2LT James Wilkinson Dale

2LT James Wilkinson Dale was born about 1842 in New Castle County, Delaware. James was the 3rd of the 10 children of John and Frances Eleanor (Boyd) Dale. His father farmed, was a postmaster of Port Penn, Delaware and engineer who had, by 1858, settled in Bridgeville, Delaware where he farmed. James requested an appointment to the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1857 and was accepted and reported in 1858. 

Virginia voted for succession on 17 Apr 1861 and soon after Cadet Dale refused to take the oath and resigned from West Point on 21 Apr 1861. He headed south and arrived at Harper's Ferry, Virginia in May 1861 with nothing but the clothes on his back and a sword. He was tasked with drilling the many new recruits (the Virginia troops were very raw at this time) and was noted by the then COL Thomas J. Jackson (not yet "Stonewall") as having "military bearing, industrious habits, and a superior mind". Having received several recommendations, James was appointed as a 2LT in C Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 29 Jul 1861 but it is likely that he was present at the First Battle of Manassas.and with his company. 2LT Dale was again elected as the 2LT in C Company in November 1861 and would have then taken part in the Romney Campaign but otherwise from January to March 1862 his life was mostly in winter quarters with his unit at Camp Zollicofer, about 4-miles north of Winchester, Virginia. 

General Jackson began what would be known as the Valley Campaign on 11 March with a march north to oppose Banks but advance units missed their mark and the attack was abandoned. The regiment then marched 42-miles south to Mount Jackson, Virginia along what is now U.S. 11 and spent the next 7-days in camp there. They left camp on 22 March to pursue Federal troops moving north down the valley stopping at Cedar Creek. The next day the army marched 10 miles to Kernstown where the Union forces were engaged. The regiment spent most of the battle in reserve but was assigned to cover the Confederate withdrawal. In that fight, 9 men were killed, 48 wounded and 4 went missing out of 450 soldiers present for duty. One of those 9 men was 2LT James Dale. The enemy was apparently very close and advancing when he was shot but he refused to be carried from the field, was laid on a haystack and left behind.

2LT Dale's body was recovered and interred in the Stonewall Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia. After the war John Dale had his son's body exhumed and brought to Bridgeville for reburial. It is supposed that James was laid to rest with family members but his place of burial is unknown. His parents were buried in the Bridgeville Cemetery and he might be buried near them there.

PVT George William Dinkle

courtesy of R. A. Fix

PVT George William Dinkle was born about 21 Apr 1840 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 4th  of 5 children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Showalter) Dinkle. The family lived near Burke's Mill in 1850 where his father farmed and reported an estate of $7000. Like his brothers, George undoubtedly helped his father farm.

George was still unmarried when the Civil War began and he enlisted in C Company 52nd Virginia Infantry on 16 Jul 1861. Unfortunately, like many other new, young soldiers who had not been exposed to various diseases he quickly became ill in camp and contracted a fever, probably typhoid, and was sent home to be cared for by his family. He died at Mossy Creek on 12 Nov 1861. 

PVT Dinkle was laid to rest in the Parnassus Methodist Church Cemetery near Churcville, Virginia.  

Brother, Jeremiah Dinkle, served as a PVT in G Company 5th Virginia Infantry and died of disease in Winchester, Virginia on 15 Sep 1862.

PVT Henry C. Arehart

PVT Henry C. Arehart was born in Augusta County, Virginia on 16 Aug 1841. He was the 11th of 13 children born to Andrew Jackson and Mary (Spitler) Arehart. His father was a prosperous farmer but died in 1849 leaving his farm to his wife which was valued at $4500 in 1850. His oldest brother John took on the task of farming the property although the younger siblings including Henry assisted. Mary Arehart died in August 1859 leaving 4 children, including Henry, still minors and presumably in the care of John. 

