity as W o o d w a rd ’s a nonym ous source fin a lly broke on the pages o f V anity F a ir in June 2005, w hich stu n n e d the fo rm e r P o st staffers. W oodw ard and his p a rtn e r C arl B e rn ste in and fo rm e r e d ito r Ben B ra d le e c o n firm e d F e lt's role as the m an h isto ry m ay record as the m o st fa m o u s w h is tle b lo w e r ever. “ M ark w as a good leader, a se lf-s ta rte r, a good th in k e r,” re called a Beta c la ssm a te . He w as p re s id e n t o f G am m a G am m a C hapter.

An a d m in is tra tiv e a ssista n t to Id a h o ’s U.S. S e n a to r D. W orth C lark,

Whistleblower Felt

he earned a law d e g re e at G eo rg e W a sh in g to n U n ive rsity, then w as an a tto rn e y fo r the Federal T rade C o m m issio n b e fore jo in in g

the FBI in 1942.

In his article fo r Vanity Fair, San Francisco attorney John D. O ’C onnor described Felt as “charm ing and handsom e, with a full head o f sandy hair that grayed a ttractively over the ye a rs.” W hile in charge o f the Kansas C ity office, he used tactics described as both aggressive and innovative in

Long a secret, he w a s “Deep Throat,” the Watergate whistleblower.

com bating that c ity ’s mob.

In 1972, tensions between the FBI and the W hite House deepened when the bureau resisted White House pressure to have the FBI forensics lab declare a damning memo a “forgery.” “Felt became defensive for the bureau thereafter. . . . From the very beginning, it was obvious to the

Continued on page 39 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930] Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

36

JOHN R. WOODEN, PURDUE 1932 “The Wizard o f W estwood” . . . in so many ways!

Those who knew John R. Wooden characterize him as truly “a legend in his own tim e” with such glowing descriptions as “the greatest basketball coach” . . . “the em bodiment o f enduring Am erican values” . . . . even “a rem arkable man who understands life like no other I have ever met. ” Wooden — the Wizard o f Westwood, as the sportswriters dubbed him — lived decades beyond the never-to-be-broken records o f his UCLA basketball teams of the '60s and 7 0 s.

Yet his achievem ents and homespun philosophy live on through thousands of disciples — coaches, players, friends and family, educators and Beta brothers.

Living alone in a condo in Encino, Calif., W ooden waged a quiet battle against the infirmities visited upon any near­ centenarian, sometimes with a cane, always with a smile. The honors and awards continued rolling in: 2008, at age 96, he received a National Caring Award “for service to charitable causes and for setting an example for others.”

W ooden’s Pyram id o f Success, an ideology for life that includes teamwork, enthusiasm and “doing one’s best,” was noted by the National Caring Institute whose first honoree, 1989, was Mother Teresa. In 2008, he was still making 20 to 30 speeches a year and had turned his ideas about life and

Coach Wooden

leadership into inspirational books.

“W hen you reach my age,” he told one reporter, “there

are no bad days. You’re thankful for each one.” He received Beta Theta Pi’s Oxford Cup award in 1987.

Perhaps Sports lllustrated’s Rick Reilly said it best: “There has never been another coach like Wooden, quiet as an April snow, square as a game o f checkers, loyal to one woman, one school, one way; walking around campus in his sensible shoes and Jimmy Stewart mor­ als. He’d spend a half hour the first day of practice teaching his men how to put on a sock.

“Now for the other foot.” ‘“W rinkles can lead to blisters,’ he'd warn. These huge players would sneak looks at one another and roll their eyes. Eventually, they’d do it right. ‘G ood,’ he’d say, ‘and now for the other foot.’”

O f the 180 players who played for him, Wooden knew the whereabouts of all but eight.

“Keith Erickson, UCLA 1966, was one o f the most spirited and unusual all-around athletes I ever had.” The coach termed Hall of Fame guard Gail Goodrich, UCLA 1965, as “hard­ working in athletics and studies.”

“Coach W ooden’s greatest attribute is that he was a true teacher,” said Goodrich, an all-American guard on W ooden’s first two NCAA championship teams. “He taught that preparation was the key that carried on through life. I have the (Pyramid) framed on my wall. I've always tried to live by them .”

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

37

The building blocks of W ooden’s “Pyramid o f Success”: industriousness, friendship, loyalty, cooperation, enthusiasm, self-control, alertness, initiative, intentness, condition, skill, team spirit, poise, confidence and competitive greatness.

“We’re going to miss you, Bill.”

He taught that no one individual is more important than the team. When All-American Bill Walton first showed up for practice with a full beard, he firmly declared, “It’s my right.” Wooden asked if he believed that strongly. Walton said he did. “That’s good, Bill,” the coach said. “I admire people who have strong beliefs and stick by them. I really do.” Wooden paused, then added, “W e’re going to miss you.” Walton promptly shaved.

“He stressed getting a good education and was a great example for young men at a very impressionable age,” Erickson said. “He never lost his temper, but he disciplined fairly and was always in charge.”

Born in Martinsville, Ind., Oct. 14, 1910, Wooden earned his B.A. in English while becoming an All-American basketball player at Purdue.

The Boilermakers won the National Collegiate champion­ ship in 1932. He coached 40 years with a lifetime record of 885 wins-203 losses, a winning percentage of .813 which is unequalled. His Bruins won 16conference championships, 10

“There has never been another coach like Wooden, quiet as an April snow, square as a game o f checkers, loyal to one woman, one school, one way. ”

NCAA national championships in 12 years, including seven in a row and a win streak of 38 straight NCAA tournament victories. He retired in 1975. — Ibid., Spring 2000, page 14 John Wooden quotes have been words to live by for many admirers: “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

“Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights.”

Coach Wooden, for whom Beta Theta Pi’s John and Nellie Wooden Institute for Men o f Principle is named, died in 2010 at age 99.

ERNEST B. HUETER, M ISSISSIPP11942

Rescued the crew o f a burning boat 1st Lt. Hueter, 22, was awarded the Soldiers’ Medal for heroism in directing the rescue o f a boat crew forced overboard by fire. The deed was during w ar games near Falmouth, Mass. Lt. Hueter and other officers and men were in boats when one of the boats caught fire and the men jumped overboard. Seeing the boat in distress, he ordered his own craft full speed ahead and pulled alongside the flaming boat. Leaping aboard, he extinguished the fire and directed the rescue o f the men. Later, his only reaction to all of the nice things that were said about him was, “Heck, who w ouldn’t do his best to try to save the lives of his buddies?”

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The B eta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: F aith fu l H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

38

Continuedfrom page 55 bureau that a cover-up was in progress/' Felt wrote in his 1979 memoir, The FBI Pyramid: From the Inside. “For me, as well as all the agents involved, it had become a question of our integrity.”

Felt retired from the FBI in 1973. His role stirs both scorn and praise, much as Felt feared.

Even so, there is agreement: it w asn’t the information relayed by Deep Throat that led to Nixon's resignation; it was the White House’s sustained attempt to cover up the facts. O'Connor describes Felt as “one of Am erica’s greatest secret heroes."

In recent interviews, W oodward noted of the informant whom he had always referred to as “MF” (My Friend), “I don’t know if Felt is a hero, but I do know he was courageous” in helping right what he believed to be a serious wrong. — A uthor

BILL VEECK, KENYON 1936 A baseball executive enshrined in the Hall of Fame is Bill Veeck, whose inventive creations (many still in use) led to a life of fame and controversy for some of the most bizarre efforts to boost attendance. He started with the Chicago Cubs in 1933, learning behind-the-scenes aspects of baseball from his father who was general m anager of the team.

After college, he was treasurer o f the Cubs and was responsible for planting the ivy that still adorns the outfield walls at W rigley Field. He later owned the American Association M ilwaukee Brewers franchise and won three pennants in five years before selling the team in 1945.

Veeck lost a leg in heroic World W ar II action. He purchased the Cleveland Indians in 1946, made Larry Doby the American League’s first African-American player in 1947 and won the AL title and the World Series in 1948, giving sports its first tw o-m illion-attendance season.

Baseball’s Veeck Louis Browns, 1951 -53. He tried to save the St. Louis club with outrageous gimmicks, such as sending midget Eddie Gaedel in to pinch hit (for Frank Saucier, W estm inster'48) and having fans manage a game by holding up decision cards. Later, as head of a syndicate that owned the White Sox, 1956-60, he installed the first exploding scoreboard and put players’ names on the backs of uniforms. He re-purchased the W hite Sox in 1975 and kept the club for five more seasons. He put players in shorts during the 1976 season. Veeck was called “Sports Shirt Bill” because he disdained ties. Describing him self by saying, “Veeck, it rhymes with wreck," he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, N.Y., in 1991, five years after his death from cancer. — Ibid., convention 1997, page 53; convention 1999. page 25

REGAN FULLER, VIRGINIA 1940 A native o f W ashington, DC, Brig. General Fuller was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1940 and served during World W ar II. He was a member of the first UN truce team during the Arab-lsraeli W ar o f 1948. During the Korean War, he was an operational intelligence officer for all naval forces in the Far East. He also served two tours in Vietnam. In 1965, he was chief o f staff of the 3rd Marine Am phibious Force and, in 1969, was assistant division com m ander of the 3rd Marine Division, commanding forces along the demilitarized zone and Laotian border. He died in 1978, in Palo Alto, Calif. — Ibid., fall 1978, page 68 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B e tas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

39

ERNEST E. (ERNIE) DAY, IDAHO 1941 His hobby of mountain photography caused Ernie Day to fall in love with the high-mountain country of central Idaho. Then he found himself in the thick of a battle to preserve the W hite Cloud mountain’s natural beauty. Day was chairman of the Idaho Departm ent of Parks and Recreation Board when a mining com pany sought to build a road into the area and start mining. When it ap­ peared that high officials of the state were taking the mining firm ’s side, Day resigned and took the case before the Sierra Club at its convention in San Francisco. As a result, there was national publicity through many conservation publications and in Life magazine. W hite Clouds became a national issue, resulting in a study that led to a moratorium on mining and road building in the area. To Ernie Day, the fight to save the White Clouds was not ju st a battle over a few acres of wild real estate; it was a need to save something that can never be brought back, a fight to save a way o f life. As he said, “You have to have somewhere to escape to. W ithout wilderness, the world is a cage.” — Ibid., Jan. 1975, page 238

WALTER LAMBETH, JR., NORTH CAROLINA 1941 On a fishing trip with a neighbor at Lake Lure, N.C., the men tied up at the dock of a Charlotte friend. Glancing across the water, they saw an inboard speedboat sinking. Quickly untying, they sped some 300 yards to the distressed craft where Lambeth dived in and came up with a drowning father and his two helpless children. By that time, the sinking runabout had disappeared below the w ater and was never retrieved from the deep lake. Reporters recalled that some nine years earlier the insurance executive had pulled a fam ily of three out of the same lake after a light plane cracked up in the water. — Ibid., Vol. 82, page 32

ADOLPH DUBS, BELOIT 1942 Following the startling announcem ent of the assassination of U.S. Am bassador to Afghanistan Dubs on Feb. 14, 1979, the news media carried a flood of tributes from governmental leaders, diplomats and newsmen unanim ously characterizing Dubs as a near-perfect example of Am eri­ can statesmanship. One o f those who knew him best was his long-time minister, close friend and Beta brother, Dr. Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence 1922. Before the funeral, at which Seth officiated, he reported: “Adolph Dubs was held in highest esteem by his colleagues in and outside the State Department. He had an outstanding reputation through devotion to his duty, wherever it led. He was a model for young men entering governm ent service in the affairs o f our nation’s diplomatic life. One can say without qualification that ‘S pike’ Dubs lived a useful life.

Martyr Adolph Dubs

He brought honor to our governm ent and to those who had shaped him for

U. S. Am bassador assassinated in Afghanistan in 1979.

a dedicated career carried out often under the most arduous, trying circum stances.” Burial was in Arlington Cemetery. — Ibid., spring 1979, page 294

MAURICE G. CHASE, UCLA 1943 To the flood of homeless on Los A ngeles’ Skid Row, Father D ollar Bill is their everyday hero.

The Catholic priest, Maurice Chase, has distributed money to the needy for more than 25 years.

Continued on page 42 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta B ook.1930\ Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933, Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

40

MARK O. HATFIELD, WILLAMETTE 1943 Stood alone in the U.S. Senate against the war in Vietnam O f contem porary Betas, no one personifies strength o f character so much as Sen. Mark Hatfield, whose lonely stands on principle characterize his 46 years of public service. On any given afternoon since retiring from the Senate, you may glimpse Mark and Antoinette making the mile-long walk along the W illamette River path from their Portland home to his office. It’s a giant, yet pleasant, departure from his 30 years overlooking the Potomac River more than 2,500 miles away. Truth is, Sen. Hatfield relishes this return to his roots.

For Oregonians, Hatfield’s path itself is the stuff of legend: rising from a small town (Dallas, Ore.) as the only child o f a railroad blacksmith and a school teacher, he is a Navy com bat veteran, was a youthful state legislator while Dean of Students at W illam ette University, youngest Secretary of State in Oregon history, two-term Governor, five-term Senator, champion of the environment, early (1964) opponent of the Vietnam War, favored gun control and fought against the death penalty, nuclear power plants and human rights violations. Courage in the face of enormous opposition has been the byword of this rem arkable man, whose independence cost heavily in friends, allies and associates.

O f Hatfield’s departure from the Senate in 1996, NBC’s Tom Brockaw wrote in his book The Greatest Generation: “Having stood his ground and won the day, (Hatfield) gar­ nered praise primarily from older senators who recognized that instances of individual courage in their cham ber were rare. (Hatfield) left (the Senate) as he arrived a man of strong, independent convictions and still a mem ber of the Republican party, despite the changes in the D N A o f the GOP in recent years.”

Perhaps nothing defines this W illamette Beta quite so well as his strength of conviction, to stand on principle while so many around him were cav­ ing in to a more popular course. Is such strength of purpose acquired or was it inculcated?

The silver-haired Hatfield, his kindly but piercing eyes narrowing, is clear on this.

“There have been several exceptionally strong influences on my life: my parents, my religion, my Fraternity and, of course, my wartime experience,” he said. “As a young man, whenever I w ent out in the family car, my parents would say, ‘You have a responsibility. We expect you to conduct yourself as a gentleman. Even if everyone else is doing something you know to be wrong, come home if necessary. Have the strength to stand alone.’”

“To me,” he gestured, his ring with the Oregon State Seal reflecting beams from the morning sun, “they were admonishing to never seek popularity, seek respect; honor God, not ego! This has stood me well even in the years in the Senate.”

Being reared in a Baptist home gave him a strong spiritual conscience and commitment.

It was affirmed during an emotional moment in 1945 in Japan.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

41

“After seeing action in Iwo Jima and Okinawa, seeing death and inhumanity first-hand, you learn, indeed you are taught, to hate the e n e m y .One month after the bombing of Hiroshima, however, he was with a crew surveying the damage. Total devastation in every direction. The smell. The total silence.

“As we walked around, the children saw we w eren’t going to shoot them, so they began to crowd around. One kid smiled. We smiled. One of our party broke a bite off his sandwich and offered it to a child. The child recoiled. The man took a bite, and then the youngster accepted a morsel. Soon we were sharing our food with the whole group, picking them up, loving them.

It was an epiphany for me. Suddenly I felt the hate leaving me.” He brought his “unshakeable anti-nuke” philosophy with him to the Senate.

A . „ * -ru * rvo

.

And Beta Theta Pi? Coming from a Depression home

* ^ that adjusting ^ * *to .u without brothers or sisters, .I found the M Navy , , ,

was not so difficult due to my Fraternity experience. In both the service and the Fraternity, accountability was essential.

,,

,

.

. ,

He stood on principle , ..

'

f

,whlle .

so many . around him were caving in to a , more popular course.

Hatfield encountered his most compelling mentor, G. Her­ bert Smith, DePauw 1927, Willamette president and Beta general secretary, 1935-46, presi­ dent, 1946-51, and author of the original Son o f the Stars: the Pledge Manual o f Beta Theta Pi. “G. Herb was always in a hurry. Summers he wore black and white dress shoes and took big fast strides. He corrected my errors but gave me the leeway to be creative in my thinking.

He was the greatest influence on my professional life.”

At Smith’s urging, Hatfield successfully carried the petition of a local fraternity on the Sa­ lem, Ore., campus to the Beta Convention in 1947, and delegates approved a charter for Gamma Sigma.

Hatfield sprinted to the top of Oregon politics in less than a decade. He was acclaimed in the media as “the new political golden boy of the Pacific Northwest.” During his three decades in the Senate, Hatfield’s early approach to political extremism was somewhat ambivalent. He took a stand against the anti-Communist extremism of the McCarthy years, while still speak­ ing out against Communism.

At the 1965 governors'conference, Vice President Hubert Humphrey sought support for the Johnson Administration’s w ar policy. When the vote was called, there was a chorus of ayes.

“When the nays were asked, I shouted out my ‘no.’” He was vilified by other governors, but stood his ground then and in the Senate.

His concerns for the environment prevail. In 1974, he declared, “In our desire for mate­ rial goods, we have polluted our sky and waterways, creating an ecological imbalance that threatens the life of our p la n e t. . . and to do injustice to the earth in search of material wealth is to destroy a part of ourselves.”

As Hatfield engaged the many challenges of retirement, he authored his fifth book, Against the Grain, his political and spiritual memoir. Critics describe him as “the most progressive politi­ cian in the Republican party since Abraham Lincoln.” He was a 1998 recipient of Beta Theta Pi’s Oxford Cup. — Ibid., winter 1996, page 57; winter 1999, pages 12-13; w inter2002, page 9

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930\ Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

42

Continued from page 39 The friends and admirers of Fr. Chase are legend. One day he may be mingling at a Hollywood social affair, quietly lining up donations for his life's work in downtown Los Angeles. But Sundays and holidays, he mixes among the 5,000-plus “sad souls on Skid Row,” shaking hands, patting backs bent over from hardship, telling them, “God loves you” and pressing a crisp new dollar bill into several thousand pairs of grimy hands. “ I hand out thousands of dollars every w eek,” noted the joyful, charis­ matic teddy bear in black shirt and white collar. Semi-retired, he began his particular kind o f ministry when he was a fund-raiser for Loyola M arymount University, which gained him entry into the homes of Los A ngeles’s elite. Meanwhile, he was ministering to thousands on Skid Row, ju st a few blocks from City Hall. One day, he reasoned that it would boost the spirits of such sad souls if he could put a fresh dollar bill in their hands. Such sums w ouldn’t come from a priest's poverty-level salary,

Fr. Chase and donor Barbra Streisand

of course; so Fr. Chase began putting the arm on celebrities and social­ ites. Sundays he dispenses some $4,000 on Skid Row; W ednesdays, he passes another $500 or more at a soup kitchen in Santa Monica.

And on holidays — Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc. — more than $15,000 will be handed out, sometim es a dollar, sometim es more to mothers with children, even $100 to the poorest and neediest. Do the math; that’s well into six figures a year! Among his many sponsors are the late Jimmy Stewart, Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope, along with Gregory Peck, Bob Newhart, Joan Collins, Loretta Young, Vin Scully, Irene Dunne and Barbra Streisand. At society gatherings, he is known as the “Socialite Priest,” who is on the “A-list” for parties given by the rich and famous.

One day on the playground, a second-grader tugged at his sleeve: “Father, you didn’t call on me today, and I knew the right answer,” she told him. “I guess you deserve a prize.” The priest grinned and handed her a dollar b ill. . . the first he ever passed out. A long way from Skid Row, to be sure, but as Fr. Chase noted, “The buck only starts here!’’

“Father Dollar Bill:” a hero to thousands of L.A. ’s homeless

At Loyola Marymont, he was assistant to the president, and the buck-passing truly blossomed, attracting the necessary financial support as well as endorsements.

“He believes in religion in the trenches,” said Bob Newhart, “not just in some distant ivory tower.”

At the other extreme, Buck, a middle-aged Skid Row regular insisted, “Fr. Maury is our saint.”

Buck sleeps in an alley. “He cares about us, cares who we are. "For Fr. Chase, his work is partly inspiration and partly an expression o f friendship. “I just think everybody should have the dignity of having a dollar in their pocket, and a lot of these people don’t have anything. That dollar bill is a symbol of hope.”

Fr. Chase acknowledges that there are skeptics. “I ju st smile, try to love them and say I am doing this for God. I don’t need people to understand. If it pleases God, what does it matter what people think? You can’t do anything in life without som ebody criticizing you.” — A uthor H U G H E. STEPHENSON, JR., MISSOUR11943 A distinguished cardio-thoracic surgeon and developer of the first mobile resuscitation unit, also known as the defibrillator, Dr. Stephenson is credited with leadership in the effort against

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B e tas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

43 great odds to establish the state’s official four-year medical school at the University of Missouri.

Important in this fight were his persistent lobbying o f state legislators and his performance at the 1951 hearing to establish Columbia, rather than Kansas City, as site of M issouri’s first statefunded medical school.

Dr. Stephenson, recipient of Beta Theta Pi’s Oxford Cup in 1997, was president of the Fraternity, 1978-81. He became a mem ber o f the fac­ ulty of the University School of Medicine at Columbia, Mo., in 1953. He received a professorship in surgery in 1956 and was chairman, depart­ ment of surgery, 1956-60. In 1956, he was named one of the nation’s “Ten Outstanding Young Men.” Dr. Stephenson was chief o f the Missouri school’s division of general surgery, 1976-87, and chief of staff, 1982-94. He was named John Grow-

Surgeon/inventor

don Distinguished Professor em eritus in 1987, interim dean in 1988-89,

Dr. Stephenson

associate dean 1989-92 and distinguished professor of surgery emeritus

in 1993. W inning the four-year designation for the medical school resulted in the addition of an open-heart program, one of only 20 in the nation. Dr. Stephenson performed the first open-heart surgery at University Hospital in 1958. He is the author of Im mediate Care o f the A cutely III and Injured, published in its fourth edition in 1974; Cardiac A rrest and Resuscitation, into its fourth edition in 1975, and Aesculpapius was a Tiger, a candid and occasionally light-hearted reminder of how the medical school came to be.

Also, in many libraries is his Kicks That Count, 1981, a 270-

3

page volum e on the finer points o f place-kicking a football,

_

,

,

Early open-heart . , surgeon and inventor of p o r t a b i e d e fjb r jla t o r

which he and his son Hugh Edward III (Ted), an SMU Beta, put to endless tests on the official end zone crossbar in their back yard. He and his wife Sally live in Columbia, Mo. They also have a daughter, a one-tim e professional tennis player. — R obert T. Howard, DePauw 1937, editor emeritus, The Beta Theta Pi Dr. Stephenson was honored with the Freeman Quality in Medicine Award by W estm inster College in 1996. Principal speaker at the award’s banquet was Margaret Thatcher, form er British Prime Minister. Noting that Dr. Stephenson’s first textbook, Cardiac A rrest and Resuscitation, has become a classic, the Freeman Health System pointed out that his research concluded that a heart which had stopped beating might be restarted. Before that research, resuscitation efforts were not attempted if a patient’s heart stopped. Cardio Pulm onary Rescusitation (CPR) in its present form evolved largely from his research. — Ibid., spring 1996, page 25

H. RICHARD HORNBERGER, JR., BOWDOIN 1945 Dr. Hornberger is the author of the book M*A*S*H, based on his experiences as an Army doc­ tor during the Korean War. A motion picture and the popular television show were taken from the book, adaptations which he did not approve. A 1974 Emmy Award went to lead actor Alan Alda in that TV series. — Ibid., Sept. 1974, page 31 The title stands for “Mobile Army Surgical Hospital,” and the story tells how a group of young Army surgeons and medical

K o re a n W a r

veteran wrote M*A*S*H

personnel handled the extrem e pressure, frustrations, even boredom during their stint at a mobile hospital near the front in the Korean War. Dr. Hornberger,

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book. 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta B o o k ,1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9. Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

44

BETA HEROES

who wrote the book under the pen name Richard Hooker, based the book on personal experi­ ences. He practiced as a chest surgeon in Waterville, Maine. — Ibid., A pril 1971, page 462

PAUL C. ADKINS, JOHNS HOPKINS 1948 Dr. Adkins took a final look at his own x-rays, and he thought, “ I’m looking at my own obituary.”

He had known the risks o f smoking but gambled on genetics. His parents were both heavy smok­ ers and lived long lives. He took the x-rays to an associate who had performed general chest surgery for years for a second opinion.

“W hat do you think?” he asked. His associate replied, “It looks like a bad cancer of the lung.”

“They’re m ine.” Atkins replied. During his career, Dr. Adkins had removed more than 2,000 cancerous lungs. His impeccable credentials endeared him to his peers. He held, among many honors, presidency of the American Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Even while undergoing radia­ tion treatments himself, Dr. Adkins continued to operate on others. The story of Dr. Adkins was told in detail by Health Editor John Pekannin in the Washingtonian, a regional magazine, which brought forth a greater response from its readers than any article it had ever published. Titled Hope A ll Things, Endure A ll Things, it was the story of a good doctor with a family and a brilliant future who had to confront an illness he had treated all his professional life. It tells how a man of courage looked death squarely in the eye, facing it w ithout self-deception. The story is sad, but radiates hope. Dr. Adkins wanted the meaning of his life to live on. — Ibid., fall 1982, page 12

DONALD JOSEPH FRANK, CINCINNAT11948 Dr. Frank, who assisted in the care of more than 100,000 infants in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, balanced his job at Good Samaritan Hospital with a private practice and his role as medical director for Catholic Social Services and the St. Joseph Home for Retarded Children. In 1984, his report of two suspicious infant deaths at Good Samaritan Hospital to the Federal Centers for Disease Control led to the nationwide recall o f E-Ferol, an intravenous vitamin linked to the deaths of 39 infants that year. Dr. Frank was director of Good Samaritan pediatrics, 1967-88, then medical director of Munson Medical Center, Traverse City, Mich. He held numerous academic positions in Cincinnati and was a mem ber of dozens of professional organizations. A 1987 paper on E-Ferol was nominated fo rth e 1987 Charles C. Shepard ScienceAward. Father of Thomas F., Cincinnati/ M ississippi 1985, Dr. Frank died in 1990. — Ibid., spring 1990, page 280

MEID COMPTON, INDIANA 1949 When Beta great Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence 1922, was still alive and attending Beta con­ ventions regularly, you could always respond to the question, “W here’s Seth?” by saying, “Look for Meid, and you’ll find Seth.” Meid Compton seemed always to be a loyal fixture at Seth’s side.

But M eid’s concern for others continued to express itself in other ways, too. At age 66, the former medical-surgical assistant with a M*A*S*H unit in New Guinea during World W ar II, learned that the Indiana Lions Clubs needed volunteers to drive new ambulances to Guatemala. Meid calmly stepped forward and chauffeured one of the vehicles over the treacherous mountains and difficult roads of Mexico and Central America.

“Life has been good to me,” he said. “I’m ju st doing my part.”

More recently, responding to a newspaper ad, Meid climbed on a plane as a point man for medical teams bound for Somalia.

“The Somalia Relief & Rehabilitation organization was looking for people to go into rural towns, Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

45 organize quarters and set up working arrangem ents for surgical team s.” Meid penned a letter, and six weeks after U.S. troops had waded ashore in Somalia, Feb. 6, 1993, he stepped off a plane In Djibouti. The next day, he made his way to Hargarsia, a forlorn city, originally of 133,000, which had been abandoned for five years and where 125,000 people died of starvation or gunfire.

Survivors lived in tents or rubble. “ I camped out on the third floor o f the Manuel H otel.” He laughed in that fam iliar way he has o f shrugging off personal accom plishm ents.

“There was a big sycam ore ju st tw o feet from the balcony. I was told, ‘If you ever hear gunfire, jum p into that tree. T hey’ll never see you up there.’” Gunfire could be heard constantly. No passports are required as there is no official local governm ent to inspect them. W hile many changes have occurred since he was there, Som alia rem ains out of control.

Meid Compton: a lifetime o f service

Indigent medical personnel saw patients ju st four hours a day in the only hospital still usable among the three in town. The medical staff came at 7:00 a.m., left at 11:00 a.m. Patients were alone for 20 hours. Meid

paved the way for three international surgical teams, each with three doctors and three nurses.

Most of their work Involved reconstructive surgery and pediatrics.

On the streets, children sell cigarettes . . . one at a time. “I lived on food I’d brought in my suit­ case — olives, anchovies, peanut butter, pickles,” he said. “The best buy I made all week was a can of Pepsi. It cost 8,500 Somali dollars; that's $4.50 U.S.” Meid hastened to emphasize that most people were courteous. “And all seemed bright. No schools, but you’d see a group of kids and a teacher under a tree.” He insists he'd do it again.

“It was a great experience,” he said, noting that relief efforts — Red Cross, UNICEF, medical groups — are the country’s only industry, “except for the old man who herds his donkey through town every day, doling out fresh water for a hefty price.”

A realtor by trade, Meid was honored with Beta Theta Pi’s Shepardson Award in 2001. The form er member of the Beta Theta Pi Foundation Board of Directors attended 49 Beta Conventions before his death in 2005. — Ibid., Convention 1993, page 51

ENFIELD B. (FLICKY) FORD, VANDERBILT 1950 A fte r se rvice in the A rm y in Korea, where he used his car­ tooning ability to entertain the troops, Flicky returned to Atlanta, Ga., to work in advertising sales management. He later moved to New Y ork and w a s w ith L ife m a g a zin e ,

A number o f F lic k y ’s cartoons appeared in The Beta Theta Pi, including these (above and right) in the fa ll issue, 1996.

1956-65; promotion director for Holiday magazine, 1965-67; in advertising for four

Continued on page 48

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933, Ibid. 9. Faithful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

46

HEROES WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES ON OUR STREETS AND IN OUR SKIES In wars, there are numerous reports of brave pilots who gave their lives to save their comrades. Equally heroic have been those who exhibited the same kind of courage in friendly skies, including, among others, Betas on the ground.

DONALD WARNER STEWART, JR., NEBRASKA 1949 Lt. Stewart kept his fighter plane in the air for 30 minutes after it collided with another to avoid its crashing in the heavily populated area along the Massachusetts coastline. Not until it was over the Atlantic Ocean did he bail out. He was struck by his disabled plane as he fell and was unconscious when he reached the water.

Coast Guardsmen in a helicopter recovered him minutes after he hit the water, but he failed to respond and died without regaining consciousness. The other plane landed safely.

In his last moments, Stewart, in radio contact with his own base, reported that he was using all his strength to keep his plane airborne and that he would have to abandon it. His final message was, “ I’m gonna go now.” — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 526

JOHN ROBERT WIKEEN, WASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS, 1954 2nd Lt. Wikeen died Oct. 18, 1958, on active duty as an A ir National Guard pilot. Rather than abandon his aircraft near a populated area, he headed out to sea prior to ejection off the coast of New Jersey. He could not be rescued in time to prevent his death from exposure and drowning. — Ibid., M ay 1959, page 439

WAYNE R. BARTLEY, IOWA STATE 1955 On Jan. 7, 1958, Lt. j.g. Bartley’s Crusader jet fighter went out of control at low altitude over a residential area near Moffett Field, Calif. Barely missing the nearby highway, he was able to regain enough control to aim his fighter for a small clear triangle of land between the highway and a row of houses. Too late to eject himself, he was killed in the crash that sheared telephone poles and exploded the gas tank into flames. Not more than 250 feet aw ay, c h ild re n w e re at play; yet because o f this precise, sacrificial act o f Lt. Bartley, no one in the co n g e ste d area w as in ­ jured. He had reported to Moffett Field only the day before the fatal crash. A son, W ayne Richard, Jr., was born to his wife Mardell five days later. — Ibid., June 1958, page 501

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

47

MATTHEW C. HAWLEY, WASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS 1980 Media throughout the country in late May 1985, paid homage to a U.S. Navy pilot who sacrificed his life to save others by guiding his burning jet away from pleasure boaters in Shelter Bay, off the San Diego coastline. The hero was Lt. Hawley, stationed at the nearby Miramar Naval A ir Station.

W hile it is usual for a pilot in the rear of the two-seat Skyhawk to eject first, Hawley ordered his flight officer out first and she survived. Matt successfully steered the crashing jet away from crowds of boats in the bay before ejecting himself, but it was too late for the parachute to open. He was picked up by helicopter, but died an hour later.

A good student who played football and was a wrestler, Hawley was commissioned an ensign in 1980 and earned his wings in 1984. — Ibid., fall 1985, page 13 Another article reported: “Matthew Hawley died in an aviation accident and feat of heroism that commanded nationwide

“Lt. Hawley gave his life in a heroic act. ” — St. Louis Mayor

media attention.”

Matt was described by his commanding officer as a “fine, professional naval officer loved and respected by his squadron mates.” A memorial service was held at Miramar A ir Station in San Diego. — Ibid., w inter 1986, page 26 A follow-up story noted that “Lt. Matthew C. Hawley Day” was declared by the mayor of St. Louis in honor o f Hawley. The mayor said: “I, Vincent C. Schoemehl, Jr., mayor of the city of St. Louis, join in expressions of respect, admiration and appreciation to this dedicated American who willingly gave his life in a heroic act. I, with pride, proclaim Nov. 12, 1985, as Lieutenant Matthew C. Hawley Day.” — Ibid., w inter 1986, page 183

CUONG H. (TONY) TRINH, HOUSTON 1993 A policeman in Houston, Texas, Officer Trinh was shot and killed April 6, 1997, while off duty, working at his fam ily’s convenience store. His superiors called him a conscientious, hard-working and ambitious officer. — Ibid., convention 1997, page 117

MICHAEL P. KEARNEY, IOWA 2004 On Jan. 10, 2004, Kearney reportedly died of severe head trauma after a heroic act of kindness. Due to complete an industrial engineering degree four months later, he was an intern at Maytag-Amana and enjoyed camping and music. Note: Repeated inquiries to the University of Iowa and Iowa Betas failed to develop details about Brother Kearney’s heroic action. — A uthor

VAUGHN AUGUSTINE HAINES, OHIO STATE 1922 “Game to the last,” he died saving two drowning girls A student in May 1921, he drowned risking his life to save the lives of two girls who were drowning. Reported the Ohio State student newspaper, Lantern: “He was wellliked, active, bright, a conscientious chap. He was game to the last. His death was not that of a w ar veteran killed in battle, nor that of a great public figure, but that of a real fellow who gave his all for someone else.” — Ibid 4, page 318

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929 ; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta B o o k ,1933; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

48

BETA HEROES

Continuedfrom page 45 years, then became director o f creative services for Life, 1969-72; Time's special projects direc­ tor, 1972-74, and director of creative service, 1974-85. After 1984, he was consultant/produceer/ writer/cartoonist for Time-Warner, the Kennedy Center, National Geographic and British Airways.

Flicky drew the “Laughing Stop” cartoon for Highways magazine for nine years. He was a contributing cartoonist to The Beta Theta Pi and was featured in the w inter 1996 issue, page 58, and later issues of the magazine. Personal experiences in coping with prostate cancer were the subject of the feature. He died in 2003 in Portland, Ore.

JOHN WILLIAM WARNER, WASHINGTON AND LEE, 1949/W/?G/A//A 1953 Secretary of the Navy, 1972-74, and U.S. Senator from Virginia, 1979-2009, John W arner took numerous stands against those of his Republican party. He stood against the w ar in Iraq and torture of terrorists and endorsed stem cell research and gun control. Meanwhile, he was a strong supporter of the armed forces. A t his retirement after 30 years in the Senate, he was chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, 1999-2009. The second-longest-serving senator from Virginia, he received the Fraternity’s Oxford Cup in 2008.

LYLE J. CLEVENGER, CINCINNAT11954 Capt. C levenger was cited by the USAF for his participation in the Berlin Airlift; he flew 142 missions, December 1948 to April 1949. W hile the missions were not in the face of enemy

Flew 142 missions jn the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift

fire, the flights were dangerous because of low-level flying and treacherous landing conditions. He entered the service in 1942 and served eight months in New Guinea where he participated in 23 bombing missions as a B-25 pilot. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 203

RICHARD GREEN LUGAR, DENISON 1954 First elected to the U.S. Senate in 1977, Dick L ugaris currently the longest serving Republican mem ber of the upper house. He has been recognized for his bi-partisan role, often earning ap­ plause by notable Democrats. With Senator Sam Nunn, he saw passage of the Nunn-Lugar bill providing the resources to help clean up aging Cold W ar weaponry. The legislation approved the treaty to reduce the w orld’s use, production and stockpiling o f nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Spokesman for Beta Theta Pi’s Men o f Principle initiative, he was the 13th Beta to be honored with the Oxford Cup.

PAUL JOSEPH WEITZ, PENN STATE 1954 Former Deputy C om m ander of the Johnson Space Center, Houston, Captain Weitz, USN (ret.) had a distinguished military-space career. F or his biography, see page 10.

CHARLES E. FEGLEY III, PENN STATE 1957; GEORGE A. BLOCH, MICHIGAN 1957, and DAVID ARNOLD CALKIN, FLORIDA 1960 Navy Lts. Fegley, Bloch and Calkin were with Operation Deepfreeze in the Ant­ arctica. Lt. Fegley was officer in charge of the first nuclear power plant there, PM3A. Dr. Bloch, who spent 20 months in the Deepfreeze program, for one year was the

Antarctic

only dentist on the 5-1/2 million square miles of frozen continent. Calkin was on a

Service

nine-month tour with the Navy. — Ibid., Jan. 1965, page 250; M ay 1963, page 457

Medal

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4.: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B e tas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

49

FREEMAN BRUCE OLMSTEAD, KENYON 1957 USAF Captain Olmstead was one o f two officers released by the USSR in February 1961 after being detained more than six months. In June 1957, he completed flight training and transferred overseas. He was captured in July 1960 when his B-47 jet was shot down off Russia’s Arctic coast. — Ibid., M ay 1961, page 419

ROBERT ERIC SONNENBURG, CHICAGO 1957 Sonnenburg, an optham ologist and San Diego native, practicing first in Merced, Calif., and later in Crescent City, Calif., died in 1983. A fter completing medical school at the University of Chicago, he was on a polaris submarine as the ship’s surgeon. He participated in the Sealab project with astronaut Scott Carpenter, the two staying 200 feet

Sealab pioneer with Astronaut Scott Carpenter

underwater in a capsule for a record 30 days. From the capsule, he dove to 300 feet, then a world record. As an undergrad, he was undefeated as a heavyweight and captain o f the wrestling team. — Ibid., spring 1984, page 326

ROBERT TAYLOR DEWEY, DARTMOUTH 1958 Dewey died in 1985 when his Vought A-7 C orsair II je t crashed during a training flight over Oklahoma. He was a 16-year veteran test pilot for Vought Aeroproductions, ITV C orp., in Dallas, Texas. Upon graduation, he joined the Navy, rising to lieutenant commander. He was a landing signal officer with Heavy Attack Squadron Six in Washington, 1960-64. For three years, he was in the flight test division, Naval A ir Test Center, Maryland. — Ibid., fall 1986, page 54

CHARLES F. FISHER, LAWRENCE 1958 Former alumni association director and Lawrence University trustee, Charles F. Fisher, for whom the Fisher Memorial Scholarship is named, devoted his energies to, as he describes them, “the materially poor, who have given me a profound gift: their spiritual w ealth.” He traveled to Kenya, Ethiopia, the Rwandan border and India, working with caregivers, often with the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order founded by Mother Teresa. He launched Money Interview Project, explaining, “For some, money has become the whole cloth, the driving force, while for others it serves merely as a means to more noble ends.” — Ibid., winter 1999, page 9

JOSEPH P. ALLEN IV, DePAUW 1959 Dr. Allen made three trips into space. His last role with the NASA was as assistant adm inistra­ tor. In 1976, he was in charge of NASA's legislative affairs in Washington, DC, later becoming CEO of Veridian, Inc., the huge space industries firm. He was the second Beta to be awarded the Fraternity’s distinguished Oxford Cup, 1984. F or his biography, see page 9.

ALEXANDER BRECKENRIDGE McMILLAN, M ISSOUR11963 An Eagle Scout, as a youth he saved a drowning boy.

By age 11, McMillan had completed all but one of his 21 merit badges — lifesaving — to become an Eagle Scout. On a river trip that summer, he saved a drowning child, earning a lifesaving badge and a national scouting award for courage. A W ebster Groves, Mo., city councilman, 1971-79, he co-owned Rolling Ridge Garden Center. He died in W ebster Groves in 1994. — Ibid, w inter 95, page 44

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

50

BETA HEROES

BATTLESHIP SKIPPERS Four U.S. Navy World W ar ll-vintage battle­ ships were taken out of mothballs and refitted for cruise missiles in the early 1980s. Two of the behem oths were com m anded by Betas.

The four refitted battlewagons were the USS Iowa, USS M issouri, USS N ew Je rse y and USS Wisconsin.

Jerry M. Blesch, C entre 1960, was skipper of the USS Wisconsin during the Gulf W ar in the early 1990s, firing its 16-inch guns in the

Blesch o f Centre

Gneckow o f Idaho

initial bombardment of Iraqi troops and instal­ lations when the U.S. and consortium troops dislodged the invaders from Kuwait. Following his retirement, Captain Blesch took an active role in the Fraternity, serving as leadership com m issioner and six years as general sec­ retary and mem ber of the Board of T r u s t e e s , ___________________________________________________________ 1995-2001. Blesch received Beta Theta Pi’s Francis W. Shepardson award for outstanding service to the Fraternity in 2004. — Ibid., convention 1991, pages 82-84 Gerald E. Gneckow, Id a h o 1960, was named skipper of the 39-year-old, 58,000-ton battle­ ship USS Iowa in fall, 1983. Captain Gneckow began his naval career in the NROTC amid the w heat fields and sprawling hills around the University of Idaho, 300 miles north of Boise where he graduated from high school.

“When I went to college I’d never seen a ship and never been to the ocean.” He served aboard three different destroyers, helping knock out several North Vietnam bridges with deck guns as captain of the USS John S. McCain. He was surface plans officer to the commander, 7th Fleet, 1975-77 and instructor at the Naval Staff College before comm anding the guided Missile Cruiser USS Richm ond K. Turner in 1980. Gneckow was promoted to rear admiral before retirement. — Treasure o f the Hills: First 100 Years o f Beta Theta Pi in Idaho, page 128

UCLA PLEDGES AND MEMBERS HELPED FIRE VICTIMS (1961} Max Mendelsoni of Los Angeles wrote to UCLA Chancellor Franklin D. Murphy, Kansas 1936, following the disastrous fires in the Los Angeles area in November 1961: “At about 3:00 p.m., the fire came down the canyon and swept to within 10 to 25 feet along the rear of my house. My family and I evacuated, but five minutes later I was informed that, although my house had burned down, Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

51

there were looters in the area.” On returning to his house, he discovered that it had not burned.

Outside the fence fighting the fire were Beta pledges Phillip Kern, Jeffery McCarron and Thomas (Tim) Wood. Given tools, they helped sm other fires, then disappeared to fight fires elsewhere.

“This was the only help I received,” Mendelsoni said. Finding indifference from government agencies, he again turned to Beta Theta Pi for volunteers. “Their response was unlimited and enthusiastic. I w ant you to know about this because too often (fraternities) are subject to criticism.

I can only present my unqualified appreciation and gratitude for their heroism and remarkable cooperation. . . . The only assistance I received was through the students o f your school.”

Later, Chapter Secretary Raymond Holland, 1964, reported: “Most chapter members were involved in fighting the fire or repairing the after-effects. Afterwards, many residents sought help in setting up sandbag dikes to protect their homes from mudslides from the barren hills. Many members helped then, too.” — Ibid., M ay 1962. page 427

DALE THOMAS MORTENSEN, WILLAMETTE 1961 Born in Enterprise, Ore., Dr. Mortensen earned his PhD in economics from Carnegie Mellon University. He has been on the faculty of Northwestern University since 1965 and a professor of managerial economics and decision sciences at the Kellogg School of Management since 1980. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics jointly with Peter A. Diamond from MIT and Christopher A. Pissarides from the London School of Economics in 2010 “for their analysis of markets with search frictions.” His research focuses on labor economics, macroeconom ics and economic theory. He has been the Niels Bohr Visiting Professor at the School of Economics and Management, University of Aarhus, since 2006.

ROBERT FRY ENGLE III, WILLIAMS 1964

. „

K1W .

^

u

Bom in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1942, Dr. Engle graduated in physics from Williams, earned an M.S. in physics and a PhD. in economics from Cornell University. After eight years as professor of economics at MIT, he was on the faculty of the University

..

.

Drs. M o rte n se n a n d . .

e - r e c ip ie n S

^ N o b e l P rize s fo r E co n o m ics

of California, San Diego, 1975-2003. He currently teaches at New York U niversity’s Stern School of Business where he is the Michael Armellino professor of management of financial services.

Dr. Engle’s most important contribution was his ground-breaking discovery of a method for analyzing unpredictable movements in financial market prices and interest rates, which earned him the 2003 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, sharing the award with Clive Granger “for methods of analyzing economic time series with time-varying volatility.” More recently, he (and Eric Ghysels) founded the Society for Financial Econometrics.

C. WILLIAM (BILL) NELSON, FLORIDA/YALE 1965 According to his personal biographer, “The two most defining events in Senator N elson’s life occurred in 1972 — he married Grace Cavert and was first elected to public office.

“The first Congressman in space (excepting form er Sen. John Glenn, Dem.-Ohio, who was an astronaut before he was elected to office) in January 1986, Nelson spent six days orbiting earth as a mission specialist aboard the space shuttle Columbia. That experience gave him a new perspective on earth’s fragile environment and a greater appreciation for the importance of our Continued on page 58 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: Faithful Home o f the Three Stars, 1988

52

BETA HEROES

BARRY CHAPMAN BISHOP, CINCINNAT11954 Member of first U.S. team to summit Mount Everest “ If you ever got Barry Bishop talking about himself,” reported National Geographic M aga­ zine, “he likely failed to mention the not-so-insignificant fact that he was a member of the first American team to summ it Mount Everest,” on May 22, 1963. On its website and in “How We Climbed Everest,” the 1963 National Geographic article that chronicled the ascent, the magazine described Bishop as “a geographer of the first order,” adding, “That’s ju st how Barry was. Besides a quick sense o f humor and a passion for science and exploration, he was exceedingly modest and unstoppable.”

At the time of his death in an auto accident in 1994, near Pocatello, Idaho, Barry was chairman of the National Geo­ graphic Society’s committee for research and exploration.

Medals and awards came in numbers to the daring Bishop.

Frostbite during the Everest ascent claimed all his toes and the tips of his little fingers, but that didn't deter him from National G eographic’s Barry Bishop

achieving the summ it then and other mountain-top achieve­ ments. After President John F. Kennedy awarded the team

the Hubbard Medal in the W hite House Rose Garden, Barry continued his w ork as a pho­ tographer, writer and educator at the Society. He earned a PhD in geography and, until his retirement in 1994, served as vice chairman, then chairman, of research and exploration.

Died in a car crash in 1994 Retiring to Montana in 1994, he had lived in Bethesda, Md. He and his wife Lila were on their way to San Francisco where he was to deliver a lecture when the fatal car crash occurred. The following November, the Society honored him posthumously with the Dis­ tinguished Geography Educator award, “a fitting acknowledgem ent,” the Society noted, “of one whose life reflected National Geographic’s mission of increasing and diffusing geographic knowledge.”

“We could always count on Barry fo r w ell-considered advice,” said Editor Bill Allen, “and admired his concern for the people o f the Himalayas and the welfare of the planet.”

Bishop’s biography reads like a series o f courageous adventures. The scientist, mountaineer, photographer and scholar graduated from Cincinnati with a degree in geology.

As part o f his undergraduate research, he did field w ork

O f his 1963 S C d lin g o f Mt. Everest, B ishop d e scrib e d the m ou n ta in 8 S “the h ig h e s t G odgiven la b o ra to ry O h earth ”

in the Mt. McKinley area in 1951, participating in Bradford W ashburn’s expedition, reaching the summ it on July 10, the fourth ascent of the mountain.

In 1952, Barry and Rodger Ewy climbed guideless on many “classics” in Europe, among them the Zugspitze Ridge, Cime Grande in the Dolomites, Z'm utt Ridge on the Matterhorn, the traverse from Gornergrat to Monte Rosa via summits of Breithorn, Castor and Pollux.

Ibid.: The B eta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B e ta s o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

53

Barry and Brent were the first U.S. father-son team to sum m it M ount Everest.

He soloed the Italian Ridge on the Matterhorn.

B is h o p s e rv e d in th e Antarctic Projects office of the U.S. Air Force, 1955-58, working as scientific advi­ sor to Admiral Richard E. Byrd. He was U.S. observer on the Argentine Antarctic Expedition, 1956-57.

Based on his photographs of Antarctica and the Bugaboos, he was hired by National Geographic in 1959 as picture editor, later serving on the foreign editorial and photographic staffs. He served with Sir Edmund Hillary, first to ascend Mt. Everest, on the Himalayan Scientific and Mountaineering Expedition of 1960-61.

As chairman o f the research committee, he presided over the awarding of millions of dollars in grants for scientific research and exploration. He was Landegger Distinguished Professor at Georgetown University, 1992-94, and served on the faculties of the universi­ ties of Montana State, Arizona State and Michigan. His awards include the Explorers Club Medal, National Geographic Society’s Franklin L. Burr Prize and William Howard Taft Medal of the University of Cincinnati.

Author and photographer of the book How We Climbed Everest, Bishop gave President Kennedy the U.S. flag he carried to the sum m it o f Everest. He and his son Brent were the first American father-son team to climb Everest. He topped his first mountain at age three, riding up Mount Mitchell, N.C., on his father’s back. — Ibid., w inter 1995, page 42 O f the 1963 expedition which reached the summ it of the 29,028-foot Mt. Everest, he described the mountain as, “the highest God-given laboratory on earth.” — Ibid., May 1994, page 402 Bishop was survived by his wife Lila (Mueller) and their children, Tara (1964) and Brent (1966). Tara’s husband Greg Mortenson co-authored the best-seller, Three Cups o f Tea.

LANE FRANCIS S O M M ER, IDAHO 1980 Fell to his death climbing in South America Young Sommer fell to his death during a climb in South Africa. An avid outdoorsman and experienced mountain-climber, he was related to several well-known Betas: his father, form er General Treasurer John M. Sommer, M iam i 1953; his great uncle, the late, Otho E. Lane, M iam i 1901, and form er Beta Theta Pi Vice President and Adm inistrative Secretary Robert L. Cottrell, M iam i 1954 — Ibid., fall 1981, page 5 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

54

WILLIAM E. LOWRY, JR., KENYON 1956 Presumedly the first African-American in Beta Theta Pi The finer details of an individual’s initiation often fade through the passing years. Not so in the case of Bill Lowry. Leaving his boyhood home on the south side of Chicago, he traveled east to Gambier, Ohio, to begin his college career. His father, a hard-working postal worker, had insisted on Bill obtaining a quality education, and Bill found a home at Kenyon College.

In fall 1952, Bill was a halfback on the football team and made fast friends.

Several players on the team, members of Beta Theta Pi, extended a “social” membership to Bill, but he had not yet been invited to join the Fraternity. The following year, the 18-year-old sophomore moved into Kenyon’s Leonard Hall, where many Betas lived.

Lowry was initiated by Beta Alpha chapter on April 27,1954, ju st three weeks before the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision on Brown i/. Board o f Education. A 25-year-old Martin Luther King, Jr., was working on his dissertation in system atic theology at Boston University. Rosa Parks was still conforming to Montgom ery’s segregationist busing poli­ cies and Kenyon College had graduated its first two black students ju st two years earlier.

K enyon’s Bill Lowry

“At that time,” said Franklin H. Gingeric, Kenyon 1956, “there

was an unofficial policy against initiating blacks.” While neither the Fraternity’s constitution nor laws imposed any restrictions with regard to race, color or creed upon those consid­ ered for membership, the initiation of a black student had simply not — to the knowledge of Fraternity officers — been done prior to the spring o f 1954, except in a suspected handful of sub rosa cases.

“For us, it was just a natural thing to do.”

“We w eren’t trying to make a statem ent,” recalled James A. Hughes, Jr., 1955, chapter president. General Secretary Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence 1922, suggested that the chapter delay the initiation until he could consult with alumni and Fraternity officers. “There was absolutely no reason not to initiate him,” continued Hughes. “For us, it was ju st a natural thing to do.”

In late sum m er 1954, the buzz at the 115th General Convention in Oxford, Ohio, was all about Kenyon. Discussions were held as to whether the chapter should be censured, or perhaps have its charter withdrawn.

Although the chapter was censured by the Convention, sentiments quickly faded, and Kenyon’s delegate and attendees returned to the beautiful hilltop in Gam bier to resume their college lives. Bill played halfback for the football team, was co-captain of the 195455 basketball team and was elected president of the student body during his junior year.

The vernacular of the times speaks volumes about individual perceptions of the chapter’s decision. K. Warren Fawcett, Minnesota 1926, wrote about “the Kenyon affair” in his 1961 Ibid.: The B eta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

55

book, M arching Along. “At the tim e,” he wrote, “the Fraternity had recognized that while the day might come when those of the Negro race might be freely accepted as brothers, that time had not yet arrived.”

Decades later, Lowry’s college days have faded into the background o f w hat has become a remarkable life. He harbors no bitterness about the circum stances resulting from his initiation; he even muses, “I am The Kenyon Affair. W hatever I am, w hatever I’ve done, I sure didn’t do it alone,” he says.

College was a means of becoming multifaceted Lowry thought o f college as a means for becoming a multifaceted individual. Early on, he was introduced to Plato and Socrates through various philosophy courses and developed an appreciation for having order in the way one thinks.

It was during his time in the U.S. Air Force, 1957-60, that Lowry, a radar controller in King Salmon, Alaska, became an avid reader. “ It was a time in my life when my learning curve was at its highest.”

Lowry studied the works of Shelton and Hemingway. He devoured historical novels and books about religion, politics and topics related to race.

“I’m passionate about tolerance,” insists Lowry, who finds it difficult to accept or see how rational people cannot be understanding of one another. His jovial personality takes on a more serious tone. He offers a poignant perspective regarding w hat is happening in his comm unity and world.

“The greater the level of tolerance, the better the pos­

L o w ry m a rve ls at the courag e o f the K e n yo n B e ta s: “The p re s s u re s on those y o u n g m en a t that tim e is m iraculous. ”

sibility for understanding leading to positive momentum to assist the greater good for our society.”

Indicative of his personal determination and drive, Lowry accepted a position with The MacArthur Foundation in 1994. The Foundation’s website provides an overview of its purpose: “The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a private, independent grant-making institution dedicated to helping groups and individuals foster lasting improve­ ment in the human condition.” The Foundation authorized grants in excess o f $226 million in 2001. “ I retired to go to work,” he admits. His smooth, yet booming baritone voice permits a series of quick laughs.

Reflecting upon the Kenyon C hapter’s 1954 decision to initiate him, Lowry suggested, “Some men, who shared common denominators, came together in a unique way . . . stick­ ing to a guiding principle and going against the grain.” — Ibid., spring 2003, page 14; by Thomas Olver, Central Michigan 1998, editor, The Beta Theta Pi, 2001-2010

ROBERT E. LEWIS, JR., YALE 1960 Deadly result of a heroic rescue attempt o f a drowning swimmer Robert Lewis, 21, Darien, Conn., drowned Feb. 5, 1961, at Carmel, Calif., when he attempted to rescue another swimmer. — Ibid, June 1961, page 532 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The B eta Book, 1930: Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

56

M IC H A EL L. SYNAR, O K LAHO M A 1972 Risking everything, Synar declared, “It’s the right thing to do.”

In the 1995 Profiles in Courage award by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, Michael L. Synar, was described as “an American hero.”

Often maligned and frequently at odds with his home constituency, Synar caused the nation to see tobacco as a children’s health threat no less menacing than the polio epidem ic of the 1950s. He always said that he never wanted a long career in W ashington, ju st a distinguished one. He got his wish.

In May 1979, Mike was 28, a newly minted representative from Oklahoma facing his first serious vote — a bill protect­ ing vast areas of Alaskan wilderness from development. His background and his constituency clearly told him to oppose the measure. The National Rifle Association, with 35,000 members in his district, lobbied against the bill. The presidents of five oil companies, including one based in his home region, had called him personally and urged a no vote.

Synar's office was covered with maps of Alaska. The more Mike studied the issue, the more his views shifted. He con­ Congressman Synar

cluded that the measure would give drillers the freedom to

drill wherever they wanted. His advisors told him his vote against the bill would assure him a brief career in Washington.

“It’s the right thing to do!”

Acknowledging the risk, Mike declared, “ It’s the right thing to do!”

In an interview w ith The D aily O klahom an alm ost 15 years later, he reflected on that decision: “The tone and dim ension and personality of this office started right there, that day.”

He served eight terms in the House of Representatives with a demeanor described as “demanding and devoted, hot-tempered and warm-hearted, passionate and fearless, an obnoxious bully to some and a beloved buddy to others.” The way he dealt with flak was to go home and explain himself, making his case at town halls and coffee shops and Rotary Club meetings.

Ultimately, however, his individualism cost him, and in 1994, he was ousted in the great Republican sweep when the GOP gained control o f the House for the first time in 40 years.

Within months, he started suffering severe headaches. He gulped down pain pills in May 1995 when he received the Profile in Courage award. That sum m er he was diagnosed with brain cancer, and he died Jan. 9, 1996. He was 45.

Born in 1950 in the postwar baby boom, in Vinita, Okla., Mike joined 4-H and entered his first speech contest at age nine. By the time he enrolled at the University o f Oklahoma and pledged Beta Theta Pi, the five-foot, five-inch fireball from Muskogee already had a statewide reputation as a debater.

When the Norman campus boiled over in outrage when four Kent State anti-war protest­ Ibid.: The B eta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B e ta s o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

57

ers were shot down by National Guard troops, Mike was chosen by student government to help mediate between student activists and the governor. “They sent me,” he recalled, “because I was the frat guy with short hair.”

A fter five years in graduate school — a m aster’s degree from Northwestern, a Rotary fellowship in Scotland and a law degree from Oklahoma — he ran for Congress from the 2nd district that covered the entire northeastern corner of Oklahoma — conservative, poor, populist, hating everything big . . . big government, big oil, big business. It was a district ready-made for Mike, where the champion of the little guy could flourish.

Told people things they didn’t want to hear

H e s e rv e d e ight term s w ith a d e m e a n o r d e scrib e d as “d e m a n d in g a n d devoted, hotte m p e re d a nd w arm -hearted, p a ssio n a te a n d fearless. ”

As he prepared for the move to Washington, people ad­ monished, “Go back there and don’t change, Mike.” He didn’t.

Instead he developed a trait that marked his c a re e r— a willingness to tell people things they didn’t w ant to hear. “You have to decide w hether you're going to be an Oklahoma congressman or a congressman from Oklahom a,” he insisted.

To Mike, the choice was clear; he would be a congressman from Oklahoma, never fearing his own constituency. As a result, he became known as candid and principled.

In the Congress, he may be best-known for his successful constitutional challenge to the Gramm-Rudman Act. In the 1986 U.S. Supreme Court decision Bow sherv. Synar, the Court struck down the law stating, in part, that the provision granting executive power to the U.S. Com ptroller General did “violate the C onstitution’s command that Congress play no direct role in the execution of the laws.”

Mike grew more and more into the gadfly role, even reveled in it. The bigger the fight, the stronger the enemy, the more he liked it. He never took donations from political action committees (PACs). W hen he spent $173,000 for his first campaign, he was shocked to learn that many of his new colleagues had spent $500,000 or more.

Ultimately, his well-financed enemies — tobacco, oil, the NRA — overpowered him. But in the end, Mike provided his own epitaph: “I have a responsibility to move my district, my state, my country forward.” — Author; Rep. S ynar’s obituary, The Beta Theta Pi, spring 1996, page 54

The Love of a Brother The love o f a beautiful maiden The love o f a staunch true man The love o f a baby unafraid Has existed since time began.

But the greatest love, the love o f loves Even g reater than that o f a m other Is the tender infinite passionate love O f one Beta brother fo r another.

— Written and read by Norm Stewart, M issouri 1956, longtime University of Missouri basketball coach, in a speech to the 2nd Annual Leadership Academy, Beta Theta Pi Convention, Marco Island, Fla. — Ibid., convention 1994, page 30

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

58 Continued from page 51 nation’s space exploration program.

“As a payload specialist on Columbia in 1986, he conducted the first body stress test in space, a heart blood pressure test and an attempt to grow protein crystals in space for a cancer research experimentation sponsored by the University of Alabama.

“Nelson blocked a Senate vote on the nominee to chair the Consum er Product Safety Com­ mission, noting that the nominee was chief lobbyist for the National Association of Manufactur­ ers, ill-suited to run an agency charged with enforcing product safety standards. Recognized as the leading congressional expert on NASA, his other priorities include preventing oil drilling off Florida’s coast, ensuring veterans and their spouses get health and other benefits they deserve and fighting for a meaningful Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors.

“To attend college, he sold his prize Santa Gertrudia cattle. In 1978, he ran for Congress from the 11th district and has been the popular choice in re-elections since. Nelson is a fifth-generation Floridian; in 1917, his maternal grandparents homesteaded the land that is now the Kennedy Space Center. Had they lived there today, they would have watched from their porch the liftoff of Mission 61-C with their grandson on board.” F or his biography, see page 11.

A DOUGLAS FLANSBURG, WASHINGTON STATE 1967 “This was the first class they ever had in English, just the Gl slang they had picked up in the village,” said Flansburg, a chaplain’s assistant, 1st Cavalry Division. He referred to his class of 40 Vietnamese students, ages 11-15. The form er AII-Pac-10 pass-catching football star for W SU’s Cougars, he performed significant service to the youth of Phuoc Vih, a village 35 miles north of Saigon. Not speaking Vietnamese, he decided the best way to open communication would be through group activities.

“The thing they probably enjoyed m ost was soccer,” he explained. “It is a national sport with them as it is in European

B ro u g h t hope to 3 Wdr-torn villagG

countries. They were fam iliar with the rules but had no facilities.

I recommended to an engineer battalion com m ander to build a soccer field.” The field produced results which helped bridge the communication gap.

When Flansburg arrived at the village school, he found that textbooks were scarce; only two for each class which required putting everything on a blackboard. Writing his parents, he men­ tioned the problem. The letter was passed to the principal of D oug’s form er high school, and the student body launched a fundraiser which netted some $200. Along with a church collection, the funds purchased textbooks. Upon completing his tour in Vietnam, Flansburg returned to WSU to complete his m aster’s degree in agricultural mechanization. — Ibid., Sept. 1970, page 17

NORBERT MACHADO, STEVENS 1970 After escaping from Cuba in the 1960s, Machado wrote about the restrictive life in the ostracized Communist country. — Ibid., Jan. 1974, pages 268 and 297.

KENNETH D. CAMERON, M/71971 Marine Col. Cameron took his Beta badge with him on Atlantis STS-74, later presenting it to Beta Theta Pi in a special cerem ony where it is now displayed in the museum in Brennan Hall, the Administrative Office of the Fraternity, Oxford, Ohio. F o r his biography, see page 11.

Ibid.: The B eta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta L ore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: B e ta s o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

59

JOE M. ALLBAUGH, OKLAHOMA STATE 1974 Unlike the somewhat tarnished reputation of the Federal Emergency Management Associa­ tion (FEMA) in the years since, the agency, under the direction of Joe Allbaugh, responded in exem plary fashion after the tragic attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

“That single day challenged our agency, my staff and me — indeed the nation — in a way nothing that came before it had ever done,” said Allbaugh.

Allbaugh had been FEMA director for only six months when the mul­ tiple attacks shocked the nation. The attacks in three eastern U.S. areas tapped into all possible FEMA resources.

“For exam ple,” he said, “New York City’s fire departm ent lost virtually its entire command structure when the buildings collapsed. In effect, at O S U ’s Allbaugh

the most pressing time imaginable, those responsible for managing criti­ cal incidents became victims themselves. We immediately dispatched

experts from our fire training academy to fill those vital shoes and put the department back to­ gether. Also, our search and rescue teams arrived to search, in those precious days, for signs of life.

“At the same time, mutual aid assistance agreem ents went into effect throughout the country, and hundreds of fire fighters and first-responders literally came to the rescue of their brethren and the people of New York. Then came the volunteer citizens, from therapists who gave massages and rescue workers to those

“M o s t see A llb a u g h as u n iq u e ly e q u ip p e d to d e a l w ith the m o st d ifficu lt challe n g e s e v e r to face an individual. ”

who staffed kitchens to feed the workers. Sim ilar outpourings occurred in Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. “In all, more than 6,000 federal workers were deployed to New York alone to support the response, about 1,300 from FEMA. Months later, FEMA worked closely on the larger issue of national safety with the Office of Homeland Security. Ultimately, we distributed $3.5 billion to local jurisdictions fo r planning, equipm ent and training necessary to meet the terrorism threat.”

Regrettably, in the hectic days following Hurricane Katrina and other disasters since Allbaugh was FEMA director, the agency’s effectiveness has been widely criticized.

The Oxford Cup honoree (2002) believes, “There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who w onder w hat just hap­ pened. I consider m yself a member o f the first category.”

While he characterizes him self as someone ju st doing his job, most observers see Allbaugh as uniquely equipped to deal with some of the most difficult challenges ever to face an individual.

“The aftermath (of 9-11) truly separated those who make things happen from everyone else. It underscores the Beta concept of mutual assistance in a w ay no one would have imagined. I have been honored to work with and to mourn true heroes.” Indeed, a man is known by the company he keeps. — Ibid., spring 2002, pages 26-27

STEPHEN A. (HEIDI) HEIDENREICH, INDIANA 1977 Stephen Heidenreich had a goal in 1978 — to run in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Ironically, should he succeed it would pale by comparison with another “victory” which began in 1976 on Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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a Bloomington, Ind., street. Steve already defeated death, which met him that fateful evening in the form of an errant teenage driver. Steve’s remarkable recovery and comeback to running was chronicled on A B C ’s Good Morning America. He returned to Bloomington and ran with Olympic decathlon champion Bruce Jenner.

“H eidi,” a w orld-class runner at IU, ran on the H oosier’s world-record four-m ile relay team.

He had run a sterling 3:58.8 mile and won the Big Ten outdoor mile title. W ith the touring U.S. team in Europe, he blazed to a 3:38.8 in a 1500-m eter race at Prague, C zechoslovakia, the equivalent of a 3:55 mile. He qualified for the 1976 U.S. Olym ­ pic Trials. But all this was changed as a hit-and-run driver slammed into Steve.

HOW deep the fires bum .

Coach Sam Bell looked at the x-rays and feared the worst.

Steve had a massive skull fracture and broken jaw. Heidi’s spirit was evident right from the start.

His predicted hospital stay was four to five months. He left in 22 days and began walking . . . then running . . . then laps and weightlifting. Coach Bell noted, “You’ve got to know him well to realize how deep the fires burn.”

Heidi retrained himself academically as well as physically. He returned to classes at IU, returned to his job at the Beta house and to his close friend Mark Schlundt, Indiana 1977. Recently, he ran 12 miles during a YM CA benefit, averaging five minutes a mile. — Ibid., spring 1978, page 294, by H erbert K. (Bert) Byrne, Washington 7957/Washington State 1957 Postscript: U.S. participation in the 1980 M oscow Olympics was stolen from U.S. Olympians when President Jim m y C arter ordered a U.S. boycott.

PATRICK J. MILLER, IDAHO 1981 Dec. 16, 1993, began as a routine day for Pat Miller. Little did the Boise attorney know that his courage would be tested that day. First thing was a deposition to take. Striding through the door, he nodded to those present and laid his briefcase on the table. Sitting, he looked at his papers, quietly pleased that the other five were ready to proceed. Suddenly, he heard a loud bang! Someone shouted, “Paul, don’t!” “ I stood up,” M iller recalled, “and the man across the table pointed at me and fired. I felt a puff of air in my chest and collapsed onto the floor.” Crawling under the massive conference table, Patrick flinched as a succession o f shots rang out.

“From under the table, I could see the .45 going off. I scrambled up and dove for the man.

He hit me with the gun, almost slicing my ear off. I thought, T h is is the end!’ He hit me again, on top of the head. We both had our hands on the gun now. He tried to pry the gun loose.” As they grappled, Patrick noticed that two other men were down. A third man and the stenographer emerged from under the table and ran out. “ I figured the gunman wanted to reload, so I pushed him away and ran out.” Blood gushing from his head, his side numb, Patrick fled to safety, later learning the man had reloaded twice, put 14 more shots into the two bodies, reloaded again and shot himself. A note discovered later confirmed that the gunman intended to kill Patrick, the gunm an’s brother and the brother’s busi­ ness partner. Only Patrick survived.

At 5’7”, Patrick is lean and fit at 140 pounds, thanks to regular workouts bicycling on trips up to 200 miles in Idaho’s mountains and on exercise machines in the YMCA. “The gunman outweighed me by 30 pounds,” the 35-year-old recounted, “but I was able to Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievement, 1914;

61 react rapidly, move quickly and avoid going into shock because o f my good health. I believe that I’m alive today because o f my fitness.” — Ibid., fall 1995, page 10

THEO KARANTSALIS, SAN DIEGO STATE 1984 It’s been said that today’s heroes are ordinary people who react the way you expect good, decent people to react. Theo Karantsalis certainly fits that definition. When he checked his son’s bank statement, he saw that his son, 10-month-old Demos, had “sold $46,000 worth of mutual funds,” the payment added to the account. Knowing the deposit was incorrect, Theo promptly advised the bank. Interviewed by local TV, he shrugged: “ It w asn’t my money. I believe all (your deeds) come back to you.” Theo, who drives an old car, runs his own business processing papers o f immigrants. He balances a strict checkbook and keeps track of his accounts. Once he even informed his bank that his account was off by 10 cents . . . and he was right!

“I do anything I can to help my custom ers,” he said. “Sometimes they come in just to give me a hug. I know I did the right thing.” — Ibid., convention 1997, page 112

PAUL O’BRYAN, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1986 Labeled a “hero” by the East Lansing, Mich., press, the 5 7 ” , 130-pound. O ’Bryan tried to tackle a 6’3”, 200-pounder who had just attacked a young woman in a parking lot and dragged her into the bushes. The assailant wielded a crutch and a pair of scissors. He also warned that he had a .57 magnum. O ’Bryan ducked the swing of the crutch; and as he reached to pick up a 2 ”x4” to defend himself, the rape suspect took off down the street. Paul kept after him and was joined by several others, stopping the assailant within three blocks. O ’Bryan was a pre-law graduate student. — Ibid., w inter 1988, page 193

MICHAEL R. PANKEY, DePAl/W1993 Pankey received the Lifesaving Heroism award from the National Boy Scouts of America, signifying heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life. Pankey is an Eagle Scout and assistant scoutmaster.— Ibid, fall 1992, page 10

BRAD E. CLEMENT, DePAUW 1993 In spring 2006, C lem ent reached the sum m it o f Mt. Everest during the second-deadliest year in the m ountain’s history. He climbed Everest, not ju s t fo r fun and adventure but also as part of his chosen profession. He left a successful job in real estate to follow his passion of mountaineering.

Through his inspirational story o f Mt. Everest, Clement takes the lessons from climbing the mountain and applies them to everyday life through dram atic audio/visual aids. Presentations fit the specific needs of various organizations with discussion topics including planning and execu­ tion of goals, risk analysis and management, improved leadership and team building.

DAVID A. SMITH, TENNESSEE TECH 1993 W hat started as a school project turned into a worldwide educational phenomenon. The “Paper Clip Project,” originated by David Smith, captured the hearts of people worldwide. “It began as a need to teach tolerance and cultural diversity in my school and community,” said Smith, assistant principal and 8th grade teacher at W hitwell, Tenn., middle school o f 387 students.

“We selected the Holocaust as a place to start, but my students couldn’t fathom that six million Jews had been killed. A fter learning that the Jews were the focus o f H itler’s ‘final solution,’ they Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930\ Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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decided to honor the victims by collecting six million paper clips,” inspired by Norwegians who wore paper clips on their lapels in silent protest of the heinous acts of the Nazis. Smith suggested that paper clips could be used to create the first C hildrens’ Holocaust Memorial. The students chose to house the collection in an authentic wartime rail car like those used to transport victims to the concentration camps.

After the first four years, more than 30 million paper clips and 35,000 letters were collected.

A rail car was purchased in Germany. With the help of many volunteers, the German and U.S. governm ents and CSX railroad, the car was shipped to its new home — in front of the 72-year-old middle school. The C hildrens’ H olocaust M em orial has turned this vehicle o f death into a symbol of hope. Paper clips arrived from all 50 states and more than 40 countries. The project attracted extensive media coverage and was a PBS documentary and a book, Das Projekt.

Smith is one of six educators in the U.S. to receive the NEA’s Educational Excellence award.

His recognitions also include a 2001 Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year, Heroes in Education from Northern Life Insurance, the Weil Medallion from the Jewish Catagua Society, the TSBA Excel­ lence in Education Programming, the Marion County Academic Excellence award and Belz-Lipman Tennessee Holocaust Teacher o f the Year. — Ibid., spring 2002, page 32

JARROD SIKET, CARNEGIE MELLON 1994 The mist that fell from the Pittsburgh sky set an erie backdrop for the last Saturday of the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) football season. The cold rain chased fans back to their dorms and living rooms. There would always be another time to see the Tartans. In the stands, a man sat in a wheelchair, attended by medical personnel and wrapped in blankets to shield his fragile body from the rain. For him, there would be no next time. W ithout eyesight or use of his limbs and weakened by kidney disease, complications of diabetic neuropathy, Joe Siket had been diagnosed as terminal at any time.

But Joe had endured the daily pain for more than two years for one reason. He wanted to attend the final game of his son, Jarrod, a CMU wide receiver and University Athletic Association (UAA) records in yards and receptions with 50 career receptions for 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He also was named All-UAA first-team wide receiver and kickoff returner in 1993. There is little convincing needed to learn that this is the story of two heroes — Jarrod and his father Joe. Joe had always been Jarrod’s number one fan. “Since I was small, he came out to everything, never missed a practice game, anything.” Jarrod and Joe seemed more than father and son; they were best friends. That all changed in Jarrod’s sophomore year. Joe became very sick, lost his sight and most of the functioning o f his limbs. At this low point ,Joe promised him self he would be there for Jarrod’s last game. As Jarrod’s last game as a senior neared, the young athlete had broken two school records and was two touchdowns from breaking that mark.

Game day arrived; Joe had kept his sacred promise. Early in the game, the other team employed double coverage on the speedy Siket. In the third quarter, he hauled in a long touchdown pass to tie the record. Moments later, he broke the record with another long, scoring reception. CMU won easily, 48-0. Afterward, Jarrod presented the game ball to his father. That night, back at Joe's hospital room, Jarrod and Joe had their final conversation. “He thanked me for the game.” Jarrod replied, “No, thank you, Dad, for being there.” — Ibid., fall 1994, page 20, by Darren Chiappetta, Carnegie Mellon 1995 Ibid.: The B eta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

63

THOMAS A. MARTIN, WESTMINSTER 1995 On Jan. 20, 2003, in Independence, Mo., Tom Martin gave his life in a heroic effort to save his family from a house fire. He and his wife Ann awoke shortly after midnight to find their home engulfed in flames. Tom broke a window out o f their bedroom, retrieved their five-month-old daughter Sophie, and assisted his wife in jum ping out of the window with the infant in her arms.

He then made his way to his three-year-old son Spencer’s room and attempted to shepherd him to safety. Tom and Spencer were overcome by smoke inhalation and died. Tom and Ann had only just learned that Ann was pregnant with their third child.

“There is no greater expression of love than to lay down one’s life fo r another,” said Gregory Martin, W estm inster 1993. “It is awesome to comprehend the bravery, selflessness and courage exhibited by Tom Martin. As Betas, we study and speak of values, principles and ideals that we aspire to uphold in our personal and

“It’s a w esom e to co m p re h e n d the se lfle ssn e ss a nd courag e o f Tom M artin. ”

professional lives.Tom’s story personifies Beta values and represents all that is honorable and pure.” In memory of Tom and Spencer, Alpha Delta members were instrumental in establishing a trust fund for the benefit o f Ann and Sophie Martin and the expected child.

PHILIP O. COCHRANE, UTAH 1996 Organ donation is perhaps the most personal and heroic act that an individual can do. This dem onstration of love by Cochrane represents scores, maybe hundreds, o f sim ilar acts by other Betas, albeit unknown. In all of their names, Philip tells his story: “W hen I used to think of donating, I thought o f giving money to the poor or clothing to the home­ less. Last Septem ber (2001), donating became an extraordinary and personal experience. In February 2000 my father-in-law, Scott Parry, became very ill. After many tests, he was diagnosed with kidney failure induced by diabetes. He would soon die. His only option was kidney dialysis, a grueling (never-ending) process.

“It was devastating for our entire family. To ease pressure on my mother-in-law, Heather and I moved into their home to help with S cott’s care.

“Scott and I have opposite blood types. He is O positive and I’m A positive. Except in rare cases, my being a donor was considered impossible. The w eek w ent by, and I received a phone call from a nurse on the transplant team. She said I was a perfect match, that the match was one in 20 million; it was a miracle. . . . “It’s been three months since the transplant, and Scott is doing extremely well. He’s gained weight, is back to work and looks like he did five years ago. I spent a week or so recovering. I feel great and am thrilled to have had the opportunity to donate an organ to someone in need.” — Ibid., spring 2002, page 28-29 Living donation is a selfless gift made from the donor to the recipient with no expectation of compensation, reported The National Kidney Foundation. To be a donor, contact a local transplant

Kansas State Betas subdued a shooter abducting a female student When a distraught young man fired gunshots at his form er fiancee at mid-day and tried to abduct her in spring 1997, three K-State Betas rushed the shooter and sub­ dued him as he dragged the junior coed to a car. They took away his .22 caliber rifle and detained him for police. The three were Adam Green, 1996; Edward J. O ’Malley, 1997, and George B. Bocox, 1999.— Ibid., w inter 1998, page 20 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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center or your personal physician. In the U.S., 28,000 persons are saved annually with organ donations. Because of insufficient organs, more than 100,000 patients go without.

JEFF PANKRATZ, IDAHO 1998 A standout Vandal football tight end, in 1993 Jeff Pankratz was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The chisled 6 ’3” , 210-pound athlete endured three months of chemotherapy, 45 days of radiation treatments and another three months of chemo. After a year of treatment, recupera­ tion and therapy, he returned to the gridiron, earning a starting position his senior year while maintaining a 3.4 GPA in biology. — Ibid., w inter 1998, page 9

MICHAEL E. (PECI) LEONFORTE, KETTERING 2000 A Warren County deputy sheriff, Leonforte was on his fourth day of duty, returning home, when he was shot and killed Sept. 5, 2006. He was also a volunteer fire fighter for the Norline Fire Department in his newly adopted home of Warrenton, N.C.

RIAN PATRICK, OREGON 1999 and JAY PATRICK, OREGON 1997 On a website in June 1997, twins Rian and Jay Patrick wrote, “Welcome. My name is Rian Patrick. When I was told that I have an aggressive, inoperable brain tumor, I realized that you never know when your time is up, so if there’s something you w ant to do, do it now. Your may never get a better chance.” Rian had battled brain tumors since he was 16. Rian’s lifelong dream had been to travel the U.S., so he and Jay planned to tour America all summer. They called it The Journey o f a Lifetime.

“This is going to be the greatest tim e,” Rian said, “the greatest time of our lives.” They had always been close — especially so as twins. “We grew up together; do everything together. W e’ve been best friends all our lives,” Rian said. His story became news. He was intent on comforting others similarly afflicted, wanted to speak to cancer groups and to kids in hospitals. Donations flowed in. A restaurant chain and a brewery donated meals and gatherings across the country. Another paid for the gas. A third supplied a motor home.

W ith two friends, Rian and Jay left hom etown Seattle in mid-June with $10,000 in donations, heading for the America

A s he la y dying, R ian “w as cra ckin g us up, co m fo rtin g us. It was am azing. ”

that Rian had dreamed of seeing. They motored down the Pacific coast to San Francisco for a reception hosted by McCormick and Schmick for Rian to promote the Make-A-W ish Foundation, then south to Los Angeles, east to Las Vegas (Rian’s 250-foot bungee jum p at the MGM Grand), Grand Canyon, an alien attack in New Mexico at Roswell’s UFO Museum, New Orleans, Orlando, W ashington, D.C., New York City, returning via Niagara Falls, Chicago and Mt. Rushmore.

Along the way, Rian met with term inally ill children, offering hope and inspiration. “You could see how Rian identified with the kids,” said Jay. “W hat he brought to them was his message of hope — that they could live with cancer instead o f dying from it.”

In September, the trip ended about the same time as Rian’s strength began to wane. Linda Keene, The Seattle Times, followed Patrick’s story: “ He flew home, but recovery never came.

His health slipped further until his cane was replaced with a walker, the w alker with a wheelchair, the wheelchair with a bed from which he never rose.”

Rian died Dec. 10, 1997, still encouraging others. “You should have seen him,” Jay said. “He was cracking us up, making sure everyone was okay, comforting us. It was amazing, like he was Ibid.: The B eta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

65 holding the room together.” The Journey o f a Lifetime didn’t end; Rian ju st moved it to a loftier vantage. — Ibid., spring 1998, pages 23-24, by Jack Carter-North, M iam i 1964

AMAN SABHARWAI, MISSOURI/KANSAS 1998 A fter two weeks o f feverish planning, on Jan. 31, 2010, Sabharwal and a friend flew 100 boxes (2,000 pounds) of medical supplies to Haiti. “W hen we delivered the supplies to one o f the make­ shift hospitals,” he said, “the supply rooms were com pletely barren; they lacked many supplies used in hospitals every day. The nurses and staff cried with joy when they saw the supplies we brought” — intravenous fluids, sterile irrigation, tubing, intubation equipment, surgical supplies.

Noted the Fraternity: “A great example of 'mutual aid and assistance.’”

FREDDY MARRERO, DePAUW2001 Football players are supposed to be more prepared the second time they face an opponent.

In January 1999, DePauw cornerback Freddy Marrero w asn’t. The Beta was at home in Lake Worth, Fla., when his telephone rang. It was his doctor who had a short and unnerving message: His cancer was back! “ It was more devastating than when he first learned he had Hodgkin’s lym phom a,” his mother told the Indianapolis Star. “He thought he had it beaten; it was the first time he cried.” Thirty minutes after receiving the horrific news, Marrero, 19, returned to action. After undergoing che­ m otherapy for four months, he finally eradicated the lymphoma by April 1999. He has since spoken to m any teenage cancer patients in Miami and Indianapolis, offering compassion and inspiration.

“Freddy shows cancer patients that you have to keep working and Cancer-survivor Freddy Marrero

battling, and he conveys such a positive feeling,” said DePauw football coach Nick Mourouzis, M iam i 1959. “He’s such a special person.” Mar­

rero, chapter president, twice underwent treatm ent to remove cancerous cells from his neck, but he did not endure the trial alone. Cards and internet messages arrived daily from college friends.

Chapter brothers made the 18-hour drive for brief weekend visits. Coaches flew in at their own expense. On the football team, no player wore his No. 11 jersey. Marrero felt the call to return to the sport, even through the gripping bone marrow transplant.

Again, at Christmas, the Marrero fam ily returned to Jackson Memorial Hospital to deliver holiday spirit to the children. His mother Carol has watched her son at work in the hospital. “Our fam ily takes presents to the childrens’ cancer ward. Freddy talks to the kids. He tells them that they have to be strong when their parents are around because dealing with cancer is 100 times worse for them. He’s been our rock.”

Former Chapter President Zach Szilagyi, 2001, noted, “The strength of Freddy’s character did not show fear. The strength o f his personality did not produce any blame. The strength o f his will did not succumb. He and his fam ily exemplify the true meaning of Beta Theta Pi and fraternal values. They are true heroes.” R eprinted from a story by Curt Cavin, Indianapolis Star, 2001

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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OVERCOMING PERSONAL DISABILITY ODDS The ranks o f Beta Theta Pi include perhaps hundreds or more young men who arrived at col­ lege with a physical impairment or through injury or illness developed an impairment later in life.

Betas are fortunate to have their lives touched by the inspiration o f such brothers.

