SigEp Military History
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This Week in SigEp Patriot History
April 1-7, 2013
Brothers,
06 APR 1945
For his actions on this date while serving in Germany, U.S. Army D-Day World War II Veteran DE Alpha Brother Robert L. Snowberger was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic action against an "out numbering enemy force."
01 APR 1952
For his actions on this date over Korea, Korean War Veteran and Ace, SigEp Citation Recipient and IN Alpha Brother Captain Iven Carl "Kinch" Kincheloe, Jr., U.S. Air Force was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. On 04 JUN 1952, Headquarters, Far East Asia Forces issued General Order Number 272:
“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 09 JUL 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Iven C. Kincheloe, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations as pilot, 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 01 APR 1952. While leading a flight of four F-86 type aircraft, Captain Kincheloe encountered sixteen enemy aircraft attempting to intercept friendly fighter-bombers, Captain Kincheloe quickly broke his flight into elements to engage the enemy, and boldly attacked although greatly outnumbered. He pressed attacks against two of the enemy, completely disregarding efforts of other aircraft to deter him. Displaying unusual aggressiveness, Captain Kincheloe severely damaged the aircraft of the enemy flight leader, forcing him to eject himself, and despite heavy damage to his own aircraft, attacked another and destroyed it completely. Captain Kincheloe's destruction of the two aircraft effectively broke up the enemy force and prevented their attack on the friendly fighter-bombers. Through his personal courage, outstanding airmanship, and devotion to duty, Captain Kincheloe reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.”
07 APR 1984
U.S. Navy Veteran and NE Beta Brother Kenneth G. Doeschot died on this date in Newark, California.
03 APR 1996
VT Beta Brother, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and 35th Secretary of Commerce Captain Ronald Harmon Brown, U.S. Army died on this date when the Air Force CT-43 he was traveling in on the way to an official trade mission in Croatia crashed in to a mountainside killing all on board.
Born 01 AUG 1941 in Washington, DC, Ron was raised in Harlem, New York, and attended Middlebury College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree and became the first African-American brother of our beloved fraternity.
Brother Brown served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1967. After leaving the military he graduated with a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 1971. From 1967 to 1979, Ron worked for the National Urban League, rising to the position of deputy executive director for Programs and Governmental Affairs. He was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 1989 and played an integral role in the election of President William Clinton. President Clinton then appointed Brown Secretary of Commerce in 1993.
In honor of Brother Brown, President Clinton established the Ron Brown Award for corporate leadership and responsibility. The United States Department of Commerce annually gives out the Ronald H. Brown Innovator Award and there is the Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic Development at St. John’s University School of Law. In 2001, Brown was posthumously presented the Presidential Citizens Award.
Respect can be paid to Brother Brown at Section 6, Lot 8389, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
07 APR 2001
On this date, CA Beta Brother Ensign Gaylord Gordon Goble, U.S. Navy died in La Jolla, California. Brother Goble served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Point Cruz (CVE-119). Born 01 AUG 1920 in Flagstaff, Arizona, he attended USC and graduated from USC School of Dentistry in 1945.
03 APR 2007
U.S. Army World War II Veteran and NC Epsilon Brother William Alexander “Bill” Dixon died on this date in Belmont, North Carolina. Bill served in the U.S. Army from JUL 1945 to JAN 1947, and upon his discharge he entered Davidson and received his degree.
Upon graduation, he joined his father in Dixon Oil Company. In 1959 he began a real estate business, working as a broker, home builder, land developer, and appraiser, retiring in 1996. Bill was active in civic affairs as a member of the Belmont Rotary Club serving as president in 1959, a founding member of the Belmont Chamber of Commerce serving as president in 1967, and was awarded Citizen of the Year in 2005.
He also served as a Scoutmaster from 1950-59, as district and council chairman of leadership training, and in 1965 he was awarded the Silver Beaver from Piedmont Council for outstanding service. Brother Dixon served as president of the Belmont Satellite of Habitat for Humanity for seven years, and thereafter as construction coordinator.
RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
- On 24 MAR, Vietnam War Veteran and KS Beta Brother First Lieutenant J. Paul Duffendack, U.S. Army passed away after a long illness. After graduating from Kansas State with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, he received a commission in the U.S. Army. Paul was a graduate of the U.S. Army Special Warfare School, served a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam, and was awarded several medals including the Bronze Star.
- U.S. Veteran and MO Gamma Brother Jerry C. Swank passed away 27 MAR in hospice at Osage Beach, Missouri. Respect can be paid to Brother Swank at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Osage Beach.
CELEBRATIONS!
- CA Theta Brother Cameron Jost (U.S. Army) and his wife, Nicole, are expecting a future SigEp in August.
- On Saturday, FL Zeta Brother Fireman Tristan McMorran, U.S. Coast Guard married Jessica Cerchio!
- AL Theta Brother Charles "Brad" Priest was selected for promotion to Major in the Alabama Army National Guard.
- On 01 APR, KY Zeta Brother Matthew Brooks was promoted to Captain, U. S. Marine Corps.
- A year ago this week, Dartmouth College announced its medical school would be named Audrey and Theodor Geisel School of Medicine.
Fraternally and Respectfully,
Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta ‘96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
sigepswhoserve@gmail.com