SigEp Military History
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This Week in SigEp Patriot History
January 13, 2013
Brothers,
The SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) ended 2012 with:
- 3,686 SigEp patriots in the project database
- 102 brothers-in-arms receiving email via the SPP listserve
- 712 pages of stories and information about brothers who serve/served in the U.S. military
- 637 photographs of military brothers
- 548 SigEp Patriots are members of SigEps Who Serve, the official Facebook group of SPP
- 37 brothers volunteering at chapters around the country as a liaison or point of contact (POC) with SPP in a mutually beneficial relationship of sharing and remembrance.
January 7, 1941
- DE Alpha brother G. H. Kadel entered the U.S. Army on this date.
January 9, 1941
- On this date, IL Alpha brother Joseph Metcalf Hissem joined the United States Navy Reserve and received a commission as an ensign. He would go on to heroically serve at the Battle of Midway and made the ultimate sacrifice. He was reported missing in action/buried at sea.
January 8, 1943
- After graduating from Purdue, IN Alpha brother William J. Meyer Jr. entered the U.S. Army on this date.
January 10, 1943
- On this date, World War II veteran and WA Alpha brother Captain Ben Francis Ferguson of the U.S. Army performed gallantly at Guadalcanal while leading his company to an assault position in the face of intense enemy fire. He proceeded to direct an enveloping movement towards the objective, resulting in the occupation of the enemy’s position. For this, he was cited for bravery in action and awarded the Silver Star on March 24, 1943.
January 11, 1944
- TX Alpha brother T. Roland Parrett entered the U.S. Army on this date.
January 12, 1944
- On this date, TX Alpha brother Richard T. Scott joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in the medical corps.
January 13, 1944
- A ship named in honor of brother Joseph Metcalf Hissem was commissioned on this date with Lieutenant Commander W. W. Low in command. The ship, USS Hissem, was a destroyer escort of the EDSALL class, with the designation DE-400. It was launched by Brown Shipbuilding Company in Houston, Texas, and sponsored by Miss Elizabeth D. Hissem, Joseph’s sister. Hissem received one battle star for World War II service.
January 7, 1946
- Entering the service before the attack on Pearl Harbor, World War II Veteran and DC Alpha brother First Lieutenant Thomas J. McCall of the U.S. Army was released from service on this date after more than five years of service.
January 8, 1946
- On this date, NE Alpha brother Sergeant Purman Y. Rembe of the U.S. Army Air Corps was discharged. During nearly three years of military service, Brother Rembe spent 26 months overseas.
January 8, 1963
- U.S Navy World War II veteran and CO Beta brother John Arthur Love began his service as governor of Colorado on this date.
January 10, 1967
- On this date, World War II veteran, U.S. Representative (Virginia), and VA Kappa brother Major William Pat Jennings of the U.S. Army began serving as clerk of the House of Representatives for the Ninetieth Congress and was reelected to the four succeeding Congresses, serving until his resignation on November 15, 1975, to be president of Slurry Transport Association.
January 3, 1969
- World War I veteran, Iowa State Representative, Governor of Iowa, and IA Beta founding father First Lieutenant Bourke Blakemore Hickenlooper of the U.S. Army completed 24 years of service as a U.S. Senator from Iowa on this date.
During his long service in Congress, Brother Hickenlooper accomplished a great many things. As a veteran, it was understandable that he would support and defend members of the U.S. military, and this was most notable with his comment about the attack on the USS Liberty (AGTR-5). On June 8, 1967, Liberty was an attacked by Israeli Air Force jet fighters and Israeli Navy motor torpedo boats while in neutral waters in the Mediterranean Sea.
During subsequent Senate Foreign Relations Committee testimony, Bourke was quoted as saying, "From what I have read, I can't tolerate for one minute that this [attack] was an accident."
January 12, 1970
- On this date, Vietnam War veteran and NY Delta brother Staff Sergeant Jon Jay Janoska Jr. of the U.S. Army made the ultimate sacrifice while leading his troopers as platoon sergeant of 3rd platoon, Company D, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 9th Infantry Division in Ha Nam, South Vietnam. He was 23 years old.
Known as “Old Reliable” by the men he served with, Jon began his combat tour on June 8, 1969, and was killed while leading the platoon into a thick stand of nipa palm, where he was shot once and died instantly. One of his former platoon leaders credits “JJ,” as he called him, with teaching him what he needed to know to help him and his troopers survive. The former platoon leader remembers our brother and honors him by telling stories of JJ to his children and grandchildren.
