MG Wendell Lynn Seldon

MG Wendell Lynn Seldon was born 5 Oct 1929 in High View, West Virginia the first of the 2 children born to Marvin Frederick and Lacey Virginia (Brill) Seldon. Paternal grandfather, Frederick John Seldon, had come to the United States from England as an infant in 1873. While his great-grandfather and grandfather had farmed his father worked in sales. Wendell's life story was very well summed up in his published obituary, 

"Wendell’s career in local and state government began in 1947, when he was appointed Assistant City Manager of Winchester, VA, and served as City Manager from 1967 to 1986. In 1976 he received the honor of “Public Administrator of the Year” by the Virginia Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration. The City awarded him by Resolution and a Farewell Roast in 1986. In addition, he was awarded a Certificate of Life Membership in the Virginia Section of International City Management Association in 1986, where he had served as President from 1977-1978. In recognition of his distinguished service at the local level, he was the recipient of an award from the Marsh Institute for Government and Public Policy at Shenandoah University in 1997. He served as Range Rider for the Virginia Local Government Management Association in the Winchester and Richmond areas.

Governor Baliles appointed Wendell to the position of Director of General Services beginning July 1, 1986. He was reappointed by Governor Wilder in January 1990 and served until his retirement October 1, 1991. The Commonwealth of Virginia honored him in a joint House and Senate Resolution, upon his retirement. He served on Governor Allen’s Commission on Government Reform (Blue Ribbon Strike Force) in 1994. He served as Legislative Aide to Senator Russ Potts of Winchester since his election in 1992 for 16 years and then for Senator Jill Vogel until 2008.

In addition to his full-time positions, Wendell was a member of the Virginia Army National Guard from 1948 through 1989, when he retired with the rank of Brigadier General. He rose through the enlisted ranks and graduated from the USA Infantry School Associate Infantry Officers Career Course, U.S. Command and General Staff College and was appointed to the rank of Brigadier General in 1985. BG Seldon’s last assignments included Commander of the 116th Infantry Brigade, Assistant Division Commander of the 29th Infantry Division (Light), and Deputy STARC Commander of the Virginia National Guard Headquarters in Richmond. His decorations and awards include the Virginia National Guard Commendation Medal and Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, the Army Reserve Components Achievement with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Achievement Medal, Commendation Medal, and Legion of Merit. He was promoted to Major General in the Virginia Militia Unorganized, upon his retirement. He served on the Military Staff of Governors Baliles, Wilder, and Allen. General Seldon served as Honorary Colonel of the 116th Infantry Regiment from 1997 to 2006.

Wendell has been involved with various civic and professional organizations; including serving as President of the Winchester Rotary Club; Chairman of the Winchester Salvation Army Advisory Board; President, Virginia Section, International City Manager’s Association; and President of the National Association of Directors of Administration and General Services.

His other activities included basketball and football officiating at the high school and college levels for more than 40 years, officiating more than 1,000 basketball and 800 football games. He served as Commissioner of the Winchester Officials Association for 34 years. He was inducted into the Virginia High School League’s Hall of Fame in October 1993."

MG Seldon passed away on 13 April 2020 and rests forever in the Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.

1LT Jesse Veale Reed

1LT Jesse Veale Reed was born 16 Dec 1891 in Suffolk, Virginia. He was the youngest of the nine children of the Reverend James Clayton and Eliza Jane (Veale) Reed. His father was a Methodist preacher who had served in the Civil War losing a hand. Jesse schooling was mostly by private teachers. As a minister, Reverend Reed moved about fairly often. In 1907 he was selected as the presiding elder in the Rappahannock district and the family moved to Ashland, Virginia. It was at this time that Jesse began his studies at Randolph Macon Academy. He then attended two semesters at Randolph-Macon College beginning in September 1909 after which he studied for the 1911-1912 session at Trinity College in North Carolina. 

Jesse began work at Barrow Grocery Company in Blackstone in the spring of 1912. His father then took a position in Hampton and Jesse moved to Norfolk, Virginia and began working for Texas Oil Company. While in Norfolk he and some friends joined G Company 4th Virginia Regiment. The regiment was posted as a guard at the Du Pont plant in Hopewell in March 1917 and while there Jesse was promoted to line sergeant. 

The unit was ordered to Camp McClellan in August 1917 and arrived in September. SGT Reed was made bayonet instructor. He was so good that he was soon recognized with a commission to Second Lieutenant and placed in charge of the Pioneer Platoon. He apparently excelled at this work too and was again promoted in April 1918. As a new First Lieutenant, Jesse was given command of the Trench Mortar Platoon and shipped with the regiment to France in mid-June 1918. 

After arriving in France the Division trained in trenches and behind the lines in Alsace-Lorraine. On 8 October the 29th Division including the 116th Infantry began their part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. On the morning of 7 October 1LT Reed apparently had a premonition of his death and expressed this in his last letter home. He also passed on requests for his disposition to other officers. 1LT led his men forward on the morning of 8 October and continued without a break until shot down on 15 Oct 1918, reportedly by sixteen machine gun bullets and he was killed.

The American Legion post in Blackstone, Virginia was named for him in his honor, His body was repatriated in 1921 and he was re-interred in the Lakeview Cemetery in Blackstone, Virginia. 

LTG James Alexander Baber III

LTG James Alexander Baber III was born 4 Nov 1929 in Richmond, Virginia. He was the eldest of James Alexander and Edna Earl (Jenkins) Baber's 2 sons. The family lived with his grandfather, James Alexander Baber Sr. in his home at 1426 Perry Street in Richmond which his grandfather owned and was valued at $7000 in 1930. At the time his grandfather was working as a gas meter inspector and his father as a presser in a print shop. His grandmother died in 1935 and grandfather in 1939 and the home passed to his father who was now working as a clerk for the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission earning a reported $1680 in 1939. By 1950 the family had moved to 132 East Belt Boulevard in Manchester, Virginia although James was attending college in Williamsburg.

His professional life is well described in his obituary published at the time of his death. "Jim attended John Marshall High School and excelled in both football and baseball, where he was voted to all-city and all-state in both sports. His leadership was not only exemplified on the playing field but also as a leader in the ROTC program, where he served as Battalion Commander. After graduating from John Marshall, he attended The College of William and Mary earning his B.A. degree in 1952. His passion for football and baseball continued throughout his college years and he excelled in both sports. He was later inducted into the ROTC Hall of Fame. 

Upon graduation, Jim was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and was assigned as Division Artillery Survey Officer, 1st Calvary Division in Japan during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1954, whereupon he joined the Virginia National Guard. He served as Commander of various National Guard Units within the Commonwealth and was federally recognized as Brigadier General in 1979. The pinnacle his career was when Jim was appointed Commander of the 29th Infantry Division of Virginia and Maryland in 1985 and federally recognized as Major General. He had risen to the two star rank before retiring as a designated three star General. For his service, Jim received the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Virginia National Guard Distinguished Service Medal, Maryland National Guard Distinguished Service Medal, Virginia Army National Guard Service Medal, and the Virginia Army National Guard Bronze Star. 

From the very beginning, Jim was fated to be an inspiring leader. With his troops, he enjoyed a deep rapport and the camaraderie of lifelong friends. Jim received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1957 from T.C. Williams School of Law, University of Richmond, where he also led as Student Body President and was a member of the National Moot Court Team, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society and McNeill Law Society. He was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1956 and practiced Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation law for over 50 years in Federal and State Court. He also served as a substitute Judge in the Richmond General District Court and surrounding counties for 26 years. He was Senior Partner at Bremner, Baber and Janus Law Firm. He distinguished himself by his take charge leadership and relentless work ethic. His great soldiery quality was matched by his desire to win battles for his clients and win the cases. Every case was a win-win because Jim saw the redemptive quality in every person no matter the outcome and treated everyone with dignity and respect. 

