SigEp Military History
VIEW THE MILITARY HISTORY ARCHIVES HERE
This Week in SigEp Patriot History
March 26–April 9, 2015
March 26
Brothers,
**1969 — Vietnam War Veteran & OH Nu Brother Private First Class Daniel Hinkel, U.S. Army was killed in action in Kontum Province, South Vietnam while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. He is remembered on Panel 28N, Row 47 of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial (aka The Wall) in Washington, DC. Respect can be paid to Brother Hinkel at Cavalry Cemetery, Massillon, OH.
Yesterday — Love is in the air! NE Beta Brother ROTC Cadet William Heida popped the question to Ms. Kimber Methvin, and of course she said “Yes!
Today — MS Gamma Brother Second Lieutenant Trey Collier, U.S. Army posted that Ms. Ashley Cross had accepted this proposal.
Congratulations to William and Trey!
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriots NY Chi Brother ROTC Cadet Jason Cardinal, and TX Theta Brother Second Lieutenant Lou Grone, U.S. Army
March 27
Brothers,
My apologies for cutting it a bit close. Had to do some research.
1923 — James Powers was born in Peoria, IL. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and was reportedly awarded six bronze star medals during his WWII service. After the war, James attended Bradley University, and became a member of a local Greek chapter — Gamma Nu. In 1949, James became a Founding Father of IL Delta when he was initiated with 40 other Gamma Nu’s.
1945 — Date of birth Michael Healey. He became a brother of SC Alpha, and served with distinction and valor with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam, where he earned four Bronze Stars, including one with Valor.
1946 — World War II Veteran & IN Alpha Brother William Meyer, Jr., U.S. Army concluded his terminal leave following about nine months overseas.
1969 — World War II Veteran & VT Alpha Brother Brigadier General Clarence O’Donnell, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) died. While at Norwich, he was a member of Headquarters Company, Vermont National Guard. After graduating in 1929, Clarence entered the Marine Corps. In JAN 1944, he sailed with the 4th Marine Division as battalion commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines. Brother O’Donnell participated in the Marshall Islands campaign, and took part in the Saipan and Tinian operations (Purple Heart), as well as the Battle of Iwo Jima (Legion of Merit). During August-September of 1945, Col. O'Donnell served on General McArthur's planning section staff in Manila and Tokyo. Later he was commanding officer, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, during the occupation of Japan. Brother O’Donnell is one of 68 SigEp Patriots laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriots Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran & MD Delta Brother Captain Rob Taber, U.S. Army, and Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran & OH Rho Brother First Lieutenant Sean Quirk, U.S. Army!
March 28
Brothers,
We celebrate because we can never forget any of our brothers who serve/served.
1970 — World War II Veteran & MT Alpha Brother Colonel John Bonner, U.S. Army died. He is one of 68 SigEp Patriots known by us to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. (The picture was taken at the 2014 SigEp Patriots Project Veterans Day Event. We hope you will consider joining us in 2015.)
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriots Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran & DC Gamma Brother Lieutenant Hunter Sheetz, U.S. Navy Reserve, and NE Gamma Brother Captain Alexander Staatmann, U.S. Army Reserve.
Please send me any updates and/or corrections.
Fraternally,
Ed Jones
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
March 29
Brothers,
This year is the 50 anniversary of the end of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, and there are various observances being held around America. http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/events/
Thanks to all our brothers who served in/during the Vietnam War.
1891 — Date of birth of Lee Gerow. Lee followed his older brother to VA Theta (Virginia Military Institute), and was a veteran of the Border War, World War I & World War II retiring as a Brigadier General, U.S. Army.
1918 — VA Eta Brother Joel Flood enlisted in the U.S. Army, and began his World War I service.
2011 — U.S. Air Force Veteran NE Beta Brother Kenneth Kremers died.
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriots OH Theta Brother Lieutenant Phillip Gagen, U.S. Navy; Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, IN Eta Brother Staff Sergeant Todd Leavitt, U.S. Army, and PA Gamma Second Lieutenant Dan Twigg, U.S. Marine Corps!
March 30
Brothers,
We can't allow ourselves to forget any of our brothers who serve, and that is especially true of those who make the ultimate sacrifice. To date, the SigEp Patriots Project has researched up to 111 SigEps who were killed in action.
1911 — Date of birth of Otto Eastlond, Jr. — CO Delta brother and veteran of World War II.