At the same time as Virginia voted to succeed from the United States Henry enlisted in August County on 17 Apr 1861. He mustered with D Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 25 May 1861. PVT Arehart was present with the company at First Manassas on 21 Jul 1861. However, as was true for many of the new soldiers being thrown together in camps, he was exposed to disease and after falling ill was treated at Manassas, Virginia. PVT Arehart died of disease on 10 Sep 1861. He was buried with other family members at the Mount Tabor Lutheran Church Cemetery in Middlebrook, Virginia.  

His brother, William M. Arehart, also served as a PVT in D Company 5th Virginia

CPL Lafayette Campbell

courtesy of Lynda Davis

CPL Lafayette Campbell was born about 1834 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 2nd of the 10 children of Howard and Clarissa (Hurt) Campbell. His father worked as a laborer and the family moved quite a bit apparently living in Rappahannock, Madison and Augusta counties in Virginia before some members of the family moved to Taylor County. Layfayette was apparently also working as a laborer by the time he was 16. He married Sarah M. Talley in Staunton, Virginia on 20 Sep 1859. The couple had a son on 16 Jun 1860 probably at their home along Back Creek in Augusta County. 

Virginia voted to succeed from the union on 17 Apr 1861 and Lafayette enlisted on 18 Apr 1861 mustering with E Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 19 May 1861. He would have participated in the destructive raid on the B&O Rail Road in June and the Battle of Falling Waters on 2 Jul 1861 before the unit moved to Manassas, Virginia on 19 Jul 1861. CPL Campbell was wounded in action on 21 Jul 1861. Neither army had prepared for the casualties they experienced and it seems that he was ultimately evacuated to Greenville, Virginia where he died of his wound on 5 Sep 1861. CPL Campbell was buried in the Greenville United Methodist Church Cemetery in Greenville, Virginia.

Lafayette's father enlisted in H Company 12th West Virginia Infantry (USA) in 1862 and was killed on or near Misener's Farm near Stephen's City, Virginia on 17 Oct 1864 and is buried in the Winchester National Cemetery.

PVT MIchael Bruffy

PVT Michael Bruffy was born in Ireland in about 1833. Michael was apparently working for the Virginia Central Railroad in 1860 recorded by the census enumerator as a laborer on a railroad crew in Covington, Virginia. 

Michael enlisted on 28 Apr 1861 at Staunton, Virginia mustering into G Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 14 May 1861. He was with the unit at Falling Waters and at First Manassas on 21 Jul 1861 where he was wounded. PVT Bruffy was evacuated to Staunton but succumbed to his wound on 31 Jul 1861. He is buried in Thornorse Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia one of the many unmarked burials there. 

PVT Frederick Davidson

PVT Frederick Davidson was the third of 8 children born to James Dorman and Hannah McClannahan (Greenlee) Davidson. He was born 18 Mar 1836 in Lexington, Virginia, about 2 years after his parents first-born son had died in infancy. James Dorman Davidson was a lawyer who became a prominent member of his community, a Trustee of Washington (Washington and Lee) College and as a unionist would visit with President Lincoln to discuss Virginia's succession. He was also a slave holder with 10 slaves in 1860 including 3 young children and his estate was valued at $52,000 that year (about $1.9-million in today's money). We can't find a record of Frederick attending college like his brothers nor have we found evidence of his activity prior to the Civil War although he is presumably mentioned in his father's letters which have been archived. 

Frederick enlisted on 18 Apr 1861, the day after the Virginia Succession Convention voted for succession. He mustered with B Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 18 May 1861. Although the unit marched to the lower end of the Shenandoah Valley it had only participated in the Battle of Falling Waters when it approached the railway junction at Manassas, Virginia on 19 Jul 1863. PVT Davidson was killed in action on 21 Jul 1863 in the First Battle of Manassas. His body was recovered and he was interred in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia.