Jim was a 54-year member of the Fraternal Order of Freemasons at the Manchester Lodge #14 of Richmond. He was committed to the values of the Fraternal Order. Jim often quoted from an old Army song, "Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away."  Besides his work for the Shriners in the Directors Staff, he was also charitable in less formal ways. "

MG Baber died 29 Apr 2017 and rests forever in the Westhampton Memorial Park in Tuckahoe, Virginia. 

Great-grandfather, John Avery Cersley, served as a PVT in I Company 6th Virginia Infantry (CSA) during the Civil War.

COL Reginald Heber Kelley

COL Reginald Heber Kelley was born in Fresno, California on 23 Jan 1880. He was the 4th of the 8 sons of Reverend Douglas Ottinger and Anna Amelia (Fletcher) Kelley. His parents had lost their 3rd son soon after birth, just 2 years previous. His father had been born on Kelley's Island, in Lake Erie about 8-10 miles due north of Sandusky, Ohio. Douglas had moved to California in 1867 first working as a lawyer then becoming an Episcopal priest and missionary in California. The Kelleys lived in San Francisco, Watsonville, Alameda and Fresno. The family's home when Reverend Kelley died in 1915 was at 2206 Durant Avenue in Berkley, California. Reginald attended public school in Fresno and is first noted as being on the honor roll in the spring of 1889. He also attended public school in Alameda and San Francisco graduating as valedictorian from Trinity School in San Francisco in 1898. He attended the State University at Berkley and received a scholarship in 1901. 

Enlisting as a PVT on 18 Jun 1898 Reginald served in I Company 7th California Infantry until 2 Dec that same year. He was commissioned as a 1LT in D Company 1st Infantry Regiment, California National Guard in March 1902 where he served while attending university. He was commissioned a LTC in the California National Guard in May of that year due to his outstanding performance in the university's corps of cadets and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. As a result of this he was offered a Regular Army commission as a 2LT of infantry which was accepted and he received the commission in 1903 when he graduated from the University of California. Assigned to the 4th Infantry Regiment, 2LT Kelley departed with the regiment for the Philippines in June 1903. Once there he was posted to Sorsogon in southeastern Luzon. Allowed leave in mid-1905, 2LT Kelley then reported to Fort Thomas, Kentucky. It is probable that 2LT Kelley served with the 4th Regiment in the Ute campaign in1906. Reginald was promoted to 1LT and reassigned to the 5th Infantry Regiment in May 1909 but returned to the 4th after only 1 month and returned to the Philippines until 1910 when the regiment returned to the United States. 

Reginald married Ione Candace Dille on 28 Jun 1910. He was assigned to the 4th Infantry Regiment at Fort Crook, Nebraska at that time. A daughter, Esther Myrick Kelley, was born at Fort Crook on 11 Dec 1911. She would be the couple's only child.

Promotions came quickly during the first World War. Promoted to MAJ on 20 Aug 1917 and assigned as inspector (IG) 29th Division at Camp McClellan near Anniston, Alabama. He went to France with the 29th in 1918 and was detailed at the Division Machine Gun officer to plan and coordinate the machine gun defense in the 29th Division sector. MAJ Kelley was promoted  to LTC on 30 Jul 1918 and to COL on 1 Nov 1918 commanding the 116th Infantry Regiment in the Meuse-Argonne offensive after relieving COL Harris on 10 Oct 1918. He was gassed in training on 4 Dec 1918 and returned from France, 3 Aug 1919. COL Kelley was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his service during the war. The citation reads as follows:

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Reginald H. Kelley, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. First as Division Machine-Gun Officer and later as Commanding Officer, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, Colonel Kelley displayed sterling qualities of leadership. By his high military attainments, sound judgment, and self-sacrificing devotion to duty he proved to be a material factor in the successes achieved by the 29th Division in the offensive actions in which they participated."

He served in the Quartermasters Corps from 13 Aug 1919 to 24 Aug 1919. He graduated from the School of the Line in 1922. COL Kelley then graduated from General Staff School 1923 and from 1923 to 1927 was an associate professor of military science and tactics and the University of California. He attended and graduated from the U.S. Army War College in 1928. COL Kelley was assigned 1929-1932 to Minneapolis, Minnesota as instructor of the National Guard in that state. In 1933 he was at Fort Benning as Director of Department of Experiment.

Ione passed away from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Newnan, Georgia in 1935. COL Kelley then returned to the Philippines and commanded the 45th Infantry Regiment of the 23rd Infantry Brigade (Philippine Scouts) in 1937 at Fort McKinley, Philippines. It was in 1937 on this tour of duty that he met and married Ruth Steere Reno Fuller on 18 Sep 1937 in a ceremony attended by General and Mrs. Douglas MacArthur. He was next assigned as Chief of Staff of the 87th Infantry Division from 25 Aug 1940 to when he retired 9 Jun 1942 due to disability in line of duty. He was 62 years old at that time. However, it appears that he may have returned to active duty in some roll from 1 Jul 1942 to 20 Feb 1944 due to wartime exigencies. 

After retirement Reginald and Ruth lived a more normal life moving to Melrose, Florida. Reginald became the senior warden of the Trinity church in Melrose and Ruth worked in the Women's Auxiliary of the Diocese of Florida becoming president of that organization. There is little to no public record after his retirement possibly due to health concerns.

COL Kelley died on 18 Oct 1963 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Brother of CPT (Chaplain) Leslie Constant Kelley. They were the great, great, great-grandsons of Elihu Stow who was a soldier in the Revolutionary army during nearly the entire war. He enlisted as a private in Capt. Alden's company, Samuel Webb, Colonel, April 21, 1777, was mustered in Nov. 1777, taken prisoner, exchanged, July l, 1778, promoted to Corporal, March 20, 1780; Sergeant, July 1, 1781. Reginald's father had served as a 2LT in B Company 100th Ohio Infantry (USA) during the Civil War. Reginald's daughter together with her husband and 3 of their children were interned in the Philippines by the Japanese during WWII.

Note: This memorial was published 50-years after his death.

MG Charles Draper William Canham

MG Charles Draper William Canham was born 26 Jan 1901 in Kola, Mississippi. He was the 4th of the 5 children born to Thomas and Helen (Moll) Canham. His father was a lumber dealer in Mississippi, After the death of his mother in childbirth in 1903, Charles' aunt Gertrude Canham moved to live with the family and help her brother raise his children. They lived for a time in Oregon where his father farmed but he then moved to Detroit, Michigan where he got a job in an auto factory. Thomas Draper died in 1936.

Charles Canham enlisted in the U.S. Army on 23 May 1919. He shipped to France on 13 Jun 1919 as a Field Artillery PVT with the 33rd Company Camp Meade Replacement Unit. Returning to the United States, he married Alma Isabelle Brayton on 18 Aug 1920. By 30 Jun 1921 he was a SGT in the 19th Field Artillery Battalion. SGT Canham tested for and was accepted to the United States Military Academy (West Point) preparatory school and was appointed to USMA effective 1 Jul 1921, graduated in 1926 and commissioned as 2LT 12 Jun 1926. Charles' and Alma's first son was born in January 1922 His first assignment was to Fort Benjamin Harrison.  It was there that his second was born March 1925 followed by a third son in July 1927. In May 1928 he was sent to Camp Knox, Kentucky as the camp personnel adjutant. He attended the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia in September 1930 graduating in June 1931. 2LT Canham  then departed New York on 19 Aug 1931 and arrived in Manial on 3 Oct 1931. He served a period of time in the Philippines and then in Shanghai, China. During this period he was pomoted  to 1LT on 26 Feb 1932 and promoted to CPT 12 Jun 1936.