To single out the few stories told here may be a disservice because each one is likely a tale of courage in so many more ways than the physically fit can understand. For example, among those who follow are: Wade Morris and Harry Turner, visually challenged; Robert Kimes and Jim Grey, physically impaired, and Joseph Martin and Michael Toennis, deterioration o f the nervous system from ALS (Lou G ehrig’s Disease.)

These special Betas inspire us, often remind us to put aside our petty concerns and strive to be the very best men o f principle we can be.

The author recalls the inspiration o f knowing two young Betas with cerebral palsy: Mat­ thew E. Buckley, W right State 1994, w hose chapter was inspired as he com pleted college in four-and-a-half years (The Beta Theta Pi, fall 1994, pages 73-74), and Ryan Durham, Middle Tennessee State 1998, who carried the O lym pic torch en route to the 1996 Sum m er Olympics in Atlanta, Ga., and was the undergraduate speaker at the Beta Theta Pi C onvention in 1995.

(Also see story below.)

PHILIP N. HARRISON, CARNEGIE TECH 1910 His own sight lost in World W ar I, Harrison devoted his life to the w ork of the Pennsylvania As­ sociation for the Blind, of which he was field secretary. In Pennsylvania alone, there were 17,000 blind persons (1938). “ I hope to play some small part in bringing to our blind something of that great encouragem ent o f which I was the beneficiary at the hands of a generous federal govern­ ment in the early postwar days (after 1919.)” — Ibid., Vol. 65, pages 641-642

JOHN REILLY GREEN MTSU B eta’s good turn produced a memorable result Ryan Durham, Middle Tennessee 1998, had ju st left his hometown, Summertown, Tenn., on a drive back to MTSU for a rush event, when he recognized a woman he knew sitting in a car alongside the road. Stopping to see if he could help, Ryan found that she was about to deliver her baby. He helped her to his car and began the 25-m inute drive to the nearest hospital.

“She was hysterical,” explained Ryan. “I had to keep talking to keep her calm .” To help ease the w om an’s mind, Ryan told about Beta Theta Pi and the event he was about to attend. The woman even picked up his Son o f the Stars: the Pledge M anual o f Beta Theta Pi, and leafed through it.

“She must have discovered the Founder’s Paragraph,” he said, “because when I called a couple of days later to see how they were doing, I was told that she had named the baby John Reily Green.”

Asked why she named the baby after the Beta founding father, the woman replied, “At first I just liked the name, but then I began to think about what I would have done if it hadn’t been for this Beta (Ryan).”

Mother and baby were fine, thanks to Ryan’s efforts. “I hope I never have to do anything like that again.” Ryan, who is wheelchair-bound, laughed. “But I’m glad I was able to help.” — Ibid., convention issue 1995, page 48

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

67

WADE HAMPTOON MORRIS, BETHANY 1915 Dr. Morris lost his sight in an accident at age five. Graduating with distiction from a college of osteopathy in Los Angeles, he rode horseback and bicycles, played the piano, banjo and ukulele, and was skilled at checkers and a fine card player, carrying the game in his head as plays were called. He was a good dancer, used a typew riter and was a skilled auto mechanic.

THOMAS W. DICKEY, AMHERST 1927 Tom Dickey returned to college in June 1981 for his 50th class reunion. W hat distinguished Dickey from his classmates? (1) A t age 71, he bicycled across the U.S., crossing through 14 states in 47 days, and (2) he’s blind. Because he can’t see, Dickey was accompanied on his 15-speed tandem bike by Am herst senior Christ Sammartano, who volunteered his services for the 3,400-mile odyssey.

Dickey, who began losing his sight in the early years after

Blind, he cycled across the U.S. in 47 days.

college, doesn’t believe going blind should be the end of the road but simply a change of course. Much o f his career has focused on aiding the blind to get jobs. Successively, he was a placement officer for the Pennsylvania Council for the Blind, em­ ployee counselor for Armstrong Cork Co. and industrial relations director, Chenango China, Inc. He concluded his career as a faculty mem ber of the Rehabilitiation Institute, Southern Illinois University. In a campus ceremony before more than 1,000 alumni, Dickey was awarded a medal by the Association for Blind Athletes. A rthur Coleman, USABA president, said Dickey was “the first blind man to cycle across the nation.” — Ibid., fall 1981, page 2

H. LATHAM BREUNIG, WABASH WZA Appointed by President Reagan to the 14-member National Council on the Handicapped in 1982, Dr. Breunig is retired from Eli Lilly and Co. A t age 3, Dr. Breunig had a 25% hearing loss and at age 7, his loss of hearing was 95%. He has writen numerous publications and papers in the fields of statistics, quality control, deaf education and telecommunication. Breunig (below) also served on the President’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, American Statistical Association, Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf board o f directors, co-founder and first chairman of the Oral Deaf Adults Section, and founder, president and CEO of Telecommuni­ cations fo r the Deaf, Inc. (TDI). Among his numerous awards, he was the first recipient o f TDI’s H. Latham Breunig Award (1977). — Ibid, spring 1983, page 329 In an article in The Beta Theta Pi, January 1970, page 326, headlined “Telephone Network for the Blind”: “Dr. Breunig is the head man in an organization which has developed a telephone n e tw o rk fo r the d e a f w hich now operates in more than 50 American cities. Through the network, the d eaf can com ­ municate with each other via te le typ e w rite rs activated by the dial of a telephone. The system was made possible by the development of a converter Continued on page 70 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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WILLIAM CHESTER CARPENTER, IDAHO 1923 Quadraplegic known as “most popular man in the state” “D own! — B ut N ever O uf/,” the title of a Ripley cartoon on March 23, 1939, about W il­ liam Carpenter, featured one o f Beta’s most courageous and admired members. Of him, Ripley wrote: “William C. (Bill) Carpenter is helpless except for his speech, hearing and a three-inch m ovem ent of his right hand, yet he has built up and operates, from his bed in a Boise, Idaho, hospital, a thriving magazine subscription business. Carpenter became blind and an invalid through the ravages of arthritis. Twelve years ago, before his illness, he had been graduated from the University of Idaho. Since becoming bedridden, he not only founded his business, but also earned a m aster’s degree from his alma mater, directs the Idaho Society for the Blind, supervises the building of a new home and was voted ‘the most popular man in the state.’” — Ibid., Vol. 66, page 730

Bill m oved into his new home that he built with profits from his magazine sales while bedfast.

Following are excepts from “Bill Carpenter” by Jay Glover Eldridge, Yale 1896/Idaho 1914: “The first time I saw Bill Carpenter was in W orld W ar I days at the old Boise natatorium, a huge, cov­ ered natural hot water pool. Bill, who weighed 208 pounds, was perched high above the pool on a diving platform as the lifeguard and swimming instructor. The last time I saw him was six months

ago as he lay in a bed that had held him, flat on his back, for over 12 years, weighing 50 or 60 pounds; I could have easily circled his leg with my thum b and forefinger.

Outstanding athlete and educator “In the intervening years, Bill (was) initiated a Beta, pursued his zoology curriculum, became an outstanding athlete, married and taught school. Being a classmate o f my old­ est son, Bill visited our home. He was even then the fine combination of earnestness and jollity that characterized his whole life.

“It was in Deary, Idaho, (as superintendent of schools) that Bill was stricken with se­ vere arthritis which sent him to the hospital that was his constant abode until April 1939 when he moved to the new home he had built with the profits of the magazine business he conducted from his hospital bed. One of his proudest claims was that he had built his subscription business w ithout mention by him of his physical condition. In 1932, Bill had earned his m aster’s degree.

“Bill was known throughout the state as the ‘most popular man in Idaho,’ a title awarded through a contest by a Boise newspaper in 1931. For years, friends and aquaintances, who called at his bedside to offer encouragement, found that they them selves were the ones who were cheered. His unfailing refusal to give up his game fight for life or to feel self-pity inspired hundreds o f invalids and thousands of others who knew of his plight.

“Bill would have been 40 years old in March (1940). He was founder of the Idaho Pro­ gressive Society for the Blind.

“I secured the following from one of Bill’s classmates: T h e image o f Bill C arpenter which has always stayed in my mind is that of a big strapping fellow with the physique of a wrestler.

His bull neck, close cropped hair and heavy, dark eyebrows could contribute to a facial Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

69

expression of great ferocity.

A poll o f our pledge class would show that we looked chiefly to him fo r leader­ ship. His sm ile was wide and beaming and friendly.’

“Various incidents come to mind: The tim e upper­ classmen tried to give him a disciplinary cold shower. . . . Raiding a chicken coop so we could have a chicken dinner, cooked at the brick factory kiln at four o ’clock

^CARPENTER B U M ) m o COmCTELY PARALYZED (R ftO W .'T rtO Y E rtE N T fc a S -K K H s w i n g o f m s h a n o )

CARRIES.ON A THRIVING BUSINESS FROf t HIS BEDSIDE H E W O N A M A S T E R S DEG«£E FROM THE DIVERSITYOf EDABO A N D WAS ELECTED THE

0 $T

POPULAR N A N IN "me STATE

in the m orning.”

F ra n k E n s ig n , B e lo it 1900, wrote: “The last time ‘Shep’ (Francis Shep-ardson) visited Boise he called on Bill and afterward said,

‘Brother Carpenter certainly has an unquenchable spirit.’ When the Gamma Zeta (Whitman) choir came through Boise last July (1939) on their way to the (Beta) Centenary, they went to Bill’s home to sing for him. I think each mem ber of the W hitman choir will always cherish m emories of Bill C arpenter and his cheerful courage.”

“In a few words, Mr. Carpenter would cheer me up!’

“One day as I was helping a young woman from Boise to register in the university,” Eldridge noted, “I noticed that she had trained at St. Alphonsus hospital. I asked her if she knew Bill Carpenter. Her face lit up, and she said, ‘Oh, Mr. Carpenter! During my early training, I sometim es became lonesome and blue, especially on night duty. Then I would step into Mr. C arpenter’s room, and in a few words he would cheer me up.’

“This was the universal experience. Bill had a radiant personality. Prior to his double cataract operation, he was blind for several weeks before friends recognized it. Unfortu­ nately his partially restored vision soon left him.” Death finally released him Feb. 4, 1940.

JOHN H. PARKER, DENISON 1958 Named “Outstanding Young Man in A m erica” Paralyzed from the chest down in a diving accident when he was 22, Parker went on to become a distinguished lawyer. He was a mem ber of the city council and its president, a charter mem ber of the local Jaycees and, in 1968, he was named one of the Outstanding Young Men in America by the Outstanding Am ericans Foundation for his civic service and professional experience. He died in 1998. — Ibid., w inter 1999, page 43 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930\ Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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Continued from page 67 which changes typewriter signals into tones within the range of the human voice for transmission through a telephone receiver and telephone lines. Thus a deaf person seated at the teletypewriter keyboard can “talk” with outside friends. Two-way communication is possible as incoming voicetones are converted into typed messages.

Dr. Breunig, senior statistician for quality control at Eli Lilly & Co., Indianapolis, formed the organization as a mem ber o f the Alexander Graham Bell Assn. for the Deaf, Inc. He and his associates completed arrangem ents with Bell Telephone Co. and W estern Union under which second-hand teletypewriters come to the organization for repair and use of deaf persons. For 350 such handicapped individuals nationwide, the developm ent spelled the end to long hours of loneliness. It brought peace of mind to worried friends and relatives who feared that the deaf might not be able to summon aid in emergencies. — Ibid., Jan. 1970, page 326

JOHN E. (JED) SMALL, CINCINNAT11940 Ten years after he retired, Jed Small and his wife Ruth took a cruise to Central America and found a new purpose for their lives on the 5x35-mile island o f Roatan just off the coast of Hon­ duras. Appalled by the primitive conditions there — no electricity, no phones, no schools — the couple decided to help. Jed, whose career had been in education (he was assistant to three presidents of the University of Cincinnati), started making the rounds of schools and businesses in his hometown, Madeira, a Cincinnati suburb, then expanded into the entire greater Cincinnati area. He lined up loads of textbooks, office supplies, paper and pencils as well as donations. A friend in the trucking business transported his cargo to Tampa, Fla., where a fishing vessel made regular trips to Honduras. In 1985, Roatan opened its first elementary school.

Since then, the project has grown. The Smalls and regular shipments of supplies have returned several times to Roatan to check progress and needs.

“We now have a kindergarten and grades one through six going well," Jed reported. “We started grade seven this fall (1990). Attendance is 186 youngsters. W e’re planning construction of an additional building to house grades eight and nine.”

On a recent trip, Jed watched some boys playing on a rocky gravel surface carved out o f the palm trees. The baseball was wrapped in electricians tape. Everyone shared one bat. Small added to their project, answering with 25 cases — including 10 dozen baseballs, softballs, bats, gloves and uniforms — from sponsors including a bank, auto parts store, hotel, auto dealer and an oil company, to name a few. — Ibid., w inter 1991, page 201

ALFRED L. DIEBOLT, JR., COLGATE 1942 Diebolt held a world record in track despite a serious childhood injury. In the 1942 New York Athletic Club Meet, he ran the Buermeyer 500 (quarter mile) in :57.1, a record that stood until 1949. He was in an auto accident when he was seven years old that claimed his m other’s life and almost caused his death. He underwent 67 operations to repair the scars. He died in 1960.

— Ibid., Feb. 1961, page 271

ROBERT RAY DISBRO, WESTERN RESERVE 1934 Principal partner of Disbro & Associates, he was a founder of Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, a public interest law firm in Washington, DC. He was a trustee of the American Trial Lawyers Assn. and on the Ohio State Bar Assn. board. During World W ar II, in Germany, he lost his right arm Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

71 when his Army jeep hit a land mine. After his return home, he helped found Possibilities Unlimited for the handicapped and was its first president. He died in 1985 in Cleveland, Ohio.

ROBERT H. KIMES, KNOX 1950 The Freeport, III., architect, w ho’s experienced in overcoming handicaps as a quadriplegic, is doing well in his business and has worked to make life easier for others with similar handi­ caps. Kimes worked through his Rotary Club to make downtown Freeport more accessible for w heelchair-bound residents. The city cut 65 curbs into ramps. He also pushed enforcement of a state law requiring one handicapped space for every 25 parking spaces. Meanwhile, he works on better accessibility in theaters and restaurants. The architect designed a hotel “Freedom Room” for the handicapped: wider bathroom door, raised toilet seat,

Helped make his hometown barrier-free

shower chair, hand-held shower nozzle, lower closet shelves, clothing bars and a raised bed.

An active sportsman, Kimes became paralyzed in 1979. W hile on a Hawaiian vacation, a big wave dumped him headfirst onto hard sand. He was in hospitals and therapy institutions for five months. Besides a motorized wheel chair, he drives a van with hand controls. — Ibid., spring 1992, page. 210 The spring 1989 issue of The Beta Theta P i earlier reported: “ It’s been 10 years since Kimes got back to w ork full-time. Business is good, and life hasn’t been all that tragic or different, says Kimes, who early on convinced him self that how he made out would be primarily a matter o f his attitude. He learned to drive again — with all hand controls. Fortunately, he retained muscular control of his right thumb and forefinger so that he can do all his own sketches and use a drafting machine. For daily conditioning, he does some walking with a walker and is able to swim on his back in the YMCA pool.

ALAN A. REICH, DARTMOUTH 1952 An All-American in track and field, Reich spoke five languages, served in the Army as a language interrogation officer, was an executive in manufacturing, management and corporate planning with Polaroid Corp. Later, he was U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for educational and cultural affairs.

A wheelchair user for 40 years, a result of a swimming accident, he founded and chaired the Paralysis Cure Research Foundation, was president of the National Paraplegia Foundation and founded the National Task Force on Disability. He was the first w heelchair user to address the U.N. General Assembly, 1981, and was recognized by the American Assn. of Retired Persons among “ 10 People of the Year” in 2005. He died later that year. — Ibid., spring 2006, page 41

HARRY BROSE TURNER, IDAHO 1953 In 1972, Turner answered his doorbell and was confronted by a young man demanding, “Give me your money." He poked “something sharp” in Harry’s ribs. Harry swung around and tackled the youth. A neighbor saw Harry holding the man in a half-nelson and called police. Only when authorities arrived did Harry release his grip. It’s said that the man never confided to cellmates of his capture by a blind m an.1 The Idaho lawyer-judge-legislator, blind since the age of five, has baffled brothers and friends and befuddled onlookers with his uncanny ability to instinctively “see.” He skis (both w ater and 1A s reported on the Paul H arvey radio program Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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snow), golfs, fishes, kayaks, ice skates, swims, competed in track as a sprinter, plays ukulele and a mean hand o f draw poker, has even driven a car. He disdains dark glasses; he wears contacts with bright blue irises. “How do you like my new eyes,” he asks with that infectious smile.

Fortunately, Harry has a remarkably quick memory. Two readings of a legal case, and he has it in his memory bank, a handy talent leading to scholastic honors. On the Moscow, Idaho, campus, his Beta brothers helped him through the days, and the women o f Delta Gamma read texts and briefs to him evenings for four years. After law school, he passed the b a ro n his first try, then served in the state legislature, 1956-62. A prominent lawyer, he won three of the four cases he argued before the Idaho Supreme Court. Later, he became a judge, including 12 years as a federal magistrate. — A uthor

JACK RILEY, MIAM11954 After winning a 12-round fight with cancer, Jack Riley made his childhood dream of going to the O lym pics come true with his Gold Medal Ride to benefit the Am erican Heart Association, the National C ancer Research Foundation and the Prostate C ancer Foundation. The 60-day trek that em barked from California took Jack and other cyclists on a cross-country journey to Atlanta just in tim e fo r the Sum m er Games. His ride o f a lifetim e might not have happened due to cardiovascular disease at age 51, so Jack reformed his life with exercise. A fter endless hours o f training, he ranked sixth in his division in the U.S. Triathlon Cham pionship. A year later, he was listed in the Guinness Book o f W orld R ecords for com pleting 52 triathlons — running, swim m ing, cycling — one a w eek for a year.

At age 60, recovering from two surgeries, a collapsed lung, an

638 races plus 100 gold medals while fighting cancer

irregular heartbeat and his 16th radiation treatm ent for prostate cancer, he finished the Los Angeles Marathon. Now, 638 races and 100 gold medals later, Jack is a symbol of hope and determination for many cancer patients because of his “full of life” attitude.

W hile he had some pain along the way as he carried the torch in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay, he prevailed in the knowledge that his Gold Medal Ride and years of challenging the physical struggles of his body have helped close in on a cure for cancer.

JAMES P. KIRKGASSER, SYRACUSE 1955 Giving up was not in Jim Kirkgasser’s vocabulary. For some, knowing when they will die is a reason to give up. Not Kirkgasser; it was simply a sign to fight harder. In 1992, his urologist ad­ vised that cancer had spread to his bones: “You’ll be dead in nine months.” A t age 59, the Beta alumnus activist (district chief, chapter counselor, house corporation president) “got m ad!” His eyes welled up with passion. “I w asn’t scared.

I’m ju st determined to fight this thing . . . if not for myself, fo r others.”

A computer buff, his company, K-G Devices, designs and m anufac­ tures com puter hardware and software. Not surprisingly, Jim turned to his computer. “Here it was 1992, so I researched and came up with Suramin treatments at the National Institute of Health (NIH). It inhibits growth factors that prostate cancer needs to multiply and appears to work for about 30 percent of patients. At NIH, Jim was among 350 people in the protocol (test group.) Suramin is given by IV drip daily for three Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

weeks along with physical therapy. Treatm ent dropped to twice weekly in 30 days. Leuprolide was injected monthly; Flutamide and Hydrocortisone pills were taken daily.

“I want to wake up my Beta brothers,” said Jim, who wrote a self-administered prostate cancer questionnaire. Half of the therapy is in the head. You can lie down and die, or you can fight.” Jim continued his treatments. He networked with cancer survivors all over the world. He felt driven to share his knowledge with others. “Helping others is not only a challenge to me but it’s fun as w ell.” — Ibid., fall 1994; obit, fall 1995, page 31

JIM B. GREY, BETHANY I960 in 1969, Grey was having a quick lunch in a cafe, anxious to get back to his job in the advertising department of the Fort Worth S tar Telegram. A gunman walked in, looking for another man who also wore a green raincoat, and pumped a .38 caliber shell into the back of Jim ’s neck. Recover­ ing from near-death over many months, Jim ultimately returned to work, albeit a paraplegic, and campaigned to have curbs and other barriers removed from much of downtown Fort Worth. He was honored as Texas’s “Handicapped Person of the Year” in 1976.

W hat kind of man is Jim Grey? W hen the gunman came to trial, Jim and his father asked for leniency for the man. Today, Jim heads his own marketing firm, Grey & Associates, and is execu­ tive director o f the National Paraplegia Foundation.

“In 1934, Olympic runner Glen Cunningham, who in his younger years was totally paralyzed, nonetheless set the world record in the mile,” Jim remembers when he needs inspiration. “As you look in the m irror tom orrow morning, consider that the light over the mirror was perfected by a deaf man . . . a hunchback helped invent the car radio . . . the

Runs National Paraplegia Foundation from his wheelchair

symphonies of Beethoven who was d e a f. . . President Franklin Roosevelt who could hardly walk (due to p o lio ). . . Helen Keller who couldn’t see, speak or hear yet stands as one of the greatest achievers in American history.” — Ibid., W inter 1996, page 63

THOMAS H. MAURER, WITTENBERG 1960 In 1948, Maurer suffered an attack of polio and was bedfast for seven months. On advice of his physician, the nine-year-old began a rehabilitation program of exercise with emphasis on swimming. This led to an avid interest in swimming, and he began to participate in Boy Scout swim meets. His interest carried through to college, and he became one of the top swimmers in the Ohio Conference and captain of the W ittenberg U. swim team which has won 23 of its last 27 meets. He was voted Most Valuable Swim m er by teammates, setting school records in the 440 freestyle and 200 butterfly while earning a 3.2 GPA and serving as senior class president, president of Blue Key, Pick & Pen and the varsity letterm en’s club. — Ibid., M ay 1960, page 418

JOSEPH B. MARTIN III, DAVIDSON 1962 Diagnosed with Lou Gehrig disease in 1994, Martin used a special com puter to write by focus­ ing his eyes on letters of the alphabet. He was finishing a second novel when he died in 2006.

He became a crusader for ALS patients, raising $3 million to build the Carolina Nueromusclar/ ALS Center at Carolina Medical Center. A form er bank executive at North Carolina National Bank, he helped form the bank’s Community Development Corp., which launched a plan to revitalize cities. He was active in educational and housing programs for the poor, a children’s theater and a library. His brother is James G. Martin, Davidson 1957, form er North Carolina governor, U.S. Ibid. 6: The Beta B o ok , 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: F aith ful Hom e o f the Three Stars, 1988

74

BETA HEROES

congressman, president o f Beta Theta Pi and Oxford Cup honoree.

MICHAEL TOENNIS, HOUSTON 1962 One morning in Houston in 1999, a dozen Beta alumni and 20 actives gathered as the guest of honor arrived. Toennis and wife Karen exchanged warm greetings with attendees. The source of excitem ent and inspiration? Michael's s p ir it. . . his spirit to learn . . . his spirit to succeed.

Toennis had lived with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lou G ehrig’s disease, for seven years. He no longer has control of his body, cannot speak or hold his head up on his own. Yet you sense he is holding his head high emotionally; the one ability

Fought ALS for nine years beyond his medical prognosis

the disease will never take is his spirit. During the years of his affliction, he successfully passed the challenging CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam, worked as an auditor and fathered a son.

Toennis'Arm y career included flying helicopters. In March 1993, Major Toennis was medically retired, but his spirit endured. Despite learning that only half of all people affected with ALS live more than three years, Toennis fulfilled his dream to become a CPA. He died at age 50 in 2006, having lived nine years beyond the five-year medical prognosis — a remarkable battle by a coura­ geous Beta. — ibid,, Spring 1999, page 38, by Shane Fletcher, South Florida 1996 W

1

D. BRADLEY COBB, KANSAS 1988 Dr. Cobb, Bartlesville, Okla., absent his left leg, was a gold m edalist in the 2000 U.S. O lym pic Trials, placed 4th in the 2002 World Championships and is an eight-time U.S. National Champion.

DAVID NEWKIRK, TEXAS TECH 1995 In 2000, Newkirk was in his ninth year on the U.S. Disabled Volleyball Team (USDVT), a national team competing against able-bodied club teams in the U.S. and internationally against disabled teams. Dave’s team competes in the Paralympics every four years and the world games every two years. Joining the USDVT in 1990 at age 17, Dave was born without a left forearm; however his physical difference did not restrict him from excelling.

This 6 ’4 ” green talent improved his game to become the “go-to guy” with a vertical leap of 34". A middle blocker, he was team captain, 1995-98. “ Everybody is challenged in som e way; being ‘physically challenged’ allows one to excuse poor performance or lack of Olympian Dr. Cobb

initiative,” he claims. “I’ll be honest. Labels segregate more than anything and do more harm than good. I’m secure enough to not really care w hat someone calls me, as long as it doesn’t limit

me. I do have a problem with people who think that there is something wrong with me because I’m missing a hand.” By trade, he is a civil engineer in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he lives with his wife Amanda and son Seth. — Ibid., w inter 2000, page 23

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

75

SERVING THE DISADVANTAGED ABROAD Doctors Without Borders, Flying Doctors o f America, UNICEF, World Health Organization, faith-based m edical-dental groups and innumerable other organizations benefiting people outside Canada and the U.S. Concern for their fellow man has led a number o f Betas to take time out of their daily work to devote their considerable talents to the w orld’s less fortunate in an effort to alleviate suffering and to instill hope. Several Beta volunteers who are following the principle o f mutual assistance are included here. — Ibid., spring 2001, pages 20-21; fall 2001, page 14

HENRY HANSON, SOUTH DAKOTA 1902 Hanson had a long and brilliant career in public health which won him international notice. He was honored and decorated by the governm ents of Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador and Cuba for his knowledge and accomplishm ents in tropical diseases. Affiliated

Honored by many nations for his work in tropical diseases

with the Rockefeller Foundation, 1923-28, his duties also took him to W est Africa. He was connected with the Florida State Health Dept., 1928-54, and died in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1954. — Ibid., Vol. 82, page 66

DONALD C. GORDON, WESLEYAN 1919 Dr. Gordon and his wife Helen, medical missionaries, celebrated their 50th wedding anniver­ sary among the people of Rico Verde, Brazil. They lived and worked there as representatatives of their church. They founded the hospital and nursing school in that community, and nearly a thousand residents joined in the celebration. He continued his practice in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. — Ibid., Sept. 1975, page 16

WILLIAM E. DAVIS, WHITMAN 1920 When Dr. Davis retired in 1983, he was almost completely blind, had survived three near-fatal coronary occlusions and had severe arthritis. So what could he do? Friends had an answer: write a book about your experiences. He did, and his third book is Random Reminiscences, 1986.

Together, they tell the story of a remarkable man who, with his wife, spent 10 years as a medical missionary in the Congo and 45 years as a country doctor in North Middletown, Ky. Before graduating from W hitman, Davis worked in lumber camps, coal mines and w heat fields.

He was a boxer, cowboy, railroader, teacher, coach, janitor and singer. A pilot in World W ar I, he earned 23 athletic letters at W hitman.

Dr. Davis gained his medical degree from Northwestern, and he and his wife Newell embarked on a round-the-world trip only to stop off in the Congo where they encountred sweltering heat, insects including the tse­ tse flies, army ants, termites and native diseases including tuberculosis, sleeping sickness and leprosy. Som ehow they survived, allayed native superstitions and saved countless lives.

Returning to the U.S., Davis began his practice based on never refus­ W hitm an’s Dr. Davis

ing to respond to a call, never asking a patient if he could pay and never

sending a bill unless asked to do so. “Fortunately,” he said, “enough o f them paid to let me buy Ibid. 6: The Beta Book. 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930; ibid. 8: The Beta Book. 1933; Ibid. 9; F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

76 a little farm .”

Dr. Davis delivered babies in barns with dirt floors — even in an outhouse. One night in the 1950s, he attended the births of five babies in five counties. Asked by Louisville Courier-Journal’s Byron Crawford if he had any unrealized ambitions in his lifetime, Davis replied, “Yes, I’d like to have learned to play the violin acceptably . . . which I never did.” — Ibid., w inter 1986, page 184

GEORGE W. HUNTER, KA/OX1923 Seeing for the first time a bronze bust of himself erected by a grateful people was the experi­ ence of Dr. Hunter. In 1948, as an Army colonel and chief of the Department of Medical Zoology, he directed a relief group at Kurume City, Japan. The enemy they were fighting was the parasitic disease Schistosomiasis. Dr. Hunter and his staff determined that 78% of the population in a 90-square-mile area were “schisto” victims. Needed was the eradication of the schisto worm which bores through the skin to attack the intestine, bladder, lungs and liver.

B ecause the worm is w a ter-borne, rivers and irrigation ditches provided prime areas for contracting the disease. Chemical treatm ent am j 'y

, ?A

f B

J i *

o f such areas under H unter’s direction showed dram atic results, and the num ber of cases dropped drastically. The results were so apparent that

PeoPle continued the spraying, and the disease remained

under control.

Dr. Hunter, considered the “father of Schisto eradication” in Kurume, was so named by the newspaper M ainichi Shinbun when Dr. Hunter and

i t ___his wife returned to Japan 20 years later. For the first time, in Kurume, Dr. H unter with his he saw the bronze bust of him self which the grateful inhabitants erected bronze sculpture there following his departure to the U.S. in 1951. “It was team work,” Dr. Hunter insisted. “All deserve credit rather than putting just one person up on a pedestal.”

He was professor em eritus in the College of Medicine's Department of Microbiology and re­ turned to the University of Florida about once a month to speak and attend seminars. He died in 1990.— Ibid., Vol. 80, pages 309-312; June 1968, page 373

WILLIAM E. SPRAGUE, OHIO 1948 A World War II veteran with a successful practice in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Sprague and his wife Norma traveled to the w orld’s poorest and most conflict-ridden countries, working with refugees in Afghanistan and Sudan and the destitute in Egypt and Somalia for 40 years.

“I don’t try to be a martyr,” he said. “As a physician, I have the training to provide medical care to people in need. I’m there to do a jo b .” He credits the sense of service to his father, a family doctor whose patients often were too poor to pay; but it w asn’t until he found himself in the war-torn South Pacific that he decided to become a doctor.

Saved untold lives in Afghanistan, Egypt, Somalia and Sudan

“Combat made a pacifist out of me. I promised that if I got out alive, I would bring healing to people of all races and religions.”

Involved in international medicine since 1962, he and Norma first worked in Nicaragua, later with refugees in Vietnam, sometimes with their three children in tow.

“He feels it has been an honor to work with colleagues from the World Health Organization, Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

77 UNICEF and the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta,” said Norma. Sprague has been recog­ nized with many awards: the Mickey Leland award, highest honor given to a doctor for his work in developing countries and, in 1998, the American Medical Association’s Benjamin Rush award, highest honor for an American physician for service. — Ibid., spring 2001, page 20

WILLIAM P. BLAISDELL, COLGATE 1951 A retired surgeon, Bill Blaisdell has headed south for two weeks annually for the past 15 years, and we mean south! — Honduras and Guatemala, Central America. As always, his wife Ann, a nurse fluent in Spanish, is by his side as they correct hernias, remove gall bladders and do stomach resections, often under truly rustic conditions.

“We Americans come down here at our own expense to perform whatever surgery w e’re capable of and that the onsite equipm ent perm its,” he pointed out.

“Each surgeon sees 50-60 people for diagnoses, then selects candidates for surgery.” Ann is interpreter as well as operating room circulating nurse. The people, many of whom w alk from great distances, often come in with injuries sustained through hard la b o r— hernias from carry­ ing heavy loads, trauma from machete wounds, burns, even cancer. They pay w hat they can.

“These trips have broadened our appreciation o f humanity and pointed to the suffering in the w orld.” Most recently, they served in the small, Mayan city of Cubulco, Guatemala. ’’After the first time we w ent on one of these trips,” he added, “we just had to go back. You see a part of the world you didn’t know existed, and you ju st have to get involved.” — Ibid., spring 2001, page 21

JOHN H. BURSON III, GEORGIA TECH 1955 Dr. Burson, a practicing ear, nose and throat physician, received an e-mail from the Office of the Surgeon General requesting his help with the doctor shortage in Iraq. He first thought his age — he was nearing 70 when the initial request was made — would make him ineligible, but he was desperately needed and was deployed in November 2005. Since his initial visit, he has returned for another tour. After graduating from Georgia Tech, Dr. Burson attended Emory Medical School with the help of a scholarship from Dr. G.B. Espy, (see below).

GOODMAN B. (G.B.) ESPY III, GEORGIA TECH 1957 Ask a prominent Atlanta, Ga. area citizen about “G.B.,” and you will get an enthusiastic response to the effect of “a special person with a super-sized heart and a wealth of compassion for the dow ntrodden.” Short in stature with crinkly eyes that always seem to smile back at you, G.B. has run 51 marathons, competed in four Boston Marathons, 21 New York Marathons, 12 in Montreal and in the fabled Greek Marathon.

Modest to a fault and generous to the extreme, G.B. believes in giv­ ing back to the society that has given him so much. He personally paid college expenses for 15 medical students. “The only repayment I ask,” he points out, “is that each o f them do the sam e.”

Describing him self as ordinary, he said, “I’m more of a ‘hot dog' guy than ‘Chateaubriand.’” Few, however, would characterize G.B. as ordi­ nary. In fact, the thousands o f Kosovo Albanians he treated, operated on and delivered babies for in the fetid refugee camps in Europe’s poorest Marathoner-healer Dr. “G .B ."E sp y

region would refer to him as saintly. “Not once did I treat one of those forlorn people who didn’t say ‘thank you,”’ he recalled.

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9 : F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

78

G.B. was spurred into action after viewing a news report on the plight of the Kosovo Albanians in 1999. “Life was meaningless. I was appalled at the Serb inhumanity.” He connected with Fly­ ing Doctors of America (FDA) and helped mobilize a team of seven doctors, a dentist and two nurses. “We collected $100,000 for supplies, medicines and instruments. We went camp to camp; networking with a group of foreign physicians, held sick call for 600 to 1,000 patients a day.

“We saw children, women, the elderly . . . there were no young men. In the camps, families lived on one loaf of bread per day and lined up for hours to urge water from the cam p’s single spigot. How can you not be moved by a people who have been so persecuted?”

Following his first trip, G.B. brought an Albanian doctor to his clinic for five weeks of training in modern medical skills. He brought more, up to four or more a year. Not even the most unlikely possibility escapes his attention. He collected and shipped several hundred reconditioned bicycles to Albania, “for teachers and nurses who need a way to get around,” he said. — A uthor

THE U.S. PEACE CORPS Representing the scores or more Betas who have served in the U.S. Peace Corps, created in the early 1960s by President John F. Kennedy, are these men who, by remarkable personal example, lived the Beta Theta Pi principle of “mutual assistance.”

GENE E. BRADLEY, NEBRASKA 1943 On leave from his job, editor of General Electric Forum, Bradley was awarded the Freedom Foundation’s Leadership award, the second-highest award by the Peace Corps, for his efforts as a special assistant to the late R. Sargent Shriver, Jr., the C orps’s first director.

CARL GRAY, AMHERST 1947 As a member of the Public Health Service, Dr. Gray was assigned to the Peace Corps in La Paz, Bolivia. Along with another doctor, they looked after the health of some 120 Peace Corps volunteers scattered throughout Bolivia. He received his medical degree from W estern Reserve in 1962 and interned at Kaiser Hospital, San Francisco, Calif. — Ibid., June 1964, page 479

JOHN E. PRONDZINSKI, NORTH DAKOTA 1966 A Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica, Prondzinski taught and did teacher training as well as health and comm unity developm ent programs. — Ibid., Jan. 1967, page 177

BRIAN J. CAOETTE, NORTHWESTERN 2000 “While a member o f Rho Chapter at Northwestern, my brothers and I engaged in community service that enhanced our own skills and furthered our understanding of those we helped,” Brian recalled. “I joined the Peace Corps in September 2000 to continue this process of service learn­ ing, as a comm unity economic developm ent volunteer in rural Panama.”

El Copecito, the comm unity where he served for two years, is a poor artisan village not far from the Pacific coast and two hours from Panama City. The majority of residents make linens, wood furniture, clay pots and figures.

W illiam John Ackerman, South Dakota 1967 Young Ackerman, 23, died while serving in South America in the U.S. Peace Corps in November 1968. — Ibid., Sept. 1969, page 99 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

79 “There are several w eaknesses” for these artisans, he explained, “such as the poor quality of the raw materials, little understanding of basic accounting and marketing, virtually no promotion of the products and little cooperation or organization.”

Brian set up seminars on marketing, basic accounting and quality control. He organized courses to teach new artisan skills and followed through with individual consultations with business owners, visiting their workshops weekly.

Trained Panamanians .

O m ar e eir sma businesses

The work has been rewarding for Brian. “For example, Eric is a 31-year-old artisan shop owner.

Together, we established goals for the next three years and prepared a business plan.

“Ramiro, a 23-year-old furniture maker, designed a swivel chair made from wood found on his land. We found a way for a 40-year-old patron to expand his pig business to supplem ent his m eager artisan income.” Five residents, all previously unemployed, were organized to create a tourist-friendly artisan center.

In addition, Brian taught English to elementary school students and basic computer skills to adults and children on a donated PC. In his free time, he plays on a softball team, takes bike excursions, dances in a folklore group and practices guitar.

“Using our skills to promote peace and understanding and better the living situation of others is one of the most important things we can do in life. Through assisting my fellow man, I have gained a lot.” — Ibid., spring 2002, page 30 IAN BRANTLEY, K E N Y O N 2007 In January 2008, Brantly arrived in Nicaragua with the Peace Corps. He was placed in the mountain comm unity of Cusmapa, Madriz, as a comm unity health worker. The municipality is second (nationwide) in cases of Chagas disease. Located a bumpy, three-hour yellow school bus ride from the closest resources of a city, the town of 1,700 is limited to growing basic crops, such as corn, beans and coffee, to survive.

“W orking in the villages,” he said, “provided me with the most rewarding w ork of my experience with the Peace Corps. Formed with villages from Los Limones, the project W ater fo r Lemons aims to build a safe and accessible w ater source for their families. Currently, the villagers have two sources of water: the rio Negro, a two-hour hike where there have been documented cases of leptospirosis, and a natural trough near the village center that is exposed to animals and their waste. W ater fo r Lemons will seal the w ater from the natural trough to regulate exposure. By containing the water, the number o f waterborne opportunistic infections will decrease. Reducing these infections is one way to fight the many threats to the villagers’ health in the face of other overwhelming pressures.” — Ibid, sum m er 2009, page 34

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The B eta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933', Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

80

Betas who serve others throughout the world Undoubtedly, you know o f others who readily qualify fo r placem ent herein if the author had known o f them. Some m ay have served abroad o r in their home states; some have volunteered with SCORE, Meals on Wheels, food banks, H abitat fo r Humanity, hosts in state o r national parks, leaders in Boy and Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, library aids, mentors o r fo r scores o f other pro bono opportunities to give time and talents to benefit others . . . not to forget Beta Theta P iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own alum ni advisors. Please note here brothers you know who should be but are not included in this book.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

81

MEXICAN WAR, 1846-48 In the Mexican War, which broke out soon after the founding of Beta Theta Pi, only a handful of Betas were involved. Two colonels, a major, two captains and two lieutenants, including Lt. Daniel McCleary, M iam i 1844, the first uniformed mem ber of Beta Theta Pi to give his life in the service of his country. In 1846, there were only 248 members in the entire Fraternity. It was generally believed in the North to be a war of aggression in the interests of slavery.

Among other Betas who served in the Mexican campaign were Humphrey Marshall, Transyl­ vania 1845, colonel, 1st Kentucky Cavalry; Richard Thomas Merrick, Jefferson 1843, captain, U.S. Army; Isaac Smith McMicken, Jefferson 1842, major, 1st Pennsylvania Volunteers; Samuel Henry Powe, M iam i 1841, colonel, 11th Mississippi Militia, and Paul Wideman Huntington Rawles, Michigan 1845, captain, Michigan Volunteers.

DANIEL McCLEARY, MIAM11844 Participation of Betas in armed conflicts began with the Mexi­ can War. Lt. Daniel McCleary, M iam i 1844, died in uniform June 23, 1847, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, becoming the first mem ber of

First member o f Beta Theta Pi

the Fraternity to give his life in the armed service of his country.

m a war

Thus began a designation by the Fraternity in recognition of all those who died in action, noting in correspondence, publications and any and all references that the deceased brother was “honored with a gold star on the great service flag of Beta Theta Pi.” This reverential reference carried through until the mid-20th century.

In 1846, Edward Bruce Stevens, Miami 1843, wrote of McCleary: “O f course, you have not failed to observe that some of the brethren have been winning laurels at the storming of Monterey. To read the eulogies in some of the Cincinnati papers on Dan McCleary, you would rank him about next to the fam ous General (later U.S. President) Zachary Taylor.”

Years later, The Beta Theta P i reported that McCleary had “won high distinction as a daring soldier, the country ringing with praises for his heroic deeds. The first Beta to die in war; yellow fever carried him off at Vera Cruz while he was at the front.”

Key to The Beta Theta Pi M agazine’s Volume Numbers Vol. 56: 1928-29

Vol. 67: 1939-40

Vol. 78: 1950-51

Vol. 89: 1961-62

Vol. 57: 1929-30

Vol. 68: 1940-41

Vol. 79: 1951-52

Vol. 90: 1962-63

Vol. 58: 1930-31

Vol. 69: 1941-42

Vol. 80: 1952-53

Vol. 91: 1963-64

Vol. 59: 1931-32

Vol. 70: 1942-43

Vol. 81: 1953-54

Vol. 92: 1964-65

Vol. 60: 1932-33

Vol. 71: 1943-44

Vol. 82: 1954-55

Vol. 93: 1965-66

Vol. 61: 1933-34

Vol. 72: 1944-45

Vol. 83: 1955-56

Vol. 94: 1966-67

Vol. 62: 1934-35

Vol. 73: 1945-46

Vol. 84: 1956-57

Vol. 95: 1967-68

Vol. 63: 1935-36

Vol. 74: 1946-47

Vol. 85: 1957-58

Vol. 96: 1968-69

Vol. 64: 1936-37

Vol. 75: 1947-48

Vol. 86: 1958-59

Vol. 97: 1969-70

Vol. 65: 1937-38

Vol. 76: 1948-49

Vol. 87: 1959-60

Vol. 98: 1970-71

Vol. 66: 1938-39

Vol. 77: 1949-50

Vol. 88: 1960-61

Vol. 99: 1971-72

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930] Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: F aith ful H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

82

U.S. CIVIL WAR, 1861-65 The United States “W ar Between the States,” 1861-65, caused the greatest crisis in the young history of Beta Theta Pi. The w ar threatened the life of more than half of the 24 chapters in existence in 1860, with the functioning chapters being reduced to 11 by 1864. In many circum­ stances, military engagements found brothers on both sides of the battle, sometim es young men who knew each other because they were from the same chapter. (See Joel Allan Battle, Miami 1859, pages 89-90) In addition to Confederate Captain John Holt Duncan, M iam i 1840, whose courage was related earlier, founders Michael Clarkson Ryan was a Union officer and Thomas Boston Gordon served the Confederacy (see page 85.) Records show that Beta Theta Pi had more men in uniform in that war than any other fraternity — 347 in the Union and 337 in the Confederacy. By 1861, more than half of all men initiated into the Fraternity were combatants. A t one time, all of the Betas in the region of the Confederacy were in the Arm y of the South; while in the North, a strong majority of Betas volunteered or were enlisted. — Ibid. 2, page 334

In the Federal (Union) army During the war, nine Northern Betas were brigadier generals: Joshua T. Owen, Washington & Jefferson 1845; Robert W. Smith, Williams 1850; Harold E. Paine, Western Reserve 1845; Joshua H. Bates, Cincinnati 1842; Thomas Greene Mitchell, Cincinnati 1840; Stanley Matthews, Cincinnati 1840; B. Gratz Brown, Transylvania 1846; Charles C. Gilbert, Ohio 1843, and Frank Askew, M ichigan 1858. In addition there were 39 colonels, 27 lieutenant colonels, 19 majors, 72 captains, 31 1st lieutenants, 13 2nd lieutenants, 33 non-commissioned officers, 19 chaplains and 85 privates. In the Union Navy there were two commanders, four lieutenant comm anders and a number of officers of lower grades.

In the Confederate (C.S.A.) army Fighting for the South were Lieutenant General John B. Gordon, Georgia 1852 (see pages 87-88)] Major General Butler P. Anderson, Washington & Jefferson 1849, and three brigadier generals, Edward L. Tracy, Georgia 1851, Edward L. Thomas, Em ory 1846, and Humphrey Marshall, Transylvania 1845. There were also 18 colonels, 14 lieutenant colonels, 22 majors, 75 captains, 37 1st lieutenants, 18 2nd lieutenants, 22 non-commissioned officers, 13 chaplains and 113 privates. In the Southern Navy was one lieutenant. — Ibid. 2, page 344

Maintaining the ties that bind Despite the threat to brotherhood, fraternal ties were strong, demonstrated by a letter received in Delaware, Ohio (Union territory), by the Ohio W esleyan Chapter from Centre Chapter, Danville, Ky. (Confederate territory), bearing the flag of the Confederacy but still recognizing Beta Theta Pi’s fraternal bonds.

From Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio, to a chapter mate at Ohio University, David H. Moore, an Ohio W esleyan Beta wrote on June 16, 1862: “There are nearly 30 Betas in camp, from Hudson, Delaware and Oxford. I tell you we have a good time. The whole of Beta Kappa (Ohio) chapter is here. The chapter at Camp Chase is, ‘Beta in the Field.’”

At the 1865 convention, reconciliation was on the lips of all in attendance. The convention ended with an evening session at which Lt. Col. James B. Black, Indiana Asbury (DePauw) 1861, Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

83 of the 18th Indiana Volunteers, read a spirited poem, “The Battle o f Cedar C reek,” closing with the stanza: “We the survivors, here / Bury ou r enm ities, / Dropping a silent t e a r / O ’e r the sad memories. ” In response, Captain James Carnahan, late of the 86th Indiana Volunteers, echoed: “The Beta Theta Pi Fraternity! M ay she, arm ed with the divine p o w e r o f Love, walk forth upon the troubled waters o f our national existence; bid them ‘Peace be still, ’ call prosperity from the buried past, confidence from our association, and bestow universal jo y upon o u r Country. ” — Ibid. 2

When “brotherhood” uniquely met the test A speech by form er Beta Theta Pi General Secretary and President B. Hume Morris, Centre 1968, at the 74th Annual Conclave of the Indianapolis Beta Association, November 1982, reprinted in The Beta Theta Pi, summ er 1983, page 400, noted: “Most of us know of the brutality of that Civil W ar that tore our nation apart and left countless thousands of our people killed and wounded, and countless thousands more changed and em bit­ tered. W hat you may not know is the effect that this w ar had upon fraternities.

“Not every fraternity had to withstand the test of the Civil War. In fact, fully 80% of all American college fraternities were not founded until after the Civil W ar and thus can lay no claim to having endured the suprem e test of brotherhood — w ar between the brothers.

“There were only 19 fraternities in 1860 and only 13 of them had chapters on both sides.........

They were divided; make no mistake about that. O f the founders, for example, Michael Clarkson Ryan was a colonel in the 50th Ohio Volunteers. John Reily Knox vigorously supported the war effort at home on direct orders from the governor. Thomas Boston Gordon was an officer in the Confederate Army, the Kentucky Mounted Rifles, and John Holt Duncan was a Confederate artil­ lery captain. We all know the lasting effect the w ar had on Duncan, (see page 1)

Chapters dwindled by 50 percent “As the w a r brutality savaged the partici­ pants, it also savaged the Fraternity.” Brother Morris continued: “There were no conventions in 1862 and 1863; the Fraternity declined from 27 chapters to nine truly active chapters. Then, as if the w ar was not enough, the Michigan chapter deserted — all except one man (see “B oudinot,” page 16) — becoming members o f Psi Upsilon. Then there were eight. And of the eight, four chapters were in the state of Indiana — Hanover, DePauw, Indiana and W abash. Every fraternity historian has called this era the ‘darkest period in the history of the fraternity.’

“It takes only a little imagination to see that the Fraternity easily could have died at this point. Can brotherhood exist when brothers are Unidentified Beta soldier in the Civil War Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

84

BETA HEROES

fighting against brothers? It did exist, at least in our Fraternity, and it continued to exist through­ out the entire war. Had it not been for the Indiana chapters, we probably would not have had a place to exist. But these chapters nurtured the flame, and we are all here because of them. They were not the only ones. There was something that could not be broken by the strongest o f tests.

“The story of Joel Battle best illustrates this bond. . . . (see story, page 89.) Later, a poem was written about this incident. This excerpt is from the full text on page 90: Although ou r ranks by death were serried, The friend and brother m ust be buried, F or in that group that loved him so No man would dare to call him foe.

Three adjutants from different states M et ’round that low ly bed; Two from the North were living, One from the South lay dead.

There am id the gathering shadows Met we three M iam i boys, Clinton Ross o f Indiana;

John C. Lewis, Illinois; John R. Chamberlain o f Ohio; College friends and mates were we, M et to bury Joel Battle, Adi utant Twentieth Tennessee.

He, like one who did his duty, Died believing he was right.

There he lay, in princely beauty, His white brow in death was damP’ Loved bV foemen like a brother’ Buried from a Northern CamP-

“How easy it would have been to succumb to the motives of revenge during that time. How simple it would have been for the Fraternity to dissolve. How simple it would have been for the Fraternity never to seek bonds below the Mason-Dixon Line again. Many institutions did. Many people did. My own church, Presbyterian, having been divided by the Civil War, has never yet been reunited, and this is true of many other denominations.

“Of the fraternities that I mentioned, Phi Delta Theta had three chapters in the South; Alpha Delta Phi had two chapters in the South. They revived none of them. O f the nine chapters of Phi Kappa Psi, four were revived. O f the 10 chapters of Phi Gamma Delta, only three were revived.

All nine Beta chapters were revived “How did we do? Did we succumb like others, in venality, ill will and enmity? No. Within five years, all nine chapters were revived 100%. Centre was revived during the Civil War and sent a delegate from the South to the Northern Convention while the war was going on. The chapter at Washington University (St. Louis) was revived in the fall 1865. The w ar ended in April 1865, and by that time the chapter that was revived was at Washington and Lee. “A letter, written Oct. 21, 1865, from the chapter at Washington and Lee to the Ohio Chapter, illustrates the depth of feeling: A fte r having, as it were, been out of the world for the last four years, old Rho Chapter once more sends greetings to Kappa. I, the other day, received from Pi Chapter, the first Greek letter received by Rho since the comm encement of the w ar and it glad­ dened my heart to feel that we could still grasp by the hand and greet as Betas, many from whom we have been cut off for so long.’”

“I leave you now with the closing toast of the Beta convention of 1866, originally proposed

by Captain James R. Carnahan, Wabash 1866 (see page 92), of the 86th Indiana Volunteers: T h e Beta Theta Pi Fraternity! May she, armed with the divine power of love, walk forth upon the troubled waters of our national existence; bid them peace, peace still, call prosperity from the

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

very past, confidence from our association and bestow universal joy upon our country.’ She did so walk; — we, unique among all fraternities, withstood the test and prospered — and that, in large measure, is why we are here today.”

The Tale of Old Cumberland Cumberland was the Mu Chapter of Beta Theta Pi, chartered in 1854, closed in 1861, reopened in 1865 and ultimately closed in 1899.

A Tale o f Old Cumberland, by Francis Wayland Shepardson, Denison 1882/Brown 1883, retells the story of the fraternal reunion following the Civil War. Following is M ajor W yllys C. Ransom’s, Michigan 1848, martial note to George F. Root’s fam ous Battle Cry o f Freedom: We are coming from the East, boys.

We are coming from the West

A nd the boys o f sunny Southland Are coming with the rest,

Shouting ‘Old Wooglin forever!’

Shouting ‘Old Wooglin forever!’

One night in 1911 in New York City, the Betas had a banquet to honor the four U.S. Supreme Court Justices who, at that time, “wore the badge and bore the name.” Justice Horace H. Lurton, Cumberland 1867, told of the reopening of Cumberland in 1865 and the revival of the chapter: “New men to the num ber of 12 or 14 were taken in,” he said. “With one or two exceptions they were youths just out of the Civil War. The spirit of Betaism knew no politics; was not even biased by the bloody and bitter struggle through which we had ju st passed. Two of the new men had worn the blue, and the rest the gray. It is, I believe, the earliest instance of fraternal reunion.”

Later, Dr. Shepardson quoted Lurton: “First a man had to be a good fellow and a gentleman down to the ground; second, he had to be a good student and likely to win college honors. If we found that he was in possession of qualities like these, we did not ask what flag he had fought under, nor what were the political views he entertained.” — Ibid., Vol. 63, pages 456-459.

Founders who served in the Civil War Most notably, Confederate Cavalry Captain John Holt Duncan, M iam i 1840, o f e ver honored memory, was wounded and nearly killed. Thereafter he devoted his life and income to the family which saved him from a firing squad. (For his biography, see page 1.)

MICHAEL CLARKSON RYAN, MIAM11929 Born in Lancaster, Pa., Founder Michael Clarkson Ryan, o f ever honored memory, graduated from Cincinnati Law School in 1842 and practiced in Hamilton, Ohio, some 10 miles from Oxford. He was admit­ ted to the bar of Butler County; prosecuting attorney, 1848-52, and clerk of county courts, 1852-58. With the outbreak of war, he mustered the

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50th Ohio Volunteers and was its commanding officer as a colonel. He

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died in 1861, at age 41, before he had a chance to serve in the field.

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THOMAS BOSTON GORDON, M/A/W/1840

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One of 10 children, Founder Gordon, o f ever honored memory, was born in Elbert County, Ga. After graduation, he taught school in De­ catur, Ga., read law at Forsythe, Ga., and received an M A fro m Miami University. He moved to Owingsville, Ky. in 1851, where he was a county judge. In the war, he was a Confederate captain, having a confidential position with Johnson’s Brigade. He lost everything in the war, returned to his farm and resumed teaching. He died at age 75.

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

86

JONATHAN LETTERMAN, WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON 1845 “Originator o f modern methods o f medical organization in arm ies” An American surgeon, Dr. Letterman became known as the “Father of Battlefield Medicine.”

His system enabled thousands of Civil War wounded to recover and be treated.

Born in Canonsburg, Pa., in 1824, he graduated from Jef­ ferson College in 1845 and Jefferson Medical College in 1849, when he was named assistant surgeon in the Army Medical Department. He served in Florida during campaigns against the Seminole Indians until 1853 and was at Fort Defiance, N.M., Territory, to campaign against the Apaches. He was transferred to Fort Monroe, Va., and he was in California against the Utes, 1860-61. His younger brother, William H. Letterman, co-founded Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity in Canonsburg, 1850-51.

Dr. Jonathan Letterman

At the start of the Civil War, Letterman was assigned to the

Army of the Potomac. He was named medical director of the Depart­ ment of W est Virginia in 1862. Soon after, he was promoted to major, medical director of the Army of the Potomac. He immediately reorganized the medical service of the fledgling army, having obtained from army com m ander Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan approval to do w hatever necessary to improve the system.

The arm y reeled from the inefficient treatment of casualties in the Seven Days Battles in June 1862, but by the Battle of Antietam in September, Letterman had devised a system of forward first aid stations at the regimental level, where the principles of triage were first instituted. He established mobile field hospitals at division and corps headquarters, all con­ nected by an efficient ambulance corps established by him in August. He also arranged an efficient system for the distribution of medical supplies.

Letterman proved the efficiency of his system at the Battle of Fredericksburg, in which the Arm y of the Potomac suffered 12,000 casualties. After this show o f proficiency, his system was adopted by other Union armies and eventually was officially established as the medi­ cal procedure for all U.S. armed services by Act of Congress in March 1864. The greatest casualties for his army were suffered at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1863. To deal with more than 14,000 Union wounded, along with 6,800 Confederate wounded who were left behind, a vast medical encam pm ent was created northeast o f Gettysburg off the York Pike on the George W olf farm, named “Camp Letterman.”

Letterman resigned from the army in December 1864, moved to San Francisco, Calif., and was elected coroner, 1867-72. He published his memoirs, Medical Recollections o f the A rm y o f the Potom ac, in 1866. After the death of his wife, Mary Digges Lee Letterman, he died March 15,1872, at age 48. On Nov. 13,1911, the Army hospital at Presidio, Calif., was named Letterman Arm y Hospital. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

The inscription on his memorial reads: Medical D irector o f the A rm y o f the Potomac, June 23, 1862 to D ecem ber 30, 1863, who brought order and efficiency into the medical service and who was the originator o f m odem methods o f medical organization in armies.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

87

JOHN BROWN GORDON, GEORGIA 1853 “An unforgettable splendid picture o f gallantry” Fort Gordon, Ga., is named for Gordon, a lieutenant general in the Arm y of Northern Virginia. Outranked only by Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. James Longstreet, he is credited with saving Lee's life. He later served as governor o f Georgia and a U.S. senator.

Born in Upson County, Ga., Feb. 6, 1832, Brown was an outstanding student at the University of Georgia. He left before graduation, moved to Atlanta where he studied law, married Rebecca Haralson, daughter of another Civil W ar general, and began practice at d, Ga., in 1854. ter the war he resumed the practice of law. A brilliant and :aptivating orator, he was an inspiration to his men. AConfederate officer at Gettysburg recalled that the sight of Gordon mounted on his magnificent, coal-black stallion as being "the most glorious and inspiring thing” he had ever seen, “an unforgettable splendid picture of gallantry.”

During the Seven Days Battles, his 6thAlabama suffered heavy casualties. Gordon strode fearlessly among his men, enemy balls shattered the handle of his pistol, pierced his canteen and tore away the front o f his coat.

Assigned by Gen. Lee to hold an essential position during ne Battle of Sharpsburg, Gordon’s luck ran out. TremenGen. John B. Gordon

dously outnumbered, many Confederates went down in the Battle of Bloody Lane, including Gordon.

“First, a mini ball passed through his calf. He soldiered on. A second ball hit the same leg. He soldiered on. A third ball went through his left arm. He continued on though his arm was mangled and an artery was severed by this ball. A fourth ball hit his shoulder. He was finally stopped when a fifth ball passed through his left cheek and out his jaw .”

“Nursed back to health by his wife, he was put in command o f six Georgia regiments. He led his troops in the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse. Lee’s greatly outnumbered army was threatened with being cut in two. Only Gordon and his men could prevent this tragedy.

“Lee prepared to lead the charge of Gordon’s men when Gordon rode up and shouted: “General Lee, this is no place for you. These men behind you are Georgians and Virginians.

They have never failed you and will not fail you here. Will you, boys?” ‘“No! No! No! W e’ll not fail h im !’ the men shouted. Then they took up the chant, l e e to the rear!’ Gordon seized the bridle of Lee’s horse and ordered men to escort Lee to the rear.

“Many believe that Gordon’s success in turning back the Federals at this, the Bloody Angle, gave the Confederacy an additional year o f life. Clearly, he inspired his men by his reaction to Lee’s attem pt to lead the charge.”1 At Lee’s surrender, Gordon comm anded the right wing of the Arm y of Northern Virginia.

He played a leading part in the dram atic events of that April day in 1865 when the shattered remnants of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia laid down its arms. The incident is a high spot

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

88

BETA HEROES

in the best-seller The Twentieth Maine, by John J. Pullen. Two figures stand out graphi­ cally in the story. Union General Joshua L. Cham berlain, com m ander of the 3rd Brigade, participated in the surrender cerem onies. The other, General Gordon.

“At sunrise,” w rites Pullen, “C ham berlain had his lines formed for parade on the main street o f the little town, extending from the A ppom attox River on the right alm ost to the courthouse. A cross the river they could see the Confederate troops breaking their last camp. Then the vanguard of the gray crossed the river and approached. As the head of the column drew nearer, the conviction grew among the Northerners that these men deserved a salute of arms.

“W hen the head of the gray column came opposite the 3rd Brigade, a bugle sounded.

There was the soft, ordered slapping o f hands on wood and metal, and along the whole (Union) line, regim ent by regiment, muskets rose with a sim ultaneous gleam ing to the marching salute.

“At the head o f the C onfederate column, General Gordon, head bowed, caught the sound o f shifting arms. The meaning suddenly dawned on him, and in a mom ent the spirit changed. Gordon w heeled toward the 3rd Brigade com ­ mand. Rider and horse made one superb uplifted figure; dropping his sword point to the toe of his boot as he returned Cham berlain’s compliment. Then, facing his own command,

Gordon was “the bestlooking soldier I ever saw in mv life. ”

Gordon ordered his troops to pass with the same position of the manual, the two arm ies thus honoring one another in a final salute.”

C ham berlain later recalled, “On our part not a sound of trum pet more nor roll of drum, not a cheer nor word nor w hisper of vain-gloring, nor motion o f men standing again at the order — but an awed stillness, breath-holding, as if it w ere the passing o f the dead. . . .

“Before us in proud humiliation stood the em bodim ent of manhood, men whom neither toils and sufferings, nor death, nor disaster, nor hopelessness could bend from their re­ solve; standing before us now, thin, worn and fam ished, but erect and with eyes looking level into ours, w aking m em ories that bound us together as no other bond.” And of General Gordon, m agnificent in defeat: T h e best-looking soldier I ever saw in my life .’”2 Years later, P resident Theodore Roosevelt said of General Gordon: “A more gallant, generous and fearless gentlem an and soldier has not been seen by our country.”

Gordon was governor of Georgia, 1886-90, and he served in the U.S. Senate represent­ ing Georgia, 1890-96. Before his death in Atlanta in 1904, he lectured across the country about the “Last Days o f the C onfederacy.” In 1903, he published R em iniscences o f the Civil War, considered the best w ork on the subject, com parable to The E nd o f an Era, by John S. Wise, Virginia 1867. (See 19)

1John Brown Gordon, a North Georgia Notable, by Carole E. Scott 2Bronze & Granite: Stories & Anecdotes o f the Civil War Leaders, edited by Judy Dileo, 2000.

Also Reminiscences o f the Civil War.; Charles Scribner's Sons, 1903

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

89

JOEL ALLAN BATTLE, M IAM11859 Courageous in gray at Shiloh; buried by Beta brothers in blue The 100th name on the roll of Alpha chapter is Joel Allan Battle who came to Miami from Lavergne, Tenn. Battle’s courage is complemented by another chapter brother, John Cal­ vin Lewis, whom he had recruited into the Fraternity. Together they wrote a classic story about brotherhood. Lewis recalled: “About Dec. 1, 1860, shortly after Lincoln’s election to the presidency, I was at the rooms o f Allan Battle and his wife in Cincinnati where he was studying law. Our conversation was almost entirely on the possibility of war. Battle (wor­ ried) that sympathy for slave-holding would affect the action of Tennessee; I well recall his bitter regret at the situation.

“If war broke out (he said) he could not fight against the flag, nor the people of his birthplace. Shortly after, I left for Illinois and never again saw Joel Allan Battle alive.” A llan’s father, colonel of the 20th Tennessee Regiment, convinced his son to return to Tennessee and fight for the cause. Lewis was a captain in the 41st Illinois Regiment; two other Miami classmates, Clinton Ross and John Chamberlain, joined the 31s1 Indiana, part of Gen. G rant’s Army. In April, the Army of Tennessee embarked north from Corinth to attack Grant’s forces near Shiloh Church. The S outh’s advance initially Joel Allart Battle

routed the Federals, which regrouped and met the Confed­

erates near Bloody Pond, an area of the heaviest fighting known as the “Hornet’s Nest.”

Ultimately, the Union troops were pushed back; however, the battle see-sawed with each side giving and gaining ground. Young Joel, his left arm in a sling from an earlier wound, fought until he was killed in a charge to retake a form er position.

Lewis continued his story: “After the battle, we were in camp. The dreadful relics of the great battle were all about us for miles. On both sides there were some 9,000 dead to bury, 15,000 wounded to care for. Later that day, Ross called to me, asking that I come to his tent, where I noticed on the grass a body wrapped in a Confederate blanket. Ross said it was Allan Battle’s body. Unfolding the blanket, I recognized the face, thinner and placid as if asleep. We found two ball marks in the right breast; apparently death was instant.

“The burial of Allan Battle was near our camp in the shade of an oak tree. Arranging his clothing, I bared the left shoulder and found a healing wound. I believe no more brave and noble soul left his body on that bloody field.” Lewis and his comrades smoothed the ground to conceal the grave. Today, if you visit Shiloh, Tenn., the Union Cemetery is beside the Visitors Center. Union dead are buried in neat rows, names on white tombstones.

When you tour the battlefield, you come upon several C onfederate burial trenches containing the unidentified Southern dead in mass graves — except for one, young Joel Allan Battle, who lies in his own secret burial place on the field o f bloody Shiloh, not far from the Bloody Pond, where he was laid to rest by his brothers — his Beta Brothers in blue. — Son o f the Stars, pages 32-34

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

90

Memorial to Joel Allan Battle Ere w ar had raised her frightful form Like prairie fire fanned by the storm, Or cannon’s roar filled all the land, Miami’s sons formed friendly band.

Chamberlain, Lewis, Clinton Ross, Found friendship gain for all their loss.

And in his quiet way, he said, “ I think we found Joe Battle dead.”

Although our ranks by death were serried, The friend and class mate must be buried, For in that group that loved him so No man would dare to call him foe.

Among those spirits, light and free, Came one young man from Tennessee; His strong, good points I fain would tell, No w onder that all loved him well; Light, graceful form; dark, piercing eyes, O f pleasing voice, of medium size; Though but a stripling when at school, He looked like soldier born to rule.

Three adjutants from different states Met ’round that lowly bed; Two from the North were living, One from the South lay dead.

There amid the gathering shadows Met we three Mi­ ami boys, Clinton Ross of Indi­ ana; John C. Lewis, Illi­ nois; John R. Chamberlain o f Ohio; John Calvin Lewis College friends and mates were we, Met to bury Joel Battle, A djutant Twentieth Tennessee.

Our college work was ended, We left M iam i’s halls; Blest be the memory of those friends We met within her walls.

The storm of war had broken, Dark clouds veiled all the land; Friend against friend had chosen To wield death-dealing brand.

In the stubborn fight at Shiloh, The south had odds to spare; Her troops were in perfect order, Ours scattered everywhere.

But Western men with hand and brain Are not disposed to yield, And bravely must the foemen fight W ho drives them from the field.

None who knew would fail to know him.

With a smile upon his face, Finger pointed, lips half parted His was symm etry and grace.

Never thought we in that presence His opinions we must slight; When Johnston charged on H ulbert’s lines, He, like one who did his duty, The cypress clashed against the pines; Died, believing he was right.

Three times before a charge was made There he lay in princely beauty,

By Confederate Tennessee brigade; His white brow in death was damp; Now Albert Sidney Johnston fell; Loved by foeman like a brother, ‘Mid cannon’s roar, 'mid roll o f drums; Buried from a Northern camp.

Advancing now, anon fall back, There amid the som ber shadows, Hulbert recedes from fierce attack; On that dark ensanguined plain, There, fighting bravely, fighting well, Buried deep by loving foemen, Great Albert Sidney Johnston fell; Till G od’s trump sound not in vain, And there amid death-dealing rattle, Sleeps the warm-hearted Battle Fell Southern Knight, young Joel Battle.

Till the King returns to reign.

That evening when the dews were damp, — Beta Bards, Shepardson, 1936, John Lewis sought me at our camp; pages 242-244, by John Calvin We spoke with voice refined by sorrow Lewis, M iam i 1860 O f duty to be done tomorrow,

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

91

CHARLES DUY WALKER, VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE 1869 Beta’s first general secretary and magazine founder/editor was wounded at the Civil War Battle o f New Market With the chilling words “Put the boys in, and may God forgive me!” Maj. Gen. John Breckenridge committed the Virginia Military Institute cadet corps to the Battle of New Market, May 15, 1864, near the Blacksburg, Va., campus. The boys, all in their teens, charged into the devastating firefight, sweeping the Union artillery from the ridge and carrying the day for the Confederacy. Ten cadets were killed; 47 VMI officers and cadets wounded, among the latter was 16-year-old Charles Duy Walker, later to become Beta Theta Pi’s first editor and first General Secretary.

W alker was described by the faculty as “at the head of his class during his entire course.” After graduation, he was an assistant professor at VMI for two years, then a teacher at the Episcopal high school in Alexandria, Va. He graduated from the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Alexandria in 1875, then became rec­ tor of the Church of the Ascension at Am herst Court House.

He died there of typhoid fever in 1877. — Ibid. 5, page 333 Taking chances was the standard of W alker’s life, and he achieved much for the Fraternity during his short life. In Sep­ tem ber 1872, he sent a plan for a fraternity publication to the 15 active chapters. He proposed a four-page newspaper as Charles D uy W alker

soon as he cou^ be assured of 200 subscribers at $1.50 per year. Elected Beta’s first General Secretary at convention that

year, he had graduated only three years earlier. W alker undertook the publication without convention approval; however, the convention endorsed it the next year, and The Beta Theta Pi magazine stands as the oldest continuously published periodical in the entire Greek community. Indeed, both the magazine and the office o f general secretary have undergone numerous changes.

Said John S. Wise, Virginina 1867 (a wit who, years after, convulsed the U.S. Supreme Court with laughter in the midst o f a legal argum ent before the justices): “Charles Duy W alker’s mind seemed a seed plot of germination of new devices for fraternity betterment.

He was full of them and enthusiastic, practical and laborious withal. I recall him very clearly.

He had the idea of a fraternity paper or magazine whirling in his mind. It kept whirling all through the convention time. He was willing to start the enterprise himself.”

“His (W alker’s) power seemed to be in private argum ent," W ise continued. “He would get a delegate or two aside and set forth his schemes with rapid speech and enthusiastic fervor. I promised to subscribe for the paper, get other subscriptions, w rite for it and boost it in every way I could. I little realized then how great a thing we were doing. That began my connection with the magazine at Vol. I, No. 1.” — Ibid. 4, page 71, and “A Tribute to Charles D uy Walker, ” page 345. A lso Betas at the Battle o f N ew Market, herein, page 93.

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

92

BETA HEROES

MATTHEW STANLEY QUAY, W&J 1850 One of two Betas to live through his Medal of Honor action, Quay continued his distinguished public service as a politically powerful senator from Pennsylvania, 1887-1904. F o r his biog­

First Beta Medal o f Honor honoree

raphy, see page 3.

JAMES THOMPSON, IN D IA N A 1851 A graduate of W est Point in 1851, he became a 2nd lieutenant o f artillery. He was professor of mathematics at W est Point, 1854-57. In 1861, he was promoted “for gallant conduct” to captain and, in 1862, was made brevet m ajor “for gallant conduct” at the battle of Glendale. In 1863, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel, again “for gallant conduct,” at the battle of Chickamauga.

He was Tennessee com m issioner o f education, 1866-70, and a professor at the University of Indiana, 1870-76. He retired to Newport, R.I., dying in 1880.

JUNIUS IRVING SCALES, NORTH CAROLINA 1854 Founder of Beta’s Eta (North Carolina) Chapter, Scales enlisted as a private and was promoted “for gallant service” to captain, to major, to lieutenant colonel and to colonel in the Confederate Army. At the battle of Chickamauga, his horse killed under him and his hat and garments riddled by bullets, Scales was captured and sent to Johnson’s Island in

^olse ‘s ot from beneath him, he fought on!

Lake Erie, where he was a prisoner of war until the end of the war. He farmed for two years and then returned to his law practice, settling in Greensboro, N.C. A state senator, 1877-79, he died in New York City in 1880.

MELVILLE DELANCEY LANDON, COLGATE 1861 Landon moved on to Union College, graduating in 1861. He was a clerk, Treasury Department, Washington, DC, and helped organize the Clay Battalion for defense o f the city. Later, he was on the staff of General A.L. Chetlain, and was “promoted for bravery” to major. In 1869, he was secretary, U.S. legation, St. Petersburg, Russia. He published the first Eli Perkins book, Saratoga, a humorous prophecy in 1901, then The H istory o f the Franco-Prussian War, Wit and H um or o f the Age, Thirty Years o f Wit, Fun and Fact and others. He was president of the New York News Assn., and a well-known lecturer. He died in 1910, “a victim of the hardships of a soldier’s life.”

— Ibid. 5, page 183

JAMES RICHARD CARNAHAN, WABASH 1866 Joining the Union Arm y in 1861 as a private, 11th Indiana Volunteers, Carnahan became a lieu­ tenant, 86th Indiana Volunteers, and was promoted to captain “for gallant conduct” at the Battle of Stone River. He was adjutant general of Indiana, 1882-85, and 19th district prosecuting attorney for five terms. He was inspector general of the Grand Arm y o f the Republic and general-in-chief of the Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias. He died at Indianapolis in 1905. — Ibid. 5, page 67

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

93

CHAPTER DEATHS IN THE CIVIL WAR Arm ies are listed as “Union" fo r Federal troops o f the North, “C SA” fo r Southern troops o f the Confederate States o f America.

Case Clarence Virginius Ashbaugh, Richard W alter Blair, Leland Stanford Mugg. Blair’s name is on a World W ar I Memorial Scholarship Cup awarded each year by Lambda Kappa Chapter (now Lambda Kappa-Beta after the merger with neighboring W estern Reserve University’s Beta Chapter in 1979) to a freshman.

Centre Graduating in law from Transylvania Law School in 1856, Samuel McKee 1853 began his practice at Danville, Ky. A t the outbreak of the war, he joined the Union army as captain o f the 3rd Kentucky Infantry and was promoted until he became its colonel. He was killed at the battle of Stone River, Tenn., in 1862. — Ibid. 5, page 208 Cumberland After studying law, Christopher Willis Robertson 1859 began practice at Charlotte, Texas.

When war broke out, he joined the CSA army and by 1863 became a lieutenant colonel. He was killed at the battle of Chickamagua in 1863. — Ibid. 5, page 272 Davidson Joseph Graham Brown 1862, founder of the short-lived chapter at Oglethorpe, Georgia (1859-61), was killed in the CSA service at Gaines Mills in 1862.

Emory John Augustus Jones 1844 studied law and began his practice at Columbus, Ga. He was briefly a member o f the lower house of the Georgia Legislature. A t the outbreak of the war, he entered the CSA army and became colonel of the 14th Georgia Infantry. He was killed at Get­ tysburg in 1863. — Ibid. 5, page 174 After studying law, Robert Emmett Dixon 1850 settled at Columbus, Ga. He was a member of the Georgia Legislature, 1857-60. In 1861, upon the organization of the Confederate govern­ ment leading to the secession of the Confederate States, he was appointed secretary of the Confederate States Senate, serving until June 11,1863, when he was assassinated in Richmond, Va. — Ibid. 5, page 98

Beta VMI cadets who fought at New Market Under the headline “Civil W ar Cadet Heroes,” B. Hume Morris, Centre 1968, de­ scribed the VMI Betas: “John Upshur, John Wise and Nelson B. Noland. There were 18 Betas enrolled at VMI, including W illiam Beverly, Frank B. Clark, John C. Edmonds, Hamilton R. Fairfax, Henry Fairfax, James E. Heath, Bayley K. Kirkland, Matthew F. Maury, Jr., Marshall McCormick, Frank G. Menefee, Cuthbert R Noland, William C. Powell, Jack Ross, Alexander H. Smith, H. Clay Stacker (or Samuel), George W ash­ ington Taylor, William R. Tuller and Charles Duy W alker (see page 91).” O f the 258 cadets, 55 were killed or wounded in the battle.

“Over half of the cadets were first-year students (mostly 15-17 years old, some as young as 12.) “The cadets met the Union charge and turned it back. Now the entire Confederate line swept forward over the rain-soaked and recently plowed w heatfield,” which was later called the “Field of Lost Shoes” by the cadets because of the “many pieces of footw ear that were pulled off the cadets’ feet by the suction of the mud.”

The VMI cadets led the charge, capturing a cannon and many men from the 34th Massachusetts. Cadet O.P. Evans climbed atop the gun and victoriously waved the Institute flag. Gen. Breckenridge rode by, doffed his hat and shouted, “Well Done.”

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930\ Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

94

BETA HEROES

Gettysburg National Cemetery, Pa. Georgia A fter graduation, Edward Lytton Tracy 1851 studied law and practiced at Macon, Ga. A t the o u tb re a k o f the war, he joined the C SA arm y as a colonel and w as p ro ­ m oted to briga dier general.

He w as killed at Port Gibson, M iss., in 1863. — Ib id . 5, page 322 Ham pden-Sydney Edgar W irt Carrington, 1856, lawyer, captain, CSA 38th Virginia Infantry, K IA 1 at Seven Pines in 1862, Pittsylvania C.H., Va. Benjamin Crawley Jones 1859, U niversity o f Virginia, 1859-60. Captain, CSA Co. E, 56th Virginia Infantry, died o f wounds suffered at Gaines Mill in 1862.

W illiam Isham Jordan 1854, also University o f Virginia, 1856-57, assistant surgeon, CSA 23rd N.C. Infantry, was killed at South Mountain, Md., in 1862.

Hugh Everard Meade 1858, U niversity of Virginia, 1858-59. Pvt., CSA 12th Virginia Infantry, K IA 1at Seven Pines in 1862 Theophilus V irginius Meade 1860, Pvt., CSA 12th Virginia Infantry, KIA1at Seven Pines in 1862.

John Morris, Jr., 1858, also attended the U niversity o f Virginia, 1958-61. A CSA Lt. of O rdi­ nance, he was KIA1 at G ettysburg in 1863.

Edgar Fearn Moseley 1858. CSA Major, 1st Virginia Artillery, KIA1 at Petersburg, Va., in 1865 — Ibid. 5, page 231 John M cG regor Murkland 1861, C SA Captain, KIA1, 1864, at Petersburg, Va. Henry W atkins Read 1862, Pvt., 18th Virginia Infantry, K IA 1 at W illiam sburg, Va., in 1862 Claiborne Barksdale W hite 1852, CSA, K IA 1 at Yellow Tavern, Va., in 1864 John Milton W hitehead 1859. Lt., Co. G, 56th Virginia Infantry, K IA 1, 1862 George W ashington W ooding 1858, University o f Virginia, 1858-60. Lieutenant and cap­ tain o f Danville Artillery, was wounded at Fredericksberg, 1862; died at Danville, Va., in 1863.

Knox Some believe that John V. Morris 1859, was the first man to die at Gettysburg in 1863.

Miami Hiram Strong 1846 studied law, practiced at Dayton, Ohio. He became lieutenant colonel of the Union’s 93rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry and later its colonel. He was mortally wounded at the battle of Chickamauga and died at Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 7, 1863. — Ibid. 5, page 309 Michigan Jam es Wallace 1859, Albert Nye 1862, Abram Edwards W elch 1860, George Stewart Decker 1863 and James Watson Bingham 1862: Union soldiers, KIA, on a bronze memorial tablet in the Lambda Chapter house. — Ibid. 3, page 497 1KIA: Killed in Action Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

95 North Carolina Richard Bradford 1854, was killed in battle in 1861 while with the 1st Florida Volunteer Infantry, CSA. Bradford County, Fla., is named in his honor.

Pater of the Upsilon Chapter at South Carolina, William Campbell Lord 1858 was a captain in the 57th N.C. Infantry, CSA, and was KIA at Salisbury, N.C. Ohio Benjamin Franklin Stowell 1866, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died in 1864. His tombstone bearing the Beta badge is in his hometown cemetery, McArthur, Ohio.

South Carolina Born near Abbeville, S.C., in 1840, Robert Newton Chatham 1860 was captain of a company in the 19th S.C. Infantry, CSA, 1861-64, when he was killed in action.

A CSA Captain, Co. K, 3rd S.C. Infantry, Lewis Perrin Foster 1858 was born near Spartanburg, S.C., 1837. A sta te legislator, he was KIA at Fredericksburg, 1862. He was quoted: “(Beta Theta Pi) is a glorious association, ju s t all we could ask for. One in which kindred spirits shut out from the envy and deceit o f a cold world m ay hold continued intercourse. ” — Beta Letters, page 357 A medical student at South Carolina Medical College, 1859-60, Richard Casper Simpson 1859 was born at Laurens in 1839. Serving as a private in Company A, 3rd South Carolina Infantry, CSA, he was killed at Antietam, Md., in 1862.

Born at Mt. Salus, Edgefield County, in 1838, Thomas Lam ar W ardlaw 1860 became assistant secretary to Gov. F.W. Pickens in March 1861. He enlisted in Company A, 1sl S.C. Infantry, CSA, and transferred to the 1st S.C. regulars and was a 1st lieutenant and acting regimental adjutant.

He was killed at Ft. Moultrie by an exploding cannon in 1861. — Ibid. 5, page 244 Born in Richland County, S.C., Francis Hopkins W eston 1860 helped organize Company H, 6th S.C. Infantry, CSA. Mustered in as a color bearer, he was later elected captain. He was killed in action in 1862, near Chattanooga, Tenn. — Ibid. 4, page 244 Transylvania Robert McKee 1844 practiced law in Hopkinsville, Ky. When the w ar broke out, he joined the CSA army and advanced to colonel attached to Gen. Forrest. He was captured and died while a prisoner of w ar in Chicago in 1863. — Ibid .5, page 208 Virginia CSA’s William N. Page, Jr., Benjamin A. Bradley and W illiam C. Preston, were KIA at Monasses, 1862; H. Brown Craig was KIA at Cold Harbor, 1864; Harry Jordan, wounded at Gaines Mill, 1864, died later; A. S. Pendleton was KIA in “The Valley,” 1864. — Ibid. 3, page 292 John Taylor Radford 1858 studied law and began his practice at Montgomery Court House, Va. At the outbreak o f the war, he joined the CSA arm y as captain o f the 24th Virginia Infantry. In 1862, he became a major, in 1863, colonel o f the 22nd Virginia Cavalry. He was wounded in the battle of Cedarville and died in 1864. — Ibid. 5, page 263 Washington & Jefferson When the w ar broke out, William M cG regor 1856 left his teaching position in New Orleans and entered the CSA artillery. In 1864 he was lieutenant colonel of the W ashington Artillery. He was killed in battle in 1864 near Atlanta, Ga. — Ibid. 5, page 207 Washington and Lee After graduating with “first honors,” A lexander Swift Pendleton 1857 was professor of Latin at Washington and Lee, 1857-59. He joined the CSA arm y as a lieutenant, was promoted to cap­ tain, major, It. colonel, colonel, adjutant general and finally to chief o f staff to General Stonewall Jackson. He was mortally wounded at the battle o f Fisher's Hill in 1864. — Ibid. 5, page 248

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. T. The Beta Book, 1930, Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

96

BETA HEROES

COREA (KOREA) ENGAGEMENT, 1871 The U.S. Navy interceded in Korea (then spelled with a “C ”) at the mouth of the Seoul River.

HUGH WILSON MCKEE, U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY 1863 Lt. McKee died leading his division in an assault on the Corean forts at the mouth of the Seoul River. A bronze tablet at Annapolis recalls his heroism: “In memory of Hugh W. McKee, Lt. USN, died July 11,1871, from wounds received on the parapet of the cita­ del, Kaughoa Island, Corea, while heroically leading the assault by the Naval Battalion, U.S. A siatic Fleet.” — Ibid. 3, page 233

Right: F lag c a p tu re d a t F o rt M cKee, Corea, 1871. Captain Tilton (right), father o f McLane Tilton, Jr., Virginia 1896, grandfather o f McLane Tilton, III, Virginia 1925, devoted friend o f Lt. Hugh McKee, hero o f the assault on the fort.

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR, 1898 At least 150 Betas took part in the Spanish-American War, among them three colonels, five majors, 16 captains, 24 lieutenants, 14 sergeants, eight corporals, 62 privates, a chaplain and three “specials.” Floyd B. Cramer, M is s o u ri 1898, died in Camp Thomas, Ga., Sept. 7, 1898, and John F. Loehr, O hio S tate 1896, and Nathaniel B. Adset, H a rv a rd 1900, died in combat.

— Ibid. 2, page 334

JAY LYNN TORREY, MISSOUR11875 After practicing law in St. Louis for 20 years, he farmed in Fruitville, Mo. He authored the thenpresent bankruptcy law and labored for its enactm ent for 14 years. During the w ar with Spain, he was colonel in command o f the 2nd U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, known as “Torrey’s Rough Riders.”