1921 — GA Alpha Brother First Lieutenant William Coney, U.S. Army Air Service died of wounds received when the plane he was piloting crashed 25 MAR 1921 near Crowfield, Louisiana on the return from a record setting (West to East) cross country flight. Brother Coney was the first pilot to a fly a plane across the country in less than 24 hours of flight time.
1928 — Date of birth of Eugene Tonry — OH Zeta brother and veteran of World War II and Korea.
1930 — Date of birth of Harold Wilkie — KS Gamma brother and veteran of the Korean War.
1943
— DC Alpha Brother Ensign William Burson, Jr., U.S. Navy was killed in an airplane crash near Jacksonville, FL.
— Date of birth of Michael LaFromboise — WA Beta brother who was killed in action in Vietnam while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
1945
** World War II Veteran & IL Alpha Brother First Lieutenant John Lang, U.S. Army Air Corps was killed in action in The Philippines.
— IA Gamma Brother Colonel Merlin Garter, U.S. Army Air Corps began command of the 351th Bomb Group.
1980 — Vietnam War Veteran Private First Class Donald Bacharowski, U.S. Marine Corps became a SigEp at OH Nu.
2008 — IN Zeta Brother EJ Ramos graduated from Army basic training.
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriots Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran & MI Eta Brother Captain Philip Ribeiro, U.S. Army National Guard (Wisconsin), and SC Alpha Brother Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Turnage, Jr., U.S. Air Force (Retired)!
March 30
Brothers,
1927 — Thomas Kenyon was born in Paterson, NJ — U.S. Navy World War II Veteran and IN Alpha Brother.
1928 — Paul Weisend was born — MS Gamma Renaissance brother and Korean War Era Veteran.
1949 — World War I Veteran NH Alpha Brother James V. Forrestal resigned as Secretary of Defense.
1969 — World War II Veteran, SigEp Citation Recipient (1967) & VA Zeta Brother General Robert Wood, U.S. Army retired for the second (and final) time. In 1930, he graduated from West Point and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army. In 1965, Robert retired, but he was called back to active duty in 1968. Based on research by the SigEp Patriots Project, Brother Wood was the 4th SigEp Patriot to be promoted to the 4-star in any service.
2006 — U.S. Army Veteran IL Kappa Brother Richard Clarke died.
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriots veteran of deployments to the Horn of Africa, as well as Kosovo, Iraq & Afghanistan, NJ Gamma Brother First Sergeant Anthony Ciotti, U.S. Army Reserve, and NY Eta Brother Lieutenant Jeffrey Cantor, U.S. Army Reserve — a veteran of Kosovo, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom!
April 2
Brothers,
1919 — John Nuccio was born on this day. He was a U.S. Marine during World War II and a CA Beta Brother.
1922
— Date of birth of Jay Hoffman — NE Alpha Brother & U.S. Marine Corps World War II Veteran.
— Dean Armstrong was born on this day in Spokane, WA. The WA Alpha Brother served in the U.S. Army Reserve during World War II.
1927 — Date of birth of Louis “Scotty” Gomez — VT Alpha Brother & U.S. Navy World War II Veteran.
1938 — Hans Zassenhaus was born on this day. The George Washington University graduate of the Class of 1963 was a DC Alpha Brother, and retired from the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander.
1943 — World War II Veteran & FL Alpha Brother William Stephens died at the British General Hospital 99 in Algeria of wounds received in action 12 MAR in Tunisia.
Last year — U.S. Navy World War II Veteran & MA Beta Brother Lieutenant Commander Carl Lindegren, Jr., U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired), 97, died at home in Shrewsbury, CT.
Yesterday — FL Iota Brother Second Lieutenant Will Anderson, U.S. Marine Corps graduated from the Infantry Officer Course!
Today — KY Detla Brother Mark Page was informed that he was one of the three finalists for 7-11’s Operation Take Command contest to be awarded a franchise.
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriot TN Kappa Brother ROTC Cadet Joseph Barber!
April 3
Brothers,
Like every Friday, today is R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) Friday. While the news coverage of those serving in harms way has decreased dramatically, there remains many SigEps (and other American servicemembers) serving in foreign lands and at sea around the world.
We hope you will wear red to insure they are not forgotten. I realize it is 7pm East Coast Time, but there always next Friday.