CPT Canham was assigned to Fort Francis E. Warren, Cheyenne, Wyoming 1937 followed by assignments at Fort Leavenworth, Fort Devens and Providence, Rhode Island. He was promoted to MAJ on 31 Jan 1941 and assigned to European Theater of Operations (ETO) where he was made Deputy Chief of Staff of the 29th Infantry Division. He was promoted to LTC on 1 Feb 1942. LTC Canham was promoted to COL 7 Mar 1943 and assumed command of 116th Infantry Regiment.  COL Canham led the 116th Infantry Regiment on 6 Jun 1944 (D-Day) and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for his actions in leading troops while wounded. The citation reads as follows:

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) Charles Draper William Canham, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, at Normandy, France. Colonel Canham landed on the beach shortly after the assault wave of troops had landed. At the time, the enemy fire was at its heaviest and had completely arrested the attack. Though wounded shortly after landing, Colonel Canham, with utter disregard for his own safety, continued to expose himself to the enemy fire in his efforts to reorganize the men. His personal bravery and determination so inspired and heartened the men that they were able to break through the enemy positions. Colonel Canham's outstanding leadership, gallantry and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 29th Infantry Division, and the United States Army."

Promoted BG 1 Aug 1944 and assigned as Assistant Division Commander of 8th Infantry Division. 8th Infantry Division Commander. It was while he was the ADC of 8th Division that BG Canham was sent to accept the surrender of the German forces in Brest. When General Ramcke asked him for his credentials BG Canham pointed to his accompanying soldiers and said, "These are my credentials." Widely reported at the time, the phrase has become the motto of the 8th Infantry Division.

He continued to serve with the 8th Infantry Division after the war's end and then in December 1945 assumed duties as ADC 4th Infantry Division. Sometime about May 1947, he was assigned as ADC of the 82nd Airborne Division. Late in 1949 BG Canham assumed command of the port of embarkation Bremmerhaven. On 5 Jun 1952 BG Canham was promoted to MG and assumed command of 82nd Airborne Division. Reported as being in Pusan, Republic of Korea on 26 Jan 1953 end of tour in Pusan, ROK. In October 1952 he was named Deputy Commander 3rd Army and in 1953 named for promotion to MG and assumed command of the 3rd Army with headquarters at Fort McPherson, Georgia. 

Then from December 1954 to sometime in 1958 he served as Director of the Army Council of Review Boards after which he assumed command of the 11th U.S. Army Corps (Reserve) in Saint Louis, Missouri. MG Canham retired on 31 Jan 1961. His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with 2 Bronze  Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Purple Heart. 

MG Canham died of an unspecified lung ailment on 21 Aug 1963 and he was interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was survived by his wife, sons and their families. 

Note: the published date of this memorial is the 50th anniversary of his passing.

BG Robert Julian Bradshaw

BG Robert Julian Bradshaw was born 11 Mar 1921 in Rice, Virginia. He was the only son and 2nd of the 3 children born to Robert Melville and Ruth Elizabeth (Hubbard) Bradshaw. Both his paternal and maternal ancestors and their relatives had been prominent in Prince Edward and the surrounding counties of Appomattox, Cumberland, Amelia, Nottoway, and Charlotte since before the revolution. His father operated a general store and was a Postmaster at Rice,Virginia for 35 years and farmed as well.

Julian enlisted in G Company 116th Infantry Regiment, Virginia Army National Guard on 21 Jun 1937 and was a SGT in the 116th Infantry Regiment when the unit was federalized on 3 Feb 1941. He was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class number 119 on 7 Dec 1942. His first duty assignment was as rifle and weapons Platoon Leader, Company G, 300th Infantry The Infantry School, School Troop BDE, Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. he married Nancy Thurber Courter on 6 Jul 1943. He was promoted to 1LT on 16 Mar 1946 and was assigned as Executive and Training Officer, 309 Company, 43rd Replacement battalion, France and Germany. Promoted to CPT on 14 Oct 1946 he was then assigned as Company Commander, Separation Center, Fort Meade, Maryland. He rejoined G Company 116th Infantry in 1947 when the Army National Guard was reorganized following the war. 

Julian and Nancy had a daughter in 1950 and a son in 1951. Executive Officer, Company G, 116th Infantry, 29th Division, Farmville , Virginia (1950-1956). Having previously worked as a U.S. Postal clerk, Julian also took over as Postmaster for the Rice, Virginia post office in 1956. He was President of Bush River Watershed Association in 1970.

He was assigned in 1961 as Adjutant, 1st Battle Group, 29th Division, Roanoke, Virginia, promoted to MAJ on 17 Jan 1963 and assigned as Executive Officer, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 29th Division, Lynchburg; promoted to LTC on 20 Nov 1967 and assigned as Assistant G-3/Executive Officer/Battalion Commander, HHC 2d Brigade, 29th Division, VA NG; Operations and Training Offficer/Adjutant General, HHD, Virginia National Guard; Brigade Commander, HHC, 116th Brigade, 28th Division VA NG; Brigade Commander, 3 Infantry, HHC, 116th Infantry Brigade, VA NG; Readiness Coordinator, HHD, Virginia National Guard. 1985 Commander George Washington Division Virginia State Guard.

His awards and decorations include: Reserve and Virginia National Guard Service, Virginia Legion of Merit, World War II Victory Medal, European Theater of Operations (5 Battle Stars), American Theater, American Defense.

Julian divorced Nancy 17 Aug 1980. He married Lucille Bernice Davis on 31 Jan 1981 but they divorced in July 1984. He married Elizabeth Marie Pendleton on 29 Dec 1984. Elizabeth died 29 Feb 2012.

BG Robert Julian Bradshaw passed away 24 May 2012 in Bethesda, Virginia and was interred in Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery in Rice, Virginia.

MG Gilbert Jackson Sullivan

MG Gilbert Jackson Sullivan was born 5 Jul 1928, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the 7th of 10 children of Herman Lee and Emma Jean (Hardy) Sullivan. Herman owned the family home at 802 Mercer Street in Fredericksburg, Virginia which was valued at $4000 in 1940 and supported his large family as a shoemaker in his own shop and, later, as a real estate broker.

MG Sullivan's obituary is a good summary of his professional life: "He graduated from James Monroe High School in 1945 and from the University of Virginia, School of Commerce, in 1948. At the University of Virginia, he played on the varsity football squad under coaches Frank Murray and Art Guepe, was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon "SAE" Fraternity, the PK Dance Society, Lamda Pi, TILKA and the "Z" Society. Gilly served the University of Virginia for over 50 years. He began working for the University of Virginia Alumni Association during his undergraduate years and joined the staff as Assistant Director after graduation. In addition to his Alumni Association duties, he was active in organizing the Virginia Student Aid Foundation, now known as the Virginia Athletics Foundation, and served as its Secretary for 10 years.

Gilly succeeded J. Malcolm Luck as Director of the University of Virginia Alumni Association in 1958. During his career with the Alumni Association, Gilly helped start the Jefferson Scholars program in 1980, and under his leadership grew alumni giving significantly.

In 1992, Gilly was awarded the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, citing his "constant helpfulness to his fellow man." He was also a member of the Raven Society, the University of Virginia chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership fraternity, and alumni advisor to SAE. In 1993, Gilly retired as Executive Director from the Alumni Association and continued to work as a consultant for several years. His career with the Alumni Association allowed him to combine his keen interest in the business of athletic programs and service to the University of Virginia. He believed that every University of Virginia student, regardless of financial resources, should receive an exceptional education and after graduation, should give back to the University. He lived this philosophy, making it easy for this unpretentious and modest man to raise financial support for University of Virginia's students and programs. His dedicated service to the University inspired the endowment of the Gilbert J. and Ann Vernon Sullivan Jefferson Scholars Scholarship awarded annually to a University of Virginia Jefferson Scholar, the Gilbert J. Sullivan Z Society Student Internship to provide an opportunity for a summer internship otherwise unattainable because of financial constraints, and a University of Virginia Parents' Program Scholarship named the Gilbert J. Sullivan Parents Scholarship awarded to students with demonstrated records of citizenship, leadership and academic achievement.