— Ibid. 5, page 321. See new spaper cartoon on next page.

OMAR BUNDY, DePAUW 1881 (SS) Born during the Civil War, Om ar Bundy, D ePauw 1881, may never have conceived his cou­ rageous stand during World War I. He left DePauw before graduation and enrolled in the U.S. Military Academ y at W est Point. He served on the U.S. frontier, participating in campaigns against the Crow and Sioux Indians. He earned a Silver Star for gallantry in the Spanish American War. F or his biography, see page 104

JAMES TAFT HATFIELD, NORTHWESTERN 1884/JOHA/S HOPKINS 1890 Dr. Hatfield, author o f numerous books and a Beta song, The Beta Shrine, was a German scholar o f international repute. He taught the subject at Northwestern for 44 years. During

*For an explanation o f m ilitary medals, see page 101.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

97 The L o n g L o n g Trail was a fam ous cartoon upon the death o f the hero o f San Juan Hill, Cuba, President Theodore Roosevelt, by Ding Darling, Beloit 1899

the S pa n ish -A m e rica n War, when the armed services were manned solely by volunteers, Prof. Hatfield attracted con­ siderable attention by taking a leave from his academic duties to enlist in the Navy at age 38.

The educator served on the cruiser USS Yale, first as a $19-a-month seaman, then as a gun captain, finally as a chief yeoman. The tour began in June 1898 and ended shortly after the end of the w ar on Aug. 12, 1898. He was the subject o f a warm biographical sketch by Francis W. Shepardson, Denison 1882IBrown 1883, in the December 1934 issue of The Beta Theta Pi. Virtually every Beta is fam iliar with the second verse of his composition The Beta Shrine, heard first by the newly initiated: O Beta, thou art ever glorious, / Thy bonds are sweet, thy service jo y !

The brightness o f thy radiant image / Years shall not dim o r time destroy.

Now, now to thee we bring our praises, / While we around thy a ltar bow; O ur loyal trust, ou r he a rt’s devotion, / O ur love and faith we pledge thee now.

— Ibid., Vol. 73, pages 264-265; Ibid. 5, page 149

DUDLEY JACKSON HARD, WOOSTER 1893 Hard enlisted as a private in Co. D, 8th Inf. Reg., Ohio Na­ tional Guard. In the Spanish American War, he was promoted to lieutenant. Prior to World W ar I, as a colonel, he commanded a squadron of Ohio cavalry on the Mexican border. In World War I, he comm anded the 135th Field Artillery in the deadly

Hero o f the deadly Meuse-Argonne, he founded the American Legion

Meuse-Argonne. In December 1935, he was a major general.

An organizer o f the American Legion, he retired at age 64, in 1936. — Ibid., Vol 78, p 224 Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930', Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

98

ROY LIND FERNALD, MAINE 1896 Born in Winterport, Maine, Fernald enlisted in the 7th Regiment at the outbreak of the Spanish-American W ar and served in Cuba. In July 1900, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant. He died as his company was fording the Jalaur River. His horse stepped into a hole and sank.

Lt. Fernald sprang from its back and attempted to swim ashore, but the current was swift and, weighted with his military arms, he drowned.

CHARLES BALDWIN HAGADORN, CORNELL 1886 (SS) Fernald o f Maine

Col. Hagadorn, USA infantry, 23rd Infantry, received a Silver Star post­ humously “for gallantry near Manila, the Philippines, Aug. 13, 1898.” He

was a graduate o f the U.S. Military Academ y at W est Point, N.Y. — Ibid. 5, page 141

CHARLES LOUIS WILLARD, BELOIT 1897 (SS) Lt. Col. Willard, Quarterm aster Corps — then 2nd It., 33rd Infantry — was awarded a Silver Star “for gallantry in action” against insurgents at San Jacinto, Luzon, Nov. 11, 1899.

FLOYD BRUCE CRAMER, MISSOUR11898 One of three student volunteers to lose his life ju st before the turn of the century at the early age of 21, Cram er had ju st received his bachelor of laws when he enlisted in the Hospital Corps, Missouri Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and w ent to Chickamauga, Tenn. In service, he contracted typhoid fever and died. — lbid.,Vol 79, page 374

ARTHUR B. MORSE, MAINE 1902 Born in Phippsburg, Maine, in 1877, Morse died in Jersey City, Aug. 22,1898, of typhoid malaria, contracted during active service abroad. — Ibid. 3, page 390

Relatives o f Medal o f Honor Recipients Eric K. Graves, M iam i 1971, is the brother o f Terrence C. Graves, Miam i 1967.

Other known relatives of Medal of Honor recipients, listed alphabetically, include: Edmond Butler, Kansas 1883, son of honoree Capt. Edmond Butler, 5th U.S. Infantry, for gallantry in action Jan 8, 1877 at W olf Mountain, Mont.

Powhatan Clarke, Virginia 1857, father of Lt. Powhatan H. Clarke, 10th U.S. Cavalry, for actions at Pinito Mountains in Sonora, Mexico, May 3, 1886.

W illiam McMillan Corry, M iam i 1892, father of Lt. Commander W illiam M. Corry, Jr., for bravery in 1920 for saving a fellow naval officer from a burning aircraft.

William R. DeArmond, Miami 1908, son of honoree William DeArmond, for gallantry in action with the U.S. 5th Infantry at Upper Washita, Texas, Sept. 9, 1874.

L. Rene Gaiennie Jr., Washington in St. Louis 1936, son of Louis R. Gaiennie, private, USMC, for bravery during the Boxer Rebellion in Peking, China, in 1900.

Richard P. Schonland, Maine 1921, father of Admiral Herbert E. Schonland, for bravery at Savo Island in the Pacific in November 1942.

John Lucian Smith, Vanderbilt 1911, father of John L. Smith, major, USMC, for bravery in air actions in the Solomon Islands in September 1942.

Leon R. Vance, Oklahoma State 1914, father of Lt. Col. Leon R. Vance, for actions with the 489th Bombardm ent Group over France in 1945. Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Okla, is named for him.

— Ibid., spring 1985, page 259, “Relatives o f Medal o f H onor R ecipients,” by Col. Charles S. Stevenson, Western Reserve 1944. See Beta Medals o f Honor, page 2 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

99

BOXER REBELLION, 1902 JOHN KER DAVIS, WOOSTER 1904 Born in China, the son of missionaries, he tutored the sons of the Chinese Emperor and served as a negotiator during the Boxer Rebel­ lion. He later joined the foreign service and w as assigned to tro u b le spots th ro u g h o u t the w orld. He received recognition from two U.S. presidents

Tutor o f royalty and negotiator in the Boxer Rebellion

and from the British government. He died in 1969 in Vancouver, B.C. — Ibid., John Ker Davis

A pril 1970, page 436

BALKAN WARS, 1912-13 CLYDE SINCLAIR FORD, OHIO WESLEYAN 1889 A graduate of Columbia University medical department in 1894, Sinclair entered the Army Medi­ cal Corps, advancing to major. During 1912-13, he served in the Balkan Wars and was highly praised for his dedicated, efficient w ork among the sick.

MEXICO EXPEDITION, 1916 E.R. MCCABE, VIRGINIA 1897 (2 CDG) Brigadier General McCabe, 83, form er chief of Military Intelligence, Army General Staff, died in 1960 in Charlottesville, Va. In the Army, 1900-46, he was assistant chief of staff of the Army, Washington, DC, 1937-40. Commissioned a 2nd lieutenant, infantry, he served in The Philippines, later transferring to the cavalry and participated in the campaign against the Moros, 1907-10.

During Pershing’s expedition against Pancho Villa in Mexico, 1916, he was a 5th Cavalry troop commander. McCabe transferred to the field artillery in 1917, serving in five major allied offenses in France with the U.S. 2nd Inf. Div. In 1919, he commanded the 17th Field Artillery of the 2nd Div. at the Fortress Ehrenbreitstein on the Rhine. He held two French Croix de Guerres medals, the French Legion o f Honour, the Italian Order of Crown and the Czechoslovakian Military Cross and Order of W hite Lion. — Ibid., June 1960, page 520. Also see page 21 fo r additional detail o f his historic horseback ride across the North Am erican continent.

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The B eta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

100

Members o f Beta Theta Pi were on opposing sides o f the Civil War. A lpha Chapter, M iam i University, had brothers in arms on both sides: Joel Allan Battle, buried by John C. Lewis, his “Beta brother in blue. ” (see pages 89-90) Below: Alpha Chapter today. Right: the Beta Campanile on the campus o f M iam i University

Military Acronyms AEF CEA KIA MATS MIA MM NATO POW RAF RCAF RCN RCNR SAC

American Expeditionary Force Canadian Expeditionary Force Killed in Action

USA

Military A ir Transport Command Missing in Action

USAAC USACA USAF USAFA

M erchant Marines North Atlantic Treaty Organization Prisoner of War Royal (British) A ir Force Royal Canadian A ir Force Royal Canadian Navy Royal Canadian Navy Reserve Strategic Air Command

USAFE USAFR USAR USMC USMCR: USN USNAC USNR

United States Army U.S Arm y A ir Corps U.S Arm y Coast Artillery U.S U.S U.S U.S U.S U.S U.S U.S U.S U.S

Air Force (after 1947) Army Field Artillery Armed Forces Europe Air Force Reserve Army Reserve Marine Corps Marine Corps Reserve Navy Naval A ir Corps Navy Reserve

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

101

MILITARY MEDALS

Navy Cross

D istinguished Service Cross

Silver Star

M edal o f H onor

f X| Bronze S tar

A ir M edal

Purple H eart

Victoria Cross

Military Cross

The M edal o f H onor is the U.S.’s highest honor for gallantry in action. The Navy Cross is the Navy’s second highest award, followed by the D istinguished Service Cross (DSC), since 1918, D istinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and S ilver Star, the latter being the successor to 1918’s Citation S tar in 1930. The A rm y’s highest awards are the Distinguished Service Cross, D istinguished Flying Cross (Army A ir Corps, W orld W ar II) followed by the Silver Star, 1942. The A ir Force’s second and third awards are the Distinguished Flying Cross (now A ir Force Cross) and S ilver Star, 1942.

All services award the Bronze Star after the previously referenced awards for bravery in action. The A ir Force also awards the A ir M edal for outstanding performance against the enemy. The Purple Heart, first awarded by General George Washington in the 18th century’s U.S. Revolution, fell into disuse until the 1930s when it was resurrected to recognize military personnel wounded or killed in action against an enemy.

The Victoria Cross and Military Cross are Canadian and British military medals for valor. ‘ Abbreviations for medals appear (in parentheses) following the headlined name of each man. “MH”: Medal of Honor. “NC” : Navy Cross. “DSC” : Distinguished Service Cross. “DFC”: Distinguished Flying Cross. “SS”: Silver Star. The UK’s and Canada’s “VC ” : Victoria Cross, and “MC”: Military Cross. “CDG ”: French Croix de Guerre. Also “A ce” : a flyer with five or more kills of enemy aircraft. “POW ”: Prisoner of War. Recipients of th e m o re plentiful medals for valor — “Bronze Star” and “A ir M edal” — and some foreign awards — the French “Legion of H onour” and “Legion of Merit” — generally are included in the write-ups.

Exceptional M eritorious Service The Legion o f M erit is issued for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements, both to U.S. military personnel and to military and political figures of foreign governments. The Croix de Guerre, awarded universally, and Legion o f Honour, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, are decora­ Legion o f tions in France.

H onour

Legion o f Merit

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The B eta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

102

BETA HEROES

WORLD WAR I, 1914-19 “He gave all he had, life; he gained all he lacked, immortality. ”1 Because the U.S. was tardy in joining the war, not committing troops until 1918, Canadian Betas were earlier participants. There was, however, a remarkable gathering of Betas in France, as described in a record written by Charles S. Hill, Wabash 1916: “Above the roar of the wind and ceaseless splash o f the (rain), strange noises were heard in certain parts of Bretagne, France, during the early days of January 1919. Many there were that gave no thought to these peculiar songs and only cursed more loudly the weather. However, there were a few of the chosen band that heard and realized that it was only Old Wooglin calling for his yearly feast of dog.

And being true sons they acted. The sacred few that could be gathered were called in conclave, and it was immediately voted to put on a feast of dog for Father Wooglin that would be one in a thousand.

“Those in attendance were, Col. R.M. Blanchard, Cincinnati 1898; Maj. C.B. Gutelius, Indiana 1905; Capt. J.M. Jenkins, Case 1915; Lt. R.W. Hahn, Nebraska 1914; Lt. World W ar I ...

Victory M edal

c.B. Carter, Iowa 1916; Lt. B.B. Wallace, Colorado 1917; Lt. H.A. Elson, Ohio 1912; Lt. J.G. White, Dickinson 1917, and Lt. C.S. Hill, Wabash 1916.

“These officers, with the exception of Col. Blanchard and Maj. Gutelius, are all with the 7th Field Artillery Brigade, 7th Division, stationed at Camp de Meuson, nearVannes,

Morbihan, France. The colonel and m ajor are respectively commanding officer and adjutant of the American Hospital Center located at Vannes.”

In what was often referred to as the “w ar convention,” W hite Sulphur Springs, W.V., beginning July 2,1918 , Major George M. Chandler, Michigan 1898, noted heraldry expert of the Fraternity, was elected president. The uniform he wore during the sessions characterized the 79th General Convention. By unanimous vote, President Chandler was authorized to send to U.S. President W oodrow Wilson this telegram: “The Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, in its 79th General Convention as­ sembled, reaffirm s its pledge o f loyalty and cooperation with the governm ent o f the United States. Four thousand one hundred and eight-seven Betas are now in active service. " — Ibid. 2, page 147

6,287 Betas served in World War I Official records of Beta participation in World W ar I are in­ complete; however, there were 6,287 Betas recorded to have served in the war, not counting

1 1 2

in non-military work, such

as YMCA, Red Cross, Belgium Relief, etc. The ranks of Betas in the U.S. Army included five generals, 51 colonels, 115 majors, 348 captains, 1,634 lieutenants, 153 sergeants, 60 corporals, 1Refers to the heroism o f Herbert L. Jones, Vanderbilt/Denison 1912, page 109

Right: A cto r W alter Brown Rogers, Carnegie 1928, portrayed the character “A s B ehm ” in the fam ous motion picture about World War I, All Quiet on the W estern Front.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

103 11 chaplains, 16 other officers; in the U.S. Navy, two admirals, four captains, six lieutenant commanders, 40 lieutenants, 196 ensigns — in all, 2,642 officers. A t least 153 Betas made the supreme sacrifice (see Appendix I), including Brig. General Edward Sigerfoos, Ohio State 1891, (see page 105) the highest ranking officer in the U.S. Arm y to lose his life. — Ibid. 2, page 335

JOHN TALIAFERRO THOMPSON, INDIANA 1881 In 1921, an advertisem ent gave the specifications: “M1921: Weight 7 pounds, Length — 22 inches, caliber— .45, magazines hold 50 or 100 shots. Fires either sem i-autom aticaily as fast as

Inventor o f the famous and deadly “Tommy Gun ”

trigger is pulled o r full autom atically at 1,500 shots p e r minute.

Total num ber o f parts — 30. Its surety o f action is unequalled.”

This astounding weapon, said to have the greatest fire rapidity ever attained by any gun, was invented by John T. Thompson, Indiana 1881. A graduate of the U.S Military Academy in 1882, he became an ordnance engineer, retiring in 1914 after 30 years of service. During World War I, he returned to the service and became a brigadier general.

His Thompson submachine gun has been called the most effective portable firearm in e x iste n c e . In sp ire d by the trench warfare of World W ar I to develop a “one-man, hand­ held machine gun,” firing rifle c a lib e r ro u n d s, T h o m p so n came across a patent issued to John Bell Blish. He founded Auto-Ordnance Corporation in 1916 to develop the weapon. Cooperating in the design were three associates: Theodore Eickhoff, Oscar Payne and George Goll.

Early on, only .45 caliber cartridges w ere suitable. The project w as titled “A n n ih ila to r I,” but in 1919 the w eapon w as officially renam ed, “T hom pson S ubm achine G un.” Thom pson intended the w eapon as a “tre n ch -b ro o m ” to sw eep enem y troops from the trenches, filling a role the new .30 caliber Browning A utom atic Rifle (BAR) proved incapable. Coincidentally, the concept was adopted by Germ an troops using th e ir own subm achine guns in concert w ith sturm truppen tactics.

The M1921’s high price found few sales. The guns were sold to the U.S. Post Office to protect the mail from robberies, police departments and international sales to armies and police. In 1922, the Post Office gave Thompsons to the U.S. Marine Corps which put them to use in the Banana Wars and in China, leading to the w eapon’s use in four-man fire teams resulting in as much firepower as a nine-man rifle squad.

W hile the Thompson was heavier than a standard rifle and was inaccurate at distances greater than 50 yards, it grew in popularity and found extensive use in World W ar II, particularly by the U.S. Marines. By then, the weapon had become known as the “Tommy Gun.”

Ibid. 6 : The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book,1933\ Ibid. 9: Faith ful Hom e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

104

OMAR BUNDY (1861-1940), DePAl7W1881 (SS, CDG) Hero o f two wars and m emorialized in a famous poem Born during the Civil War, June 17, 1861, Om ar Bundy may never have conceived the courageous stand he took more than half a century later during World W ar I. He left college before graduation and entered W est Point. After graduating from the Academy, he served on the American frontier, participating in campaigns against the Crow and Sioux Indians.

He received the Silver Star (Citation Star) for gallantry in the Spanish American War. See page 96.

In June 1918, M ajor General Om ar Bundy initiated the m onth-long counter-attack to save Paris from impending capture by the G erm ans, beginning the offensive w hich became the turning point of the war. This offensive began in the outskirts of Paris when the Allied forces, other than those under Bundy’s command, were retreating.

Bundy’s response, when ordered to retreat, is a muchquoted classic: “We regret being unable to follow the counsels General O m ar Bundy

of our masters, the French, but the American flag has been compelled to retire. This is unendurable, and none o f our soldiers would understand not being asked to do whatever

is necessary to re-establish a situation which is humiliating to us and unacceptable to our country’s honor. We are going to counter-attack!”

For 40 days, the German Arm ies hurled them selves against the Vaux sector, and for 40 days, Bundy’s men time and again not only repulsed them but hurled them back, pushed forward and captured their strategic, strongly fortified German positions at Vaux, Bouresches and Belleau Wood.

When the Germans were thrown back, the Allies never stopped attacking until the Ar­ mistice. The French awarded Bundy the Legion o f H onour and the Croix de Guerre with palms, and years later he received a medal for valor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

— Ibid. 3, page 81. His heroic and historic action is celebrated in this poem by Beta Theta Pi President Willis O. Robb, Ohio Wesleyan 1879:

Where Bundy Held the Paris Road Where Bundy held the Paris Road, The morning battle flam ed and flowed.

The Marne I passed; the line is bent!

Heaven speed our succor, heavens-sent!

A nd Europe gazed with eyes that glowed Where Bundy held the Paris Road.

The Patient Frenchman counseled, “Wait!

The Hun but hurries to his fate. ” It was but now the battle broke — Tomorrow — and the counterstroke!

But pale the s ta r o f patience showed, Where Bundy held the Paris road.

Said Bundy to the high Command: “None o f our men would understand!

The Stars and Stripes are driven back?

Im possible! We shall attack!”

A nd forward line on line they strode, Where Bundy held the Paris Road.

A nd when night brought the long d a y’s end The dead that filled the river-bend

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

105

Old A sbury (DePauw) chapter’s “Boys o f 1881”: Standing, left to right; Spanish-American War and World War I hero Om ar Bundy and John K. Urmiston; seated, left to right: Willis Van Devanter, future U.S. Supreme C ourt associate justice, and George W. Switzer Were German dead. And Europe knew!

A nd Freedom all her bugles blew; A nd once m ore French the river flowed Where Bundy held the Paris road!

LEROY S. LYON, RICHMOND 1886 (DSC) Major General Lyon, commander, 65th Field Artillery Brigade, received the DSC posthumously for “exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous services.”

RICHARD HARRISON JACKSON, VIRGINIA 1890 Celebrating his 100th birthday in 1966, Admiral Jackson, USN ret., graduated from the Naval Academy in 1887, served two years at sea, then attended the University of Virginia Medical School, intending to become a surgeon. Returning to duty as an ensign, he was cited “for conspicuous gallantry” leading his crew into the mizzen rigging to form a human sail upon the wrecking of the USS Trenton at Samoa in 1889.

A t the start o f W orld W ar I, he com m anded the battleship USS Virginia, then w ent to Paris as a liaison officer with the French Navy. In 1925, he com m anded the Battleship Division,

r

,

Led crew in an attempt .

^° SUl 8

lS S1U 'W ^ S U^

Battle Fleet, as a vice adm iral. In 1926, he was prom oted to C om m ander in C hief, Battle Fleet, as a (full) adm iral. On his 100th birthday, he read his own poem.

Count yo u r garden by the flowers, / N ever by the leaves that fall.

Count yo u r days by golden hours, / N ever m ind the clouds at all.

Count yo u r night by stars, not shadows, / Count yo u r life by smiles, not tears.

A nd with jo y on every birthday, / Count yo u r age by friends, not years!

— A dm iral Richard H. Jackson, USN (ret.)

EDWARD SIGERFOOS, OHIO STATE 1891 The highest-ranking officer killed in the World War, Brigadier General Sigerfoos received postIbid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930\ Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

106 humous honors Sept. 13, 1919, which recorded: “The Senate on September

8

paid an unusual

tribute to the late Colonel Edward Sigerfoos of Greenville, Ohio, by passing Senate Bill 2807 conferring the rank of brigadier general on him posthumously. The first such measure, the bill passed unanimously.

“Gen. Sigerfoos died Oct. 7, 1919, from a shell wound in the Argonne, also earning him the Distinguished Service Medal. He organized the Arm y School of the Line at Langre; as its commandant, he “displayed unceasing energy and marked ability. Through the thorough instruction by

Highest ranking officer killed in World War I

the school, he contributed materially to the combat efficiency o f line troops, thereby rendering services of inestimable value to the American Expeditionary Force.” — Ibid. 4, pages 329-330

CHAS. D. HERRON, WABASH 1897 On March 13,1977, Lt. Gen. Herron was age 100. The Honolulu, Hawaii, Star-Bulletin reported that “he observed his birthday with cake, a drink and a big ceegar!" He may have been West Point’s oldest living graduate at the time. He truly was one of “Hawaii’s most popular com m and­ ing generals.”

After graduating from W est Point in 1899, he was assigned to the Philippines where he became military secretary to Douglas MacArthur; he was succeeded by Dwight Eisernhower. In World War I, he was on the staff of Gen. John J. Pershing. After other assignments, he w ent to Hawaii in a commanding role in 1937 and served there until retirement in 1941.

With the advent of World W ar II, however, his retirement was short-lived. He was called back to serve on the staff of Gen. George C. Marshall. For many years since, he lived in Honolulu where he was held in high esteem through the years. Among other things, he is credited there with preventing the type of detention of Am ericans of Japanese ancestry that took place on the west coast of mainland U.S. — Ibid., June 1977, p 385

EMORY JACKSON PIKE, IOWA WESLEYAN 1898

,

Sole Beta recipie n ^ o f Medal o f

Qw.

Honor in World TTr T War I

>

Lt. Col. Pike, a machine gun officer in the 82nd Division, was one of only 16 in the U.S. Armed Forces to receive the Medal of Honor in World War I. His bravery was on Sept. 15, 1918, near Vandieres, France. The wounds he received in that action were

sal

rT

■ ur

u

the ultimate cause of his death. F or his biography, see page 3.

JOHN HENRY SHERBURNE, HARVARD 1899 (SS) Brig. Gen. Sherburne, 89, died in 1959 in Boston. Senior partner of the Boston law firm of Sherburne, Powers & Needham, he had been a member of the Massachusetts House of Repre­ sentatives, 1912-17, and was state adjutant general, 1942-45. A colonel with the Massachusetts Field Artillery on the Mexican border, 1916, he was promoted to brigadier general in France in World W ar I. His decorations included the Silver Star (Citation Star) and French Legion o f Honour.

He was an honorary citizen of Chateau Thierry and Belleau, France. — Ibid., Jan 1960, page 255

JOHN HATHAWAY LONG, DARTMOUTH 1899 Seventeen years passed since Dr. Long, chief of surgeons of Team No. 56, returned from the blood-stained fields of France. He died in 1935. A quiet, capable, fearless surgeon, his strength of character, sweetness o f disposition and outstanding surgical capabilities put him in the forefront Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

107 of the medical life of greater New York City.

,

In World W ar I, in a twinkling of an eye, he transitioned from

,„

.

a professor o f surgery and prom inent Brooklyn surgeon into

,

, ,

A remarkable surgeon, war experiences exauste

a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps. Belleau Woods,

im.

Chateau Thierry, the 2nd Marne, Fisus, Chemin des Dames and the Argonne — all great battlefields — found Dr. Long ju st behind the lines working day and night to relieve the sufferings of wounded troops. He hated w ar but gave the best of him self to retrieve as much as possible the boys who were living sacrifices to war.

The horrors of war, which he called “butchery,” left an imprint on this gallant gentleman. The shock of two nerve-racking years in France could not be overcome. The nervous strain attending more than

1 ,0 0 0

operations in sum m er 1918 was so great that he could not regain his pre-war

physical strength and peace of mind. Returning from France, he resumed his surgical career but to the day of his death suffered from the effects of the battlefield. Truly a casualty of war, he gave his life on the fields of France. — Ibid., Vol. 63, pages 292-293

ALFRED CLARENCE ARNOLD, WESLEYAN 1991 (2 DSCs, CDG) Army Lt. Col. Arnold was retired in 1920 because of physical disability incident to service. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross while with the 9th Infantry for extraordinary heroism near Medeah Farms, France, Oct. 4-9, 1918. He was also awarded the Legion of Honour and French Croix de Guerre for heroics in action at Thiaucourt, Sept.

12,1918. At a critical moment in the advance, he went through a barrage and stopped the assault lines at a neighboring unit which

His calm during fierce action gave confidence

was in danger from their own barrage. His coolness in walking

fa g m e n

the line under heavy enemy bombardm ent inspired confidence and restored order in his wavering line.

EMMET CARLYLE GUDGER, NORTH CAROLINA 1901 (NC) Captain Gudger, USN, died in 1941 from disabilities in the line of duty. Retired from the Naval Supply Corps, he had been awarded the Navy Cross and Victory Medal for action in World War I. He joined the Navy in 1903 and served on the USS N ewport and USS Idaho before World War I service at Brest, France. — Ibid., Vol. 69, page 176

KELLOGG SPEED, CHICAGO 1901 (NC) A Chicago newspaper reported, “A piece of shrapnel had pierced the soldier’s heart, and he was lying on the operating table in a front line hospital at Chateau Thierry. Kellogg Speed, M.D., was cleansing the wound, sewing up the hole in the heart and endeavoring to save the m an’s life.

‘Then,’ said Dr. Speed, ‘the Germans began bombing the hospital. One corner of it was blown away. We had to dim and shade the lights, but the operating couldn’t stop. We w ent right on, and the man is alive today.’

“All heart wounds are not fatal. It is as easy to sew up the heart muscle as many other muscles in the body, and the chances for recovery are good. So long as the projectile does not pierce the cavities and permit the blood to escape into the sac surrounding the heart, the organ will continue to beat for some time. If not delayed long, any reasonably expert surgeon can perform successful heart operations.” In nearly three years on Eureopean battle fronts, Dr. Speed performed some 6 ,0 0 0

operations, often working 18 hours a day.

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

108

BETA HEROES

S. GLENN BROWN, NORTH CAROLINA 1905 Col. Brown retired in 1944 after a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Army. His first military experience was in the Light Horse battalion in the Boer War (South Africa.) He was decorated by Queen Victoria of Great Britain (Queen's Medal for service in the Boer War) and by King Albert of Belgium (Order o f the Crown.) He also was in the Mexican border mobilization, in World War I and in the occupation of Germany after the Armistice. He commanded an infantry battalion as a major, 26th division, in 1918. — Ibid., Vol. 71, pages 284-285

ARTHUR LUTHER HEDRICK, YALE 1908 (DSC) The 27th Street viaduct in Kansas City, Mo., is named fo r Captain Hedrick. There is a main arch o f 100 feet over Vine Street, and three sm aller flanking arches on either side. A bronze tablet reads: “ Erected by the Board of Park C om m issioners o f Kansas City in mem ory o f Cap­ tain A rthur Luther Hedrick, 110th Engineers. He was the designer of this structure, w hich was his last im portant w ork before going overseas. He died in Brest, France, March

6

, 1919, and

was posthum ously awarded the DSC fo r “extraordinary bravery” in the battle o f the Argonne Forest. — Ibid. 3, pages 519-520

LAURENCE HAMSON MAYERS, BETHANY 1908 An M.D. in World W ar I, Dr. Mayers was selected from 3,500 physicians to give the first in­ jections of typhoid vaccine to 500 men. On learning the size o f the intended dose, he refused.

Several high-ranking officers reminded him that he was under military orders and announced he must “follow orders.” Dr. Mayers refused: “If you want to kill that many men with that amount of vaccine, you can call some other medical officer to give it.” The next officer called in gave the men the large dose of vaccine. The objective was to do it all in one dose. As a result, within 12 hours 87 men died.

In 1925, he became known for his discovery of the possibility of determining the exact condition of a race horse on any day by a blood analysis in the morning. The Aga Khan, one of the

Refused orders and saved the lives o f hundreds o f men

w orld’s most extensive racing stable owners, offered Dr. Mayers $90,000 to spend four months at the royal stables. The offer was declined with thanks, saying he had more important things to do. Dr. Mayers was nominated for the Nobel Prize and won citations four times, 1926-45. The youngest practicing physician ever listed in W ho’s Who in Amerca, he was also an author. — Ibid., Oct. 1957, page 64-65

HARRY CLYDE INGLES, NEBRASKA 1910 After studying electrical engineering at Nebraska, he attended W est Point, graduating in 1914. A t first an infantry officer, in 1917 he transferred to the Signal Corps w here he had a distinguished career. A fter high staff positions in the W ar Departm ent, he was made Chief o f Staff, Caribbean Defense Command, then head o f Panama Canal Mobile Forces, Deputy Commander, Am erican forces in Britain, in 1943. He was recalled to W ashington to head the Signal Corps. Retiring in 1947, Major General Ingles was president, RCA Global Com m unica­ tions. — Ibid., Jan. 1977, page 263

DAVID BELLAMY, YALE 1910 (4 SSs) In World W ar I, Bellamy w ent overseas as a Marine 2nd lieutenant and participated in the Belleau Wood, St. Mihiel, Soissons and Champaigne sectors, earning four Silver Stars (Citation Star) Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievement, 1914;

109 and the French Croix de Guerre for gallantry. He volunteered in World War II and served with the Marines, 1943-45, remaining in the Marine Corps Reserve as a lieutenant colonel. His father, Francis, wrote the U.S. Pledge o f Allegiance. — Ibid., March

His father, Francis, au­ thored the U.S. Pledge o f Allegiance.

1961, page 394

WYMAN DRUMMOND HERBERT, COLUMBIA 1911 (SS) Graduating as a mechanical engineer, he was a m anager for Devoe and Reynolds Paint Co. until 1916, when he went to the Mexican border with Squadron A, New York National Guard. Later, he went overseas as a captain in the 105th Field Artillery, achieving a distinguished military record and returning home with a Silver Star (Citation Star.) — Ibid., Vol. 68, page 748

EDWARD A. KLEIN, MISSOUR11911 (DSC, CDG) W hen the U.S. entered World W ar I, he went overseas as 1st lieutenant, Battery B, 12th USFA, and as liaison officer,

6

th Marines. He was awarded the DSC and was decorated with two Croix

de Guerres. He died in 1940 in St. Louis, Mo.— Ibid., Vol. 67, page 794

HERBERT WILLIAM HALL, MIT 1912 (DSC, 2 CDG) Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for “calmness, decision and courage in extraordinaty heroism” near Thiaucort, France, Sept. 27, 1918, Capt. Hall died in 1945. He served in the 44th Coast Artillery, USA, and took part in seven major battles, including the St. Mihiel and MeuseArgonne offensives and with the Australians in 1918 in repulsing German forces at Amiens. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 270.

In 1909, in college, “ his heroism saved the power plant o f Massachusetts Institute of Technol­ ogy from destruction. In battle, he saw to the transportation o f ammunition to howitzers in action against the enemy. Then a 1st lieutenant, he convalesced for some time from a gas attack which affected his lungs.” — Ibid., June 1919, page 614

HERBERT L. JONES, DENISON 1912 (DSC, CDG) On April 2, 1921, the body of Lt. Jones, killed in action on July 4, 1918, was brought back to his home town of Dresden, Tenn., for burial. Born and raised in Dresden, he had earned his LL.B. Volunteering at the beginning of the war, after officers training school he was sent immediately to France where he distinguished himself on several occasions. Lt. Jones was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross. The citation read: “W hile in his dugout he heard one of the men outside call for help and rushed out to give him aid, refusing to allow others to go in his place. A shell burst directly in front of him, and a fragm ent entered his throat, killing him instantly.” Lt. Jones was a Beta Theta Pi district chief when he entered the service, inspiring words on a statue at the Tennessee Statehouse, Nashville: “He gave all he had, life; he gained all he lacked, immortality. ”

STANLEY FISKE BRYAN, CALIFORNIA 1913 Captain Bryan, 5th Field Artillery, com m anded C Battery.

He was noted as the first U.S. serviceman to fire a shot at the D enison’s Lt. Herbert Jones

Continued on page 115

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930: Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: Faithful Home o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

110

ALBERT WILLIAM STEVENS (1886-1949), M IAM11907 (2 DFCs) The pioneer balloonist set altitude records.

A balloonist, Col. Stevens opened a new frontier of the upper air, reaching an altitude of 74,187 feet. In the Jan. 12, 1929, Literary Digest, an earlier flight was described as “Frozen to the Sky.” “At 37,854 feet,” the article noted, “Captain Stevens secured a good photograph of about 30 square miles in the vicinity of Dayton, Ohio.

“In the seven-m ile trip into the sky, they w ent from 71 degrees above zero to 76 below, then back to 79 above. At 34,700 feet, the intense cold produced results suggested by the words, ‘frozen to the sky.'”

Robert T. Howard, D ePauw 1938, editor of The Beta Theta Pi, reported in the May 1963 issue (pages 406-409): “Lt. Col. Stevens’s balloon flights into the stratosphere helped make today’s manned orbits possible.” When Col. Stevens died in 1949, his phenomenal venture of 13.7 miles into space was less than 30 years before. He was a space-flight pioneer in the true sense. He made aviation and science history in two Col. Stevens, M iam i 1907

balloon gondolas named E xplorer I and Explorer II, decades before unmanned satellites of the same name.

Stevens graduated in electrical engineering in 1907, an M.S. in 1909. Photography was a hobby. He knocked around in Idaho, Montana and California for nine years working on gold dredges, then to Alaska to install an electric gold dredging outfit in the Nome Region.

He entered sled dog races of 1,000 miles (11 dogs, two men); when the U.S. entered World W ar I, he traveled 2,000 miles by dogsled to enlist as a private.

The imaginative 31-year-old went through Army schools and special work at Cornell and was commissioned a lieutenant. He developed various special techniques, photographed troops in action and was named chief photographic officer of the 1st Army. He invented a lens to photograph topographical elevations 300 miles away. Meanwhile, he received two Distinguished Service Crosses for bravery.

In 1922, he made a parachute jum p from 24,200 feet. After 10 months of air exploration over the Upper Amazon with the 1924 Hamilton Rice Expedition, he took a flight reaching 39,150 feet over Dayton, Ohio, obtaining Am erica’s first record of therm om eter readings for one day showing the “tem perature gradient” from earth to stratosphere. In 1925, with Lt. Harry Johnson, the pair reached 35,611 feet, a biplane altitude record. One of his pictures over Central Argentina, taken from a plane at 21,000 feet, was the first to show laterally the curvature of the earth . 1 In his fam ous balloon ascent July 28,1934, Explorer I, the balloon and gondola at takeoff had a combined height of 300 feet, comparable to a 30-story building. The three-man crew rose past 60,000 feet; all was well. Then the balloon split, plunging earthward, faster and faster. Captain Orvil Anderson climbed out; his parachute opened. Major William Kepner 1lbid., M ay 1934, page 635; Dec. 1935, page 254; Nov. 1949, page 179 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

111

climbed out next. Wind pressure pinned Stevens against the gondola halfway out o f the porthole. Kepner shoved him clear, then let him self go. The second ascent, Explorer II, was a two-man venture, Stevens and Anderson, ascending on Nov. 11, 1935. In flight for eight hours, 13 minutes, the vessel reached 72,395 feet (13.7 miles), settling safely 225 miles from the liftoff at the Stratobowl, near Rapid City, S.D. — a world record for 21 years, Stevens continued to w ork with photographic techniques for a variety of purposes and conditions.

He headed photographic instruction at Lowry Field in World W ar II. The 1935 flight broke other records, in addition to achieving the highest point in the stratosphere ever reached by man. Explorer II was the largest free balloon ever built, with a capacity o f 3,700,000 cubic feet. Its rubberized cotton fabric, spread out flat, would cover more than two acres.

After the war, he achieved world-wide renown for aerial photography for the Army and National Geographic Society expeditions. With the Alexander Rice Expedition on the Amazon River, he was lost for 10 days deep in the jungle. The pair snared and cooked fish, finally making their way out of the jungle by the aid of some friendly natives . 2 On Dec 17, 1938, the city of Dayton paid tribute to the W right brothers on the 35th an­ niversary of m an’s first successful flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C. The celebration, attended by Henry Ford, numbered four outstanding aviation leaders, including Betas Col. Edward A. Deeds, Denison 1897, pioneer aviation manufacturer, and M ajor A lbert W. S tevens . 3 In 1922, Stevens jum ped from a Martin bomber at an altitude record of 24,206 feet. After being caught in a 120-mile gale, his parachute eventually reached the ground 25 miles from the jumping point and after he had been in the air for half an hour . 4 One narrow escape in his peacetime work was while returning to Mitchell Field, Long Island, N.Y., from Washington, DC, with a Lt. McSpaden. They ran into a huge rainstorm over the island, hit a steel flagpole at 100 miles an hour. The plane, weighing two tons, did a full revolution and fell, upside down, with the engine full on, crashing through the roof of the comm anding officer’s house. Stevens with his custom ary luck escaped with minor bruises.

Col. S tevens’s greatest achievem ent was at McCook Field, Dayton, Ohio, June 12,1922, when his Martin bombing plane set a new three-passenger altitude record of 24,206 feet; but it was his individual contribution to the record for a parachute jum p from this altitude that brought world attention to a feat of intrepid daring. The 1 2 0

-m ile w inds dislodged

his oxygen tank, which he jetisoned. “ It was a rough voyage,” he conceded with his custom ary modesty.

21bid., Feb. 1925, page 484 3lbid., Vol. 66, pages 355-356 41bid., June 1923, page 726

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The B eta Book, 1930\ Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

112

ja m e s r . M c C o n n e ll, Vir g i n i a 1910 (2 c d g s ) Among original seven pilots in the famous Lafayette Escadrille A dram atic winged statue on the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville honors James Rogers McConnell. It was sculpted in 1919 by Gutzon Borglam, who five years later went on to create the faces on Mt. Rushmore. McConnell is also prominently featured in a portrait proudly wearing his French officer’s uniform displaying the Croix de Guerre.

A mem ber of the fam ous Lafayette E scadrille’s original seven flyers, legendary for its flying exploits against the Germans, McConnell was the last American killed before the U.S. officially joined the fray on April

6

, 1917.

Born in Chicago in 1887, McConnell grew up with a strong sense of history. W hile still a teenager, he and a friend report­ edly made the first automobile trip from Chicago to New York City. At the University of Virginia, he took the campus by storm.

“He manifested his genius in the extracurricular,” related a dean. He helped whip up sports crowds as a cheerleader, founded the Aero Club, belonged to the Seven Society and

___________ i____ Flyer James M cConnell

was editor of Corks and Curls.

When w ar broke out in 1914, the 27-year-old enlisted in the American Ambulance Field Service. Disappointed with the

“humdrum life of an ambulance driver,” he longed to fly; however, he found him self rescuing victims of a German bombardm ent which earned him the Croix de Guerre “for conspicuous bravery.”

“I was convinced,” McConnell wrote, “that the U.S. ought to aid in the struggle against Germany. (So) it was plainly up to me to do more. The more I saw of the splendor of the fight the French were making, the more I felt like a slacker, so I made up my mind to go into aviation.” Escadrille N-124 became official in April 1916. McConnell and six other flyers — well-educated, idealistic, spirited — were W ashington and Lee graduate Kiffin Rockwell, Yale-educated William Thaw, Elliot Cowdin, Norman Prince, Victor Chapman and Bert Hall.

They all flew the fabled French Nieuport (below.)

Later, the unit was renamed the Lafayette Escadrille because Rockwell was fond of ex­ claiming, “I fight for Lafay­ ette and Rochambeau.” At their Verdun-sector airfield near the front, the w ar was brutally real. Often making three flights a day, Rockwell and Thaw were shot down, but survived. Chapman was killed.

D e te rm in e d to bag an enem y plane, “ M a c” had Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

113

numerous chances to unleash his Lewis gun but never scored an “official” kill. He survived one crash. W hile recuperating, he wrote an action-packed article for the November 1916 W orld’s Work, then expanded it into a 157-page book, Flying fo r France, 1917, published by Doubleday, an effort many consider his major contribution to the Allied w ar effort. Ultimately, he returned to action despite the partial paralysis of his neck.

“This w ar may kill me,” he wrote prophetically, “but I have it to thank for so much.” On March 14, he celebrated his last birthday. He was 30. Five days later, McConnell and two others took their Nieuport 17s up to fly their third patrol of the day. The small silver biplanes bobbed in close formation. Once across German lines, the trio became separated; McCon­ nell was never seen alive again. Four days later, the shattered remains of his Nieuport No. 2055 were discovered in a small apple orchard. McConnell’s tangled corpse, stripped by the Germans of everything including his boots, still lay alongside.

“There is scarcely any doubt,” recalled flying partner Edmond Genet, “that Mac was killed w hile fighting in the air. No pilot would have attempted to land a machine in the tiny rotten field.” Thus the Lafayette Escadrille lost another o f its original seven flyers: Sergeant-Pilot James R. McConnell, an inveterate prankster, bon vivante, scintillating writer. He was buried where he fell. The citizens of the village erected a memorial stone at the site. Locals still refer to the little field as I’ebtrut de I’aviateur, “place of the flyer.” In 1928, McConnell’s remains were transferred to the Lafayette Flying Corps Memorial near Paris.

The distinguished journal, The March o f Events, wrote: “He viewed his service as repaying his share of America's debt to France and as being in the cause of liberty for all nations, his own among them .” — Ibid., Fall 1999, inside back cover When M cConnell’s statue was form ally presented on the University of Virginia campus, the fam ous author and poet Armistead C. Gordon penned the celebrated poem The Aviator, which included this stanza: He who flew to fight for freedom, girded with youth’s aspirations, Eager, radiant, soaring onward through the silence o f the skies, Found the freedom he left earth for there amid the constellations, With death’s shadow on his forehead and life’s wonder in his eyes. ”

M cConnell (far left and inset) and the six other fliers in the original Lafayette Escadrille with their two French leaders (center.)

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

114

WILBERT WALLACE WHITE, WOOSTER 1912 (DSC, Ace) Recommended for the Medal o f Honor for heroism in France Flight com m ander of the 147th Squadron, U.S. Air Service, A.E.F., Lt. White was killed in aerial com bat in France, Oct. 10, 1918. Said the fam ous air ace Capt. E.V. Rickenbacker, an eye-witness, “Yes, I saw Lt. W hite killed in mid-air. There was a fight between 10 Fokkers and the eight Spads of W hite’s Squadron. The inexperienced pilot in the rear of his formation had been (engaged) by the leader of the German formation. White saw this and, quick as a flash, he zoomed up into a half-turn, executed a ‘reversem ent,’ and came back at the Hun leader to protect his pilot from a certain death. He made a direct plunge for the enemy plane, which was just getting its machine gun fixed on the rear of the Spad tail.

Neither plane swerved in its course. W ithout firing a shot, the heroic W hite rammed the Fokker head on, while the two planes were approaching at 250 miles an hour. Fragments filled the air for a moment, then the two broken fuselages, bound together by the terrific collision, telescoped and fell swiftly down, landing in a heap on the bank of the Meuse.

“Lt. W hite sacrificed his life for a comrade, and the most .. . ......

A ir Ace Wilbert White

pitiable feature of this self-sacrifice was that it was his last flight over the lines before he was to leave for the U.S. on a visit to his wife and two children. W hite was one of the finest

pilots and best air fighters in our group. He had won seven victories in combat and was a wonderful leader and loved by all his pilots.” — Ibid. 2, pages 319-320 A portrait hangs in Mercerberg Academy, Pa., showing the

“Lt. White sacrificed his life fo r a comrade. ”

American ace as a flight com m ander (above.) The inscription reads: “Killed in action in France, near Dun-Sur Meuse, Oct. 10, 1918, while driving an airplane head on into an enemy (to) save the life of a comrade in peril. By such heroism is the enduring fam e of our nation established. His body lies in France.”

During the war, W hite was credited with six planes and two balloons. He was awarded the DSC “for extraordinary heroism, Sept. 1,1918, while protecting three Allied observation balloons,” along with many other decorations for bravery. He was recommended for, but never received, the Medal of Honor.

Sigma R ho’s service in World War I District C hief Clarence J. Rosebery, Illinois 1895, edited a 44-page booklet, The Service Record o f Sigma Rho C hapter o f Beta Theta P i in the W orld War. An attrac­ tive publication, it was dedicated to Lt. John C. Lee, Illinois 1913, and contained the names of 141 chapter members. — Ibid. 2, page 162 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

115 Continued from page 109 enemy in World War I. “My battery fired the first shot; I had the honor of commanding the first U.S. battery to adjust fire on a German target,” he said. The occasion was in November 1917.

WALDO HUNTLEY HEINRICHS, DENISON 1913 (ACE, 2 CDGs) A retired Middlebury College professor, in World W ar I, Dr. Heinrichs flew with Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker’s fam ous “Hat in the Ring” squadron against the celebrated Eric “von Richthofen Circus.” Heinrichs was regarded as “one of the first aces of the w ar”. In 1919, Heinrichs was called “the luckiest man in the w ar” after being shot down by German planes while with the U.S. 95th Aero Squadron, first o f the American squadrons to take the air against the Germans.

Among many encounters, he escaped injury in such adventures as landing his plane after its propeller was torn off while flying at full speed at 1,500 feet; falling a mile in a plane from which most of the top wing had been stripped in collision with the German plane he was fighting, and turning a double somersault in a machine which was blown into a ditch as he made a landing.

When he finally was shot up in an aerial dogfight, he was wounded in 10 places. With the right side of his face torn out by an explosive bullet, 15 teeth gone, both jaws and an arm broken and bullets lodged in his hand, thigh, right ankle and left heel, he still landed his plane, flying under telegraph wires and landing safely, to be captured and narrowly escaping death in an under­ manned, ill-equipped prison hospital.

In World W ar II, despite a disabled arm, he returned to service and was an intelligence officer with the Army Air Corps. He was discharged as a It. colonel. — Ibid., Jan. 1960, page 252 An article in National Republican, Feb. 1, 1919, headlined “W ar’s Man o ’Luck,” Lt. Heinrichs, 95th Aero Squadron, was described as the first of the American squadrons to take the air against the Germans. He had recently arrived from France after two months in a prison hospital at Metz. Among things that happened to Heinrichs (in addition to those already described): “The scars of 10 wounds and two Croix de Guerres are some of the evidence he bears that he was in the war.” When the Germans abandoned

An early war ace, he was in Rickenbacker s famous “Hat in the ring. ”

the hospital and he was repatriated, he was soon sent home.

“Even on his arrival in the U.S., Heinrichs played true to form, making his landing dangling from a cable stretched from Fire Island beach to the rigging of the Northern Pacific, the big liner which went aground New Year’s Eve.” Heinrichs died in 1959.— Ibid., Jan. 1919, pages 178-182

HERBERT LASS MILLER, KNOX 1913 An American Legion post in New York is named in honor of Lt. Herbert L! Miller, who was lost on Sept. 16, 1918, in the Aisne-Vesle sector, during an attack on Revillon. He was the ranking lieutenant in Co. K, 307th Inf. Reg., 77th Division. On the night of Septem ber 15, commanding the forward line composed of portions of Companies C, K and L, 307th Inf., and Companies I and K, 308th, he was last seen by his men on the edge of the front line trench endeavoring, pistol in hand, to stop the rush of the members of the front line to the left. In the darkness and confusion all trace was lost of him. His body was found later when the terrain was taken by allied troops.

LOYD SAMUEL MOWRY, WESTERN RESERVE 1913 (MC) A medical doctor, Mowry was loaned for two years to the British Essex Regiment during World W ar I. He served 22 months in front-line trenches in France as a surgeon, often near Arras. He Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

116 Continued from page 109

received the British Military Cross for outstanding performance underfire. After the war, he returned to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was clinical professor of obstetrics at Western Reserve, also chief of obstetrics at Deaconess Hospital. By retirement, he had delivered some 20,000 babies. Instead of retiring, however, he was appointed insular obstetrician for the U.S. Public Health Service in the Virgin Islands. His work was on the three islands, which he visited by plane. He died in 1982 in Cleveland. — Ibid., sum m er 1983, page 461 r

WILLIAM W. DAWSON, WESLEYAN 1914 Lt. Dawson captured five German prisoners without firing a shot, while in action north of Bayenville in the Argonne fighting. W rote a w ar cor­ respondent with the A ssociated Press, the Phi Beta Kappa (Dawson), “armed with only an autom atic pistol, advanced with the infantry under hot fire from German machine guns and artillery. Suddenly he found himself confronted by five boches (Germans.) Leveling his pistol at them,

General Dawson

Dawson commanded them to surrender. All threw up their hands.” A lawyer, he was Beta Theta Pi president during World W ar II.

LOTHAR REYMOND LONG, NORTHWESTERN 1914 (DSC, CDG) Captain Long was killed in France. A Marine 2nd lieutenant at the outbreak of the war, he went overseas with the first contingent. He was awarded a DSC and French Croix de Guerre.

KARL N. LLEWELLYN, YALE 1915 (Iron Cross) Sgt. Llewellyn returned to his studies in the senior class at Yale after serving some months in the German Army, where he received the Iron Cross for bravery. He also won sergeant chevrons for his part in a desperate charge at Ypres in which he was badly wounded in the thigh and chin.

He lay where he dropped for a day and a night before help came. As a result, he walked with a slight limp and suffered some with his eyes. As a student, Llewellyn came to love Germany and the German people. He hurried from the Sorbonne, where he was a student, in Paris at the outbreak of the w ar and enlisted.

WILLIAM GRIFFITH SPRAGUE, MICHIGAN 1915 (CDG) Sprague received the French Croix de Guerre for “gallantry in action.” W hen he was initiated

by Lambda Chapter, a special badge was pinned on him by Francis W. Shepardson, Denison 1882, on behalf of Sprague’s father, W illiam Cyrus Sprague, Denison 1881. The diamond in the badge was taken from a brooch given to the boy’s mother by his father years before her death.

In France, during World War I, he wrote to his father that he had lost his badge, indicating his great sorrow. Soon after, the young officer of the American Flying Corps was killed when struck by his propeller blade after a flight, while awaiting embarcation home after the Armistice. Months later, when his personal effects reached home, the badge was discovered in the corner o f a small pocket of the case. A memorial tablet in Lambda’s chapter house has a gold star bearing tribute to young Sprague’s valor. — Ibid. 4, pages 502-503

WARREN HOLDER ALDRICH, BELOIT 1916 On the Mexican Border in 1916, Aldrich was with the Army in France as a 1st lieutenant and in World W ar II in C hina-Burm a-lndia as a Lt. Colonel. He retired in 1951, dying in Richmond, Va., Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

117 in 1973. — Ibid., Jan. 1974, page 359

HERBERT B. BARHOLF, MICHIGAN 1916 (DSC) A 1st lieutant in the Army A ir Corps during World W ar I, he was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action on Oct. 30, 1918, and again on Nov. 4, 1918.

A resident of Glencoe, III., he became president of the Illinois National Casualty Co. and director of the Springfield, III., Airport Authority. He died in 1954. — Ibid., Vol. 82, page 245

GEORGE CAREY, BELOIT 1916 (SS, CDG) Carey was president of Hendley-W hittimore Co. for more than half a century. During World War I, he was a lieutenant in the 1st Division. He received the Purple Heart, Silver Star (Citation Star) and Croix de Guerre. During

rr

r

Honored for two acts of

W orld w a r II, he served on the Draft Board. He died in 1977 in

h e r o is m

Beloit, Wis. — Ibid., spring 1978, page 369

RAY OMER EDWARDS, DePAUW 1916 (SS, CDG) In World W ar I, he advanced from private to captain, receiving a Silver Star (Citation Star) and French Croix de Guerre. In private life, he was a civil and construction engineer for the U.S. Treasury Dept., 1922-34; district manager, Public Works Administration, Jacksonville, Fla., 193437. He died in 1958. — Ibid., March 1958, page 374

JOHN H. HILLDRING, COLUMBIA 1916 (DSC) Major General Hilldring, holder of the Distinguished Service Cross, became one of the youngest generals in the U.S. Arm y (1942). Previously assistant chief of staff, G -1, in Washington, DC, he was appointed commanding general, 84th Infantry Division, in 1942.

Gen. Hilldring saw considerable action with the American Expeditionary Force, 1917-18, and distinguished him self near Jaulgonne, France, on July 22, 1918. For extraordinary heroism, he received the DSC. The incident was an attack on a hillside when Hilldring exposed himself to heavy enemy fire while making a reconnaissance. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 198 “During the attack on the slopes of Hill 210, the unit lost contact with the units of the battalion, becoming exposed to a severe flank attack by overwhelm ing forces of the enemy. Lt. Hilldring, in command of a platoon, repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire while making personal reconnaissances to the right flank to maintain liaison, consolidate the troops and protect the com­ pany’s withdrawal. Earlier in the day, during an assault against the heights north of Charteves, he displayed unusual courage, leading two platoon runners in a flank attack against an element of the enemy defense firing into the flank and rear of his company, capturing the gun and several prisoners and driving off the other hostile com batants.” — Ibid., M ay 1942, page 564

MEREDITH WOOD, WILLIAMS 1916 (DSC, 2 CDGs) Wood, retired president of the Book of the Month Club, died in 1974 in W hite Plains, N.Y. During World W ar I, he rose to captain in the Jaulgonne, France’s 308th Regiment, 77th Division, and received the DSC and Croix de Guerre with Silver Star. In W orld W ar II, he was chairman of the book publishers division of the W ar Bond Drive and mem ber of the Council on Books in Wartime.

He was a director of Grosset & Dunlap, Bantam Books, W onder Books, Treasure Books and Book of the Month Club, Canada, Ltd. — Ibid., Sept. 1974, page 83 With the 308th Inf. Reg., he was cited “for extraordinary heroism in action near Badonvillers, Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith fu l H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

118

BETA HEROES

France. Accompanied by only one noncommissioned officer, Lt. Wood, as signal officer, penetrated the enem y’s front line and bravely patrolled their territory, following a wire which was thought to lead to a listening post. He cut the wire and returned to Allied lines with vital information. When a building he occupied took a direct hit, he was severely gassed when he removed his mask

h h ' rl

1'

oenina enemy lines

to aid a mortally wounded soldier and to search for others who had been overcom e.”

JAMES J. CONROY, CORNELL 1917 (SS) A recommendation for the Silver Star (Citation Star), lost by his commanding officer in World W ar I, became a reality in August 1944 when he received the belated citation from the W ar De­ partment. Peacetime, he was justice of the city court, Flushing, Queens, N.Y. For 25 years, Lt. Conroy wondered w hat had happened to the medal but was always too timid to inquire. A t the 25th annual reunion of the men with whom he fought and led in France, Judge Conroy learned that the recommendation, placed in military channels in France, apparently had been lost in transit. The ju d g e ’s comrades in the 311th Infantry, 78th Division, set out to locate Major Haynes Odom, comm anding officer o f the 1st Battalion, 311th, who had made the original recom menda­ tion. They found him, now a lieutenant colonel at Fort MacArthur, Calif., and he dug into his files and found carbon copies of the recommendation he had made in France.

Honored with medal after 26years

Result: “On the night of Oct. 29, 1918, Lt. Conroy organized and led a patrol into the town of Grandpre, France, wrecking a section of narrow gauge railroad and capturing several prisoners. The patrol was subjected to heavy shell and machine gun fire, and its safe return was due to the skill and coolness under fire of Lt. Conroy.

“With complete disregard for his personal safety, on the night of November 1-2, (he) led a detachm ent of the 1st Battalion, 311th Infantry, directed to make contact with the enemy. The detachm ent proceeded in motor trucks from Ferme des Loges. Despite the fact that his detach­ ment was subjected to constant artillery fire and had no advance patrol or reconnaissance, the advance, led by Lt. Conroy in the first truck, continued some nine kilometers to the town of Briquenay, where machine gun fire was met and the detachm ent was forced to detruck and attack. On Nov. 4, at Les Petites, Lt. Conroy, having assumed command of A Company, 311th Infantry, and having reorganized its position and led it in a successive attack, was badly gassed but refused evacuation and led a patrol as an advance guard on the morning o f November 5 through the town of Tannay, France.” — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 115

VINTON ADAMS DEARING, COLGATE 1917 (DSC) Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously by Commanding General John Persh­ ing, Dearing fell in the second battle of the Marne, on the Paris-Soissons Road, July 18, 1918, as he was carrying ammunition to the front.

SAMUEL REEVES KEESLER DAVIDSON 1917 (DFC) The name “Keesler Field” was known to many young Beta Air Corpsmen who trained at this important USAAC Technical Training school in Biloxi, Miss. Yet few knew it was named fo ra Beta flying hero of World W ar I. Lt. Keesler, posthum ously awarded the DFC, died Oct. 9, 1918, of wounds received when his plane was attacked east of Verdun by four German Fokkers.

Born in Greenwood, Miss., 1896, he was student body president and played varsity baseball Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

119 and football. He volunteered at the outbreak of the w ar and, as a 2nd lieutenant, reached France on March 26, 1918, and participated in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives.

The account of Lt. Keesler's last flight, as an aerial gunner and artillery fire controller in the 24th Aero Squadron, is dramatic. “Attacked by the four Fokkers, he brought down the leader.

The remaining three opened fire and damaged his plane so severely that it crashed. Keesler was wounded six times in the chest and three times in the abdomen during the air battle and in the hip when the enemy planes strafed him on the ground before he could take cover. Behind German lines, Keesler was taken by the enemy to a medical station, where he died the next day.

His courage under pain excited the admiration and respect of his captors so much that it was commented upon in their reports.” The American citation for bravery and distinguished service granted him the status of a full-fledged ace. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 455

ROBERT GRAFF MERRICK, JOHNS HOPKINS 1917 (DFC) 1st Lt. Merrick, 10th Field Artillery, received the DFC “for extraordinary heroism” at Courboin, France, July 14-15, 1918. He commandeered an ambulance and made three trips under terrific shell fire to evacuate wounded. Soon after, he was promoted to captain. Later, participating in the battle of Chateau Thierry, he was gassed.

JAMES MCBRAYER SELLERS, CHICAGO 1917 (NC, DSC, 2 SSs, CDG) A Marine veteran o f World W ar I, Sellers received the Navy Cross, DSC, two Silver Stars (Citation Star), Purple Heart and the French Croix de Guerre. He left active duty as a captain in 1920 and retired from the Marine Reserves as a lieutenant colonel in 1945. He was president of Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, Mo., until his death in 1990, at age 96. Previously, he was Academ y commandant, 1920-33; superintendent, 1933-60. — Ibid., winter, 1991, page 182 Colonel Sellers, unlike his older brothers (1st Lt. Orvid R.

.

Sellers, M.D., C hicago 1904, and Col, Sanford Sellers, Jr..

F o U S h t b ra V e l>' m f ° U r

Chicago 1913), saw military service immediately after college.

m a jo r e n g a g e m e n ts

Because of his Wentworth Academ y experience, he received a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in the Marine Corps early in 1917. He w ent to France, serving as platoon leader, then company com m ander through four m ajor engagements and advancing to captain. One of the most highly decorated officers in the Marine Corps, he was severely wounded in action. He left active duty in 1920 but continued in the Reserve Corps until his retirement as lieutenant colonel in 1945. — Ibid., Jan. 1971, pages 235-237, 315

MAURICE ROBERT SMITH, YALE 1917 (DSC) His DSC was with the U.S. Arm y Air Service for his part in the St. Mihiel drive. Capt. Smith, 24, served for a year in the American Expeditionary Force. He was in command of the 5th Balloon Company during the St. Mihiel and Argonne-Meuse operations. On the first day of the St. Mihiel drive, he flew in a storm for five hours. On the third day he was forced to parachute when his balloon was shot down in flames. He reascended and finished the day’s work.

FRANCIS D. WEEKS, WILLIAMS 1917 (CDG) A member of the American Field Service’s Ambulance volunteers, W eeks received the French Croix de Guerre for “distinguished bravery,” cited for carrying the wounded through a section of the Verdun sector.

Ibid. 6 : The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book. 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9. F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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HOWARD CLAYTON KNOTTS, KNOX 1916 (DSC, DFC, Ace) One o f Am erica’s 63 flying aces o f World War I Considered the forem ost American authority on aeronautic law, Lt. Knotts died in 1942 at age 47. As a flying ace, he was credited officially with shooting down eight German planes, receiving a DFC from the U.S. as well as Great Britain. W ounded twice, he was believed to have shot down 12 planes but only eight officially. He was shot down Oct. 14, 1918, and fell behind the German lines and held prisoner until he and others were abandoned by the retreating German Arm y early in November 1918. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 338 Identified as one of five Illinois men among the 63 American flying aces, he had just completed his first year o f law at Harvard when he enlisted the day after the U.S. entered the war. In July 1917, he was accepted by Army Aviation and went to Canada for training with the British because U.S. training was not yet developed.

In March 1918, he went to England. “Our (planes) there were single seaters,” he recalled,

“When we saw Germans, w e’d lay a nest o f eggs.

“rigged to fit the flyer. We could only learn that type of flying in England.” In his initial action, “The Huns were flying over the channel, and we flew out and drove them back. They turned around and literally flew when they saw us coming, so it w asn’t exciting at all.

“Then we w ent to France in 1918 and were sent right to the front, attached to the Brit­ ish, escorting bombers attacking German submarine bases . . . long patrols over German lines. Then the ‘big show ’ began when (French General) Foch was ordered to concentrate on the Arras-Albert front, with Baupaume and Cambrai. We carried four 20-pound bombs, ‘eggs’ we called them; when we saw a bunch of Germans w e’d drop them. We called it ‘laying a nest o f eggs.'

“Our squadron was one of three champion squadrons in the Army. We had 65 (enemy) planes to our credit plus 27 unconfirmed. The casualty for our squadron was 110%. I was a casualty twice. The first time, three days before I brought down my first plane, there were 12 of us out after two balloons. Three Huns, hiding in the sky, jumped down on me. My wound was slight. My next wound was the day I was shot down behind the lines.”

Shot down, Knotts landed the plane w ithout crashing. He scrambled from shell hole to shell hole, even crossing enemy lines. In one hole, he was attacked by a German with an autom atic pistol. In the struggle the German accidentally killed him self with his own auto­ matic. Five other Germans subdued him. His wounds remained untreated; later gangrene and blood poinsoning set in his feet and legs. — Ibid., June 1919, pages 566-571

“They’re coming back from France, boys . . . ” District Chief William M. Springer, Northwestern 1909, wrote an extra “w ar” stanza for Wooglin Forever, first sung at a Beta luncheon in Chicago, Jan. 13, 1919: They are coming back from France, boys, A nd we're glad to have the chance, boys, They’re coming back to stay, To grasp their hands today, Shouting Old Wooglin forever; Shouting Old Wooglin forever.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

121

CEDRIC A. SMITH, MICHIGAN 1917 A supreme twist o f fate for a true war hero In a tribute to M ichigan’s Cedric Smith, LeRoy A. Mullen, Davidson 1916, penned his admiration for this hero: “Fate seems to enjoy the free exercise o f her whims and caprices in war. An evidence of the extraordinary turn affairs can take, diverting normal events and injecting tragedy with grim irony where it seems peace and security belong, is the story of the death of Lt. Cedric A. Smith, U.S. A ir Service.

“Upon our entrance into the war, Lt. Smith (or “Sm itty” as he was affectionately known) answered the call to the colors by joining the flying corps. He graduated from the air school at Champaign on Oct. 13, 1917, and was ordered to France for flying instruction. During the w inter of 1917-18, the activities of Smitty ranged from road-building at Issoudun to the role of ’Police M ilitaire’ at Saint Maxient.

“After a season o f military police duty at Saint Maxient, Lt. Smith was ordered to the 2nd Aviation Instruction Center at Tours, where he finished the arduous course with distinction.

There were several occasions at Issoudun when he narrowly escaped death. One time, flying at a comparatively low altitude, he got on his back and could not right himself, but with a judicious pull on the stick he came out in good shape.

There were other occasions of engine failure over bad ground when only a cool head brought him out without a scratch.

“At the front he sought night chase work, not finding the

The famous flyer died in an auto crash, “a most cruel caprice. ”

maximum of thrills in day fighting. One night, he had his worst crash, diving a Sopwith Camel (see photo, page 123) into the ground at high speed. His only injury was a slight head wound. Two weeks later he was selected by Captain ‘Eddie’ Rickenbacker to join his famous ‘Hat-in-the-Ring’ squadron.”

Then came the Armistice, after which Smitty spent time ferrying planes from one camp to another. “On the return from his last ferrying trip, fate played her m ost cruel caprice. Smith was ordered to the rear, soon to be on his way home. Other transportation not available, Smith and his party took advantage of an opportunity to travel in an Arm y automobile.

The roads were in bad condition; the car skidded and overturned at a sharp curve near Colombes-les-Belles. Lt. Smith was killed in the crash when his head struck a stove being transported in the car.

“It is the suprem e caprice of fate that a great hero should be taken in such a way. . . . and thus it is that a loving mother loses a faithful son, Beta Theta Pi a devoted brother and our country’s brave soldier, leaving us the sublime proof of Beta blood in Beta vein, free to flow and w ithout stain. ” — Ibid. 4, pages 384-385

Remembering days “Over There” On Feb. 14, 1920, in Seattle, Wash., 15 University of W ashington chapter alumni who saw service in France during W orld W ar I gave a dinner dance in a downtown cafe. Most of the women guests also had served in France. The menus were printed in French, the dishes served were French and several toasts were given in French.

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930] Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: F aith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

122

RUSSELL SYMONDS FISHER, DICKINSON 1917 (DSC) Captain o f the U.S. A rm y’s 24th Infantry Regiment, Fisher received the DSC for action in the Argonne. He spoke to the Chicago Beta Alum ni chapter, Jan. 18, 1922, on “W hat Uncle Sam is doing for the officers and men in our Army.”

JOHN ATKINSON HARRIS and SAMUEL HARRIS DICKINSON, DAVIDSON 1917 After service in the U.S. Arm y in World W ar I, John Hanlon Atkinson, Dickinson 1919, and Samuel J. Harris, Dickinson 1918, aided the Lithuanian people in their struggle for liberty from the Soviet Union. Atkinson was commissioned a major in the Lithuanian Army; Harris was killed while putting down a mutiny in Lithuania.

As a Lithuanian national hero, Harris has scholarships bearing his name in the schools of that republic. A monum ent was erected on the spot where he fell in action. In the Memorial Hall at Dickinson, his name is inscribed with those of other Dickinson men who died in World W ar I. Harris left college to go with the 8 th Regiment of the National Guard for service on the Mexican border; he then w ent with his unit as a lieutenant, served in five major engagements with the Iron Division and remained in the service abroad until he transferred to the Lithuanian Army as an instructor in military tactics. The Lithuanians were hard-pressed by the Russian Bolsheviks and in great distress through lack of food and clothing. In Kovna, Captain Harris’s troops were pressed by the Russians who had an idea that Harris was custodian for large amounts of relief funds.

One night, Harris crossed the enemy lines and assured the Russians that as soon as funds reached him from relief sources some settlem ent would be made. Meanwhile, the Russians had been poisoned by stories that he was lying. Again he crossed the lines and assured the Rus­ sians that relief must be awaited. He was returning to his own quarters when he was attacked from behind with a fusillade of gunfire. His body was eventually returned to the U.S. and buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. — Ibid., Oct 1922, pages 224-225

REED G. LANDIS, CHICAGO 1918 (DSC) Col. Landis became commanding officer of the 1st troop carrier command of the air force, headquartered at Stout Field, Indianapolis. He was the son of Baseball Commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis, named to the post to sort out the infamous Black Sox Scandal. An authority on aviation law, young Landis commanded a U.S. pursuit squadron in World War I, receiving a Distinguished Service Cross and British Flying Cross. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 37

KENNETH MacLEISH, YALE 1918 In December 1919, the U.S. Navy christened a new destroyer, USS Kenneth MacLeish, “in memory of Lt. Kenneth MacLeish, USNR (see page 186.) Born in Glencoe, III., Sept. 19, 1894, he died in the clouds while fighting in Belgium a year ago.”

After serving in the Naval Reserve as an enlisted man, he was promoted to ensign in the USNR Flying Corps, Aug. 31, 1917. On Oct. 13, he was ordered to aviation duty in France, com­ missioned a lieutenant junior grade on March 23, 1918, and promoted to lieutenant on July 1, 1918. He was detached from duty on July 2 ,1 9 1 8 , and ordered to Dunkerque. On Aug. 18,1918, he was assigned to the Northern Bombing Group, Paris, France, where he took part in numerous air raids over enemy lines. W hile on a raid with Royal A ir Force Squadron No. 213 over Schoore, Belgium, the squadron was attacked by a large number of enemy planes. In the engagement, MacLeish’s plane was shot down, and he was killed instantly. Others said, “He was considered Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

123 one of the best pilots o f this group."

Additional data was in an article by Admiral Sims in The W orld’s Work, May 1920, under the caption, “The Victory at S ea,” which included M acLeish’s picture. Also, an intimate volume about him was published by his fam ily as Kenneth, a book of 131 pages, containing a collection of let­ ters, which his mother noted in the foreward, “tell the story o f the rich life he lived during those last 18 months, and of the birth of the man from the heart of the boy.” Wrote a Beta: “We must all give up this life sooner or later, but it is not granted to all to give it up so nobly.”

In one letter to his parents, he described the ideals that inspired him. “If I find it necessary to make the supreme sacrifice, always rem ember that I am firm ly convinced that the ideals I am fighting for are right and splendid, that I am happy to be able to give so much for them. I could not consider m yself a man if I saw these ideals defeated when it lies in my power to defend them .”

“We must all give up this life sooner or later, but it is not granted to all to give it up so nobly, ” said one Beta brother o f MacLeish.

His name is on the memorial tablet in the Yale Chapter house and on a tablet placed by his classmates in an archway of Yale’s Harkness Quadrangle. On April 8

, 1923, First Baptist Church o f Evanston, III., dedicated a $200,000 church house, adjoining its

auditorium. The new building is of Bedford stone and has as its special adornm ent a square tower containing a hall named after Lt. MacLeish. — Ibid. 4, pages 508-509

PAUL DUNCAN MEYERS, WISCONSIN 1918 (CDG) Allied and Germ an fig h ter aircraft in W orld W ar I

Clockwise from top left: French Spad, U.S. Curtiss, German Junkers, German Fokker, British Sopwith Camel and British Vickers Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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BETA HEROES

As captain and end on the U niversity of W isconsin football team in 1916, he won All-Big Ten and A ll-A m erican recognition. Later, he entered the U.S. A rm y A ir Corps and served in W orld W ar I in France. He was the first Am erican soldier to be awarded the C roix de G uerre , France’s “medal o f valour.” He retired as a USAF colonel and died in 1966. — Ibid., Jan. 1967, page 206

JOHN ADAMS BALLARD, ST. LAWRENCE 1919 Commissioned a 2nd lieutenant and assigned to Co. C, 9th Regiment, he was promoted to 1st lieutenant in France. The action bringing promotion to captain and a citation for bravery was in July 1918. When the regiment became separated from another which was supporting it, Lt. Ballard attempted to re-establish contact in a wide expanse o f wheat fields. He and his runner stumbled across two Germans and took them prisoner. Then

Capt. Ballard captured j Qermans and a machine gun by himself.

7

an enemy rifle shot killed his runner. A spatter of irregular fire showed that Germans were present in considerable number. “ I got two of them — shot ’em. And the rest surrendered,” was his modest summ ary of the encounter. He marched the 17 captives and their machine gun to the rear, then returned to his company.

JOSEPH ANDREW PALMER, WESLEYAN 1918 (DSC) Lt. Palmer, an artillery observer with the

8 8

th Aero Squadron, Aug. 11, 1918, when he and his

pilot accompanied by three other planes, carried out a hazardous photographic mission over enemy lines along the River Aisne. Palmer, acting as protector on this expedition, the four planes were returning, having secured 36 valuable photographs, when they were attacked by 12 enemy planes. Lt. Palmer, by his skilled fighting, aided in driving off the enemy; he and his gallant pilot were materially responsible for the success of the mission. He received the DSC.

J.J. SCHIEFFLELIN, YALE 1919 (NC) Lt. Schieffelin, a Navy aviator, received the Navy Cross for bravery over the coast of France.

After his discharge, he returned to New Haven to complete his college course.

CARR MEYSENBURG THOMAS, YALE 1919 Sgt. Thomas, Battery A, 12th Field Artillery, was cited “for extraordinary heroism in action near Chateau Thierry, France, July 21-23, 1918. He crossed an area swept by machine gun fire to establish liaison with the infantry, obtaining valuable information for his commander. Two days later, in an observation post under constant shellfire, he was wounded but refused medical aid until other men were treated and evacuated.

BERNARD A. BROWN, SOUTH DAKOTA 1922 (CDG) He received the Croix de Guerre in an ambulance unit in France. He remained on duty many hours under heavy fire, attending to the wounded.

JOHN MONTAGUE BATES, WASHINGTON 1922 (2 SSs) Bates received tw o S ilver Stars (C itation Stars) and a Purple H eart during W orld W ar I. During W orld W ar II, he served in the M erchant M arines. In peacetim e, he owned several garages in Portland, Ore., and was involved in real estate developm ent in Lake Oswego, Ore. N orthw est Beta chapters often held rush parties at his hom e on Lake Oswego. — Ibid., Sept 1975, page 79 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

125

CHARLES STUART PIPKIN, SR., TEXAS 1923 (SS) In the infantry in World W ar I, 1917-19, he received the Silver Star (Citation Star) for bravery and was a mem ber of the Army of Occupation. Practicing law until 1930 when he became a U.S. Attorney, he returned to private practice until 1954, then associ­ ated with Strong, Moore, Pipkin & Nelson as a partner. He was the first recipient of the Blackstone Award, a prestigious honor named for the famed jurist Sir W illiam Blackstone. President of

After heroic action in World War I, he served again in World War II.

Beta Omicron chapter as an undergraduate, he died in 1989 in Beaumont, Texas.

“Like Beta father, like Beta so n ” It was in the afternoon of Sept. 29, 1918, in the Argonne Forest, when the bat­ talion received orders to attack. The regim ent’s objective was Gesnes, a town six kilometers ahead, and it was taken about dusk at great cost of lives. That evening, terribly demoralized, the men were ordered back to their previous position because divisions on the flanks had failed to keep abreast and the group was in extreme danger o f enemy flank fire. Orders were to evacuate no wounded so as not to weaken the frontal strength in case of counter-attack.

The com m ander o f the 2nd Bn. headquarters group cried aloud in an effort to keep his men together, and they had just begun their withdrawl when off from a distant shell hole in the direction of the enem y was heard the cry, “My God, Burgard, don’t leave me!” Orders or no orders, the com m ander had recognized that voice, and a shell hole in no-m an’s land was no place to leave a Beta brother. Two o f his men volunteered to aid in evacuating the wounded man, and eventually he was carried to safety. For that engagement, the wounded lieutenant was awarded the Purple Heart; although a man o f gentle virtues, he had plenty of “what it takes.”

The com pany com m ander was John C. Burgard, Oregon 1916. The wounded lieutenant was Robert R. Waybur, California 1912, father o f 1st Lt. David C. W aybur, California 1942, “Hero of Sicily” who was awarded the Medal of Honor in World W ar II (See page 6.) Like Beta father, like Beta son. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 329, by A.J.G. Priest, Idaho 1918 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

126

BETA HEROES

Toronto Chapter Eleven Betas gave their lives; 13 were awarded the Military Cross; three, the Distinguished 1

*

1

Service Order.

During World W ar I, a Toronto newspaper published this para­

graph: “Like the public schools of England the Greek-letter fraternities of Canada have made a splendid response to the call to arms. The Toronto Chapter of Beta Theta Pi has special reason to feel proud of its record which shows that about 75 percent of its number have enlisted and gone overseas since the beginning of the war. O f those, nine have given up their lives, seven were awarded the Military Cross and three — Lt. Col. H.F.H. Hertzberg, Capt. A.G. Knight (since killed) and Major J.A. Murphy — all graduates in applied science, received the Distinguished Service Order.

“The Toronto Chapter was one of 79 formed in United States and Canadian universities since the founding o f the Fraternity in 1839. W hen war broke out, the local Betas would have been compelled to close their house at 126 St. George Street, had it not been for the financial assis­ tance (referred to as the “Toronto Chapter Fund”) given by the central organization (virtually all the chapters in the Fraternity at large at the time), which has already advanced $5,000.

“Betas in the U.S. say that they are determined to keep the Toronto Chapter going, even if it necessitates the closing of houses south o f the border, so that members invalided from the front will have a home to which they may return. Already there are several returned Betas staying in the St. George Street house, and as nearly all the other local fraternities have been obliged to close up their homes, Beta Theta Pi has extended hospitality to some of the other Greek-letter soldier members also.” — Ibid. 3, page 416 The huge sacrifices o f Toronto chapter (chartered in 1906) record that one of every 10 Theta Zetas gave their lives. O f course, Canada, through its membership in the British Commonwealth, was in the w ar years before the U.S. Major Edward Vaughn Cham bers, 2 MCs. His first award was for “gallantry under fire” while with the machine gun corps in the battle for Passchendaele; the second Military Cross, for “gal­ lant conduct” at the battle of Cambrai.

Reg Elliot: A fter volunteering and twice being turned down, he finally enlisted and became a veteran of the Royal Flying Corps.

Major James Edward Fetherstonhau, MC Capt. Thom as Irving Findley 1918, MC, carried out valuable reconnaissance during a threehour flight at an altitude of 300 ft.

Tan McDonald. Wounded in his eye and 13 shrapnel wounds, he continued to fight.

Jan and Butz Herzberg, MC. Brothers, they were both wounded. Each earned the Military Cross; both were promoted for coolness underfire. Jan received the Distinguished Service Order; Butz was perm anently crippled from his wounds (see page 130.)

Tommy Drew-Brook was flying 17 miles behind enemy lines when he was attacked by four planes. A bullet penetrated his spine and exploded, sending pieces into his spine and liver. He spent eight months as a German prisoner of war (see page 131.)

Capt. Alexander Watson Baird, 1913, MC. Having already earned the Military Cross and Bar Ibid.: The B eta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

127

A lexander W. Baird

D. G aler H agarty

R obert G. Hamilton

D onald W. Morrison

H arry R. Nicholson

Ernest A lroy Simpson

on the firing line, he died while leading his company in the capture of a machine gun nest during the first day of the Battle of Amiens. ‘ Daniel Galer Hagarty, 1916, was killed by a shell while leading his platoon in the front line at Sanctuary Wood. ‘ Robert Gordon Hamilton, 1915, MC. Before his death, he received the Military Cross for rescuing a number of his men who had been buried by shell fire. ‘ James Cuthbert Hartney, 1907, Royal Flying Corp, died in a plane collision over France. ‘ John Turner Howard, 1913, Royal Engineers, was killed in a motor accident in France. ‘ Arthur Gerald Knight, 1918, MC, DSO: Canada’s forem ost aviator and recipient of the Military Cross and Distinguished Service Order for gallantry, he was shot down behind German lines while engaged with superior numbers. F o r his story, see page 130.

Gerad M. Malone, Toronto 1913, MC Maurice Edward (Mike) Malone, Toronto 1917. F or his story, see page 129. ‘ Donald W hitcombe Morrison, 1919, gun officer, was KIA* the first day of the Battle of Amiens. ‘ Harry Reid Nicholson, 1917, Royal Flying Corps, was shot down when attacked by three enemy planes. *Killed in action Ibid. 6 The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930, Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

128

James C. Hartney

BETA HEROES

John T. Howard

A rth u r G. Knight

Victoria Cross George S. Stratford *E rn estA lroy Simpson, 1915, chapter president, was killed in the Battle o f the Somme near Courcelette. ‘ Joseph (Jo) Donaldson Simpson, 1912, MC, Ernest Simp­ son’s brother, a brigade major, earned the Military Cross before being fatally wounded. ‘ Geoffrey Allan Snow, 1916, was killed near Courcelette in the Battle of the Somme. ‘ George Stacey Stratford, 1916, lieutenant, after recovering from wounds, returned to the front and died in action five months later in the trenches at Meescheele.

Capt. Carleton Griffen Warner, 1914, MC

Geoffrey A. Snow Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

129

MAURICE EDWARD (MIKE) MALONE, TORONTO 1917 (MC) “Never mind me; carry on!” *Mike Malone, 21, led his men of the 48th Highlanders in the counter-attack at Obser­ vatory Ridge in the Battle of Zillebeke in Flanders on June 3, 1916. As they reached the farthest point of the advance, he was struck.

When his men came to his aid, Malone, mortally wounded, uttered, “Never mind me, carry on!” He was the second mem ber of his chapter to die in World W ar I, surviving by one day his classmate, Galer Hagarty.

For years, a plaque containing Mike M alone’s immortal words was dis­ played prom inently over the fireplace in the Theta Zeta Chapter house.

The plaque has since been moved to Toronto’s St. Paul’s Anglican Church, where visitors are thrilled by M alone’s stirring words, which continue to ring throughout the annals o f history.

The plaque reads: “In loving memory of Lt. Maurice Edward Malone, 48th Highlanders, 15th Battalion, 1st Canadian Expeditionary Force, killed in ac-

M ilitary Cross

tion at the battle of Zillebecke in Flanders while gallantly leading his men, June 3, 1916. Aged 21 years, two months, he was the youngest son of E.T. and Am y Malone.

‘N ever m ind me; carry o n !’ — his last words. He was pre­ sented the Military Cross.”

Newspaper reports recalled another Malone statement: “Quit you like men; be strong!” adding, “The saying will live; for it is of the spirit.” — Ibid. 3, page 527 Stories about the humanity of Mike Malone abound. For example: “He was returning to his billet one rainy night. He Maurice (Mike) Malone

passed a sentry who had no protection from the drench­ ing storm. He took off his own w aterproof and put it on the

sentry. As a result o f this kindness, Mike was laid up for two days with a severe cold.”

Another story recalls, “W hen Mike’s earned 10 days leave in England every six months came due, he relinquished his turn to a married officer who had a sick wife. During these 10 days, Mike was killed.”

Many have been the eulogies of this gallant Beta, but one by Profesor Wallace, University o f Toronto, pays most eloquent tribute to the personality of the man: “W hen I dream of my own little boy, grown up to a m an’s years, I like to believe he may be something like Maurice — so happy-hearted, so generous and thoughtful, so wonderful a combination of the charms of noble youth and the attractiveness of a high-minded man assuming life’s heaviest responsibilities.” — Ibid., Vol. 73, pages 528-529 Gerald M. Malone, T o ro n to 1913, Mike’s brother, took command of the platoon when Mike was killed. Gerald Malone was also the holder of the Military Cross.