1941 — MT Alpha Brother Samuel Parsons ordered to report to Seattle, WA.
1942 — NJ Alpha Brother Milton Franklin entered the U.S. Navy Reserve.
1946 — MI Alpha Brother Staff Sergeant Harry Troxell, U.S. Army was discharged from his WWII service after more than three years, including 15 months overseas.
1973 — World War I & World War II Veteran, CO Alpha Brother Lieutenant Commander Chester Schrepferman, U.S. Navy Reserve died. He was laid to rest in Denver.
1996 — U.S. Commerce Secretary & the first African-American SigEp, VT Beta Brother Captain Ronald Brown, U.S. Army, 54, was killed in a plane crash near Dubrovnik, Croatia. He joined the Army in 1962 after graduating from Middlebury College, and served in South Korea and Europe before being discharged in 1967.
In 1989, Brother Brown became the 40th Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and he resigned from that post when President Clinton appointed him the 30th Secretary of Commerce where he served until the time of his death. He is one of 68 SigEp Patriots known by us to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
In 2001, President Clinton posthumously awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to Ron. The Ron Brown Award for corporate leadership and responsibility was created, and the U.S. Department of Commerce established the annual Ronald H. Brown American Innovator Award.
The Ronald H. Brown is the largest ship in the fleet of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and in Washington, DC the section of 14 Street between Pennsylvania & Constitution Avenue was renamed Ron Brown Way.
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriot veteran of Operation Southern Watch, Kosovo, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Lieutenant Matthew Daniels, U.S. Navy Reserve!
April 4
Brothers,
Last night, we found the 69th SigEp Patriot known by us to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as the 30th military brother awarded the Silver Star - the nation's third highest award for valor in combat.
1940 — IN Alpha Brother Thomas Du Mont joined the Navy stating a career that spanned more than 28 years.
1946 — NY Gamma Brother Lieutenant Colonel David McGilvray, U.S. Army was released from his WWII service after 33 months overseas.
1946 — MT Alpha Brother John Bonner was discharged from the Army after nearly four years of service. Less than three years later he would be sworn in as the 13th governor of Montana. (first photo)
1973 — World War I Veteran PA Delta Brother William Macferran, Jr. died in Topeka, KS. He was laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka. (second photo)
Last year — U.S. Navy World War II Veteran MO Gamma Brother John Stephens died in Dallas, and was laid to rest there. (third photo)
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriots NJ Alpha Brother First Lieutenant Andrew Boyle, U.S. Army; NY Epsilon Brother U.S. Army Veteran Patrick Cody, and NY Lambda Brother Second Lieutenant Chasen Smith, U.S. Army!
April 5
Brothers,
The SigEp Patriots Project continues to partner with alumni & undergraduate chapters who wish to learn about, honor, remember, and support brothers who serve/served, and we welcome any assistance you can provide.
1910 — Date of birth of Gerald Fling — a U.S. Army World War II Veteran & OH Alpha Brother.
1919 — World War I Veteran & AL Alpha Brother (then) Captain Kenneth Althaus, Sr., U.S. Army National Guard (Ohio) was honorably discharged from federal service.
1942 — NY Alpha Brother Jacob Ulmer began his WWII service when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Fort Hayes in Columbus, OH.
1943
— KY Alpha Brother Winston Blythe joined the U.S. Army beginning his WWII service. In just over two years, he would be killed in action in Germany.
— VA Alpha Brother John Schools entered the U.S. Navy and began his WWII service.
1946 — IL Alpha Brother Captain Edward Fieser, U.S. Army Air Corps was discharged from his WWII service after nearly four years.
**1967 — KS Alpha Brother Captain Rex Craig, U.S. Marine Corps was killed in action in Quang Nam, South Vietnam during hostile small arms fire. A Marine Infantry Officer, Rex was commissioned upon graduation from Baker University, and was killed in the 11th month of his tour. (pictured here in a high school yearbook photo)
Brother Craig is remembered on Panel 17E, Row 102 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial — The Wall — in Washington, DC, and was laid to rest at the Johnson City Memorial Gardens in Stilwell, KS.
2012 — World War II Veteran & AL Alpha President Lieutenant Donald Jennings, U.S. Navy Reserve died at the age of 91. He is laid to rest at Andersonville National Cemetery, Andersonville, GA.