CPT James "Greenlee" Davidson was killed in action 3 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, Virginia while serving with Letcher's Artillery. CPT Charles Andrew Davidson served in E Company 1st Virginia Infantry. Albert Greenlee Davidson served first as a SGT in Letcher's Artillery then 1SG and was then commissioned and promoted to 1LT, killed while arresting deserters in May 1865. 1LT William Weaver Davidson served in I Company 26th Battalion Virginia Infantry.

LTC Hazael Joseph Williams

LTC Hazael Joseph Williams was born 28 Apr 1830 in Williamsville, Virginia. He was the oldest of the seven children of Hazael and Nancy Rader (McKee) Williams. His father was a carpenter, a profession that the younger Hazael would follow. He married Mary Ann Miller on 1 Jun 1856. The couple would have three children by 1861.

Hazael began his service as a Captain, commanding D Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 17 Apr 1861 immediately after the Commonwealth of Virginia voted for succession. He was promoted to Major on 21 Apr 1862 becoming the adjutant of the regiment. He was again promoted, to Lieutenant Colonel, on 29 August of that same year. His wife had a son, named after General Lee in October 1862. He was promoted yet again, to full Colonel, on 15 Nov 1862. COL Williams was commanding the regiment at the battle of Winchester on 15 Jun 1863 where he was wounded in the thigh. Eventually returning to the unit, he was wounded again, this time in the left shoulder, at the battle of Cedar Creek on 19 Oct 1864.

After the war Hazael and Mary welcomed another son who was born in November 1865 and Hazael returned to working as a carpenter and contractor as well as a farmer. The couple had four more sons and a daughter by 1874. One of those sons died in infancy in 1872. Mary died of cancer on 28 Aug 1877 leaving eight children under the age of sixteen. Hazael married Rebecca Jane McCormick in October of the next year. He and Rebecca had a daughter a year later and a son in June 1882. Elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in December 1891 he served until December 1892. In failing health for some time towards the end of his life, Hazael died at the age of eighty-one on 18 Jul 1911.

Colonel Williams rests forever in the Mount Tabor Lutheran Church Cemetery in Middlebrook, Virginia. 

NOTE: this memorial was published on the 100th anniversary of LTC Hazael's death.

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).

CPT John Newton Opie

CPT John Newton Opie was born 13 Mar 1844 at "Millview" in Jefferson County in what is now West Virginia to Hierome Lindsay and Ann (Locke) Opie. The youngest of their three children, John and his siblings were educated in the manner of the children of other wealthy farmers. His father's total estate was valued at $63,000 in 1860 or about $2.4-million in today's money.

John was still a student when Virginia voted for succession on 17 Apr 1861. He enlisted as a Private in L Company 5th Virginia Infantry on that same day but was discharged on 22 December 1861. John matriculated at Virginia Military Institue in Lexington, Virginia on 9 Jan 1862 but resigned in May 1862 at his father's request. He again enlisted as a Private, this time in D Company 6th Virginia Cavalry on 15 October 1862. He had intended to enlist earlier but as his father, then serving as the army quartermaster in Staunton, Virginia, was helping prepare to join the army he was injured by horse and died. 

In service with the 6th Cavalry he was wounded on 11 Oct 1863 at Brandy Station. He was in invalid status when he volunteered and was chosen to command militia company to oppose General Hunter's forces at Piedmont, Virginia on 5 Jun 1864. He returned to duty after recovering and was captured on 5 Feb1865. As a POW he spent his time at Elmira from which he was paroled on 14 Mar 1865. He later took the oath of allegiance at Winchester on 8 May 1865.

Returning to Staunton, John began work as a lawyer and married Maria Isabella Harman, daughter of Major General Michael Garber Harman on 17 Oct 1866. The couple would have five children one of whom died in infancy. Isabella died of heart disease in 1877. John married Ida Walton Fletcher the next year. John was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1883 and served until 1885. John and Ida had seven children before Ida died at the age of 37 in 1896. John was elected to the Virginia State Senate in 1897 and served in that body until 1906. He died on 26 Jan 1906 just 16-days after leaving the Senate. 