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930] Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

130

BETA HEROES

CHARLES SUMNER HERTZBERG, TORONTO 1906 (MC) Major General Hertzberg, No. 5 on the Theta Zeta Chapter roll and brother of Major General H.F.H. Hertzberg, Toronto 1908, was commissioned in the Canadian Engineers in December 1915, arrived in England two weeks later and proceeded to France with the 7th Field Company. He was wounded in February 1916, but remained with his unit. “He displayed great courage and determination on three separate occasions when digging

Severely wounded, he recovered and returned action.

advanced trenches under heavy fire. On another occasion, he established a strong post on an exposed flank.” He was awarded the Military Cross “for conspicu­ ous gallantry in action” and the Distinguished Service Order. Later, he was again wounded badly and hospitalized four months. He returned to action and was appointed second in command of the military engineers in the Expeditionary Force that w ent to Siberia. His peacetime roll was comm andant of the Royal Military College, Canada’s equivalent of England’s Sandhurst and the U.S. W est Point. — Ibid., Vol. 69, page 115

H.F.H. HERTZBERG, TORONTO 1908 (MC) Major General Hertzberg, No. 4 on the Toronto Chapter roll and brother of Major General C.S.L. Herzberg, Toronto 1906. He embarked for England as a young officer in late 1914 and to France in 1915 with the 2nd Field Company, C.E. He was wounded in action at Langes, receiving the Military Cross, and sent to England for rehabilitation. Returning to action in France, he served the balance of the war in numerous command positions, including colonel of engineers. By the end o f the war, he rose to lieutenant colonel in command of division engineers and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He returned to Canada on May 24,1919. His peacetime service has not been discovered in available records; however, it is known that he rose to the rank of major general. — Ibid., Vol. 69, page 114

ERIC W. HALDENBY, TORONTO 1917 (MC) Former chapter president, Brigadier Haldenby was the architect who designed many of the buildings on the University of Toronto campus. He was the first Canadian to go from m ajor to brigadier in World War II. He joined the 48th Highlanders (infantry) of Toronto and went overseas in May 1916 with the 92nd Battalion. He moved into action in France, serving until the end of the war, returning to Toronto in June 1919. He went in as a junior subaltern, came out a captain and adjutant of the battalion. In September 1916, he was wounded but stuck with his outfit. He was awarded the Military Cross.

ARNOLD GERALD KNIGHT, TORONTO 1918 (MC, DSO, Ace) M ore than 20 years later, he assum ed com m and o f the active service battalion o f the 48th H ighlanders and took it overseas in Decem ber 1939. By the end o f W orld W ar II, he w as a brigadier in com m and o f the 9th B rigade o f C a nada’s Third Division. — Ibid., Vol. 68, p a g e s 434-439 Commemorated by a tablet in St. Paul’s Church in Toronto, Ontario, Knight was born in Bedford, England, in July 1895. He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. In November 1916, he received the Military Cross for conspicuous skill and gallantry, and later was awarded the Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

131 Distinguished Service Order “for leading four machines against 18 German planes, bringing down five and dispersing the others.” He was also promoted to the rank of captain.

A t that time, he was Canada’s most distinguished aviator. On Dec. 20, 1916, he was reported missing. Confirmation of his death came later. When last seen, he was engaged with superior numbers o f the enemy. Upon the tablet, the inscription reads: “Capt. A. Gerald Knight, D.S.O., M.C., Royal Flying Corps, was numbered among those who,

Led his flight offour aircraft against 18 enemy planes

at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger and finally passed out of sight of men by the path o f duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those that come after see that their names be not forgotten and their sacrifice has not been in vain. He was killed in action at Donai, France, Dec. 20, 1916, age 21. — Ibid. 3, page 525

EARLE B. LOWNDES, TORONTO 1919 (MC) In 1916, at age 17, he joined the 48th Highlanders, was transferred to the Officers Training Corps and w ent overseas in 1917. Arriving in France in July 1918, he was in command of a daylight patrol in no-m an’s land got behind a German position and cut them off, taking seven prisoners, the first to be taken by his division; he was awarded Canada’s Military Cross. Shortly after, he was wounded.

THOMAS GEOFFREY DREW-BROOK, TORONTO 1920 Head of Canadian operations of British security coordination during World W ar II, he was a fighter pilot in France during World W ar I. Shot down, he spent six months in a prison camp.

At that time, he met another Canadian, William Stephenson, who later became head of British security coordination and recruited Drew-Brook for his W orld W ar II intelligence work. His peace­ time career was in the stock brokerage business in Toronto. He died in 1977 in Toronto. — Ibid., Spring 1978, page 372

Toronto Chapter House Memorial Tablet Toronto Betas who fought in World W ar I are memorialized in the chapter house: A lexander W atson Baird, 1913; Robert Gordon Hamilton, 1915; Daniel Gater Hagarty, 1916; James Cuthbert Hartney, 1907; John Turner Howard, 1913; Arthur Gerald Knight, 1918; Maurice Edward Malone, 1917; Donald W hitcombe Morrison, 1919; Harry Reid Nicholson, 1917; Joseph Donaldson Simpson, 1912; Ernest Alroy Simpson, 1915; Geoffrey Allan Snow, 1916; George Stacey Stratford, 1916.

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

132

JUUUUU MMSilSS

W W H w .............

BETA HEROES

U.S. CHAPTER DEATHS IN WORLD WAR I*

BROWN Army aviator Frank Elmer Starrett 1916, Athol, Mass., was killed Jan. 5,1918, in an airplane accident in France. — Ibid. 4, page 325

Purple H eart1

CALIFORNIA World W ar I casualties on a memorial plaque in the Omega chapter house are Bruce Howard 1919, Byron Jackson, Jr. 1916, Charles William McConaughey 1901, Clinton Rice Madison 1920, Raymond Hough Sherman 1895 and Albert Carnahan Simonds 1916, the latter a USMC lieutenant from Pasadena, Calif. Simonds was KIA in France, Sept. 15, 1918. — Ibid. 3, pages 521, 523, 526, 527, 541, 542 **A Marine Corps 1st lieutenant, Albert Elmer Starrett 1916 was KIA at Thiacourt, France, Sept. 15, 1918. A memorial silver plate is affixed to the large president’s chair in the dining hall of the California Chapter, Berkeley, Calif.

CARNEGIE **W alter Watson Craig 1919, 1892-1918, and “ Arthur Haskins McGill 1914, 1892-1919.

Details unknown CASE Clarence Virginius Ashbaugh 1919 and “ Leland Stanford Mugg 1918. Their names are on a World War Memorial Scholarship Cup awarded by Lambda Kappa-Beta Chapter each year to a freshman. Case (Lambda Kappa Chapter) and W estern Reserve (Beta Chapter) merged in 1979 to become Lambda Kappa-Beta Chapter. — Ibid. 3, pages 494, 534 CHICAGO “ George Morris Eckels 1915 lost a six-year fight against the effects of poison gas and died May 17, 1924. He served in the “Dandy First” Illinois Cavalry on the Mexican border and went overseas with an infantry regiment where he was gassed in action against the enemy.

COLGATE Vinton Adam s Dearing 1917. His name is memorialized on a bronze tablet in the vestibule of the First Baptist church, Hamilton, N.Y. COLORADO Edwin Russell Kingsland 1914. Lt. Kingsland, 8 th Army Aero Squadron, was killed in France, Aug. 31,1919. His name is on a bronze memorial tablet in the Beta Tau Chapter house, presented

by Betas of the class of 1926 when they were freshmen.

Burton Ralph Reynolds 1919. His name is also on the chapter tablet.

COLORADO COLLEGE Harry Clinton W ray 1914. Lieutenant Wray, as acting captain, led his men over the top in the St. Mihiel drive in September 1918. Coming in line with machine guns, his legs were practically severed at the knees. Falling forward, he dragged him self ahead by his hands, calling on his men with his dying voice to continue the attack. “Heck” W ray was a point man in qualifying Delta Phi Theta local fraternity to be chartered as Gamma Delta Chapter o f Beta Theta Pi in 1914. *See official list in Appendix A. Those listed here are not repeated in the “Index: Alphabetical

by C hapters,” page 259 **Not included on the official list, Appendix A Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

133 DARTMOUTH Members of U.S. Arm y Aviation, in the American Expeditionary Force, 1st Lt. James Lloyd Churchill 1915 died in an airplane accident in Pensacola, Fla., and 1st Lt. Chester Albert Pudrith 1916 was killed in an airplane accident in Lincoln, England, April 30, 1918.— Ibid. 4, pages 337 DENVER Lt. Charles Bruce Murray 1914. En route to England, his ship was torpedoed, and he escaped with nothing but the clothes on his back. After service in England and France, the w ar ended and he sailed for the U.S., arriving Dec. 4, 1918. He caught influenza on the journey and developed pneumonia, was cared for by Mrs. Pershing, sister-in-law o f U.S. Commanding General John J. (Black Jack) Pershing. He died 11 days later.

Ernest Elmo Beal 1917, M.D., a dental surgeon, was KIA Sept. 26, 1918, while serving with the Medical Corps, attached to the 91st Division.

DEPAUW Alonzo Asheal Klingensmith 1917. His grave in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Ind., has a marker placed in 1923 by the DePauw Chapter.

DICKINSON John Harold Fox 1914, John W olcott Gooding 1914 and **1 st Lt. Samuel J. Harris 1919.

Their names are on a bronze tablet at Dickinson College, dedicated to the 810 sons of Dickinson who served in the World W ar and in particular recognition of those who lost their lives.

IDAHO Lloyd A. Ellington 1916 died in service on Jan. 13,1918, and Sgt. Howard W. Holladay 1916 was killed in an airplane crash at Kelly Field, Texas, March 13, 1918. Both are honored with a memorial in the Gamma Gamma Chapter hall.

ILLINOIS Charles Edwin Caldwell 1911 and John Charles Lee 1913 were honored with a tree, planted April 23, 1920, on the University of Illinois campus, bearing their names and classes, along with others, on a bronze plate and by a column in the memorial stadium in Champaign.

Former District Chief Clarence J. Rosebery, Illinois 1895, edited a 44-page booklet, The Service Record o f Sigma Rho o f Beta Theta Pi in the W orld War, dedicated to the memory of Lt. Lee and containing the names of 141 members.

KANSAS James Raymond Ebnother 1913. His picture is on the bookplate of the Alpha Nu Memorial Library.

Lt. Robert Staufer Heizer 1911, USMC, was KIA in France in June 1918. A graduate in letters and in law, he was recalled as “one o f the most enthusiastic members o f the chapter.” His picture is also on the bookplate of the Alpha Nu Memorial Library.

KENYON “ Richard C. Marsh 1915 was killed by a shellburst in France, Oct 4, 1918.

KNOX ‘ ‘ Marshall P. Drury, K n o x 1870. No details on his death are known; however, Captain Drury was honored with a monumental building, Marshall P. Drury Hall o f Commerce and Finance, at Washington University in St. Louis.

Lt. Herbert Lass Miller 1913 was killed Sept. 16, 1918, in the Aisne-Vesle section during an attack on Revillon. For his story; see page 115.

MAINE Harold Taylor Andrews 1918, the first man from the state of Maine to be killed in World War I, Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The B eta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

134

BETA HEROES

is recalled by the naming of Harold T. Andrews Am erican Legion Post No. 17 in Portland, Maine.

In the perm anent home of the Legion Post is a bronze base relief of Andrews by Victor Kahili, placed above the mantel in the main room.

Enlisted in Co. G, 103rd Engineers, 1916, Andrews went abroad with the 11th U.S. Engineers, working on a narrow gauge railway near Cambrai with a party of engineers, Nov. 30,1917. Armed with only picks and shovels, they were attacked by Germans with machine guns. Andrews was the third man to fall and died instantly.

James H. Gray 1918 died of influenza while in the service in October 1918.

Dunton Hamlin 1911, Phi Beta Kappa and valedictorian, Hamlin enlisted at the start of the war. He died o f influenza while in the service in October, 1918.

1st Lt. S. Tracy W ebster 1918 left school to enlist in 1916. He was in the Aviation Section of Signal Corps at Fort Sill, Okla., and died while there.

The names o f all four men are on the Maine Memorial W indow in the Beta Eta Chapter house, along with the names of the two Maine Betas who died in the Spanish-American War. — Ibid. 3, pages 390-391 MIAMI W. Guinn Mattern 1917 is memorialized by a plaque at the gate o f Miami University’s football stadium. He was a star end on the Redskins (now Redhawks) football team.

MICHIGAN Victor Clarence Vaughan, Jr. 1900, George Andrew W eiler 1913, William Griffith Sprague 1915, Louis Mason Bruch 1916 (killed in action Nov. 10, 1918, on the Meuse in air combat), Harold Edgar Loud 1918, Cedric Alan Smith 1919 and Reginald Stott Franchot 1919. Franchot’s name is also on a Celtic cross, 9 ft. high, in the churchyard of St. Mark’s Pro-Cathedral in Grand Rapids, Mich., erected to the memory of four young men and one young woman o f the parish who lost their lives in the war. — Ibid. 4, page 543 OHIO WESLEYAN Thomas Dunbar Halliday 1919. A bronze tablet to his memory is in the Theta Chapter house.

OREGON Lt. Leslie Orland Tooze 1916 was killed in the battle of the Argonne, Sept 28, 1918. He dis­ tinguished him self for conspicuous bravery on the field of battle. His body was found lying at the farthest point o f advance, showing that he was leading his men when he fell at St. Mihiel.

OREGON STATE **John Donald Garbutt 1927 and **Ralph Emerson Lynn 1928. Details unknown.

PENNSYLVANIA Albert Lewis Thompson 1904, Andrew Smith W ellington 1918 and Frederick George Wilmsen 1918. The names of all three are on a bronze tablet in the Phi Chapter house.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE Frederick Charles Dose 1914 and Stephen James Keister 1914. The names o f both men are on a bronze tablet in the Alpha Upsilon Chapter house.

SYRACUSE “ Rev. Frank Banker Duvall 1903 and “ William Cady Velasco 1916. Details unknown TEXAS Eugene Doals Penn 1917 was killed in an “aeroplane accident” at the 8 th Aviation Instruction Center in Italy, May 20, 1918. His aircraft proved defective and collapsed at some 12,000 feet.

Even then, with one of the w ings crumpled and detached, he struggled to right the aircraft and for some time managed to keep the machine level. Suddenly it made a spinning nose dive. Penn Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

135 was thrown out and w ent down to his death.

UNION David Percy Anderson 1914 and Luther Alfred Hagar 1914. Their names are on a bronze tablet in Nu Chapter.

WABASH **M ajor General Charles D. Herron 1897 died Oct. 7, 1918, of battle wounds.

2nd Lt. Oscar Leon W atkins 1918 died at Bar le Due, France, Oct. 23, 1918.

W ASHINGTON in ST. LOUIS Capt. Charles Henry Drucker, Jr. 1914, Battery A, 340th Field Artillery, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Force. A chapter brother described him as “a brilliant student, a true friend, a loyal American, he gave his life in his country’s service” near Thiacourt, France, Oct. 17, 1918, while commanding his artillery battery. **Martin Henry Schlieper 1918. Details unknown.

Clarence W illiam Schnelle 1912. Details unknown.

The names of the three men are among the 23 from W ashington in St. Louis, who gave their lives in World W ar I, to whom a building on the campus is dedicated, June

6

, 1922.

W ASHINGTON & JEFFERSON Lt. Jam es Peebles Over 1912, Co. K, 47th Inf., USA, was KIA at Sergy, France, July 30,1918.

He was a lawyer in civilian life.

WESLEYAN Robert A rcher Bowlby 1910, Joseph Truman Bray 1919, Roy Livingston Burns 1910, Anton Frederick Haus 1912 and W ilm er Edgar Herr 1915: Pictures o f the five men are on a memorial mantel in the Mu Epsilon Chapter house.

W ESTERN RESERVE Henry Burt Herrick 1888. The Cleveland doctor, at age 50, tried to enlist but was rejected due to age and health. He went overseas in a civilian capacity. With his own resources, he helped where he could. To the needy and desolate he administered medical attention and food. He had been made an honorary captain of the American Red Cross. W hen he died, he was buried with men who had died fighting.

YALE Benjamin Strickler Adam s 1918 is memorialized by a fireplace, donated by his mother, in the lounge of the Phi Chi Chapter house William Hopkins Chandler 1918. Army 2nd Lt. Chandler, 7th Field Artillery, was KIA in August 1918. He left his studies in Union Theological Seminary to enter the training camp at Plattsburg.

Born in India, he won honors at Yale. **Scoville Thom as Devan 1911. He was gassed while in the YM CA service abroad; his death was a direct result. He was a French secretary, Sept. 20 ,1917, and w ent abroad soon thereafter.

A fter a year, poor health compelled him to return to the U.S. **Donal Paige Frary 1915. Details unknown.

A rthur Luther Hedrick 1908. F o r the story, see page 108.

Kenneth MacLeish 1918. F or the story, see page 122. **Frank Stuart Patterson 1918. His name is on the memorial tablet in the Yale chapter house and also upon a slab dedicated to World W ar I heroes placed by the class of 1918 in the east side of the vaulted archway of Harkness Quadrangle at Yale.

Gordon Lockwood Schenck 1918. Details unknown.

Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

136

Sf

BETA HEROES

WORLD WAR II, 1939-1945

“

■

In W orld W ar II, as in W orld W ar I, Canada w as em broiled in hostilities fo r m ore than two years before the U.S. By late 1941, however, P resident Franklin D. R oosevelt was prepar­ ing the country fo r the confrontation sure to come. On S unday m orning, Dec. 7, 1941, fears becam e reality with the a ttack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In the harbor, eight o f the U.S. N avy’s nine battleships in the P acific w ere sunk or severely dam aged. Two Betas, Lt. Frank S. Lom ax, N ebraska 1939, and Ensign Jam es W. H averfield, Ohio State 1939, w ere entom bed on the USS Arizona. M eanw hile, Ensign John P. Edwards, Kansas 1939, becam e the first pilot to take off and engage the Japanese planes, (see p age 156) In May, 1942, The Beta Theta Pi published the names o f more than 1,800 Betas in military service — about one-third of the 5,000 who had already joined by the publishing time of that is­ sue. The list was headed by 15 Betas who had already made the supreme sacrifice.

More than 17 m illion C anadian and U.S. Ensign Haverfield

citizens served in the arm ed forces during

Lt. Frank Lomax

the war. The U.S. Arm y infantry were ju st 14 percent o f the troops overseas; but w herever they were — North Africa, the Pacific, Europe — infantrym en often bore the brunt o f the fighting, suffering seven out o f

1 0

o f the casualties.

The preponderance of Betas, being college-educated, were comm issioned officers. Hence, newly minted lieutenants and ensigns suffered unusually high casualties, w hether on the ground, in the air or at sea. Rarely were there easy assignments, whether fighting in sub-freezing weather in 1944-45’s Battle o f the Bulge or braving flak thick as flocks of geese over France and Germany, surviving the brutal Bataan Death March or paddling in the black shark-infested ocean after your ship was torpedoed in the South Pacific.

Within hours of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese ships and planes attacked Thailand, Shanghai, Malaya, the Philippines and Guam, Midway and Wake Islands. The latter four were of particular interest as the they were all under U.S. protection. Wake Island was especially resistant. For three days, the Japanese bombed and strafed the atoll. On December 11, a vast force launched an invasion. The little group of defenders — a handful of Marines and a sizeable contingent of civilian construction workers, manning their heavy graders and steam rollers — sunk two destroyers, shot down two bombers and forced the enemy to abort, their first loss o f the war. Holding off for 13 days, the Am ericans suffered 52 military deaths and a number of civilian casualties against more than 1,150 Japanese killed.

Elsewhere, the brave but futile defense of the Philippines, the bitter fighting and capture of the valiant U.S. and Fillipino troops at Corrigidor and Bataan that December are legend, and the resulting Death March and years of imprisonment of the captives produced hundreds of need­

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

137 less allied fatalities.

In the early days o f the war, two brothers from Twin Falls, Idaho, died within days of each other.

Roy B. Gray, Idaho 1934, died in the Battle for Bataan, the Philippines. Days before, his brother Jack B. Gray, Idaho 1937, was a civilian working for Morrison-Knudsen Co. on Wake Island, when he was killed as it was overrun by the Japanese. — Treasure o f the Hills, page 71

In a German stalag, POWs formed an alumni chapter.

An interesting incident of the war occurred among occupants of an airforce prisoner-of-war camp in Germany, which told of the formation on Aug.

8

, 1944, of a Beta alumni chapter composed of

brothers unwittingly residing there (see page 188.) The ranking officer of this group was Lt. Col. Melvin F. McNickle, South Dakota 1936. In all, more than 15,000 Betas appear on the official World W ar II Military List (see A ppendix B). Betas were decorated with three Medals of Honor, and at least 13 Navy Crosses, 67 Silver Stars, 13 Canadian Military Crosses, 22 Distinguished Service Crosses, 80 Distinguished Flying Crosses and an untold number of Bronze Stars, Air Medals and Purple Hearts. Some 40 Betas reached the rank of general or admiral.

LLOYD L. JONES, MISSOUR11911 Maj. Gen. Jones, com m ander of the fam ous World W ar II 10th Moun­ tain Division and a mem ber of the 5th Artillery Regiment, emerged from the w ar a lieutenant colonel. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for commanding the assault on Japanese-held Amchitka Island in the Aleutians. Further, he was recognized “for exceptionally meritorious service in directing the occupation and developm ent of the advance on Attu in the Alaskan campaign in the sum m er of 1943.” His next assign­ ment was as comm anding general, 10th Light Division, Camp Hale, Gen. Lloyd Jones

Colo. — Ibid., May 1958, pages 437-438

FRANK A. ALLEN, JR., KENYON 1920 (SS) Brigadier General Allen, 47, was wounded twice (May 30 and June 9, 1944) in Italy. He was awarded the Silver Star. “On June

6

, the momentum of an attack was seriously threatened. A

strong enem y-delaying element halted the forward m ovem ent of the command. Gen. Allen went forward within a few yards of the point of contact, completely exposed in an area where only tanks were present, remained there subjected to enem y artillery and small arms fire and personally directed an attack on the enemy rear guard. This action by Gen. Allen restored the momentum of the attack and enabled troops to proceed to its assigned objective.” After attending Kenyon, he served through World W ar I as a USAFA officer. With the 77th Field Artillery in France, he was in the Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne, St. Mihiel and M euse-Argonne battles. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 31

GILES RICHARD CARPENTER, IDAHO 1920 (CDG) Col. C arpenter was the first professor of military science at William & Mary. For action in World W ar II, he received the Legion of Merit twice, three Bronze Stars and the French Croix de Guerre twice. A resident of W illiamsburg, Va., he died in 1974. — Ibid., Jan. 1975, page 330

GEORGE ENOCH WAIT, TORONTO 1921 Air Member of the Canadian Joint Staff in Washington, DC, A ir Vice Marshall (AVM) Wait became Continued on page 140 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930] Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9 : F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

138

BETA HEROES

ERIC ERICKSON, CORNELL 1921 The famous spy was played by William Holden in the motion picture The Counterfeit Traitor.

The exploits of Erickson, little-publicized at the end of the war, came to light in a best­ selling book by Alexander Klein, The Counterfeit Traitor. In the early 1960s, the story was made into a motion picture, starring William Holden in the role of Erickson, who died in 1983. After leaving Cornell, where he was one of the school’s football greats, Eric worked in Texas oilfields and visited Japan on an oil exploration job.

Erickson was sent on other assignm ents throughout the world, finally as Texas Oil C om pany’s representative in Sweden. There he added Swedish to his fluent Japanese, French, Italian and German. But it took more than linguistic abilities to accomplish what he did. It required physical and emotional strength. Most o f all, he needed physical and moral courage. He had an abundant supply.

His business interests ingratiated him with the Nazis.

Erickson’s background for his wartime experiences came with his dealings that began in 1933 with G erm any’s new leaders. He helped arrange exports of Mexican oil expropri­ ated from British and American companies. In return, Hamburg shipyards built tankers for Texaco. Though unpopular in some circles, this helped ingratiate him with leading Nazis and others helpful in a spy network.

Sweden was cut off from western oil markets when the w ar broke out. Erickson, who had become a Swedish citizen in 1936, formed his own company, Pennco, and started doing business through the Germans with oil fields in Hungary and Rumania. This put him on the Allied Black List, entrenching him with the Nazis.

In late 1939, the U.S. Am bassador to Russia Laurence Steinhardt flew to Stockholm on a confidential mission for President Roosevelt. He was futilely trying to arrange a solu­ tion to the Russian-Finnish war. The mission failed, but Steinhardt made a contact that was to prove a valuable aid to the Allied cause. He met for dinner in his suite at the G rand H otel w ith an old acquaintance, Eric Erickson. The ambassador outlined what the American governm ent wanted Erick-

Eric Erickson (left) with actor William Holden who portrayed him in The Counterfeit Traitor.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

139

son to do: nurture his German contacts so he could help Allied bombers wipe out the Nazi oil potential. Erickson was fully aware of the risks. “Count me in, Laurence,” he said. “I’ll do my best.”

A perilous double life Erickson was given the code name “Red” and began his perilous double life. With the help o f Prince Carl Bernadotte, an Allied sym pathizer posing as a friend of the Nazis, he drew close to the German high command. He was allowed almost free access to German oil installations. He secretly passed on information from Sweden, and Allied bombers sys­ tem atically attacked the Nazi oil reserves.

His activities placed him in constant danger, and he sometim es had to rem ain mute w hile his co -co n sp ira to rs w ere tortured and executed by the Nazis. Also punishing was w hat he had to endure with his fam ily and friends. He was unable to confide his role even to his wife. He was reviled both publicly and in private.

The effect of the work of Erickson and his fellow spies has

U nable to Confide bis (heroic) role, even to his wife, w as re vile d / j 0 f/? p u b lic ly a n d /n private.

been documented. The chief of the German General Staff said later: “The destruction of the synthetic oil plants was a particularly severe blow since our fuel supplies were mainly based on those installations.”

U.S. A ir Force history stated, “These (oil) attacks were closely related to the fact that the invading forces were not disturbed by the German A ir Force on D-Day.” Said Dwight D. Eisenhower: “This tactic (bombing oil sources) had a great effect not only generally upon the entire war-making power of Germany but also directly at the front.”

Once discovered, he escaped to Sweden Erickson continued his activities until his exposure to the Gestapo. Then he made a dram atic escape from Germany through Denmark to Sweden with the aid of underground friends. His vindication did not come until June 4, 1945. The U.S. Minister to Sweden gave a luncheon for Erickson’s fam ily and friends in Stockholm and revealed his heroic role for the first time.

Erickson received no material reward for his services and even refused payment for his expenses. He returned to business after the w ar and divided his retirement years between his sum m er home in Sweden and his w inter home in France. — Ibid., sum m er 1983, page 396 and M ay 1972, pages 414-415, by celebrated jo u rn a list Bob Thomas, UCLA 1943

From Private to Lieutenant Colonel From airplane-washing buck private to lieutenant colonel in just two years and three months is the unusual military record o f Lt. Col. S. Kennedy Dobbs, D e n ve r 1927, whose promotion to the latter rank was announced in November 1943. He became director of the Manpower Conservation Board o f the Central Flying Training Command at Randolph Field. He wore the w ings of a USAAC pilot and observer.

— Ibid., Vol. 71, page 153 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930: Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933: Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

140

BETA HEROES

Continued from page 137 the 31st general in World W ar II. (Air Vice Marshall corresponds to “Major G eneral” in the U.S. military.) With the RCAF since 1921, he formerly was officer in charge of administration at No. 1 Training Command headquarters in Toronto. A veteran o f World W ar I, he served with the Royal Flying Corps. When that w ar ended, he was a flight com m ander with the rank of captain. AVM Wait was the fifth member of the Toronto Chapter to attain the rank of general in World W ar II. The others were Brig. Gen. A. W arwick Bement, 1919; Brig. Gen. Eric W. Haldenby, 1917; Maj. Gen. H.F.H. Hertzberg, 1908, and his brother, Maj. Gen. C.S.L. Hertzberg, 1906. (See pages 126-131) — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 194

WILLIS GLEN CRONK, WASHINGTON STATE 1923 (SS, 3 CDGs) Colonel Cronk, com m anding the 2nd Arm ored Group, led the unit through the North African and Italian cam paigns. A t w a r’s end, he was chief o f the arm ored section o f Gen. Mark C lark’s 5th Arm y in Italy. A fter the war, he was assistant chief o f staff for services and supply, Headquar­ ters, U.S. Army, in Peiping, China. Retiring in 1954 with a physical disability, he had received a S ilver Star, Legion o f Merit, two Bronze Stars, O rder of British Empire, three French Croix de Guerre and decorations from Italy, Brazil, M orocco and China. He died in 1957. — Ibid., Jan. 1958, page 269

WILLIAM T. YOUNG, JR., INDIANA 1923 (SS, CDG) Retired president o f Leo Burnett Co., a large Chicago-based advertising firm, Young died in 1981 in Palm Beach, Fla. He served in World Wars I and II and was a brigadier general in the USAFR. He was decorated with the Silver Star, Legion of Merit and French Croix de Guerre. — Ibid., w inter 1982, page 293

RODERICK ELLIS BEGG, OREGON STATE 1924 In the Arm y in World W ar II, he was principal/superintendent of schools in John Day, Ore. Later, he graduated from the University of Oregon Medical School and taught orthopaedics and was on the staff of three leading Portland hospitals. He died in Portland in 1994. — Ibid., spring 1 9 9 5 ,page 37

ROBERT C. HANES, WITTENBERG 1924 (DSC, SS) In the South Pacific, his citation for bravery read, “When troops advancing along the coast toward the Bonegi River Valley were held up by enpmy machine guns and 40mm artillery implaced on a ridge, three armored vehicles were sent forward to neutralize the positions. Because of the limited visibility through the undergrowth, Lt. Col. Hanes volunteered to guide the vehicles. He advanced toward enemy positions under heavy fire, which wounded two occupants of

OnOTG

Of

ra v e ry

in p/o^p c n m h a t

his vehicle. In spite of heavy enemy fire, he left the vehicle to select the most effective positions and guided the howitzer carriers to them.

“During a subsequent movement, Lt. Col. Hanes was left on foot in the area swept by enemy fire; before leaving that sector, he assisted in directing the withdrawal o f regimental equipment which was under withering fire. His aggressive leadership and capable direction o f fire against the enemy positions aided materially in the troop advance.” He was awarded the Silver Star on May 9, 1943. The DSC recognized his “gallant and courageous conduct during combat operations” Continued on page 142 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

141

H. FORD WILKINS, ST. LAWRENCE 1924 Captured while broadcasting news o f the Pearl Harbor attack A Journalist in Manila, the Philippines, W ilkins was broadcasting the news of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor when the Japanese interrupted his broadcast and took him to the Santo Tomas Prison where he was incarcerated for more than four years.

W ilkins was among nine newspapermen imprisoned in Santo Tomas. W hile there, he became desperately ill with malaria, which soon developed into incurable mellitus.

When the prison was liberated, Wilkins weighed 96 pounds and was carried out on a stretcher. Even so, he wrote the story of the prison’s liberation which appeared on the front page of The N ew York Times a day later.

The fam ous journalist with the Times and the Manila Bul­ letin died in 1983 at his home in Babson Park, Fla. After college, he scraped up $25 and purchased a decrepit Model T Ford and headed west. A year later, he was in San Fran­ cisco, signing on as a deck hand on a freighter bound for Honolulu and Hong Kong. After a brief stretch of reporting in Tien Sien, China, he began his long term in the Philippines on the Manila Bulletin, also becoming a corespondent fo r The N ew York Times as a short­ wave broadcaster.

During his Dec. 7,1941, broadcast, Japanese troops burst in and captured him. A month later, as a prisoner o f war, he was imprisoned in the Santo Tomas compound for the next four-and-a-half years.

Regaining his health in the States, he returned to Manila

W hen liberated, he w e ig h e d 96 p o u n d s a n d w as c a rrie d o u t on a stretcher.

and re-established the Bulletin, becoming managing editor.

He later became managing director of the Philippine-American Cham ber of Com­ merce in New York City.

W ilkins retired and moved to Florida in 1969. — Ibid., fall 1984, page 40; Vol. 69, pages 280-281; Vol. 71, page 399; Vol. 72, page 345 A postscript on page 281, Vol. 69, of The Beta Theta Pi listed some of the other Betas in the Philippines at the same time as W ilkins: Lt. Col. Ray M. O ’Day, W ashington State 1920 (seepage 190), Lt. FredM . Armstrong, Jr., Davidson 1942; Lt. W alter N. Forester, Illinois 1939; Lt. Clifford G. Simenson, North Dakota 1932; David C. Affleck, Cincin­ nati 1929; Maurice W. Binford, Oregon 1941; Samuel W. Hamilton, Penn State 1924; Gerald H. Hoffman, W ashington in St. Louis 1930; George Robert Johnson,Colorado School o f Mines 1932; Ralph Keeler, Colorado School o f Mines 1931; Romney I. Pearce, Oregon State 1932; W inston Schmidt, Kansas State 1941, and David Van Aken, Kansas State 1941.

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

142

BETA HEROES

Continued from page 140 as a battalion commander.— Ibid., Vol. 71, page 20, and Vol. 70, page 652

JOHN HERMAN LONG, OKLAHOMA 1925 Having risen to the rank o f colonel during World War II, Dr. Long was decorated for his service in the Philippines just after U.S. forces retook Manila. A t that time, he headed a group of doctors and nurses who cared for prisoners interned in Santo Tomas University, often treating them under shellfire and primitive conditions. Following this, he took over the care of captured Japanese at Balibid Prison. After the war, Dr. Long was associate professor emeritus of gynecology at Johns Hopkins School o f Medicine. He died in Baltimore, Md., in 1973. — Ibid., June 1974, page 592

ROBERT G. BALLANCE, NORTHWESTERN 1926 Brig. Gen. Ballance, who retired in 1959, w ent in with the first wave in the initial major action at Guadalcanal and was a battalion com m ander in the final campaign. Along with many decorations for valor, including a Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit, he wears the Purple Heart. Earlier, he was with the 5th Marines, 1930-31, in the Second Nicaraguan Campaign.

PAULA. GAVAN, MISSOUR11927 (SS) Gathering up sagging morale when the going was tough in the hardest fighting at Guadalcanal, Col. Gavan received the Legion of Merit in the degree of Legionnaire and the Silver Star. In the 1950s, he was stationed in Japan and South Korea. He was professor of naval science at UCLA, 1954-57. His last duty was as assistant director of the Marine Corps Reserve. — Ibid., March 1960, page 329 His Silver Star citation read:

. . for gallantry in action Nov.

20, 1942, at Guadalcanal. Coming upon a battalion of infantry subjected to heavy enemy fire, Col. Gavan observed a reluc-

In sp ire d h is troops d urin g tough fightin g on G u d ddlcand l

tance to advance and saw able-bodied soldiers who had left the assault wave to assist some wounded in the rear. Col. Gavan delegated his G-3 duties to a subordinate, established a straggler line and had the wounded placed in sheltered locations to await collection by litter bearers. He then organized the uninjured soldiers and personally led them forward to rejoin their units. He remained with the forward units throughout the day, moving along the line to steady and encourage the troops still being subjected to heavy enemy small arms, mortar and artillery fire. His leadership and conspicuous gallantry under heavy fire assisted most effectively in the restoration of fire discipline and control and were vital factors in causing the attack to be successfully culm inated.” — Ibid., Vol. 71, pages 118-120

HAL L. MULDROW, OKLAHOMA 1927 (SS) Twice cited for gallantry in action was Lt. Col. Muldrow, intrepid leader of the 45th Division of Oklahoma artillerymen in the Italian campaign, particularly at Salerno. It was trying for the men of the 5th Army. The Germans had carefully laid a trap on the beaches. For many darkened hours the battle was waged. The invaders had fought off day attacks and spent many sleepless nights.

At times, the enemy was closer than their own allied units. German tanks bent the Allied lines and drove them into a pocket. At the extremity of the pocket, Col. M uldrow’s artillery stood with no infantry as cover. The artillery batteries were ordered to move back, but before they could get started, Col. Muldrow sighted a column of enemy tanks moving toward them and ordered his

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

143 men to fire his howitzers at point-blank range with minimum crews.

The remainder picked up their rifles and machine guns and under Muldrow’s leadership became infantry troops, forcing the enemy back. At the height of the crisis, when the artillerymen were the only resistance to oncoming tanks and infantry, the German spearhead was stopped, driven back and enveloped.

Col. Muldrow was awarded the Silver Star during the Sicil­ ian campaign when he took a field radio and w ent forward through enemy artillery fire to set up an observation post and relay data to his battalion. He rem ained there while enemy infantry patrols attem pted to World War l l ’s 105 mm how itzer

cut off his withdrawal. His or­

ders, relayed from that forward position to his gunner, forced the enemy to retreat and to enable American forces to advance. An insurance man in civilian life, he was a star football player for the Sooners, team captain as a senior, as well as president of Gamma Phi Chapter. — Ibid, Vol. 71, pages 207-208

WILLIAM ALEXANDER STEPHENSON, CHICAGO/VANDERBILT 1927 Col. Stephenson, who made history in an assortment of careers, “seemed always to keep himself in the lim elight.” When Paris celebrated the 40th anniversary of its liberation from German occupation August (1984), Stephenson was honored as one of its two special American guests.

Col. Stephenson, who was in Paris at the invitation of Mayor Jacques Chirac, was the American officer responsible for returning Gen. Charles de Gaulle from Algeria to France as well as several other men who later became prime ministers of France.

At the time, Stephenson was a key officer on Gen. George S. Patton’s staff. Earlier, he had served with Arm y C hief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall and had helped in the planning of the invasion of Europe. He also served on Gen. Om ar Bradley’s staff as chief of supply.

His multifaceted career began shortly after graduation when he joined The Chicago Tribune, quickly rose in the executive ranks and then helped adm inister the 1933-34 Chicago W orld’s Fair.

Next, he was appointed chief of operations of the new U.S. Soil Conservation Service, ran the first surplus food program for the poor, set up the first public housing projects and then became

K e n y o n ’s Ferris F o u g h t as a B ritish N aval O fficer Long before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Edward M. Ferris, K e n y o n 1932, his fam ily being New England seafarers, pestered Canadian Navy recruiters but was continually turned down for poor eyesight (20/20 being the requirement.) Eventually, he sent his card to the Admiral of the British Royal Navy, in command at Halifax, who relented: “ I’m getting tired of turning down good sailors on technicalities. Go take your physical.” Two days later, Ferris had a Junior Lieutenant’s commission. In 1943, a Lt. C om m ander with a British bride, he had served at sea from the Mediterranean to the North Sea. — Ibid, Vol. 71, pages 208-209

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

144

BETA HEROES

executive officer of the W orks Project Adm inistration (WPA). One of the highly publicized “Young Turks,” a brain trust for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, he also reorganized the Departm ent of the Interior. After the war, he returned to Florida Power Corp., which he had supervised earlier and also acquired the Broquinda Corp., through which he marketed his own invention, the first reverse-cycle device comm only called the “heat pum p.” Subsequently, he was an associate dean of the Graduate School o f Education at Harvard University. He retired to Bat Cave, N.C. — Ibid., winter 1985, page 25 Why “Bat C ave”? He won the “Battle of Bat C ave,” forcing the State Dept, of Transportation to put up guard rails along Rocky Broad River where several had died in the icy waters when their cars had skidded off U.S. 74. — Ibid., fall 1981, page 5

MAJOR MONTGOMERY WHEELER, UCLA 1929 (SS) “Major” was his first name, not a military rank, but he had a distinguished career in Navy intel­ ligence. He was long remembered fo r his exploits in establishing a radio net and guerrilla unit on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, 18 months prior to the American landing. Neither he nor any of his men had ever set foot in the Philippine Islands before. General Fertig, the Mind­ anao guerrilla force com m ander (and organizer) who was scheduled to meet W heeler’s force on the beach, was prevented from doing so by an inadvertent accidental movement of Japanese

p e rd 6 d ra IO ne a n d g u e rrilla u n it in the P h ilip p in e s

occupying troops. resu|t was t^ at w heeler, his men and his supplies had t0

cut tr o u g h Japanese lines and join the guerrilla forces the w a y —

b y c r o s s in g

over the central mountains of the island,

using trails some o f which no white man had ever seen. They nearly starved to death and were almost caught by the Japanese several times, but finally made it.

W heeler set up more than 20 radio stations on Mindanao and nearby islands; he became chief of staff to General Fertig who stated that he considered W heeler “the bravest man I have ever known or seen in action.” He was awarded the Silver and Bronze Stars, Legion of Merit and three Battle Stars on the Philippine Liberation and Asiatic ribbons. A fter his discharge as a lieutenant com m ander in 1945, he joined General Electric, where he headed the electric clock and electric blanket divisions, was national sales manager of small appliances and later headed the firm ’s operations in Australia. He died in 1973 in Scottsdale, Ariz. — Ibid., A pril 1974, page 479

Cmdr. Robert Winston, Navy Ace, shot down three enem y planes in 30 seconds.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

145

ROBERTA. WINSTON, INDIANA 1929 (Ace) On March 30, 1944, Navy Com m ander W inston (opposite) shot down three Japanese planes within 30 seconds during action in the Pacific as comm anding officer of the famous “M eataxe” squadron of fighter pilots. An Ace (downing five enemy planes or more), he and his fellow Meataxe pilots shot down nine Japanese dive-bombers in that action alone. In previous exploits, Cmdr.

Winston (opposite page), “comm anding a division of four fighters, engaged in combat over Roi Island, Marshall Islands, on Jan. 29, 1944. They encountered a m uch-superior force of enemy fighters, and through his courageous and skillful leadership, his division not only evaded the enemy attack w ithout loss, but he personally shot down one enemy fighter plane and probably another.” W hen he left his squadron, not one of his pilots had been lost in action; the squadron had scored 64-0 against the enemy. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 35

PAUL R. GOWEN, IDAHO 1930 A graduate of West Point, Lt. Gowen, one of four Gowen brothers on the rolls of Gamma Gamma Chapter, was killed instantly July 11,1938, when his twin-motored Army bomber crashed in flames on the Paitilla Point military reservation near Panama, Canal Zone.* The plane crashed as he tried to land after one of the motors had gone dead, his navigator and radio operator escaping with serious burns. The Air National Guard Base near Boise, Idaho, an active USAAC base in World W ar II, was named “Gowen Field” in his memory. — Ibid, Vol. 67, page 218

JOE W. KELLY, DePAUW 1931 (DFC, DSC, CDG) A graduate of W est Point in 1932, he entered flying school in 1933. In 1943 he was transferred to the European Theatre and in six months was a full colonel comm anding the 286th Bomber Group of the 9th A ir Force, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous medals for valor and outstanding performance.

For more than five years he was with SAC, where he commanded bomber units in the Far East and Japan. In 1953, he became chief of the legislative liaison for the A ir Force in Washington, DC. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flyhing Cross, 10 A ir Medals, Belgian and French Croix de Guerre and Chilean Legion of Merit. In 1956, he commanded the Air Proving Ground Center, Elgin AFB. Promoted to four-star general, he commanded MATS, piloting the first big je t on its maiden flight. He died in 1979 at Elgin AFB, Fla. — Ibid., *ln the A ir Corps, 35,946 personnel died in nonbattle situations, the vast m ajority in accidental crashes. One report suggested that in the 15th A ir Force, between Nov. 1, 1943, and M ay 25, 1945, 70 percent o f men listed as killed in action died in operational aircraft incidents, not as a result o f enem y action. The m ilitary d idn’t break down nonbattle deaths by cause, but statistics strongly indicated that accidental crashes accounted fo r m ost deaths. First, the nonbattle death figure excludes those who died while interned, captured o r MIA. Disease, too, can be excluded as a m ajor cause o f deaths, given that in the entire army, including infantry fighting in m alarial jungles, 15,779 personnel died o f disease. Disease deaths in the A ir Corps had to be a sm all percentage ofnonbattle deaths. Finally, given that some 15,000 airmen died in accidental crashes stateside, it seem s highly likely that the huge num ber o f accidental crashes in the w ar would have produced sim ilarly high numbers o f deaths. — Unbroken, A World W ar II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption, Random House, 2010, by Laura H illenbrand Ibid. 6 : The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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M ay 1963, pages 410-411; Jan. 1964, page 267; Jan. 1965, page 254; fall-winter 1982, page 292

AVERY R. KIER, MINNESOTA 1931 (DSC) M ajor General Kier retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1967, having served in World W ar II, the Korean W ar and the Vietnam War, earning the DSC and three Bronze Stars. He joined the Marines in 1929 and completed flight training at Pensacola Naval A ir Station.

In 1941, he was en route to Midway aboard the carrier USS Lexington when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He was one of 17 pilots who flew 1,137 miles from Hawaii to Midway in the then longest mass overwater single-engine flight. He flew combat fighters at Midway, the Marshall Islands, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Philippines. By retirement, he was deputy commander, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in Hawaii. He died in 1987 in Laguna Hills, Calif. — Ibid., w inter 1988, page 237

EDWIN R. NELSON, VIRGINIA 1931 (SS) Lt. Nelson was a surgeon in an internment camp. When Bataan fell, he escaped to Corregidor until the surrender. A Naval officer, he was awarded the Silver Star. He performed the most dif­ ficult surgeries with skill, courage and human sympathy under extreme conditions, saving many American lives. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 415

GEORGE HAYES PRATT, OREGON 1932 Arm y Major Pratt, battalion com m ander in the 77th “Statue of Liberty” Division (famous for the “lost battalion”), took part in five major assault landings. He earned three Bronze Stars. He escaped death in April 1945 on the island of le Shima during the battle for Okinawa when a Japanese sniper opened fire on a jeep carrying Ernie Pyle, Pratt and three others.

Pyle, the best-loved of war correspondents, died wearing Pratt’s jacket which he had borrowed.

Pratt owned J.K. Pratt Insurance in Eugene, Ore., from 1948, and died in 1981. — Ibid., sum m er 1982, page 457

ROBERT W. STEWART, COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES 1933 (SS) Earning a Silver Star and Purple Heart, he retired from Phillips Petroleum in 1967 and died at age

8 8

in 1997 in Bartlesville, Okla. — Ibid., convention issue 1997, page 116

A Strange “Swiss N avy” One of the strangest battles fought in the European Theater during World War II was described in a letter from M ajor W.J. Bowerman, O re g o n 1933. (Yes, the late Bill Bowerman, the legendary Oregon Ducks track coach and co-founder of Nike (See “Bowerman, ” next page.)

“My only tactical m aneuver,” w rote the m ajor of his experience in comm and of a battalion, “was to be present while one of my com panies made an am phibious landing . . . by duck (a com bination truck-boat). The Jerries shelled every one of the 12 ducks — but not a man was touched. And there, sir, you have a com plete description o f the only naval battle ever fought in the Alps — probably since the birth of the first A lp.”

In addition to this “naval battle” in the Alps, Bowerman, who was quarterback on the Oregon football team several years earlier, negotiated the surrender of 4,000 Germans in Italy to his mountain detachment. He did this when his troops captured 50 Germans, escorting them to the headquarters o f the 4,000. The “headman” of the bunch surrendered his men after Bowerman agreed to disarm or remove Italian partisans from the region o f the surrender. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 442

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

147

WILLIAM J. BOWERMAN, OREGON 1933 (SS) The well-known co-founder of Nike enlisted in the U.S. Arm y in the days following the Pearl Harbor attack. His legendary 10th Mountain Division was assigned to Naples, Italy. He negoti­ ated a stand-down of German forces near the Brenner Pass and was awarded a Silver Star and four Bronze Stars. An advocate of jogging as a fitness routine, he was coach o f the University of Oregon’s track team which won 24 NCAA individual titles and four NCAA team crowns (1962, 1964, 1965, 1970,) boasting 33 Olympians, 38 conference champions and 674 All-Americans.

In 1964, Bill Bowerman entered into a handshake agreem ent with Phil Knight, a runner he had coached in 1950, to start an athletic footwear distribution company called Blue Ribbon Sports, which was to become Nike, Inc. He was remembered for ruining his w ife’s waffle iron in 1970, experimenting with using waffle-shaped rubber ripples as soles for footwear. Bowerman died in 1999, age

8 8

. In 2009, he was honored posthum ously with Beta Theta Pi’s Oxford Cup, accepted

by his son William J. (Jay) Bowerman, Jr., Oregon 1965. Also see “Swiss Navy,” page 146.

HAROLD HANTELMANN, IOWA 1933 (DSC) Major Hantelmann distinguished him self in the fighting on New Guinea, South Pacific. Life magazine described the way he “cleaned out a machine gun post,’’ earning a Distinguished Service Cross: “The men couldn’t help following Major Harold Hantelmann o f Iowa, though they knew the job of tackling enemy machine gun positions chattering from a belt of trees across a wide grass clearing was the toughest yet. Hantelmann crawled across no man’s land with a pocket­ ful of grenades, got underneath the tim ber barricades fronting the enemy guns and tossed over grenade after grenade, while shouting ‘Come out and fight or w e’ll come in and make you!’

The Japanese answ ered by tossing over grenades th e m ­ selves, but som ehow Hantelm ann escaped, craw led back to

H e cra w le d a cross “n o -m a n ’s la n d ” with a p o c k e tfu l o f grenades.

his unit, directed a m ortar barrage onto the enem y pillboxes and then led the final assault that took the position at bayonet point. ‘I told you w e ’d come in and m ake you fig h t,’ he cried as he em ptied his pistol into the last group o f enem y troops still fig h tin g .” H antelm ann w as a guard on the Iowa football team , 1931-32. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 371

BOYD HUBBARD, JR., IOWA STATE 1933 (2 DFCs) In 1956, USAF Colonel Hubbard was on the faculty of the War College. He was at Hickam Field, Hawaii, when the Japanese attacked on Dec. 7, 1941. He commanded a B-29 group later in the war, was deputy chief of staff for intelligence with the 5th Air Force in the Korean W ar and commanding officer of the 39th Air Division for the defense of Early in the war, in defense o f the Philippines, Wake Island and other Pacific locations, vintage artillery pieces were utilized, including 75 mm howitzers.

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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Japan 1951-52. He earned the DFC and Legion of Merit, both with Oak Leaf Clusters, a Bronze Star and an A ir Medal. — Ibid., June 1956, page 456

WILLIAM L. ROGERS, SOUTH DAKOTA 1933 (SS) Promoted to brigadier general in 1958, Rogers was second in command of the USAF Missile Test Center. The Center was for flight-testing Air Force, Army, Navy and NASA missiles. He was a graduate of West Point, 1934, after one year at the University of South Dakota. In 1944-45, he was commanding officer, 1141st Engineer Combat Group in Europe, receiving a Silver Star and two Legions of Merit. — Ibid., Jan. 1960, page 201

WARREN CALVIN GILL, OREGON 1934 (NC) A form er state senator from Lebanon, Ore., Gill died in 1987 in the crash of his homemade aircraft. Elected to the Oregon House in 1948, he served one term and was elected to the state senate in 1950, serving eight years. In 1958, he lost the Republican nomination for governor to future Oregon governor and U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield, Willamette 1943, then Oregon sec­ retary o f state. In World W ar II, Lt. Commander Gill was in the U.S. Coast Guard, training forces and leading landings in the Mediterranean earning the Navy Cross, Legion of Merit and Purple Heart. — Ibid., w inter 1988, page 239

CURTIS HOWARD, DARTMOUTH 1934 Navigator on the armed Coast Guard cutter East W ind, he was involved in the capture of the German weather ship, Externsteine, stuck in the ice off Greenland. He piloted the ship to Boston, the first captured enemy vessel brought to a U.S. port since 1812. “We blasted that ship loose from the ice, and I was put aboard with a prize crew,” he recalled. “After repairs in an Iceland base, we brought the ship down to Boston.” After the war, he was sales promotion manager and an advertising executive for Clevite Corp., Cleveland, Ohio. He died in 1992. — Ibid., Vol. 12, page 252-253:

ROBERT AYE BALLARD, FLORIDA 1935 (SS, CDG) A World W ar II hero who organized and headed Florida’s National Guard in 1947, Ballard died in 1991 in Goulds, Fla. As a mem ber of the 101st Airborne Division, he was one of the “Screaming Eagles” who parachuted into Normandy ahead of D-Day landings, June 6,1944. Later, wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, French Croix de Guerre and Distinguished Service Medal. In 1962, he was promoted to brigadier general, commander, 51st Infantry Division, Florida National Guard. He was promoted to major

101st Airborne

general In 1964. In private life, he was an avocado grower and shop­ ping mall developer. The National Guard Armory, Miami, Fla., was named in his honor. — Ibid., fall 1992, pages 54-55

KENDALL CRAM, TULANE 1936 (SS) “He gave his own life to save his men. For that I will honor the m an’s memory to my last day.”

Thus a common seaman paid tribute to Ensign Cram who died somewhere in the North Atlantic (in 1943) — his second trip across the ocean as a gunnery crew chief aboard a merchant vessel.

Former graduate m anager of student activities and director of alumni relations at Tulane, he was

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f Achievem ent, 1914;

149 described by mates as “the calmest man on board” when the vessel was struck by a torpedo.

When he learned two of his men were missing, Cram started a search, letting his lifeboat go without him. There was only a cork life raft for the seven left on board as the ship began to list in the heavy sea.

“There were five men already on the raft,” one survivor reported. “W hen the rope broke and two men were left on the ship, Cram being one of them, he forced the remaining gunner to take the lone life ring and go overboard. W ithout a life ring, the ensign swam for half an hour attempting to join us, but failed despite our prayers.” Cram, USNR, a nationally recognized tennis star, received the Silver Star for “conspicuous gallantry.” — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 17 and 183.

ALBERT M. KREKLER, INDIANA 1935 (SS) Capt. Krekler, USAF, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in Normandy, France, July 15, 1944. “W hen five of his tanks w e re d is a b le d and burned by intense enemy fire, Capt.

Krekler disregarded the grave risk of going on foot in the face of fierce enem y fire to each tank and assisted the w ound­ ed men who were unable to get out. W hen he had placed his men in comparative safety, he courageously returned to the forward position, still on foot and under concentrated enemy fire, in order to locate the enem y tanks and bring artillery fire on them. In doing so, he was wounded by shell fire but refused to be evacuated until his men were properly cared for. His display of gallantry undoubtedly saved the lives of nine of his men.”

MICHAEL G.H.L McPHARLIN, BOWDOIN 1935 (Ace) “A Yank with the R.A.F.” was a feature in The Beta Theta Pi. Pilot Officer McPharlin enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in December 1939 and became the first American to receive a commission in that branch of the Canadian W ar Service. He was sent to England in December 1940 for further training as a fighter pilot. He was the “first,” too, to be recommissioned in the RAF and assigned to the famous Eagle Squadron No. 71. After lively service, he was

F irs t U.S. p ilo t to b e co m e d ll “A c& ”

transferred to the all-Canadian squadron, No. 403, Martlesham, Suffolk. Too modest to report his actual score of kills, it was determined that he was the first U.S. Beta “A ce” of the war. He was reported missing in air action preceding the commando raid on Dieppe, France. — Ibid., Vol. 69, pages 278-279.

FRANK T. McCOY, OKLAHOMA 1935 An attorney in Pawhuska, Okla., before serving in the Arm y Air Corps, McCoy w ent overseas and in 1942 originated the code name system to identify Japanese aircraft, a system later adopted

by NATO to identify Soviet aircraft. He was deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force during the Korean W ar and retired as a major general with more than 5,000 hours as a pilot in 26 different Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930, Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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aircraft. His medals included the Legion of Merit and Air Medal. As a civilian, he owned Contract Carpets, Inc. He died in 1995 in Nashville, Tenn. — Ibid., fall 1995, page 3

WALLACE M. MULLIKEN, ILLINOIS 1935 (SS) Captain Mulliken received a Silver Star for “voluntarily taking emergency supplies into Tambau Bay, New Guinea, in daytime under enemy artillery and machine gun fire.” He was also in charge of all the boats landing men, materiel and supplies on beaches north of Nassau Bay. “He personally led every wave of landing crafts onto the beaches under most adverse conditions, never requiring his men to go in until he had first gone in himself.” — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 343

EDWARD H. SIMPSON, OREGON 1935 (SS) Lt. Col. Simpson, an expert skier and mountaineer, served with the 10th Mountain Division in the Italian Campaign of 1945. He earned a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. He joined the Arm y in 1942 as a private in the infantry. After the War, 1947-50, he was on occupation duty in Japan. He later was training and operations officer, Tennessee Military District, followed by assignment in April 1952 to the Mountain Training Command at Camp Carson, Colo. — Ibid., Vol. 79, pages 712-713

ED G BENNING, COLGATE 1936 Ensign Benning, New York City, commanded the plane credited with sinking a German sub­ marine off the island of Martinique in May 1942.

CLARENCE GEORGE CAMPBELL, WESLEYAN 1936 (NC) Lt. Campbell, USNR, was killed in action Aug. 4, 1944, while attacking a Japanese convoy in the Central Pacific. He hit a destroyer midship and sunk it but was forced to make a w ater land­ ing. He thus saved his crew but was unable to save him self in the w ater because of wounds. A graduate of New York’s National Academ y of Design in 1938, he continued his art as a portrait painter. He enlisted in U.S. Navy Aviation in May 1941. He designed and had ju st executed in brass a six-foot set of wings covering the missions o f his squadron, mounted in the ward room o f his carrier. He was awarded the Navy Cross for heroic action, on Aug. 4, 1944, in addition to two Navy A ir Medals. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 221 and 270

FRANK CURTIS LYNCH, JR., KANSAS 1936 (3 NCs, SS) Captain Lynch, USN (ret.), died in 1987 at his home in Stonington, Conn. Graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., in 1938, he was a major writer for the Submarine Review.

In World W ar II, he was executive officer on the USS H arder when it sank three Japanese fleet destroyers and damaged two more outside Tawi Tawi Bay. He created a method of solving a firecontrol problem, named the “Lynch Plot,” which greatly increased the effectiveness of submarines as weapons. He earned three Navy Crosses, the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit.

A severe auto accident on a remote road in Asia after the war cost him the loss of an eye, thus ending his Navy career. The rest o f his life was devoted to study, teaching and developm ent of the techniques of submarine warfare.

MARVIN L. McNICKLE, SOUTH DAKOTA 1936 (DFC) In World W ar II, Lt. Gen. McNickle, USAF, was a squadron commander, 405th Fighter Group, flying Spitfires in England, North Africa, Sicily and Corsica. He retired after 36 years with the Air Force and six years with NASA as special assistant for manned space flight and helped select Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B e tas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

151 the first shuttle astronauts. After his twin brother was shot down and imprisoned in Stalag Luft III (see Lt. Col. Melvin F. McNickle, pages 137 and 188) and a younger brother was shot down and killed, he was trans­ ferred to Washington as a mem ber of the Joint W ar Plans Committee.

His final assignm ent was overseeing A ir Force units in the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. He left active duty in 1972. His military decorations included the DFC, Legion of Merit, A ir Medal and NASA’s Distinguished Service Medai. He died in Arlington County, Va., at age 93.

WILLIAM A. MILLINGTON, JR., WASHINGTON 1936 (3 DFCs) Lt. Col. Millington, USMC, age 31, first flew against the Japanese in Gen. Marvin M cNickle

g 0 |0 IT I0 n

|s |ands in mid-1943. A t the time he comm anded the first Marine C orsair squadron to go into action against the enemy.

He led missions over Guadal­ canal, New Georgia, Vella and B ougain-ville. Subsequently, he led th e firs t M a rin e a ir unit based aboard an aircraft carrier, leading its first strike against the enemy, an attack on Formosa. He received three DFCs for various actions. —

Heroic pilot Millington (center) describes an enem y p la n e ’s fall over Formosa to R ear A dm iral Frederick Sherman. — Cover, The Beta Theta Pi, Septem ber 1945

ibid., Vol. 73, page 21

JACK RUGGLES, CALIFORNIA 1936 While all of Ruggles’ wartime experiences are not documented, which may indeed have quali­ fied him as a military hero, his assignm ent as Prime Minister W inston Churchill’s pilot certainly is worth noting. During World W ar II, Ruggles was a USAAC bom ber pilot assigned to one of the first B-24s introduced in the European theater. An early commission was to fly Sir Anthony Eden from England to the U.S., which led to his most interesting mission — personal pilot to Britain’s Sir W inston Churchill during the war. Upon Churchill’s introduction to the crew responsible for flying him and his entourage to the USSR for a top conference with the Russian hierarchy, his com m ent was, “Are these the chaps?” Indeed, they were. To accomm odate the Prime Minister, the aircraft had been modified to include a private washroom where the tail gun usually was. The modification included nothing more than a wooden seat.

The flight, of course, was “top secret” and shrouded with secrecy and security. It was set to go to Gibraltar from London, then on to Cairo, Tehran and Moscow. Those aboard, among others, included Averill Harriman, U.S. Am bassador to Great Britain. There was a breach of security even before the aircraft cleared Britain, and the flight was seriously threatened by British anti-aircraft fire. This failed to unnerve the prime minister whose comm ent was, “ If we had been shot down, that battery com m ander would have been the most unpopular man in Britain tom orrow.”

Sir Winston had a hat for every occasion and changed often. His penchant for spirits was wellIbid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: Faithful Home o f the Three Stars, 1988

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known, and he always had “brandy with a splash, no ice” and the inevitable cigar wherever he went. Aboard the flight, his habits prevailed. He would catnap for 10 to 15 minutes, w henever the need or the opportunity arose, and would awaken refreshed, revitalized, ready to go.

In Tehran, the USSR took over responsibility for the flight, scheduled for 12 hours, non-stop. It stretched into 15 hours, complete with Russian fighter escort from the Caspian Sea to Moscow.

Canadian and U.S. representatives were met at the Theodosian Hotel in Tehran and, in spite o f Allied objections to the Russian flight plan at low altitude and a 24-hour delay to negotiate a revised plan, the alternative was for Sir Winston to board a Russian aircraft to make the final leg o f the trip to Moscow. Churchill opted to continue in Ruggles’s B-24.

Sir W inston had enough of the rough weather and requested an inflight change to a higher altitude after his brandy flew all over him. The first request to move up was denied immediately.

When the second onslaught o f severe turbulance hit, Churchill said, “Forget those orders and flight plan; get to smoother air.” They did.

After the conference, on the return flight, Sir Winston sat in the navi­ gator’s seat rather than in his “tail gun” stateroom. His hat was on the back o f his head, scarf askew, coat open and “laid back.” When the mission was over, the American crew was scheduled for leave for the U.S.; however, the crew was summoned back to Britain where they were met in a limousine, stocked with Scotch whiskey, and rushed to Check­ ers, Churchill’s estate. The recall was to meet Sir W inston and Lady Churchill for lunch and a stay lasting several days. Ruggles summed up his impression of Sir W inston with: “Everything you’ve ever heard about Churchill is true.”

A curious aside: On the return flight to Britain, the plane encountered a mechanical problem, necessitating a change in aircraft for the final leg of the journey. It turned out that the plane which left for Britain, carrying famous actor Leslie Howard, was on a flight plan very similar to the original scheduled for Sir W inston’s return. That plane was shot down by the Luftwaffe with no survivors. — Ibid., spring 1986, pages 283-284

ROBERT N. SMITH, BOWDOIN 1936 (DFC) Promoted to major general in the USAF in 1963, he was director o f intelligence for SAC. He was com m issioned in 1941 and flew 51 missions, piloting a B-27 in the 408th Bomb Squadron in the Southwest Pacific, 1942-44, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was assistant direc­ tor of operations, 5th Bomber Command in New Guinea, then medium and heavy bombardment supervisor, headquarters, 3rd Air Force, upon his return from overseas. In 1955, he was director of Intelligence Headquarters, USAF. — Ibid., Feb. 1964, page 338

ROSS JAMES ALEXANDER, NEBRASKA 1937 (SS) 1st Lt. A lexander was one of hundreds who died on the bitter slopes o f the Ville Verde trail of the “Little Burma Road,” as the 32nd Division fought its bitterest campaign over terrain that made a British general mutter, “I have never seen anything as tough outside of Burma.” On March 30, 1945, Lt. Alexander’s platoon was ordered to capture Hill 503 which was strongly defended

by Japanese from an advantageous position. The platoon came under heavy rifle and machine Continued on page 154 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

153

DONALD K. BENNETT, OREGON STATE 1936 Leading exponent o f the daredevil “strafe-bom bing” The dram atic story of the last mission o f Lt. Col. Bennett, leading exponent o f the dare­ devil “strafe-bom bing,” unfolded when official confirm ation came that he died May 21, 1944, while continuing to strafe a Nazi locomotive although his fighter--bom ber was on fire.

According to the Associated Press, “After shooting up three locomotives, the 29-year-old Thunderbolt group comm ander went after another during the greatest American fighter sweep of the war, when that day the destruction of 303 locomotives and 35 military supply trains paved the way for the invasion of Normandy.

“German flak along the French coast brought down his already-smoking P-47, forcing him to land in the channel.

Fliers who saw him get out of his plane into a dinghy, they refueled their ships and searched fruitlessly for hours. He apparently died of exposure; his body was recovered from the freezing waters of the channel.

“I’ve got enought (wing left) to get the other train.”

Said one officer: “Flying pieces of the first locomotive he blew up knocked off a chunk of his wing. ‘Part o f your wing is gone, colonel,’ I radioed. ‘I’ve got enough left to get the other train,’ he replied. Flak left his plane smoking as he rose from locomotive No. 2.

‘You’re on fire,’ someone else radioed. ‘Roger,’ the colonel said coolly, adding, ‘There’s another locomotive over there.’ Diving, he blew up that engine. Heading for England, he sighted another train. Hating to pass up the target, he immediately started back to it only to be knocked down by flak.

“Col. Bennett was an outstanding example of a man who fought not for glory, but for his country. He didn’t like fighting; nevertheless w hat he did was above the call of duty. If he missed a target he would a p o lo g iz e , s a y in g , ‘ I’ m sorry, gang.’” Bennett de­ veloped “strafe-bom bing” w hereby a fighter-bom ber flies at or below target level in approaching a bridge dif­ ficult to destroy at a higher angle of approach. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 135

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

154

BETA HEROES

Continued from page 152 gun fire. When his platoon suffered casualties, the lieutenant w ent on ahead alone with only a carbine. He kept enough fire on the enemy to keep them occupied until his men withdrew. They then attacked on the enem y’s flank and drove them from the hill. Lt. Alexander was within 10 yards of the enemy positions

H is p ld tO O n p in n e d

all during the attack.

d o w n , h e f o u g h t OH

Lt. James weathered rifle and machine gun fire and grenades.

w ith o n ly a C d rb in e .

A t one time, he was knocked unconscious for a few minutes by the concussion of a grenade, but his platoon took the hill. On April 10 he was killed, again out in front of his men when he met death. His platoon was in Co. K, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division. — Ibid., Vol. 73, pages 340-341

ROBERT CAWLEY BAKEWELL, JR., SOUTH DAKOTA 1937 (SS) Lt. Bakewell served in Europe with the 102nd Infantry Division. Only 21, he was wounded in combat and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and a battlefield promotion to 1st lieutenant. After the war, he practiced law in Custer, S.D. until retiring in 1976. He was eight years as Custer County state attorney and also as the city attorney. He died in 1991 in Palm Springs, Calif. — Ibid., w inter 1992, page 189

WILLIAM ROBERT BOEHM, WITTENBERG 1937 A 1940 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Capt. Boehm earned numeorus medals including duty aboard the battleship USS Nevada when it was bombed in Pearl Harbor in 1941. He was commander, Naval Electronics Laboratory, San Diego. After retiring, he founded and was president of Graybill Terminals in San Diego in 1972.

JOHN P. HAINES, JR., DICKINSON 1937 (DFC) Lt. Col. Haines, USMC, (right) received the DFC as com ­ manding officer of a fighter squadron in the Marshall Islands.

Col. Haines scored direct hits on an important anti-aircraft fire control station. He was cited by Admiral Nimitz for “his pioneer­ ing spirit, superb leadership and dauntless courage.” — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 446

DAVID LUTTON, JR., KANSAS 1937 (DFC) Lt. Lutton earned the Distinguished Flying Cross “for bravery

Lt. Haines receives his DFC

under fire” as a B-24 bom ber pilot in the Pacific. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 654

KEITH B. McCUTCHEON, CARNEGIE TECH 1937 (SS) Receiving a Silver Star for action in The Philippines in World W ar II, Lt. Gen. McCutcheon became No. 2 man in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1971. He was com m ander of Marine forces in Vietnam and replaced Gen. Lewis W alt as assistant com m ander of the Corps. After joining the Marines in 1937, he served two years as a line officer before qualifying as a naval aviator in July 1940. He earned an M.S. in aeronautical engineering at MIT. In 1954, he commanded a helicopter squadron in Korea, later serving in Hawaii and Japan. Under his command, the helicopters and ground forces were molded into one element, making it an assault force. He was nominated for promotion to full general. — Ibid., A pril 1971, page 453.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

155

ALBERT T. NICE, AMHERST 1937 (DFC, 2SSs) Major Nice supervised navigation training for Arm y combat crews. He received the Air Medal, DFC and two Silver Stars for bravery. A fter the war, he was assistant city attorney for tax litigation, then judge o f a municipal court. He died in 2002.

SHERMAN R. SLADE, UTAH 1937 (DFC) In the USAAC as a com bat navigator, Slade flew 30 missions and was awarded the DFC. After the war, he was with the Salt Lake City Trlbune-Telegram, then moved to California, where he was prom inent in the Los Angeles advertising community. He died in 2003.

JOHN ZADOK WHEELER, MINNESOTA 1937 (DSC) Capt. W heeler died while a prisoner of w ar on a prison ship en route to Japan. An officer in the Philippine Scouts, 26th Cavalry, he took part in the defense of Bataan. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross. — Ibid., Vol.. 79, page 533

CARTER L. WILSON, VANDERBILT 1937 (NC, DFC) C om m ander Wilson earned the Navy Cross for heroism with Torpedo Squadron 31 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Belleau Wood. He was a pilot and strike leader against the Japanese home islands Kure Naval Base at Honshu. He also wore the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals. Much of his Navy duty since World W ar II was with guided missiles and other new w eap­ ons. He was a project officer fo r the Lark, one of the Navy’s first guided missiles.

W ilson had enlisted three days before Pearl Harbor and was comm issioned as a pilot in August 1942. He had careers with Goodyear and W estern Electric. He died in 1995 in Litchfield, Ark. — Ibid., March 1961, page 392

THOMAS J. COLE, WESTMINSTER 1938 An ensign with the American Volunteer Group, he died on the Burma Road in 1942.

WILLIAM TODD CAMPBELL, COLGATE 1938 (DFC) M ajor Campbell was killed in action Jan. 8, 1944, shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire while leading his squadron of Corsair fighters against Japanese fuel dumps at Buka Passage, Solomon Islands. Overseas since May 1943, he served in several Pacific campaigns and held the DFC for heroism in previous action.

WILLIAM N. FITZHUGH, TEXAS 1938 (DSC) Former chapter president Lt. Fitzhugh, USAAC, was among the intrepid American flyers “from S hangri-La” who bombed Japan on April 18, 1942. As a participant in the gallant attack, he re­ ceived the Distinguished Service Cross and also was decorated by the Chinese government. He had trained with General James Doolittle in Florida as they prepared for the carrier-based first assault on the Japanese homeland. — Ibid., Vol. 69, page 568

GERALD HENRY GALBREATH, JR., OKLAHOMA 1938 (SS) A fie ld artillery officer with the fam ous 2nd Infantry Division, Galbreath received the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts. A real estate developer, he died in 1981 in Columbus, Ohio.

BRUCE H. MCKENZIE, WASHINGTON STATE 1938 (DFC) 1st Lt. McKenzie was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievem ent on combat missions over Europe. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 419

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

156

BETA HEROES

LLOYD JONES MILLS, WHITMAN 1938 (DFC) A Navy pilot, he was killed in the Aleutians in June 1942. He enlisted in 1940, graduating from Pensacola A ir Station, Fla., as an ensign. He flew a four-motored PBY (amphibious airplane) between Seattle and Alaska. W hen the war broke out, he stayed in Alaska. A fter the Japanese landed in the Aleutians, he flew 17 bombing raids over Kiska Harbor. On the last raid, after being lost for 10 hours, he died trying to land his big PBY in a violent sea. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 706

WESLEY G. MOULTON, COLORADO MINES 1936 (SS) Arm y Captain Moulton, com bat engineers, received the Silver Star in Italy, “for gallantry in January 1944. Capt. Moulton commanded a company engaged in a forced crossing of a river.

W hen intense enemy machine gun, mortar and artillery fire in­ flicted heavy casualties on the attacking personnel, destroying all stream-crossing equipment, Capt. Moulton, with suprem e determination and presence of mind, rallied engineers and infan-

He fo u g h t across A fric a , S icily a n d Italy.

try, led them to the reserve supply of boats, organized carrying parties and returned with them to the exposed flat leading to the river.” He previously fought in Africa, Sicily and other parts of Italy. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 43

LOUIS PHILLIP PRESSLER III, WESTMINSTER 1938 (NC) A fter service in Panama, he was assigned to the Pacific where he bravely distinguished himself, receiving the Navy Cross. In the Navy for 30 years after the w ar in many parts o f the world, he headed the air arm of the Office of Naval Research and of Naval Intelligence in Washington, DC. He also served in the Korean W ar and held command positions on the USS M ount B aker and the USS Point Cruz. Later, he commanded the A ir Early Warning Barrier Pacific and Patrol Squadron 102. Retiring in 1968, he worked for Pacific Architects and Engineers in Vietnam, rebuilding roads in Southeast Asia. He died in 1990.

GEORGE THORPE WAITE, GEORGIA 1938 A resident o f Sarasota, Fla., Navy Captain Waite served at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and in the battles at Midway and Okinawa. — Ibid. 2, page 45

THOMAS WOOD ABBOTT, JR., DAVIDSON 1939 (DFC) A combat pilot, squadron com m ander and deputy group com m ander in the Pacific, he flew B-29 bombers. Retired in 1970, he died in 1991. Awarded the DFC and other medals, he was a member of the Ancient Order o f Quiet Birdmen. — Ibid., spring 1991, page 264

JOHN B. BARBER, IDAHO 1939 (DFC) 1st Lt. Barber was with the 22nd Bomb Squadron at Rarochi, India, where he accumulated 213 combat hours, 55 missions. He participated in bombing, reconnaissance and photo missions. For his outstanding flying, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 342

ROBERT CLINKSCALES, GEORGIA TECH 1939 (DFC) Other than a record o f his receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, details about Major Clinkscales’s USAAC heroism could not be found.

JOHN PERRY EDWARDS, KANSAS 1939 (NC) Ensign Edwards, who saw the Japanese planes approaching Oahu, Hawaii, when he was Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

157

early for duty on Sunday morning, Dec. 7 ,1 9 4 1 , was the pilot of the first plane to rise against the Japanese attack and engage in combat, a feat which earned him the Navy Cross for distinguished valor. Edwards was scheduled for duty at 1 0 : 0 0 a.m. but returned to his base two hours earlier

, .. , , F 'r s t P , l0 t to e n g a g e

only to see the Japanese planes com-

d p d n e s e p a n e s On

D p r 7 1Q41

ing in with guns blazing. He ran for the

hangar, called together w hat men he could, got his plane into the air and immediately engaged the attackers. His father wrote: “ He has (since) Ensign Edwards

been in other skirmishes with the (enemy.)” — Ibid., Vol. 69, page 571

CARL FLEMING, JR., VIRGINIA 1939 (DFC) Lt. Col. Fleming was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross and four A ir Medals. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 340

PAUL WANNER GLEICHAUF, MIAM11939 (DFC) Gleichauf entered the USAAC at the outbreak of World W ar II. As a bomber pilot, he completed 25 missions over Germany and occupied Europe. He also served in the China, Burma, India Theater and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired as a lieutenant colonel after a 23-year career and died in 1982. — Ibid., w inter 1983, page 294

JAMES W. HAVERFIELD, OHIO 1939 Among the first Am ericans to die on Dec. 7, 1941, Ensign Haverfield is entombed on the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor. Haverfield made his home in Uhrichsville, Ohio, until called to active naval duty. See photo on page 136. — Ibid., Vol. 69, page 323

WILLIAM HOLT, DENISON 1939 (DFC) Lt. Holt, USNAC, Fighter Squadron 33, received the DFC for flights off Okinawa in April-May 1945. On May 4, his home carrier, the USS Sagam on, was hit by a Kamikaze dive bomber and put out of action. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 145

FRANK S. LOMAX, NEBRASKA 1939 Among the first Am ericans to die on Dec. 7, 1941, Lt. Lomax is entombed on the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor. See photo on page 136. — Ibid., Vol. 69, page 325

WILSON LOCKE LYNCH, VANDERBILT 1939 (SS) Capt. Lynch, form er president of Beta Lambda Chapter, was killed in action in Germany, March 5, 1945. In almost continuous action since going overseas in September 1944, he had endured 80 consecutive days o f combat. A t his death, he was commanding an infantry unit o f General

... „ , , .

H is q a lla n t r y tu r n e d j_ ; ± ^

enem y

an

S.

Patton’s 3rd Army, spearheading advances in his sector. Previously, he had fought in Belgium, France and Luxembourg. He was posthum ously awarded the Silver Star for “gallantry in action near Rimling, France, Dec. 15, 1944.”

In leading an assault against enemy rifle and machine gun fire, “he attacked with the leading elements of his company — encouraging the men and sharing in the fight. W hen the enemy at­ tacked with tanks, Capt. Lynch forced their withdrawal by the judicious employm ent of two rocket launcher team s.” — Ibid., Vol. 73, pages 175-176 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

158

BETA HEROES

W IL L IA M G R A N T T E N N ILLE , JR ., N O R TH CAROLINA 1936 “It was one o f the best m ilitary feats o f the w ar.”

Major Tenille was known in the A ir Corps in the Southwest Pacific as the first pilot who could fly a B-25 bom ber like a P-38 fighter plane. He was killed in action in New Guinea June

8

, 1944. He had completed 70 missions, 210 combat hours. His last flight was de­

scribed in the 91st Photo Reconnaissance W ing’s newsletter: “On June 8,1944, a message was received by Major Tenille that a Japanese Naval Task Force had been sighted off Biak Island. Allied troops had only shortly before landed on the island. The enemy troops were both confused and bewildered with the swift movement of our forces. Supplies and reinforcements were needed badly by the enemy, and it was now evident that the Japanese were striving to bring them in.

“W hen his crew members were briefed, Major Tenille told them that they were to find and attack an enemy task force.

He stated that the size of the enemy force was unknown and that there might be enemy troops aboard.

M ajor W.G. Tenmlle

“Crawling into their planes, they took off into a gray sky. a K * a y y Plans were to pattern bomb the target, but an overcast made

this impossible; however, the convoy was sighted and the planes swept toward it.

“Dividing up into elements of two, the planes dived down to a low-level attack. Major Tennille, in the lead, picked his target — a cruiser. He deliberately drew the cruiser’s fire away from the other planes. Zooming down at masthead height, he crossed the cruiser and his plane burst into flames. Then, losing altitude rapidly and attempting to crash land in the ocean, his plane hit the water, som ersaulted and sank.”

In a tribute to a daring leader who helped save a beachhead at Biak, Gen. George Kenny and Gen. Ennis Whitehead declared: “ It w as one o f th e best military feats of the w ar.”

Ibid., vol. 73, page 275

.„ . „ M ajor Tennille flew his B-25 bom ber like a P-38, ” the fastest fighter in W orld War II.

RICHARD M. B A K E R , W A SHING TO N 1936 (DFC) Major Baker, a Marine fighter pilot, was awarded the DFC for “heroism and extraor­ dinary achievem ent” in aerial combat with the Japanese. Leading a flight of three fighter planes, he attacked a formation of 40 enem y fighters, downing two himself and dispersing the rem ainder without loss to his flight. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 341 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

159

JA M E S EDW IN TAYLO R, JR ., D IC K IN S O N 1936 (NC, SS) L ed his m en who killed m ore than 100 enem y w ithout an y casualties 1st Lt. Taylor, USMC, was killed in action on the island of Tinian, Marianas Islands, July 25, 1944. Two days earlier, his unit made the assault landing on the Japanese island stronghold; and, in the course of that day’s battle, he was wounded by sniper fire. He was evacuated as soon as the tactical situation permitted and died aboard ship.

It was said of him that his men “loved and trusted him, and he in turn cared for them by his sound judgem ent and quick action. His coolness under fire and personal valor served as an inspiration to all.” He received the Navy Cross and Silver Star medals for bravery. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 307

¥ U .A .

A Marine jiujitsu instructor, in one counterattack at Saipan, he led his men and wiped out more than 100 Japanese troops, bringing every one of his own men back alive. He was in the campaigns for the Marshall Islands, Saipan and

Navy Cross

Tinian. A USMC dispatch read: “W hen a 50-man Japanese raid met the full fury of a one-man counterattack, hell-bent American-style, ‘banzai’ w ent by the boards.”

This one-m an attacking force was a 200-pound Marine officer with a red beard and an impressive looping walrus mustache, 1st Lt. James Taylor o f Philadelphia, Pa. “The (enemy) charged while the Marines were still digging

H is m en co uld see him h u rlin g g re n a d e s like b a se b a lls a n d y e llin g a bo ve the s h o u te d Ja p a n e se b a n za is: “Take this, a n d this, to o .”

in for the night. They came out of the brush yelling and firing wildly and hurling hand grenades tied to short pieces of rope.

Japanese machine guns opened up on the Marine flanks as the enemy charged up the hill within 35 yards of our front lines.

“Grabbing a box of hand grenades, Lt. Taylor ran out to meet them. His men could see him hurling grenades like baseballs and yelling above the shouted Japanese banzais: Take this, and this, too.’

“As he yelled, he hurled one grenade after another. The lieutenant’s charge gave the mortar men and machine gun­

ners time to set up. The battle started and the exchange continued for 15 minutes.

“Somehow the lieutenant made his way back to his own lines without being hit as his men unloaded their weapons at the banzai party. The next morning, 42 dead Japanese soldiers were counted within 35 yards of the front line.” — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 187

MAURICE CHAPMAN H O R G A N , W ESLEYAN 1937 (DFC, SS) In 1939, Horgan joined the USAAC, serving 29 years, fighting in three wars and retiring as a colonel in the USAF. In World W ar II, he flew B-17s in the South Pacific; he was director o f operations for the USAF in the Far East during the Korean War, and was vice com m ander of the 552nd Wing during the Vietnam War. Among his medals were the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He died in 1996 in Kerrville, Texas. — Ibid., w inter 1997, page 37 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930\ Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9. F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

160

BETA HEROES

JOHN F. MITCHELL, OREGON STATE 1939 (SS) Captain Mitchell, wounded in the European campaign, also received a Purple Heart for wounds in Luxembourg, Dec. 19, 1944. He was in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Ardennes. His Silver Star citation stated: “When his battalion was attacked by a strong en­ emy force in Consthum, Capt. Mitchell placed him self in the front of the attack to draw most of the enemy fire until his defenses were properly deployed. Completely surrounded by the enemy in this position, Capt. Mitchell held off the enemy until reinforcements arrived. On one occasion near Wiltz, his battalion received enemy mortar fire. By his heroic acts and courageous leadership when attacked by superior enemy strength, Capt. Mitchell succeeded in enabling other units of his battalion to withdraw safely to new positions.” — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 305

JAMES A. RINER, JR., WASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS 1939 (DFC) Lt. Riner, USN, was aboard the USS H ornet (aircraft carrier) when Jimmie Doolittle’s flyers embarked on their Tokyo raid. Later he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in the Battle of Midway. In the later stages o f the war, he was a flight instructor in dive bombing. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 154

EDGAR F. SHANNON, JR., WASHINGTON & LEE 1939 A Rhodes Scholar, author and opponent of the Vietnam War, Shannon, in the Navy during World W ar II, survived 20 hours clinging to a burned lifejacket after the USS Quincy was sunk.