Jon is honored on Panel 14W, Row 29 of “The Wall" -- the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the north side of the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Respect can be paid to Brother Janoska at Section 2T, Site 2247 at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.
January 13, 1999
- On this date, U.S. Air Force veteran, Colorado State Senator and Representative, Colorado State Treasurer, and CO Gamma brother Roy Romer completed 12 years of service as the 39th governor of Colorado. Roy was a legal officer in the U.S. Air Force.
January 9, 2001
-U.S. Army World War II veteran and CO Gamma brother Maurice Jay “Bud” Hartman of the U.S. Army died on this date in Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, Texas. He served in the Army from 1944-46.
After his WWII service, Bud graduated from Colorado State University in 1950 with a B.B.S. degree in agronomy. He worked for Producer's Livestock Commission in Los Angeles, California; as an agricultural agent in Rocky Ford, Colorado; as a chief agronomist for Phillips Petroleum Co.; and as a chief agronomist for Fertimex in Mexico. Until his retirement in 1988, Brother Hartman was a senior vice president at Interore, a division of Occidental Petroleum.
Bud was involved as an explorer adviser with the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the Elks Club. Along with his wife, he was a founding member of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts.
Respect can be paid to Brother Hartman at Fairmount Cemetery in San Angelo.
January 8, 2002
- Korean War Veteran, Founder & CEO of Wendy’s, and Renaissance brother Staff Sergeant David “Dave” Thomas of the U.S. Army died on this date. At the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, rather than waiting for the draft at age 18, he volunteered for the U.S. Army to have some choice in assignments. Having food production and service experience, Dave requested the Cook's and Baker's School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was sent overseas to Germany as a mess sergeant and was responsible for the daily meals of 2,000 soldiers, rising to the rank of staff sergeant. After his discharge in 1953, Thomas returned to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Dave was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003.
Respect can be paid to Brother Thomas at Union Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.
January 9, 2008
- Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and TN Theta brother Staff Sergeant Jonathan Kilian Dozier of the U.S. Army made the ultimate sacrifice on this date in Sinsil, Iraq. He was 30 years old. Brother Dozier was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, when he died of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated during combat operations. Jonathan was a student at Middle Tennessee State during the 2000-2001 school year.
Born in Norfolk, Jonathan attended Fork Union Military Academy, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Middle Tennessee State University. He will be remembered for his sensitivity, caring ways, and his ability to gather his many friends for “celebrations.”
His awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal (3), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Parachute Badge.
Besides his parents, Jonathan is survived by his daughter, Emma Grace Dozier. The family asks that memorial contributions may be made to the Saving Grace Memorial Fund for the future needs of Emma Grace Dozier. Donations can be made by mail: 239 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23322.
Respect can be paid to Brother Dozier at Section 60, Site 8727 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
January 9, 2010
- U.S. Navy World War II veteran and CA Beta brother Robert Sherman Caldwell died on this date. Bob served from 1943-'46, and following his military service, he attended USC. In 1950, Brother Caldwell graduated with a business degree and followed his father into the insurance field, where he worked until his retirement in 1992.
To memorialize Bob, the family requests donations to be sent to support the education fund for Nicco Torres’ daughter, Freiyeane Torres. Nicco was Bob's caregiver and was by his side for three years. Please make checks payable to June Caldwell and write the following on the memo line reference: FBO Freiyeane Education Savings. Mail to: June Caldwell, 2020 The Strand, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
January 8, 2011
- U.S. Army Air Corps World War II veteran and NC Zeta brother Linzy Price “L.P.” Megginson Jr. died on this date at home in High Point. He was 86 years old. L.P. was born in December 1924, and soon after graduating from high school in 1943, L.P enlisted in the army and was selected to join the Army Air Corps Cadet Program. He served for two years until honorably discharged in 1945. He then went on to earn his B.S. at Wake Forest College (now University) in 1950.
Memorials may be directed to the dental hygiene program at Guilford Technical Community College (P.O. Box 309, Jamestown, NC 27283), Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church (1225 Chestnut Street, High Point, NC 27262), or Hospice of the Piedmont (1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262).
January 7, 2012
- On this date, U.S. Army veteran and IA Beta brother John Lambert Phillips died peacefully at his home in Cheyenne, Wyoming, at the age of 80. He volunteered for military service and served in the army with the Big Red One.