CPT Opie rests forever in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia.

Two of his sons, Hierome Lindsay Opie Jr and Evarts Walton Opie Sr,  would later serve with and command the 116th Infantry Regiment.

NOTE: This memorial was published on the 100th anniversary of CPT Opie's death.

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).

SGT Bobby Edward Beasley

SGT Bobby Edward Beasley was born 19 Feb 1968 in Clinton, North Carolina. His parents were Leon Sydney and Charity (McDaniel) Beasley. Bobby attended James Wood High School graduating in 1988. He married Juanita Virginia Basore in 2000.

SGT Beasley deployed as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 1st Brigade 29th Infantry Division in 2004.  He was killed by a roadside IED on 7 Aug 2004 in Ghazni, Afghanistan.

SGT Beasley was interred in Rosedale Cemetery in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Bobby's great-great grandfather Ephraim Oxford Beasley served as a PVT in D Company 50th North Carolina Infantry (CSA) in the Civil War. Great-great grandfather Jesse Edwards also served in that war.

TSGT William Darden Rowell

Technical SGT William Darden "Bill" Rowell was born 26 Jul 1918 in Greensville County, Virginia to Thomas Joseph and Lucy Gary (Turner) Rowell.  William was federalized 3 Feb 1941 with his National Guard unit and served with M Company until the end of the war.

During their long time in England the 116th fielded a baseball team, the Yankees, on which William played.  He has a short biography at Baseball in Wartime.

He married Nellie Virginia Newsome of Franklin, Virginia on 28 Feb 1942.  They had one son.  William returned home in June 1945. Nellie and their second,infant child died 4 Jun 1946.  He did not remarry until 1965. 

TSGT Rowell died 1 Jul 2004 in Emporia Virginia and is buried in Greensville Memorial Cemetery in Emporia.

CPT John Robert Teal

CPT John Robert Teal was born 17 Apr 1972 in Hanover County, Virginia to Joseph Stanford and Emmie Louise (Rumsbarger) Teal.

John was attending Virginia Military Institute when he enlisted in Company A (- Detachment 1), 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division (Light). When he became eligible he transferred to the Simultaneous Membership Program (for soldiers in both the ROTC and National Guard) and was promoted to the pay-grade of E-5. Cadet Teal made every effort to be involved in unit activities and even designed a "T"-shirt for the unit which styled itself as the "Legion of Doom".  Such was the popularity that the shirt was re-issued when the unit was re-designated as Company B, 1st Battalion, 116th Brigade Combat Team. When John graduated and received his commission as a 2LT he attended training at Fort Sam Houston.

CPT Teal was assigned to 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division on 23 Oct 2003 when he was killed by an improvised explosive device initiated as his vehicle passed. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star. CPT Teal is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.


The Army Medical Command established the John R. Teal award following the first combat loss of a medical officer supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. This award annually recognizes one medical operations or support officer and NCO who have made significant contributions to the medical community and displayed exceptional soldiering.

Links:

• Arlington National Cemetery - CPT John Robert Teal
• Military Times - Honor the Fallen 
• Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Faces of Valor 
• Bliley Funeral Home Obituary
• Virginia War Memorial - John Robert Teal

1LT Cornelious Ayer Sabin

1LT Cornelius Ayer Sabin (b. 9 Nov 1916 - d. 7 Jun 2003) 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division. Wounded at Normandy, France, July 11, 1944. Recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Cornelius Ayer Sabin was born November 9, 1916 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. One of seven children, he grew up in Walterboro, South Carolina and Jonesboro, Tennessee. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science from State Teacher's College (East Tennessee State) in Johnson City, Tennessee, and completed post graduate work at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois . He received his PhD at Stanford University. 

Jonesboro, Tennessee newspaper article about four of the Sabin brothers in the service.
 