He received a Bronze Star and 10 battle stars. He was president o f the University of Virginia, 1959-74, when the school became coeducational and racially integrated. He died in 1997 in Charlottesville, Va. — Ibid., w inter 1998, page 34

STEPHEN MILTON SMITH, MIAM11939 (DSC, DFC) Gen. Smith joined the USAAC, progressing from fighter pilot cadet to combat squadron com m ander over New Guinea. Wounded, he received the Bronze Star, DFC and DSC for “heroism” in New Guinea, June 1942, when, “despite a shattered left arm and serious leg wound, he continued to attack a large number of enemy planes which had approached his air base. His courageous attack was so successful it caused the enemy to abandon all attempts to attack the airdrome. W ithout use of his left arm he still safely landed his plane.” He retired in 1947. An architect, his civilian career was spent in construction. He died in 1985 in Salt Lake Gen. Stephen Smith

City. — Ibid., w inter 1986, page 265

WILLIAM D. STEVENSON, DARTMOUTH 1939 (NC) Major Stevenson earned a Navy Cross on Tulagi and Guadalcanal. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 343

PHILLIP H. TEETER, MINNESOTA 1939 (NC) Back from South Pacific duty on a destroyer, Lt. Teeter, USNR, received the Navy Cross in February 1942, for “distinguished action in leading successful fire fighting parties on the USS Smith after it was hit by a Japanese torpedo plane off Santa C ruz Island in the Solomons.

W hen the torpedo hit the destroyer, it became a mass o f flam es with blazing gasoline from the w reckage exploding the d estroyer’s ready am m unition.” Then the plane’s torpedo exploded, causing additional death and d a m a g e .. . . “W e fought the first two hours and had good success Ibid.: The B e la Theta Pi: Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927: Ibid. 3: Beta Lore: Ibid. 4: B eta Life: Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914:

161 in our efforts because we had ju s t finished a fire fighting course before going to sea.” — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 151

TOM JOHN BINFORD, MISSOUR11940 (SS) USN Lt. Sr. Grade Binford served four years in W orld W ar II and was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for action in the Pacific Theatre. — Ibid, Vol, 81, page 668

ROBERT LEE CANNON, ST. LAWRENCE 1940 An ensign, he served two tours with the Pacific Fleet on torpedo boats. He was cited “for meri­ torious and efficient performance of duty” and “excellent seamanship and courageous devotion to duty” in the Solomon Islands region in 1943 and 1944. — Ibid., w inter 1994, page 55

THOMAS R. CLARK, JR., YALE 1940 (2 DFCs) Lt. Clark, USNr, who lost his life Aug. 2 3 ,1944, was posthum ously awarded his second Distin­ guished Flying Crosses “for heroism and extraordinary achievem ent” as PBY plane commander and leader o f a two-plane section during action against Japanese shipping in the Bonin Islands, New Guinea, Aug. 23, 1944. Sighting three enemy merchant ships flanked by two protecting destroyers, Lt. Clark unhesitatingly led his section in a daring low-level attack on the largest ship, courageously flying directly between the destroyers through a barrage of heavy fire from all sides, destroying the Japanese vessel.” — Ibid., Vol. 72, pages 22 and 338

KENNETH MAURITZ JOHNSON, ILLINOIS 1940 (SS) In World W ar II, M ajor Johnson was personal pilot for Gen. Mark Clark, comm anding general of the Italian offensive. He was shot down on a bombing mission over Italy and taken prisoner.

He escaped with eight other POWs and lived nine months in the mountains. He and three oth­ ers returned through Allied lines at Monte Cassini. He was awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart. — Ibid., w inter 1984, page 240 His Silver Star citation: “For gallantry while in aerial flight as pilot o f a B-25. On Aug. 27, 1943, he led a flight of six B-25s which bombed the marshalling yards at Benevento, Italy. In a running battle which extended for 40 miles directly to the target, his formation was attacked by approxi­ mately 50 hostile aircraft. Although the enemy was engaged by our escort, more than 30 fighters (Messerschmitts) broke through and concentrated their attack upon Major Johnson’s flight. Two bombers in his flight were shot down, two o f his gunners killed and both of his engines burst into flames. Displaying extraordinary heroism, he skillfully held his plane in a controlled glide long enough to bomb the target from an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet and until surviving mem­ bers o f the crew were able to parachute safely before (he bailed out) and the aircraft went out of control and crashed in enemy territory. Maj. Johnson succeeded in returning to his organization.”

While a prisoner of war, he had a N ew Testament and a picture of a dear friend. The Italians wanted to take these away. Maj. Johnson said he threatened them, telling them he would have them court-martialed in the U.S. after the war. They let him keep them.

ROBERT O. KENYON, WHITMAN 1940 (DFC) USAAC Captain Kenyon, in extensive action in New Guinea, South Pacific, received the Dis­ tinguished Flying Cross. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 47

B. GALES McCLINTOCK, DAVIDSON 1940 (DFC) U.S. Arm y A ir Corps Captain McClintock, a P-45 Thunderbolt pilot, spent 18 months at the Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

162

BETA HEROES

India-Burma front where he completed

8 6

missions. He was with a fighter squadron attached to

the “Burma Banshees,” a 10th A ir Force group operating against the Japanese in the India-Burma sector. He was awarded the DFC “for extraordinary achievem ent in aerial flight. In the execution o f his numerous combat missions with eagerness and vigor, he attacked enemy installations of materiel and troop concentrations, inflicting severe damage on these as well as bridges, airdromes and communication facilities.” He also holds the Air Medal. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 438

HENRY W. PLISKE, OHIO 1940 (SS) Capt. Pliske, U.S. Arm y combat engineer, was awarded the Silver Star for “gallantry in action” during the great German counter-offensive of late December 1944. Holding a vital road east of St. Vith for five bitter days, Capt. Pliske’s battalion became encircled by the enemy. With a 14-man squad, Pliske sought to return to American lines under cover of darkness. For eight days and nights, he maneuvered his men from various farmhouses, barns and haystacks, and, during this time, he made valuable observations on important enemy movements and key positions. Once when nearly discovered by German troops, Capt. Pliske tricked the enemy by spouting German and ordering his men ahead on a road. Mistaken for a road guide, he waved German vehicles along as well. Finally, after moving his squad safely back 50 miles, Capt. Pliske reached U.S. lines near exhaustion. For saving the lives of his patrol and furnishing invaluable information about enemy movements, he was awarded the Silver Star. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 440

CLARENCE ALFRED POTTERFIELD, WEST VIRGINIA 1940 (SS) Lt. Potterfield, USA, was killed in action in North Africa, April 1, 1943. For earlier action, he received the Silver Star: “Alone and unarmed, Lt. Potterfield entered an enemy garrison in French Morocco to negotiate for the surrender of the enemy forces. Forgetting his own safety, thinking only to avoid casualties among his men, he moved behind enemy lines with no assurance o f their surrender. He succeeded in the capitulation of 50 men and saved the lives of many of his men.

Terms were reached, and the Americans raised the Stars and Stripes in the center of what had been a fortified enemy garrison.” — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 187

WILLIAM B. ROSSON, OREGON 1940 (DSC) Commander in Chief, U.S. Army, Pacific, General (4-star) Rosson, rose from lieutenant to lieuten­ ant colonel, fighting through 10 campaigns with the 3rd Infantry Division in W orld W ar II, moving through North Africa to the campaigns through Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. At Anzio, 1944, he was awarded the DSC, “for extraordinary heroism during a night attack against enemy forces entrenched near Cisterna.”

Peacetime, he commanded the 30th Infantry Regiment in Germany, followed by duty in the Joint War Plans Branch of the Army General Staff, Washington, DC, returned to Europe in 1951 and the Plans, Policy and Operations Division in SHAPE, Paris. In Vietnam 1954-56, he returned General Rosson

to the U.S., assigned to the Joint Chiefs o f Staff. In 1969, Pres. Nixon assigned Lt. Gen. Rosson as deputy com m ander of American forces

in Vietnam (assistant to Commanding General Creighton W. Abram s.) — Ibid., Jan. 1970, page 269; Jan. 1974, pages 264-265

163

RICHARD A. ROWLANDS, IOWA STATE 1940 (SS) Lt. Col. Rowlands entered the U.S. Arm y in 1941 and served in Europe, Africa and the Middle East in World War II and in the Korean War. His awards included the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart. — Ibid., Vol. 82, page 559

PEVERIL O. SETTLE, COLGATE 1940 (SS) On a nine-man patrol that captured Colonel Ouchi, the highest-ranking Japanese officer cap­ tured during World W ar II, Settle received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Air Medal in the North African, European and Pacific Theaters. He was an avid sportsman and amateur boxer who won 29 fights, including four tournam ent titles. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he died in 1995 in Fort Worth, Texas. — Ibid., fall 1995, page 28

W. HOLT BARNWELL, DAVIDSON 1941 (SS) Capt. Barnwell was wounded in the North African landing. His company was assigned to hold the high ground near Djebel Naemia. In accomplishing the mission, the company was under heavy enemy artillery and machine gun fire for

11

days, being neither relieved nor replaced dur­

ing this period. Barnwell “displayed outstanding courage and superior leadership, continuously disregarding his own welfare by assisting in removing his wounded to the rear while under enemy fire.” — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 284

JAMES CLARK BORROR, WEST VIRGINIA 1941 (SS) A veteran of World W ar II action, Borror received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

He died in 1966 in Hampton, Va. — Ibid., June 1967, page 441

GEORGE 0 . BUNNELL, JR., PENNSYLVANIA 1941 (SS) An artillery officer in North Africa and Italy, Capt. Bunnell received the Silver Star for “gallantry in action” on Sept. 17, 1944, at Monticelli, Italy. “W hile a forward observer for the artillery, he remained in an exposed location while directing fire. At one point, he was ordered to round up at least 15 men and lead them up a hill through machine gun and small arms fire. He picked up a rifle from a wounded soldier and killed two snipers.” In civilian life, he served in the Kentucky National Guard Assn. for 26 years, was president in 1964 and a colonel in the USAR. He died in 1999. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 475 and w inter 2000, page 46

KENNETH F. BURGESS, JR., YALE 1941 (SS) Lt. Com m ander Burgess, captain of a destroyer escort, USS Fleming, was awarded the Silver Star, April 20, 1946, for bravery during the invasion of Okinawa. “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while comm anding officer of the destroyer escort USS Fleming in the vicinity of Okinawa, 10 May to 21 June, 1945. During this period, 23 days of which were spent on the vital anti-subm arine screen, while under constant threat o f air attacks and under the strain of almost continuous alerts, he maintained his crew at a high peak of fighting efficiency. His inspiring leadership and outstanding skill resulted in the destruction of three enemy suicide planes without casualties or material damage to his own ship.” He also was credited with sinking a Japanese submarine. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 474

MOSEBY CARBOZO, VIRGINIA 1941 (DFC) Capt. Carbozo, USMC, was one of the flyers who piloted his Navy cargo transport plane into Guadalcanal during the heavy com bat days there, helped unload it on Henderson Field runways

164

BETA HEROES

under fire and then took off into hostile skies for the return trip each time with wounded marines bound for base hospitals out of the fighting zone. For these acts of bravery, he was recommended by his comm anding officer for the DFC “for outstanding heroism .” The citation given Cardozo, a form er collegiate football star, read: “Lt. Cardozo displayed exceptional skill, courage and devo­ tion to duty in successfully operating in an area known to have com batant aircraft and continual ground fire from enemy troops. Despite these conditions, he successfully accomplished each mission with a plane which had no defensive arm am ent.” — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 29

ROBERT CLARK DEMPSEY, DARTMOUTH 1941 (DFC) Capt. Dempsey, USAAC*, was shot down in Sicily, July 9, 1943. So outstanding was his air combat that he was posthum ously awarded five A ir Medals and a DFC. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 436

CHARLES DINSE, HANOVER 1941 (DFC) Captain Dinse (at right on the cover of the July 1944, issue of The Beta Theta Pi) “returns from a tough bomber escort mission over Germany.” The first man to whom he reports is Capt.

Joseph Stolar, Chicago 1935, (also in photo) group intelligence officer. Both are members of one of the leading Thunderbolt fighter groups operating in the current phase of the invasion. A veteran of more than 40 com bat missions against the German Luftwaffe (air corps), he is credited with destroying two enemy planes. He wears the DFC for “exceptional meritorious service in aerial flight over enemy occupied Europe,” and four A ir Medals. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 425

WILLIAM C. GALBRAITH, DARTMOUTH 1941 (DFC) Lt. Galbraith, Naval Air Corps, a member of Fighter Squadron 33, received the Distingujished Flying Cross for flights off Okinawa, April-M ay 1945. On May 4, his USS Sagamon carrier was hit by a kamikaze dive bomber and put out of action. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 145

JOHN RANDOLPH KERMAN, STANFORD 1941 (SS) On the first college football team to use the T-formation, Kerman was a starting offensive guard.

The team finished the season undefeated, including the Rose Bowl victory over Nebraska in 1941. After graduation, he joined the Marines and served in the Pacific where he saw action in the late phases o f the Guadalcanal campaign, the landing and occupation of Bougainville and the battle of Okinawa. He was awarded the Silver Star for valor. He was among the first to arrive at Yokosuka Naval Base in Tokyo Bay, where he served as provost marshal. After the war, he joined Broadway Department Stores in 1953, retiring in 1982, having managed multiple stores.

He died in La Jolla, Calif., in 1991. — Ibid., winter 1992, page 189

ROBERT CALVIN KUNZ, ST. LAWRENCE 1941 (DFC) Major Kunz, USAAC, reported missing in action over China, June 19, 1945, was later found to be killed in action on that date near Hanchung, China. He was commanding officer of the 2nd W eather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the “China Flight.” He had received the Distin­ guished Flying Cross and a Purple Heart. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 415

EDWARD F. LEONARD, OREGON 1941 (2 DFCs) Captain Leonard served for 28 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 1969. He received the Legion *ln June 1941, the fledgling a ir corps became a subordinate arm o f the Army, the A rm y A ir Corps. It rem ained a com bat branch o f the A rm y until 1947 when it became a separate branch called the United States A ir Force.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

165

of Merit, the DFC twice and six A ir Medals. In 1975, he was appointed executive vice president of the American Gold Star Home and American Gold Star Manor, Long Beach, Calif. The “Home” is a charitable, non-profit corporation, which maintains and operates a home in W est Long Beach for needy members of the American Gold Star Mothers, an organization of more than 20,000 mothers of U.S. service members who died defending their country. The Gold Star Homes owns 93 acres and opened a six-m illion-dollar housing complex o f 348 units. All will be occupied by Gold Star Mothers. — Ibid., Jan. 1976, page 224, w inter 1994, page 54

EVERETT PARKER POPE, BOWDOIN 1941 F or B rother P ope’s biography, see page 4. On June 15,1945, at the W hite House, the Medal of Honor was awarded to M ajor Everett P. Pope. When President Truman pinned the medal on him, he became

O ne o f three Beta M edal o f H onor re cip ie n ts in W orld W ar II

the the third Bowdoin Medal o f Honor recipient in history.

When the President read the citation, he had difficulty pronouncing Peleliu.

M ajor Pope prompted the correct pronunciation. Throughout the rem ainder of the ceremony, the President referred to Peleliu as “that place I can’t pronounce.”

Said the President to M ajor Pope, “ I would rather own this medal than be president.”

Pope enlisted in the Marines and was com m issioned a 2nd lieutenant on Nov. 1, 1941. His first combat experience was in the Solomon Islands campaign. He then commanded a platoon in a heavy weapons company during the landings and succeeding actions on Guadal­ canal. He fought in three major Pacific engagements before returning to the States to receive training in the Japanese language at Yale University. He was promoted to major in January 1945.

At Bowdoin he was president of Beta Sigma chapter, a prominent campus leader, played football and was outstanding in tennis (team captain in 1941.) A Phi Beta Kappa, he graduated magna cum laude. — Ibid., Vol. 73, Nov. 1945, pages 115-116 Pope was the first after 1852 Bowdoin graduate Major General Joshua L. Chamberlain to receive the Medal of Honor. “Chamberlain accepted General Lee’s surrender at Appomatox Court House in 1865; he was a four-term Maine governor,” said. Pope who was always a strong Continued on page 168

M issing in A ction Lt. Thom as W. Pulliam, L e h ig h 1941, drafted this poem while somewhere in New Guinea, South Pacific, in 1943: D ear Bill, I packed yo u r things tonight / Just as y o u ’d want me to; I ’m sure yo u r folks will hold them dear, / They seem a p a rt o f you.

Your wrist watch and yo u r fountain pen, / The picture o f Marie, Your diary filled with hopes and dreams / That now can never be.

The playing cards that tell o f nights / That we two once did share; You’ve cashed yo u r chips, and I m ust p la y /A lonesom e solitaire.

I never was a man o f prayer, / It seem ed a waste o f time, But now, alone, I wish to kneel / In hum bleness sublime.

Oh Lord, who knew him more than I, / W herever he m ay rest, Take him where the fallen d w e ll,/A life in quiet blest.

Let him know that the fight goes on; / Our bunch m oves up today; W e’ll carry on till our turn comes, / H e ’s shown us all the way. ” Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

166

BETA HEROES

JAMES V. JOHNSTON, OREGON STATE 1939 The one-man arm y became the “Pint-sized Legend. ” Classmates of James Johnston and those of us who were around the chapter house at Corvallis during 1935-39, would hardly have picked “Jim m y” Johnston as a candidate for assuming the role of a Tom Mix or The Lone Ranger and turning the heat on the German arm y with a blazing six-gun as a one-man army. He would probably be better remembered as a likable kid who played the saxophone in the college band and made his way through school playing in dance bands on campus and neighboring communities. But it all came out in a delayed dispatch dated Jan. 18, 1945.

His exploits were o f sufficient importance and interest that A P ’s Kenneth L. Dixon devoted nearly a column to tell about it. Dixon was there, so he can tell it better than anyone else.

In his words, excerpts from the story (by Stanley R. Church, Washington State 1931) follows: M ajor Jam es Johnston

“It took nearly six years and transfers through six outfits for Capt. James V. Johnston to reach combat, but once he

did, the pint-sized ball of fire from Portland, Ore., became a literal legend on the western front in less than six weeks. Weighing 127 pounds (with equipm ent) and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall, he so distinguished him self in his first action that on the third day he was given tem porary command of his battalion when the com m ander was wounded.

Led a half-dozen assaults firing from the hip “In the last two months he has commanded an infantry battalion four times — a job which normally calls for a lieutenant colonel. He has led half a dozen ‘march fire’ assaults, which consist o f firing from the hip on the run as the doughboys break out o f cover to attack.

Also, he has killed countless Germans with various weapons — three by thumb-fanning his old .45 while riding in a jeep and others with implements varying from hand grenades to a borrowed tank.

“Jimmy was too long getting into action to pay much attention to standard procedure.

A t age 28, he entered the Arm y as a 2nd lieutenant in the reserve corps and joined the 15th Infantry Regiment. He served with the amphibious command, Arm y Air Corps, and the infantry replacement training center, Ft. Benning, Ga., before joining the 84th Division last March. He was made commanding officer of a headquarters company, but his request for line duty brought him a transfer to a heavy weapons company.

“In his first action near Geilenkirchen, Germany, he was ordered to pull a com pany out of a trap. He crawled 1,200 yards across an open field under heavy machine gun and sniper fire. After dark, he guided the whole outfit safely to a reinforced position. “ Near Gereonsweiler, Germany, he led an attack which jum ped off at 6:00 a.m. By noon he held the objective after killing 20 Germans and capturing

8 6

prisoners. In the same

sector his men once were held up by machine gun fire. Crawling into a tank, Johnston

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi: Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

167

directed the driver to within 50 yards of the enemy position and opened fire with the tank’s .75, killing seven Germans.

He led the attack, running and firing machine pistols.

“During the M ullendorf attack, he led the way, running and firing machine pistols. Fifteen minutes after the jump-off, he walked down the steps of the erstwhile enemy headquarters with the Nazi flag under one arm and a cigar in his mouth. In taking

‘“ It was because we used march fire all the w ay,’ said Johnston. His most typical deed came when the battalion was losing equipm ent to a minefield through which a supply line

u

, . r- ,.

u . .

.

prisoners and 16 pill­

“ The Yank with a to m m y gun who fo u g h t a due l with

boxes, his battalion had lost two men killed and six wounded.

■ ♦

8 8

^

. . .,

, .

, „ ,

a G erm an M a rk IV ta n k I”

was running to reach combat fighters. He took a trench knife and cleared a pathway through the field. Next day, engineers

working with mechanical detonators found 18 separate explosives under the snow, right where he had been crawling, probing for and removing mines!”

KIA by a deadly German 88 mm Since this story was written, the young hero’s parents received two reports from the front lines. The first stated that their son had been raised to the rank of m ajor and awarded the Bronze Star. (The author was unable to learn if other medals for bravery were awarded.)

The second was a news dispatch, dated March 27: “The Western front’s three-gun in­ destructible midget is dead. He died as he sometim es expressed hope he would — by a direct hit from an “ 8 8 ” (deadly

8 8

mm cannon, primary weapon of German heavy tanks.)

He was M ajor James V. Johnston, 5-foot 5-inch fighting machine. In a few short weeks he had become a legend with the 84th Infantry Division. No one knows how many Germans he disposed of. In one attack alone, he killed 20 and captured

8 8

. He was in the forefront

of every fight the division had.” — Ibid., Vol. 72, pages 329-330

A U.S. A rm y .30 caliber heavy machine gun team sim ilar to those com m anded by M ajor Jam es Johnston across France and Germany

Ib id . 6: The Beta Book, 1 9 2 9 ;lb id . 7 : The Beta Book, 1930; Ib id . 8: The B eta Book, 1933; Ib id . 9 F aith ful H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

168

BETA HEROES

Continued from page 165 defender of the U.S.’s citizen soldier, characterized by both Chamberlain and himself. The Civil W ar general successfully defended the embattled Little Round Top at Gettysburg. Pope brought 235 men ashore at Peleliu. He said that only 90 were battle ready. A fter the assault and four days of fighting, only eight men walked down the hill with him.

NORRIS STETTLER, IDAHO 1941 (DFC) 1st Lt. Stettler, 15th Air Force, Italy, earned the DFC and four A ir Medals. He was first pilot on a B-17. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 57

LEWIS F. TRLEAVEN, KENYON 1941 (SS) Retiring from Marine Corps service, 1941-68, Treleavan received Silver and Bronze Stars, the Legion of Merit and a Purple Heart. After two years as registrar at Kenyon, 1971-73, he became vice president, development, and registrar, 1973-90, and special assistant to the Kenyon presi­ dent, 1990. — Ibid., fall 1991, page 11

CHARLES SMALL VOGLER, IOWA 1941 (DFC) A USAAC pilot during World W ar II, Vogler received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was shot down in the Balkan Campaign piloting a B-24 and later was one of the few pilots ever to instruct in B-36s, new bombers which did not see com bat due to the w a r’s end. — Ibid., sum m er 1983, page 457.

His DFC was “for fighting his way to and from a target through flak and enemy fighters although his plane was badly crippled. With heroic devotion to duty, Vogler and his crew fought their way through intensive barrages of anti-aircraft fire and successive attacks by enemy fighter planes, destroying two of them. The plane went down but the men made their way back to England.” — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 269.

Vogler died in 1983, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. For 17 years, he had B om ber pilot Vogler

been president of Jordan’s Equipment Co., Falmouth.

CARTER B. WEISIGER, VIRGINIA 1941 (2 DFCs) Lt. W eisiger earned his first DFC during the Okinawa operations, his second DFC “for ex­ traordinary heroism while participating in an aerial flight as patrol plane com m ander of a Navy bomber against enemy forces in the Yellow Sea on April 27, 1945. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire from enemy ships in convoy, he made an effective, successful low-level attack and retired w ithout damage to his plane or injury to a mem ber o f his crew.” — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 370

EDWARD BARROWS, MAINE 1942 (SS) U.S. Arm y Captain Barrows received the Silver Star “for gallantry in action during the invasion of France in 1944.” On a patrol to determine enem y strength, his com pany reached its objective and started to withdraw. For some reason, Barrows stood up and blew the whistle to make sure all his men were back safely. As he did so, he was severely wounded by an enemy sniper. W ounded on July 30, 1944, he died Aug. 5,1944, three days before his 26th birthday. His father was Maine Captain Barrows Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

169

Governor Lewis Barrows, Maine 1916. — Ibid., Vol. 82, page 460

GEORGE BAUSEWINE, CINCINNAT11942 Ensign Bausewine was one of the gallant survivors of the cruiser USS Helena, sunk in the terrific Battle of Kula Gulf in the Solomons, July 1943. He was rescued from a Japanese-held island after three days in the water.* The men paddled all one day and night in an attempt to reach Kolombangara, but tides and current pushed him and his companions out o f sight of the big island.

“Men were always falling asleep; we lost a few who were victims o f their fatigue, together with a strange illusion,” he said. “Aboard ship, they had to go below deck to smoke. So overpowering was their instinctive discipline that, to light their imaginary cigaretts, they stepped into what they thought to be a hatch (under water) and never reappeared.” — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 15

ROBERT LIND BRUSH, YALE 1942 (DFC) 1st Lt. Brush, USAAC, was killed in action May 26,1945, in a B-29 bombing raid over Tokyo. After training as a navigator-bombardier, he was sent to India in March 1944 with the pioneer group of B-29s of the 20th Bomber com­ mand, which flew the first landbased bombing mission over Japan in June 1944. In addition to missions from India-China bases over Rangoon, Bang­ kok, Singa-pore, Formosa and Japan, Lt. Brush also made nu­ merous flights over “the hump” (Himalaya Mountains.) He held the DFC, five A ir Medals and Lt. Brush died when his B-29 was shot down over Tokyo.

five Bronze Stars. — Ibid., Vol. 73, pages 341-342

JERRY M. CLARK, UTAH 1942 (DFC, 2 DSCs) A U.S. Navy pilot, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Distinguished Service Crosses. He later became a flight instructor for new aviators. In civilian life, he helped manage lodges and guest ranches in Wyoming; he owned and managed Clark’s Cafeterias in Salt Lake City and Ye Lio n ’s Den in Ogden, Utah. He died in 2005.

JULES CONSTANTIN, TEXAS 1942 (SS) 1st Lt. Constantin was killed in action in a raid over Japanese-held Kiska, the Aleutian Islands.

He piloted a B-25 Mitchell bomber and was shot down by fighter planes after completing a mis­ sion on shipping near Kiska. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 702

L. KEITH COVELLE, OKLAHOMA STATE 1942 (DFC) Previously awarded four A ir Medals, 1st Lt. Covelle was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in the European theater. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 344 *lndividual life vests worn aboard Navy ships and in aircraft flying o ver the oceans were called “Mae Wests” because they gave wearers a bountiful bust. In the 1970s, service personnel updated the name, calling them “D olly Partons. ” — Unbroken, A World W ar II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption, Random House, 2010, by Laura H illenbrand Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The B eta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

170

BETA HEROES

JAMES L. CURRIER, WASHINGTON 1942 (SS) No details were found about Lt. C urrier’s bravery which earned him a Silver Star.

ARTHUR G. HAYS, OKLAHOMA 1942 (DFC) A civilian flight instructor, later a flight officer in the war, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross among other honors. He spent 50 years as a partner, later president of Hays Stores, Inc., a fam ily owned superm arket business. He died in 1997. — Ibid., w inter 1998, page 33

JAMES W. HITCHCOCK, UTAH 1942 (DFC) Called back to active service in the USAF, Hitchcock was assigned to SAC. Previously, he served five years in World W ar II and was one o f the first USAAC pilots to go to China to train with the fam ous “Flying Tigers.” Later, he transferred to the Air Transport Command and was flying “The Hump” (Himalayan Mountains.) He received a DFC as a chief pilot for MATS for “extraordinary achievem ent in more than 75 operational flights in unarmed, heavily overloaded transport planes through the com bat zones of Upper Assam, Burma and Southwest China, where enemy attack was probable and expected.” — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 416; Vol. 79, page 355

THOMAS HAYNES JOHNSON, MIAM11942 (SS) USMC 1st Lt. Johnson, 23, was killed Dec. 30, 1943, during the capture of Cape Gloucester, New Britain, in the South Pacific. His Silver Star citation read: “. . . for distinguishing himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity (courage) in action against armed enemy fo rc e s .. . . 1st Lt. Johnson valiantly gave his life endeavoring to locate enemy positions pinning down his unit’s right flank. To locate the enemy positions, it was necessary to expose himself to heavy enemy fire; as a result, he was killed. His conspicuous devotion to duty was inspiring to his men.”

WILLIAM A. KNOUFF, OREGON STATE 1942 (DFC) Navy Lt. Knouff, USNR, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross “for extraordinary heroism in an aerial flight against the enemy during the invasion of the Philippines. As pilot of a carrierbased plane, he participated in an attack upon a heavy warship and its attendant screen. In the first run, he scored a damaging near-miss upon the heavy vessel. Even though the rest of the flight was retiring, he circled his altitude and dove again to the attack in the face of concentrated anti-aircraft fire, scoring a second near-m iss.” — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 55

MAYLON HARRIS LONG, NORTH CAROLINA 1942 (4 DFCs) Col. Long was a lead bom badier with the 95th Bomb Group in Europe. Later, he flew 55 combat missions as a squadron navigator with the 3rd Bomb Wing in Korea. Among other medals, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, DFC with three Oak Leaf Clusters and seven A ir Medals. At the time of his retirement, he was base commander, 3550th Air Base Group, Moody AFB, Valdosta, Ga. He died in 1993. — Ibid., spring 1994, pages 43-44

MARLAN E. LOWELL, UTAH 1942 (2 DFCs) C-47 pilot Major Lowell had 403 combat hours, including 45 over the Burma “Hump,” earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses. — Ibid., Vol. 37, page 54

LOGAN T. MacMILLAN, WASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS 1942 (DFC) A pilot, McMillan earned the DFC as one of the first to attack the principal islands of Japan with a night-fighting squadron. He joined McDonnell Aircraft as a test pilot; later he was a project m anager for the Mercury spacecraft, the space capsule program that sent the first American into Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

171 space. In retirement, he joined other form er executives in an SBA program that advised small and start-up businesses. He enjoyed sailing, traveling and woodcarving. He died in 2003.

LAVERN W. MAXWELL, IOWA STATE 1942 (SS) After service in the war, Lt. Col. Maxwell, was plans and training officer for Exercise Lodestar Baker, a three-month w inter maneuver at Camp Hale, Colo. He earned a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and Purple Heart. — Ibid., March 1956, page 325.

THOMAS BUCHANON McGUIRE, JR., GEORGIA TECH 1942 (MH, 5 DFCs, DSC, 2 SSs, Ace) One of three Betas in World W ar II to receive the highest U.S. military honor for bravery, Major McGuire shot down 38 Japanese planes, a record exceeded only by the late Major Richard I. Bong,

_

..

S e co n d le a d in g U.S. .

“

BIT dCe,

credited with 40. McGuire was shot down in the Philippines, Jan.

O w n in g

e n e m y p la n e s

7, 1945. He also was one of only three World W ar II heroes to receive all of the highest medals for bravery: Medal of Honor, DFC, DSC and Silver Star. He lost his life 12 days later trying to save a fellow pilot. He flew some 720 combat hours on 240 combat missions. He also received nine A ir Medals. The action for which he received the Medal of Honor was in Decem ber 1944 when he down seven enemy planes in two days while leading escorts for bombers.

“The dashing B eta,” reported Phillip A. Thom as, Georgia Tech 1946, USAF, “will go down in the records as one of A m erica’s top aces, but to the men with whom he lived and fought, he’ll always be the fighting Irishman with a grin from Georgia Tech who ju s t couldn’t miss when he got a Zero in his sights.” The young man, only 23, was acclaim ed by m any for his heroics. “He was one of New Jersey’s greatest heroes,” said C ongressm an Thom as o f that state.

The Purple Heart was given to him after action over Oro Bay, New Guinea, in October 1943, when he downed three Zeroes and was then shot down himself. Breaking from formation to cover a crippled Lightning, the major was wounded and his plane caught fire. Flying at 12,000 feet, he tried to bail out but was caught in the cockpit, and didn’t get free until he was 7,000 feet over the water. His parachute cord had been severed so he didn’t get the ‘chute open until he was 1,000 fe e t above the water. He had to p a d d le fo r 40 m in u te s , d e s p ite his w o u n d s , w hen he w as picked up by a flying boat and hospitalized fo r 18 days.

A uthor of the 5th A ir Force in s tru c tio n b o o k , C o m b a t Tactics in the Southw est Pa­ cific, he had this definition of h im self and other men who

McGuire (center) and his P-38 ground crew Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930, Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9 : Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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BETA HEROES

ride the skies in the fastest ships used by w artim e pilots: “You’re alone up there with no one to share your misery when the going’s tough or to cheer you when yo u ’re riding high. The fighting is impersonal, you don’t get a good look at the enem y pilot — you ju s t know you’d better get him or he’ll get you. You make a quick pass or two and then it's all over, one w ay or the other.”

McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey is named for this heroic Beta. F o r his official biography, see page 5.

EVERETT (REDO) McNEELEY, OREGON 1942 (DFC) On the 1939 Oregon Ducks “Tall Firs” NCAA champion basketball team, McNeeley served in the Navy, earning the DFC. He died Nov. 2 0 ,1994, in Astoria, Ore. — Ibid., spring 1995, page 37

RICHARD P. MERRILL, BOWDOIN 1942 (SS) An Army major during W orld W ar II, Merrill was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for bravery in several engagements. After the war, he was employed by the CocaCola Company for 28 years. He died in 2005.

ANTHONY BAIRD MITCHELL, WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON 1942 (DFC) Captain Mitchell, USAAC, died in action against the Germans Sept. 18,1944, while endeavoring to take aid to the beleaguered paratroopers at Arnheim in Holland. Liberator bombers carrying food and ammunition to the paratroopers are reported to have gone in at

2 0 0

feet and, when

last seen, were rolling material overboard in the midst o f the smoke of battle. Four days after the battle, Capt. M itchell’s commission as a major w ent through. His citation fo r the Distinguished Flying Cross stated that he was “voluntarily assisting on the supply mission. He was seen to have been shot down and his aircraft explode after dropping badly needed supplies to the Airborne Forces in Holland.”

While stationed in England, Mitchell was captain, first pilot, squadron leader and operations officer. He took an important part in the bombings o f Berlin. Prior to service overseas, Capt.

Mitchell was a bom ber pilot on anti-submarine patrol. He had

F le w a t 200 feet to take su p p lie s to p a ra tro o p e rs

several narrow escapes. A cylinder head blew off a motor, and he landed his crew 10 miles out in the Atlantic Ocean in December 1942. Another time, he was forced down in the Gulf of Mexico, and he was carried 30 feet underwater before loosening himself from the wrecked plane. Two men were killed in this accident. — Ibid., Vol. 73, pages 272-273

STANLEY W. PARFET, COLORADO MINES 1942 (SS) Capt. Parfet, 42, received the Silver Star “for gallantry in action” July 28,1944. In the process of clearing mines from a causeway during the construction of a vital bridge, he located 20 German Teller-mines. Knowing that his battalion com m ander had been killed by an exploding mine a short distance away, Capt. Parfet, undeterred and with great personal courage, removed the mines by hand, thus greatly expediting the construction o f the span and the advance o f an armored division.” — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 54

JAMES LEWIS TILLY, DENVER 1942 When he was 14, Tilly became the youngest business owner in Colorado with Tilly’s Trading Post. He was a member of the 10th Mountain Division Ski Troop based at Camp Hale near Leadville in 1941. During World W ar II, he was a captain with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS, which Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

173

later became the CIA.) He parachuted behind enemy lines in Burma to organize and train locals to fight the Japanese. His wartime exploits were portrayed in the 1959 movie N ever So Few, starring Frank Sinatra, and described in a 1979 book, Behind Japanese Lines, by Richard Dunlop. He returned to the U.S. in 1945 and worked for the Pentagon. He practiced law in Denver after receiving his degree in 1952. He died in 1992. — Ibid., spring 1993, page 252

JOHN WARD WATSON, MINNESOTA 1942 (DSC)

P a ra c h u te d b e h in d e n e m y lines; p o rtra y e d b y F ra n k S inatra in N e ver So Few

Lt. Watson died Nov. 14, 1942, while rescuing wounded men from the Arm y transport ship USS Joseph Hewes, torpedoed and sunk in Rabat (Morocco) harbor during the invasion of North Africa. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthu­ mously. A month after he was killed, a body identified as his by engraved shoulder bars and a Beta Theta Pi ring was found on the shore in Cadiz province, Spain, apparently having drifted hundeds of miles from Morocco. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 251

DAVID C. WAYBUR, CALIFORNIA 1942 F or his official biography, see page 6. This story is by Herbert E. Hall, California 1916, in The Beta Theta Pi, Vol. 72, pages 473-475: “On March 28, 1945, a sniper’s bullet brought swift death to Lt. Waybur, the first U.S. soldier to receive the Medal of Honor in Italy in World W ar II. Seriously wounded during the Sicilian campaign, he was invalided home for medical treatm ent

The M e d a l o f H o n o r e a rn e d him a rest, b u t he re tu rn e d to a ction a n d w as k ille d in Ita ly b y a sniper.

and reassignment. A Medal of Honor man may have almost any duty he wants; however, when W aybur’s rest period ended , he had but one

-

ambition, namely to return to his beloved 3rd Division with whic;h he had fought

* it * * * * ** * ** *

in Africa, Sicily and Italy. Eventually he found it in France and irnm ediately asked for his form er assignment as a reconnaissance officer.

“W aybur has been designated as ‘one of the greatest individuEal heroes in American Military history.' Modest and unassuming, he ‘epitomized the ideal American soldier hero. His father, Robert R. Waybur, California 1912, an executive of the California Packing Corp. of San Francisco, was a 1st lieutenant, infantry, in World W ar I. Both father and son were awarded the Purple Heart.” (See story on page 125) “Not once, but half a dozen times, in North Africa, where he went ashore as a commando with the first invasion wave in Sicily, Italy, W aybur distinguished himself. Then came July 17, 1943.

Lt. W aybur was in the hills in front of Agrigento, Sicily. He volunteered to lead a three-jeep patrol on reconnaissance into enemy-held territory to locate an isolated ranger unit. It was this sortie that was to gain him im mortality as ‘the Yank with a Tommy Gun who fought a duel with a Mark IV tank — and w on.’

“Starting out over rough terrain, his little detachm ent proceeded over roads known to be heavily mined and strongly defended. It was ticklish going but successful until the party came to a blown bridge. There they had to dismount for inspection. From the shadows came German tanks. Four of them. Hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned, Lt. W aybur did not hesitate. He elected to fight it out, and fight it out he did. Three of his men were hit and put out o f action. A slug caught Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

174

BETA HEROES

him. The Mark IV tank, its crew sensing the kill, bore down to crush the American. Completely exposed, with the moonlight marking him as clearly as a burning beacon, W aybur stood up, swung his tom my gun into place and began firing. He found the vision slot. The tank driver was killed. It hurtled over the bank into the stream, killing the rest of the crew.

“Dave’s picture appeared on the front cover of the January 1944 issue of The Beta Theta Pi along with an article describing his heroism. His father told of the hero’s modest reaction: ‘David returned home on furlough and for hospitalization. We had planted the Beta magazine on the front settee and placed it back in its mailing wrapper. “'When Dave stepped into the house, the first thing he did was go to the settee to find out if there was any mail for him. With the letters, of course, he picked up the magazine. We watched him pull off the wrapping and when he saw his own face as the main character, he quickly turned the page over and also did the same when he came across the article about him. He was embar­ rassed, looked around sheepishly to see if we had noticed. When

“ The Yank with a Tom m y G un w ho fo u g h t a d u e l with a tank . . a n d w o n !”

we laughed, he knew we had made the plant.'

“In college, his friends and Beta brothers recalled, Dave enjoyed putting his books aside and becoming a cowboy. With tlie tm 9 edy O f Pearl Harbor, his transition from a pony-riding buckaroo to a jeep-riding scout was simple and natural. A t 24, he

had received the highest military honor his country could bestow upon him and had seen more o f unveneered life than m ost nonagenarians. A salute to this happy warrior. ” Lt. Waybur, 24, received the Medal of Honor in Italy from Gen. Mark Clark, 5th Arm y com ­ mander, Nov. 29 ,1 9 4 3 — first to receive the medal in Italy, second in the Mediterranean theater.

Previously, in the hills before Agrigento, Sicily, W aybur had written to his father: “ I’m afraid of being afraid. I hope I never let my men dow n.” He volunteered for the arm ored cavalry because of his great love for horses. W hen he got into the cavalry, he found jeeps, tanks and half-tracks Continued on page 180

A n d Five Becam e N one In many Beta chapters during the latter half of World W ar II, the membership was stripped as Betas and pledges alike were drafted or enlisted to the w ar effort. At Gamma Gamma Chapter, University of Idaho, Chapter Advisor Dean J.G. Eldridge, Yale 1896/Idaho 1914 — official poet of the Beta Centenary in 1939 — supervised the chapter house, then occupied by Army nurse trainees, and attempted to recruit some pledges. Alas, one by one they were taken away; to which he penned a poem: “Five Beta pledglings, wished that there were m ore; Walt was grabbed by Navy, then there were four; Four Beta candidates proud as proud could be; Bob was called by Army, then there were three.

Three good Beta brothers, John was pitching woo; Him the Navy sum m oned and now th e y’re only two, Two good Beta students, each a Beta son; Jack went back to Utah, now th e y’re only one.

One p o o r lonely Beta, Sam m y No. 2; Guess w e’ll start all over; see what we can do.”

— The Beta Theta Pi, Vol. 72, page 265 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

175

WILLIAM P. MARONTATE, WASHINGTON 1941 (NC, Ace) Flying ace and hero o f the Battle for Guadalcanal An Associated Press dispatch told how Lt. Marontate, with three other pilots, outwitted a large formation of Japanese Zeroes, although outnum bered three to one. The skirmish took place Jan. 5, 1943. Their ammunition gone after shooting down four Japanese dive bombers and leaving three others smoking, they were

M

attacked by a flight of Zeroes.

The fliers outsm arted the Japanese by turning their planes directly into the Zeroes, pretending to be delivering an attack.

The Am ericans got away uninjured, but their planes were full of holes when they

Navy Cross

returned to Henderson Field. Flying Grumman fight­

M aro nta te s h o t dow n 12 Ja p a n e se p la n e s a n d w as se c o n d in “s c o re ” a m o n g 10 M a rin e C orps aces.

ers (see photo below), the four fliers had been patroling west of Guadalcanal when they saw eight to 10 Japanese dive bombers attacking American warships, speeding southward.

The ships threw up a heavy blanket of anti-aircraft shells, and the attacking dive bombers failed to hit them. ”We couldn’t get there in time to stop the ship attack, but we sure piled into them in a hurry after that,” Marontate said.

“The dive bombers spread out and tried to head for home.

We each picked a target and dived. We came close to their tails and let them have it.

“The tail gunner of my quarry was firing back at me, but I soon got him . .. saw his arms flop outstretched over the side of the cockpit. I kept firing and pretty soon the forward cockpit was aflame. The dive bomber hit the w ater and exploded. Then I got onto another one.” Marontate shot down 12 Japanese planes and was second in “score” of a group of 10 Marine Corps aces. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 362 Lt. Marontate was awarded the Navy Cross for “extraordinary heroism” in the Solomon Islands area. He had been m is s in g s in c e his p la n e was shot down in action off New G e orgia Island Jan. 15, 1943, but members of his group believed that he was taken prisoner, since his plane fell near two Japa­ nese destroyers. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 152

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930] Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: F aith ful H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

176

BETA HEROES

R IC H A R D A. KER STIN G , D A R TM O U TH 1942 The “S ergeant York” o f W orld W ar II

By W ar Correspondent Ivan H. Peterman, Philadelphia Inquirer (excerpted): At about 4:00 p.m., July 11, 1944, near the broken Normandy village of Cavigny during the southward drive to St. Lo, two combat engineers appeared at a medical aid station with 34 German prisoners. Nine more lay dead in wrecked houses and rubble-covered streets behind them. The German platoon headquarters, a virtual fortress, was totally wrecked.

Outside, where the Nazis obligingly threw them, lay 35 German Mausers, eight ma­ chine pistols, two heavy machine guns, a pile o f grenades and some rocket equipm ent — enough to stop a battalion from entrenched positions. An ober-lieutenant (realizing his entire unit had surrendered to only two Am ericans) cursed the Americans in good English: “You’re mightly lucky to get away with this, y o u _____________!”

Starting on a routine mission for the combat engineers supporting the 30th Infantry Division, Lt. Kersting and his rifleman, PFC Max Nimphie, Bancroft, Mich., left his cargocarrier and under fire from the Germans across the Vire River, proceeded on foot to reconnoiter for mines and booby traps Lt. Kersting captured 34 Germans

spread across the highway. Lt. Kersting had a carbine; Pvt. Nimphie carried an M-1 rifle. Each had four grenades.

Before they would return to their vehicle, Kersting and his helper would come the closest of any to duplicating another Am erican’s accomplishm ents on French soil — the exploits of crack mountain marksman, Sgt. Alvin York, in World W ar I. Reporting the events o f the next three hours to his commanding officer, Lt. Kersting stated that he was not expecting much action but was prepared for it and was glad when the opportunity arose to apply both his Army and gridiron training. Before transferring to the engineers, he took Ranger training; at Dartmouth he was a blocking halfback under the legendary Earl (Red) Blaik, M iam i 1918.

“Coach Blaik taught us to think while in motion, never leave an opening for the opponent, keep an eye on the ball and cash in on the other guy’s m istakes.”

Leaving Cavigny, the two moved south, drawing occasional rifle fire as they walked. The Germans had a platoon hidden in the hedgerows and were holding up tanks and infantry moving toward St. Lo when Kersting and Nimphie spotted a burned-out German vehicle.

At the same time the crew of an American tank warned them that another German tank was just around the corner.

“Give us a hand? W e’ve been hit,” a crewmen shouted. At the same moment the dam ­ aged German tank fired on him. Kersting circled behind the hedgerows toward the enemy.

He began firing into the tank’s ports, forcing them to button up; when an American bazooka squad appeared, he ordered them to flank the tank while he and the rifleman diverted the Nazis’ attention. The bazooka boys put four rockets into the turret, blowing it apart. Continu­

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

177

ing along the road with the American tank now covering them from about 80 yards behind, Lt. Kersting saw something that enraged him. An American Medical Corpsman, with a Red cross brassard, lay dead by the roadside, two bullet holes in his back.

A German came out o f the hedgerow, hands high. In Kersting’s words, “I worked him over a little, got him to tell the w hereabouts of others.” The prisoner pointed to several houses ahead; then a second Hun emerged to surrender. Two bazooka men escorted the prison­ ers back. Kersting shouted in German. From time to time both Kersting and his rifleman tossed grenades into a house or had a shot at fleeing Germans. “ I yelled, ‘E rg e b e re u ch ,’ meaning ‘give up,’ and Nimhie bellowed like a bull." Somebody opened fire from a tree; both he and Nimphie fired back and a body tumbled down. Lt. Kersting picked off the last of four fleeing Huns while Nimphie was liquidating two behind the second building. Now the intrepid lieutenant called for 75 mm fire from the tank.

As the shells burst inside the first structure it crumbled like a cake box, and the last of the enemy inside sped madly for the second building. Lt. Kersting crouched at the wall, and the tank moved in.

A third German surrendered and w ent back with the other bazooka men, leaving Kerst­ ing, Nimphie and the tank to mop up. “We still were making plenty of noise, and the tank’s clatter must have convinced those inside the building that we were a whole regiment.

“Just then somebody turned the corner with a machine pistol in his hands. It was a German; his mouth flew open when he saw me. The weapon was pointed directly at me, but I beat him to the trigger. Then I strode to the door, gave it a kick, yelling loudly, carbine pointing in and stepped back. All I could see was faces and they were as white as paper, scared stiff. The situ­ ation demanded boldness; when the first guy stepped up, his machine gun stuck in my belly, I brushed it aside and didn’t shoot. I shouted, ‘Handen uber haupt, ’ and they started out the door.”

The second man in the doorway was the ober-lieutenant. Harshly, Kersting asked why he hadn’t surrendered when it was obvious they were surrounded. “Dummkopt!”

He booted the hapless Hun’s backside. One after another, until Kersting counted 30 soldiers and the officer; they filed out, hands held high. Each dropped a rifle, grenades, machine pistol or gun at his captor’s feet. As he saw his catch increasing to such numbers, Lt. Kerst­ ing covered them as Pvt. Nimphie kept his Garand ready.

On July 26, 1945, Kersting was killed in action and lies buried in France. He was recom­ mended for the Medal o f Honor by his commander.

— Ibid., Vol. 72, pages 87-90. Permission to reprint, courtesy o f Erling Larson, Iowa 1946. (No record was found o f Lt. Kersting receiving the M edal o f Honor. — Author)

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: F aith ful H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

178

C L A R K W. M ILLE R , H A N O V E R 1942 “H ero o f the Leyte G u lf Battle o f The P h ilip p in e s ” A sk any crewman on the escort aircraft carrier USS Om m aney Bay, “Who was the hero of Leyte Gulf?” He will reply w ithout hesitation, “That torpedo bom ber pilot, Lt. Miller. He saved us all!” Lt. (j.g.) M iller was often described as the hero of the Leyte Gulf battle of the Philippines in October 1944. Later, after the sinking o f the O m m aney Bay, he said: “I’m one of the luckiest guys to be alive.” The tall, broad-shouldered, likeable Navy pilot, who had the distinction of being the first pilot to land on Peleliu Island after its capture, was aboard the Om maney Bay when it was hit by bombs from a Japanese plane.

Lt. Miller was lucky; he escaped death twice on the Om m aney Bay. But it was his daring that saved his own and thousands of American lives and part of the U.S. 7th Fleet from an­ nihilation by a Japanese battleship group. He pitched a last torpedo from his plane into the lead ship of the Japanese fleet that was headed toward the Ommaney Bay and other ships of the 7th Fleet, thus routing the enemy fleet.

Excerpts here are from an article, “Plug that Last Rat Hole,” in the The Saturday Evening Post, Jan. 25, 1945, by Com­ mander C.E. Dickinson. Used by permission.

A t 6:38 a.m., when the search planes were launched, we all supposed they were setting off on the day’s prize mission.

But while those planes were still circling, waiting for the last of the fighters to be launched, we heard a distant reverberation.

Somewhere beyond the horizon, heavy guns were booming.

Lt. Clark M iller — hero o f Leyte G ulf

Then the calm voice of Admiral C.A.F. Sprague came to us through the radio speaker there on the bridge.

“We have an enemy fleet of battleships and cruisers 15

miles astern — closing. We are being fired on.” We had had no word about these Japanese ships coming through the strait until we heard the gunfire, followed by Admiral Sprague’s report. We knew there were 25 or 26 ships in that central (Japanese) force.

Our skipper, at 7:37, called the admiral, “We are ready to launch planes.” Now we could tell that the Japanese were shooting at us . . . not merely their cruiser's

8

-inch guns but

big 14-inchers of the Kongo-class battleship. After our torpedo planes had vanished north, the suspense was unbearable. Enemy salvos struck closer. Our planes were in the air.

How could we recover them, then launch another torpedo strike in time to save ourselves?

“Torpedo attack com pleted,” came the message from our aircraft. Then two of the three ships chasing us were slowing down. But the Japanese battleship plunged another salvo astern of us; we knew we were helpless to defend ourselves from that pursuing monster.

Torpedoes gone, our planes were stringing back, wanting to land again. But to take them aboard, we would have to go into the wind, into easy range of the battleship’s guns. By the time we had landed three or four planes, that Kongo would have us straddled even worse.

Then from Combat Information Center, Lt. Johnson reported that one of those returning

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

179

torpedo-plane pilots circling overhead had a problem. W hen we learned the nature of it, that flier couldn’t have grown more in importance if he had suddenly been recognized as the genie of A laddin’s lamp. “I still have my torpedo,” he radioed. “Request instructions.”

To illustrate, Lt. Miller opened his bomb-bay doors. We could see he still carried a torpedo.

W hat we gaped at was our one last chance to stop that battleship.

Miller had been dissatis­ fied with his run and had been unwilling to waste a thing as precious as his tor­ pedo. M iller got his instruc­ tions: “Go back and get that Jap battleship — and fast!”

We saw M iller peel off from the other planes and streak north alone. I d idn’t envy Torpedo bom ber sim ilar to the one flown by Lt. Miller

him at the time. We had

asked him, in effect, to probably die trying to do the impossible. We knew they would be shooting at him thousands of times a minute.

Miller, with his two gunners, flew right into all that anti-aircraft fire, low and close, so that when they did drop, there was no longer any chance for the enemy to turn his ship out of the path of their torpedo. They went so close that the rear gunner strafed the battleship deck as the plane ducked over it. Probably the battleship had been hit in our first attack, but not seriously damaged; however, M iller’s hit really discouraged the Japanese skipper.

The ship ceased firing, circled and headed back toward the other Japanese ships.

Every man I could see was laughing and cheering as people do right after the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. W hen Miller and his crew landed aboard the Om m aney Bay, their plane was badly shot up and was smoking alarmingly. Later, it was learned that Miller was aboard the Om maney Bay when it was sunk later and that he m iraculously escaped.

He said he dived overboard into the ocean and floated and swam around for about an hour before he was picked up by a U.S. destroyer. The lieutenant said censorship regulations prohibited him from telling the date and place of the sinking of the carrier.

After being picked up by the destroyer, Lt. Miller returned to the U.S., landing at San Francisco, Feb. 6,1945. W hen asked if he knew about the article in The Saturday Evening Post, he said that the first he heard about it was at Pearl Harbor while en route home. He said he thought the boys “were kidding me.” — Ibid., Vol. 72, pages 319-321 Since publication o f this story about Lt. Miller, “The Hero of the Leyte Gulf,” it was learned that another Beta played an important role in that historic naval battle. Lt. William S. Stewart, N o rth w e s te rn 1932, USNR, was the first to detect the approach of the Japanese fleet. He was closely associated with Lt. Miller on board the Om m aney Bay. W hen the order came to abandon ship, Lt. Stewart, Lt. M iller and two other officers went into the w ater together, tied to each other, and they were finally picked up together. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 416

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930\ Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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Continued from page 174 instead o f horses. — Ibid., Vol. 71, pages 203-204

JOHN H. WILKINS, JOHNS HOPKINS 1942 (2 DSCs) In the U.S. Army and A ir Force for 31 years, Wilkins retired as a major general. He was awarded a second DSC upon retirement from the A ir Force. A chief flight surgeon, his final assignment was as director, Medical, Inspection and Safety Center, Norton AFB.

DANIEL R. BEHN, IOWA SLATE 1943 (SS) Capt. Behn, USAA, received a Silver Star for gallantry in action on Attu in the Aleutians cam­ paign. niel — Ibid., Vol. 71 page 223

FRED CANNASTRA, ST. LAWRENCE 1943 (SS) Lt. (jg) Cannastra received the Silver Star for “gallantry and intrepidity in action during the D-Day landing in Normandy. Lt. Cannastra was a naval gunfire liaison officer with an infantry division, June 6-30, 1944. W hen a naval gunfire spotter was killed, he took over the duties in addition to his own. Under heavy fire, he sought observation in forward positions and conducted naval gunfire support for the advancing infantry and materially assisted in the final capture of M ontebourg.” He continued his combat service in the Philippines. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 339

THOMAS J. FERNLEY II, PENNSYLVANIA 1943 (SS) 1st Lt. Fernley, USA, killed in action in Germany April 24, 1945, was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. “On 24 April 1945, Lt. Fernley distinguished himself by skillfully and daringly leading and deploying his reconnaissance platoon well in advance of the infantry. During one engagement Lt. Fernley, exposing himself to intense enemy fire, dismounted from his armored car in order to place his weapon in the most advantageous position. Returning to his vehicle, he then covered the operation of his dismounted groups with

S in g h a n d e d ly Captured 28 G erm an so ld ie rs

machine gun fire until he was mortally wounded by a sniper.”

He also earned two Bronze Stars. Some 50 trees were planted at the University of Pennsylvania as a memorial to Lt. Fernley, a gift of his parents. See page 186.

WALTER FLOYD FLINT, JR., SOUTH DAKOTA 1943 (SS) Flint received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He died in 1966, age 46, in Yankton, S.D., where he was in real estate and insurance. — Ibid., Oct. 1967, page 78

JOHN R. (BOB) GILL, HANOVER 1943 (2 DFCs) In the Marine Corps, Gill was a turret gunner and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and eight A ir Medals. After the war, he and his brother operated Gill Brothers Heating, Plumbing and LP Gas Co. Active in many civic affairs, he died in 2006.

DONALD WALTON HEDGES, PENNSYLVANIA 1943 (DFC) Lt. (jg) Hedges was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for duty with the fighter squadron of Air Group 44 in the Pacific. He is credited with downing a Japanese torpedo plane that was attacking an aircraft carrier. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 336

WILLIAM J. KIEFER, ILLINOIS 1943 (SS) Alone in a tank hit by enemy guns, Kiefer directed artillery fire onto a German anti-tank battery.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

181

Lt. Kiefer received the Silver Star for “gallantry in action” in France with the 11th Armored Div., 3rd Army. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 337

MARVIN FRANKLIN MUIR, HANOVER 1943 (DSC) A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded posthum ously to Lt. Muir, USAAC, of Elkhart, Ind., “for extraordinary action as lead pilot in a wing element of C-47 aircraft, participating in a paratroop mission beyond enemy lines prior to the land invasion of Europe, June

6

, 1944. After

his ship was mortally hit by enemy ground fire, it burst into flam es while at an altitude of only 750 feet, less than three minutes from the drop zone.

“Although forced to leave formation, he courageously battled the controls (to) evacuate his paratroops in the drop zone. A fter the evacuation of the paratroops, he crash-landed the flaming aircraft to save his crew members trapped inside. The devotion to duty, heroism and service above self displayed by Lt. Muir reflect great credit on himself.” — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 485

HARRY B. PRICE, OHIO 1943 (DFC) Capt. Price, USAAC, received the Distinguished Flying Cross as a Thunderbolt pilot in the Pacific. — Ibid., Vol 73, page 309

GEORGE K. RAMSEY, YALE 1943 (DFC) 1st Lt. Ramsey, USAAC, holder of a Distinguished Flying Cross and A ir Medal, was missing in action March 18, 1944, in Germany on his 25th mission. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 419

JAMES GOODWIN ROBERTS, OREGON STATE 1943 (2 SSs) Arm y officer Roberts was awarded two Silver Stars for gallantry in action in the China-BurmaIndia Theater. He was also in the Korean War. A consulting mechanical engineer, he designed and built some of the largest sawmills and plywood plants on the Pacific coast. He was an ardent yachtsman, participating in the trans-Pacific to Honolulu sailing races. He died in 1964 at age 43. — Ibid., March 1965, page 378

JOHN G. RUCKER, DENISON 1943 PFC Rucker was listed in his hometown newspaper as “missing in action, May 23 ,1 9 4 4 .” Much of w hat happened from the day he was captured until he arrived back in the States was charac­ terized as “military secrets;” however, The Beta Theta Pi reported: “Jay, as Alpha Eta brothers called him, entered the Arm y June 24, 1943. He was shipped to Italy and assigned to battalion intelligence, night patrolling beyond the front lines. One night, men, returned alone. The next night, on a two-man patrol, he

A fte r four ddfigerOUS pdtrols, he WdS

alone came back. The third night, on a patrol of five men, he and

captured but later

Rucker, on a mission in German-held territory with two other

another were the sole survivors. This was typical.

escaped.

“On May 23,1944, he and 45 other men advanced up a ravine in the central sector o f Italy. Suddenly, they were ambushed and caught in a withering enemy crossfire. They hit the ground and tried to crawl to cover. There was little to be had. Only 24 men lived to be taken prisoner. Rucker had started with 60 rounds of carbine ammunition loaded into four full magazines; when he was captured, he had two rounds left.

“Besides his carbine, Rucker had a trench knife in his belt. The others had disposed of theirs because they had heard the Germans kill their enemies with their own weapons if they find them Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9 : F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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BETA HEROES

armed with knives. Jay noticed an officer approaching who had spied his knife. When the Ger­ man took the knife and raised his arm, Jay lost consciousness. When he came to, he found that he had not been knifed.

“Rucker was placed in a transient prison camp surrounded by three bands of barbed wire. He and another tried to escape. They failed. Moved north to another camp, he again tried to escape.

This time his plan was nearly foolproof, but he was caught in the attempt.

“Finally, he was moved to another camp nearer Germany. Again he thought of an escape. This time the odds were about 99 to 1 against success. He and another man made a break for it. They had been gone but four minutes before they were discovered. As they fled, the Germans opened up with rifles, machine guns, pistols, even mortars, but their aim was poor. The pair ran for seven miles without stopping, a feat beyond all comprehension. Finally stopping, they were shot at by a sniper, so they had to move on. After well over 100 miles, they made it back to their lines. He gained back most of the 56 pounds he lost during his ordeal in Italy.” — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 166

JOHN WHITNEY SEARS, KANSAS STATE 1943 (DFC) “For heroism,” Lt. Sears, MIA since October 1942, was awarded the DFC for action in the South Pacific, decorated posthum ously “for extraordinary achievem ent against the enemy,” September 30, October 2 and October 4 over the Solomon Islands. On all three occasions, he and his crew of a heavy bombardm ent airplane delivered their bombs on enemy oil supplies in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire. The plane was lost on October 4. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 651

FOSTER SEETING STOLP, IOWA STATE 1943 (DFC) Lt. Stolp, navigator on a Flying Fortress (B-17, below), missing in action, May 11, 1944, was later confirmed as one of seven crew members killed when their plane was struck by anti-aircraft fire over Saarbrucken, Germany. It was on his final flight, his 13th; he was to return to the U.S. as an instructor on completion of that flight. He held five A ir Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple Heart. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 179

BURKHEAD B. WALKER, DAVIDSON 1943 (SS) Lt. Walker received a Silver Star for “gallantry in action on the Oct. 23, 1944, in France. On three occasions during the day, Lt. W alker fearlessly exposed himself to enemy fire. During an enemy counterattack, he effectively directed friendly artillery and mortar fire on the enemy. He later organized a group of men, under intense fire, to move an anti-tank cannon into a better firing position; then he climbed onto

Highly decorated Lt. Foster Stolp died in his B-17 on his final bombing mission over Germany.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

183 a tank destroyer and from the top of the open turret directed cannon fire on a concealed enemy tank, destroying it.”

On Dec. 22, he was awarded a Bronze Star for “heroic achievem ent against the enemy on November 17. Although painfully wounded, weakened by loss of blood, Lt. W alker remained in a forward area, directing and adjusting artillery fire upon enemy installations. Not until darkness caused a lull in operations did he report for medical attention.” — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 439

CHARLES S. BURTON, JR., OKLAHOMA 1944 (SS) No details have been learned about the heroic actions which earned Lt. Burton’s Silver Star.

CHARLES CLARK, ST. LAWRENCE 1944 (DFC) S/Sgt. Clark received the Distinguished Flying Cross and four A ir Medals as a gunner in a B-17 crew. He was injured on his 25th mission in the European theater. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 340

ROBERT MURRAY FINLAYSON, MICHIGAN 1944 (DFC) A decorated World W ar II USAAC veteran, Finlayson received the DFC, Purple Heart and Air Medal and survived captivity as a POW. He was a managing partner of Ernst & Young, New York City, 1968-81. He died in Florida in 1996, age 73. — Ibid., w inter 1997, page 34

JOHN M. WHITE, AMHERST 1944 (2 DFCs, 2 SSs) In the USAAC, piloting 100 missions, 1st Lt. W hite earned two Silver Stars and two DFCs. After the war, he had a career in New York City in the exhibit design field, including works in Montreal and San Antonio and the presidential libraries for Nixon, Ford and George H.W. Bush. He was well-known for his amazing memory to recite Latin dicta and poetry. He died in 2004.

EDWARD G. WELCH, CALIFORNIA 1944 (SS) An officer in the U.S. Navy with most of his duty aboard submarines, he received the Silver Star for outstanding heroism when his submarine was damaged so that it could not dive. After his wartime service, he was the quarterback of the California Golden Bears. He continued in the active Submarine Reserve Forces, retiring as a captain in 1974 following 34 years of service.

He worked for General Dynamics at its submarine shipyard, then Ebasco Services construction and engineering. From 1964 until retirement, he was with Pacific Power and Light as research manager. His death was noted in 1998. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 494; spring 1998, page 20

JAMES W. LOGAN, ST. LAWRENCE 1945 (SS) S/Sgt. Logan, age 20, personally machine-gunned 50 Germans in an hour and-a-half, stopping only when no more came out of the brush and mist toward him. In that same hour and-a-half, his platoon, with four .30-caliber machine guns and 21 men, stopped the advance of an entire Ger­ man battalion. The troops on the scene dubbed it Dread Heinie Hill.” A freshman at St. Lawrence before the Army called him, Logan saw his gun jam once during the fray but restored it to action just in time. For his heroism, he received the Silver Star. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 336

GUY E. McGAUGHEY, YALE 1945 (SS) McGaughey, a Navy frogman earned a Silver Star at Okinawa, clearing sea mines and con­ ducting reconnaissance of beach fronts. He practiced oil and gas law. He died in 1997. — Ibid., w inter 1998, page 34

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

184

BETA HEROES

JACK EDWARD TREW, OREGON 1945 (SS) Army S/Sgt. Trew was KIA in Italy, Feb. 20,1945, while with Co. L,

8 6

th Mountain Infantry. “While

cleverly concealed machine guns and intense artillery fire halted his com pany’s advance, Trew maneuvered for

yards into concentrated fire to seek enemy locations and direct counterfire.

1 0 0

By skillful movement over rugged terrain he reached a ridge and, finding him self com pletely open to observation, opened well-aimed fire with his rifle. The enemy, seeing him exposed, returned fire. Mortally wounded, he selected targets and indicated new locations from which his company destroyed the German positions.” — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 417

CARL L. HOAG, JR., STANFORD 1946 (DSC) On Nov. 30, 1944, the USAAC B-17 bomber Mary Alice dropped her bombs over vital military installations deep in Germany. Lt. Hoag was the navigator on board. As the bomber discharged her cargo of bombs and started on her return trip, the air filled with flak. Again and again, the enemy fire found its mark. First one then another of the four huge engines were knocked out.

Control cables were severed but the crippled plane flew on. The waist gunner and engineer were wounded. Finally, anti-aircraft fire burst through the floor of the navigator's compartment, sm ash­ ing H oag’s table into splinters that pierced his eyes. Blinded and with agonizing injuries, Hoag held open one eye with his fingers. Using dead reckoning together with what data the pilot could offer on airspeed and instrument readings, Lt. Hoag mapped the homeward flight of the severely crippled plane through dense clouds. Forfour hours, the battered Fortress pushed toward England.

Hoag recovered his vision and returned to duty. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 243

RICHARD CHARLES MEEHAN, UNION 1946 After a year at Union, he served three years in the USAAC, receiving seven Bronze Stars in the Pacific Theater. Some say it is the most Bronze Stars ever awarded to a single serviceman in the Pacific Theater. He returned to Union where he played baseball.

THOMAS LLOYD HAYES, OREGON STATE 1947 (2 DFCs, SS, CDG, Ace) Born in Portland, Ore., in 1917, Brigadier General Hayes was a USAAC pilot in both the Eu­ ropean and South Pacific Theaters. He was the first Ace (credited with eight and-a-half enemy planes) in the storied 357th Fighter Group, nicknamed the “Yoxford Boys,” which racked up the highest kill ratio for the U.S. Army Air Corps in the European Theatre.

In World W ar II action, he led the first successful daylight raid and the first long-range attack on Berlin on March

6

, 1944. He flew the only P-51D that participated in the Normandy invasion,

flying two missions on D-Day. He named his P-51 after the popular 1940s song, I Love You Madly, e x p re s s in g his d e e p lo ve for his wife. He received the Silver Star for destroying two Japanese Zeros, two DFCs, the French Croix de Guerre as well as the Purple Heart for injuries received when his plane w as sh ot dow n o ver Bali. He died in 2008.

Hayes flew his P-51 in the Norm andy invasion on D-Day. Ibid.: The B eta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4 B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

185

JOHN LEONARD NALL, OHIO 1948 (DFC) With the

8

th A ir Force, he earned the DFC and Air Medal. He was ass’t. director, West Virginia

Industrial and Publicity Commission at his death in 1993. — Ibid., convention 1993, page 42

THOMAS C. BRIGHT, DARTMOUTH 1949 With Arm y troops landing on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France in June 1944, Bright fought across the continent, including the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Purple Heart. He made a pilgrimage back to Europe for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. Bright is listed here for his courage on D -Day and the difficult days that followed, representa­ tive o f prossibly m any other brave Betas, unknown to the author, who also fought and/or died in landings and other actions against the enem y in the war.

GEORGE R. STYSKAL, WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON 1949 (DFC) Styskal flew more than 100 missions in World W ar II, earning the DFC and A ir Medal. He was vice president, Chemical Bank, N.Y.C., dying in 1998. — Ibid., fall 1998, page 36

ALBERT JOSEPH JAEGER, MISSISSIPP11950 (9 DFCs) An A ir Force pilot of a B-17 bomber in World War II, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross with an almost unbelievable eight Oak Leaf Clusters, flying 35 missions. In 1950, he was recalled to duty in the Korean War, serving for 21 months and receiving a Bronze Star.

Returning to College “The rich heritage which is ours!”

by J. Julian Dedman, Oklahoma State 1945, USNR, “portrays their enthusiasm as veterans look for­ ward to resuming their Beta ties, disrupted by the war. For has not every Beta at one tim e or other, yearned for that warm association, which so typifies Beta Theta Pi? “Betas are returning to college life fresh in the memory of brotherly contacts made in every part o f the globe, more fully conscious of the great extent of the Beta dominion, and endowed with the contageous spirit that is the ‘Beta Spirit,’” he said.

Ensign Dedm an prepared the cartoon specifically for The Beta Theta Pi, at the request of thenEditor, Thad Byrne, W ashington THE RICH HERITAGE W HICH IS OURS!

sta te 1925.

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta B o ok.1930, Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9 F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

186

BETA HEROES

NAMED IN MEMORY OF BETAS In addition to medals, comm emorative plaques, mem orial windows and Am erican Legion Posts, the nam es o f heroic Betas have been applied to a num ber o f m ilitary installations, ships, streets, etc.

U.S. Army, Letterman Army Hospital, Calif.: Dr. Jonathan Letterman, Washington & Jefferson 1845, Civil War, Union Medical Director, Arm y o f the Potom ac, 1862-64.

See page 86.

U.S. Army, Fort Gordon, Ga.: Gen. John B. Gordon, Georgia 1845, Civil W ar hero, U.S. Senator, Governor. See page 87.

Arthur L. Hedrick Viaduct, Kansas City, Mo.: Arthur L. Hedrick, Yale 1908, World War Dr. Letterman (seated, left) and his sta ff

I. See page 108.

U.S. A ir Force Base, Paine Field, Ev­

erett, Wash.: Topliff O. Paine, Washington 1916. A World W ar I aviation officer, after his discharge, he was one of the first men to volunteer for the hazardous air mail service of the early 1920s, losing his life in an airplane crash in 1922. — Ibid, Vol. 69, page 279 U.S. A ir Force Base, Keesler Field, Miss.: Samuel R. Keesler, Davidson 1917, World War I. See page 118.

USS M acLeish, Navy destroyer: Kenneth MacLeish, Yale 1918, Royal Air F o rca World War I. He was considered one of the best pilots of his group. After many raids over enemy lines, his RAF squadron was attacked by a large number of German planes. M acLeish’s plane was shot down; he was killed instantly.

See page 122.

l((P J lflfc :

USAAC Base, Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho: Paul R. Gowen, Idaho 1930.

j j i p fe .

A W est Point graduate, age 28, he was killed in a crash in Panama, July 11, 1938. See page 145.

Ballard Armory, Florida National Guard, Miam, Fla.i: M ajor General Robert A. Ballard, Florida 1935, World W ar II. See page 148.

W orld War II Victory M edal

McGuire Air Force Base, Trenton, N. J.:: Thom as Buchanon M cGuire, Jr., Georgia Tech 1942, World W ar II Ace, recipient of Medal of Honor. He was shot down in The Philippines Jan. 7, 1945, after flying 240 combat missions, shooting down 38 Japa­ nese planes, second most in World W ar II. See pages 5 and 171.

50 trees planted, University of Pennsyl­ vania campus: Thomas J. Fernley II, Penn­ sylvania 1943, World W ar II. See page 180.

W orld War l l ’s second leading ace Capt.

Thomas McGuire (right), 38 kills, with top ace Maj. R ichard Bong, 40 kills

USMC Camp Snyder, Kyushu, Japan: Bernard Snyder, B eloit 1943, World W ar II.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

187

WORLD WAR II PRISONERS OF WAR After Italy capitulated, World W ar II ended with successive unconditional surrenders, first by the Germans, signalling Victory in Europe (VE-Day) on May 7, 1945, followed by victory over Japan (VJ-Day) on Aug. 14, 1945. Each of the peace agreem ents meant freedom for thousands of allied prisoners of war. Some of them are featured on the following pages.

The w ar in the Pacific had been predicted to last many months longer, achieved only with an anticipated costly human toll with the invasion of Japan’s main islands; however, President Tru­ man approved dropping the new atom ic bombs, first on Hiroshima and days later on Nagasaki.

W hile Japan’s Emperor Hirohito had vowed to fight to the death, the reality of the new weapon forced his submission within days. The surrender was consumated on the deck of the Battleship USS M issouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay.

P O W medal

This full-page political cartoon, depicting weeping people among a sea o f white crosses, by famous Beta Theta Pi cartoonist Ding Darling, appeared nationally and in The Beta Theta Pi, Vol. 12, page 480.

‘Ah yes, Germ any has surrendered. ” Ibid. 6 : The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The B eta B o o k ,1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933, Ibid. 9: F aith ful Hom e o f the Three Stars, 1988

188

BETA HEROES

DARIUS A. DAVIS, SYRACUSE 1907 Decorated by five countries for his service to the cause of humanity, Dr. Davis played a leading role in bringing comfort and hope to the six million people behind barbed wire. He was associate general secretary, World Committee of the YMCA; as executive, W ar Prisoners Aid of the YMCA, he was a recognized authority on (1) the needs of POWs all over the world and (2) the Geneva Convention o f 1929, which prescribes their rights and treatment and the duties of their captors.

Early in World W ar II, working with the World Committee in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr. Davis organized services to POWs in England and visited prison camps in France and Germany to maintain first-hand knowledge of conditions and to plan for the constantly expanding work of the W ar Prisoners Aid, which ultimately served millions of prisoners throughout the world.

After the U.S. entered the war, Dr. Davis transferred his activities to the New York City office of War Prisoners Aid. His W ar Prisoners A id M anual was used in prison camps everywhere. After the outbreak o f World W ar I, he was transferred to Europe in charge of YMCA work for prisoners of war in France, Italy and Sardinia. When the U.S. entered the war, General John (Black Jack) Pershing sent for Dr. Davis and urged a wide extension of YMCA w ork in the French Army, say­ ing “This is the greatest service Am erica can now render to the cause of the Allies.” As a result, Dr. Davis became the senior American representative in the work of the Foyer du Soldat, which established about 1,600 huts, most of them in the fighting zone. — Ibid., Vol. 71, pages 397-399

An alumni association in Germany The first Beta Theta Pi Alum ni Association in Germany held its organizational meeting on an historic date (to Betas): Aug. 8, 1944, in a prison camp for captured A ir Corps personnel, reported by 2nd Lt. Marshall Lee Pilert, J o h n s H o p k in s 1941, in a special air-mail “Kriegsgepangenenpost” letter to Beta General Treasurer James L. Gavin, D ePauw 1896. The letter, dated Aug. 12, 1944, was carefully printed in capital letters, in pencil.

“DEAR JIM: BETAS AT THIS AIR FORCE PRISON CAMP HELD THEIR FIRST MEETING ON AUG. 8, 1944. RANKING MAN AND OLDEST BETA OF US ALL IS LT. COL. MELVIN F. MCNICKLE, SOUTH DAKOTA 1936 THE OTHERS: CAPTAIN TERRENCE M. WILLIAMS, SOUTH DAKOTA 1942; LIEUTENANTS DON ELDREDGE, BELOIT 1940; WILLIAM B. FERGUSON, WHITMAN 1939; ROBERT W. FREIHOFER, COLGATE 1942: HARRY B. HAMILTON, WESTMINSTER 1939: M. LEE PILERT, JOHNS HOPKINS 1941; GEORGE K. RAMSEY, YALE 1941. CAPTAIN JOHN M. BENNETT, DENVER 1941. LIVES IN ANOTHER COMPOUND AND COULDN’T BE WITH US. “SOME OF THESE BOYS COULD TELL YOU SOME REALTALES. ‘COL. MAC’CRASHED, UNCONSCIOUS, FROM 12,000 FEET IN A B-17 AND WAS QUITE LITERALLY DUG OUT OF THE GROUND. HE IS NOW OUR CAMP ADJUTANT. BENNETT AND ELDREDGE, BOTH CAPTURED IN 1942, WERE AMONG THE FIRST FORTRESS’ CREWS SHOT DOWN. “WE’RE ALL W ELLAND VERY EAGER FOR BETA NEWS. OUR LIFE SUBSCRIPTION TO THE BETA THETA PI DOESN’T DO US A N Y GOOD HERE, AND ALL OF US HAVE BEEN ‘OUT OF TOUCH’ FOR SOME YEARS. MORE LITERALLY THAN EVER BEFORE, WE’RE CARVING ‘DAT OLE BETA DISH!’ WHAT WE NEED IS THE LOVING CUP AND WHAT GOES WITH IT! “I HOPE YOU’LL FORWARD THIS TO THE GENERAL SECRETARY. THE EUROPEAN BETA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SENDS ITS WARMEST BEST WISHES TO ALL BROTHERS IN BETA THETA PI EVERYWHERE. WE HOPE TO GREET YOU SOON WITH A GOOD OLD BETA GRIP. PLEASE GIVE M Y BEST TO HERB SMITH AND BILL DAWSON. — LOYALLY YOURS IN ___ KAI___ , MARSHALL LEE PILERT”

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

189

ALFRED COOKMAN OLIVER, JR., WEST VIRGINIA 1906 Chaplain Oliver ministered to fellow POWs in the Philippines.

Col. Oliver, fighting man of God who became the spiritual leader of his fellow prisoners of w ar in the Philippines, died in 1952. The valiant Arm y chaplain was still wearing his souvenir of the prison camp, a neck brace. Two vertebrae in his neck had been crushed by the butt of a Japanese rifle when he refused to tell how medical supplies were being smuggled into the Cabanatuan (Luzon) Prison Camp. He was a POW from April 1942 to March 1945, one o f 511 Americans rescued.

W hile a prisoner, Col. Oliver suffered innumerable beatings because he insisted on the right to hold divine services and to give last rites to the dying. W hile a prisoner, he was nominated for promotion to colonel. He received the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with two clusters and Purple Heart.

The Methodist chaplain’s military service began in 1917 with the Coast Defenses of Baltimore. A fter four years as chief chaplain at W alter Reed Medical Center, Washington, DC, Col. Oliver w ent to the Philippines in 1940. — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 532 The article, “Three Years a Prisoner,” by Gilbert Malcolm, Dickinson 1915, described how Col. Oliver turned his head at the right moment when struck by an enemy soldier and averted a crushed skull, perhaps even death: “O liver’s captors named him to command Camp No. 1 but became dissatisfied when the prisoners were not dying as rapidly as the Japanese expected. Presumably, medicines were being smuggled into the camp to offset malaria and other tropical fevers. The camp com m ander had Oliver hauled before him. When the chaplain refused to talk, he was placed in soitary confinement.

“After a lengthy confinement, he was again brought for questioning. As he stood over a basin washing his face, he sensed someone behind him and turned his head just as a Japanese swung the butt end o f his rifle.The rifle butt hit him at the base of his neck, fracturing his vertebra.” — Ibid., July 1945, page 415

Upon the liberation o f his prison camp, Chaplain A lfred O liver describes the horrors o f prison life to his old friend, General Douglas MacArthur.

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7. The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith fu l H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

190

BETA HEROES

RALPH FRENCH RAWSON, WASHINGTON 1915 Following graduate work in history at the University of Washington, he spent the next 32 years in The Philippines in education and transportation administration. After his capture by the Japa­ nese at the beginning of W orld W ar II, he escaped from prison and for four years encouraged and directed guerrilla movements in southern Luzon. The war over, he spent the next three years re-establishing the transportation company of which he was president, fulfilling the promise of em ployment once the struggle was over to some 1,500 employees who remained faithful to the U.S. In 1949, he returned to Seattle. He died in 1976.

EDWARD M. DAVIDSON, CASE 1917 A veteran of both world wars, he died in 1948, ending a life that held more than its share of adventure and struggle. He was still recovering from the effects of being torpedoed and shelled by the Germans and starved by the Japanese for three years in a Singapore prison camp.

He joined the Navy in World War I and made his mark as an intrepid com m ander who would take his ship u n d erfire and execute his assignments. Between the wars, he was with a leading firm in the railroad and construction industries.

Prior to the start of World W ar II, he was in the merchant marine, a quartermaster on the Tide W ater tanker William P. Hum phrey at the time of his wounding and capture. After 36 months in Japanese prison camps, Davidson wanted to return to Pacific waters with the merchant marine, but doctors said “no.” Davidson, who had ships sunk under him in both world wars, survived w hile younger and healthier men succumbed or committed suicide. He was a quartermaster on the American tanker Wiliam F. Humphrey, en route from Capetown, S.A., to New York. Nine days from New York, July 16, 1942, the tanker was attacked by a German raider.

After being shelled and torpedoed for half an hour, the tanker’s crew was lowered over the side into lifeboats and taken prisoner aboard the raider. Void of clothes when rescued, he had to w ear a German Navy uniform until he was liberated. After three months, the submarine captain took Davidson and nine other men to Singapore and turned them over to the Japanese; the remaining 47 men were taken to Tokyo.

Torpedoed and shelled, was starved by the Japanese

Davidson lost 95 pounds (down from 186 pounds), was beaten almost daily and was bedfast for more than six months w ithout proper medical attention. After six blood transfusions, he was taken to Changi prison where he spent the next 27 months. At Changi, there were two Am ericans and 26,000 British and Dutch prisoners.

The food ration was seven ounces o f rice a day; and, for 18 months, they lived on dogs and cats. The last six months, they ate nothing but toads because they had eaten everything else on the island that could walk or crawl. In the first three weeks, 700 died from malnutrition. There were at least three or four suicides a day.

Quartered on old tugs and boats, they slept standing up as the boat was infested with rodents.

Thousands of tons o f Red Cross packages were sent to them, but none were turned over to the prisoners. On Sept

6

, 1945, he was flown to Calcutta, India, the first prisoner off Singapore

island. — Ibid., Vol. 73, pages 471-472

RAY M. O’DAY, WASHINGTON STATE 1945 Survivor of the Bataan Death March and past national com m ander of the Ex-Prisoners of War, Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

191 Col. O ’Day died in 1976 in Seattle, Wash. He was the senior advisor to the 21st Philippine Army Division when he was captured in the fall of Bataan in 1942. He was among the first group of soldiers on Bataan driven on the Death March to Camp O ’Donnell in central Luzon.

Col. O’Day had also served during World W ar I and was stationed in Hawaii, 1922-28. He became head of Washington State U niversity’s ROTC in 1929 and a transportation officer at Se­ attle’s Port. He headed the University of Arkansas ROTC in 1947 and was head of the University of W ashington’s Arm y ROTC in 1951. He retired in 1953. — Ibid., Sept. 1976, page 78 O ’Day, founder of the National Prisoner of W ar Association, spoke at Beta’s 28th Annual Northwest Songfest, March 1969, in Spokane, Wash., and recalled attending a Beta convention just prior to going to the Philippines in fall 1941 — the 102nd on Mackinac Island, Mich. — and singing many Beta songs. It was these songs, he said, that kept running through his mind during the long difficult (death) march. — Ibid., June 1969, page 421

HAVELOCK DAVID NELSON, WITTENBERG 1924 Major Nelson was shot and killed by a Japanese firing squad at O’Donnell Prison, June 15, 1942. On Brig. Gen. James R. W eaver’s staff with the 192nd Cavalry before their surrender on Bataan, the Philippines, he made the death march to O ’Donnell prison where he was sentenced to die, along with other U.S. and Filipino men. He was still alive after the firing squad left and was able to escape to the mountains. He was found there by a Filipino guerrilla who cared for him until his death. He also was in the Marine Corps in W orld W ar I and participated in the march on the Rhine and the occupation. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 416

FREDERICK OECHNER, TULANE 1924 Former chief o f the Berlin bureau of the United Press and central European manager, Oechsner was interned with other American correspondents at Bad Nauheim, Germany, after Pearl Harbor. He wrote the “best book yet published in this country about the Third Reich at war,” This is the Enemy, in its second large printing. Reviewers offered

After internment, he wrote “the best book” about the Third Reich.

high praise o f this “best seller.” — Ibid., Vol. 70, pages 467-468

H. FORD WILKINS, ST. LAWRENCE 1924 Famous journalist captured while broadcasting news of the Pearl Harbor attack. See his bi­ ography, page 141.