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriots PA Gamma Brother Ensign Paul Ellison, U.S. Navy, and Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran, HI Alpha Brother Major Siegfried Ramil, U.S. Army!
April 7
Brothers,
1927 — Date of birth of John Bickelhaupt — PA Delta Brother & U.S. Army Air Corps World War II Veteran.
**1943 — DE Alpha Brother Captain Charles Sharpless, U.S. Army Air Corps was killed in action over North Africa. Brother Sharpless served in the Air Corps for over two years, and his awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He is one of 70 SigEp Patriots known by us to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
1984 — Vietnam Veteran & NE Beta Brother Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Doeschot, U.S. Navy (Retired) died in Newark, CA at the age of 49 after a long illness. Upon his death, Kenneth was buried at sea. During his career he served two tours in Vietnam.
At NE Beta, Brother Doeschot was the 117th initiate with a grand chapter number of 44,525.
1988 — World War II Veteran & NY Alpha President, Order of the Golden Heart Recipient (1969) Staff Sergeant Lewis Mason, U.S. Army, 74, died in Upper Monclair, NJ. He was laid to rest in Vestal Hills Memorial Park, Vestal, NY.
Born in 1914, Brother Mason served as president of the SigEp chapter at Syracuse University in 1935, and he graduated the next year. That same year he began work as the traveling secretary of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and did so through 1939.
In AUG 1943, Lewis joined the Army, and was discharged in the spring of 1946.
From a Journal, "He served as district governor for Ohio and Michigan from 1946 to 1948, and in 1960 was appointed the first chairman of the National Housing Committee. He continued his work in housing as president of the National Housing Corporation and remained a trustee of the Corporation until 1983. In 1963, at the Grand Chapter Conclave in Mackinaw Island, Michigan, he was elected to the National Board of Directors, and after serving a six-year term on the Board, he was presented the Order of the Golden Heart.”
2001 — World War II Veteran & CA Beta Brother Ensign Gaylord Goble, U.S. Navy died in Scripps Green Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Brother Goble served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Point Cruz (CVE-119). Born in 1920 in Arizona, he attended USC, and graduated from the School of Dentistry in 1945.
2006 — U.S. Veteran NY Beta Brother Thomas Gorman died in Monmouth Beach, NJ.
2012 — U.S. Army Veteran UT Alpha Brother Richard Crump died, and was laid to rest at Centerville City Cemetery, Centerville, UT. (third photo)
April 8
Brothers,
We are accepting applications for our Ruck Scholarship ($425) through 2359 (11:59pm) on Friday (10 April). If you are or know of an undergrad with a military affiliation (active duty, reserve, National Guard, discharged, etc) we hope you will pass this along to them.
How many of you know Brother Ruck was a Navy man?
There has been feedback that this work is too long. As that sentiment was expressed more than others, we are going to list one event for each day. As always, your feedback is important to us, and we remain interested in hearing from you.
**1945 — KS Alpha Brother Staff Sergeant Robert Jelinek, U.S. Army Air Corps was killed in action while serving with the 343rd Bomber Squadron.
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriots MO Eta Brother Specialist Brian Milbach, U.S. Army Reserve; RI Beta Brother First Lieutenant Matt Cabral, U.S. Army, and IN Zeta Brother Staff Sergeant EJ Ramos, U.S. Army!
April 9
Brothers,
If you like our shorter format, please let me know. If you want a return to the longer "Today in SigEp Patriot History" then we will respond in kind.
1971 — Date of action of the Silver Star awarded to KS Beta Brother (then) First Lieutenant James Latham, U.S. Air Force “…for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia, on 9 April 1971. On that date, Lieutenant Latham flew as a Forward Air Controller into an extremely hazardous air environment in support of a friendly reconnaissance team under attack by a superior hostile force. Despite marginal weather conditions and in the face of intense ground fire, Lieutenant Latham made repeated attacks against the hostile positions resulting in their breaking contact allowing the friendly forces to be evacuated from the area without casualties. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Latham has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.” (taken from the award citation)
He is one of 30 SigEp Patriots known by us to be awarded the Silver Star - the third highest U.S. award for Valor in combat.
Today — Happy birthday to SigEp Patriot NY Lambda Brother ROTC Cadet Matthew Keysa!
Congratulations Brothers and thank you for your service.
Fraternally and Respectfully,
Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta ’96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project