At his retirement, alumni and friends established the Ann Vernon and Gilbert J. Sullivan Alumni Endowment to honor them. As a result of the generosity of alumni and friends, the endowment allows the Alumni Association to perpetuate the Sullivans' work on behalf of future generations of alumni.

Gilly's service also extended to his country and his community. Gilly's nearly 40 years in the military included time in the United States Naval Reserve, the United States Marine Reserve, and the Virginia Army National Guard. He rose to the rank of Major General (VA Ret) in the Virginia National Guard. His many assignments included command of the Charlottesville Monticello Guard, the 116th Infantry Regiment (The Stonewall Brigade), and Deputy Adjutant General of Virginia. He received numerous citations for meritorious service and accomplishment and was twice awarded the Commonwealth of Virginia's Legion of Honor.

Also active in the Charlottesville community, Gilly served on the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority and was a member of the Elks Club, Lions Club and Masons. "

MG Sullivan died on 5 Jan 2009 and now rests forever in the University of Virginia Cemetery and Comlumbarium in Charlottesville, Virginia. 

Gilbert's 1st cousin 1x removed, PVT Percy Lee Dowell, died of wounds received in combat while serving with E Company 116th Infantry in France in WWI. Their common grandfather, Ezekial Dowell, served as a PVT in E Company 19th Virginia Infantry (CSA) in the Civil War. Great-grandfather James H. Sullivan served as a PVT in B Company 30th Virginia Infantry (CSA).

MG Archibald Alexander Sproul

MG Archibald Alexander Sproul was born 13 Nov 1915 near Middlebrook, Virginia at the old family home of Locust Grove. He was the 5th of parents William White and Katherine Rutherford (Lapsley) White's 6 children. His father farmed and then ran a general store. The family home at Moffet's Creek was valued at $10,000 in 1940 and "Arch" graduated from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia had begun working as a clerk for the unemployement office earning a reported 1939 income of $1500.

Arch enlisted in the Virginia National Guard in 1940 and was mobilized with the unit on 3 Feb 1941 and he was promoted to 2LT at the same time. He was promoted to 1LT on 28 Aug 1941 and to CPT on 18 Sep 1942. Presumably he was also assigned as Commander of I Company 116th Infantry at that time. CPT Sproul commanded I Company on 6 Jun 1944, D-Day and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on that day. The citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Archibald Sproul (ASN: 0-406823), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, Headquarters Company, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, at Normandy, France. At a time when his battalion was pinned down on the beach due to the heavy enemy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire, Captain Sproul, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself on numerous occasions in encouraging and organizing the hard-pressed troops. His fearlessness in leading the men across the fire-swept beach materially contributed in converting the disorganized troops into a strong attacking force. Captain Sproul's gallant leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 29th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Over the course of war CPT Sproul would be wounded 3 times and also be awarded the Bronze Star medal. During one of his hospitalizations he met a young English woman and after the war CPT Sproul returned home and began a new life, marrying Margaret Hannah Pratt on 9 May 1946. The couple would have 3 children. He was promoted to MAJ on 29 Nov 1946 and to LTC on 20 Oct 1948. He worked for over 20 years in the insurance business as a co-owner of W. J. Perry Corporation and he founded Virginia International, a trading company specializing in oil development in Indonesia in the early1970's. He also returned to service with the Army National Guard. He assumed command of the 116th Infantry Regiment in 1952 and kept that position for 7 years. In 1960 he moved to the position of Assistant Commander of the 29th Division and later Commander of the division.

General Sproul actively participated in many community and charitable services. He served on the Trinity Church Vestry, the Washington and Lee Alumni Board of Trustees, the YMCA Board of Directors, the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Board of Trustees, the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors, and was one of the original members of the Historic Staunton Foundation. He was also one of the founders of the Frontier Culture Museum and he served as president of the Museum Foundation as well as a member of the Board of Trustees.

MG Sproul died on 2 Jul 2005 and was interred in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia.

Great, Great-grandfather Ezra Pratt served as a PVT in the American Revolution in CPT Aaron Stevens Company of COL Samuel Motts Battalion of Connecticut State Troops Jun-Nov 1776 in the Ticonderoga Campaign.Grandfather James Wood Lapsley served as a LT in E Company 51st Alabama Cavalry (CSA).

COL Archibald Jesse Harris

COL Archibald Jesse Harris was born 24 Aug 1874 in Atlantic, Iowa. He was the 2nd of the 8 children of Jesse and Mary Abigail (Miles) Harris. 2 of his siblings died in infancy. The family moved to the area of Fort Collins, Colorado in 1878. His father was elected Mayor of  Fort Collins, Colorado in 1911, was a livestock & real estate dealer and horseman as well as working as agent for Union Pacific Rail Road. He also served on the State Agricultural Board and State Prison Board. Archie, as he was known for most of his life, graduated with a Bachelors or Science from Colorado A&M College in 1897. The photo of Archie is from that time.

Appointed 2LT, 2nd Infantry federally recognized on 3 Aug 1898 and fought with L Company 2nd Infantry Regiment in Cuba in 1898 and 1899. He was promoted to 1LT on 16 May 1899 in Cuba. The 2nd returned to the U.S. in September 1899. The 2nd Infantry was deployed to the Philippines in August 1900. While in the islands the regiment fought in more than 25 engagements on several of the archipelago's islands. 1LT Harris returned with M Company to the western U.S. in May 1903. Archie was promoted to CPT on 30 Dec 1904 . He graduated from the Infantry and Cavalry School in 1905 then deployed with the regiment to the Philippines in May 1906. He served there posted to the Agur barracks and H Company until the regiment returned to the U.S. in March 1908. CPT Harris assumed duties as Regiment Adjutant on 1 Jun 1908 and on 7 Oct 1908 at Fort Thomas, Kentucky he married Helen J. Price.

The regiment remained at Fort Thomas until it was deployed to Hawaii in 1911. When WWI broke out the 2nd had the duty of guarding interned German ships and crews in Hawaii as well as various installations. Archie was promoted to MAJ on 15 May 1917. He was then assigned to the 362nd Infantry Regiment, 91st Division at Camp Lewis, Washington (now Fort Lewis) and in September 1917 transferred from the 362nd to the 346th Infantry Regiment in the 87th Division.

MAJ Harris was permanently promoted to LTC on 1 Jul 1920 and LTC Harris was apparently soon after sent to France where he received a temporary promotion to COL effective 2 Jul 1918 and on 21 Aug 1918 assumed command of 116th Infantry Regiment which he commanded in the opening days of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. COL Harris was relieved of command on 9 Oct 1918 but kept his temporary rank until October 1919.  COL Harris returned to the U.S. in June 1919 first going to Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was promoted to COL on 20 Jul 1920 which was made permanent on 1 Dec 1920. COL Archie Harris assumed duties as E&R officer of Fort Lewis, Washington. He was retired effective 22 Dec 1920.

After he retired and he and Helen moved to 1628 Bushnell Avenue, Pasadena, California a home valued at $4000 in 1940 and $2.4-million today. They apparently led a very quiet life. The couple had no children.

COL Harris died on 19 Feb 1953 in Pasadena, California of a heart attack while doing yard work. He was interred in Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins, Colorado. 

NOTE: This memorial was published 50-years after his death.

COL Mifflin Belsterling Clowe Jr.

receiving Bronze Star from COL Thrasher, 1944

COL Mifflin Belsterling Clowe Jr. was born 16 Jan 1917 in Winchester, Virginia. He was the first of the 3 children born to Mifflinn Belsterling and Eugenia Laura (Snapp) Clowe. His father had worked as a jeweler and engraver in Winchester in the family store and owned their large home at 106 North Washington Street in Winchester. Young Mifflin attended Handley High School in Winchester where he played basketball and baseball on the school teams and was in the drama club as well as student body president for 2 years. Mifflin graduated from Handley in 1937 and went to work in the family business as a clerk.