JOHN R. ATWELL, CENTRE 1929 A Japanese prisoner for three and-a-half years following the fall of Bataan, The Philippines, Atwell was with the Arm y’s 194th Tank Battalion. He was released in September 1945. After the war, he was with Hormel & Co. until retiring in January 1963. He died in 1963 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. — Ibid., Jan. 1964, page 270

GERALD HENRY HOFFMAN, WASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS 1929 Major Hoffman, 36, with the Arm y Engineers, was one o f the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor.

He died as a prisoner of war in the hospital at Camp O ’Donnell, the Philippines, in May 1942 of tropical malaria contracted when, after the terible “Death March o f Bataan,” the Japanese took him back into the jungle on a work detail. “Gerry” was a big man, powerfully muscled and “waded right through the campaign, doing a wonderful jo b ,” in the words of a fellow engineer officer, but Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The B eta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9 : F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

192

BETA HEROES

it was too much even for one o f his physique. Playing guard on the university football team for three years , he was heavyweight boxing champion. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 81

CLYDE BOZORTH, VIRGINIA 1934 A civilian, Bozorth was among the prisoners who walked to freedom when the gates of Santo Tomas were opened by U.S. troops in 1945. With his wife, he was in the Philippines for a tobacco company when the Japanese seized the islands. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 345

WILLIAM KANTZER, STANFORD 1934 Kantzer, U.S. Maritime Marines, was assistant purser of the SS President Harrison when he was taken prisoner by the Japanese along with the entire crew on the day

V U Philippine Liberation

medal

of the Pearl Harbor attack, Dec. 7, 1941, when his ship was just a few miles from Shanghai, China. He was taken to North China, Manchuria, Korea and finally to Japan, where he was freed by units of the 3rd Fleet at Tokyo Bay, Aug. 30, 1945.

DONALD RICHARD SNOKE, WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON 1934 Capt. Snoke, USACA, a Japanese prisoner since the fall o f Corregidor in spring 1942, was killed in the Pacific area, Dec. 15, 1944, while being transported aboard a Japanese vessel to Japan.

He was being moved from a prison camp in the Philippines when the ship was sunk mistakenly

by U.S. bombers. A graduate of W est Point in 1939, he was an officer with the U.S. Army Coast Artillery until he was captured at Corregador. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 179

MASON C. DOBSON, BELOIT 1935 Corporal Dobson was captured at Dieppe. He had enlisted in the Essex Scottish Regiment in June 1940 and had been overseas since January 1941. When the British Commandos, sup­ ported by Canadian and U.S. contingents, made their costly raid on Dieppe, Dobson was with them. He didn’t come back.

Finally, a letter arrived at his parents’ home: “I am safe and a prisoner of war, along with many of my friends. I was lucky and am unwounded.” He swam several hours to a boat, but it was later sunk and he had to give up. “ I am fit and getting along fine; clothing was supplied, and we share Red Cross parcels.” Three out of four men of his unit were casualties at Dieppe. He was in Stalag VIII B, Germany. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 459

PAUL WOODWARD, DICKINSON 1936 A civilian employee of Standard Vacuum Oil Co. of New York, W oodward was on Bataan and Corrigidor when allied forces surrendered because he had left Manila to drive a truckload of gasoline to Bataan. As a prisoner of war, he remained in the Philippines until Oct. 1, 1944, when he was transferred with other prisoners to a troop ship bound for Hong Kong. He died a few days later due to the overcrowded conditions aboard and was buried at sea. — Ibid., Vol. 17, page 346

JOHN J. MORRETT, OHIO STATE 1939 Commissioned an Army 2nd lieutenant, he attended the Episcopal Theological School, Cam­ bridge, Mass., before being called to serve in W orld W ar II. Captured on Bataan in April 1942, he made the fam ous “Death M arch,” endured four Japanese prison camps, finally escaping from a prison ship in September 1944.

W hile being transferred with others on a ship that was torpedoed, he and others escaped by Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2; The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3; B eta Lore; Ibid. 4; Beta Life; Ibid. 5; B e tas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

193

swimming to the nearest shore which proved to be Zamboanga. The group made contact with M acArthur’s headquarters in New Guinea and they were transported by PT boat to Australia.

Capt. Morrett was one o f 175 men who were held captive in a Japanese transport when an American submarine torpedoed it. Trapped in the hold of the transport, he and 82 others managed to reach the shore where they were cared for by Filipino guerrillas until hospitalized to Australia.

A t the time o f the torpedoing, they were stowed in the hold so tightly they could only stand up, which lasted for 18 days. Only the strongest escaped complete exhaustion.

They received less than a cup of water a day. From their stifling quarters below deck, they heard two bombing attacks preceding the sub raid. Frantic, they tried to escape, but were deliberately fired upon by their guards. Some were killed; others were hunted down by enemy patrol boats as they swam the two miles to shore. At least 30 were brutally executed, Morrett reported.

In prison camp, the Americans did pick-and-shovel work on airfields while deprived of shoes.

So emaciated were they at first that the Japanese increased their food rations to fatten them up for work. Later the ration was reduced. Guards often beat them with clubs, said Morrett. On many days they were not allowed salt, although they were working in a blazing sun. — Ibid., Vol. 12, page 442; A pril 1911, page 389: A fter the war, he completed his education, graduating in 1947, was married and w ent to China to do missionary work. The comm unist takeover forced them to Hawaii where he built a small parish into the second-largest independent church in the islands, 1949-62. In 1962, he became dean of the Hawaiian cathedral. After their 21 years in Hawaii, the rector and his fam ily returned to the mainland. His book, Soldier-Priest: An Adventure in Faith, is M orrett’s autobiography as his callings took him from China to Hawaii, to Ohio, Thailand and Cambodia and back to Hawaii.

“I make no apologies for having been a soldier who served in honorable defense. W ar is terribly wrong . . . but as a priest I have never doubted my calling. Life is complex, a mixture of good and evil.” — Ibid., spring 2000, page 1

ROBERT S. OVERBECK, COLUMBIA 1938 Nearly three years after he was captured at the fall of Bataan, Lt. Overbeck m iraculously es­ caped when a Japanese prison ship sank in the China sea. He went to The Philippines in 1939, where he held several different positions in mining. W hen w ar broke out, he w ent with the Army at Bataan and was captured when it fell.

Months later, he was one o f 1,775 POWs jam m ed into the filthy hold of a small Japanese transport, after living through the horrors of several enemy work camps in the Philippines. Each prisoner was fed a teacup o f rice twice daily and a canteen o f

One o f only five men among 1,775 U.S. prisoners on board a sinking ship to survive

dirty water a day. Many became ill; the heat was stifling, the stench was unbearable. Most prisoners could only stand or squat because they were crowded so tightly together. Hundreds w ent out of their minds.

Early in the evening of Oct. 24, 1944, there was a babble of voices on deck as the crew fled first to one end of the ship, then to the other. Then came a trem endous jo lt which wrenched the steel hull apart amidships, partially exposing the hold where the prisoners were held. The ship had been hit by a torpedo from an allied submarine. Every man who could move clambered on Continued on page 195 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9 : F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

194

BETA HEROES

JOSEPH MORTON, JR., NEBRASKA 1935 An AP correspondent, he was captured and executed by the Germans.

Morton, an Associated Press correspondent who distinguished him self by his coverage o f the w ar in the Mediterranean, was executed by the Germans Jan. 24, 1945, after his capture in Slovakia. He had accompanied a military mission of 17 Am ericans and British who w ent to assist Slovak patriots in a revolt, and the entire group was taken prisoner at Blankska Bystrica, central Slovakia, 125 miles north of Budapest. All were killed. Morton was executed at the Nazi concentration camp in Mau Hausen, a small Austrian town on the Danube 10 miles from Linz.

An enthusiastic foreign correspondent since joining the Associated Press eight years earlier, he had an exclusive interview with King Mihai, Romania, Sept. 7, 1944, one of the great news stories of the year. The N ew York Times, in an editorial, said it had in it all the elements “o f glamor, romance, comedy, dram atic suspense and rapid action. It is the ‘Pris­ oner of Zenda’ all over again.” Only a few months earlier, he had made journalism history with his interview of Yugoslavia’s head of state, Marshall Tito.

M orton’s war correspondence began in W est Africa, where he accompanied a secret mili­ tary mission. In May 1942, he was on a troop ship which carried the first African-American task force to Liberia. W hen he learned U.S. troops were headed for Dakar, he w ent overland and reached there

2 0

days before any other correspondent.

In January 1943, he obtained permission to make the trip to the U.S. on the French battleship Richelieu, the only correspondent aboard. So far as is known, he was the only correspondent executed by the Germans. — Ibid, Vol. 73, pages 265-267 When Morton left the U.S. to return to the w ar fronts, he said he hoped to dig some “real news” out of the Balkans in which he had long been interested. He Interviewed Yugoslavia’s Marshal Tito and King Michael of Romania. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 96

Associated Press’s Joe Morton interviews Vlado Zecevic, Yugoslavia’s interior minister, in N ovem ber 1944.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

195

Continued from page 193 deck. Hundreds of helpless men swam about as two enemy destroyers churned the water with depth charges. The destroyers picked up Japanese but beat away the Americans with clubs.

Only five men were believed to have escaped, and they reached a 14th Air Force camp, com­ manded by Gen. Claire Chennault, who boarded them on a transport which flew them over enemy territory to safety. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 335 (M ay 1943)

ALBERT H. CHESTNUT, MIT 1939 Lt. Chestnut, a 26-year-old survivor of the infamous Death March from Bataan to Camp O’Donnell, was imprisoned for three years in Japanese prison camps where his captors systemati­ cally starved him. His weight dwindled from 140 to 106 pounds. W hat saved him? “The grim will to live,” he said. “Over and over, we kept saying to ourselves: ‘W hatever happens, I’m going to be here when the Yanks and the tanks get here.’ You talk about food all day long, and you dream about food at night. I used to like to go to bed because I

Survivor o f the Bataan Death March, he was a PO W for three years.

could dream about food. You see, I was one of the lucky ones.

Most fellows dreamed about steaks and ice cream, but ju st as they were reaching for them, they would wake up. I didn’t. I always got a chance to eat in my dream s.”

With the 200th USAA (anti-aircraft) when Bataan fell, he lived on one meal a day and walked four miles to get it. On the Death March, April 10-17,1942, he had one handful of rice. “I cut down a banana tree,” the form er mining engineer recalled, “and ate the soft heart o f the tree. Some fellows used to slip into the sugarcane fields and eat the canes. The Japanese would fire into the canes, but I don’t think they hit many.” At Camp O ’Donnell, more than 1,200 Am ericans died in two months. Chestnut was moved to Cabanatuan, w here men died so rapidly it was a problem to get anyone strong enough to dig graves. — Ibid., Jan. 1946, pages 231-232

WALTER NEWTON FORESTER, ILLINOIS 1939 1st Lt. Forester, USA Infantry, died in a POW camp, May 21,1943, in the Philippines. He joined the Army after graduation and trained at Fort Custer. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 185

GEORGE S. GRANGER, DENVER 1939 Capt. Granger was among some 60 U.S. POWs liberated from Stalag 79 in Germany. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 57

KERMIT HANSEN, NEBRASKA 1939 Lt. Col. Hansen was captured by the Germans Sept. 21, 1944, in the Vosge Mountains w est of Colmar, France, and was sent to a Nazi camp in Poland. During the Russian drive, the prisoners were marched 350 miles in 43 days in early 1945 to northeast Germany, then were sent by rail to Hammelburg in southeast Germany where they were eventually liberated by the U.S. 7th Army.

Col. Hansen wears the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 441

DON H. ELDREDGE, BELOIT 1940 Lt. Eldredge, a prisoner of the Germans since 1942 when his B-17 Flying Fortress was shot down over Germany, was liberated April 29, 1945, near Moosburg, Germany, by the U.S. 145th Armored Division. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 55

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933\ Ibid. 9. F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

196

BETA HEROES

EDWARD G. PFEIFFER, JR., WASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS 1940 A fighter pilot, Lt. Pfeiffer was a POW in Germany. The star football quarterback was first as­ signed to the Quarterm aster Corps, later assigned to the USAAC. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 189

GEORGE MUNT RICHMOND, RUTGERS 1940 Retiring from the USAF after 30 years, Col. Richmond was a World War II prisoner of war and Vietnam W ar veteran. He died in 1993. — Ibid., convention 1993, page 43

ROBERT B REPPA, AMHERST 1941 In the Arm y during W orld W ar II, he fought and was captured in the Battle of the Bulge. Sent to a prisoner of w ar camp, he escaped after a year. He remained in the Arm y and became a staff officer in the Defense Intelligence Agency. After retirement, he was assistant to the chancellor of Amherst. He died in 2005.

JOHN SIMMONS, DEPAUW 1941 A fter months of bombing missions over North Africa and the Mediterranean, Lt. Simmons was shot down in Italy, severely burned in the crash and taken to a prison camp in Italy. He learned that they were to move to a camp in Germany, so he and a half-dozen others plotted an escape.

Simmons and only two others were successful. They reached U.S. forces after 27 days. After extensive hospital treatment, he returned to active duty. — Ibid., Vol. 72 page 116

JOHN H. WINCHELL, PURDUE 1941 1st Lt. Winchell, a B-17 pilot, was shot down over the North Sea, picked up by a German patrol boat and held in a German prison camp. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 225

ROBERT W. FREIHOFER, COLGATE 1942 Lt. Freihofer, Army A ir Corps, was captured by the Germans and held in a prison camp in Stammlager, Luft 3, Germany. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 419

ROBERT WEST ELLIOTT, UTAH 1943 An avid fisherman and game bird enthusiast, Arm y PFC Elliott was captured during the Battle o f the Bulge. He was detained in Germany for four months in three different prison camps before being liberated April 15, 1945, by Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army. He was in the wool industry for 50 years and died in 1993 in Salt Lake City, Utah. — Ibid., winter 1994, page 55

FREDERICK W. WRIGHT, WILLIAMS 1943 A pilot, he was shot down over Germany and was a POW in Stalag 3. He received the Purple Heart. At his death in 1999, he was retired from General Motors. — Ibid., fall 1999, page 45

JOHN A. COTTER, WASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS 1944 Cotter left college in 1942 to enter the Arm y Air Corps. He was reported missing after a flight over Bremen on Aug. 9, 1944. Later his fam ily learned that he was a POW in Germany. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 189

HARRY F. HOWARD, COLORADO COLLEGE 1945 Captain Howard was a P-51 Mustang pilot with the USAAC when he was badly wounded, shot down and taken prisoner. Repatriated, he died in 2003.

THOMAS MAGEEE III, CALIFORNIA 1945 Lt. (jg) Magee, USNR, as a prisoner in the Roku Roshi camp in Japan, believed he would be Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

197 dead within four months. “You lose so much w eight,” he said after his liberation, “you feel yourself getting weaker, and you figure about how much longer you’ll last.” He was rescued by U.S. forces three years and nine months after his capture with the garrison on Guam.

A starvation regime by the Japanese, he said, was a daily ration of two pieces of bread, a slice of cold meat and a cigarette tin two thirds full o f coffee. Magee lost 45 pounds, “about the average,” and was down to 120 when rescued. He recovered fully, although he was extremely ill during his incarceration. Reluctant to talk about his mistreatment, he did admit, “I received aver­ age treatm ent.They slapped me around a bit.” — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 144

EDWARD C. MANN, TEXAS 1945 Mann was a prisoner of war for more than a year. No details have been learned. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 30

JOHN C. TRACY, JR., WASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS 1945 Held in Switzerland, Tracey left college in 1942 to enter the USAAC. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 189

THEODORE MILES, BELOIT 1946 Staff/Sgt. Miles became a German POW, Dec. 18, 1944, captured in the Ardennes, liberated April 13, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 54. See his father, Theodore Miles, Beloit 1918, page 31.

AUSTIN R. SELLERY UCLA 1945 Lt. Sellery’s 423rd Inf. Reg. was cut off in the von Runstedt attack, D ecem ber 1944.

Initially an MIA*, his family had since learned he was a POW in Germany. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 447 *MIA: Missing in Action: see “M ilitary A cronym s” on page

100

C over o f the illustrated booklet about the World War II Memorial, located on the Mall in Washington, DC. The cover photograph features a detail o f the inspiring site.

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta B o o k ,1933] Ibid. 9: F aith ful Hom e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

198

CHAPTER DEATHS IN WORLD WAR II For the official list, see Appendix B. AMHERST USAAC 1st Lt. William Leland Bonnett, 1922, KIA1 Jan. 23, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 370 USAAC Lt. John Edmund Dale, Jr., 1940, the first pilot on a Liberator B-24 bomber, was killed in a take-off crash May 11, 1943, in Morocco. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 139 ‘ Major Daniel C. Minnick, 1937, USAAC, was reported MIA1 over China, March 22, 1945. He flew com bat missions in command of bom ber formations engaged in strategic bombing of enemy installations in Bremen, Kiel, Catania and Messina. On one mission, he was shot down over enemy territory. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 301 BELOIT H JrP!^ 1st Lt. Bernard Jay Snyder, 1943, USMC, was KIA, June 91, 1945, in the South ea Pacific. He was with the 2nd Marine Division. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 85. Honoring the memory of Lt. Snyder, a USMC camp in Kyushu, Japan, bears his name. A special order was issued Jan. 9, 1946, authorizing the title of “Camp Bernard J. Snyder,” as long as American oc­ cupation troops are stationed in Japan. (See page 186) — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 370 ‘ Stephen P. Gardner, 1935, serving on the submarine USS Snook, was reported MIA, May 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 146 Lt. (j.g.) Robert Jerom e Lusk, 1941, was instantly killed off Palau Island, Oct. 1, 1944, when his ship was strafed by Japanese planes. He was buried at sea. Enlisting in the Navy May 19, 1942, he attended destroyer school, San Diego, and saw intense service in the Pacific on the same destroyer for 21 months. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 304 Lt. Robert Austin Olmsted, 1937, died in Holland, Nov. 6, 1944, of wounds received while he was supervising construction/repair of a bridge in Belgium.

BOWDOIN Michael G.H. McPharlin, 1935, was the first U.S. citizen to be commissioned in the RCAF. A flying officer, he was assistant flight com m ander when he was reported MIA as the result of air operations in the commando raid on Dieppe, France, Aug. 19, 1942. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 293 BRITISH COLUMBIA Flight Sgt. John Dow Granger, 1940, was KIA in September 1941, while on active duty with the Royal Canadian A ir Force overseas. He joined the RCAF on Feb. 12, 1941, going overseas in December 1941. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 175 Lt. John Edmund Storey, 1941, RCNR Engineers, lost his life when the FIMCS Valleyfield was torpedoed and sunk with considerable loss o f life, May 7, 1944. In 1941, he was appointed a Sub. Lt. (engineering) on the cruiser HMS Glasgow, joining her in Bombay ju st before Pearl Harbor was attacked. He spent eight months around Singapore, East Indies, Coral Sea and the Indian Ocean. Later, he was engineering officer on the Minesweeper HCMS Red D eer on patrol duty in the North Atlantic. In November 1943, he was an engineering officer on the Frigate HMCS Valleyfield in convoy and escort duty to and from Great Britain. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 225 BROWN Lt. (j.g.) Howard Carlton Latham, 1943, was listed MIA on Nov. 13, 1944. His presum ptive death was announced on Nov. 14, 1945. He was serving aboard the USS E scolar when that subm arine failed to return from a w ar patrol in the Yellow Sea (Asiatic area). — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 415

*Men who do not appear in Appendix B. Those listed here are not repeated in the “Index: A lphabetical by Chapters, ” page 259 1KIA: Killed In Action. MIA: Missing In Action.

2The Purple Heart was first awarded by General George Washington to heroic soldiers in the R evolutionary War, then fell into disuse until the 1930s when it was restored to honor those who suffered wounds o r death as a result o f arm ed combat.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

199 CALIFORNIA Lt. (jg) Clark Hawthorne Grant, 1943, USNR, was KIA when the destroyer USS D rexler was sunk by Japanese kamikazes 20 miles northwest o f Okinawa on May 28, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 77, page 242 Ensign Theodore Peter W ittschen, Jr., 1941, gunnery officer on a heavy cruiser, was KIA in the Battle of the Solomons in the South Pacific, Dec. 1, 1942. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 504 CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES (UCLA) Major Gordon Arnold Bell, 1935, USMC, leader of a dive bom ber squadron, was KIA during a bombardm ent of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Oct. 14, 1942. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 182 Major Frederick Kurt Koebig, 1940, USAAC navigator, was presumed to have died on March 6,19 44, when wounded during an American bombing raid on Rabaul, New Britain, where he was held prisoner. He had been president of Gamma Nu Chapter. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 336 ‘ Peter W adsworth, 1940, was KIA in France after five weeks of frontline action, six weeks after D-Day. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 226 CARNEGIE TECH *1 st Lt. Jere W itherspoon Gates, 1933, USAFA, was killed March 27,1945, near Strassburg, Germany, by the wheel of a truck which was blown high into the air by a mine and came down on top of him as he sat in the canvas-covered cab of another truck. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 413 PFC Isaac Pennypacher Griffin, 1946, Co. G, 291st Infantry, was KIA Jan. 15,1945, at Grand Halleax, Belgium, by sniper fire. During the attack, Isaac noticed a wounded comrade nearby.

W ithout regard for his personal safety, he left his covered position and crawled to the wounded man to adm inister first aid. Returning, he was hit by an enemy sniper. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 174 Lt. (jg) Paul Thornton Wines, 1943, a submarine officer, was lost when the USS Tang was sunk off China. The sub w ent down after it had sunk every ship in two large enemy convoys.

CHICAGO Lt. Robert Grover Kraybill, 1943, USAAC, was KIA over Siasi Island, Jan. 24, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 160 CINCINNATI 1st Lt. Thomas Keenan Foster, 1937, USAAC, was KIA in Europe, July 13, 1944, when his plane was shot down near Brussels on his 19th mission en route to Munich. He held three Air Medals and the Purple Heart. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 226 Lt. Robert Carl Hagerstrom, 1956, USAAC, was KIA over New Guinea, June 8,1944. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 512 *John Frederick Van Pelt, 1945, age 20, was KIA in the Battle of the Bulge, Jan. 13, 1945.

— Ibid., Vol. 79, page 374 1st. Lt. Gordon Strauss, 1933, was KIA leading infantry troops in Germany, Sept. 14, 1944.

He w ent overseas in March 1944 and was in campaigns in France, Belgium and Germany.

COLGATE *John Aloysius Clifford, 1946 — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 530 *Frank Boyd Keller, 1938 — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 531 COLORADO 1st Lt. Bruce Kyle Kemp, 1945, died of wounds received on Okinawa, April 21, 1945. A pla­ toon leader, 382nd Inf. Reg., 96th Div., he had fought through the campaign for the reconquest of Leyte Island and landed on Okinawa with assault troops on Easter. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 482 COLORADO COLLEGE Lt. John Thom as Girling, 1943, died in the crash of a transport plane carrying 35 passengers and crew, including 18 Arm y officers, in Dutch Guiana, Jan. 15, 1943. He enlilsted on Dec. 8, 1941. After flight training, he was com m issioned on Sept. 7, 1942. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 704 COLORADO MINES Lt. Cressy Lewis Kingery, 1945, navigator on a B-24 Liberator bomber, was killed in a plane crash in England, Aug. 18, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 536 Lt. Charles Fred Soper, 1946, a heavy bomber navigator, was KIA in Europe, Jan. 21, 1945.

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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BETA HEROES

CORNELL Lt. Malcolm Leonard Blue, 1943, navigator on a Liberator bomber, was KIA over France, June 2, 1944, on his first mission. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 341; Vol. 73, page 538.

He was strafed by German planes as he descended by parachute. French people had covered his body with flowers when the enemy came looking for him, and he was buried by the French in their local cemetery at Beaumont. — Ibid., March 1946, page 341 Lt. Edward P. Ellis, 1936, was reported missing in the Pacific since July 26, 1945. He was a radar specialist. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 147 DARTMOUTH Lt. (jg) James Monroe Mathes, Jr., 1939, was KIA on Aug. 9, 1944, while serving on a PT boat in the English channel. — Ibid., Vol. 73, pages 176-177 Lt. Uri Alexander Munro, 1937, was declared “presumed dead” by the U.S. Navy after being carried as MIA since Jan. 22, 1945. He was attached to Night Torpedo Squadron 90 on the USS Enterprise (see photo below) as a radar navigator officer on the squadron com m ander’s plane.

They made a night attack on Kirum, Formosa, encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire and three of the nine planes were lost. Munro held the Navy Air Medal. Born in Petrograd, Russia, he came to the U.S. when a year old during the Russian Revolution. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 537 Capt. Derrol Wilson Rogers, 1940, was killed when his bomber crashed into the North Sea in May 1943. He died to save his crew. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 188 1st Lt. Ralph David Shanesy, Jr., 1941, USAAC, was KIA in China in a battle with the Japa­ nese, June 27, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 225 Lt. (jg) Stephen W indsor Holmes, 1944, USNR, was KIA on Iwo Jima, Feb. 22,1945, with the 5th Marine Division. Previously, he was wounded on Peleliu but had returned to action. He was commissioned an ensign and was attached to the Marines.

— Ibid., Vol. 72, page 481 DAVIDSON Pvt. (acting sergeant) W al­ te r S teele C o ving to n , Jr., 1946, was KIAon the German front, Dec. 9, 1944. He went overseas in August 1944, and in S eptem ber was attached to an infantry division in the 9th A rm y w hich w a s soon engaged in the Battle of Brest.

— Ibid., Vol. 72, page 477 C a p ta in O s c a r L o re n zo Joyner, Jr., 1940, was KIA in France, June 22, 1944, while executive officer of an infantry battalion. In 1942, he was one o f 18 o ffice rs re p re se n tin g 18 divisions, hand-picked by Britain’s Lord Louis Mountbatten, to receive intensive com ­ m ando trainin g in England.

Upon returning to the U.S., he directed R anger training and wrote the ranger manual.

On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he was with the Rangers, first to go ashore.

Ibid., Vol. 72, page 140

j h e heroic USS Enterprise was home to D artm outh’s Russian-born Uri Munro before his fatal flight over Formosa.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

201

Col. William Courtney Mills, 1928, in the USAAC 13 years, was KIA in the Middle East, May 6, 1943. Before going overseas, he was in Honolulu for two years as commanding officer, 17th Bombardm ent Group, noted in Army circles as “a great veteran flyer.” — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 485 PFC William Mitchell Shaw, Jr., 1943, was KIA, Sept. 12, 1944, while with the 10th Inf. Reg., 5th Div. Previously, he had received a Purple Heart. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 487 Staff Sgt. George Thom as Tipton, 1936, was KIA, Oct. 6, 1944, in Eastern France. A frontline rifleman, he was a squad leader, 45th Division, 7th Army. A lawyer in Kingsport, Tenn., when war broke out, he was offered a commission as a lieutenant doing legal work in the Army Engineers.

He refused and volunteered in November 1942, and was inducted as a private. Going overseas in late April 1944, he went first to North Africa and then to Italy. He was in the first wave to land on the coast o f Southern France in the August invasion. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 490 Lt. Crawford Wheeler, Jr., 1944, was KIA, Dec. 16, 1944. He was in a heavy weapons com­ pany, 424th Inf. Reg., 106th Div., whose stand in the Ardennes is one of the epics of the war. The division was moved to Belgium and Germany. Five days after taking its position in the Ardennes, the unit bore the brunt of the German breakthrough. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 492 DENVER Lt. Stanley Samuel Outwater, Jr., 1943, USMC, died Sept. 19, 1944, on a hospital ship of wounds he received on Peleliu. He commanded a tank platoon. — Ibid, Vol. 73, page 83 ‘ Mortimer Florer Stilwell, Jr., 1950 died Dec. 30, 1962, at Veterans Hospital, Denver, Colo., where he had been for 10 years, totally disabled by wartime injuries on Saipan. — Ibid., March 1963, page 393 DePAUW 1st Lt. Ellis Bailey Gregg III, 1942, USMC, was KIA while leading his platoon on Tinian Island on Aug. 1, 1944. He also saw combat at Roi, Namur and Saipan. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 222 DICKINSON 1st Lt. Gerald Laurence Darr, 1940, a USAAC pilot of a B-24, was MIA since Nov. 15, 1942, while on a bombing mission off Bougainville, New Guinea. He was officially listed as KIA two years later. In college, he was track captain and football co-captain. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 412 Lt. Thomas Lloyd Rockwell, 1945, a paratrooper, was KIA in the Battle of the Bulge, Christmas Day, 1944. He enlisted only days after Pearl Harbor. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 212 DUKE 1st Lt. Joseph Glenn Simpson, 1942, age 21, was KIA over the British Isles, Oct. 29, 1942.

He was a navigator in the USAAC, having enlisted after his junior year, August 1941. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 343.

FLORIDA Lt. (jg) George Lester Glass, Jr., 1939, USNR, a dive bomber pilot, was KIA during an attack

For Freedom’s Sake

The Norman waves roll in tonight, /A n d ebbing, leave their flotsam beached. / The bodies there, now water-logged, / Which yesterday were quick with life, / Were sacrificed unselfishly, / F or Freedom ’s Sake.

They walked the path where courage led; / They knew that path would end in death / O r victory, m ost nobly won. / A nd so, w ithout a backw ard glance, / They plunged ashore to wage their w a r/ F or Freedom ’s Sake.

Can we who live love freedom less / Than they who died without a word, / Or hesitate to count the cost. / When asked by them to do our best? / No, we m ust give, if needs, o u r all / F or Freedom ’s Sake.

— W illiam S. Joyner, Da (Pvt. Joyner was with the 10th Division at Ft. Bragg, N.C., when he wrote this poem soon after D-Day in France. Several weeks later came word that his brother, Capt. Oscar L. Joyner, Davidson 1940 (see page 200), was KIA in Normandy, June 22, 1944. — Ibid, Vol. 72, page 141 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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BETA HEROES

on the island of Truk, Feb. 16, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 77, page 307 Col. Stephen Foster Haney, 1928, commander, 97th Heavy Bombardm ent Group, 8th Air Force, was KIA in North Africa, May 12, 1943. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 728 1st Lt. Wilford Perry W ilson, Jr., 1943, was KIA, Feb. 10, 1945. He was with the 94th Divi­ sion which saw heavy fighting in France, the Ardennes and Germany where he died in a battle at Banholtz. Previously, he received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 213 GEORGIA TECH PFC Oliver W hiting Bishop, 1946, was KIA Dec. 25, 1944, in Belgium with Co. L, 290th Inf. Reg., 75th Div. in the Battle of the Bulge. — Ibid., Vol. 75, pages 205-206 Ensign Robert McAlpine Maxwell, 1943, was KIA when his ship, Liscome Bay, sank near Makin Island, Nov. 24, 1943. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 272 Major Thomas Buchanon McGuire, Jr., 1942, died in combat Jan. 27, 1945, while leading a fighter sweep over Los Negros Island in the South Pacific. Am erica’s second-leading ace, he downed 38 enemy planes. He received the Medal of Honor, five DFCs, DSC, and Silver Star.

F or his biography, see pages 5 and 171.

Ensign Joseph Briggs Stubbins, 1940, was among many who died Jan. 25, 1942, when Submarine S-26 collided with another Naval vessel off Panama. — Ibid., Vol. 69, page 454 IDAHO Jim mie D. Ferrell, 1944, a Navy pilot, was killed in a training accident. ‘ Brothers Jack B. Gray, 1934, and Roy B. Gray, 1937, Roy was recognized by The Beta Theta Pi, January 1938, by placem ent of the Vandal football guard on the 1937 All-Beta Football First Team. See page 137.

Dale N. Greeley, 1944, USAAC fighter pilot, was shot down in his P-51 over Germany. *Ward E. Hecock, 1949, USAAC fighter pilot, was shot down in his P-38 over Italy.

Robert G. Long, 1940, USN pilot in the Aleutians, Alaska.

1st Lt. Stephen R. Pease, 1945, a USAAC fighter pilot, was KIA when he was shot down in his P-38 over Munchen-Gladback, Germany, March 1, 1945. A mem ber o f the 389th squadron of the 366th Fighter (Hun Hunter) group on his 41st mission, he was a leading element of a flight of eight Thunderbolt fighter-bombers when the flight was attacked from a low overcast by an overwhelm ing force of hostile aircraft. Five P-47s were shot down. Lt. Pease sacrificed his life attempting to fight off enemy planes bent on destroying the crippled ship of a comrade.

His commanding officer wrote that Lt. Pease had made an enviable record during difficult flying conditions prevalent during the winter, 1944-45, and stated, “His death was felt to be a personal loss by every mem ber of his squadron, officers and enlisted men alike. We all loved him, and we all miss him very m uch.” — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 345 Jam es M orrison Triplett, 1930, USAAC, w as KIA o ver H ersfeld, G erm any, Sept. 27, 1944. Tech. Sgt. T riplett took radio training, then gunnery school and w ent overseas as a radio o perator-gunner on a B-24 Liberator in June 1944. On Sept. 27, 1944, his plane was attacked by fighte r planes on his return to England after dropping bom bs o ver the target.

He w as reported MIA and later his death w as confirm ed (KIA). He had com pleted nine m is­ sions. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 533 ILLINOIS M ajor W illiam W alker Cassell, 1939, 26, was KIA in the Alaskan area, May 3 1,1943. He was in command of an anti-aircraft battery on Amchatka. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 183 Lt. Richard John Glasebrook, 1938, was KIA in Holland, Oct. 2, 1944, with the 7th Armored Division under Gen. George Patton. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 304 INDIANA Lt. (jg) Edward Irland Stoddard, 1932, USNR, comm unications officer aboard the carrier USS Bism arck Sea, was KIA on Feb 21, 1945. His ship was sunk by kamikazes, and he was one of the many reported MIA and later KIA. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 274 Pvt. George A. Zeiler, 1931, was KIA in Italy by a sniper, on June 28, 1944. He was with a medical detachm ent o f the 133rd Inf. Reg., 34th Division. — Ibid., Vol. 72, pages 224-225

Ibid.: The B e la Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3; Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

203 IOWA Pvt. Thomas Winfield Eland, 1940, F Co., 134th Inf. Reg, 3rd Army, was KIA in Belgium on New Year’s Day, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 370 Lt. (jg) Owen Marsten Hintz, 1942, USNR, aboard the USS Yorktown, was KIA after being declared MIA since July 4, 1944, when he failed to return from a mission over Chichi Jima in the Bonin islands. He received the A ir Medal “for superior action in the face of grave peril.” He piloted a carrier-based dive bomber.

Lt. Norman Pershing Klinker, 1940, was KIA in the battle of San Vittore, Italy, Jan. 6, 1944.

— Ibid., Vol. 72, page 223 Capt. James Stuart Knipe, 1940, USMC, was KIA at Okinawa, April 12, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 160 Pvt. Roy Edward Paulsen, Jr., 1946, was KIA on Chistmas Day, 1944. Inducted April 17, 1944, he went overseas in November as a mem ber of the clerical section of an infantry unit in the European theater. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 486 IOWA STATE Capt. William Albert Fluallen, 1938, was KIA on Feb. 14, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 437 Capt. W alter Manning Hart, 1942, was wounded in action in the Philippines and died May 28, 1945. With the first group to free the Philippines, he was awarded the Bronze Star for outstanding service while on scout duty behind enemy lines. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 81 Lt. John Herbert Hickey, 1944, USA, KIA in France, Feb. 28, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 160 Dennis Joseph Murphy, 1942, was a B-25 pilot in the Pacific. — Ibid., fall 1995, page 42 ‘ 1st Lt. Edward Andrews Murphy, Jr., 1940, USAAC, was KIA in the South Pacific, Oct. 30, 1943. On the fatal mission, six planes had taken a voluntary mission; Lt. Murphy piloted a B-25

“WE STOOD TOGETHER AND SANG BETA SONGS.’’ B y Dr. H e rb e rt L. A rm e n tro u t, W h itm a n 193 5 Ensign Sherman Cameron King, Id a h o 1944, a 4.00 engineering student, died of wounds on the USS Morris, April 6, 1945. A fellow officer, Dr. Armentrout, gave this account (excerpted): “I was the medical officer on ship. The 6th of April saw intense action. From early morning there were Japanese planes in the area; as the afternoon wore on, we were under attack three times. Sherman was with a ‘repair party’ on deck. I’d seen him as he passed my battle station, and he was his usual cheerful self.

“The evening before, we two stood together on deck singing Beta songs and talking.

He said it was good to be doing things he had been trained to do, under actual battle conditions. About six in the evening an enemy bomber struck the forward portion of the ship; its large bomb detonated. Sherman, at his battle station amidships, was thrown hard against the deck. Shipm ates carried him aft; the only thing they could find wrong with him was a paralyzed lower left leg.

“Soon all casualties were removed to other ships. W ounded myself, he and I found ourselves on a sm aller ship. He was in the bunk above me. I asked how he felt. He said he was pretty well shaken up. He couldn’t move his left leg. I asked the medical officer about him and was told he had a small shrapnel wound in his lower back and paralysis of the left lower leg. Sherman was in good spirits the next day when we were transferred to the USS Comfort hospital ship.

“I did not see him again but followed his progress with the medical officers who were taking care o f me. The paralysis o f his leg persisted, and X-rays showed a small frag­ ment deep in the tissues of his lower back. On April 10, he was taken to surgery, and an attem pt was made to remove the fragment. The fragm ent could not be found. The next morning he developed a pulmonary edema and died. He was later found to have had hemorrhages of the brain, lungs and all abdominal organs as a result of the blast injury. Apparently the concussion had hit Sherman with its full force.” He was buried on Guam. — Ibid., Vol. 73, pages 174-175 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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Mitchell bomber in the group. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 312 1st Lt. Hampton E. Rich, 1940, USAAC, was KIA Oct. 12, 1943, while on a bombing mission over Rabaul, New Britain. In A ugust 1943, on a mission over Wewak, New Guinea, his plane was severely hit by ground fire; he flew the disabled plane to an emergency field. After a rest in Australia, he flew the fatal mission on a successful run over the target. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 224 KANSAS Lt. George Milton Paris, 1937, USNR, 29, destroyer gunnery crew officer, was KIA, May 4, 1945, in the South Pacific when kamikazes crashed into his ship. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 486 KENYON Lt. John Oesterling W hitaker, 1940, co-pilot of a B-17 bomber, was KIA, Aug. 17,1943, when his plane was shot down over the Belgium-German border. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 164 KNOX Staff Sgt. George Baxter, Jr., 1945, KIA in Germany, Dec. 11,1944. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 173 1st Lt. W arner Russell Campbell, 1935, was KIA, Feb. 26, 1945, in Germany. He had been wounded in action Nov. 5, 1944, in Holland. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 370 ‘ Frederick A. Hicks, 1941, was KIA in Italy, July 12, 1943. — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 372 ‘ John W hicker Humphrey, 1940, was KIA on Feb. 22, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 725 Capt. Robert William Kaye, 1941, KIA at Tarawa, March 29, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 140 LAWRENCE *Lt. (jg) Jefferson Howard, 1942, USN, MIA after the sinking of the USS Meredith off Guadal­ canal, October 1942. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 372 Pvt. John Edward W oodrich, 1947, a messenger for his infantry company in the invasion of Europe, was KIA in France, July 30, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 227 LEHIGH Lt. Elbridge William Palmer, 1943, USA, was shot by a sniper, April 28, 1945, while leading his platoon on Okinawa. He died in the Navy hospital, May 18, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 177 1st Lt. Archibald Lynn W illiams, Jr., 1944, 23, USAAF bomber pilot, was KIA in a mid-air collision with another plane, Sept. 16, 1944, out of Bardney, England. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 227 MAINE Capt. John A lexander Friday, 1941, USMC air observer, was KIA when Japanese shot down his observation plane over Iwo Jima, Feb 2 3,1945. Disregarding his own safety and enemy anti­ aircraft fire, he had remained over the target directing accurate naval gunfire. He previously fought in Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Guam and the Marianas. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 79 Lt. Morris Proctor, 1937, was fatally wounded when he volunteered for a dangerous mission on Christmas Day 1944, in Mindoro, the Philippines. Fellow officers reported he got up from Christmas dinner to execute the mission which cost his life, rather than send one of his men to carry it out. He received the Bronze Star medal. He was a veteran of the New Guinea and Leyte invasions. In football, he was all-M aine and all-New England. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 142 Capt. Burleigh Houston Roderick, 1937, USA Infantry, was KIA in Italy, Oct. 8, 1944. It was his 29th birthday. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 374 MIAMI 1st Lt. Arthur W. Debernarde, 1938, USAAC, was KIA on Jan. 11, 1943, in the Southwest Pacific. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 400 1st Lt. Thomas Haynes Johnson, 1942, USMC, was KIA on Dec. 30, 1943, in the capture of Cape Gloucester, New Britain, South Pacific. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 438 Lt. Lawrence Everett (Brewer) LeTulle, 1941, USNR, was KIA on Dec. 12, 1944. Buried at sea, he was executive officer of his ship. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 483 Lt. Wayne W alter Martin, 1945, navigator on a B-29 bomber, was KIA on May 24, 1945, his fourth mission over Tokyo. He had already received a Purple Heart from action on the Marianas (islands) for five weeks. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 210 MICHIGAN Lt. Augustus Paul Heinze, Jr., 1946, USA, was KIA in Europe, Jan. 21, 1945. He was with Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: B eta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

205 Co. A, 156th Inf. Reg. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 312 MINNESOTA Lt. Frank Leonard Thresher, Jr., 1935, was KIA in France, July 27, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 12, page 143 William W aldem ar Hodson, 1913, was killed in an airplane accident in Dutch Guiana, Jan. 15, 1943. He was on his way to North Africa to take part in relief work under the director of foreign relief and rehabilitation. He was one of 35 men aboard a giant transport plane. The crash killed the nine-man crew, 18 Army officers and eight civilians abroad on w ar missions, at the time the worst air disaster in American aviation history. He was president, 1940-41, of the American Public Welfare Assn. and had also been president of the American Assn. of Social W orkers and the National Conference of Social W orkers. — Ibid., Vol. 10, page 498 MISSISSIPPI *Lt. William Robert Jackson, 1942, was KIA at Salerno, Italy, Sept 9, 1943. — Ibid., Vol. 15, page 209 *PFC Henry Nelson Spencer, 1945, died Feb. 4,1945, after being seriously wounded in action, Jan. 29, 1945, in Europe. A combat infantryman, 389th Inf. Reg., 100th Div., he was inducted in February 1944 and w ent overseas in October 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 13, page 346 MISSOURI Lt. Jack Barry Luitwieler, 1944, co-pilot of a B-29, was killed in a bom ber crash while on a training mission. — Ibid., Vol. 12, page 483 Capt. George Edwin Porter, Jr., 1936, U.S. Arm y infantry, lost his life on Oct. 2 4 ,1944, when a Japanese prison ship on which he was a prisoner was sunk. The ship carried 1,775 American prisoners, only five o f whom escaped. The vessel was sunk by submarine action in the South China Sea, more than 200 miles from the Chinese coast. He was on Bataan, the Philippines, and went to Corregidor until it fell. — Ibid., Vol. 13, page 84; also see “O verbeck,” page 193.

NEBRASKA ‘ Robert Brooks Flansburg, 1945, gunner on a B-17 flying out o f England, was KIA in 1943.

— Ibid., Vol. 19, page 431 Lt. (jg) Carl Mather Kube, 1930, USNR, died Nov. 14,1944, of injuries sustained in action near the island of Leyte. He commanded the gun crew on the freighter Jerem iah Daly, which was car­ rying supplies from Australian ports when attacked by Japanese planes. The gun crew destroyed four planes in the air, but their ship was set afire by bombs from other planes. The captain, other officers and many of the crew were killed instantly. Badly burned, Lt. Kube continued to direct the fire of his gun crew for about two hours before accepting medical attention; accounts indicate that this devotion to duty cost him his life. The report of the battle cited him for “special bravery” earning him the Bronze Star medal posthumously. — Ibid., Vol. 13, page 115 NORTH CAROLINA Pvt. Thomas Ruffin Bledsoe, 1941, 24, was KIA on Dec. 5, 1942, in New Guinea. He was in an anti-tank unit and went to Australia in April 1942, five months before going to New Guinea.

— Ibid., Vol. 10, page 101 Staff Sgt. Lawrence Flinn, 1932, 35, was KIA in Germany, March 18, 1945. He also attended Yale and Duke Universities. He had been overseas since August 1944, and was wounded in December, serving with the 101st Inf. Reg., 26th Division, 3rd Army. — Ibid., Vol .73, page 538; Vol. 72, page 477 Lt. Thom as Joseph O ’Brien, Jr., 1943, USAAC, carried as MIA since May 26,1945, was later reported KIA over Peleliu Islands on a com bat mission from Luzon in the Philippines. He was with the 357th Squadron o f the Troop Carrier command. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 537 CpI. Charles Digby Wardlaw, Jr., 1932, former high school principal, Wardlaw School, Plainfield, N.J., died June 24, 1945, in a French hospital of diphtheria and pneumonia contracted during six months’ imprisonm ent by the Germans. In the Arm y Medical Corps, 26th Reg., 1st Army, he was wounded in Normandy. Returned to active duty, he was captured in November. Among several books he had published was The Stranger o f Galilee. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 86

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930\ Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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NORTH DAKOTA Lt. DeLand Joseph Croze, 1938, senior bom ber pilot in the South Pacific, was killed by the Japanese on Aug. 4, 1945, a fte r being captured June 7. After being shot down, the crew fought off a platoon of Japanese for a full day. That night, three men escaped to sea on a log and were rescued by the U.S. Navy in a PBY. On June 7, the Japanese returned with reinforcem ents and the rem aining crew w ere either killed or captured. Lt. Croze and four others were captured.

They were taken to Singkang, C elebes, N ethe rlands East Indies, and confined in the Kempei Tai jail until they were taken to a concealed location and beheaded with swords.

As a result o f this inhum an act, four Japanese were tried and e x e c u te d w h ile th re e others were sentenced to life imprisonment. — Ibid., Vol. 75, pages 206-207 Capt. Arthur Ralph Friesz, 1939, was killed Nov. 7,1944, near Troopsburg, N.Y. He was the pilot of a B-17 that was combin­ ing a test flight with a search mission for a lost plane. He was flying low to facilitate the search when one of the engines caught fire. After many unsuccessful attempts to extinguish the flames, he stayed with his plane long enough to allow most of the crew to parachute safely, but too long for his own safety. When he jumped, the plane had lost too much altitude for his own parachute to open properly. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 80 *Capt. Friesz’s brother, Lt. Robert Eugene Friesz, 1943, U.S. Army infantry, was KIA in France, Aug. 25, 1944. He was a platoon leader in the 116th Inf. Reg., 29th Division. He was leading his platoon in an attack on the town of St. Guillers, France. W hile advancing, he and his men encountered heavy enemy resistance; he was killed by a grenade. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 80 ‘ Commander Lloyd Thomas Sussex, 1923, M.D., USNR, who spent 18 months in the South Pacific in command of a medical company, died of coronary thrombosis at the Naval hospital, Farragut, Idaho, June 8, 1944. He was four months on Guadalcanal, spent some months in New Zealand and was in the Battle of Tarawa. He received a citation for performing operations on 140 wounded men during 72 consecutive hours at Tarawa and also held a citation for Guadalcanal.

— Ibid., Vol. 72, page 490 NORTHWESTERN *Lt. James Stewart Freeman, 1935, USCG, 29, died Aug. 10, 1942, at Norfolk, Va. In diver’s apparatus, he descended under w ater to recover the body of a sailor who had accidentally drowned. He died when his diving helmet came off while submerged. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 421 *PFC Jam es W hitney Northrop, Jr., 1947, USA, was KIA near Metz, Nov. 18,1944. He went overseas in August 1944, with Co. F, 379th Inf. Reg., 95th Div. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 305 *Capt. John Cozzens Ramsey, 1943, USAAC, was returning from a mission when he was hit by flak over Melun, France. He was listed MIA for almost 10 months when word came from the Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

207 Red Cross that he had died of wounds in a Paris hospital, June 16, 1944, just four days after failing to return to base. He was a Thunderbolt squadron commander. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 84 OHIO Lt. Anthony Cramer, Jr., 1943, USMCR, fighter pilot, was KIA at Mindanao, the Philippines, July 24, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 77, page 374 Lt. (jg) Howard Byron Duff, Jr., 1942, a USNR flyer on the USS Hornet, was lost in action in the Pacific near Guam, June 11, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 159 *Lt. John Benjamin Swanson, Jr., 1933, died July 5, 1944, of wounds in the invasion of France. He had been in battle since D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was an aid to Gen. Blakely, 4th Artillery Div., and declined promotion to captain to retain that positiion. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 225 Lt. (jg) Andrew Theodore Szalay, 1942, USNAC, was lost in the South Pacific when he failed to return to his aircraft carrier from a mission near Attola Island, Dec. 1, 1943. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 164 OHIO STATE Pfc. Robert Martin Bennett, 1944, was KIA with the U.S. Arm y infantry in Belgium, Jan. 15, 1945. He joined the Arm y in May 1943. — Ibid., Vol. 72, pages 370 and 479 Lt. Perry Smith Fay, Jr., 1939, 26, was KIA in the North African landing, Nov. 10, 1942. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 340 Samuel R. Heffron, 1936, was a chief petty officer on the USS Q uincy, lost in the Solomon area, Aug. 8, 1942. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 293 OHIO WESLEYAN Ensign Howard Montrose Anderson, Jr., 1944, 22, USNR, was KIA aboard the destroyer escort USS Frederick C. Davis, sunk by an enemy submarine in April 1945. He was buried at sea.

A supply officer, he had been in the invasion of France. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 476 *Sgt. Donald Belford Sienker, 1946, met his death in Northum, Luxembourg, with Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army, Jan 5, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 731 1st Lt. Cass Berry Speasmaker, 1948, a mem ber of General Patton’s 3rd Army, died in France Oct. 15, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 731 OKLAHOMA Lt. Sidney Ralph Davis, 1939, was KIA on a bombing mission over the Adriatic Sea, east of Italy, on Oct. 29, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 159 *Thom as W. Prentice, Jr., 1940, RAF, was KIA at El Alamein, July 20, 1942. — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 278 OKLAHOM A STATE PFC Robert Ray Heath, 1944, was KIA in Germany, April 2, 1945. He trained with the 14th Armored Division. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 479 Jerry Minton Smith, 1945, 99th Inf. Div., was KIA in Belgium, Jan. 16, 1945. He enlisted Dec. 7, 1942, while a sophomore in architecture. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 488 OREGON Capt. Maurice Harold Hunter, 1941, was KIA Jan. 31, 1945, in the attack on Lashio on the Burma Road. He served with a group training Chinese troops until November 1944, when he was reassigned to combat duty. He earned a Bronze Star for heroism and had received notification that he was to be promoted to major. — Ibid., Voi .72, page 372 Lt. Samuel Preston Knight, Jr., 1941, 25, died in Italy Nov. 10, 1943, of wounds received in battle. He was a com pany com m ander with the 30th Inf. Reg., 5th Army. He previously earned a Purple Heart in the North African and Sicilian campaigns. — Ibid., Vol. 71 page 249 Captain Dale Livingston Lasselle, 1938, a star football player, died in a plane crash, Oct. 3, 1942, with the USAAC in England. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 422 Lt. Gerald Cooke McGonigle, 1938, was KIA over France on June 6,1944. An infantry paratroop officer, he joined the Army in 1942, after being rejected for Marine and Navy service because of a back injury suffered while horseback riding. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 141 Captain Richard Hamilton W erschkul, 1940, was KIA May 2 3 ,1944, as he led a 3rd Division Ibid. 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The Beta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

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infantry company in an attack durin g the d rive on Rom e.

Pinned down by machine gun and sniper fire, W erschkul led his men across a road to an im portant objective when he was shot and killed. He was in the invasion of North Africa, fought through Sicily and was w ounded in the Italian inva­ sion.

OREGON STATE 1st Lt. Harold Joseph Chivers, 1942, USAAC, a fighter pilot, was previously reported MIA in New Guinea, May 4, 1942, when he failed to return from a mission from Port Mo­ resby, New Guinea. When last seen, he was engaged in action with Japanese Zeroes. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 342 1st Lt. W alter Henry Korell, Jr., 1941, was KIA on March 2 5 ,1945, in Europe while an execu­ tive officer of an infantry company in the 99th Division. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 483 PENNSYLVANIA *1 st Lt. Thom as James Fernley II, 1943, USA infantry, was KIA in Germany, April 24, 1945.

Holder of the Silver Star, he took part in the D-Day invasion and captured 28 Germans singlehandedly. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 79. See his action report, page 180, and “M em orial,” page 186 *Lt. Lambert Courtney Root, 1939, died Feb. 24, 1944, from injuries in an airplane accident in England. He was returning from a mission and was killed instantly. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 142 PFC Frederick B. Sang, 1945, was KIA on Dec. 2, 1944, fighting with the 84th Division in Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star posthum ously for heroic service, Dec 1,1944. When eight soldiers were isolated from the company and two men were wounded, he administered first aid and, with another soldier, crossed open terrain, under withering machine gun fire, and evacu­ ated a seriously wounded soldier. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 55, and Vol. 72, page 375 PENN STATE Lt. Richard W ebster Grant, Jr., 1934, was KIA on April 5 ,1 9 4 5 , while fighting in Okinawa. He was attached to the 593rd Joint Assault Signal Corps, which landed with the first assault wave to direct and adjust naval gunfire. “W eb,” involved in music in college, was student leader of the glee club which won a state championship. After graduation, he became supervisor of music at Euola, Pa., and later at Port Alleghany, Pa., and Wilmington, Del. He enlisted as a private in the Army in March 1942. Later, commissioned a 2nd lieutenant, he w ent to Hawaii with the 225th Artillery, then saw action on Saipan, Tinian and Leyte before going to Okinawa. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 478 Pvt. W alter Henry Juve, Jr., 1945, was killed in Southern France, Sept. 12, 1944. He enlisted in the ski troops in 1943 while in his sophomore year at Penn State. Later, he volunteered for the 1st Special Service Force, experts trained in snow, amphibious and mountain warfare. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 223 Frederick Faitoute Shaw, 1946, died in France, July 15, 1944, after surviving the bloody Normandy invasion. He was a surgical technician. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 142 PURDUE *Fred Leon Stalcup, 1936 — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 438 *Lt. John Spicer Swenson, 1944, was K IA over Ludwigshafen, Germany, Sept. 5,1944. Holder of an A ir Medal, he was navigator on an 8th A ir Force B-17 shot down by anti-aircraft fire. He previously had been awarded the A ir Medal.

Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: Beta Life; Ibid. 5: Betas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

209 RUTGERS ‘ Major William David Gaus, 1938, 12th A ir Force, was KIA over Italy, May 1, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 370 ‘ A lbert A. Lundwall, 1933, New London, Conn., was KIA, March 19, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 80, page 412 SOUTH DAKOTA *Lt. Samuel Paul Bakewell, 1935, was KIA in France, Sept. 12, 1944. He joined the Army as a private and, in January 1943, was com m issioned a 2nd lieutenant. He entered France a few days after D-Day and at the time o f his death, was in Co. A, 137th Inf. Reg., 35th Division. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received previously. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 220 1st Lt. W ayne Aloysius Carmody, 1943, form er star football fullback, died Oct. 3, 1944, of wounds at Peleliu Island; he was buried at sea. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 371 Lt. Col. Philo George Meisenholder, 1928, USAAC, died of wounds in the Sicilian campaign, July 27, 1943. He had been a group com m ander in North Africa. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 250 Pvt. John Dennison Quigley, 1944, platoon leader in Co. B, 179th Inf. Reg., 45th Div., was KIA on Oct. 9, 1944, near Versoul, France — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 374 STANFORD Lt. Morris Allen Daly, Jr., 1946, was KIA in Czechoslovakia, Dec 17, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 159 *USMC pilot Clinton McClarty Harrison, Jr., 1942, was KIA on Sept. 29,1943, when his plane crashed into the sea. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 139 Arm y Capt. Bud Abraham Sophian, Jr., 1936, M.D., was KIA on June 11,1944. He landed in France on D-Day with a paratroop division and set up a field hospital. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 489 STEVENS Ensign George Louis Theiss, Jr., 1945, USN, valedictorian at Stevens, died when his ship was sunk by Japanese dive bombers in the Battle o f Okinawa. An engineer on the minecraft USS Emmons, he was at his battle station when it was hit. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 490 SYRACUSE Col. John Gray Ayling, 1914, was KIA , Sept. 9, 1943, in Italy when a German shell struck his plane as it landed. In command of the advanced USAF headquarters in the Sicily invasion, he received the Legion of Merit. In the USAAC in World W ar I, he again volunteered in 1941.

TEXAS Lt. Jam es Robert Dougherty, Jr., 1939, was KIA in Germany, Nov. 24, 1944. He died trying to save one of his men. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 303 1st Lt. A im er Jasper Mann, 1943, executive officer, Co. C, 407th Inf. Reg., 102nd Div., was KIA on the German front, Dec. 2, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 305 TORONTO Capt. Francis Clay Baird Hall, 1937, Canadian Armoured Corps, was KIA, June 9,1944. After landing on D-Day, his outfit saw three days of heavy fighting. The major of the unit was killed, leaving it in the charge of Capt. Hall. On the third day, while making a final check-up, Capt. Hall was struck by a stray shell. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 222 1st Lt. Harlan David Keely, 1944, Royal Canadian C.S., was KIA, April 16,1945, and is buried in Otterloo, Holland. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 482 UNION *Lt, Vibert Ostrander Fryer, 1937, was KIA at the head of his platoon, Dec. 29, 1942, in the fighting at Buna Mission, New Guinea, the South Pacific. He served with the Military Police. In fall 1942, he w ent to the jungles with Australian troops in driving the Japanese from strong positions at Gona, Buna Village and Buna Mission. — Ibid., Vol. 70, pages 500-501 UTAH PFC Frank Coday, 1944, USA, died on Okinawa, April 9, 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 476 PFC Tyler Cannon Nelson, 1945, was KIA in France, Dec. 8, 1944, while an engineer in the infantry with the 7th Army. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 485 Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7 : The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ibid. 9: Faith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

210

BETA HEROES

VANDERBILT Lt. Henry Fielding Turner, Jr., 1934, USA Infantry, 3rd Army, was KIA in France, Nov 24, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 85 VIRGINIA Capt. Henry Guerrant Ellett, Jr., 1941, form er chapter president, was KIA, Jan. 22, 1945, w hile com m anding a tank unit in the recapture of St. Vith, as the enem y was being pushed out of the great Belgian bulge. Capt. E lle tt’s command had been sent into St. Vith in December 1944 in a desperate effort to stem the German tide. Then, in January, it had the honor of retaking St. Vith, but Capt. Ellet gave his life. He had been overseas since June 1944. W ithin 15 months, he advanced from private to captain. At the front, he distinguished himself for leadership and courage, receiving two Bronze Stars. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 371 *USAF Lt. Col. Carl Fleming, Jr., 1939, was shot down, March 1945. — Ibid., Vol. 80, page 83 Pvt. James M. Palmer, 1947, U.S. Arm y infantry, was KIA in Germany, Nov. 27, 1944. In Co. B, 26th Inf. Reg., near Merode, Germany, he received a Bronze Star for “heroic achievem ent.”

He was a student on “The Lawn” when called to service. — Ibid., Vol. 72, pages 479 and 485 WABASH Lt. Harry Duncan Fisher, 1940, president of Tau Chapter, 1939-40, sustained fatal burns in an airplane accident at Port Morsby, New Guinea, Jan. 5, 1944.

USAAC Lt. John Howard Ingram, 1943, star guard on the W abash basketball team, was declared KIA in Europe, May 28, 1944. He was a B-17 bomber pilot. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 140 WASHINGTON Robert Harding Brokaw, 1944, died when the ship he was on was torpedoed in the Atlantic Jan. 19, 1942. O f 321 passengers, only 65 survived. — Ibid., Vol. 70, page 499 Lt. Jam es Neil W ebb, 1944, 23, a B-25 Mitchell Bomber pilot, was KIA, March 15,1945, when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire while attacking enemy shipping in the South China Sea. He was attached to the 5th A ir Force. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 491 W ASHINGTON & JEFFERSON *Lt. Jam es Watson Elder, 1937, 28, was wounded in action in France, July 18,1944, and died of wounds a day later. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 222 Lt. (jg) Donald Core Tangeman, 1942, USNR, motor torpedo boat captain in the Pacific, died of multiple wounds, March 29, 1945. Said a fellow officer, “Never in my life have I seen such a display of grit and courage by a man so badly hurt.” His death was due to injuries in a successful endeavor to save his boat and crew. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 540 W ASHINGTON AND LEE Pvt. Howard Kendall Gibson, 1945, KIA in France, Dec 13, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 370 WASHINGTON STATE USAAC Lt. Clair Livingston Daniels, 1945, navigator on a Liberator bomber which, after completing its run, was hit by flak and failed to return to base. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 222 Ibid.: The Beta Theta Pi; Ibid. 2: The Beta Book, 1927; Ibid. 3: Beta Lore; Ibid. 4: B eta Life; Ibid. 5: B etas o f A chievem ent, 1914;

211

Lt. George Arthur Davison, Jr., 1944, was KIA, March 18, 1945, with Gen. Patch’s 7th Army in Europe. In college, he was a varsity basketball and baseball player. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 477 Lt. William Hronek, Jr., 1941, 23, USMC flyer, died in an airplane accident, Jan. 14, 1943.

— Ibid., Vol. 70, page 5i03 1st Lt. James McNeil Kilgore, 1932, U.S. Army, died in Germany, April 4, 1945, from wounds received on March 29. Commander of Co. F, 13th Inf. Reg., 1st Army, he received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 414 Lt. Orman W ellington Young, Jr., 1943, USAAC, 8th A ir Force, was KIA over the North Sea, June 14, 1944 — Ibid., Vol. 75, page 732 WESLEYAN Capt. Frederick Charles Brevillier, 1939, was KIA in France, Aug. 7, 1944. He crossed the English Channel during the D-Day invasion. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 220 W EST VIRGINIA Lt. Thomas Cambell Bibb, 1945, USAAC, navigator on a B-24 bomber, was KIA over Kassel, Germany, Sept 27, 1944. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 511 Lt. James Stanley (Heaver) Heavener, 1945, U.S. Army Engineers, was killed Christmas Day, 1944, in Belgium. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 372 Lt. John William Shaffer, 1942, photographic reconnaissance pilot, USAAC, was KIA on June 19, 1943. — Ibid., Vol. 71, page 188 W ESTM INSTER An ensign with the fam ous American Volunteer Group fighting with the Chinese to keep the Burma road open, Thom as Jefferson Cole, 1938, died on the Burma Road on Jan. 29, 1942.

Enlisting in the Navy upon graduation, he was a m em ber of the “Tiger Squadron’’ and had distin­ guished himself in aerial combat. — Ibid., Vol. 69, page 452 1st Lt. Joseph Nashie Glenn, 1944, USMCR, was KIA June 19, 1944, during the naval battle for the Marianas. — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 222 Lt. Charles H. McCann III, 1941, USMC, form er chapter president, was KIA on Iwo Jima, Feb. 24, 1945. In an attack on the airfield, “Angus” exposed him self to machine gun fire to rescue the wounded, trying to reach others who were pinned down, when he was killed. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 15; Vol. 72, page 484 Ens. Charles Maxwell Warner, Jr., 1941, was KIA when the USS Quincy sank in the South Pacific, Aug 9, 1942. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 164 W ISCONSIN Ens. Robert William Carlin, 1946, KIA in the South Pacific on Jan 30, 1944. — Ibid., Vol 72, page 138 W ITTENBERG Lt. Robert W. Seeger, 1929, USNR, South Pacific, was KIA on May 11, 1945. He was a wellknown Springfield, Ohio, dentist for 10 years before being comm issioned in the Navy. — Ibid., Vol. 72, pages 479 and 487 YALE S/Sgt. A rthur Russell Andrews II, 1936, reported by the W ar Dept, as MIA on Oct. 25, 1944, at Leyte, was later listed as KIA. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 77 Lt. (jg) Edward Perkins Clark II, 1943, USNR, chief comm unications officer, submarine USS Snook, was listed as MIA, April 8, 1945, and later presumed lost. — Ibid., Vol. 73, page 342 Lt. Thomas Russell Clark, Jr., 1942, USNR — Ibid., Vol. 72, page 224 Lt. Logan Munroe, 1939, died June 16, 1945, while executive officer on a Navy minesweeper.

— Ibid., Vol. 73, page 313

Ibid. 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ibid. 7: The Beta Book, 1930 ; Ibid. 8: The B eta Book, 1933] Ibid. 9: F aith ful H om e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

212

KOREAN WAR, 1950-1953 Often referred to as the Korean Conflict, this w ar claimed nearly 34,000 American lives, more than half as many as were killed in the Vietnam W ar which lasted years longer. Indeed, President Harry S Truman to avoid the requirement for Congressional approval to go to war, conceded to the term “conflict.”

Unlike Vietnam, which polarized the nation, Korea was simply The Forgotten War — much like its status between the world wars when Japanese occupiers renamed it Chosen — as characterized by the apt title of the best book on the subject until David Halberstam's The C o ld e s t W in te r Korean War service m edal

(2005).

The public was insulated from the w ar — unlike the

“up close and perso n a l” re­ porting on Vietnam. Complicit in the misinformation was the m yopic lack of leadership by the w a r’s pro se cu to rs from their Tokyo headquarters, Gen. Douglas MacArthur never hav­ ing spent a single night in Ko­ rea. For MacArthur’s failure to follow orders, he was replaced

by President Truman with Gen.

USAF 1st Lt. A rnold Bergh, Washington 1954, races to his je t fighter during action in the Korea War.

Matthew Ridgeway in 1951.

Youth of today are vastly uninformed about the three-year struggle — even viewers of the mostly comedic TV series M*A*S*FI, which sprang from the movie of the same name, based on the book

by Dr. H. Richard Hornberger, Jr., Bowdoin 1945 (see page 43). Writing under the pen name of Richard Hooker, the chest surgeon in Waterville, Maine, based the book on his experiences in a Mobile Arm y Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. He was quoted as being disappointed with both the movie and the TV series for their lack of accuracy and propensity for humor.

W IL L IA M R. MOORE, IO W A 1935 Associated Press, Pyongyang, Korea, Oct. 27, 1950 — Moore, 40, missing A P correspondent, was killed in action on the Chinju front in South Korea, July 31, while helping save a wounded U.S. Army lieutenant, said a corporal who was captured in the same action. American forces were making a desperate effort to stem the Red drive on Pusan, only 55 air miles east.

With the The Daily Oklahoman in Oklahoma City, he joined the Associated Press in Denver in 1937. He was a mem ber o f the U.S. armed forces in the Pacific during World W ar II, discharged with the rank of major. He rejoined the A P in New York and in April 1948 was sent to Korea as a staff correspondent. W hen the Korean W ar broke out on June 25, he was in Hong Kong on vacation relief duty. Immediately, he volunteered to fly back to Korea and soon was in the thick Ibid: The B eta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

213

of the fighting. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 292 In a simple cerem ony at the Korean Embassy in W ashington, DC, their Am bassador awarded a posthumous medal to Moore. — Ibid., Vol. 82, page 536

ROY M. BAIN, TEXAS 1940 (Ace) A veteran of World W ar II and the Korean War, Col. Bain was an Ace (five or more enemy aircraft downed) pilot. With W estern Geophysical for years, he died in 2006.

JOSEPH T. CRANE, WEST VIRGINIA 1941 (DFC) Lt. Col. Crane was awarded the DFC for heroism on Jan. 28, 1952, as leader of a flight of four F-51 fighter aircraft near Ogu-dong, Korea. In a series of devastating attacks with napalm, rockets and machine guns, despite intense autom atic fire and over hazardous terrain and in bad weather, he left the target in a mass of flames. He was cited “for personal courage and devotion to duty.”

After the war, he commanded the 3552nd training squadron, Moody Air Base, Ga. — Ibid., Vol. 80, pages 640-641

GORDON H. CUBBISON, UTAH 1941 (SS) Cubbison fought in World War II and Korea. He enlisted in 1941 after Pearl Harbor. With the 13th Airborne Division, he became a “glider rider” with the 677th Glider Field Artillery Bn. Eventually assigned to the Phillippines, he took part in the closing campaign against the Japanese in North­ ern Luzon. Cubbison left the service in 1947. After managing an Arm y Exchange Depot in Kobe, Japan, he re-enlisted in the Arm y and was assigned to the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in Korea, then the 674th Parachute Field Artillery Bn. During a U.N. counter-offensive in spring 1951, he was wounded four times in one day. He was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star and four Purple Hearts. — Ibid., Vol. 80, pages 312-314

ROSS R. MINER, IDAHO 1944 (2 SSs) Decorated for his heroic service in the Marines during two wars, Major Miner earned nine personal medals, 28 decorations in all. In W orld W ar II, he volunteered for the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, formed by M ajor Evan F. Carlson. This fam ous combat unit, with its battle cry, “Gung Ho,” was known as Carlson’s Raiders. They fought on Midway Island, made the Makin Raid by subm arine and landed on Guadalcanal where they operated behind enemy lines for more than a month. Shipboard, he participated in the landings at Leyte in the Philippines, the Battle of Surigao Straits, Mindoro, Luzon, the capture of Corregidor and the battle for Okinawa.

M iner was called back to active duty as a lieutenant with the 11th Tank Bn., Marine Reserve, in 1950. He went to Korea and was wounded in 1951. After recuperating, he returned to action. His first Silver Star was for “successfully attacking and seizing a strong key objective defended by a fresh North Korean regiment. His company, fatigued and depleted but with indominable spirit and courage, held its objective.” His second Silver Star was for “refusing to be hospitalized after being wounded during an attack which suc­ cessfully seized an enemy-held hill. He remained with his company because he expected an enemy counter-attack at any tim e.”

A career Marine, Miner retired to Friday Harbor, Puget Sound, Wash., with his wife Betty Jane, where he lived 24 years, dying in 1995.

Ib id 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ib id 7. The B eta Book, 1930] Ib id 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ib id 9 : F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

214

BETA HEROES

— Ibid., w inter 1996, pages 29-30; Vol. 80, pages 639-640; Treasure o f the Hills; feature by A rthur S. Guerin, Idaho 1924 W hile with “Carlson’s Raiders” on Guadalcanal, the team became extensively engaged in a reconnoitering that stretched to 24 days, resulting in the killing of more than 500 Japanese with a loss of only 16 marines. A letter from Ross’s executive officer, Lt. Col. James Roosevelt, son of the President, after the Makin Island raid, read: “I understand

Decorated in two wars with nine medals for valor

your interest in Marine Ross Miner; he was one of the very best men in the Raider battalion. . . . All the things said about Miner I can echo most heartily; he will surely be in line to receive a commission, the hard way, won on the field o f battle. I hope so.” Of course, he did. — Ibid., Vol. 70, pages 454-455

JOHN BERNARD MURPHY, JR., YALE 1949 (5 DFCs, SS) 2nd Lt. Murphy, USAFA, was killed in action near Waegwan, Korea. In World War II, he flew 6 8

combat missions over Normandy, France, and the Rhineland and the Ardennes. He had

been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with four Oak Leaf Clusters, nine Air Medals and, posthumously, the Silver Star. — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 86

ROBERT M. YEAGER, OHIO STATE 1950 (DFC) A 1950 photo of Yeager in The Beta Theta Pi, with three other Betas in the

8

th Squadron (The

Black Sheep), 49th Fighter Bomber Group, showed Lt. John M. Irvine, M iam i 1941, 52 missions; Lt. Robert H. Warner, Washington in St. Louis 1948, 31 missions; Lt. Robert W. Paret, Rutgers 1949, and Yeager, awarded the DFC and three Air Medals while flying more than 100 missions.

— Ibid., Vol. 79, page 717.

JAMES H. HOWELL, CINCINNAT11951 (DFC) USAF Captain Howell, a je t pilot, was killed in aerial combat over Korea. With the 15th Tacti­ cal Reconnaissance Squadron, he was awarded the A ir Medal in October 1952, for meritorious achievem ent in aerial com bat when flying an F- 8 6 Saberjet fighter with the fighter-interceptor wing. He later won a second A ir Medal and on Jan 15, 1942, took part in an action for which he was awarded the DFC. He was the University of Cincinnati’s 1949 featherweight boxing champ.

— Ibid., Vol. 81, page 260

JAMES E. (STUB) MARSHALL, WEST VIRGINIA 1951 W hile Marshall was decorated for “extraordinary heroism ,” no information has been learned regarding the details of his bravery or the medals awarded.

Capt. James Howell flew the F-86 jet, a workhorse in the Korea War. Ibid: The Beta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

215

ROBERT H. BANTA, LEHIGH 1952 (SS) Captain Banta received a Silver Star for gallantry as com m ander of Company G, 65th Combat Engineer Bn., 25th Div. A veteran of World W ar II, he was recalled to active duty in July 1951 and had served in Korea since February 1952. In W orld W ar II, he was awarded the Bronze Star. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ibid., Vol. 80, pages 484-485

GEORGE M. BROWNING, JR., UCLA 1952 (DFC) Major General Browning, USAF, was deputy chief of staff for Headquarters, USAF, in Europe, charged with advising the USAF com m ander on all matters affecting air operations, Europe. He has a m asterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in international relations from George W ashington University. He began his USAF career as assistant finance officer in 1952.

A veteran of 120 F-4 Phantom combat missions in Southeast Asia, Gen. Browning served in a variety of assignments in the U.S. and overseas, including tours of duty in Korea, Belgium, Spain, Germany and Thailand. A command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, he was awarded, among others, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion o f Merit, eight A ir Medals and the Republic of Vietnam Cross o f Gallantry with Palm.

Ib id 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ib id 7 : The B eta Book, 1930, Ib id 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ib id 9; F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

216

CHAPTER DEATHS IN THE KOREAN WAR With 33,741 deaths, including 23,615 killed in action, the Korean W ar is the most deadly unacknowledged w ar in U.S. history. In addition, there were 92,134 wounded in action on the peninsula. Continuing at issue is the large number of combatants (4,820) still missing in action, many of whom remain unaccounted for and now are listed as dead. O f the 7,245 prisoners of w ar held by the North Koreans, 2,847 died in POW camps.

CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES (UCLA) Lt. Clarence Edward Boyd, Jr., 1943, reported MIA* in Korea, July 1,1951, at age 28, and declared KIA, Jan. 1,1954, was a MATS pilot in the China-Burm a-lndia Theater in World War II. He was called back to active duty with the USAFR 452nd Bomb Wing, in August 1950, and w ent to Korea in October 1950. He was flying his 72nd mission in a B-26 when he and his crew did not return. — Ibid., Vol. 82, page 64 COLORADO 1st Lt. Gerald Phillips Anderson, 1944, USMC, was KIA at Kowon, Korea, Nov. 7, 1950. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 511 CORNELL Lt. Gerald W. Carpenter, 1949, 29; an architect and veteran fighter pilot, died in a crash of his Thunderjet, July 26, 1951. He served 32 months in World W ar II, receiving two A ir Medals and three battle stars, and had only recently been recalled to active duty. — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 276 DARTMOUTH Maurice Tarr, 1950, Derry, Mass., 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, was killed in Korea, Feb. 22, 1953. — Ibid., Vol. 81, page 672 DENISON Lt. Col. James H. Moyer, 1942, died Oct. 8,1951, in Tokyo, Japan, of burns suffered when his B-26 light bomber crashed in combat over Korea. — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 373 DePAUW Lt. Frank V. Meek, 1952, was listed as MIA by the USAF, Jan. 30, 1955. Leader of a flight of F-84 Thunderjets, he was last reported on January 15 flying between Japan and Okinawa. — Ibid., Vol. 82, page 477 DUKE Thomas S. Hodgson III, 1951, was KIA in April 1952. — Ibid., Vol. 80, page 336 EMORY A plaque in memory of Lt. John H. Buckley, 1951, is in the Air Force Academ y stadium near Colorado Springs, Colo., placed by the USAFR Training Center, Atlanta, Ga., and by Major Olen E. Duncan, Em ory 1949, who was in Korea as a navigator when Buckley was killed. (See “Illinois’’ below) — Ibid., Sept. 1969, page 74 ILLINOIS Lt. John H. Buckley, 1946 (also Em ory 1951), was KIA during a combat mission as a navigator on a B-29, Aug. 30, 1951. — Ibid., Vol .80, page 410 IOWA A ir Force Lt. Robert D. Peterson, 1949, was killed in an air crash near Okinawa, Sept. 13, 1951. — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 373

*See M ilitary Acronym s on page 100 Ibid: The B eta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

217 M edical evacuations and troop m ovem ents were by helicopters in Korea and Vietnam, some by the CH-47.

JOHNS HOPKINS 1st Lt. Leo J. N icaise, Jr., 1950, birthday, Jan. 28, 1952, w hile flying an F-80 je t in Korea. He was in a flight of four F-80s that left Suwon A ir Base with light bombs to attack enemy ground forces. He was seen to enter his glide bomb run and drop his bombs. The number four man in the flight reported that at 1,500 feet the craft entered a slight turn to the left and flew into the ground and exploded. He had been in Korea since Septem ber 1951.

A U.S. Naval Academ y graduate, Capt. John Robertson Dunham, 1948, was a navigator on a reconnaissance plane shot down by a Soviet fighter in 1952. His remains, along with six others, were turned over to the U.S. by the Russians in the mid-1990s. The remains were discovered in an unmarked grave on Sept. 2, 1994. — Ibid., w inter 1996, page 30 William D. W ood, 1952, was KIA while commanding 3rd platoon, Co. B, 10th Engineer Combat Bn. in the vicinity of Outpost Harry, Central Front. — Ibid., Vol. 81, page 262 KNOX 1st Lt. Robert Kane Kensel, 1951, was killed when his plane crashed near Seoul, Aug. 16, 1953. He had flown 85 com bat missions for the 3rd Inf. Div. and had piloted high-ranking U.S. military and State Department officials and NATO officials to the peace conferences at Panmunjon.

He was awarded the Air Medal. — Ibid., Vol. 81, pages 409-410 LEHIGH Lt. George A. LaSasso, 1951, was KIA, Oct. 14, 1952. He was awarded the Bronze Star with V Cluster for meritorious service in Kumwha, Korea, on July 25 and had been engaged in the W hite Horse Ridge campaign. A t Lehigh, he was 1949’s most outstanding athlete. The 1947 and 1948 champion w restler in the Middle Atlantic Assn., he was in W ho’s Who in Am erican Colleges and Universities. — Ibid., Vol. 80, page 336 MAINE Captain O liver Edward Buckley, Jr., 1943, was KIA on a fighter mission, Jan. 9, 1950, after arriving in Japan with the 13th Squadron, 3rd Fighter Group, only a month before. He had been a B-26 pilot in World W ar II, receiving his discharge in 1946. After Maine, he attended the U.S. Military Academy, W est Point, N.Y. — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 276 MISSOURI Capt. Lewis H. Cameron, 1948, was KIA in Korea. — Ibid., Vol. 82, page 246 NEBRASKA Donald W arner Stewart, Jr., 1945, USAF, was killed Sept. 4, 1951, when he collided with another plane. — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 438 OREGON Capt. Dean Garland Crowell, 1944, USAF, was struck and killed by small arms fire while flying near tree top level at Pyongyang, Oct. 1, 1950. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 511

Ib id 6: The B e ta Book, 1929; Ib id 7. The B eta Book, 1930; Ib id 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ib id 9. F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

218

PENN STATE 1st Lt. Howard F. James, 1949, was KIA, May 24, 1951. — Ibid., Vol. 79, page 372 STANFORD 1st Lt. Ralph A. Sala, 1950, form er intercollegiate swimming champion, was killed in October 1954, when the Navy jet plane he was piloting crashed on Okinawa.

TULANE Lt. Louis G. Sebralla, 1950, was lost in an active defense jet flight from Otis AFB, Falmouth, Mass., Oct. 12, 1953. — Ibid., Vol. 81, page 411 VIRGINIA Corporal Freeman McMillan Wade, 1952, USMC, landed with the 1st Marine Division at Inchon beachhead behind enemy lines and participated in the battle of Seoul and in early UN victories against the North Koreans. He was killed when the Chinese Reds overran allied forces at Changjin Reservoir. — Ibid., Vol. 78, page 358 W ASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS U.S. Army Lt. Robert Kennedy Warner, 1948, age 24, died in an aircraft accident in Korea. An F-84 Thunderjet pilot with 6 8 com bat missions, he had been awarded the Air Medal two months earlier. — Ibid., Vol. 80, page 256 W EST VIRGINIA James Edward Marshall, 1948, was killed on “Old Baldie,” Korea, Sept. 19, 1952. — Ibid., Vol. 80, page 336 W ESTMINSTER Frederick Turner Munsell, Jr., 1951, 7th Inf. Div., an aidman in the Medical Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, was KIA sometime in July 1952. From St. Louis, Mo., he had arrived in Korea only two months earlier. — Ibid., Vol. 80, page 412

U.S. ACTION IN LEBANON, 1958 RICHARD THUMM DIETERICH, ILLINOIS 1956 Lt. (j.g.)) Dieterich died July 19,1958, when his Navy je t crashed near Beirut, Lebanon. He was 24. He was believed to be the first American casualty when U.S. Marines landed in Lebanon in response to a plea from the president o f that country. Flying from the USS Essex, he was taking part in U.S. Sixth Fleet operations in the Eastern Mediterranean. — Ibid., March 1959, page 376

Ibid: The Beta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

219

VIETNAM WAR, 1965-1975* The war in Vietnam, a military involvement that lasted through five presidents — both Republicans and Democrats — for 20 years (1954-75*), often earning disrespect and abuse for heroic warriors whose only offenses were to be drafted, sent to a w ar zone and follow orders. Prominent Betas were counted among those in strong opposition to the war, most notably Senator Mark O. Hatfield, W illamette 1943, who took an early lonely stance, earning alienation from his own party. He later stood against his party in opposing the Iraq-Afghanistan War. (See page 40)

% Vietnam

More than 58,000, mostly young Americans, gave their lives in this futile conflict, Campaign which resulted in huge unrest across the nation. Nonetheless, heroism was a common

medal

valor among the many Betas who served with distinction on this distant battleground.

KEITH B. McCUTCHEON, CARNEGIE 1937 (SS) Lt. Gen. McCutcheon became the No. 2 man in the U.S. Marine Corps, Feb. 1, 1971. See also page 155.

DONALD W. BENNETT, WEST VIRGINIA 1949 Retiring in 1985 from the USAF, Maj. Gen. Bennett served 34 years, including wartim e comm and in Vietnam. A t his retirem ent, he was com m anding officer of the 22nd A ir Force at Travis A ir Force Base, Calif. (1981-85) A pilot as well as an aircraft maintenance officer, he has more than 7,000 flying hours in the F- 8

6

, F-102, BAC Lightning, F-15, C-130, C-141, C -5A and

num erous other military and civilian aircraft. He received two D istinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, Bronze S tar and Republic of Vietnam G allantry Cross with Palm. — Ibid., spring 1985, page 271

RICHARD G. DAVIS, OHIO 1951 (2 SSs) USAF Lt. Colonel Davis was awarded two Silver Stars for gallantry in Vietnam. His second Silver Star was as a forward air controller near Due Hoa. Although his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, he remained over the target area until the mission was successfully completed. — Ibid., June 1969, page 488

RICHARD P. GERON, VANDERBILT 1951 (DFC, SS) USAF Captain Geron received the Silver Star for piloting his damaged B-26 on strafing runs against an attacking Viet Cong

Piloted his damaged B-26 against attackers

party. He also received the DFC, Bronze Star and five Air Medals for action in Vietnam. — Ibid., Jan. 1969, page 308 B O G U E P. HARRISON, KANSAS 1951 (2 D F C s , S S ) USAF M ajor Harrison was awarded a Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 11 A ir Medals for action in Southeast Asia. His DFCs were for separate occasions. On Dec. 20, 1967, he directed close air support missions against a hostile force which had surrounded a friendly unit near Katum, Vietnam. Also, while working with friendly ground forces, he was instrumental in capturing a major enemy sanctuary. — Ibid., A pril 1969, page 400 'While econom ic aid and m ilitary support were initiated by P resident D wight E isenhow er in 1954, official com m itm ent o f fighting units came under P resident Johnson in 1965 when he ordered the massive bom bing o f North Vietnam, a m ove called Operation Rolling Thunder.

