James E.
Wilson ’37
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Year Awarded: 1991
McKinney, TX
Wilson received a bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering in 1938. After graduation, he began a career with Shell Oil Co. holding various staff and management positions in the Gulf Coast, mid-continent and Rocky Mountains regions. In 1960 Wilson was named vice-president for exploration and production in Houston – the first geologist and, at that time, youngest vice president in the company’s history. As a leader at Shell, Wilson was an industry pioneer in melding the disciplines of geology, engineering, and geophysics into teams and fostering communication and cooperation toward common goals.
He served on The Association of Former Students Board of Directors in 1967 and donated his vast collection of foreign maps to Texas A&M.
"Jim Wilson is a personable man, very intelligent, an excellent geologist and well rounded gentlemen. Texas A&M University is lucky to have alumni like Jim Wilson."
- Ted L. Bear
John F.
Younger ’37
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Year Awarded: 1989
McKinney, TX
Younger received a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1937. After being in executive positions in the oil and gas industry, he founded Airport 20 Corp., an oil and real estate firm for which he served as President.
During Younger’s presidency of The Association of Former Students, the Century Club was established and the Texas Aggie changed from a newspaper to a magazine format. He was a member of the Texas A&M Target 2000 Project Committee and A&M College of Liberal Arts Development Council. Younger was instrumental in bring the Institute of Nautical Archeology to Texas A&M University.
"Texas A&M can be proud to have an alumni who has given of himself to others and to his community which is reflected in the many outstanding accomplishments that he has made to enrich his community."
- William G. Saxton '90
L.F.
Peterson ’36
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Year Awarded: 1976
Temple, TX
Peterson received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1936. He spent more than 35 years as an operator, consultant and engineer in the petroleum industry. He worked up from oil field roustabout to Chief Petroleum Engineer for Stanolind Oil and Gas Company, and was a partner in the firm Keller and Peterson in which he did petroleum consulting throughout the United States and in foreign countries.
Peterson served on The Texas A&M University System Board of Directors, was a founding member of the President’s Endowed Scholars program, and was President of The Association of Former Students.
LTG Ormond R.
Simpson ’36
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Year Awarded: 1988
Corpus Christi, TX
Simpson received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1936 and was commissioned in the U.S. Marines. He served for 37 years, serving in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, while working his way up to the rank of Lieutenant General before retiring from active duty in 1973. In 1974, he became the Assistant Vice President for Student Services at Texas A&M University.
"The man is humble, trustworthy, honorable. He’s extremely interested in his community and his school. He’s a leader."
- Travis Bryan, Jr.
George D.
Comnas ’35
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Year Awarded: 1976
Vancouver, Canada
Comnas received a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1935. He built an international reputation for organizing global shipping and marketing operations for petroleum products and other commodities. His experience in the oil and shipping industries made him one of the most knowledgeable consultants in the world.
Hugo C.
Heldenfels ’35
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Year Awarded: 1979
Beeville, TX
Heldenfels received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Administration. He later formed Heldenfels Properties, Inc and served as President.
During his tenure on the Board of Directors of The Texas A&M University System, the name of the College changed to Texas A&M University, women enrolled for the first time, and membership in the Corps of Cadets was made optional. A new classroom and laboratory building was named in his honor on Texas A&M’s campus in 1977.
"There is no adequate way to thank Tony Heldenfels for all he has done and does and will do; but I am certain I speak for everyone affiliated in any way with Texas A&M when I say to Tony that we are proud of him and grateful to him—that we cherish deeply his unwavering faith in our efforts."
- Dr. Jack K. Williams, Former President of Texas A&M
Maj. Gen. Raymond L.
Murray ’35
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Year Awarded: 2017
Carlsbad, CA
¬¬¬MAJ. GEN. RAYMOND L. MURRAY ’35 received a bachelor’s degree in English. As a student, he lettered in football in ’31, ’32 and ’33, was named to the 1933 All- Southwest Conference football team, and was A&M's most valuable player in 1934. He was also an infantry regiment colonel.