Neil Sabin was attached to the U. S. Army 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, E.T.O., and was critically wounded in Normandy, France on July 11, 1944. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Cross. He spent almost four years in hospitals, and had thirteen operations. He was promoted to the rank of Captain, and separated from active duty at Madigan General Hospital, Tacoma, Washington, November 26, 1947.

On August 6, 1945 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, he married Juanita Dorothy Bean, a WAVE from Tacoma, Washington. They settled in Portland, Oregon, where for over thirty years Dr. Neil Sabin was a well respected professor at Lewis and Clark College. They had two daughters. After a prolonged illness, Nita Sabin died in 1994.

You can read more about Dr. Sabin at http://www.oldplaces.org/neilsabin/neil.html

Note that he died in 2003, 59 years after D-Day.

COL Archibald Jesse Harris

COL Archibald Jesse Harris was born 24 Aug 1874 in Atlantic, Iowa. He was the2nd 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 346th Infantry Regiment in the 87th Division.

MAJ Harris was permanently promoted to LTC on 1 Jul 1920 and LTC Harris was apparently 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 left 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.

BG James Alexander Walker

BG James Alexander Walker was born at Mount Sidney, Virginia on 27 Aug 1832. He was the oldest of 3 children of Alexander and Hannah Mary (Henton) Walker.  James received his early education at private schools, later attending the Virginia Military Institute. During his senior year there, he was dismissed on charges preferred by a professor, his future commander, Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Although James challenged Jackson to a duel, the two did not meet. He then worked for the Carrington and Ohio Railway before studying law at the University of Virginia. Following his graduation, he practiced his profession in Pulaski County, Virginia. James married Sarah Ann Poage in November 1858 and the couple's first child, a daughter, was born in September 1859. James was elected as Commonwealth's Attorney for Pulaski County in November of that same year. The Walkers would have another daughter born in November 1860.

When Virginia seceded, James entered Confederate service as Captain of the Pulaski Guard. He initially served under Jackson at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, then became Lieutenant Colonel of the 13th Virginia Infantry. In February 1862 he succeeded BG Ambrose Powell Hill as Colonel of the regiment, leading it in the 1862 Shenandoah Valley, Seven Days', and Second Bull Run Campaigns. A skillful, ferocious combat officer, he commanded Trimble's brigade at Antietam, where he suffered a wound. He commanded another brigade at Fredericksburg in December 1862 and at Chancellorsville in May 1863. His prowess as an officer so impressed Jackson that "Stonewall" specially requested his promotion to Brigadier General. He received his commission, and command of the Stonewall Brigade, which he led at Gettysburg, Bristoe, Mine Run, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania. At the battle of Spotsylvania Court House, in the "bloody angle" he was grievously wounded when his left elbow was shattered by a bullet. On his return to duty, he commanded a division at Petersburg, and in the surrender at Appomattox. 

After the war, he returned to Pulaski County, where he farmed and resumed his legal practice. He was elected to the state legislature as a Democrat in 1869 and served two terms. The following year, the Virginia Military Institute granted him an honorary degree, in recognition of his war career and listed him on the rolls as a graduate of the Institute. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 1876. He eventually split with the Democratic party and, as a Republican, served 2 terms in the United States House of Representatives. James' great-grandson, Manley Caldwell Butler, would years later also serve in the Congress as a Republican. 

BG Walker died on 21 Oct 1901 in Wytheville, Virginia. He rests forever in Eastend Cemetery in Wytheville. 

Note: this was published 100-years after his death.