Ib id 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ib id 7: The B eta Book, 1930; Ib id 8: The B eta Book, 1933', Ib id 9 : F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

220

Promoted to colonel in the USAF, he was chief o f the weapons center command post at Tyndall AFB, Fla., then was reassigned to Colorado Springs as command director in the NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Com­ plex Combat Operations Center. Commissioned in 1952, he holds the aeronautical rating of command pilot. His medals also include a Silver Star, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and 19 A ir Medals. — Ibid., A pril 1973, page373

ROBERT H. KELLEY, CENTRE 1951 (DFC) USAF Lt. Col. Kelley received the Distinguished Flying Cross at Nha M ajor Bogue Harrison

Trang A ir Base, Vietnam, for air action in Vietnam. — Ibid., Jan. 1970, p ag e 267

WILLIAM E. MILLER, OHIO 1951 (DFC) A USAF command pilot, Col. Miller was initially assigned to Japan as a special weapons gun­ ner, participating in Operation Hand Clasp II. He was an instructor pilot in Germany as chief of flight operations. In Vietnam, he flew 800 combat support hours. At Randolph AFB, Texas, he was chief of standardization and evaluation and later group com m ander of personnel/administra­ tion. He received the Legion of Merit, DFC, Bronze Star and eight A ir Medals. He died in 2005.

STACY L. PAIT, FLORIDA 1951 (DFC) USAF M ajor Pait received the Distinguished Flying Cross at Tan Son Nhut AFB, Vietnam. He distinguished himself when he rescued an airfield survey officer who was stranded during an attack on the airfield at a forward operating base. Although his aircraft sustained battle damage

Rescued a sti anded airfield officer

during the attack, he taxied to the end of the runway, picked up the officer and completed a successful takeoff. — Ibid., Jan. 1971, page 340

ARTHUR C. BENNETT, SYRACUSE 1954 (DFC) USAF Major Bennett received the Distinguished Flying Cross and seven Air Medals for aerial achievement: the DFC for participating in a mission defending a U.S. Army outpost under at­ tack, the Air Medals for outstanding airmanship and courage on other missions under hazardous conditions. — Ibid., June 1971, page 565 WILLIAM B.D. DOWELL, MIAM11954 (2 DFCs) Major Dowell died at age 38 in 1969 following a heart attack at Andrews AFB, Md. He was 38.

He volunteered for duty in Southeast Asia, flew more than 100 missions, receiving two Distin­ guished Flying Crosses and nine A ir Medals. — Ibid., Jan. 1970, page 330

WINSTON A. HAWLEY, OHIO 1954 (DFC) A retired A ir Force major, he was a navigator on a KC-135 je t tanker and received the DFC in Vietnam. He died in 1995, in Butler Township, Ohio. — Ibid., fall 1995, page 30

MANFORD CARL HOLLY, OKLAHOMA 1954 (DFC) USAF Colonel Holly was an F-105 pilot and received the Vietnam Medal o f Honor and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Later, he directed NATO tactical evaluation teams in Belgium, 197576. He died in 1996. — Ibid., w inter 1997, page 35

Ibid: The B e ta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

221

WELLES HANGEN, BROW N 1949 Famous journalist captured, executed by the Khmer Rouge One of a group of five journalists who disappeared while covering the w ar in Southeast Asia, NBC’s Welles Hangen, 40, was executed by the Khmer Rouge following their dis­ appearance in the Cambodian jungle, May 31, 1970. Their remains were dug up from a riverbed during a U.S.-Cambodian excavation in March 1992, 23 years after disappearing.

Previously, Hangen was with the N ew York Times. He joined NBC in 1957, working in Cairo, Bonn, New Delhi and Hong Kong. — Ibid., fall 1994, page 60 The five drove along a highway covering a battle when one vehicle was hit by a grenade, killing three CBS journal­ ists. The Khmer Rouge marched the remaining five into the jungle south of Phnom Penh. They were never heard from again. When excavated from a riverbed in a rice field, two were found with their hands tied behind their backs. — Ibid., spring 1993, page 250 Hangen, his cameraman, soundman and their Cambodian driver were following U.S. and South Vietnam troops, who a month earlier had crossed the Cambodian border in an ill-fated attempt to eliminate North Vietnamese hideouts. Somewhere Journalist Welles Hangen

along the route from Phnom Penh to Takeo, they ran into a road blocked by a wrecked jeep, blown up a few minutes

before by a mine which killed the CBS crew.

Two other CBS crewmen were still on the scene. As they surveyed the wreck, they were suddenly surrounded by Viet Cong and led away. None were heard from again. Like 17 other representatives o f American news agencies missing in Cambodia, all have long since been presumed dead.

Waiting for Welles in their Hong Kong home at the time was Patricia Hangen, author of a book, Tell Him That I Heard — the story of the Hangens’ life together since their 1958 marriage in Cairo.

Hangen, previously with The New York Times, had joined NBC only recently. The book tells the “non-glam orous” but suspenseful life of a foreign correspondent from the vantage of a wife and two adopted children, including “homes” abroad, difficulties with customs of­ ficials and secret police and agonizing periods o f long “w aiting.” The worst, of course, were the years following May 1970, when there were messages both of hope and of despair. The 217-page book was published by Harper & Row. — Ibid., w inter 1978, page 203

FRANK E. WENCEL, WESTERN RESERVE 1952 (DFC) USAF Major W encel received a Distinguished Flying Cross at Bien Hoa AFB for heroism. A meteorologist and navigator, he also received two A ir Medals. — Ibid., Jan. 1970, page 266

Ib id 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ib id 7 : The B eta Book, 1930 ; Ib id 8: The B eta Book, 1933] Ib id 9: F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

222

ROBERT R. KILLAM, OKLAHOMA STATE 1954 (DFC) USAF Major Killam received the Distinguished Flying Cross and nine Air Medals for action in Southeast Asia. The DFC was “for extraordinary achievem ent” as a C-130 aircraft commander during a crucial aerial resupply mission. — Ibid., Sept. 1968, page 77

CLARK R. MORGAN, WEST VIRGINIA 1954 (DFC) Major Morgan completed a combat tour at Da Nang A ir Base, flying 163 combat missions in an F-4C Phantom fighter and earning a DFC, 14 A ir Medals and Bronze Star. He was later with the 430th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Homestead AFB, Fla. — Ibid., A pril 1968, page 348

THOMAS B. SCHNAITER, INDIANA 1954 (DFC) Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross “for extraordinary achievement,” USAF Major Schnaiter distinguished him self as an AC-47 Skytrain attack aircraft navigator when he defended a Marine patrol under an autom atic weapons and mortar attack near Cam Lo. Through his efforts,

a

the attack was broken and an emergency medical evacuation

Defended a Marine patrol under ,

..

,

heavy enemy attack

was made safely. He flew 126 combat missions from Da Nang A ir Base and received seven Air Medals. — Ibid., Jan. 1971, page 342

ROBERT E. WATKINS, WESTMINSTER 1954 (DFC) Captain Watkins received the Distinguished Flying Cross upon his return from a second tour in Vietnam. He piloted an L-19 on his first tour, an F-104 Starfighter jet during the second tour.

RICHARD W. BURTON, UCLA 1955 (DFC) Major Burton received a Distinguished Flying Cross and seven A ir Medals for service in South­ east Asia. He earned the citations “for outstanding airmanship and courage as an EB - 6 6 Destroyer navigator on missions under hazardous conditions.” — Ibid., Jan. 1970, page 268

WARREN R. LILLY, TEXAS 1955 (2 SSs) Colonel Lilly, USAF (ret.), born in Dallas, Texas, was a career officer and pilot for 24 years.

While he piloted B-52s, he was shot down while flying helicopter rescue missions in Vietnam in 1965. He evaded the enemy for five days before his capture and was a POW for more than seven years. One of his cellmates was Sen. John McCain who remembers Col. Lilly as “probably the most popular o f the 30 prisoners in his cell.” His decorations included two Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and 26 Battle Stars. He died in 2007 in Montgomery, Ala. A tree was planted in the exact location of his childhood home, and a handsome plaque lists his many military honors and awards. — Ibid., sum m er 2008, page 9 V E R N E. VANNIER, WICHITA STATE 1955 (2 D F C s ) USAF Major Vannier received his second Distinguished Flying Cross as a C-74 Caribou aircraft comm ander during a resupply mission at Katum Fire Base, airlifting vital fuel and ammunition into an isolated Arm y fire support base. — Ibid., Sept. 1972, page 26

HIRAM J. CALLAHAN, OHIO 1956 (DFC) Major Callahan received the Distinguished Flying Cross for 23 missions flown into an airfield surrounded by hostile forces in Vietnam. — Ibid., A pril 1968, page 348

ROBERT SPENCER YORE, DENISON 1956 (3 DFCs) During his USAF career, he was chief radar observer, disaster preparedness officer and flight commander. His awards included three Distinguished Flying Crosses, 17 A ir Medals and five Ibid: The B eta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

223 Bronze Stars. He died in Dothan, Ala., in 1990. — Ibid., spring 1993, page 252

THOMAS R. FERGUSON, JR., WEST VIRGINIA 1957 Retiring from the USAF as com m ander o f the Aeronautical Systems Center as a lieutenant general, Ferguson had more than 4,000 hours of flying time, mostly in B-52s. He received two Distinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star. He died in 2003.

ROBERT E. MACARGEL, RUTGERS 1957 (DFCI) Major MacArgel received the DFC and two Air Medals for air action in Southeast Asia. He re­ ceived the DFC “for extraordinary achievem ent as an electronic warfare officer while assigned at Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand”; the A ir Medals “for outstanding airmanship and courage on sustained aerial flights completed under hazardous conditions.”

Honored for outstanding airmanship and courage

— Ibid., Sept. 1970, page 36

ALEXANDER MACLEOD MILLIGAN, PENN STATE 1957 (DFC) Col. Milligan was among 27 killed in the crash o f a USAF C-130 in Ankara, Turkey, April 13, 1982. A command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, he received the DFC, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. He commanded the SAC Contracting Squadron at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colo, in 1980 after serving as air operations staff officer at the Tactical A ir Command headquarters in Virginia. — Ibid., fall 1982, page 60

JAMES G. WILLETT, IOWA 1957 (DFC) USAF Major W illett received five medals in Southeast Asia, including a DFC “for extraordinary aerial achievem ent” as an EB - 6 6 Destroyer electronic warfare officer, November 1968-October 1969, and A ir Medals for outstanding airmanship and courage. — Ibid., Sept 1970, page 38

HARLOW KENNETH HALBOWER, KANSAS STATE 1958 (DFC, SS) Halbower died in 1966 or 1967 in Vietnam from wounds suffered when his small reconnais­ sance plane was hit by gunfire. A 1959 graduate o f the USAF Academy, he was a flight instructor until going to Vietnam as a forward air control­ ler. Postumously, he was awarded the S ilver Star, DFC, Purple Heart and A ir Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters. — Ibid., Jan. 1967, page 205

DENNIS B. HAGUE, IDAHO 1958 (DFC) USAF Captain Hague received the DFC for heroism. An A-1E Skyraider pilot, he was decorated for leading an attack against hostile forces, which turned a potential overrun into an equal battle and made possible an attack later that night which resulted in a complete rout of the enemy.

He also received four Air Medals for m eritorious service while in aerial flights. — Ibid., June 1967, page 434 J A M E S R. TERRY, STEVENS 1959 (DFC) USAF Major Terry received the Distinguished Flying Cross “for heroic aerial achievem ent” in Southeast Asia. A B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber pilot, he was cited for flying a highly critical mission, making a decisive attack on his primary target despite hazardous weather conditions and hostile defenses. — Ibid., June 1970, page 526

LANCE L. JOHNSON, IDAHO 1961 (DFC) Army Captain Johnson received the Distinguished Service Cross and Bronze Star for heroism Ib id 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ib id 7 : The B eta Book, 1930 ; Ib id 8: The B eta Book, 1933] Ib id 9. F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

224 in Vietnam. — Ibid., June 1970, page 527

WILLIAM JAY LONDON, JR., MISSOUR11961 (DFC) A USAF navigator, London, 31, was killed April 10,1970, in an airplane crash near Naha AFB, Okinawa. He had flown numerous missions to Vietnam, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1968. — Ibid., Sept. 1970, page 102

JOHN L. MARTIN, CINCINNAT11961 (2 DFCs) USAF Captain Martin received two Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals for hero­ ism as an F-100 Super Sabre pilot in Southeast Asia. “His outstanding airmanship and courage helped reduce allied casualties and defeat the enem y” on numerous missions.— Ibid., June 1969, page 490

MILLARD A. PECK, KENYON 1962 (5 SSs) Arm y Captain Peck received the Distinguished Service Cross “for bravery," on Jan 24, 1969, at Dong Tam. He also received the highest Vietnamese award, their DSC with Palm “for valorous action” in a sepa­ rate operation on June 1, 1968, in the Plain of Reeds.

“Mike” Peck became a legend in the Mekong Delta, hated and feared by the enemy who called him “Loup Garron” (The Werewolf) — the special forces warrior who outfoxed and outfought a Viet Cong battalion.

They had good reason, for he earned five Silver Stars, perhaps the only person in the U.S. Army known to have received that many, three Bronze Stars, two Air Medals, two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry with Silver Capt. M illard Peck

Star, and two Purple Hearts. In 1965-66, he was in a Special Forces camp at the Cambodian border. — Ibid., June 1969, page 491

JAMES E. PETERSON, OREGON 1962 (DFC) USAF Captain Peterson earned the DFC “fo r extraordinary achievem ent as an F-4 Phantom pilot on a night reconnaissance mission. “Despite adverse w eather conditions, he located and destroyed an enem y convoy moving men and supplies to the South. Heading back to his home base, he learned that a forward air controller in the southern panhandle o f North Vietnam was under attack by m ultiple 37mm anti-aircraft guns. D isregarding his low fuel supply, he w ent to the air co ntroller’s aid, flew four low level passes against enem y positions, dropped his ord­ nance directly on target and successfully knocked out the gun em placem ents.” — Ibid., June 1969, page 490

PETER FRANSSON RUSSELL, COLUMBIA 1962 (DFC) USN Captain Russell, 29, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross “for flying a prop-driven A-1 Spad in an aerial dogfight in which he was credited with downing four North Vietnamese MIG jets." He died May 25, 1969, at age 29 from injuries received in action in Vietnam. — Ibid., Jan. 1969, page 309; Jan. 1970, page 332

CARL EDWARD ANDERSON, JR., AMHERST 1963 (DFC) Captain Anderson, 28, died in 1970 in W ashington, DC, after a brief illness. He served an extended tour in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and received several medals for bravery, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. — Ibid., Jan. 1971, page 356

Ibid: The B eta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

225

DARREL J. ANKENY, WASHINGTON 1963 (SS) USAF Captain Ankeny was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry as an F-4D Phantom aircraft commander over North Vietnam on Feb. 14,1968. “With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Ankeny made multiple attacks on one of the most vital and heavily defended targets in the Red River Delta. Later, he was a pilot with the 831st Combat Support Group at George AFB, Calif. — Ibid., A pril 1969, page 398 D O N A L D R. HARRIS, IDAHO 1963 (D F C , SS) 1st Lt. Harris returned to the U.S. in May 1967, after a year of combat as a helicopter pilot.

He was involved in air rescue operations of the 38th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron known as the “Jolly Green Giants.” He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Silver Star for heroism. Later, he was assigned to Shaw AFB, S.C. — Ibid., June 1968, page 438

RICHARD O. NORDHAUS, PUGET SOUND 1963 (3 DFCs) USAF Captain Nordhaus completed a tour of duty in Vietnam and in Thailand asanA -1 Skyraider attack bomber pilot. He has three Distinguished Flying Crosses and 16 Air Medals for “remarkable heroism.” — Ibid., June 1971, page 568

BRUCE A. BRANDT, NEBRASKA 1964 (2 DFCs, SS) 1st Lt. Brandt was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic action as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot over Vietnam. He previously received two DFCs and 10 Air Medals. Later, he was an instructor pilot for the A ir Training Command at Reese AFB, Texas. — Ibid., June 1968, page 438

LAURENCE J. CUNNINGHAM, INDIANA 1964 (DFC) Navy Lt. Cunningham received the Distinguished Flying Cross and 11 A ir Medals for outstanding service in Vietnam. He was awarded the DFC for leading a two-plane missile element in support of a 23-plane air strike against an airfield north of Hanoi. He was shot down twice by enemy fire during his first tour o f Vietnam, June 1967; he returned to Vietnam in July 1968 for his second tour. — Ibid., Jan. 1969, page 307

RAYMOND CHESTER HESSE, NEBRASKA 1964 (DFC) Capt. Hesse died Nov. 20,1977, in a crash of a Nebraska A ir National Guard plane near Dodge, Neb. He was an air technician with the A ir Guard base and had been with the unit since 1971. A veteran of 87 combat missions, he received the DFC. — Ibid., spring 1978, page 371

JAMES W. KELLY, IDAHO 1964 (DFC) A decorated B-52 navigator on more than 150 missions over North Vietnam, Kelly lives in Klamath Falls, Ore., where he and wife Marcy own three M cDonald’s restaurants.

CHARLES CARTER NELSON, LAURENCE 1964 (DFC) USAF Lt. Nelson was killed in action in Vietnam, Nov. 19,1967. He was an aircraft commander and received the DFC and A ir Medal; the DFC, for “repeatedly flying into intense hostile ground fire in complete disregard for his own safety. He delivered his ordnance on hostile forces with devastating accuracy and was instrumental in relieving a vicious attack upon beleagured friendly troops.” — Ibid., Jan. 1969, page 315

RONALD D. RAY, CENTRE 1964 (2 SSs) Col. Ray was appointed Deputy A ssistant Secretary of Defense (G uard/Reserve Readiness and Training) June 4, 1984. In 1964, he was comm issioned a Marine Corps 2nd lieutenant and served in Vietnam where he earned two Silver Stars and a Purple Heart. He left active duty in Ib id 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ib id 7. The B e ta Book, 1930 ; Ib id 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ib id 9: F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

226

BETA HEROES

1969 and continued in the USAF Reserve. He is with a law firm in Louisville.

ALAN K. UNDERWOOD, KANSAS STATE 1964 (SS) Lt. Underwood received the Silver Star fo r gallantry in action as a platoon leader in the 25th Infantry Division. He also received the Bronze Star for other action. He was with the 25th Military Police Company near Cu Chi. — Ibid., Feb. 1967, page 255

WILLIAM K. MCGEE, JR., STANFORD 1965 (SS) An arm or officer attached to the 1st Infantry in Vietnam, he received a Silver Star and a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster. — Ibid., Sept. 1968, page 77

JEREMY B. CONKLIN, COLGATE 1966 (DFC) 1st Lt. Conklin received the DFC at Tuy Hoa AB, Vietnam. The F-100 Super Sabre pilot was honored for a fighter bomber strike near Dong Xoai. He persisted in his attack against a heav­ ily fortified enemy complex despite an aircraft malfunction. As a result of his determination, the enemy suffered heavy casualties, and the complex was destroyed. — Ibid., Jan. 1970, page 266 R IC H A R D N. GODDARD, UTAH 1965 (S S ) “We were lucky their shooting was not as accurate as it was dense,” 1st Lt. Goddard said of the fighter-bom ber strike that earned him the Silver Star. The 24-year-old fighter pilot was honored “for his gallantry,” in cerem onies at Tuy Hoa AB, Vietnam. — Ibid., Jan. 1970, page 266

ROBERT ERNEST RUMBERG, ST. LAWRENCE 1966 (DFC) USAF Captain Rumberg, 29, who earned a DFC in Vietnam, died March 29, 1974, when his parachute failed and his F-106 fighter plane crashed in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. He was captain of the varsity football team in college. — Ibid., Sept. 1974, page 81

TERRENCE C. GRAVES, MIAM11967 (MH) So remarkable was the bravery against unbelievable odds by Lt. Graves’s nine-man Marine patrol, Team Box Score, against two companies of NVAs that, in addition to his Medal of Honor, two o f his men were awarded Navy Crosses and three others received Silver Stars. In Inside Force Recon: Recon Marines in Vietnam, chapter 14, .■-.

“Notable Patrols, Extraordinary Men,” authors Michael Lee Lanning and Ray William Stubbe quoted PFC Michael Nation’s reaction to the courage of Lt. Graves when he waved off a rescue helicopter due to intense enemy fire: “W hat Lt. Graves did is the bravest thing I’ve ever seen.”

The book Valor by Timothy S. Lowry describes heroic accounts of the Vietnam W ar’s Medal of Honor recipients. Performing the dual roles of artillery-air support observer while directing the fire of his patrol, Lt. Graves was hit two to three times by enemy fire. Recalled PFC Nation, “After calling instructions to the artillery, he would sit up, see where the round hit and adjust the fire.

“The rest of us were firing back at the North Vietnamese soldiers,” Nation continued, “but they could have kept us pinned down if it hadn’t been for Lt. Graves’ encouragment. ‘“ Come on!’ he would shout. ‘Let's get up there! We can’t do any good here.’ And he would get up and run to better cover. A CH-46 Sea Knight rescue helicopter arrived, but enemy fire was deadly, and Graves waved off the chopper, concerned for the safety of the flying crew. A machine gun opened up and hit three o f the patrol, including two rounds in Graves. The medic moved to assist Graves who yelled, ‘Look after Thomas. He’s in worse shape than I am .’” F o rth e biography o f B eta’s only M edal o f H onor recipient in the Vietnam War, see page 7.

Ibid: The Beta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

227

WILLIAM MOEBES, JR., ALABAMA 1967 (DFC) USAF 1st Lt. Moebes received the Distinguished Flying Cross “for extraordinary achievement” in Vietnam. He received the medal at Charleston AFB, S.C., where he later flew with the Military Airlift Command. — Ibid,. A pril 1971, page 454 WAYNE E. WARDEN, MIAM11967 (DFC) 1st Lt. Warden received the DFC “for aerial achievem ent,” cited for his performance as a C-123 Provider cargo-troop carrier pilot at Bu Dop. W hile participating in an emergency resupply of vitally needed ammunition, he was notified that the field was under sustained rocket and mortar attack. He elected to deliver his cargo despite the intense ground fire during the approach and subsequent takeoff. — Ibid., Jan. 1971, page 340

WILLIAM S. WELLS, OREGON 1967 1st Lt. Wells helped provide clothing, medical and hygienic aids, toys and recreation for more than 200 orphans at the three-acre Sanctuary of Phy My in Saigon. W ells was an intelligence officer in the 12th Reconnais-

e pe

sance Intelligence Technical Squadron at Tan Son Nhut AFB,

7/2

orp ans S c ilg ° n

Vietnam. — Ibid., Sept. 1972, page 27

JONATHAN E. ADAMS, WASHINGTON AND LEE 1968 (DFC) USAF Lt. Adam s received a Distinguished Flying Cross “for extraordinary aerial achievem ent,” flying an EC-47 on a hazardous mission. — Ibid, Sept. 1972, page 25

PHILIP A. FOLEY, UNION 1968 (DFC) Capt. Foley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals. After being shot down in combat, he was one of the first to successfully bail out of a B-52. It was reported that he signaled a rescue helicopter with a cigarette lighter. — Ibid., June 1973, page 462

RICHARD CHARLES WORTHINGTON, WASHINGTON STATE 1968 (DFC, SS) Worthington, a decorated helicopter pilot who served two tours of duty in Vietnam, was killed in a mid-air collision in May 1970. He had been decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and two Air Medals. — Ibid., Jan. 1974, page 367

ROBERT B.L. NOLL, OHIO 1969 (DFC) Lt. (jg) Noll, USN, was awarded a DFC for heroism on Aug. 27, 1972, in a coordinated air wing strike launched from the carrier USS M idway against the highly defended Loi Dong storage area.

Intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered, and a friendly aircraft was downed. Noll was one of three attack Squadron 93 pilots participating in the rescue attem pt in an area o f extreme surface-to-air missile, enemy fighter and anti-aircraft artillery threat. His tim ely warning saved the probable loss of another friendly aircraft due to missile attack. — Ibid., Jan. 1974, page 283

HALW. PIKE, TEXAS 1969 Lt. Pike received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star and citation for courage under enemy fire. He flew more than 150 day and night missions over North Vietnam and Laos during his tour aboard the carrier USS Midway. The award was his 9th combat decora­ tion. His 150 com bat missions were as an A-7 C orsair fighter bomber pilot with the famed “Blue Blazers” Squadron (VA-93). — Ibid., June 1976, page 425, Jan. 1974, page 395

Ib id 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ib id 7: The B eta Book, 1930 ; Ib id 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ib id 9: F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

228

PRISONERS OF WAR D. WAYNE WADDELL, GEORGIA TECH 1956 Six years as a Viet Cong prisoner of war B rother W addell’s thoughts on “courage, ” which constitute the “Forew ard” to this book, were first published in The Beta Theta Pi, spring 1997. Earlier, his prisoner o f w ar experiences were reported in The Beta Theta Pi issue o f spring 1994. He survived six years as a captive o f the North Vietnamese.

“Some of my most valued friends date to our pledge days at Gamma Eta Chapter,” recalled Wayne Waddell. “These Sons of W ooglin and their wives provided strong moral support to my fam ily when I was in Vietnam. They unknowingly helped me also (as a POW.) I gave interrogators the names of non-service Beta brothers as squadron mates to avoid revealing actual combatants who could become POWs." A resident o f Marietta, Ga., he retired as a colonel from the U.S. A ir Force in 1988. Waddell was captured on July 5, 1967, when he was a 31-year-old pilot. He was flying an F-105 Thunderchief on his 47th mission when his plane was hit by a barrage of anti-aircraft artillery. He ejected and landed safely but in North Vietnamese hands. For the next six years, he was a prisoner o f war.

“I was fortunate not to go through any of the serious psycho­ logical problem s,” he said. After his capture, North Vietnamese militia took him to a large cave where a Chinese comm andant told him that if he cooperated and made propaganda statements, he would be taken to the safety of Beijing. Waddell refused and was taken to Hanoi. His refusal to tell interrogators more than his name, rank, serial number and date o f birth resulted in a lengthy and intense grilling while denied sleep. When he refused to write answers to biographical questions, he was bound with such excruciating pain that he lost the use of his hands for months.

Ultimately, Waddell agreed to write answers to their questions. Unable to use his crippled hands, he held the pen in his mouth.

“Where were you born?” He wrote, “At a very early age.”

“Name of parents?” Painstakingly, he scribbled, “Mamma and Daddy.”

He was placed in solitary confinement. He wondered if he would ever again see his wife and two children — a son then age six and a daughter three and-a-half. His hands crippled and in physical and psychological pain, he began to focus on a solitary light burning above him. He thought of Moses and the burning bush, and a wonderful calm transcended over him. The sense of peace did not erase the pain, he found, but it allowed him to sleep, and he now had hope that he would survive.

Two weeks later, Waddell was transferred to a cell he shared with a severely wounded Navy commander. Left to care for the man, Waddell began to exercise his hands. He was inspired by the wounded m an’s courageous struggle to live.

Ibid: The B eta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

229

Col. Wayne Waddell flew the F-105 Thunderchief, often described as “the workhorse o f Vietnam. ”

“He was in so much worse shape than I that I didn’t want him to die on my watch.” The officer recuperated. After three m o n th s , W a d d e ll re g a in e d limited use of his hands, and in six months his hands were reasonably functional.

Prison life was one of routine, apprehension and learning to sense the moods of the guards. In a w ar where the Geneva Convention was ignored, the prisoners developed an elaborate code.

If a prisoner was taken for questioning, an alert was tapped out on the wall and passed from cell to cell. When he returned, they passed encouragem ent to resist or, if the prisoner had broken, moral support. Messages were tapped on cell walls, passed in bowls of rice or on the bottom of toilet buckets, or spoken w henever there was an opportunity.

After a series of prison camps, he was sent to a POW camp in the North Vietnam mountains.

One night, the prisoners counted 17 trucks entering their compound.

“Everyone wanted to be optim istic,” Waddell said.

The next morning, instead o f letting prisoners go outside for water, the guards put water and food inside the cells. When Waddell quizzed a guard, he said, “Go hom e!”

On March 4, 1973, Waddell was released. When a C-141 plane bearing Waddell and other form er POWs landed at Clark AFB in The Philippines, some 5,000 people were there cheering, applauding and waving. “Most o f us didn’t know how to respond because we had been forced to live em otionless for so long,” he said. “We found out pretty quickly it was easy.”

On steps to open Vietnam to American business, Waddell noted: “I never hated the people of Vietnam, even my captors. I feel sorry for all of them as captives of an exploiting and oppressive system .” — Ibid., spring 1994 M A R K H A M L. GARTLEY, G E O R G IA 1966 In August 1968, Lt. Gartley crash-landed his Navy F-4 after being hit by enem y gunfire over North Vietnam. He was reported missing in action. During the summ er of 1969, Hanoi released three POWs who returned to the U.S. with the names of prisoners they had met or heard about.

Although none had met Gartley, they reported his name as being held in the north.

On Dec 23, 1969, the A P and UPI news services released wire photos of three POWs, held in Hanoi, who had met two representatives of the W om en’s Strike for Peace. The women returned with the names of 132 prisoners in Hanoi. One was Gartley along with his radar man and another pilot. All appeared in reasonably good health, despite the prison fare, which returning POWs reported was pumpkin soup with a bit of pork rind twice a day. — Ibid., A pril 1970, page 427 W A R R E N R. (B O B ) LILLY, T E X A S 1955 Captured in 1965, he was a POW for seven years, including a period sharing a cell with 30 others including Sen. John McCain. — See story on page 222 Ib id 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ib id 7 : The B eta Book, 1930 ; Ib id 8: The B eta Book, 1933] Ib id 9: F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

230

CHAPTER DEATHS IN THE VIETNAM WAR Regrettably, this list may be highly incomplete. These Betas, however, are those about whom the Fraternity has information. If a brother whom you know has been omitted, please forward the information to Brennan Hall, Beta Theta Pi Adm inistrative Office, P.O. Box 6277, Oxford, OH 45056. Tel. 800-800-2382.

BROWN Brigadier General Carroll Edward Adams, Jr., 1944, 46, died May 12, 1970, in a helicopter crash in Vietnam. A 1945 West Point graduate, he was commanding officer of the 937th Engineer Group at the time of his death. — Ibid, Sept. 1970, page 101 CHICAGO

Purple H eart Killed in combat, July 7, 1967, Stanley F. Patterson, 1964, had been in Vietnam only two months when an anti-tank shell struck his troop carrier. — Ibid, Jan. 1968, page 251 DENISON

John F. Burkhard 1976, died Oct. 22, 1997, in part as a result of injuries in Vietnam. In the Army, 1969-71, he received five Bronze Stars, two Air Medals, a Purple Heart and a Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. — Ibid., fall 1998, page 34 FLORIDA Paul Richard Lavezzoli 1967, 25, KIA in November 1969. — Ibid., June 1970, page 542 W eapons Systems Officer Capt. Dennis E. Wilkinson 196?, whose remains were returned to the U.S. in 1978.

IOWA STATE Jim Lee Buckley, 1957, age 32, was KIA with the U.S. Navy in the fall of 1966. — Ibid., June 1968, page 453 LAWRENCE Staff Sergeant Andrew Sciacchitano 1967, received the Air Medal for heroism. W hen an aircraft lost control on landing, veering off the runway into a minefield, he rushed in and carried the two crew members to safety. — Ibid., Sept. 1969, page 77 MIAMI Lt. Terrance C. Graves 1967, was KIA on Feb. 16,1968. He received the Medal of Honor. For further biographical information, see pages 7 and 226.

MISSOURI Lt. Donald Glenn Droz, 1964, 25, KIA on April 12, 1969. — Ibid., A pril 1970, page 436 NEBRASKA 1st Lt. James Robert Poggemeyer, 1965, 24, died of wounds in a mid-air collision of the helicopter he was flying on July 31, 1967. In Vietnam since April 1967, he had recently received the Air Medal for valor in combat. — Ibid., June 1968, page 457 NORTH CAROLINA Lt. Paul A ndrew Jensen, 1966, was KIA on Feb. 16, 1968. He joined the Marines, receiving his pilot’s wings in February 1967, and arrived in Vietnam in October 1967. A helicopter pilot, he was killed while attempting a rescue. — Ibid., Jan. 1970, page 331 OREGON Lt. Morrell J. Crary, 1964, 24, was KIA, Nov 1, 1967. — Ibid., June 1968, page 454 Lt. Ronald W ayne Dodge, 1959, was one o f three POWs whose remains were turned over to the U.S. in Hanoi on July 7, 1981 (see story/photo, page 232) — Ibid., w inter 1982, page 297 Ibid: The Beta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: Beta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

231

*For “K IA ” and “M IA" and other M ilitary Acronyms, see page 100

PENN STATE Killed Feb 8 , 1970, in an aircraft accident at DaNang AFB, John Arthur Griner, 1965, age 26, was participating in night bombing off Laos from the carrier USS Hancock. A “hung bomb” forced the plane to land at DaNang, and a tire blew upon landing. — Ibid., June 1970, page 54\ A pril 1969, page 401 ST. LAWRENCE Navy Lt. (jg) William Allen DeSantis, 1968, 23, died March 29, 1970, in the Mediterranean while aboard the USS Cambria. He had been chapter president. — Ibid., Jan. 1971, page 357 1st Lt. W alter Henry Forbes III, 1963, was KIA March 20, 1967, when the spotter aircraft he was piloting exploded and crashed after being hit by groundfire. — Ibid., June 1967, page 442 Kent E. Gandy, 1954, died in a helicopter crash Aug. 13, 1966. In Vietnam less than a month, he piloted a medical evacuation helicopter. — Ibid., Jan. 1967, page 205 TEXAS Marine Captain John C. Hurst, 1963, was KIA, Aug. 13, 1968. He was a form er chapter president. — Ibid., A pril 1969, page 405 UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH With the U.S. Arm y Special Forces Green Berets, Lt. M. Dale Reich, Jr., 1966, was KIA in Vietnam, May 27, 1968. He had been an All-Conference football running back. — Ibid., April 1969, page 369 VIRGINIA The chapter’s delegate to the 1966 Beta Theta Pi General Convention, Henry Luke W arner III, 1966, died in August 1968 in a hospital in South Vietnam o f shrapnel wounds received during a com bat mission. — Ibid., Jan. 1969, page 316 W ASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS 1st Lt. Denis W ayne Galloway, 1962, was KIA, Oct. 24, 1966, in Vietnam. He graduated from W est Point in 1964, later completing ranger and airborne training. — Ibid., M ay 1967, page 374 W EST VIRGINIA Lt. Harold Andrew Ford III, 1965, was KIA at Pleiku, May 22, 1967, while commanding his platoon. He was recognized “for conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy while deploying forces to save m any of his troops.” — Ibid., A pril 1968, page 354 Captain W illiam R. McPherson, 1961, was killed, Dec. 3 ,1 9 6 5 , when his vehicle struck a Viet Cong land mine. After graduation, he completed paratrooper and ranger training, then studied the Vietnamese language prior to arriving in Vietnam in July 1965. He headed an advisory team Ib id 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ib id 7: The B eta Book, 1930: Ib id 8: The B eta Book, 1933', Ib id 9: F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

232 A photo o f Navy Lt. Ronald Dodge, Oregon 1959, was on the cover o f Life magazine in N ovem ber 1972. A t the time, the North Vietnamese denied any knowledge o f him. Dodge was believed to have died in 1980. His rem ains were turned over to the U.S. in 1981. A t the time o f Lt. D odge’s incarceration, 500-600 U.S. troops were believed to be im prisoned in North Vietnam.

1,271 MIAs: how many are alive?

of seven Am ericans in the Mekong Delta. He received a Bronze Star for bravery. — Ibid., Jan. 1967, page 206 Major Boyd Ellis Morrow, 1 9 5 5 ,35, suffered fatal injuries in a helicopter crash in South Vietnam, Oct. 13, 1967. — Ibid., June 1968, page 456 Wayne Allen W harton, 1959, 31, died Feb. 2 0,1969, at Ft. Gordon, Ga., as a result of illness contracted while in the Arm y in Vietnam. — Ibid., Jan. 1970, page 332 W ESTMINSTER Charles W igger Fryer, 1961, was KIA, Aug. 7, 1966. From Westminster, Lt. Fryer transferred to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1962. A veteran o f two tours in Vietnam, he received the A ir Medal. He was lost at sea during a bombing mission. — Ibid., Jan. 1967, page 205 Lt. W hittier Livermore, 1967, was KIA, Jan. 4, 1969, while with the 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta. — Ibid., June 1969, page 507 W ILLAM ETTE Max Francis deSuily, 1967, 23, was killed June 4, 1969, in Vietnam.

Ibid: The B eta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

233

IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS, 1979-81 THOMAS E. SCHAEFFER, LEHIGH 1953 Among those in the 444-day ordeal of the U.S. Embassy staff in Tehran, Iran, was Col. Thomas E. Schaefer (ret.), highest-ranking military hostage during the crisis. In his keynote address at the 154th General Convention of Beta Theta Pi in 1993, he declared that his faith and his physical fitness saw him through the debilitating experience.

“I have always been an excellently conditioned senior athlete,” said Schaefer, a varsity swim­ mer at Lehigh, who at age 60 swam a 30-minute mile.

During the 444 days, he was in solitary confinement, or “cold storage” as he described it, for 150 days. His cell was six feet square, and Schaefer said he calculated how to measure one mile and walked that distance in his cell every day. He also did yoga exercises. He could do 1,000 push-ups when he was freed.

On Feb. 2 1,1995, he was a triple medal w inner in the Arizona Senior Olympics; on March

6

, 1995, a triple medal w inner in the Green Valley

Senior Olympics. On April 2, 1995, he underwent triple heart bypass surgery.

Returning to mile swims, workouts and Senior Olympics competition, Schaefer attributed his fundam ental heart problems to the stress that began with imprisonment in Iran. Schaefer and his wife Anita, who spent time during his captivity counseling fam ilies of other military captives, have two sons. He received an honorary doctor of laws from Lehigh Col. Tom Schaeffer

and the National Citizenship Award from the Military Chaplains Assn.

With Desert Storm making undeniably clear the technical, mechanical, strategic and training superiority of American air and military power, it was bound to raise the question, so why did we look so bad at the time of the Iran hostage takeover and botched attem pt to rescue them?

JAMES H. KYLE, KANSAS STATE 1954 The on-scene commander, Col. James Kyle, USAF (ret.) has long had some strong opinions as to w hat and why things went wrong — and w hat should have been done. W hen he returned in 1984 after 30 years service and 9,000 crew flying hours with 1,000 of them in combat, he began the process of full verification research and pulling the events onto paper for a book, The Guts to Try. The title came from a message included with two cases of beer sent by British mercenaries in Oman, which read, “From all of us, to you all, for having the guts to try.”

Published on the eve of Operation Desert Storm, December 1990, the paper stated: “Indirectly it may have aided the forces in learning to take the dust in the Middle East seriously,” Kyle said.

“The forces learned to live in the desert, to acclimate and to keep the weapons fine-tuned. They learned that the filter systems had to be cleaned and to do that they were very inventive. They were using condoms to cover the barrels of the weapons and to keep the dust off. With the en­ gines of the tanks, they were even using pantyhose to filter the fine stuff.”

As to the mission in which he was involved, Kyle was blunt. “It was ju st a total lack of courage, really.” In his book, he points out that the failed mission was tough to live with.

“I guess when you fail — it was such a major mission in our country’s history and there really Ib id 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ib id 7: The Beta Book, 1930; Ib id 8: The Beta Book, 1933; Ib id 9. Faithful Home o f the Three Stars, 1988

234

BETA HEROES

w asn’t any hostile action that caused it — we just bungled it ourselves; it’s difficult. But I must tell you I think I never did have the real reasons why it failed. The reason for this book was to dig up what happened.”

A combination of factors — bad tactics, incorrect weather information and poor use of com­ munication equipm ent — all played a hand. The main problem, however, was “unquestionable pilot-abort decisions which caused the (Iran) mission's cancellation.”

Kyle was in at the beginning of plans to rescue the 53 hostages. He was in the Pentagon plan­ ning room when the idea was conceived, at the camps where training missions took place, in the desert where it was rehearsed, at the forward staging areas in Egypt and Oman, and then at Desert 1 as on-scene com m ander at the refueling site. At the latter position, he supervised setting up a landing field for eight helicopters and assorted transports. It was his job to monitor the refueling and see that the aircraft, including those carrying the special Delta Force troops, go on to Tehran.

Despite all the rehearsals, participants found that it’s always smart to expect the unexpected.

At the forward staging area, a busload of 44 Iranian civilians suddenly showed up at the wrong time, and Kyle had little choice but to forcibly detain them and then later release them — forfeiting any chance o f a second surprise operation.

As the eight helicopters carrying men and equipm ent arrived there, unexpected dust clouds enveloped them and caused chopper crews to become separated. One ’copter developed prob­ lems with its rotor blade. Because it was lost in the dust, a second pilot turned his ’copter around and w ent back to its carrier. A third began having trouble with a faulty hydraulic system. Since this reduced the number of well-functioning 'copters to five, the mission was called off. After the mission had been aborted, one pilot drifted to the right and came down on top of a tanker plane and eight Am ericans were killed.

Assisting in the editing and production of the book was John R. Eidson, Kansas State 1955, at the Long Beach, Calif., Press Telegram. — Ibid., fall 1991, pages 68-69

Ibid: The B eta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

235

GULF WAR, 1991 “OPERATION DESERT SHIELD” GENTNER DRUMMOND, OKLAHOMA STATE 1985 USAF Captain Gentner Drummond. Oklahoma State 1985, and his unit were the first to arrive in Saudi Arabia in preparation for Desert Storm in 1990. “For the next five months we flew defensive patrols at the tri-border area of Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. We manned five-m inute alert-totakeoff commitments, 24 hours a day, seven days a w eek,” he recalled. On Jan. 17, 1991, “My flight cut through the shroud of darkness that covered the Arabian Peninsula. Within minutes we were blazing a trail toward Baghdad with fighter bombers in tow.”

Among the first squadrons to engage Iraqi forces, he was an F-15 mission comm ander and instructor pilot. Promoted to captain, he received three A ir Med­ als and three Aerial Achievem ent Medals for his action in Desert Storm over Iraq and Kuwait. By 1991, he was with the #1 Tactical

First on the scene in battle with Iraqis

Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va., as F-15 mission com m ander and instructor pilot.

A native of Hominy, Okla., he is an Eagle Scout, high school valedictorian and three-sport letterman. A t Gamma Lambda Chapter, he was chapter president and convention delegate. He was also the university’s Outstanding Male Graduate, Rhodes Scholar semi-finalist, member of Blue Key, #1 graduate of the College of Agriculture, senator in student governm ent and AFROTC Corps Commander. — Ibid., fall 1991, page 6

AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ WARS OPERATION DESERT STORM OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 2001 Afghanistan TODD S. DESGROSSEILLIERS, MAINE 1985 (SS) v ' Lt. Col. Desgrosseilliers was awarded the Silver Star for bravery in Campaign m edal Iraq while leading a task force of some 100 Marines in Fallujah. During

Iraq Campaign medal

two separate battles, he risked his life to save other soldiers from insurgents attacks.

2006, page 11

Ibid., spring

Risked his life to save others from insurgents ’ a tta c k s

Lt. Col. D esgrosseilliers is congratulated by his father, Edward, when he was presented the S ilver Star.

Ib id 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ib id 7: The B eta Book, 1930 ; Ib id 8: The B eta Book, 1933] Ib id 9: F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

236

BETA HEROES

ANDREW STERN, TENNESSEE 2001 At the 166th Beta G eneral C onvention in Phoenix, A riz., Aug. 4, 2005, Capt. Jerry Blesch, C entre 1968, USN (ret.), form er G eneral S ecretary of the F raternity (see page 50), spoke on behalf o f everyone present in honoring the fam ily and m em ory o f A ndrew Stern, killed by hostile action in Iraq, Sept. 16, 2004, w hile on a security operation with the 1st Marine E xpeditionary Force.

“Andy Stern was just like you or me when he went to the University of Tennessee as a freshm an,” Brother Blesch recounted. “He served in many leadership positions, excelled as recruitm ent chairman, joined the crew team and was its captain. He trained as a Marine, going to Quantico in the summers. After 9-11, he said, ‘I want to be a Marine more than ever.’” He was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant on Dec. 15, 2001.

A fter graduation, he deployed with his platoon and four tanks to Fallujah, Iraq. “During the first five months, his platoon engaged in Lt. A ndrew Stern

intense fighting,” Blesch continued. “He was decorated for his leader­ ship and valor with the Bronze Star with a C ombat ‘V.’ On September

16, the platoon was ordered to dispatch two tanks to the Corps of Engineers as security for road construction. Andy led the tanks into this assignment. Taking his own tank ahead to check out a

Sacrificed himself to save one o f his men

suspicious pile of debris, with his upper body out of the tank, and the gun loader looking out, too, Andy saw something and yelled, “Oh, no!” As the debrisconcealed device exploded, Andy covered his loader’s body with his own, the deadly shrapnel hitting him in the neck. He died four hours later.

“Andy saved his loader's life,” Blesch added. “He led his platoon and tanks with valor and unwavering determination. Andy gave his life for us, for his men and for his country. He was all about m utual assistance, meeting the challenge and unwavering determination. Freedom is never free, and we here are among the lucky ones, thanks to Andy Stern and those like him.”

As a chapter leader, Andy attended Beta’s Institute for Men o f Principle in Oxford. After at­ tending the Institute, Andrew wrote, “The drive home from the Institute was a long one. I had so much Beta Spirit and energy, but no output. I popped my Beta CD into the player and sang all 44

Lt. A ndrew Stern in Iraq Ibid: The B eta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

237

songs. I was somewhere in Missouri, the sun going down, the clouds passing by. The sky was pink and blue. I’m not one to be sentimental, but I really felt sad that the week went by so fa st . ” 1 J. Patrick Biddix, Tennessee 2001, paid tribute to his Knoxville brother in the article, “A Final Salute,” in The Beta Theta Pi, w inter 2005; “Andy Stern led a life o f purpose. As a brother, he was committed to upholding the principles o f the Fraternity; in service as an officer and volunteer, he worked hard to earn the respect and dedication of his peers and mentors. . . . As a soldier, he believed that the difficult work that followed the fighting, to teach Iraqis about freedom, was the true purpose for the war. . . . As a complex person, he believed in the ideals of accomplish­ ment through comm itment and service to a purpose. Andy gave his life as a comm itment to this principle. Andy and all of our servicemen top the list of distinguished members of our Great and Good Fraternity.”

A ls o s e rv in g in A fg h a n is ta n a n d Iraq Rodney Brown, S o u th C a ro lin a 1987, an assistant U.S. criminal attorney in Jacksonville, Fla., was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom to assist and advise the Iraqi High Tribunal in the investigation and prosecution of high-ranking members of the form er Iraqi regime. While most of his six months in Iraq were spent advancing other investigations, he also “participated in a number of hearings conducted by Iraqi investigative judges in which they interviewed other form er regime members.

“I will never forget interviewing an elderly woman whose husband and four sons were taken away from their home and killed by the form er regime. She showed me her scars from being shot that night as her fam ily was dragged away,” he said. Today, as an AUSCA, he investigates and prosecutes child exploitation and drug trafficking cases, working closely with agents from the FBI, U.S. Drug Enforcem ent Administration and Departm ent o f Homeland Security. — Ibid., sum m er 2009, pages 14-15 Before Beta Heroes went to the printer, a number of inquiries were extended to learn about Betas who had served or were serving in the current wars. Only one response surfaced: Andrew Taylor, C in c in n a ti2007, Marine sergeant-squad leader in Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment, on duty in Iraq in 2005. Previously, he was stationed at Camp David with the Presidential guard, “what amounted to a swat team ,” during the Clinton Administration, he explained.

An A & E television documentary, C ombat Diaries: The Marines o f Lima Company, tells of the bravery under fire of his unit which paid a high price of 23 lives. Andrew him self received medals for valor (he led multiple assaults to retrieve the body o f a fallen comrade.)

Returning from war, he completed his education at the University of Cincinnati and was featured in a book about his unit, including his squad, “The Vikings,” and on the cover of Cincinnati’s City Beat magazine and in the VFW magazine.

The author chose Andrew Taylor as one of the numerous young Betas in the service o f the U.S. and Canada in the Iraq-Afghanistan hostilities. Undoubtedly, there are others about whom we have never heard. We respectfully salute yesterday's, today’s and tom orrow ’s heroes for their bravery, patriotism and loyalty.

'Son o f the Stars: The Pledge M anual o f Beta Theta Pi, 2002, page 160 Ib id 6: The B eta Book, 1929; Ib id 7. The B eta Book, 1930 ; Ib id 8: The B eta Book, 1933 ; Ib id 9: F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

BETA HEROES

238

BETA HEROES IN THE FRATERNITY MUSEUM

The Wartime exhibit in the museum in Brennan Hall, Beta Theta Pi Foundation and Adm inistrative Office, Oxford, Ohio, features the six Beta Medal o f H onor recipients, the brave mem bers o f Toronto chapter in World W ar I, General Om ar Bundy and other Beta heroes. The museum was a gift o f Lee B. Thompson, Oklahoma 1925.

GALLANT BROTHERS Below is space for you to remember those honored brothers whom you know have served with distinction and/or have given their lives for their country.

Ibid: The B eta Theta Pi; Ib id 2: The B eta Book, 1927; Ib id 3: B eta Lore; Ib id 4: B eta Life; Ib id 5: B e tas o f A ch ievem ent, 1914;

239

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Writing for publication can be a lonely job. Nonetheless, those o f us who pursue the craft plod ahead, not for personal gain but more often for public acclaim. With Beta Heroes announced as the second in a trilogy of books, i.e., Beta Statesmen (2010), Beta Heroes (2011) and Betas in the Arts (2012), this labor o f love, Beta love, keeps this octogenerian occupied when the rocking chair beckons.

Nothing in this life gave me more pleasure than serving as editor o f The Beta Theta Pi, a nineyear tenure that was my dream as a 20-year-old at his first Beta Theta Pi General Convention seated next to then-editorT had Byrne, Washington State 1925, at an evening banquet. Byrne’s enthusiasm for all things Beta so impressed me that as I neared retirement some 40 years later, the opportunity to report on Beta life made the dream a reality.

So, I acknowledge and thank the Beta editors since 1872 for the primary source material for Beta Heroes. Among the m ajor contributors are a sprinkling of Beta Greats: Editor Charles Duy Walker, VMi 1869; co-editors George C. Rankin, Monmouth 1872; W illis O. Robb, Ohio Wesleyan 1879; John I. Covington, Miam i 1870; William Raimond Baird, Stevens 1878; Charles M. Hepburn, Virginia 1880; Francis W. Shepardson, Denison/Brown 1882; J. Calvin Hanna, W ooster 1881; Chambers Baird, Harvard 1882; and Editors Gordon S. Smyth, Pennsylvania 1918; Thad Byrne; C olum busS . Barber, W estVirginia 1920; RobertT. Howard, D ePauw 1937; Robert J. Kurz, Miami 1958; K. Warren Fawcett, Minnesota 1926; John R. McClung, Kansas State 1937, and Thomas C. Olver, Central Michigan 1998. Until 1993, you may recall, editors and editorial committees served pro bono. Most gave time, effort and resources in other ways as well.

Reading back issues of The Beta Theta Pi for this and the other books offers the best resource for anthologies. The prominence of the magazine is reinforced by placing The Beta Theta Pi as the first listing in the streaming of sources across the bottom of the pages. (Note: Ibid. is an ab­ breviation for the Latin word ibidem, defined as “cited before.”)

While repeated requests to the living membership for nominees to be included in this book met with a remarkable lack of response, it is hoped that this book is som ewhat comprehensive of the distinguished membership of the Fraternity. If, however, in your opinion, a deserving hero has not been included via the magazine or any o f the several books about distinguished Betas, also listed in the references streamed below, then he was no doubt omitted in this anthology.

Omissions herein hopefully will remind brothers who know of members who have distinguished them selves in the arts, the next book of the trilogy. If he has achieved notice in the performing arts such as theater, television or motion pictures, music or dance; visual arts such as painting, drawing or sculpture; journalistic arts such as published writing or media reporting, or in the related skills of these professions such as producers, directors, etc., please inform the Fraternity: P.O. Box 6277, Oxford, OH 45056; by e-mail to m artin.cobb@ betathetapi.org; or by the Adm inistrative Office’s toll-free telephone, 1-800-800-2382.

Specifically, the author is grateful to those who have helped throughout the preparation of this book: Proofreaders L. Martin Cobb, Eastern K entucky 1996, editor, The Beta Theta Pi\ Steven L. Becker, Florida 1969, form er Adm inistrative Secretary; Geoff Lewis, UCLA 2009, associate director of communication, and Phyllis Bowie, Adm inistrative Office receptionist. Also of immense help have been the m agazine’s Editor Emeritus Thomas C. Olver, Central Michigan 1996, and Sarah Shepherd, creative director in Beta’s Com munication Department, who assisted all along the way with the layout of the book as well as the remarkable design of the dust jacket. — A uthor Ib id 6: The Beta Book, 1929; Ib id 7: The B eta Book, 1930; Ib id 8: The B eta Book, 1933', Ib id 9: F a ith fu l H o m e o f the Three Stars, 1988

240

BETA HEROES A p p e n d ix A

WAR DEAD IN WORLD WAR I* Am herst Walton Kimball Smith

1914

Beloit Irving Hubner Krengel Lt. Manderson Lehr Raymond King Puffer

1914 1918 1915

Bowdoin Lt. Harold Stacey Burdick Paul Cartwright Michael Joseph Delehanty, Jr.

1908 1917 1920

Brown Frank Elmer Starrett

1916

California Bruce Howard Lt. Byron Jackson, Jr. Capt. Charles W. McConaughy Lt. Clinton Rice Madison Raymond Hough Sherman Lt. Albert Carnahan Simonds

1913 1916 1901 1920 1895 1916

Case Clarence Virginius Ashbaugh Richard W alter Blair

1919 1919

Cincinnati Clifford Paddock

1920

Colgate Roscoe Conkling Cook Lt. Vinton Adams Dearing Corp. John Patchell Eaton Capt. Robert Wood Markwick

1913 1917 1916 1915

Colorado College Lt. Carl Albert Shadowen Lt. Harry Clinton Way

Davidson Lt. Samuel Reeves Keesler, Jr.

1917

D e n is o n Lt. Lamberson Harold Chaille

1914

Denver Ernest Elmo Beal Charles Bruce Murray

1917 915

DePauw Lt. Alonzo A. Klingensmith

1915

D ic k in s o n Lt. John Howard Fox James W olcott Gooding

1914 1915

Id a h o Lloyd Alvin Ellington Lt. Howard W esley Holaday

1916 1916

Illinois Lt. Charles Edwin Caldwell, Jr. John Charles Lee

1911 1913

Indiana Frank Adlai Knotts

1916

Io w a Lt. Charles Edwin Benton

1919

Iowa Wesleyan Capt. Emory Jamison Pike 1

1898

Johns Hopkins Ensign Henry Parr Hynson, Jr.

1917 1914

Kansas James Ganson Daniels James Raymond Ebnother Lt. Robert Staufer Heizer

1913 1913 1911

Colorado Mines Lt. John Joseph O â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Malley Pvt. Francis Frederick McCall

1918 1918

Kenyon W alter Henry Engle W illiam W ebster Sant

1917 1914

Colorado Edwin Russell Kingsland Burton Ralph Reynolds

1914 1919

Cornell Col. Charles B. Hagadorn Lt. Malcoln W. McAlpine Lt. Norwood MacLeod Lt. William deC. Ravenel Jefferson D. Vincent

1886 1919 1910 1918 1910

Knox Capt. Charles L. Allensworth Lt. Benjamin Baldwin Lt. W illiam Mead Ferris, Jr. Lt. Herbert Lass Miller Homer Vergil Sharp

1913 1912 1915 1913 1920

L e h ig h Joseph Leonard Hayes Lt. W illiam Vaughan Pettit, Jr.

1917 1894

Dartmouth Edwin Lyle Alderson James Lloyd Churchill Lt. Chester A. Pudrith

1915 1915 1916

Maine Harold Taylor Andrews James Hartford Gray Dunton Hamlin Stephen Tracy W ebster

1918 1918 1911 1918

*lbid, Jan. 1919, pages 188-192; June

1919, pages 607-613

1Medal o f Honor recipient

241 MIT Lt. Royal Robbins Heuter James DeGrier May William Griffith Sprague Lt. James C. Wooten, 2d

1906 1918 1915 1918

Miami Guinn W hitehurst Mattern

1917

Texas Eugene Doals Penn

1917

1900 1913

Toronto Capt. A lexander W. Baird Lt. Daniel Galer Hagarty Lt. Robert Gordon Hamilton Lt. James C uthbert Hartney Lt. John Turner Howard Capt. Arthur Gerald Knight Lt. Maurice Edward Malone Lt. Donald W. Morrison Lt. Harry Reid Nicholson Lt. Ernest Alroy Simpson Major Joseph D. Simpson Lt. Geoffrey Allan Snow Lt. George Stacey Stratford

1913 1916 1915 1907 1913 1918 1917 1919 1917 1915 1912 1916 1916

Nebraska Verlin W ycliffe Taylor

1920

Tulane Gustave Leon Soniat

1911

Ohio Garrett Cook Enlow

1919

Ohio State Brig. Gen. Edward Sigerfoos

Union David Percy Anderson Capt. Luther Alfred Hagar

1914 1914

1891

Utah Lynne Spencer Robison Joseph Rowberry W oolley

1917 1921

Vanderbilt Lt. Herbert Joseph Jones

1912

Virginia Dr. Paul Lee Cocke Pvt. James Alfred Holden Lt. Thomas Dunbar Halliday James Rogers McConnell

1899 1910 1919 1911

Wabash John Boswell Torian Lt. Osric Mills Watkins

1914 1918

W ashington Capt. Charles H. Drucker, Jr. Lt. Clarence William Schnelle

1914 1912

W ashington & Jefferson Lt. James Peebles Over

1912

W esleyan Lt. Robert Archer Bowlby Joseph Truman Bray Roy Livingston Burns Anton Frederick Haus Lt. W ilm er Edgar Herr Lt. Alonzo DeWolfe W illiams

1910 1919 1910 1912 1915 1916

Michigan Lt. Louis Mason Bruch Reginald Stott Franchot Harold Edgar Loud Lt. Cedric Allan Smith W illiam Griffith Sprague (also see MIT) Victor Clarence Vaughan, Jr. George Andrew Weilin

1916 1919 1918 1919 1915

Ohio W esleyan Lt. Thomas Dunbar Halliday

1919

O re g o n Sgt. Irwin Gordon Brooks M ajor John E. Kuykendall Capt. Louis H. Pinkham, Jr. Lt. Leslie Orland Tooze

1914 1908 1911 1916

Pennsylvania Albert Lewis Thompson Andrew Smith Wellington Frederick George Wilmsen

1904 1918 1918

Penn State Capt. Frederick Charles Dose Stephen James Keister

1914 1914

Purdue Lt. Richard Earle Beall M ajor Harold D. MacLachlan

1906 1913

Rutgers Lt. Rudolph Elmer Pvt. Leo Lidy Franken

1917 1922

St. Lawrence Corp. Edward C. Seymour

1919

Stanford Edwin Lyle Alderson Ralph Townsend Simpson

1915 1916

Stevens Lt. Elias Quereau Horton Lt. Ernest John Munby

W estern Reserve Dr. Henry Burt Herrick Lt. Orville Russell Watterson

1888 1911

1905 1897

Syracuse Ensign James Lloyd Churchill Sgt. Harold Burrill Perry

1914 1920

W est Virginia Fred McCauley Caudy Capt. Adrian Hansford Grigg Forrest Grey W illiams

1919 1910 1915

W h itm a n A rthur Payne Jaycox

1920

BETA HEROES

242 Wisconsin John Gordon Mitchell Raymond King Puffer Donald McCormack Sage

1919 1915 1919

W ooster Lt. W ilbert W allace W hite, Jr.

1912

Yale Benjamin Strickler Adams Lt. W illiam Hopkins Chandler Lt. George Lane Edwards, Jr. Capt. Arby Luther Hedrick Lt. Kenneth MacLeish Lt. Gordon Lockwood Schenck

1918 1915 1918 1908 1918 1913

Appendix B

WAR DEAD IN WORLD WAR II A s o f A u g u s t 15, 1951 F ro m e v e ry s o u rc e a v a ila b le , in c lu d in g q u e s tio n n a ire s , m a g a z in e a rtic le s , n e w s p a p e r d ip p in g s , c h a p te r p u b lic a tio n s a n d c o rre s p o n ­ d e n c e , T he B e ta T h e ta P i c o m p le te d th is lis t o f B e ta s w h o s e d e a th s w e re in s e rv ic e o r s e rv ic e c o n n e c te d . T h e n u m b e r (in bold) s h o w n a fte r th e c h a p te r is th e n u m b e r o f m e n w h o s e rv e d in th e a rm e d fo rc e s . T h e n a m e s are th o s e o f th e “g o ld s ta r” d e c e a s e d . A to ta l o f 11,131 B e ta s s e rv e d in W o rld W a r II. O f th e s e , w e k n o w o f 4 6 6 w h o g a v e th e ir lives.

— A u th o r

Roll No. Am herst Lewis Middleton Black William Leland Bonnett Herman Baker Chase John Edmund Dale, Jr. George Caldwell Nicoll

89

Bethany A rthur Bliss Sheets John Richard Sole

607 634 573 596 548 518 618

125

Boston

526 555 2

Bowdoin 166 A rthur William Littlehale, Jr. Millard Hussey Patten, Jr. Charles Pavalar Reeks, Jr. British Colum bia 99 John D. Granger James Clarke Harmer Kenneth Franklin Macdonald Robert Francis McIntyre A rthur Norman Martin Robert Meade Sinclair John E. Storey

1Medal of Honor recipient

Ross Hugh Wilson 51 654 683 559 694

Beloit 126 Paul Jackson Barnard, Jr. Robert Foster Corey Robert Jerome Lusk Emerson Francis Meiners Kenneth Barclay Nelson Robert A. Olmsted Bernard Jay Snyder

R o ll N o.

421 457 423 6 6

71 63 85 24 114 90

1 0 0

Brown 124 Howard Carlton Latham

642

California 125 Gordon W oolfolk Bell Thomas William Carlson Ward Cox, Jr. Clark Hawthorne Grant Howard Waite Hansen Owen McNeill Seaman David Crowder W aybur 1 Theodore Peter W ittschen, Jr.

560 583 540 572 531 539 550 530

California, Los Angeles Gordon Arnold Bell Frederick Kurt Koebig Byron DeLos Magee James Franklin Taylor Jack Peter Wadsworth

140 143 182 101

246 196

Carnegie 116 Isaac Pennypacher Griffen Paul Thornton Wines

402 375

119 Case James Alvin Bohannon, Jr.

322

Centre Richard Lane Murray G. Caldwell Russell

74

84 Chicago Lincoln Romeiser Clarke, Jr. Robert Grove Kraybill

582 546 422 477

243 Cincinnati 278 Robert C. Buhman Thomas Keenan Foster Robert Carl Hagerstom Harry B. Messick, Jr. Haylock David Nelson Edwin Bruce Perkins Gordon Strauss Colgate 118 Willliam Todd Campbell Fountain Maury Matthews Benjamin Pollack Sibley

441 436 567 497 252 508 376 610

666 653

Colorado 231 Gerald Phillips Anderson George Conrad Eckhardt Bruce Kyle Kemp Robert Reily Knowles, Jr. Cameron Kenneth Merrifield W illiam Frank Schulte

578 489 572 539 516 532

Colorado College John Thomas Girling Robert William Kaye

Robert Bonds Benfield Thomas Hendricks Byrd, Jr. W alter Steele Covington, Jr. A lexander Taylor Edelman Leith Halloway Garrow Oscar Loranzo Joyner, Jr. W illiam Courtney Mills Robert Benhaw Richardson William Mitchell Shaw, Jr. George Thomas Tipton Crawford Wheeler, Jr. Denison John Carl Hoopes Robert Francis Jeffries

423 506 536 335 447 438 323 389 456 408 488

194 541 493

Denver 148 W illiam Hugh Davis III James Shelton Doyle, Jr. Robert Roy Hogan Stanley Samuel Outwater, Jr.

557 454 547 561

DePauw Ellis Bailey Gregg III Richard King Hargrave

189

345 371

839 774

Colorado Mines 126 Ralph E. Keeler C ressy Lewis Kingery Patrick Vincent O â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leary Charles Fred Soper Lee James Talbott Robert Leonard Tempest

Dickinson John Edmund Dale, Jr. Gerald Laurence Darr John Edward Martin III Thomas Lloyd Rockwell James Edwin Taylor, Jr. Paul Woodward

85

245 420 352 416 356 366

Columbia Raymond Robert Mele

573

165

96

Cornell 118 Malcolm Leonard Blue John Gray Dodd Edward Porter Ellis Clifford Rohr Gard John Andrew Hornung Anthony Baird Mitchell William Dier Mulberry Fields Seeley Pendleton II Dartmouth 169 William Junghans Burford Robert Clark Dempsey James Dwight Gorrie John William French Hobbs Stephen W indsor Holmes Richard Adam Kersting James Monroe Mathes, Jr. Uri Alexander Munro Charles W ilm ot Norby Harry W ilbut Ritter Derrol Wilson Rogers Ralph David Shanesy, Jr. John Mohler Shellenberger, Jr. Davidson Willard Holt Barnwell

733 720 639 432 800 729 709 805 1018

1110 892 554 1180 1138 1080 1042 649 1222 1103 1124 1188

120 444

425 426 437 492 402 403

Duke 132 William Ralph Bargetz Leonard Charles Everson Robert George Neal Joseph Glenn Simpson Emory

151 52 6 8

18

4

Florida 159 Glen Ulrich Brooks, Jr. George Lester Glass, Jr. Stephen Foster Haney Carl Mohn Squires Wilford Perry Wilson, Jr.

31 194 51 251 253

Georgia Tech 189 Oliver Whiting Bishop Robert Stewart Clinkscales Norman Chaflin Draper Albert Bernard Duke Jere W itherspoon Gates Thomas B.McGuire,Jr . 1 Robert McAlpine Maxwell Joseph Briggs Stubbins Harvey Wilburn Criswell, Jr. John Henry Heubeck

430 302 361 204 229 350 377 311 294 337

Hanover 68 Robert Gordon McCormick Joseph Louis Moore Marvin Frank Muir Horace Blessing Smith, Jr.

458 420 487 500

BETA HEROES

244 Idaho 160 Arthur Stucky Chapman George W. Dean George Henry Dorsey James David Farrell Roy Brockway Gray Dale Newell Greeley Sherman Cameron King Robert Gene Long George Wencel Papesh Stephen Robert Ed. Pease James Morrison Triplett W illiam Francis Galey Paul R. Gowen Robert Meredith Setters

526 430 467 538 397 548 524 481 348 568 287 465 277 389

Illinois 185 Kenneth George Brown Lome Bulpitt, Jr. W illiam W alker Cassell W alter Newton Forester Richard John Glasebrook Harris Jacob Harmon Frederick Stanley Sherman John Milton Simpson

153 361 461 493 490 139 337 185

Indiana 175 James W oodbridge Henley Edward Irland Stoddard George August Zeiler

816 664 645

Iowa 68 Thomas W infield Eland Owen Marsten Hintz Norman Pershing Klinker James Stuart Knipe Roy Edward Paulsen, Jr. Martin Henry Smith, Jr. Paul Bovee Young

582 601 567 571 694 591 439

Iowa State 123 Charles Osborne Brown, Jr. Charles Rollin Buffington III William Albert Fluallen W alter Manning Hart John Herbert Hickey Benjamin Greene Kinnick Edward A. Murphy, Jr. Dennis Joseph Murphy Hampton Edward Rich Hubert Lee Ruggles Foster Sweeting Stolp George Lewis Wales, Jr. Paul Bovee Young Lee Channing Ziegler

372 375 335 385 415 387 350 524 549 445 406 381 255 363

Iowa Wesleyan

1

Johns Hopkins

70

Kansas John Freeman Austin

167

1Medal of Honor recipient

528

Jesse Raymond Battenfield, Jr. Fred Curry Eberhardt John James Green Norman Bertrand Griggs Fred Clyde Littooy George Milton Paris Donald Boyd Pollom Thomas Grier Stewart Kansas State John P. Kilkenny, Jr. Robert Kerr Page Henry Dean Porter John W hitney Sears

594 685 647 752 627 631 694 729

120 432 378 401 405

Kenyon 94 Robert Bowen Brown, Jr. John Oesterling W hitaker

384 389

Knox 120 George Baxter W arner Russell Campbell Robert William Kaye John Milton Simpson Eugene Jones Taliaferro Rex Stephen W alker

621 484 548 249 279 507

Lawrence 159 Stewart Edward Fox W illiam Kellogg Harkins W illiam Clarence Leverenz Dan Stevens Murphy John Edward W oodrich

51 175 207 83 234

Lehigh 77 Robert W esley Kirkpatrick Eldridge W illiam Palmer William Howard Sachs Archibald Lynn Williams, Jr.

300 353 239 367

Maine 85 Edward Pomeroy Barrows John Alexander Friday Morris Dewing Proctor Burleigh Buston Roderick Albert William Stevens

628 625 561 562 218

MIT 79 Lincoln Romeiser Clark, Jr. Frank Claveloux Parker, Jr.

283 251

Miami 177 Joseph Robert Baughman John Curtis Boldt John Neal Carnes A rthur William Debernarde James Edward Flinchpaugh Carl Leslie Gleason Thomas Haynes Johnson Lawrence Everett B. LeTulle Wayne W alter Martin Paul Raymond Meeks Raymond Ellsworth Petzold Joseph Bashford Runyan Leroy Eldon Scherry

655 704 569 634 464 761 718 702 777 716 732 675 723

245 Michigan 126 Reginald Philip Aldrich, Jr. William Emmett Buckey, Jr. Augustus Paul Heinze William Beresford Palmer, Jr. Oliver Lyman Spaulding, Jr. Robert John Sundquist Frederick Lewis Talcott Richard William Tennis James Fleming Todd

840 892 906 489 302 843 761 908 1018

Minnesota 185 William W alderm ar Hodson James Mark Larson Louis Herbert McKinlay Frank Leonard Thresher, Jr. John Ward Watson

192 677 82 470 597

Mississippi

151

Missouri 160 Stephen Morehouse Avery Howard Robert Combs Lawrence Marion Kirk Luther James Luckett, Jr. Jack Barry Luitwieler Eric Martin Meding George Edwin Porter, Jr. Henry Nelson Spencer William Crim W arner Frank Dickinson Wickham

393 795 756 854 880 805 685 881 690 198

Nebraska Ross James Alexander Carl Mather Kube Frank Stuart Lomax William T. Sweeney

506 397 539 550

174

North Carolina 126 Thomas Ruffin Bledsoe Glenn Ulrich Brooks, Jr. Lawrence Flinn Alonzo Cleveland Hall, Jr. Thomas Joseph O â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, Jr. Joseph Glenn Simpson William Grant Tennille, Jr. Charles Digby Wardlaw, Jr. Harry Winkler, Jr.

450 481 333 419 539 471 373 325 441

North Dakota 62 John Theodore Ahlroth De Land Joseph Croze Arthur Ralph Friesz Robert Cozzens Ramsay

306 291 292 720

Ohio 169 John R. Balmer George Glenwood Collins Anthony Cramer, Jr. Carl Edwin DAnner, Jr. Howard Byron Duff, Jr. Jack Edward Klot Joseph B. Runyan

753 539 729 631 657 752 548

Louis Frederick Speiser Andrew Theodore Szalay James R. W illiams

571 700 735

Ohio State 121 Robert Martin Bennett Homer R. Danison James Horace Eberhardt Perry Smith Fay, Jr. James W allace Haverfield Samuel R. Heffron Jon Melvin Jones

670 644 258 600 591 557 696

Ohio W esleyan 116 Howard Montrose Anderson, Jr. Robert S. Barr W illiam W. Dawson Robert Junghans Cass Berry Speasm aker

689 696 413 677 670

Oklahom a 99 James Calloway Buchana, Jr. Sidney Ralph Davis Earle Payne Miller Fred Henderson Murchison Lambert Courtney Root

348 435 556 195 428

Oklahom a A&M (State) Paul Ernest Fleissner Robert Ray Heath, Jr. Theodore B. Pyeatt Jerry Minton Smith

394 397 188 378

111

Oregon 160 George Cusick Maurice Harold Hunter Samuel Preston Knight, Jr. W alter Henry Korell, Jr. Dale Livingston Lasselle Gerald Cooke McGonigle Frank Mount James Otis Reed Richard Hamilton Werschkul Oregon State Don K. Bennett Gordon W. Bentzen Harold Joseph Chivers Ralph F. Johnson James V. Johnston, Jr. W alter Henry Korell, Jr. Jack Lyons Bruce M. McKalson Jack Edward Trew William H. Whitfield

113 432 433 515 403 308 6

330 400

134

Pennsylvania 175 Harry W. Baker Richard W allace Brokaw Russell Calhoun McCormick John Knox Moore Frederick B. Sang Robert S. Whitla

207 326 296 311 248 287 198 273 342 261 768 711 306 655 760 640

BETA HEROES

246 Penn State 104 George L. Craft, Jr. Richard W ebster Grant, Jr. J.L. Jackson W .H .Ju ve Frederick Faitoute Shaw

431 368 492 528 524

Purdue W illard R. Baker John David Burke W illiam David Gaus John D. Hench Ted. E. Nordquist Harold A rthur Todd, Jr.

161 297 563 407 384 532 467

Rutgers

102

University of the South

1

Aim er J. Mann Constantine Mims, Jr. Joseph Oliver Simmons Albert S.B. Negley

482 501 583 416

Toronto Francis C.B. Hall Harlan D. Keely Henry George Northway R. Sedgewick

88 259 307 227 318

Tulane Kendall Cram W illiam F. Peak

96 204 247

Union

64

Utah Jack H. Andrews, Jr. Frank Coday Vibert O. Fryer Ralph W. Larsen Tyler C. Nelson John L. Purton Sherman H. Smith Murray W. W hitney

145 562 618 331 619 592 516 549 573

Vanderbilt Murrell William Anderton, Jr. Robert M. Davis John Albert Key, Jr. Wilson Locke Lynch Henry Fielding Turner, Jr.

118 499 405 538 427 364

St. Lawrence 183 John M. Burger John Herbert Cushman E.S. Dorsey Norman H. Eaton J.E. Goodrich Horace Charles Hale Jefferson Howard Russell MacKay Johnston W.B. Kapp Robert Calvin Kunz Foster Osgood Ellsworth Grant Waters, Jr.

524 538 494 596 534 198 563 565 399 576 270 631

South Dakota 101 George Harry Beach Wayne Aloysius Carmody Edward William Ketcham Philo George M eisenholder Melvin Robert Quast John Dennison Quigley Robert D. Steiber

167 348 221 154 332 336 335

Stanford John H. Alabaster Morris Allen Daly, Jr. John M. Loupe Thomas C. Murphy, Jr. John Purton Bud Abraham Sophian

Virginia W illiam A. Chenoweth, Jr. Henry G. Ellett, Jr. Kenneth Newcomer Gilpin W illiam A.R. Goodwin Clinton M. Harbison, Jr. John H. Neff, Jr. Edwin R. Nelson James Meehan Palmer

133 799 807 501 838 824 814 690 863

276 489 379 287 450 354

Wabash Miller Davis, Sr. Harry Duncan Fisher Arthur Baxter Gipe John Howard Ingram

115 238 587 673 646

W ashington in St. Louis Edmund Berkeley Belches Richard M. Beste Gerold H. Hoffman Douglas E. MacMillan, Jr.

209 389 558 290 454

322 227 674 700

Washington Robert Harding Brokaw Hugh M. Caldwell, Jr. W illiam P. Marontate Jack W. Staley James Neil W ebb

108 522 442 491 437 562

469 395 401

W ashington State Donald M. Allen Lloyd Craney

143 478 406

Stevens Royal V. Heath Richard W. Kenyon George L. Theiss Syracuse John Gray Ayling Frank Edwin Brundage Dalton R. Hardy Harold Marvin Stearns

102

44 375 339 392 120

Texas 81 Jules Constantin, Jr. James Robert Dougherty, Jr. George Bullock Herbert, Jr.

247 Clair L. Daniels George A. Davison Robert W. Giberson William H. Hronek, Jr. James McNeil Kilgore Orman W. Young

466 428 332 382 229 462

W ashington & Jefferson Richard F. Chamberlain W alter R Craig Anthony B. Mitchell Donald Snoke Donald C. Tangeman James Watson Elder

112 729 664 652 565 689 589

Washington and Lee Howard Kendolph Gibson W illiam C. Hood Andrew D. Jamieson

66 384 378 319

W esleyan Frederick C. Brevillier Clarence George Campbell, Jr. Paul Eugene Clark, Jr.

111 624 580 568

Western Reserve

83

W estm inster William F. Booth Thomas J. Cole, Jr. Joseph N. Glenn Charles C. Hudson William Lacy Jack C.H. McCann III Charles M. W arner C. Porter Wood James R. Brooks, Jr. Ivan Oliver Johnson, Jr.

139 590 459 578 488 573 518 527 485 44 697

W est Virginia Thomas C. Bibb James S. Heaver Clarence A. Potterfield John William Shaffer Charles D. Stansbury John C. Matthews James S. Heavner

201 537 522 411 442 455 444 522

W hitm an Robert G. Randlett Charles Crane W alker H. Richard Zwicker

125 441 301 342

W illiam s W illiam H. Heyman James T. Patterson, Jr.

72

W isconsin Robert W. Carlin

82

W ittenberg Haylock David Nelson Robert W. Seeger

74

295 276 717

Yale 161 Rene Chouteau Edward P. Clark Henry V. Crawford III Edward H. Gerrity Bruce K. Kemp John J. Mclnerney, Jr. David McGregor Mesereau Ward M iller John E. O ’Keefe, Jr. Charles M. Perry W illiam S. Snead, Jr. Talcott W ainwright Richard M. Holter Robert L. Brush Albert S.B. Negley Burrall Barnum Richard C. Long Stannard T. W heaton Logan Munroe A rthur R. Andrews II John G. Merserceau Thomas R. Clark, Jr. Francis R. W holley Leonard F. Paine

292 412 1485 1531 1468 1639 1634 1158 1396 1542 1242 1543 1525 948 961 1467 1207 1231 1569 1249 1296 1301 1358 1387 1405 1420

Previously, The Second Military List, World W ar II, was published in October 1943, Vol 71, pages 3-68.10,797 Betas served, includ­ ing 4,943 com m issioned officers (45.7%), 27 generals, 3 Navy captains.

The Third Military List, World W ar II, was published in January 1944.

The final W orld W ar II M ilitary List was p u b lis h e d in The Beta Theta Pi, Vol. 79, pages 246-253.

BETA THETA P I A N D T H E W AR E F F O R T T his g u id e fo r th e c h a p te rs in th e ir w a r e ffo rt w a s p re p a re d b y H o w a rd A . Law, P e n n s y lv a n ia 1935, a B e ta v ic e p re s id e n t/tru s te e . — Ibid., Vol. 70, p a g e s 2 8 4 -2 8 7

248

BETA HEROES

INDEX* A lp h a b e tic b y L a s t N a m e Abbott Jr., Thomas W .................... .......................156 Abrams, Creighton W ............ .......................168 Ackerman, W illiam J .............. ......................... 78 Adams, Benjamin S ......................... ..................................... 135 Adams Jr., Carroll E ........................ ..................................... 230 Adams, Jonathan E ............... ..................................... 227 Adkins, Paul C ........................ ......................... 44 Adset, Nathaniel B ................. ......................... 96 Affleck, David C ...................... .......................141 Aldrich, Warren H ............................... ..................................... 116 Alexander, Ross J .............................. ..................................... 152 Allbaugh, Joe M .................................... ......................................... 59 Allen, Jr., Frank A ............................... ..................................... 137 Allen, James K ....................................... ......................................... 33 Allen IV, Joseph P............................. .......................... 8 , 9, 49 Allen, Riley H ............................................ ......................................... 26 Ambler,k James M .M ..................... ......................................... 18 Anderson, Butler P............................ ......................................... 82 Anderson Jr., Carl E ........................ ..................................... 224 Anderson, David P............................. ..................................... 135 Anderson, Gerald W ........................ ..................................... 216 Anderson Jr., Howard M ............ ..................................... 207 Anderson, O rvil ..................................... ...................... 112, 113 Andrews II, Arthur R ........................ ..................................... 2 1 1 Andrews, Harold T ............................. ..................................... 133 Ankieny, Darrel J .................................. ..................................... 225 Armentrout, Herbert L ................... ..................................... 203 Armstrong Jr., Fred M ................... ..................................... 144 Arnold, Alfred C ..................................... ..................................... 107 Ashbaugh, Clarence V ................. .......................... 93, 132 Askew, F rank ........................................... ......................................... 84 Atkinson, J o h n ....................................... ..................................... 125 Atwell, John R ......................................... ..................................... 191 Ayling, John G ........................................ ..................................... 209 Bain, Roy M ............................................... ..................................... 213 Baird, Alexander W........................... ........126, 127, 131 Baird, C ham bers .................................. ..................................... 239 Baird, William R .................................... ..................................... 239 Baker, Richard M ................................ ..................................... 158 Bakewell Jr., Robert C .................. ..................................... 154 Bakewell, Samuel P......................... ..................................... 208 Ballance, Robert G ........................... ..................................... 142 Ballard, John A ....................................... ..................................... 127 Ballard, Robert A ................................. ...................... 148, 186 Ballentine, Charles N ..................... ......................................... 25 Banta, Robert H ...........................................................................215 Barber, Columbus S ...............................................................239

Barber, John B ............... .................................156 Barholf, Herbert B ......... .................................117 Bartley, Wayne R .......... ................................... 46 Barnwell, W. H o lt.......... ...................................................... 163 Barrows, E d w a rd ................ ...................................................... 168 Barrows, L e w is ...................... .................................169 Bates, John M .................................................124 Bates, Joshua H .,............................................ 82 Battle, Jo e l .................................. .................... 8 6 , 89, 90, 100 Bausewine, G e o rg e ........ ...................................................... 169 Baxter Jr., G e o rg e ........... ...................................................... 204 Beal, Ernest E ........................ ...................................................... 133 Becker, Steven L ................ ...................................................... 239 Beekler, A .M ............................. .......................................................... 32 Begg, Roderick E ............... ...................................................... 140 Behn, Daniel R ...................... ...................................................... 180 Bell, Gordon A ........................ ...................................................... 199 Bellamy, D avid ...................... ...................................................... 108 Bement, A. W arwick . . . . ...................................................... 140 Bennett, Arthur C ................ ...................................................... 2 2 0 Bennett, Donald K ............. ...................................................... 153 Bennett, Donald W ........... ...................................................... 219 Bennett, James D .............. .......................................................... 19 Bennett, John M .................. ...................................................... 188 Bennett, Robert M ............. ...................................................... 206 Bennett, Wendell C ......... ..........................................................33 Benning, Ed G ........................ ...................................................... 150 Bergh, A rn o ld .......................... ...................................................... 2 1 2 Berkeley F ire .......................... ..........................................................34 Beverly, W illia m ................... ..........................................................93 Bibb, Thomas C ................... ...................................................... 2 1 0 Biddix, J. P a trick ................. ...................................................... 236 Binford, Maurice W ........... ...................................................... 141 Binford, Tom J ........................ ...................................................... 161 Bingham, James W......... ..........................................................94 Bishop, Barry C .................... .......................................................... 52 Bishop, Oliver W................. ...................................................... 2 0 2 Black, James B ..................... ..........................................................82 Blaik, Earl (R e d ) ................. ...................................................... 176 Blair, Richard W ................... ..........................................................93 Blaisdell, William P.......... .......................................................... 77 Blanchard, R .M ..................... ...................................................... 1 0 2 Blaurock, Carl A ................... .......................................................... 28 Bledsoe, Thomas R ........ ...................................................... 205 Blesch, Jerry M ..................... ...........................................50, 236 Blish, John B ............................ ...................................................... 103 Bloch, George A .................. ..........................................................50 Blue, Malcolm L ................... ...................................................... 2 0 0

*For “U.S. Chapter Deaths in World War I ,” see pages 132 and 240. For “U.S. Chapter Deaths in World War II, ” see pages 198 and 243. For “U.S. Chapter Deaths in the Korean War, ’’ see page 216. For “U.S. Chapter Deaths in the Vietnam War, ” see page 230. All deaths from earlier wars are listed by name.