Mifflin enlisted in the local Virginia National Guard unit on 19 Jun 1935.  He was commissioned 2LT 3 Feb 1941, the same day as the units of the 116th Infantry were federalized and called to active duty. He married Mary Elizabeth Beckwith on 30 Jun 1941. At that time the 116th was still at Fort George Meade, Maryland. He was promoted to 1LT 21 May 1942. He departed with the unit for England in September 1942 and was again promoted, this time to CPT, on 15 Dec 1942 and given command of a company.

CPT Clowe commanded I Company 116th Infantry on D-Day. His actions in the amphibious assault resulted in the award of the Bronze Star Medal. CPT Clowe was wounded shortly after the landing and sent to a hospital in England where he found himself in a bed next to his friend, PVT Beverly Byrd, son of U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd. He was promoted to MAJ 16 May 1945. After the war he returned to Winchester and he and Mary had a son in March 1947. Mifflin was a MAJ serving again in the Virginia Army National Guard when elected Mayor of Winchester, Virginia in June 1948 and he would hold that office until 1956. He was promoted to LTC on 10 Jan 1952. LTC Clowe assumed command of 2nd Brigade 29th Infantry Division in 1959 and was promoted to COL 10 May 1960. COL Clowe's command ended in 1964. He then served as chief of the office of military support at National Guard Bureau. He was considered as a possible State Adjutant General by Governor Linwood Holton. COL Clowe was also Civil Defense Coordinator for Winchester.

Mifflin was a member of several civic and fraternal organizations. He was a master mason, president of the Winchester American Legion post, member of VFW and Elks, and president Retail Merchants Association.

Mrs. Clowe died in 1997 and COL Clowe died in 2001. They rest forever in the Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia. 

Great, great-grandfather Charles Bell Clowe, had served in the War of 1812. His great-grandfather, COL Henry Wyatt Clowe, served as Superintendent of the arsenal at Harper's Ferry and was there when it was attacked by John Brown in 1859.

MG John Glover Castles

MG John Glover Castles was born 1 Jan 1925 in East Orange, New Jersey. He was the youngest of the 3 children born to Eugene Franklyn and Julia L. (South) Castles. His father was a native of New York City and a fabric designer and manufacturer. His mother's family had long been living in Franklin County, Kentucky and several ancestors had been keepers or assistant keepers at the state penitentiary, postmasters,and in other government posts. The couple had met when Eugene was working as a manager of a Frankfort, Kentucky store and delivered the then Miss South's wedding dress for her marriage to another New York City man. The couple hit it off and were married in 1909 and they initially lived in Louisville, Kentucky.

Soon after John was born the family was living at 428 Ridgewood Avenue in Glenn Ridge, New Jersey in a home valued at $75,000 in 1930 together with 2 servants one of whom was the butler. However, the Great Depression had an obvious impact on the family as there were no live-in servants in 1940 and the family had moved down the block to 443 Ridgewood Avenue to a home then valued at $25,000. His father reported a 1939 income of $5,000 and was still designing fabrics. Being from a well-to-do family, John (or "Jack" as he would be called later in life) was able to graduate from Valley Forge Military Academy in 1943. He attended University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In 1943 he enlisted in the Army and attended OCS class 362-44 at Fort Benning, GA. He was initially commissioned as a 2LT on 22 Nov 1944. 2LT Castles would go on to serve as a platoon leader in Europe with the 345th Infantry Regiment in the 87th Infantry Division during WWII during which time he was awarded the Bronze Star. Discharged in April 1945 he returned to school. He married Dorothy Towles Rowe on 15 Apr 1950 and completed his BS degree in Economics at the University of Virginia shortly after in that same year. John originally joined the Virginia National Guard’s Charlottesville-based K Company 116th Infantry in May 1949 while he was attending the University. Promoted to CPT on 2 Mar 1953 and MAJ on 11 Mar 1957. John began work for the Farmers Home Administration in Fredericksburg before that office closed and moving to the Culpeper office as supervisor in 1959.

John and Dorothy had their first child, a daughter in January 1961. A near tragedy occurred on 30 Aug 1961 when John's stalled car was struck by a train at a crossing near Barboursville, Virginia. His left leg had to be amputated below the knee and he suffered a fractured pelvis. However, this didn't stop his military career, John attended the United States Command and General Staff College again in 1964. In May of that same year John and Dorothy had a son. Confirmed as a BG in 1974, he commanded the 116th Infantry Brigade (Separate) from 1977 to 1980. BG Castles was appointed the Adjutant General of Virginia (TAG) in August 1982 and confirmed as a MG on 24 Feb 1983. During his tenure as TAG, the Virginia National Guard went from ranking 50th in the nation to 1st in 1994. 

MG Castles died at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Virginia on 18 Jun 2001. He rests forever in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

COL Hansford Lee Threlkeld

COL Hansford Lee Threlkeld was born in Union County, Kentucky on 17 Feb 1868. He was the 3rd of the 9 children of Uriel Hansford and Mary Catherine (Taylor) Threkeld. The family had come to Kentucky from Virginia and been in Union County in the area of Morganfield since 1811. His father farmed and in 1870 reported that his farm was valued at $3000 and the livestock thereon was valued at $2660 and that his total estate value was about $8500.

Hansford received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and attended beginning in 16 Jun 1887 graduating in 1892. C\He was commissioned as a 2LT on 11 Jun 1892 to serve in B Company 13th Infantry Regiment. He participated there in rifle competition in 1893 and 2LT Threlkeld represented his regiment in the 1894 rifle competitions. In October 1894 he took a month leave. 2LT Threlkeld was detailed to serve on a Court Martial board in June 1895. He underwent an examination for promotion in 1898 and was selected in July of that year for promotion to 1LT. He was then posted to C Company 13th Infantry. 

C Company 13th Infantry found itself in Manauag, Luzon, Philippines in April 1900 and 1LT Threlkeld was commanding the company and governor of Manauag. He was promoted to CPT in 1901 and assigned to the 30th Infantry Regiment. He then was detailed to recruiting duty in Cincinatti, Ohio. 

Hansford's engagement to Elizabeth Berry Waller of Morganfield, Kentucky was announced in February 1902. The couple returned to Cincinnati to live. CPT Threlkeld was detailed to serve on a court martial board at Fort Crook in April 1904. Shortly after that he served on a promotion board. The Threlkelds had a son born in January 1905. Apparently continuing his interest in shooting competition in participated in service pistol competition in August 1906. Posted to the Philippines again in 1908, he was accompanied by his wife and stationed in Manila. The couple returned to the U.S. in 1909. Having graduated from the Army School of the Line, CPT Threlkeld attended the Army Staff College in August 1910. He took 3 months leave in June to August 1911 after which he was stationed with the 30th Infantry at the Presidio San Francisco, California for what was a planned 2 year assignment cut short by operational needs requiring CPT Threlkeld to go to Alaska in 1912. However this was interrupted when he became ill and was put on sick leave for several months which was extended for 2 months in July. However he was still considered for promotion in October of that year and he went to Jeffereson Barracks before he was supposed to continue to Alaska. However, after another month's leave he was instead assigned to the Columbus Barracks in Ohio on recruiting duty. He was relieved and returned to the 30th Infantry in June 1913 and promoted to MAJ in October 1914. By this time Austria-Hungary had declared war on Serbia beginning the first World War.