COL James Carr Baker

2nd Virginia Infantry Staff at Camp Cuba Libre, Jacksonville, Florida - 1898

 

Colonel James Carr Baker was born at "Greenwood," Winchester, Frederick county, Virginia, on 7 Oct 1851. He was first taught by private teachers, then entered Shenandoah Valley Academy, a notable  educational institution in Winchester. He witnessed the constant fighting in the area during the Civil War. James left the academy and continued his studies at Romney Institute in West Virginia then under private tutors until he began the study of law under Judge James W. Allen. James was admitted to the Virginia bar at the age of 21 and practiced law privately and as commonwealth attorney in the states of Virginia and West Virginia. Colonel Baker married Ada H. Keene on 7 Apr 1874. The couple would have 5 children. He began practice at Moorefield, West Virginia and continued there until 1876 when he accepted a position in the West Virginia government at Wheeling, where he remained until 1880. James returned to Virginia in that year, locating at Woodstock. He remained at Woodstock for nineteen years, spending 7-years in the private practice 12-years as Commonwealth's Attorney of Shenandoah county, to which he was first elected in 1884. An officer in the Virginia militia, James was a colonel of the Second Regiment Virginia National Guard in 1898 and he served with his regiment in the Spanish-American war, his regiment being held in Jacksonville, Florida, until their release from the United States service in 1899. After the war Colonel Baker re-located to Newport News, Virginia, where he practiced law from 1899 until 1906. He again re-located in 1906 to Stephens City, Virginia, and practiced law there. He was a member of the bar associations of the district, is a past master of Moorefield Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is a companion of Wheeling Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and a practicing Episcopalian. He was a Democrat, serving for 2-years as mayor of Stephens City, 1912-13, and then as a justice of the peace. His military service in the Virginia National Guard began in 1886 and in 1898 he was elected colonel of the Second Regiment, holding that command until 1900.

COL Baker died of influenza on 17 Jan 1917 in Winchester, Virginia. He rests forever in the Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia. 

This memorial was published on the 150th anniversary of COL Baker's birth.

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.

MAJ James William Newton

MAJ James William Newton was born 8 Mar 1838 near Greenville, Virginia. He was the eldest of the two children born to John and Amanda T. (Hutcheson) Newton. James was educated at private schools and Brownsburg Academy before completing his education at Mossy Creek Academy under head teacher Jedidiah Hotchkiss who was later a Major and famed as General Jackson's mapmaker. James married Mary Wade Eskridge sometime in 1860. The couple had two daughters, both of whom died in infancy before 1863.

With war on the horizon, James organized and became commander of a militia company known as the Augusta Grays. This unit would become E Company 5th Virginia Infantry 1st Brigade of Virginia Infantry (the Stonewall Brigade). He was promoted to Major after demonstrated gallantry at the first battle of Winchester. MAJ Newton commanded the 5th Virginia at Cedar Mountain where the unit captured the  the 28th New York Volunteer Infantry regiment. He was at Kernstown but was so badly wounded there that he lost a leg and could not return to duty.

Returning to Augusta county, he clerked for others before opening his own dry goods business in 1869. He was very successful for many years but his business could not escape the effects of deflation in the 1882-1885 depression and James liquidated his business in 1884 after which he traveled in the American west until he returned in October 1885. MAJ Newton was well known in Staunton and popular and he publicaly supported prohibition as early as 1887. Well known in the movement, he joined the national committee of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and attended the national convention in Indianapolis in 1888. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars. Always willing to take on responsibility, he served as the guardian of Miss Mary Rebecca Shipley from about 1874 through to at least 1890. James was selected to "take charge" of the Virginia exhibit at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.

MAJ Newton died of a stroke on 7 Jan 1897 while fetching coal for the stove. He is buried in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia.

Nephew, COL Harry Newton Cootes, was awarded the DSM. 

NOTE: This memorial was published on the 100th anniversary of his death.

PVT Howard Louis Griffith

PFC Howard Louis Griffith, b. 30 Jul 1925 - d. 28 Dec 1996, son of Milton Palmer and Edna Violet (Price) Griffith. He is the twin brother of Harold Douglas Griffith and both were assigned to F Company 116th Infantry Regiment (but are not the only twins to serve in the Regiment at the same time). Howard was wounded on 30 Aug 1944 and evacuated but apparently did not return to the unit. Howard rests forever in Arlington National Cemetery. 

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.