He was selected as one of three Aggies to receive a direct commission in the U.S. Marine Corps, entering as a second lieutenant. In 33 years of service, he became one of the most highly decorated Aggies in history, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross, two Navy Crosses, four Silver Stars and the Legion of Merit. In 1945, he was part of the honor guard at President Franklin Roosevelt’s funeral.
He served first in Shanghai during the Sino-Japanese War in 1937. During World War II, he led Marines at Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Saipan. In the Korean War, he led the 5th Marines in the landings at Pusan and Inchon and in the Chosin Reservoir campaign. He served as deputy commander for all Marine forces in Vietnam.
He was A&M’s campus Muster speaker in 1967. In 1999, he was inducted into the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor. In 2003, the city of Oceanside, Calif., named a bridge in his honor. He passed away the next year. In 2007, a high school named in his honor was dedicated in Vista, Calif., where scholarships are given in his name. In the Leon Uris novel and film Battle Cry, he was the model for the character of Lt. Col. “High Pockets” Huxley.
He was a Bronze level member of The Association’s Century Club, with 26 years of giving.
His surviving family includes wife Zona; a daughter and two sons; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Harwood K.
Smith ’35
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Year Awarded: 1988
Chicago, IL
Smith received a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Design in 1935. Starting with a one-man office in 1939, he has built Harwood K. Smith and Partners, Inc. into a firm that has placed his mark on skylines across the country. He has designed more than 60% of the Dallas buildings over 15 stories tall between 1973 and 1988.
Smith has received award recognition for his designs of Reunion Arena, One Main Place, Taylor Publishing Company, Texas Instruments office and manufacturing plant, and Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High School in Dallas. He also holds numerous art awards from the Southwestern Watercolor Society.
Ernest D.
Brockett ’34
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Year Awarded: 1967
Itasca, TX
Brockett came to A&M in 1930 and was a member of “A” and “B” Company Engineers, the Scholarship Honor Society and the Petroleum Engineers Club.
After receiving his degree in petroleum production engineering, he went to work as a roustabout for Gulf and learned the oil business from the derrick floor up. He became a production engineer in Odessa in 1936 and held that post until his military service call in 1940. He served with distinction in the Army’s Pacific campaigns from Australia to Japan. He took part in engagements in Lae, Linschhafen, Hollandia, Leyte, Visayan and Mindoro and was among the first Americans to arrive in the Japanese homeland. He was promoted to colonel and earned the Legion of Merit, Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Cluster, Air Medal and Purple Heart for gallantry in these actions. The British Government also awarded him the Distinguished Service Order.
In 1945 he returned to Gulf as assistant chief engineer at Fort Worth. In 1948 he was named assistant superintendent of production and the following year transferred to Pittsburg as staff engineer for production.
In 1952 he went to Venezuela as assistant to the president of Mene Grande Oil Company. He was elected a vice president of Gulf in 1955 and placed in charge of Houston’s production division. Two years later he returned to the company’s headquarters as administrative vice president. He became president of British American Oil in 1958 and in 1960 was named Gulf’s executive vice president and elected a director of the corporation. He was chosen to be president later that year and in 1965 named Chairman of the Board.
He is a trustee of Carnegie Institute of Technology and director of Westinghouse Electric, West Penn Hospital, the National Petroleum Council, and other civic and professional groups.
Alfred I.
Davies ’34
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Year Awarded: 1982
Fort Worth, TX
Davies received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Administration in 1935 and later a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics. His tenure on The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents encompassed the establishment of the Private Enterprise Research Center, opening of the West Campus complex, and the completion of Olsen Field.
Davies was also the Director and Executive of the Sears, Roebuck and Company in Dallas. He has served on the governing boards of the Republic National Bank in Dallas, the Republic of Texas Corporation, Enserch Corporation, Zale Corporation, Frozen Food Express; and Metropolitan Savings and Loan Foundation.
"By all standards, Al Davies’ business career, his family life and his distinguished civic service has reflected honor and glory to Texas A&M University."
- James W. Aston ’33, Distinguished Alumnus, 1967