On 25 Aug 1915 MAJ Threlkeld departed for Plattsburg, New York to rejoin his regiment. The 30th had duty on the Mexican border in 1916 and MAJ Threlkeld was with them until he was ordered to report in September 1916 to attend the Army War College. After completing the course MAJ Threlkeld was on duty there as staff before being reassigned to the 35th Infantry Regiment. Promoted to COL sometime before November 1917. The relatively new COL took command of the 116th Infantry Regiment, just formed, from COL Leedy in January 1918 in anticipation of COL Leedy attending training at Fort Sam Houston. However, the retirement/discharge of BG Vaughan resulted in his reassignment as temporary commander of the 58th Brigade, the next higher headquarters in the 29th Division, being replaced by COL William J. Perry. After a replacement was found for BG Vaughan, COL Threlkeld returned to the 116th. He was then assigned to the 321st Infantry Regiment at Camp Jackson, South Carolina. It is unclear if that transfer ever happened. COL Threlkeld shipped out for France on 19 Jun 1918 aboard the Great Northern and he was still recorded as being assigned to the 29th Division. 

Once he arrived in France he was made an Assistant Chief of Staff in which position he served until his return in 1919. Initially assigned to Plattsburg, New York barracks, he requested retirement in 1920. Hansford and his wife moved back to Morganfield, Kentucky. In 1922, President Harding appointed a number of people across the country to a committee to support the raising of funds for the relief of people in the near east and Hansford was among those selected. COL Threlkeld received a silver star device to his Spanish campaign medal in recognition for gallantry at the July 1898 battle of Santiago.

Chief among the Hansford's interests was genealogy. He was a member of the American Genealogy Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Filson Club and the Kentucky State Historical Society. He wrote a book, Threlkeld Genealogy, which was published in 1932. Hansford was ill for several years before dying on 8 Sep 1949. 

COL Threlkeld rests forever in the Masonic Cemetery in Morganfield, Kentucky.

COL William Kent Adams

COL William Kent Adams was born in Halifax County, Virginia on 21 May 1917. He was the oldest of the 2 children born to John Herman and Ruth Thompson (Lewellyn) Adams. Called Kent for most of his life, he grew up in Danville, Virginia and lived there most of his life. In the first years of his life the family lived with his paternal grandparents on Grove Street in Danville and his mother supported the family working as a telephone operator. They later moved to 324 Farrar Street which they owned and his father ran a retail grocery. His mother would later run a boarding house. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1940. 

Commissioned as a reserve 2LT in the Field Artillery branch  on 3 Jun 1940 he was called to active duty on 1 Dec 1940. Serving throughout WWII and receiving a Bronze Star medal 1LT Kent was promoted to CPT on 23 Dec 1945. he was married to Dorothy Victoria Roark on 15 Aug 1942. After release from active duty, Kent went to work for Dan River Mills and he would work there for 30-years. Kent was promoted to LTC on 17 Apr 1951.. Kent and Dorothy had a son on 14 Oct 1953.

Dorothy died of a massive cerebral hemorrhage on 22 Aug 1958. Kent was married on 8 May 1959 to Stella Kerns Bailey Adams (no relation). In 1967 COL Adams took command of the reorganized 116th Infantry Regiment then the 2nd Brigade 29th Infantry Division consisting of 2 infantry battalions and 1 armored battalion. When he retired from service on 30 Nov1972 the Brigade was recognized as the best in the division.

COL Adams died in Danville, Virginia on 22 Nov 1995 and rests forever in Highland Burial Park in Danville.

COL Hobart Blauvelt Brown

COL Hobart Blauvelt Brown was born 2 Oct 1884 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He was the first of 7 children born to John Spear and Annie (Blauvelt) Brown. His father worked as a store clerk, teamster, and salesman. Hobart was working as a railroad clerk in 1900 and living with parents at 160 Garside Street in Newark, New Jersey. His mother died at the age of 41 in 1901.

Hobart enlisted in "Essex Troop" a New Jersey militia cavalry unit, as a PVT. He was promoted to CPL in May 1909. At that time he was working as a cashier for the Fireman's Insurance Company.

In 1916 New Jersey provided soldiers to respond to the emergency along the Mexican border and CPT Hobart  was stationed at Camp Funston, at Douglas, Arizona from June through October 1916 and during this time was promoted to MAJ commanding 1st Squadron, Essex troop having expanded to 3 troops of cavalry. He married Mary Elizabeth James in March 1917 and then moved with unit to Sea Girt in July 1917 in preparation for movement to Camp McClellan near Anniston, Alabama.

After arriving at Camp McClellan, the old 1st Squadron was reorganized as the 104th Military Police Battalion at Camp McClellan and MAJ Brown commanded from September 1917 to April 1918 during which time he was promoted to LTC and served as post Provost Marshall. At this time there was a lot of shuttling about of officer and LTC Brown and he briefly served as commander of the 116th Infantry during June 1918 at Camp McClellan. He shipped out to France with the 116th on 15 June 1918 and once there he was re-assigned as Commander of the 114th Infantry which was composed of New Jersey National Guard units that had been reorganized at Camp McClellan. He led the unit during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in October 1918.

After the armistice on 11 Nov 1918 he was again reassigned this time as Deputy Provost Marshall General of American Expeditionary Force in France and served in this position until February 1919. For his service during the war he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. 

Returning to the United States he met his infant daughter for the first time. Shortly thereafter he was appointed Assistant Treasurer of Fireman's Insurance Company in April 1919. Hobart with George H. McCarter applied for and received a charter for American Legion in New Jersey on 24 May 1919 and was elected as the first commander of the New Jersey American Legion. This obviously was an extremely busy time for COL Brown and he refused command of 6th New Jersey Infantry in July 1919, not wanting to continue service.

He was then appointed as treasurer of Fireman's Insurance Company and in 1920, with his family, lived in the home of his mother-in-law 1920 on West 79th Street in New York City. However, military service was a continuing interest and in 1926 he was commanding the 302nd Cavalry Regiment, 61st Cavalry Division. Hobart was elected as Vice President and Secretary of  Insurance Shares Corporation in September 1927. He continued in this work, living with his extended family in New York City until he was called to active duty with his unit on 13 Apr 1941. He was selected to establish a Women's Army Corps training center at Fort Oglethorpe and was commanding that facility effective 1 Jan 1943. Mary died on 29 Apr 1946. He married Helen Bowden on 14 Oct 1947.

COL Brown retired from military on 29 Jun 1948 as a COL of Cavalry. He and Helen moved to 156 Palmetto Road, Clearwater, Florida. COL Brown died on 2 Jun 1955 in Belleair, Florida and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. A granddaughter survives.

Hobart had 2 brothers who also served in the military. John Vincent Brown retired from the United States Air Force as a COL. Perry Terhune Brown retired from the United States Navy as a LtCmdr.

Note: this is published 40-years after his death.

COL Sidney Vincent Bingham Jr

COL Sidney Vincent Bingham Jr. was born 4 May 1915 in Douglas, Arizona. He was the first-born of the 5 children born to COL Sidney Vincent Bingham Sr. and Margaret Patterson (Nix) Bingham. This is a concise biography by the United States Military Academy Association of Graduates:

"His father, Sidney Vincent Bingham Sr. was a member of the USMA Class of 1912, His grandfather, Gonzalez S. Bingham, received a direct commission in 1883. His great-grandfather, Judson David Bingham, was a member of the USMA Class of 1854. He grew up at Fort Riley, Fort Meade and West Point. He entered West Point with the class of 1937, but graduated with the class of 1940. At graduation, he received his commission in the Infantry-Air Corps. After a brief attempt at pilot training, he joined the 2nd Division at Fort Sam Houston. Soon after graduation he met Rosemary Chapman in Dallas. They were married on April 6, 1941 in Dallas. They were the parents of three daughters. After a year with the 4th Armored Division, he joined the G3 Section of ETOUSA, England in April 1943. He was soon sent as an observer with the 3rd Division during the invasion and campaign in Sicily, from June to August 1932.
In September 1943, he joined the 29th Division in England and several months later assumed command of a battalion in the 116th Infantry. He led the unit into Normandy on D-Day. His leadership earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. He was wounded in August and hospitalized five weeks, but he returned to the Division and assumed command of the 116th in December, leading his regiment until the Division was deactivated in December 1945. After the war, he was assigned to the Army Field Forces, the Pentagon, National War College, the CIA, Hawaii, Fort Polk, Korea, Fort Bragg and twice in Vietnam. In 1970 he retired with his wife to Aspen, Colorado. For a short time, he served as general manager of the Snowmass Resort. He became involved in planning for a city transportation system which involved designing routes, lobbying the City Council and searching for vehicles. He served as secretary and on the Board of Directors for the Aspen Camp School for the Deaf. In 1972 he started the Aspen Retired Senior Volunteer Program. He became chair for the Colorado Board of Nursing Home examiners, served as Colorado’s representative to the White House Conference on Aging, president of the board of directors of the Pitkin County Community Health Services and was appointed by the governor to be commissioner-at-large on aging for the state."

