Class Notes
1946
William A. Eliason
Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1946.
1948A
Dale E. Wykoff
11 Wakefield Dr. Apt 2110 Asheville, NC 28803-4158 828/274-4772 jambo@funbeaches.com
Editor’s Note: The Class of 1948A is no longer submitting notes. Dale Wykoff remains the point of contact for the class.
1948B
Lionel T. Wolford
I received phone calls from Doug Hamner and George Ramsey. Both were doing well. Doug wanted John Boyd’s phone number. He did make contact with Judge Boyd, and they had an enjoyable talk. Doug recalled that he and John shared a pup tent one night in late summer 1944 when the Corps bivouacked at Goshen Pass. On another matter, Doug, George and I were concerned that none of us had heard from Jim Warrington since the ’48B 70th Reunion last April. Doug will try to get some information from the Lynchburg Episcopal priest. I have recovered, somewhat, from knee replacement surgery (Aug. 15, 2018) and hernia repair (Jan. 4, 2019). My replaced right knee is great, but the orthopedic surgeon wants to do replacement surgery on my left knee and left hip. I have no plans for more surgery. My rheumatoid arthritis treatment has resumed with some changes. A review is scheduled next month. The Alumni Agencies informed me of the passing of Thomas W. Iszard of Towanda,
2019-Issue 3
Pennsylvania, Feb. 24, 2019. Tom came to VMI from Elmira, New York. I remember him well from our rat year. I don’t know if he attended an early reunion, but Doug Hamner remembers that Tom sent a generous check to pay for a round of drinks for all ’48Bs attending a past reunion. Tom left VMI after one year for wartime service (Navy). After the war, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Bucknell University. He married Dorris Smalet in 1956 and worked in industry until 1967. He and Dorris moved to Towanda, and Tom taught school there for 25 years. They spent most of their spare time restoring old mansions in the Towanda area. He is survived by two sons, a daughter, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Farewell to another great ’48B. The Alumni Agencies recently became aware of the passing of Robert Earl Goad of Salem, Virginia, over three years ago, Dec. 29, 2015, at the age of 87. Bob came to VMI from Hillsdale, Virginia, and roomed with Sonny Laine and Rawles Fulgham. I remember Bob from football practice in summer 1944. As most remember, almost the whole class reported for the first day of practice. More than half dropped out within the first week. Bob and I continued. We were about the same size (small) and ability (poor). After a few more weeks, I dropped out. My roommate, Cal Woodard, was disappointed with my decision and tried to persuade me to continue. He pointed out that Bob Goad was continuing. Indeed, I think that Bob Goad, to his credit, continued until football season was over, Thanksgiving Day. I never told Cal Woodard, but I dropped football because I was in trouble with Coach Pooley Hubert. An immature prank of mine had caused prize recruit, Clyde Grimenstein, to receive demerits, room confinement and penalty tours. Quite reasonably, Coach Hubert was very mad. He did not say anything, but he did take action. I still have Coach Pooley Hubert’s footprint on my rear end. That is why I dropped out of football. As I recall this incident after so many years, I find that I am kind of proud of Coach Hubert’s footprint. Bob Goad left VMI and later graduated from Roanoke College. He served in Korea and was awarded the Bronze Star medal for valor and the Purple Heart medal. As most know, there are two versions of the Bronze Star. The most common version is for achievement, and a second
version with a “V” device is, like the Silver Star, for valor. Bob married Joyce Richardson in 1954 and later served as a Virginia state trooper. He rejoined the Army and served for 23 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. His last Army assignment was as chief of security for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; one son; two grandsons; and one great-granddaughter. Farewell to another great ’48B. One other ’48B that I know of, Henry Dunbar, received the Bronze Star for valor. Henry also received the Silver Star and Purple Heart medals. I believe, from a valor standpoint, that Henry was our most decorated brother rat. I tried to find medal citations for both Henry Dunbar and Bob Goad but was unsuccessful. Records of many Korean War veterans were destroyed in a fire in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1973. I did talk extensively with Henry at the ’48B 50th Reunion. I now regret that we did not exchange Korean War stories. When I did discuss Korean War experiences with Paul Applin at the 55th Reunion, Paul did not know that Henry had served in the Korean War. Henry Dunbar passed away more than 15 years ago. In a previous issue of class notes, I reported that Buck Ruffin believed that he was the first ’48B to receive a commission as a second lieutenant. Buck received a battlefield commission in July or early August 1945. I suggested that the only possible challenger was John McGiffert who might have received a commission about the same time. I recently learned that Lt. Gen. John McGiffert received his commission as a second lieutenant via Officer Candidate School in 1947. There seems to be no challenge to Buck Ruffin’s claim of being the first ’48B to be commissioned. Brother rats, have a great summer. Let me hear from you.
1949A
James Harrington
Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1949A.
61