Born in Muscatine, Iowa, John received a bachelor of science degree in industrial economics with minors in accounting and general engineering from Iowa State University. He was employed by Caterpillar Tractor Company in management for 37 years, retiring in 1994, and was actively involved with the school board in Dunlap, Illinois, as well as the Republican Precinct Committee, Optimist Club, and an AFS foreign exchange host family.
January 8, 2012
- World War II veteran and NC Gamma brother Captain James “Bill” William Bew II of the U.S. Army Air Corps died on this date at the age of 94 at the Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart, Florida. Bill was a manager of engineering for 35 years at Trans World Airlines. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997.
- U.S. Army World War II veteran and IA Gamma brother Everett “Ev” Ermal Jones also died on this date. He graduated early from high school, as all the males in his class were called up to active duty in the army for WWII. After his time in the service, he returned and went to college at Iowa University.
Following graduation, Brother Jones worked at several sales jobs. Knowing that he wanted to be in the apparel industry, he then worked as a sales rep in Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia until 1962. He took a sales position with Donmoor Boys Wear in 1962 and really enjoyed being in the wholesale children's clothing business. He worked for Donmoor for 30 years, until the company closed. Ev and his wife continued to sell children's clothing lines, including Mickey & Co. and many others, until 2008. He was honored with an award from Hudson's Trade Journal in January 2006.
Always the supporter of American warriors, before his death, Ev asked that any donations in his memory be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in support of the war fighters of this generation. He particularly supported the program for new or retrofitted homes for the returning injured warriors.
Respect can be paid to Brother Jones at Section C1-A, Site C14 of Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
January 11, 2012
- Vietnam War veteran, first SigEp National Alumni Chairman, Recipient of the SigEp Citation and the Distinguished Alumnus Award, Founder and Past President of the Northern New Jersey Alumni Chapter, District Governor, and NC Delta brother Lieutenant Commander Henry John Ouderkirk of the U.S. Navy died on this date.
He was in the Naval ROTC and received his commission in the U.S. Navy upon graduation. Brother Ouderkirk attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Forida, and Corpus Christi, Texas. He was designated a naval aviator. He was then stationed with Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 21 (VS-21), the “Fighting Redtails,” at the Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. He flew the S-3 Viking with VS-21 during two combat tours in the Vietnam War aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CVS-33). His decorations include the Air Medal with three stars and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V".
John grew up in Arlington, Virginia, and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in pre-law and political science in 1963.
In a small world item,John was a captain with Trans World Airlines, and you have to wonder if he knew that his co-worker at Trans World, Jim Bew, was a fellow SigEp patriot.
John was an editor and publisher of books, including The Ouderkerk Family Genealogy (1960), The Ouderkerk Family Genealogy, Volume II (1990), and The Ouderkerk Family Saga: 350 Years in America. He founded the Ouderkerk Family Genealogical Association and served as president, publishing quarterly newsletters.
The family has requested that contributions be made to the Seekers Sunday School Class of Peachtree, the University of North Carolina Athletic Department, or Metropolitan Hospice at Serenity Manor.
Respect can be paid to Brother Ouderkirk at Section 7B, Site 664 of the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.
RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
* U.S. World War II veteran and WV Beta brother Grover Ray Morrison passed away on January 5, 2013, at the age of 88.
* U.S. Army veteran, former CEO of McDonald’s, recipient of the SigEp Citation (2007), and IA Delta brother Fred Leo Turner passed away on January 7, 2013, in Deerfield, Illinois, of complications from pneumonia.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the chapter brothers, family,f and friends of SigEp Patriots Morrison and Turner.
CELEBRATIONS!
* Earlier this week, Operation Enduring Freedom veteran and NY Eta brother Lieutenant Colonel Bill Duggan of the U.S. Army returned home following his successful deployment to Afghanistan. Welcome home, brother, and congratulations on the Bronze Star Medal! Thank you for your service!
* Today, Operation Enduring Freedom veteran and NY Chi brother Second Lieutenant Charles Rugg of the U.S. Army posted on Facebook that he was enjoying himself as he transitions out of theater. Get home soon, Brother! Thank you for your service!
SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP)
Write to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com to discuss becoming a SigEp Patriots Project POC and share memories about your service or that of your brothers. To join the SPP listserve, send an email to sigepswhoserve-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, including your name, rank, branch of service, and military status (active, reserve, retired, discharged, etc). To join SigEps Who Serve, send the same information to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve.
Fraternally and Very Respectfully,
Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta ’96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
sigepswhoserve@gmail.com