COL Bingham received the Distinguished Service Cross for actions on 6 Jun 1944 while serving as Commander, 1st Battalion 116th Infantry Regiment. The citation reads as follows:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) Sidney Vincent Bingham, Jr. (ASN: 0-23267), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, at Normandy, France. When his battalion was pinned down on the beach by the heavy and intense enemy fire, Major Bingham gathered together five of his men and personally led them across the beach and up a cliff in an attempt to seek out an enemy machine gun that had been inflicting heavy casualties on his unit. Though unable to reach the machine gun, he was, nevertheless, able to discover its location. He returned to the fire-swept beach and organized a flank and rear attach which succeeded in taking the enemy position, thereby permitting his unit to advance. Major Bingham's superior leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 29th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

 COL Bingham died 22 Aug 1993 in Aspen, Colorado and he was cremated. 

 

BG William James Perry

BG William James Perry was born 20 Jan 1866 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the 1st of 4 children born to the Reverend William James and Harriet Ruff (Martin) Perry. His father was a minister of the Baltimore conference of the Methodist Church (south) and moved the family to Staunton, Virginia as part of his work. However, Reverend Perry died at age 39 in 1878 after a protracted illness. William attended local public schools before attending Dunsmore Business College. He was a bookkeeper for Augusta National Bank in 1885 when he decided to leave banking for the insurance business. He saw opportunity in providing insurance for southerners who apparently wouldn't buy insurance from northern agents. Successful, he became the agent for the Maryland Life & Land Insurance Company. When the Spanish-American War began in 1898 he enlisted in the local militia unit and was soon a 1LT in K Company 2nd Virginia Regiment. After the war he was made CPT and commander of K Company. He began a general agency in West Virginia in 1900. He was also soon promoted to MAJ in the 2nd Regiment and then LTC by 1903 when he married Maude St. Clair Conrad of Richmond, Virginia. The couple would soon have 3 children, a son in 1904, a daughter in 1905 and another daughter in 1907. William continued to build his business, changing office locations as the business expanded. He was also active in local civic and business interests including real estate.

He participated in the Army maneuvers near Chicamauga, Tennessee in 1908. COL Perry deployed with his regiment to Brownsville, Texas in 1914 and was discharged when the unit returned in 1916. He returned to duty in 1917 when the unit was mobilized for the First World War and commanded the newly formed 116th Infantry Regiment at Camp McClellan, Alabama for a short time. William and Maude welcomed a 2nd son in 1916. William retired as BG Perry in 1920 and the next few years were devoted to his civilian life. However there were several tragedies. Son, James Martin Perry, died age 11 of pneumonia on 26 Oct 1926. Then daughter, Mary Frances Perry, died of pulmonary tuberculosis at age 20 on 24 Jun 1928. This must have had a toll on Maude and she died of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 56 on 31 Jul 1931. 

BG Perry never remarried but lived in his home at 16 Washington Street in Staunton, Virginia until his death at age 77 on 20 Apr 1943. He was buried next to his wife in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton. 

Note: this memorial was published on the 50th anniversary of his passing.

BG Hierome Lindsay Opie Sr.

BG Hierome Lindsay Opie Sr. was born 6 Oct 1880 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 2nd of the 7 children of John Newton and Ida Walton (Fletcher) Opie Jr.  Ida was John's 2nd wife, he had previously been married to Isabella (Harmon) Opie who had died in 1877 and Hierome had 4 older half-siblings. 

Hierome would spend nearly all his life in Staunton. He first enlisted in the Staunton Rifles a company of the 70th Regiment of the Virginia Volunteer Infantry in 1899 as a PVT. As such he participated in the unit's service in civil action in the Richmond street car strike of 1903. He founded the Evening Leader newspaper in 1904. Hierome was first commissioned as a 2LT on 13 Jun 1905 and promoted to CPT on 4 Jun 1906. 

Hierome married Mary Eleanor Ranson on 28 Sep 1910. Her father was a prominent local lawyer. The couple would have 4 children of whom the 3rd would die in infancy.

He commanded the Staunton unit then known as I Company 1st Virginia Infantry and in 1916 took the company to service on the Mexican border. Mobilizing with the unit for the war in France, he at first commanded the newly formed A Company 116th Infantry Regiment He was promoted to MAJ on 5 Mar 1918 and assumed command of the 3rd Battalion of the 116th Infantry Regiment. He departed with that unit for France aboard the USS Finland in June 1918. While in France he was wounded on 15 Oct 1918 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for refusing to be evacuated but continuing to lead his battalion taking the unit objective and consolidating its position. He spent several months recovering from his wounds before he was assigned the command of 1st Battalion 113th Infantry Regiment and returned with that unit aboard the USS Floridian in May 1919.

After returning from France in May 1919, Hierome purchased the Staunton Daily News in that same year and combined the 2 newspapers into the Staunton News-Leader which is still published today. He was active in  establishing the American Legion in Staunton and in supporting the needs of returning soldiers. When the regiment was re-organized as a National Guard unit in 1921, then LTC Opie was convinced to take command of the 116th to be headquartered in Staunton. He worked to make it one of the finest regiments in the National Guard. Despite having a health scare in 1926, he recovered enough to continue in command of the 116th until 1933. COL Opie led the unit in aiding civil authorities in the Danville Mill Strike in 1931 until the unit was relieved. He was also a founder of the Staunton Chamber of Commerce of which he was president for 12 years. Hierome was on the original committee that started the Shenandoah National Park movement. He was a vestryman in the Trinity Episcopal Church. He wrote articles about conservation and wildlife. 

Additionally he was a member of the National Press Club, Sons of the American Revolution, Commonwealth Club of Richmond, the Army and Navy Legion of Honor, the New York Southern Society, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Academy of Science, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Also, he was a member of Staunton Masonic Lodge No. 13, Staunton-Augusta post Veterans of Foreign Wars, Clemmer-McGuffin post of the American Legion, the Woodrow Wilson post of the 29th Division Association (now Post 116), a charter member of the Staunton Rotary Club, and on the board of directors of the Staunton Industrial Loan Corporation. 

A marksman, he not only promoted marksmanship in his military units, he participated and was on the Virginia team at the national matches at Seagirt, New Jersey in 1906 and at Camp Perry in 1909, 1910, 1911 and 1913. 

Hierome was ill and did not leave home for 22 days before he died on 26 Feb 1943. He was buried in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia in a ceremony attended by U.S. Senator Harry Flood Byrd and Virginia Governor Colgate Darden. 

He was the brother of MG Evarts Walton Opie. His oldest son LTC (USMC Ret) Hierome Lindsay Opie Jr. served with the USMC 1st Division in the south Pacific in WW2 . His youngest son CPT Thomas Ranson Opie, was killed with 15 others when he B29 Superfortress crashed in a training flight near Clovis, New Mexico. 

Note: This memorial was published on the 50th anniversary of his death.