249

Bocox, George B .............................................. 63 Boehm, William R ...........................................154 Bong, Richard 1............................................... 171 Bonnett, William L.......................................... 198 Borror, James C ..............................................163 Boudinot, Edward C .................................. 16, 83 Bowerman, William J ............................146, 147 Bowerman, W illiam J a y ................................147 Bowie, P h y llis ................................................. 239 Bowlby, Robert A ............................................ 135 Boyd Jr., Clarence E ......................................216 Bozarth, C lyd e ................................................192 Bradford, Richard ........................................... 95 Bradley, Benjamin A .........................................95 Bradley, Gene E ................................................78 Bradley, Gen. O m ar.......................................143 Brandt, Bruce A .............................................. 225 Brantley, Ian.......................................................79 Bray, Joseph T................................................ 135 Breckenridge, G en........................................... 95 Breunig, H. Latham .......................................... 67 Brevillier, Frederick C .................................... 210 Bright, Thomas C ........................................... 185 Brokaw, Robert H ........................................... 210 Brooks, Seth R.................................... 41, 46, 54 Brown, B. G ra tz ................................................84 Brown, Bernard A ........................................... 124 Brown, Joseph G .............................................. 93 Brown, R odney...............................................237 Brown, S. G le n n ............................................ 108 Browing Jr., George M .................................. 215 Bruch, Louis M ................................................134 Brush, Robert L...............................................169 Bryan, Stanley F............................................. 109 Buckingham, Benjamin H orr.......................... 17 Buckley, Jim L ................................................. 230 Buckley, John H.............................................. 216 Buckley, Matthew E .......................................... 6 6 Buckley Jr., Oliver E.......................................217 Buford, Marcus B ainbridge............................ 17 Burgard, John C ............................................. 125 Bundy, O m ar.......................... 96, 104, 105, 238 Bunnell Jr., George 0 ....................................163 Burgess Jr., Kenneth F..................................163 Burkhard, John F............................................ 230 Burns, Roy L....................................................135 Burton Jr., Charles S ..................................... 183 Burton, Richard W .......................................... 222 Burr, Jr., Samuel E ........................................... 29 Burson III, John H .............................................77 Butler, E dm ond ................................................. 98 Burler, Edmond (son).......................................98 Byrne, Herbert K ............................................... 60 Byrne, T h a d ........................................... 185, 239

Caldwell, Charles E ....................................... 133 Calkin, David A ..................................................50 Callahan, Hiram J ...........................................222 Cameron, Kenneth D.......................... 8 ,1 1 ,5 8 Cameron, Lewis H ......................................... 217 Campbell, Clarence G ...................................150 Campbell, W arner R ...................................... 204 Campbell, W illiam T .......................................155 Cannastra, Fred..............................................180 Cannon, Robert L ...........................................161 Caouette, Brian J ..............................................78 Carbozo, M o s e b y .......................................... 164 Carey, G e o rg e ................................................117 Carlin, Robert W ............................................. 211 Carlson, Evan F.............................................. 213 Carmody, Wayne A ........................................ 208 Carnaham, James R ................................. 8 6 , 92 Carpenter, Gerald W ......................................216 Carpenter, Giles R ......................................... 137 Carpenter, William C ........................................ 6 8 Carrington, Edgar W ........................................ 94 Carter, C .B ....................................................... 102 Cassell, W illiam W ......................................... 202 Chamberlain, John R .......................................90 Chambers, Edward V.....................................126 Chamberlain, John R ......................... 84, 89, 90 Chamberlain, Gen. Joshua L .....................1168 Chandler, Edward Bruce................................. 16 Chandler, George M ...................................... 102 Chandler, William H ....................................... 135 Chapman, V icto r............................................ 112 Chase, Maurice G ............................................ 39 Chatham, Robert N.......................................... 95 Chennault, C laire........................................... 195 Chestnut, Albert H .......................................... 195 Chiappetta, D a rre n .......................................... 62 Chirac, Jacques..............................................143 Chivers, Harold J ............................................207 Church, Stanley R .......................................... 166 Churchill, James L ..........................................133 Churchill, W inston................................. 151, 152 Clark, C harles................................................. 183 Clark II, Edward P...........................................211 Clark, Frank B ................................................... 93 Clark, Jerry M ..................................................169 Clark, Gen. M a rk ......................... 140, 161, 184 Clark Jr., Thomas R.............................. 161, 211 Clarke, P ow hatan............................................ 98 Clarke, Powhatan H......................................... 98 Clement, Brad E ............................................... 61 Clevenger, Lyle J .............................................. 48 Clifford, John A ................................................199 Clinkscales, Robert........................................ 156 Cobb, D. B ra d le y..............................................74 Cobb, L. M a rtin ...............................................239 Cochrane, Philip 0 ........................................... 63

250 Coday, F ra n k .................................................. 209 Coffin, Jr., David L............................................ 26 Cole, Thomas J ..................................... 155, 211 Compton, M e id ................................................. 44 Conklin, Jeremy B ..........................................226 Conover, H arvey...............................................29 Conover, Lam er S .G ........................................31 Conroy, James J .............................................118 Constantin, J u le s ........................................... 169 Corry, W illiam M ................................................98 Corry, W illiam M cM illa n .................................. 98 Cotter, John A ................................................. 196 Covelle, L. K e ith ............................................ 170 Covington, John 1........................................... 239 Covington Jr., W alter S te e le ........................200 Cowden, Elliot................................................. 112 Craig, H. B ro w n ................................................ 95 Craig, W alter W ...............................................132 Cram, K endall................................................. 148 Cramer Jr., A nthony.......................................206 Cramer, Floyd B......................................... 96, 98 Crane, Joseph T ............................................ 213 Crary, Morrell J ................................................230 Crittenden, Thomas T ......................................20 Cronk, Willis G ................................................ 140 Crowell, Dean G ............................................. 217 Croze, DeLand J ............................................ 205 Cubbison, Gordon H ......................................213 Cunningham, Laurence J ............................. 225 Currier, James L ............................................. 170 Dale Jr., John E.............................................. 198 Daly Jr., Morris A ............................................ 208 Daniels, Clair L............................................... 210 Darling, Jay N. (D in g )......................22, 97, 187 Darr Jr., Gerald L ............................................201 Davidson, Edward M ..................................... 190 Davidson Jr., George A ................................. 210 Davis, Darius A ............................................... 188 Davis, John K .................................................... 99 Davis, Richard G ............................................ 219 Davis, Sidney R .............................................. 207 Davis, W illiam E ................................................75 Dawson, Donald S ........................................... 34 Dawson, William w ......................................... 116 Day, Ernest E. (E rnie)......................................39 Dearing, Vinton A .................................. 118, 132 DeArmond, William R ...................................... 98 DeArmond, W illiam .......................................... 98 Debernarde, A rthur W ....................................204 Decker, George S ............................................. 94 Dedman, J. Ju llia n ......................................... 185 Deeds, Edward A ............................................111 deGaulle, C harles.......................................... 143 DeSantis, W illiam A ....................................... 231

BETA HEROES Desgrosseilliers, E d w a rd ..............................235 Desgrosseilliers, Todd S ............................... 235 deSully, Max F.................................................232 Dempsey, Robert C ....................................... 164 Devan, S co ville T ............................................135 Dewey, Robert T a y lo r......................................49 Dickenson, Samuel H ....................................122 Dickinson, Cmdr. C .E .................................... 178 Dickey, Thomas W ............................................67 Diebolt, Jr., Alfred L ..........................................70 Dieterich, Richard T .......................................218 Dinse, C h a rle s................................................164 Disbro, Robert R ...............................................70 Dixon, Kenneth L............................................166 Dixon, Robert E................................................ 93 Dobbs, S. Kennedy........................................139 Dobson, Mason C .......................................... 192 Dodge, Ronald W ..................................230, 231 Dofflemeyer, R.A.............................................. 32 Dose, Frederick C .......................................... 134 Dougherty Jr., James R ................................ 209 Dowell, W illiam B.D ....................................... 220 Drew-Brook, T om m y............................ 126, 131 Droz, Donald G ...............................................230 Drucker, Jr., Charles H..................................135 Drummond, Gentner F...................................235 Drury, Marshall P. .......................................... 133 Dubs, A d o lp h .................................................... 39 Duff Jr., Howard B ..........................................206 Duncan, John H o lt......................... 1, 84, 85, 87 Duncan, Olen E .............................................. 216 Dunham, John R............................................ 217 Dunn, W illiam son............................................. 17 Durham, R y a n .................................................. 6 6 Duvall, Frank B ............................................... 134 Ebnother, James R........................................ 133 Eckels, George M .......................................... 132 Eden, Sir A nthony.......................................... 151 Edmonds, John C .............................................93 Edwards, John P....................................136, 156 Edwards, Ray 0 ............................................. 117 Eidson, John R............................................... 234 Eikoff, T h e o d o re ............................................ 103 Eland, Thomas W ........................................... 202 Eisenhower, Gen. Dwight D.......108, 139, 219 Elder, James W ...............................................210 Eldredge, Don H....................................188, 195 Eldridge, Jay G ........................................ 6 8 , 174 Ellett Jr., Henry G ........................................... 209 Ellington, Lloyd A ............................................133 Ellis, Edward P................................................200 Elliot, R e g ........................................................126 Elliott, Robert W ..............................................196 Elson, H.A........................................................102

251 Engle III, Robert F.............................................51 Ensign, F ra n k ................................................... 69 Erickson, Eric.................................................. 138 Erickson, Keith.................................................. 36 Espy III, Goodman B. (G .B .).......................... 77 Evans, O.P......................................................... 95 Fairfax, Hamilton R .......................................... 93 Fairfax, H enry................................................... 93 Farrington, W a lla c e ......................................... 25 Fawcett, K. Warren ................................ 54, 239 Fay Jr., Perry S ............................................... 206 Fegley III, Charles E........................................ 48 Felt, W. M a rk .................................................... 35 Ferguson Jr., Thomas R............................... 223 Ferguson, W illiam B ...................................... 188 Fernald, Roy L ...................................................98 Fernley II, Thomas J ....................180, 186, 207 Ferrell, Jimmie D............................................ 202 Ferris, Edward M ............................................ 143 Fetherstonhau, James E .............................. 126 Findley, Thomas 1............................................. 12 Finlayson, Robert M ...................................... 183 Fisher, Charles G ..............................................49 Fisher, Harry D ................................................209 Fisher, Russell S ............................................ 122 Fitzhugh, William N ........................................155 Flansburg, A. D ou g la s.................................... 58 Flansburg, Robert B ...................................... 205 Fleming Jr., C a rl................................... 157, 209 Fletcher, S h a n e ................................................74 Flinn, La w ren ce..............................................205 Flint Jr., W alter F.............................................180 Fluallen, William A ..........................................203 Foley, Philip A ..................................................227 Forbes, Walter H............................................ 231 Ford, Clyde S .................................................... 99 Ford III, Harold A ............................................ 231 Ford, Enfield B. (F licky).................................. 45 Forester, Albert H ........................................... 195 Forester, W alter N................................. 144, 195 Foster, Lewis P.................................................. 95 Foster, Thomas K ........................................... 199 Fox, C h a rle s......................................................28 Fox, John H ..................................................... 133 Franchot, Reginald S .....................................134 Frank, Donald J o s p h .......................................44 Frary, Donal P................................................. 135 Freeman, James S .........................................206 Freihofer, Robert W ...............................188, 196 Friday, John A ................................................. 204 Friez, Arthur R .................................................206 Friez, Robert E ................................................206 Fuller, Regan ....'................................................38 Fryer, Charles W .............................................232

Fryer, Vibert O ................................................ 209 Gaiennie, Jr., L. R ene..................................... 98 Gaiennie, Louis R .............................................98 Galbraith, William C .......................................164 Galbreath Jr., Gerald H .................................155 Galloway, Denis W ......................................... 231 Gandy, Kent E .................................................231 Garbutt, John D.............................................. 134 Gardner, Larner S .............................................33 Gardner, Stephen P....................................... 198 Gartley, Markham L ....................................... 229 Gates, Jere W ................................................. 199 Gaus, W illiam D ..............................................208 Gavan, Paul A ................................................. 142 Gavin, James L...............................................188 Genet, E d m o n d ..............................................113 Geron, Richard P............................................ 219 Gibson, Howard K ..........................................210 Gilbert, Charles C .............................................84 Gill, J.R. (B o b )................................................180 Gill, Warren C ..................................................148 Gingeric, Franklin H ......................................... 54 Girling, John T.................................................199 Glasebrook, Richard J ...................................202 Glass Jr., George L........................................201 Gleichauf, Paul W ...........................................157 Glenn, Joseph N.............................................211 Gneckow, Gerald E.......................................... 50 Goll, G e o rg e ................................................... 103 Goddard, Richard N.......................................226 Gooding, John W ............................................133 Goodrich, G ail................................................... 36 Gordon, Arm istead......................................... 113 Gordon, Donald C ............................................ 75 Gordon, John B .................................82, 87, 186 Gordon, Thomas B o s to n .................. 84, 85, 87 Gowen, Paul R .......................................145, 186 Granger, George S .........................................195 Granger, John D ............................................. 198 Grant, Clark H................................................. 199 Grant Jr., Richard W ...................................... 207 Grant, U .S.......................................................... 91 Graves, Eric K ................................................... 98 Graves, Terrence C , ................. 7, 98, 227, 230 Gray, C a rl.......................................................... 78 Gray, Jack B ........................................... 137, 202 Gray, James H................................................ 134 Gray, John H anna............................................ 15 Gray, Roy B ............................................ 137, 202 Greeley, Dale N.............................................. 202 Green, A d a m .................................................... 63 Gregg III, Ellis B ..............................................201 Grey, Jim B ........................................................ 73 Griffin, Isaac P.................................................199

252 Griner, John A ................................................. 231 Gudger, Emmet C .......................................... 107 Guerin, Arthur S ..............................................214 Gutelius, C .B ................................................... 102 Hagadorn, Charles B .....................................100 Hagarty, Daniel G ..................................127, 131 Hagerstrom, Robert C ................................... 199 Hague, Dennnis B .......................................... 223 Hahn, R.W....................................................... 102 Haines Jr., John P.......................................... 154 Haines, Vaughn A .............................................47 Halberstam, D a vid ......................................... 212 Halblower, Harlow K ...................................... 223 Haldenby, E ric W ................................... 130, 140 Hall, B ert.......................................................... 112 Hall, Francis C .B ............................................ 209 Hall, Herbert E ................................................ 183 Hall, Herbert W .............................. .................109 Halliday, Thomas D ........................................134 Hamilton, Harry B ...........................................188 Hamilton, Robert G ............................... 127, 131 Hamilton, Samuel W ........................................ 14 Hamlin, D unton...............................................141 Haney, Stephen F........................................... 202 Hanes, Robert C .............................................140 Hanford, Franklin..............................................17 Hangen, P atricia............................................ 221 Hangen, W e lle s ..............................................221 Hanna, J. C a lv in ............................................ 239 Hanover chapte r...............................................15 Hansen, K erm it...............................................195 Hanson, H enry.................................................. 75 Hantelmann, Harold.......................................147 Hard, Dudley J .................................................. 97 Harriman, A ve re ll........................................... 157 Harris, Donald R.............................................225 Harris, John A ................................................. 122 Harris, Samuel J.............................................133 Harrison, Bogue P.......................................... 219 Harrison Jr., Clinton M ...................................208 Harrison, Philip N..............................................6 6 Hart, W alter M ................................................. 203 Hartney, James C ........................ 127, 128, 131 Hatfield, James T ............................................. 96 Hatfield, Mark O .......................................40, 219 Haus, Anton F..................................................135 Haverfield, James W ............................ 136, 157 Hawley, Matthew C .......................................... 47 Hawley, W inston A ......................................... 220 Hayes, Thomas L........................................... 184 Hays, Arthur G ................................................ 170 Heath, James E ................................................ 93 Heath, Robert R ..............................................207 Heavener, James S. (H eaver).................... 210

BETA HEROES Hecock, Ward E..............................................202 Hedges, Donald W .........................................180 Hedrick, A rthur L.......................... 108, 135, 186 Heidenreich, Stephen A. (H e id i)................... 59 Heffron, Samuel R ......................................... 206 Heinrichs, Waldo H ........................................ 115 Heinze Jr., Augustus P.................................. 204 Heizer, Roberft S ............................................133 Hepburn, Charles M ...................................... 239 Herbert, Wyman D ......................................... 109 Herr, W ilmer E ................................................ 135 Herrick, Henry B ............................................. 135 Herron, Chas. D .................................... 106, 135 Hertzberg, H.F.N........................... 126,130, 140 Hertzberg, C .L.............................. 126, 130, 140 Hesse, Raymond C ........................................225 Hickey, John H ................................................204 Hicks, Frederick A .......................................... 204 Hill, Charles S ................................................. 102 Hilldring, John H ............................................. 117 Hine, Harold K irk h a m ..................................... 27 Hintz, Owen M ................................................ 203 Hitchcock, James W ...................................... 170 Hoag Jr., Carl L...............................................184 Hodson, William W .........................................205 Hodgson III, Thomas S ................................. 216 Hoffman, Gerald H................................ 141, 191 Holden, Frank W ...............................................32 Holden, W illiam ...............................................138 Holladay, Howard W...................................... 133 Holland, R aym ond........................................... 52 Holly, Manford C .............................................220 Holmes, Stephen W .......................................200 Holt, W illiam .................................................... 157 Hooker, R ichard............................................. 220 Horgan, Maurice C .........................................159 Hornberger, Jr., H. R ichard................... 43, 212 Howard, B ruce................................................132 Howard, C urtis................................................148 Howard, Harry F............................................. 196 Howard, J e ffe rs o n .........................................204 Howard, John T..................................... 128, 131 Howard, Leslie................................................152 Howard, Robert T.................................. 110, 239 Howell, James H ............................................ 214 Hronek Jr., W illiam ......................................... 210 Hubbard Jr., B oyd.......................................... 147 Hueter, Ernest B ............................................... 37 Hughes, Jr., James A .......................................54 Humphrey, John W .........................................204 Hunker, John Jacob.........................................17 Hunter, George W .............................................76 Hunter, Godfrey M ............................................17 Hunter, Maurice H .......................................... 207 Huntington, Paul W .......................................... 83

253 Hurst, John C .................................................. 231 Ingles, Harry C ................................................ 108 Ingram, John H ............................................... 210 Jackson, Jr., B y ro n ........................................132 Jackson, Richard H........................................105 Jackson, W illiam R .........................................205 Jaeger, Albert J ...............................................185 James, Howard F........................................... 218 Jenkins, Francis................................................28 Jenkins, J.M .................................................... 102 Jensen, Paul A .;..............................................230 Jewitt, Russell A ................................................24 Johnson, George R ........................................141 Johnson, H a rry ...............................................110 Johnson, Kenneth M ......................................161 Johnson, Lance L...........................................223 Johnson, Lucious W .........................................24 Johnson, Pres. Lyndon................................. 219 Johnson, Thomas H ............................. 170, 204 Johnston, James V ........................................166 Jones, Benjamin C ........................................... 94 Jones, Herbert L....................................102, 109 Jones, John A ....................................................93 Jones Lloyd L .................................................. 137 Jordan, H arry.................................................... 97 Jordan, W illiam 1............................................... 94 Joyner, Oscar L..................................... 200, 201 Joyner, William S ............................................201 Juve Jr., W alter H........................................... 207 Kantzer, W illiam ..............................................192 Karantsalis, T heo..............................................61 Kaye, Robert W ...............................................204 Kearney, Michael P...........................................47 Keeler, R a lph.................................................. 141 Keely, Harland D .............................................209 Keesler, Samuel R................................ 118, 186 Kiefer, William J .............................................. 185 Keister, Stephen J.......................................... 134 Kelley, Robert H..............................................220 Kelly, Donald P.....................................................7 Kelly, James W ................................................225 Kelly, Joe W ..................................................... 145 Kemp, Bruce K ................................................199 Kenny, Gen. G eorge......................................158 Kensel, Robert K ............................................ 217 Kenyon, Robert O .......................................... 161 Kerman, John R ..............................................164 Kern, P h illip .......................................................52 Kersting, Richard A ........................................ 176 Kiefer, William J .............................................. 181 Kier, Avery R ....................................................146 Kilgore, James M ............................................210

Killam, Robert M .............................................222 Kimes, Robert H ............................................... 71 King, Sherman C ............................................ 203 Kingery, Cressy L ........................................... 199 Kingsland, Edwin R ........................................132 Kirkgasser, James P.........................................72 Kirkland, Bayley K ............................................ 93 Klein, Edward A .............................................. 109 Klingensmith, Alonzo A ................................. 133 Klinker, Norman P .......................................... 203 Knight, A .G ................... 126, 127, 128, 130,131 Knight Jr., Samuel P ..................................... 207 Knipe, James S .............................................. 203 Knotts, Howard C ........................................... 120 Knouff, W illiam A ............................................ 170 Knox, John R.....................................................85 Koebig, Frederick K ....................................... 199 Korell Jr., W alter H......................................... 207 Kraybill, Robert G ...........................................199 Krekler, Albert M ............................................. 149 Kube, Carl M ................................................... 205 Kunz, Robert C ............................................... 164 Kuo, Jr., F re d e rick........................................... 13 Kohart, Ryan A ..................................................14 Kunz, Robert C ............................................... 173 Kunz, Robert J ................................................ 239 Kyle, James H.................................................233 Lambeth, Jr., W a lte r........................................39 Landis, Reed G ...............................................122 Landon, Melville D............................................92 Larson, E rlin g ................................................. 189 LaSasso, George A ........................................217 Lasselle, Dale L.............................................. 207 Latham, Howard C ......................................... 198 Lee, John C ............................................ 114, 133 Lee, Robert E ........................................... 89, 173 Leonard, Edward F.........................................164 Leonforte, Michael E. (P e ci).......................... 64 Letterman, Jonathan............................... 8 6 , 186 Letterman, Mary ..............................................8 8 LeTulle, Lawrence E ...................................... 204 Levezzoli, Paul R............................................230 Lewis, G eoff.................................................... 239 Lewis, John C ............................. 84, 89, 90, 100 Lewis, Jr., Robert E ..........................................55 Lilly, Warren R ........................................222, 229 Livermore, W h ittie r........................................232 Llewellyn, Karl N.............................................116 Loehr, John F.....................................................96 Logan, James W .............................................183 Lomax, Frank S ..................................... 136, 157 London Jr., W illiam J ..................................... 224 Long, John H athaw ay................................... 106 Long, John H erm an.......................................142

254 Long, Lothar R................................................ 116 Long, Maylon H,............................................. 170 Long, Robert G ............................................... 202 Longstreet, Ja m e s........................................... 89 Lord, W illiam C ..................................................97 Loud, Harold E ................................................134 Lowell, Marian E.............................................170 Lowndes, Earle B ........................................... 131 Lowry, Jr., W illiam E .........................................54 Lugar, Richard G .............................................. 48 Luitwieler, Jack B ........................................... 205 Lundwall, Albert A .......................................... 208 Lurton, Horace H.............................................. 85 Lusk, Robert J .................................................198 Lutton Jr., David..............................................154 Lynch Jr., Frank C .......................................... 150 Lynch, Wilson L .............................................. 157 Lynn, Ralph E ..................................................134 Lyon, Harry W are.......................................25, 27 Lyon, LeRoy S ................................................ 105 Macargel, Robert E ........................................223 MacArthur, Gen. D o u g la s.......... 106, 189, 212 Machado, N orbert............................................ 58 MacLeish, K enneth......................122, 135, 186 MacMillan, Logan T........................................171 Madison, Clinton R .........................................132 Magee III, Thom as......................................... 197 Magadorn, Charles B .......................................98 Malcolm, G ilbert..............................................189 Malone, Gerald M ........................ 127, 129, 134 Malone, Maurice E. (M ike)......... 127, 129, 134 Mann, Aim er J ................................................. 209 Mann, Edward C .............................................197 Marontate, William P......................................175 Marrero, Freddy................................................65 Marsh, Richard C ........................................... 133 Marshall, Gen. George C .................... 106, 143 Marshall, H um p hrey................................. 81, 82 Marshall, James E. (S tu b ).................. 214, 218 Martin, John L ................................................. 224 Martin III, Joseph B .......................................... 73 Martin, Kingsley L .............................................19 Martin, Thomas A ............................................. 63 Martin, Wayne W ............................................ 204 Mattern, W. G uinn.......................................... 134 Mathes Jr., James M ..................................... 200 Matthews, S ta n le y ........................................... 82 Maurer, Thomas H............................................73 Maury, Jr., Matthew R ......................................93 Maxwell, Lavern W .........................................171 Maxwell, Robert M ......................................... 202 Mayers, Laurence HI..................................... 108 McCabe, Edward R ................................... 21, 99 McCann III, Charles H ...................................211

BETA HEROES McCarron, J e ffre y............................................ 52 McClellan, George B ........................................8 8 McCleary, D a n ie l............................................. 81 McClintock, B. G a le s .................................... 161 McClung, D.W ................................................... 24 McClung, John R. (J a c k )..............................239 McConaughey, Charles W ............................132 McConnell, James R ..................................... 112 McCormick, M arshall.......................................93 McCoy, Frank T.............................................. 149 McCutcheon, Keith B ........................... 155, 219 McDonald, Tan................................................126 McGaughey, Guy E........................................183 McGee, W illiam K.......................................... 226 McGill, Arthur H .............................................. 132 McGonigle, Gerald C .....................................207 McGregor, W illia m ........................................... 95 McGuire, Jr., Thomas B ......... 5, 171, 186, 202 McKee, Hugh W ......................................... 17, 96 McKee, Robert.................................................. 95 McKee, S a m ue l................................................93 McKenzie, Bruce H ........................................ 155 McMicken, Isaac S ...........................................81 McMillan, Alexander B.....................................49 McNeeley, Everett (R e d o )........................... 172 McNickle, Marvin L ........................................ 150 McNickle, Melvin F................................ 137, 188 McPharlin, Michael G .H ....................... 149, 198 McPherson, W illiam R ...................................231 McSpaden, Lt..................................................111 Meade, Hugh E................................................. 94 Meade, Theophilus V....................................... 94 Meehan, Richard C ........................................184 Meek, Frank V . ...............................................216 Meisenholder, Philo G ................................... 208 Melzer, C a rl.......................................................27 Menefee, Frank G ............................................ 93 Merrick, Richard T............................................ 81 Merrick, Robert G ...........................................119 Merrill, Richard P............................................ 172 Merriman, C .C ...................................................19 Meyers, Paul D ............................................... 124 Mihai, King of R o m a n ia ................................194 Miles, T heodore............................................. 197 Miles, T heodore................................................31 Miller, Clark W .................................................178 Miller, Herbert L ..................................... 115, 133 Miller, Patrick J..................................................60 Miller, William E .............................................. 220 Milligan, Alexander, M ................................... 223 Millington Jr., William A ................................. 151 Mills, Lloyd J....................................................156 Mills, William C ............................................... 201 Miner, Ross R ................................................. 213 Minnick, Daniel C ........................................... 198

255 MIT blood donors..............................................34 Mitchell, Anthony B ........................................ 172 Mitchell, John F............................................... 157 Mitchell, Thomas G .......................................... 82 Moebes Jr., W illia m .......................................227 Morse, Arthur B ...............................................100 Moore, David H ................................................. 84 Morgan, Clark R ............................................. 222 Morgan, Edward P............................................ 34 Morrett, John J ................................................192 Moore, William R ............................................ 212 Morris, B. H um e......................................... 83, 95 Morris, Jr., J o h n ................................................ 94 Morris, John V................................................... 94 Morris, Wade H ................................................. 67 Morrison, Donald W .............................. 127, 131 Morrow, Boyd E.............................................. 232 Morse, Arthur B ................................................. 98 Mortensen, Dale T............................................ 51 Morton Jr., Joseph ........................................194 Moseley, Edgar F.............................................. 94 Moulton, W esley G .........................................156 Mourouzis, N ick..............................................675 Mowry, Loyd S ................................................ 115 Moyer, James H ..............................................216 Mugg, Leland S ........................................93, 132 Muir, Marvin F..................................................181 Muldrow, Hal L ................................................ 142 Mulliken, Wallace M .......................................150 Mulroy, James W .............................................. 21 Munroe, L o g a n ...............................................211 Munroe, Uri A .................................................. 200 Munsell Jrl., Frederick T................................ 218 Murkland, John M ............................................. 94 Murphy, Dennis J ............................................203 Murphy Jr., Edward A .................................... 203 Murphy, Franklin D ........................................... 50 Murphy, J.A ......................................................126 Murphy Jr., John B ......................................... 214 Murray, Charles B ...........................................133 Myers, George F rancis................................... 21 Nall, John L......................................................185 Naval Academy, Omega C h a p te r................. 17 Neisel, William J................................................34 Nelson, Charles C .......................................... 225 Nelson, Edwin R ............................................. 146 Nelson, C. W illia m ................................ 8 , 11, 51 Nelson, Havelock D ....................................... 191 Nelson, Tyler C ............................................... 209 Newkirk, D avid.................................................. 74 Newton, Clarence L ..........................................34 Nicaise Jr., Leo J ............................................ 217 Nice, Albert T . ................................................. 155 Nicholson, Harry R ................................127, 131 Nimphie, M ax.................................................. 176

Nixon, R ich a rd ................................................168 Noland, Cuthbert P .......................................... 93 Noland, Nelson B ..............................................93 Noll, Robert B.L.............................................. 227 Nordhaus, Richard 0 .....................................225 Nordoff, Charles B ............................................25 Northrop Jr., James W ...................................206 Nye, A lb e rt......................................................... 94 O ’Brien Jr., Thomas J ....................................205 O’Bryan, P a u l................................................... 61 O ’Day, Ray M .........................................141, 190 O ’Donnell, J a m e s ............................................ 21 Oechner, Frederick........................................191 Oliver Jr., Alfred C .......................................... 189 Olmstead, Freeman B ..................................... 49 Olmstead, Robert A ....................................... 198 Olver, Thomas C ......................................55, 239

O'Malley, Edward J .......................................... 63 Outwater Jr., Stanley S ................................. 201 Over, James P ................................................135 Overbeck, Robert S ....................................... 193 Owen, Joshua T................................................82 Page, J., W illiam N ...........................................95 Paine, Harold E.................................................82 Paine, Topliff 0 ................................................186 Pait, Stacy L .................................................... 220 Palmer, Elbridge W ........................................ 204 Palmer, James M ............................................209 Palmer, Joseph A ........................................... 124 Pankey, Michael R ............................................61 Pankratz, Je ff.................................................... 64 Paris, George M ............................................. 204 Parker, John H.................................................. 69 Parfet, Stanley W ............................................172 Patrick, J a y ........................................................64 Patrick, R ia n ......................................................64 Patterson, Frank S ......................................... 135 Patterson, John H .............................................18 kPatterson, Stanley F.................................... 230 Patton, Gen. George S ................................. 143 Paulsen Jr.l, Roy E .........................................203 Payne, O sca r.................................................. 103 Pease, Stephen R ..........................................202 Pearce, Romney 1.......................................... 141 Peck, Millard A ................................................ 224 Pendleton, A .S .................................................. 95 Penn, Eugene D ............................................. 134 Perconti, Jon A .................................................. 13 Pershing, Gen. John J ......................... 106, 196 Peterson, James E .........................................224 Peterson, Robert D ........................................ 216 Pfeiffer Jr., Edward G .................................... 196

256 Phillips, Paul H ..................................................33 Pike, Emory Jam ison................................3, 106 Pike, Hal W ...................................................... 227 Pilert, Marshall L.............................................188 Pipkin, Sr;., Charles S ................................... 125 Pliske, Henry W .............................................. 162 Poggemeyer, James R ..................................230 Pope, Everett P...................................... 2, 4, 165 Poppleton, Andrew J ........................................15 Porter Jr., George E .......................................205 Potterfield, Clarence A .................................. 162 Poulet, A c to n .................................................... 21 Powe, Samuel H ............................................... 81 Powell, William C ..............................................93 Pratt, George H .............................................. 146 Prentice Jr., Thomas W .................................207 Pressler III, Louis P........................................ 156 Preston, William C ............................................95 Price, Harry B ..................................................181 Prince, Norm an...............................................112 Proctor, M o rris ................................................204 Prondzinski, John E......................................... 78 Pudrith, Chester A .......................................... 133 Pullen, John J ....................................................90 Pulliam, Thomas W ........................................165 Quay, Matthew S ..................................... 2, 3, 92 Quigley, John D .............................................. 208 Radford, John T ................................................95 Ramsey, George K ............................... 181, 188 Rankin, George C .......................................... 239 Ramsey, John C ............................................. 206 Ransom, Wyllys C ............................................ 85 Rawles, Paul W .H.............................................81 Rawson, Ralph F............................................ 190 Ray, Ronald D ................................................. 225 Read, Henry W ..................................................94 Reich, Alan A ..................................................... 71 Reich Jr., M. D a le .......................................... 231 Reppa, Robert B .............................................196 Reynolds, Burton R........................................132 Rich, Hampton E ............................................ 203 Richmond, George M .................................... 196 Rickenbacker, E ddie................... 114, 117, 123 Ridgeway, Gen. M atthew ..............................212 Riley, J a c k ......................................................... 72 Riner J., James A ........................................... 160 Robb, Willis 0 ........................................ 104, 239 Roberts, James G .......................................... 181 Robertson, Christopher W .............................. 93 Rockwell, K iffin ...............................................112 Rockwell, Thomas L ...................................... 201 Roderick, Burleigh H......................................204 Rogers, Derrol W ............................................200

BETA HEROES Rogers, W alter B ............................................ 102 Rogers, William L ........................................... 148 Roosevelt, Franklin D ..................106, 136, 147 Roosevelt, Ja m e s.......................................... 214 Roosevelt, T h e o d o re ................................ 8 8 , 97 Root, Lambert C ............................................. 207 Rosebery, Clarence J ...........................114, 133 Ross, J a c k .........................................................93 Ross, C lin to n .......................................84, 89, 90 Rosson, W illiam B..........................................162 Rowlands, Richard A ..................................... 163 Rucker, John G ...............................................181 Ruggles, Ja c k ................................................. 157 Rumberg, Robert E ........................................226 Russell, Peter F.............................................. 224 Ryan, Michael C .........................................84, 87 Ryors, Robert S ................................................ 17 Sabharwai, A m a n ............................................ 65 Sala, Ralph A .................................................. 218 Sang, Frederick B .......................................... 207 Saucier, F ra n k .................................................. 37 Schaeffer, Thomas E ..................................... 233 Schenck, Gordon L ........................................ 135 Schiefflein, J.J.................................................124 Schlieper, Martin H.........................................135 Schnelle, Clarence W .................................... 135 Schonland, Herbert E ...................................... 98 Sciacchitano, A n d re w ................................... 230 Schonland, Richard P...................................... 98 Schmidt, W inston........................................... 141 Schnaiter, Thomas P..................................... 222 Scales, Junius 1.................................................92 Sears, John W .................................................182 Sebralla, Louis G ............................................218 Seeger, Robert W ...........................................211 Sellers, James M ............................................119 Sellers, Orvid R .............................................. 119 Sellers, S a n fo rd ..............................................119 Sellery, Austin R ............................................. 197 Settle, Peveril 0 ..............................................163 Shaffer, John W .............................................. 210 Shanesy Jr., Ralph D .....................................200 Shannon Jr., Edgar F.....................................160 Shaw, Frederick F...........................................207 Shaw Jr., W illliam M ...................................... 201 Shepardson, Francis W ...................85, 97, 239 Shepherd, S a ra h ........................................... 239 Sherburne, John H .........................................106 Sherman, Admiral F rederick........................151 Sherman, Raymond H...................................132 Sigerfoos, E dw ard................................103, 105 Siket, J a rro d ......................................................62 Simenson, Clifford G ..................................... 141 Simmons, Jo h n ...............................................196 Simonds, Albert C .......................................... 132

257 Simpson, Edward H ....................................... 150 Simpson, Ernest A ................................ 127, 131 Simpson, Joseph (Jo) D ...................... 128, 131 Simpson, Joseph G ....................................... 201 Simpson, Richard C ......................................... 95 Sims, A dm iral.................................................. 123 Slade, Sherman R ..........................................155 Slenker, Donald B .......................................... 207 Small, John E. (J e d )........................................70 Smith, Alexander H.......................................... 93 Smith, Cedric A ......................................121, 134 Smith, David A ...................................................61 Smith, G. H erbert..............................................41 Smith, Jerry M .................................................207 Smith, John L .................................................... 98 Smith, John L ucian .......................................... 98 Smith, Maurice R ............................................119 Smith, Robert N .............................................. 152 Smith, Robert W ................................................82 Smith, Stephen M ...........................................160 Smyth, Gordon S ............................................239 Snoke, Donald R ............................................ 192 Snow, Geoffrey A .................................. 128, 131 Snyder, Bernard J ................................. 186, 198 Sommer, Lane F................................................53 Sonnenburg, Robert E ric ................................ 49 Soper, Charles F.............................................199 Sophian Jr., Bud A ......................................... 209 Speasmaker, Cass B ..................................... 207 Speed, K e llo g g ...............................................109 Spencer, Henry N ........................................... 205 Sprague, Admiral C.F.................................... 178 Sprague, William E ...........................................76 Sprague, W illiam G ...............................116, 134 Springer, W illiam M ........................................120 Stacker, H. Clay (or S a m u e l)......................... 93 Stalcup, Fred L ............................................... 208 Starrett, Frank E ............................................. 132 Steinhardt, Lau re n ce .................................... 138 Stephenson, Jr., Hugh E................................. 42 Stephenson, W illiam A .................................. 143 Stern, A n d re w ................................................. 236 Stettler, N orris................................................. 168 Stevens, Albert W .................................... 24, 110 Stevens, Edward B ...........................................81 Stevenson, Charles S ......................................98 Stevenson, W illiam D.................................... 160 Stewart, Jr., Donald W ..................................... 46 Stewart, Norm ................................................... 57 Stewart, Robert W .......................................... 146 Stewart, William S .......................................... 178 Stilwell Jr., Mortimer F................................... 201 Stoddard, Edward 1........................................ 202 Stolp, Foster S ................................................ 182 Storey, John E .................................................198

Stowell, Benjamin F..........................................95 Stratford, George S .............................. 128, 131 Strauss, G o rd o n ............................................ 199 Strong, H ira m ................................................... 94 Stuart, C harles.................................................. 28 Stuart, Frank H ..................................................29 Stubbins, Joseph B ........................................202 Styskal, George R..........................................185 Sussex, Lloyd T...............................................206 Swanson Jr., John B ......................................206 Swenson, John S ........................................... 208 Switzer, George W ......................................... 105 Synar, Michael L ............................................... 56 Szalay, Andrew T............................................ 206 Szilagyi, Z a c h ................................................... 65 Talbot, John G ............................................ 17, 18 Tangeman, Donald C .....................................210 Tarr, M aurice................................................... 216 Tate, Lee H e n ry................................................27 Taylor, A n d re w ................................................237 Taylor, George W .............................................. 93 Taylor Jr., James E .........................................159 Teepe, Karl W ............................................. 13, 14 Teeter, Phillip H...............................................160 Tenille Jr., W illiam G ...................................... 158 Terry, James R ................................................ 223 Thaw, W illia m ................................................. 112 Theiss Jr., George L ...................................... 209 Thomas, Carr M ..............................................124 Thomas, Edward L........................................... 82 Thomas, Phillip A ............................................171 Thomas, Robert (B o b ).................................. 139 Thompson, Albert L........................................134 Thompson, J a m e s........................................... 92 Thompson, John T......................................... 103 Thompson, Lee B ...................................... 1, 238 Thresher Jr., Frank L ..................................... 204 Tilly, James L ...................................................173 Tilton, Jr., M c L a n e ........................................... 96 Tilton III, M cL a n e ..............................................96 Tito, Marshall of Yugoslavia Toennis, M ichael...............................................74 Torrey, Jay L...................................................... 96 Tooze, Leslie O ............................................... 134 Tracy, Edward L ......................................... 82, 94 Tracy Jr., John C ............................................ 197 Trew, Jack E ....................................................184 Triplett, James M ............................................202 Trleaven, Lewis F........................................... 168 Trinh, Cuong H. (T o n y)................................... 47 Truman, Pres. Harry S ......................... 165, 212 Tuller, W illiam R................................................ 93 Turner, Harry B ..................................................71 Turner Jr, Henry F...........................................209

258 UCLA members help fire v ic tim s .................. 52 Underwood, Alan K........................................ 226 Upshur, J o h n .................................................... 93 Urmiston, John K............................................105 Van Aken, D a v id ............................................ 141 Vance, Leon R ...................................................98 Vance, Leon R. (fa th e r).................................. 98 Van Devanter, W illis.......................................105 Van Pelt, John F..............................................199 Vannier, Vern E ............................................... 222 Vaughan, Jr., Victor C ....................................134 Veeck, B ill.......................................................... 38 Velasco, William C ......................................... 134 Vogler, Charles W ...........................................168 Vrooman, Frank B ............................................ 19 Waddell, D. W ayne ................... Foreward, 228 Wade, Freeman M ..........................................218 Wadsworth, P e te r ......................................... 199 Wait, George E ............................................... 137 Waite, George T............................................. 156 Walker, Burkhead B ....................................... 182 Walker, Charles D ......................................91, 93 Wallace, B .B ....................................................102 Wallace, J a m e s ................................................94 Wallace, William H ........................................... 20 Walt, Gen. L e w is ........................................... 155 Warden, Wayne E.......................................... 227 Wardlaw Jr., Charles D................................. 205 Wardlaw, Thomas L..........................................95 Warner, Carleton G ........................................ 128 Warner Jr., Charles M ................................... 211 Warner, Henry L..............................................231 Warner, John W ................................................ 48 Warner, Robert K............................................218 Washington, Gen. G e o rg e ........................... 198 Watkins, Oscar L ............................................ 135 Watkins, Robert E .......................................... 222 Watson, John W ..............................................173 Waybur, David C ............................... 6 , 125, 173 Waybur, Robert R............................. 6 , 125, 173 Weaver, Michael D ........................................... 12 Weaver, Todd C .................................................14 Webb, James N .............................................. 210 Webster, S. T ra c y .......................................... 134 Weeks, Francis D........................................... 119 Weiler, George A ............................................ 134 Weisiger, Carter B .......................................... 168 Weitz, Paul J ........................................... 8 , 9, 48 Welch, Abram E ................................................ 94 Welch, Edward G ........................................... 183 Wellington, Andrew S .................................... 134 Wells, William S .............................................. 227 Wencel, Frank E ............................................. 221 W erschkul, Richard H ....................................207

BETA HEROES Weston, Francis H ............................................95 W harton, Wayne A ......................................... 232 W heeler Jr., C raw ford................................... 201 Wheeler, Major M ........................................... 144 Wheeler, John Z ............................................. 155 Whitaker, John 0 ............................................204 White, Claiborne B ........................................... 94 White, Frederick D ........................................... 35 White, J.G ........................................................ 102 W hite, John M ................................................. 183 W hite, W ilbert W .............................................114 Whitehead, Gen. Ennis................................. 158 Whitehead, John M .......................................... 94 Wikeen, John R.................................................46 Wilkins, H. F o rd .................................... 141, 191 W ilkins, John H............................................... 180 Willard, Charles L...........................................100 Willett, James G ............................................. 223 Willkie, Wendell L ............................................. 27 W illiams Jr., Archibald L................................204 Williams, Terrence M ..................................... 188 Wilmsen, Frederick G ....................................134 Wilson, Carter L..............................................155 Wilson Jr., Wilford P....................................... 202 Winchell, John H............................................ 196 W inston, Robert A .......................................... 144 Wise, John S ........................................19, 91, 93 W ittschen Jr., Theodore P.............................199 Wood, M ere d ith ..............................................117 Wood, Thomas (T im ).......................................52 Wood, W illiam ................................................. 217 Wooden, John R ............................................... 36 Wooding, George W .........................................94 Woodrich, John E ...........................................204 Woodrow, David C ........................................... 17 Woodward, P a u a l.......................................... 192 W orthington, Richard C .................................227 Wray, Harry C ................................................. 132 Wright, Frederick W ....................................... 196 Yeager, Robert M ........................................... 214 Yen, Y.C. James ..............................................30 Yohe, Robert S ................................................222 York, Sgt. A lv in ...............................................176 Young Jr., Orrman W ..................................... 210 Young, W illiam T ............................................ 140 Zecevic, V la d o ................................................202 Zeiler, George A ..............................................202

259

INDEX* A lp h a b e tic a l b y C h a p te r A labam a Moebes Jr., W illia m ......................................227

Waybur, Robert R........................... 6 , 125, 173 Welch, Edward G ..........................................183

A m h e rs t Anderson Jr., Carl E .....................................224 Dickey, Thomas W .......................................... 67 Gray, C a rl......................................................... 78 Nice, Albert T................................................. 155 Reppa, Robert B ..........................................196 White, John M ............................................... 183

C a lifo rn ia a t Los A n g e le s (UCLA) Browning Jr., George M .............................. 215 Burton, Richard W ........................................ 222 Chase, Maurice G ...........................................39 Erickson, K e ith ................................................36 Goodrich, G a il................................................. 36 Kern, P h illip ......................................................52 Koebig, Frederick K..................................... 199 Lewis, G e o ff.................................................. 239 McCarron, Jeffery........................................... 52 Sellery, Austin R ............................................197 Thomas, B ob.................................................139 Wheeler, Major M ......................................... 144 Wood, Thomas (Tim)..................................... 52

A u b u rn Kelly, Donald R ................................................. 7 B e lo it Aldrich, Warren H ......................................... 116 Carey, G eorge...............................................117 Darling, Jay N. (D ing).................... 22, 97, 195 Dobson, Mason C .........................................192 Dubs, A dolph ................................................... 39 Eldredge, Don H.................................. 188, 195 Ensign, F ra n k ................................................. 69 Merriman, C .C ................................................. 19 Miles, Theodore (father)................................ 31 Miles, Theodore (s o n )................................. 197 Snyder, B e rn a rd................................................1 Willard, Charles L .....................................10086 B ethany Grey, Jim B ................................................ 6 8 , 73 Mayers, Laurence H.....................................108 Morris, Wade H ............................................... 67 B o w d o in Hine, Harold K................................................. 27 Hornberger, Jr., H. R ich a rd ................. 43, 212 McPharlin, Michael G .H .............................. 153 Merrill, Richard P...........................................172 Pope, Everett P.........................................4, 165 Smith, Robert N ............................................ 152 B row n Hangen, W elles............................................ 221 Shepardson, Francis W ................. 85, 97, 239 C a lifo rn ia Beekler, A M ...................................................... 34 Bryan, Stanley F............................................109 Dofflemeyer, R .A .............................................32 Hall, Herbert E ...............................................183 Magee III, T h o m a s.......................................197 McConaughey, Charles W .......................... 132 Ruggles, J a c k ...............................................151 Waybur, David C ............................. 6 , 125, 173

C a rn e g ie Tech Harrison, Philip N ............................................ 6 6 McCutcheon, Keith B..........................155, 219 Rogers, W alter B .......................................... 102 C a rn e g ie M ellon Chiappetta, D areen........................................62 Kuo, Jr., Frederick.......................................... 13 Siket, Jarrod.................................................... 62 Case Ashbaugh, Clarence V................................... 93 Blair, Richard W ...............................................93 Davidson, Edward M ....................................190 Jenkins, J.M ...................................................102 Mugg, Leland S ............................................... 93 C entral M ich ig an O â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Bryan, P au l.................................................. 61 Olver, Thomas C .................................... 55, 239 C entre Atwell, John R ............................................... 191 Bishop, Barry C hapm an................................54 Blesch, Jerry M ...................................... 50, 236 Crittenden, Thomas T .................................... 20 Kelley, Robert H ............................................220 McKee, S am uel...............................................93 Morris, B. H u m e .......................................83, 95 Ray, Ronald D ............................................... 225 Talbot, John G ................................................. 18 C hica g o Bennett, Wendell C .........................................33 Landis, Reed G ............................................. 122 Mulroy, James W .............................................21

*Note: Other than the U.S. Civil War, the deaths of Betas from wartime combat are listed separately fol­ lowing the report on each major war and in the official World Wars I and II lists, pages 240 and 242.

260 Sellers, James M .......................................... 119 Sellers, Ovid R .............................................. 119 Sellers, S a n fo rd ........................................... 119 Sonnenburg, Robert E ...................................49 Speed, K ellogg..............................................107 C in c in n a ti Affleck, David C ............................................ 141 Bates, Joshua H ..............................................82 Bausewine, G e o rg e .................................... 169 Bishop, Barry C ............................................... 52 Blanchard, R .M ............................................. 102 Clevenger, Lyle J ............................................ 48 Frank, Donald J ...............................................44 Howell, James H ...........................................214 Martin, John L ................................................224 Mitchell, Thomas G .........................................82 Matthews, S tanley.......................................... 82 Nelson, Havelock D......................................199 Small, John E. (Jed).......................................70 Taylor, A ndrew ...............................................237 C olgate Benning, Ed G ...............................................150 Blaisdell, William R ........................................77 Campbell, William T..................................... 155 Conklin, Jerem y B ........................................ 226 Dearing, Vinton A ..........................................118 Diebolt, Jr., Alfred L ........................................ 70 Freihofer, Robert W .............................188, 196 Landon, Melville D .......................................... 92 Neisel, William J ..............................................34 Settle, Peveril 0 ............................................ 163 C o lo ra d o Wallace, B.B.................................................. 102 C o lo ra d o C ollege Howard, Harry F............................................ 196 C o lo ra d o M ines Blaurock, Carl A lb e rt......................................28 Johnson, George R ...................................... 141 Keeler, R a lp h ................................................141 Moulton, W esley G ....................................... 156 Parfet, Stanley W ..........................................172 Stewart, Robert W ........................................ 146 C o lum bia Herbert, Wyman D ........................................109 Hilldring, John H........................................... 117 Overbeck, Robert S ..................................... 193 Russell, Peter F.............................................224 C ornell Conroy, James J ........................................... 118 Erickson, E ric ................................................138 Hagadorn, Charles B ................................... 100 Magadorn, Charles L ..................................... 98 Myers, George F............................................. 21

BETA HEROES Cumberland Lurton, Horace H ............. ........................... 85 Robertson, Christopher W. ........................... 93 Dartmouth Bright, Thomas C ............... ......................... 185 Dempsey, Robert C ............ ......................... 164 Dewey, Robert T a ylo r........ ........................... 49 Fisher, Russell S ................ ......................... 125 Galbraith, William C ......... .................... 164 Howard, C u rtis ................... .................... 148 Kersting, Richard A .......... .................... 176 Long, John H .................. .................... 106 Lyon, Harry W ..................... ........................... 25 Reich, Alan A ....................... ........................... 71 Stevenson, William D ........ .................... 160 Davidson Abbott Jr., Thomas W ...... .................... 156 Armstrong Jr., Fred M ...... ......................... 141 Barnwell, W. H olt................ ......................... 163 Brown, Joseph G ................ ...................... 93 Dickinson, Samuel H ....... .................... 1 2 2 Harris, John A ................. .................... 1 2 2 Joyner, Oscar L ............... .................... 2 0 1 Joyner, William S ............. .................... 2 0 1 Keesler, Samuel R ........... .............118, 186 Martin III, Joseph B ......... ................ 6 8 , 73 McClintock, B. G ales ....... .................... 161 Mullen, LeRoy A .............. .................... 123 Walker, Burkhead B ......... .................... 182 Denison Atkinson, J o h n ............... .................... 125 Deeds, Edward A ............ .................... 1 1 1 Heinrichs, Waldo H .......... .................... 115 Holt, W illiam .................. .................... 157 Jones, Herbert L ............. .............102, 109 Lugar, Richard G ............. ...................... 48 Malzer, Carl.................... ...................... 28 Parker, John H ................ ...................... 69 Rucker, John G ............... .................... 181 Shepardson, Francis W .... ......... 85, 97, 239 Yohe, Robert S ................ .................... 2 2 2 Denver Bennett, John M.............. .................... 188 Coffin, Jr., David L ........... ...................... 26 Dobbs, S. K ennedy ......... .................... 139 Granger, George S .......... .................... 195 Melzer, C a rl .................... ...................... 27 Tilly, James L .................. .................... 173 DePauw Allen IV, Joseph P . .......... .............. 8 , 9, 49 Black, James B ............... ...................... 82 Bundy, O m a r .................. .96, 104, 105, 238 Clement, Brad E .............. ........................... 61 Edwards, Ray O ................. .................... 117

261 Howard, Robert T..........................43, 110, 239 Kelly, Joe W ................................................... 145 Marrero, F re d d y ..............................................65 Pankey, Michael R .......................................... 61 Szilagyi, A z h .................................................... 65 Smith, G. H e rb ert........................................... 41 Simmons, J o h n ............................................ 196 Switzer, George W ........................................105 Urmiston, John K .......................................... 105 Van Devanter, W illis .................................... 105 D ic k in s o n Fisher, Russell S ...........................................122 Haines Jr., John P ........................................154 Malcolm, Gilbert .......................................... 189 Taylor Jr., James E.......................................159 White, J.G ...................................................... 102 Woodward, P aul........................................... 192 E astern K e n tu c k y Cobb, L. M a rtin ............................................ 239 E m o ry Dixon, Robert E...............................................93 Jones, John A .................................................. 93 Thomas, Edward L......................................... 82 F lo rid a Ballard, R o b e rtA ................................. 148, 186 Becker, Steven LO ....................................... 239 Calkin, David A ................................................ 48 Nelson, C. W illiam .......................................... 51 Pait, Stacy L...................................................220 H anover Gill, John R. (Bob)........................................180 Guarding John Hannaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s g ra v e .................... 15 Miller, Clark W ............................................... 178 H arvard Baird, C ham b ers.......................................... 239 Sherburne, John H....................................... 106 G eorgia Gartley, Markham L ......................................229 Gordon, John B ............................... 82, 87, 186 Tracy, Edward L........................................82, 94 Waite, George T............................................ 156 G eorgia Tech Burson III, John H........................................... 77 Clinkscales, R o b e rt......................................156 Espy III, Goodman B. (G .B .)........................ 77 McGuire, Jr., Thomas B .................5, 171, 186 Thomas, Phillip A .......................................... 171 Waddell, H. W ayne.................. Foreward, 228 H am pd en-S ydney Carrington, Edgar W .......................................94 Jones, Benjamin C ..........................................94 Jordan, W illiam 1..............................................94 Meade, Hugh E ............................................... 94

Morris Jr., J o h n .............. ........................... 94 Moseley, Edgar F................ ........................... 94 Read, Henry W ................... ........................... 94 W hite, Claiborne B ............. ........................... 94 W hitehead, John M ............ ........................... 94 W ooding, George W .......... ........................... 94 Hanover Dinse, C h a rle s ............... .................... 164 Gill, John R. (B o b )............ .................... 185 Gray, John H a n n a ........... ...................... 15 Miller, Clark W ................. .................... 180 Muir, Marvin F...................... .................... 181 Harvard Adset, Nathaniel, B .......... ........................... 96 Sherburne, John H............. .................... 108 Vrooman, Frank B ........... ........................... 19 Houston Trinh, Cuong H. (Tony) .... ........................... 47 Toennis, Michael ............... .................... 6 8 , 76 Idaho Allen, James K .................... ........................... 33 Barber, John B ................ .................... 156 Carpenter, Giles R ........... .................... 137 Carpenter, W illiam C ........ ...................... 6 8 Day, Ernest E. (E rn ie ) ..... ...................... 39 Eldridge, Jay G ............... .............. 70, 174 Felt, W. M a rk .................. ...................... 35 Gneckow, Gerald E ......... ...................... 50 Gowen, Paul R ............................. 145, 186 Gray, Jack B ................... ..................... 137 Gray, Roy B .................... ..................... 137 Guerin, Arthur S .............. ..................... 214 Hague, Dennis B ............. ..................... 223 Harris, Donald R ............. ..................... 225 Jenkins, F ra n cis ............. .......................28 Johnson, Lance L ........... ..................... 223 Kelly, James W ............... ..................... 225 King, Sherman C ............ ..................... 203 Miller, Patrick J ............... ....................... 60 Miner, Ross R ................ ..................... 213 Pankratz, J e ff ................ .......................64 Sommer, Lane F............. .......................53 Stettler, N o rris ............... ..................... 168 Turner, Harry B ............... ................. 6 8 , 71 Illinois Forester, W alter N .......... ..............1 41,195 Dieterich, Richard T ........ ..................... 218 Johnson, Kenneth M ....... ..................... 161 Kiefer, William J .............. ..................... 181 Lee, John C ................... ..................... 114 Lewis, John C ................ .... 84, 89, 90, 100 Mulliken, W allace M ........ ..................... 150 Rosebery, Clarence J ...... ..................... 114 Teepe, Karl W ................ ....................... 13

262 Indiana Compton, M eid................................................44 Cunningham, Laurence J ............................225 Guteiius, C .B................................................. 102 Heidenreich, Stephen A. (H eidi).................. 59 Krekler, Albert M ........................................... 152 Ross, C linton......................................84, 89, 90 Schnaiter, Thomas P.................................... 222 Willkie, Wendell L............................................27 Thompson, J a m e s ......................................... 92 Thompson, John T........................................103 Winston, R o b e rtA ............................... 145, 148 Young Jr., William T ..................................... 140 Iowa Carter, C .B ..................................................... 102 Hantelmann, H a ro ld .................................... 147 Kearney, Michael P......................................... 47 Larson, E rling................................................189 Moore, William R .......................................... 212 Vogler, Charles S ..........................................168 Willett, James G ............................................223 Iowa State Bartley, Wayne R ............................................ 46 Behn, Daniel R ..............................................180 Hubbard Jr., B o y d ........................................147 Maxwell, Lavern W ....................................... 171 Rowlands, Richard A ................................... 163 Stolp, Foster S .............................................. 182 Iow a W esleyan Pike, Emory Ja m is o n ..............................3, 106 Je ffe rs o n McMicken, Isaac S ......................................... 81 Merrick, Richard T .......................................... 81 J o h n s H o p kin s Adkins, Paul C ................................................. 44 Hatfield, James T............................................ 99 Merrick, Robert G ......................................... 119 Pilert, Marshall L........................................... 188 Wilkins, John H ............................................. 180 K ansas Butler, E d m o n d ...............................................98 Cobb, D. B radley............................................ 74 Edwards, John P..................................136, 156 Harrison, Bogue P.........................................219 Lutton Jr., D a v id ........................................... 154 Lynch, Jr., Frank C ....................................... 150 Murphy, Franklin D ..........................................50 Poulet, A c to n ................................................... 21 Sabharwai, A m a n ........................................... 65 K ansas State Bocox, George B .............................................63 Eidson, John R ..............................................234 Green, A d a m ................................................... 63

BETA HEROES Halbower, Harlow K ................. .................... 223 Kyle, James H.......................... .................... 233 McClung, John R. (Jack)............................ 239 O â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Malley, Edward J .........................................63 Schmidt, W in s to n .................... .................... 141 Sears, John W .......................... .................... 182 Underwood, Alan K ................. .................... 226 Van Aken, D avid..................... .................... 141 Kenyon Allen Jr., Frank A ..................... .................... 137 Brantley, Ia n ............................ .......................79 Ferris, Edward M ..................... .................... 143 Gingeric, Franklin H................ .......................54 Hughes Jr., James A .............. .......................54 Lowry, Jr., William E ............... .......................54 Olmstead, Freeman Bruce.... .......................49 Peck, Millard A ......................... .................... 224 Stuart, Frank H a m ilto n .......... .......................29 Trleaven, Lewis F.................... .................... 168 Veeck, B ill................................ .......................38 Kettering Leonforte, Michael E. (Peci).. .......................64 Knox Hunter, George W ................... .......................76 Kimes, Robert H...................... .......................71 Knotts, Howard C .................... .................... 1 2 0 Miller, Herbert L ....................... .................... 115 Morris, John V ......................... .......................94 Lawrence Fisher, Charles F..................... .......................49 Nelson, Charles C ................... .................... 225 Lehigh Banta, Robert H ...................... .....................215 Pulliam, Thomas W ................. .................... 165 Schaeffer, Thomas E.............. .................... 233 Maine Barrows, E dw ard.................... .................... 168 Desgrosseilliers, Todd S ........ .................... 235 Farrington, W a lla ce ................ .......................25 Fernald, Roy L ......................... .......................98 Morse, Arthur B ....................... .......................98 Schonland, Richard P............ .......................98 MIT Cameron, Kenneth D ............. ........... 8 , 11, 58 Chestnut, Albert H ................... .................... 195 Fox, C harles............................ .......................28 Hall, Herbert W ........................ .................... 109 Stuart, C h a rle s........................ .......................28 Miami Battle, Joel A ..................... 84, 8 6 , 91, 92, 100 Blaik, Earl (R e d )...................... ................... 176 Corry, W illiam M ...................... ......................98 Covington, John I.................... ................... 239

263 Dowell, William B .D .....................................220 DeArmond, William R ....................................98 Duncan, John Holt ................... 1, 82, 83, 85 Gleichauf, Paul W ........................................157 Gordon, Thomas B osto n................ 82, 83, 85 Graves, Eric K ................................................ 98 Graves, Terrence C ................ 7, 98, 227, 230 Irvine, John M ...............................................222 Johnson, Thomas H ....................................170 Knox, John R e ily ........................................... 85 Kurz, Robert J .............................................. 239 McCleary, D aniel........................................... 81 McClung, D.W ................................................ 24 Mourouzis, N ic k ............................................ 65 Patterson, John H e n ry ................................. 18 Powe, Samuel H ............................................ 81 Stevens, Albert W .................................. 24, 112 Riley, J a c k .......................................................72 Ryan, Michael C la rkso n ................. 82, 83, 87 Smith, Stephen M ........................................160 Stevens, A lbert W .................................. 24, 110 Stevens, Edward B ........................................81 Strong, H iram ................................................. 94 Weaver, Todd C ..............................................14 Warden, Wayne E ....................................... 227 M ichigan Askew, F ra n k .................................................. 84 Ballentine, Charles N ..................................... 25 Barholf, Herbert B .........................................117 Bennett, James O ........................................... 19 Bingham, James W ........................................ 94 Bloch, George A .............................................. 48 Boudinot, Edward C .................................16, 83 Bruch, Louis M .............................................. 134 Chandler, Edward B ....................................... 16 Chandler, George M .....................................102 Decker, George S ........................................... 94 Finlayson, Robert M ..................................... 183 Kresge, Stanley S ........................................... 30 Nye, A lb e r t.......................................................94 O'Donnell, Jam es........................................... 21 Poppleton, Andrew J...................................... 15 Ransom, W yllys C ...........................................85 Rawles, Paul W .H ........................................... 81 Smith, Cedric A ............................................. 121 Sprague, William G ...................................... 116 Wallace, Ja m e s...............................................94 Welch, Abram E...............................................94 M id d le Tennessee State Ryan D urham .................................................. 66 M innesota Fawcett, K. W a rre n ...............................54, 239 Kier, Avery R.................................................. 146 Teeter, Phillip H ............................................. 160

Watson, John W ............................................173 Wheeler, John Z ............................................155 M is s o u ri Binford, Tom J ............................................... 161 Cramer, Floyd B ....................................... 96, 98 Dawson, Donald S ..........................................34 Gavan, Paul A ............................................... 145 Jones, Lloyd L............................................... 137 Klein, Edward A ............................................ 109 London Jr., W illiam J ....................................224 McMillan, A lexander B ................................... 49 Sabharwai, A m a n ........................................... 65 Stephenson, Jr., Hugh E ............................... 42 Stewart, N o rm ................................................. 57 Tate, Lee H enry...............................................27 Torrey, Jay L .....................................................96 M is s o u ri-K a n s a s C ity Sabharwai, A m a n ........................................... 67 M is s is s ip p i Hueter, Ernest B ..............................................37 Jaeger, Albert J ............................................. 185 M o n m o u th Rankin, George C .........................................239 Naval A ca d em y Buckingham, Bejamin H ................................17 Buford, Marcus B ............................................ 17 Dunn, W illia m so n ........................................... 17 Hanford, F ra n k lin ........................................... 17 Hunker, John J ................................................ 17 Hunter, Godfrey M .......................................... 17 McKee, Hugh W ....................................... 17, 96 Ryors, Robert S ...............................................17 Talbott, John G ......................................... 17, 18 Woodrow, David C ..........................................17 N ebraska Alexander, Ross J ........................................ 152 Bradley, Gene E .............................................. 78 Brandt, Bruce A .............................................225 Hahn, R.W......................................................102 Hansen, K e rm it............................................ 195 Hesse, Raymond C ...................................... 225 Ingles, Harry C .............................................. 108 Lomax, F ra n k S ....................................136, 157 Ingles, Harry C .............................................. 111 Morton Jr., J o s e p h .......................................194 Stewart Jr., Donald W .................................... 46 N o rth C a ro lin a Bradford, R ich a rd ........................................... 95 Brown, S. G le n n ........................................... 108 Gudger, Emmet C .........................................107 Kohart, Ryan A ................................................ 14 Lambeth, Jr., W alter.......................................39 Long, Maylon H .............................................170

264 Lord, William C ................................................ 95 Scales, Junius 1............................................... 92 Tenille Jr., W illiam G .....................................161 N orth Dakota Prondzinski, John E........................................78 Simenson, Clifford G ....................................141 N orth w e ste rn Ballance, Robert G .......................................142 Caquette, Brian J ............................................ 81 Hatfield, James T............................................ 99 Springer, William M ...................................... 120 Stewart, William S ........................................ 181 N o rth w e ste rn Ballance, Robert G .......................................145 Caoette, Brian J.............................................. 78 Hatfield, James T............................................ 96 Long, Lothar R .............................................. 116 Stewart, William S ........................................ 178 O hio Callahan, Hitam J ......................................... 222 Chamberlain, John R ........................84, 89, 90 Davis, Richard G .......................................... 219 Elson, H .A...................................................... 102 Gilbert, Charles C ........................................... 84 Haverfield, James W ...........................139, 157 Hawley, Winston A ........................................220 Miller, William E .............................................220 Nall, John L....................................................185 Noll, Robert B.L.............................................227 Pliske, Henry W .............................................162 Price, Harry B ................................................ 181 Sprague, William E ......................................... 76 Stowell, Benjamin F........................................ 95 O hio State Haines, Vaughn A ........................................... 47 Haverfield, James W ...........................136, 157 Loehr, John F................................................... 96 Morrett, John J .............................................. 192 Sigerfoos, E dward...............................103, 105 Yeager, Robert M ..........................................214 O hio W esleyan Ford, Clyde S ...................................................99 Jewitt, Russell A rth u r.....................................24 Pike, Emory J ................................................ 106 Robb, W illis O ...................................... 104, 239 O klahom a Burton Jr., Charles S ....................................183 Galbrath Jr., Gerald H ..................................155 Hays, Arthur G ...............................................170 Holly, Manford C ........................................... 220 Long, John H................................................. 142 McCoy, Frank T............................................. 153 Muldrow, Hal L.............................................. 142 Synar, Michael L ..............................................56

BETA HEROES Thompson, Lee B .................................... 1, 238 Weaver, Michael D ......................................... 12 O kla h o m a State Allbaugh, Joe M .............................................. 59 Covelle, L. K e ith ........................................... 170 Dedman, J. J u lia n ........................................185 Drummond, Gentner F.................................235 Killam, Robert M ........................................... 222 Vance, Leon R ................................................. 98 O regon Binford, Maurice W .......................................141 Bowerman, W .J....................................146, 147 Bowerman, W illliam J a y ..............................147 Burgard, John C ............................................125 Dodge, R o nald..............................................241 Gill, Warren C ................................................148 Leonard, Edward F....................................... 164 McNeeley, Everett (R e d o ).......................... 172 Patrick, J a y ......................................................64 Patrick, R ian.................................................... 64 Peterson, James E .......................................224 Pratt, George H .............................................146 Rosson, W illiam B ........................................ 162 Simpson, Edward H ..................................... 150 Trew, Jack E .................................................. 184 Wells, William S ............................................ 227 O regon State Begg, Roderick E ......................................... 140 Bennett, Donald K ........................................ 153 Hayes, Thomas L ......................................... 184 Johnston, James V.......................................166 Knouff, W illiam A .......................................... 170 Mitchell, John F............................................. 157 Pearce, Romney 1.........................................141 Roberts, James G ........................................ 181 P e n n sylva n ia Bunnell Jr., Kenneth F..................................163 Conover, Larner S .G ...................................... 31 Fernley II, Thomas J ........................... 180, 186 Gardner, Larner S ........................................... 33 Hamilton, Samuel W .................................... 144 Hedges, Donald W ....................................... 180 Johnson, Lucious W ....................................... 24 Smyth, Gordon S .......................................... 239 Penn State Fegley III, Charles E.......................................48 Hamilton, Samuel W .................................... 141 Milligan, Alexander N................................... 223 Weitz, Paul J ........................................... 8 , 9, 48 P uget S ound Nordhaus, Richard O ................................... 225 P urdue Winchell, John H ...........................................196 Wooden, John R............................................. 36

265 R ich m o n d Lyon, LeRoy S ...............................................105 R utge rs Burr, Jr., Samuel E..........................................29 Macargel, Robert E...................................... 223 Paret, Robert W ............................................ 222 Perconti, Jon A ................................................ 13 Richmond, George M ...................................196 St. Law rence Ballard, John A .............................................. 124 Brooks, Seth R ......................................... 39, 54 Clark, C h a rle s ...............................................183 Cannastra, F re d ........................................... 180 Cannon, Robert L......................................... 161 Kunz, Robert C ..............................................164 Logan, James W ........................................... 193 Rumberg, Robert E...................................... 226 Wilkins, H. F ord................................... 141, 191 San D iego State Karantsalis, T h e o ........................................... 61 S o u th C arolina Brown, R o d n e y ............................................ 237 Chatham, Robert N ........................................ 95 Foster, Lewis P ................................................95 Simpson, Richard C ....................................... 95 Wardlaw, Thomas L ........................................95 Weston, Francis H .......................................... 95 S o u th D akota Ackerman, W illiam J .......................................78 Bakewell Jr., Robert C ................................. 154 Brown, Bernard A ......................................... 124 Flint Jr., W alter F........................................... 180 Hanson, H e n ry................................................ 75 McNickle, Marvin L.......................................150 McNickle, Melvin F.............................. 137, 188 Rogers, W illilam L.........................................148 Williams, Terrence M ....................................188 S o u th F lorida Fletcher, S hane ...............................................74 S ta n fo rd Hoag Jr., Carl L............................................. 184 Kantzer, W illia m ........................................... 192 Kerman, John R............................................ 164 McGee, William K ......................................... 226 Nordoff, Charles B .......................................... 25 S tevens Baird, W illiam R ............................................ 239 Machado, N o rb e rt.......................................... 58 Martin, Kingsley L ........................................... 19 Terry, James R .............................................. 223 S yra cuse Bennett, A rthur C .......................................... 220 Davis, Darius A ..............................................188

Kirkgasser, James P...................................... 72 T ennessee Biddix, J. P a tric k .......................................... 236 Stern, A n d re w ...............................................236 T ennessee Tech Smith, David A .................................................61 Texas Bain, Roy M ................................................... 213 Constantin, J u le s ......................................... 169 Fitzhugh, W illiam N...................................... 155 Lilly, Warren R...................................... 222, 229 Mann, Edward C ........................................... 197 Pike, Hal W .................................................... 227 Pipkin Sr., Charles S ....................................125 Texas Tech Newkirk, D a vid ................................................74 T ran sylva n ia Brown, B. G ratz...............................................84 Marshall, H um phrey................................81, 82 McKee, Robert ...............................................95 T o ro n to Bement, A. W arw ick.....................................140 Baird, Alexander W .................... 126, 127, 131 Chambers, Edward V...................................126 Drew-Brook, Tommy........................... 126, 131 Elliot, R eg.......................................................126 Fetherstonhau, James E.............................126 Findley, Thomas 1......................................... 126 Hagarty, Daniel G ................................ 127, 131 Haldenby, E ric W ................................. 130, 140 Hamilton, , Robert G ........................... 127, 131 Hartney, James C .......................127, 128, 131 Herzberg, B u tz ........................... 126, 130, 140 Herzberg, J a n ............................ 126, 130, 140 Howard, John T .................................. 128, 131 Knight, A rthur G ........126, 127, 128, 130, 131 Lowndes, Earl B ............................................131 Malone,, G erald,M ...............................127, 129 Malone, Maurice E, (M ik e ).......127, 129, 131 McDonald, T a n ..............................................126 Morrison, Donald W ............................ 127, 131 Murphy, J.A .................................................... 126 Nicholson, Harry R .............................. 127, 131 Simpson, Ernest A ...............................127, 131 Simpson, Joseph (Jo) D .....................131, 131 Snow, Geoffrey A .................................128, 131 Stratford, George S .............................128, 131 Wait, George E..............................................137 Warner, Carleton G ...................................... 128 T ulane Cram, K e n d a ll...............................................148 Oechner, F re d e ric k ......................................191

266 U nion Foley, Philip A ................................................227 Meehan, Richard C ...................................... 184 Utah Beekler, A .M .....................................................32 Clark, Jerry M ................................................ 169 Cochrane, Philip 0 ......................................... 63 Cubbison, Gordon H.................................... 213 Dofflemeyer, R .A .............................................32 Elliott, Robert W ............................................ 196 Goddard, Richaard N...................................226 Hitchcock, James W .....................................170 Lowell, Marian E ........................................... 170 Slade, Sherman R ........................................ 155 V a n d e rb ilt Ford, Enfield B. (Flicky)................................. 45 Geron, Richard P.......................................... 219 Jones, Herbert L.................................. 102, 109 Lynch, Wilson L.............................................157 Smith, John L ...................................................98 Stephenson, William A.F............................. 143 Wilson, Carter L ............................................ 155 V irg in ia Bozarth, C ly d e ..............................................192 Bradley, Benjamin A ....................................... 95 Carbozo, M oseby......................................... 164 Clarke, Powhatan........................................... 98 Craig, H. Brow n...............................................95 Fleming Jr., C a rl........................................... 157 Fuller, R egan................................................... 38 Hepburn, Charles M .....................................239 Jackson, Richard H ...................................... 105 Jordan, H a rry .................................................. 95 McCabe, Edward R ................................. 21, 99 McConnell, James R ....................................112 Nelson, Edwin R ........................................... 146 Page Jr., William N ......................................... 95 Preston, William C .......................................... 95 Radford, John T...............................................95 Tilton Jr., M cLane........................................... 98 Tilton III, M cLane............................................ 96 Warner, John W ...............................................48 Weisiger, Carter B ........................................ 168 Wise, John S ...................................... 19, 93, 95 V irg in ia M ilita ry In s titu te Beverly, W illiam ...............................................93 Clark, Frank B ..................................................93 Edmonds, John C ........................................... 93 Fairfax, Hamilton R .........................................93 Heath, James E ...............................................93 Kirkland, Bayley K...........................................93 Maury Jr., Matthew F......................................93 McCormick, M arshall..................................... 93 Menefee, Frank G ...........................................93

BETA HEROES Noland, Cuthbert P..........................................93 Noland, Nelson B ............................................ 93 Powell, W illiam C ............................................ 93 Ross, J a c k .......................................................93 Tuller, William R.............................................. 93 Upshur, J o h n ................................................... 93 Walker, Charles D........................... 91, 93, 239 Wise, John S .............................................91, 92 W abash Breunig, H. La th a m ........................................67 Carnahan, James R ....................................... 92 Herron, Chas. D............................................106 Hill, Charles S ................................................102 W a sh in g to n Allen, Riley H a rris .......................................... 26 Ankeny, Darrel J ............................................225 Baker, Richard M .......................................... 158 Bates, John M ............................................... 124 Bergh, A rn o ld ................................................212 Byrne, Herbert K ............................................. 60 Currier, James L ........................................... 170 Marontate, William P ................................... 175 Millington Jr., William A ............................... 151 Rawson, Ralph F.......................................... 190 Painelk, Topliff O ...........................................186 W hite, Frederick D ..........................................35 W a s h in g to n in St. L o u is Cotter,e John A ............................................. 196 Gaiennie Jr., L. R e n e .................................... 98 Hawley, Matthew C .........................................47 Hoffman, Gerald H .............................. 141, 191 MacMillan, Logan T...................................... 171 Pfeiffer Jr., Edward G ...................................196 Riner Jr., James A ........................................ 160 Tracy Jr., John C ...........................................197 Warner, Robert H ..........................................222 Wikeen, John R ...............................................46 W a s h in g to n & J e ffe rs o n Anderson, Butler P..........................................82 Letterman, Jo n a th a n ............................ 8 6 , 186 McGregor, W illia m .......................................... 95 Mitchell, Anthony B .......................................172 Owen, Joshua T ............................................. 82 Quay, Matthew S ........................................ 3, 92 Snoke, Donald R ...........................................192 Styskal, George R ........................................ 185 W a sh in g to n and Lee Adams, Jonathan E......................................227 Ambler, James M .M ........................................18 Pendleton, Alexander S .................................95 Shannon Jr., Edgar F................................... 160 W a sh in g to n State Byrne, Herbert K ............................................. 60 Byrne, T had.......................................... 185, 239

267 Church, Stanley R ........................................ 166 Cotter, John A ................................................205 Cronk, Willis G ...............................................140 Flansburg, A. D ouglas................................... 58 McKenzie, Bruce H ...................................... 155 Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Day, Ray M ....................................... 141, 190 Phillips, Paul H................................................ 33 Worthington, Richard C ............................... 227 W esleyan Arnold, Alfred C .............................................107 Campbell, Clarence G ................................. 150 Dawson, W illiam W ...................................... 116 Gordon, Donald C ...........................................75 Frank W. H o ld e n ............................................ 32 Horgan, Maurice C ....................................... 159 Clarence L. N e w to n .......................................32 Palmer, Joseph A ..........................................124 W e s tm in s te r Cole, Thomas J ............................................. 155 Pressler III, Louis P ..................................... 156 Watkins, Robert E .........................................231 W est V irg in ia Barber, Columbus S .....................................239 Bennett, Donald W ....................................... 219 Borror, James C ............................................163 Crane, Joseph T............................................213 Ferguson Jr., Thomas R..............................223 Morgan, Clark R............................................222 Oliver Jr., Alfred C .........................................189 Marshall, James E. (S tub).......................... 214 Potterfield, Clarence A .................................162 W estern R eserve Disbro, Robert R ............................................. 70 Jewitt, Russell A .............................................. 24 Mowry, Loyd S ...............................................115 Paine, Harold E ............................................... 82 Stevenson, Charles S .................................... 98 Wencel, Frank E ........................................... 221 W e s tm in s te r Cole, Thomas J .............................................155 Hamilton, Harry B ......................................... 188 Martin, Thomas A ............................................63 Pressler III, Louis P ......................................163 Saucier, F ra n k................................................. 37 Wallace, William H..........................................20 Watkins, Robert E .........................................222 W hitm a n Armentrout, Herbert L.................................. 203 Davis, W illiam E .............................................. 75 Douglas, W illliam O ........................................ 30 Ferguson, W illiam B ..................................... 188 Kenyon, Robert O .........................................161 Mills, Lloyd J .................................................. 156 Morgan, Edward P.......................................... 34

W ic h ita S tate Vannier, Vern E............................................. 222 W illa m e tte Hatfield, Mark 0 ............................40, 151, 219 Mortensen, Dale T.......................................... 51 W illia m s Dngle III, Robert F ry.......................................53 Engle III, Robert F...........................................51 Smith, Robert W .............................................. 82 Weeks, Francis D ......................................... 119 Wood, M eridith..............................................117 Wright, Frederick W ..................................... 196 W is c o n s in Conover, H a rv e y ............................................ 29 Meyers, Paul D..............................................124 W itte n b e rg Boehm, W illiam R .........................................154 Maurer, Thomas H ..........................................73 Hanes, Robert C ........................................... 140 Hard, Dudley J .................................................99 Nelson, Havelock D ..................................... 191 W o o s te r Davis, John K .................................................. 99 Hanna, J. C alvin........................................... 239 Hard, Dudley J .................................................97 W hite, W ilbert W ........................................... 114 Yale Adams, Benjamin S ..................................... 135 Bellamy, D a v id ..............................................108 Brush, Robert L .............................................169 Burgess Jr., Kenneth F................................ 163 Clark Jr., Thomas R ..................................... 161 Eldridge, Jay G ....................................... 6 8 , 174 Hedrick, Arthur L .................................. 108, 186 Lewis, Jr., Robert E ........................................ 55 Llewellyn, Karl N ........................................... 116 MacLeish, K e n n e th ............................ 122, 186 McGaughey, Guy E ...................................... 183 Murphy Jr., John B ....................................... 214 Nelson, C. W illiam ............................... 8 , 11, 51 Poulet, A c to n ................................................... 21 Ramsey, George K ..............................181, 188 Schieffleln, J.J............................................... 124 Smith, Maurice R .......................................... 119 Taft, Charles P.................................................30 Thomas, Carr M ............................................ 124 Yen, Y.C. Ja m e s..............................................30

BETA HEROES

ERRATA 3/12

A fte r a book is published, errors and om issions often come to light. To date, the few updates below should be made to Beta Heroes. None are actual corrections; m ost are omissions o r inform ation learned since the introduction o f the book at the Beta Theta P i General Convention in Bellevue, Wash., in July 2011.

Page 223:

D AVID G. YOUNG, P U R D U E 1958 (D F C ) Flying F-100 jets in 185 missions in Vietnam, Captain Young earned the Distin­ guished Flying Cross after leading two night sorties on April 23, 1966, to aid Viet­ namese trapped beside a canal by Communist forces. It was during his second of three tours in the battle zone. Now retired from the USAF as a colonel, he became com m ander o f the 9th Air Force Reconnaissance W ing and later served five years as director o f reconnaissance for the Joint Chiefs o f Staff. W ith the CIA for five years, he was recognized for heroism with the Agency’s Intelligence Star medal.

Page 73:

JOHN M AR K SZ, W E S T E R N R E S E R V E 1962 President o f his chapter (1961-62), Marksz contracted multiple schlerosis while in law school, yet he determined to have a productive career in spite of near total disability. His first position was as a partner in a small law firm, then a sole practioner, now retired. He married in 1977; his daughter is a veterinarian.

Page 78:

JA C K H A PLE A , W E S T E R N R E S E R V E 1963 Immediately following graduation, H apleaand his new wife joined the U.S. Peace Corps. They did urban comm unity developm ent in Colombia for tw o years, “essen­ tially working in the barrios teaching residents a better way o f life,” which included “building parks, teaching and assisting in a sports program and health clinic.”

Page 231:

BRUCE LAW RENCE, R U T G E R S 1965 With the USAF during the Vietnam War, 1st Lt. Lawrence’s F-4C was shot down 23 miles southwest of Dong Hoi during a com bat mission on July 5,1 9 6 8 . His remains w ere not recovered until 2011. He was a native of Phillipsburg, N.J. An outstanding offensive guard, he was co-captain of the Rutgers football team.

Page 14:

TODD C . W E A V E R , M I A M I 1993 New information on Weaver, who died on 9-11 in New York City: Todd had just received his M.S. from the University of Chicago. Before the second plane hit, noted his father Dennis, “Todd called his wife Am y and a Beta chapter brother, saying he wanted to find a way out o f the building.” Am y added, “We don’t know w hat hap­ pened after that.” Am ong memorials to Todd: a tree, plaques, a flagpole at his church and a scholarship in his name at his boyhood school, Western Reserve Academy.