 

BG George Murrell Alexander

BG George Murrell Alexander was born on 1 Aug 1889 in Staunton, Virginia. He was the oldest of the 2 children born to Frank and Frances Elizabeth (Murrell) Alexander. His ancestors included the earliest settlers of the Shenandoah Valley as well as Native Americans. His father had worked as a clerk in a general store and then as head of the hardware firm of Frank Alexander & Company before dying of pneumonia at the age of 41 in 1893. Frances remarried 3-years later to James Emory Hughes, a Lynchburg lawyer, and the family moved there. However, his step-father was soon stricken with tuberculosis and although he moved to Texas seeking the relief of the dry climate by working as a cowboy he died in 1902. George's mother supported the family by taking in boarders at their home on Court Street. George was able to attend Virginia Military Institute and graduated in 1909. In 1910 he studied at Washington and Lee College.

Immediately appointed reserve CPT of Infantry in 1909 he served to 1910. In 1916 he received his federal recognition and commanded the Minutemen, a company formed expressly for the duty in Mexico. After mobilization for WWI he commanded L Company 116th Infantry which had been formed from E, L and part of G company, L Company (the Minutemen) having been CPT Alexander's before reorganization at Camp McClellan. He sailed for France in June 1918 with L Company and in the unit's service there was wounded. Promoted to MAJ while in France, due to other assigned duties he did not return with the 116th and came back to the United States in July 1919. 

George married Margaret Elizabeth Kinnier on 15 Nov 1921 and he worked as an insurance agent for Ivey and Kirkpatrick and notary with offices at the then Peoples National Bank Building, 801 North Main Street in Lynchburg. He would later own the firm. George and Margaret had a son in 1922, and a daughter in 1924. In January 1929 another son who died soon after birth. Meanwhile, he continued his military career with the Virginia Army National Guard. 

As a MAJ he commanded the 1st Battalion of the 116th Infantry then headquartered in Lynchburg. On 6 May 1929 he was promoted to LTC and served as Executive Officer of the 116th Infantry. When COL Hierome Opie retired he was promoted to COL on 26 Jun 1933 and made commander of the 116th. George and Margaret had the youngest of their children, a boy, in July 1938. COL Alexander was again reassigned, replaced by COL Evarts Opie on 6 Jun 1940. As the country prepared for war he was called to active duty, promoted to BG and assigned as commander of the 88th Infantry Brigade on 3 Feb 1941. He also commanded the 91st Infantry Brigade before being reassigned as Assisting Commanding General of the 29th Infantry Division on 11 Oct 1942. The division was then in England and beginning training that would prepare it for the amphibious invasion of Nazi occupied France. In 1943 he became the Assistant Deputy Provost Marshal General, US European Theater of Operations and served in that position until 1945. A recipient of the Bronze Star medal in WWII, BG Alexander retired from military service effective 31 Aug 1949. 

After his military retirement, George devoted himself to his business and civic interests. He died of heart disease on 3 Mar 1961 survived by his wife, daughter, youngest son, 3 grandchildren and sister. BG Alexander rests forever in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia. 

Note: this memorial is published on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

COL Philip Roy Dwyer

COL Philip Roy Dwyer was born 9 May 1900 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of the 2 children born to Phillip Michael and Louise C. (Maute) Dwyer. His sister was born just 2-years later. His father was a first generation citizen descendant of Irish immigrant parents. He worked at several jobs to support his family including in a saloon, as a hotel manager, as a foreman in a shipyard, and as an insurance agent and died in 1942. Philip began his military career as a PVT fighting in France and in October 1918 was sent to the prepatory course for the United States Military Academy at West Point and received an appointment in August 1919 joining the class of 1923 with which he graduated. 

Philip was commissioned as a 2LT on 12 Jun 1923. Philip married Mary Cecelia Gallagher of Philadelphia the following year. The year after that Mary gave birth to their first child, a daughter, at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was promoted to 1LT on 21 Dec 1927. He was stationed with the 15th Infantry in Tientsin, China where 1LT Dwyer served until 1930. It was in China where the couple's son was born in 1929. Philip was promoted to CPT on 1 Aug 1935. He was next promoted to MAJ on 1 Jul 1940 and attended the Command and General Staff College that year. Promoted to LTC on 24 Dec 1941. Promoted to COL on 30 Nov1942 he commanded the 153rd Infantry Regiment for 18-months in the Aleutians during the campaign to eject Japanese forces from there in 1941-1943. He attended the naval War college in 1944. Soon after that he took command of the 102nd Infantry Division in the United States where he led the division when it served to end the Philadelphia Transportation Company strike. He then went to Europe where he took command of the 116th Infantry Regiment in July 1944 replacing COL Canham who had been promoted and assigned as ADC 8th Division and held that command until November 1944 when COL Dwyer was reassigned yet again, this time to the command of the 407th Infantry Regiment in January 1945. He remained with the unit until February 1946 when the 102nd Division was deactivated after occupation duties in Germany. After the Korean War began he was sent to Korea, then Served in the office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, Washington, DC 1949-51, U.S. Army aid group in Turkey 1951- Chief of that mission 1953. COL Dwyer retired in 1954 and took up farming near Malvern, Pennsylvania. He died at Chester County Hospital in West Chester, Pennsylvania on 3 Dec 1985. 

COL Dwyer rests forever in the Saint Denis Cemetery in Havertown, Pennsylvania.

COL Dwyer was awarded the Silver Star (twice), Bronze Star (twice), Legion of Merit, and Army Commendation Medal (then a "ribbon"). He began a tradition of military service in his family. After the war he was active in veteran associations including the 102nd Division Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

MG Evarts Walton Opie Sr.

MG Evarts Walton Opie Sr. was born in Staunton, Virginia on 12 Sep 1893, the youngest of State Senator John Newton and Ida Walton (Fletcher) Opie's 7 children. His father had 4 children by his first wife, Isabelle (Harmon) Opie, who had died in 1877. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, John Opie had served in the Stonewall Brigade in the Civil War and become a farmer after the war. He supported the family on a farm near Mount Sidney, Virginia valued at $25,000 in 1870. Evarts was educated in Staunton public schools, at the Staunton Military Academy and numerous military schools, including the Army Command and General Staff College. He began his newspaper career in 1904 as a carrier and held practically every position on The Staunton Leader staff during his 72 years with the company.

Evarts began his military career by enlisting as a musician/drummer in Co. A, 2nd Virginia Infantry, Virginia National Guard in 1907 at the age of thirteen. Opie was commissioned a first lieutenant in 1911 and participated in the Mexican Border conflict in 1916. He accepted a regular Army commission in the cavalry in 1917 and remained with the United States Liquidation Commission in France following his service there during World War I.

He returned to the newspaper in 1920 as city editor of The Staunton Leader. He afterwards served as advertising manager, managing editor and general manager.

Evarts remained active in the Virginia National Guard in peacetime and assumed command of the 116th Infantry Regiment (the Stonewall Brigade) in October 1940 and was promoted to colonel. He led the regiment into Federal service on 3 Feb 1941 and expanded it to war strength and training for combat overseas at Fort George Meade, Maryland. In September 1941 he was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned as deputy commander of the Infantry Replacement Training Camp at Fort Walters, Texas. Following World War II, he returned to Staunton and again resumed his newspaper career. MG Opie retired as board chairman and editor of The Staunton Leader Papers in 1979.

Opie was active in many civic and church affairs and a lifelong member of Trinity Episcopal Church. He was chairman of the State Hospital Board, the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace Foundation and a past president and charter year member of the Staunton Rotary Club.

MG Opie died on 12 Mar 1982 in Staunton, Virginia. He rests forever in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia. 

Evarts older brother, Hierome Lindsay Opie, was also a commander of the 116th Infantry Regiment and commanded the 3rd battalion of the regiment in WWI.