George R.
Harper ’53
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Army Brig. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
George Robert (Bob) Harper was born on April 1, 1932, in Brownwood, Texas. His natural mother died at his birth and he was adopted by his natural aunt and uncle Bland E. and Anna D. Harper. He first married Sammye Lee Jenkins Harper in 1966. After she passed away, he married Polly Lawhon of San Angelo. He graduated from Brownwood public schools in 1949, and Texas A&M College in 1953. He received a B.S. in Agricultural Administration and was commissioned as second lieutenant in the US Army Reserve. Bob served three years on active duty, serving in various army posts including Keflavic, Iceland for 13 months with the 2nd Battalion Combat Team. He served 27 years in reserve status, retiring in 1994, as a Brigadier General. He was a qualified jump master, senior jumper, and Army Ranger. His military education included: Basic Infantry Officer's Course, Airborne and Rangers Schools at Fort Benning, Ga.; the Armor Career Course at Fort Knox, Ky.; The Command and Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, USAR School in Houston, Texas. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his years of service after retirement. Bob spent his career in the insurance claims business, working as an independent adjuster for several insurance companies. He was a registered Professional Adjuster, retiring as VP of Claims, KM Insurance Company, Dallas, Texas. He served as president of the National Guard Association of Texas; The Odessa and San Angelo A&M Clubs; San Angelo Rotary West Club, and the Permian Basin Claims Association. He was Senior-Warden at St. John's Episcopal Church in Columbus, Texas; Senior Warden at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, in Universal City, Texas; and a vestry member at St. John's Episcopal Church in Odessa, Texas.
Robert O.
Petty ’53
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Bassett, VA
Brig. Gen. Robert O. Petty was born in 1933, in Graham, Texas. He earned a bachelor of science degree in range and forestry Management from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1953 and received his commission through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.
He was the director, Defense Communications System Organization, Defense Communications Agency, Washington, D.C. He was responsible for planning, programming and managing the Defense Communications System, the worldwide network of long distance point-to-point and switched communications for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and other government agencies
His military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon.
Brig. Gen. Robert O. Petty retired on August 1, 1984. He passed away March 4, 2016.
John J.
Roark ’53
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Air National Guard Brig. Gen.
Dallas, TX
Brig. Gen. John J. Roark had been active in various aspects of urban development for almost 50 years and has been a leader in civil engineering, urban transportation, system design, and commercial development.
He completed ROTC training at Texas A&M University as a Distinguished Military Student and commissioned second lieutenant.
His most recent military service was as Deputy Commander of the Texas Air National Guard.
Brig. Gen. John J. Roark is currently retired and resides in Dallas, TX.
Charles M.
Scott, Jr. ’53
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Army Brig. Gen.
Litchfield Park, AZ
Brig. Gen. Charles M. Scott, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1953 with a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Charles M. Scott, Jr. is retired and currently resides in Litchfield Park, AZ.
Harry V.
Steel, Jr. ’53
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TX Army National Guard Maj. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Maj. Gen. Harry V. Steel, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1953 with a bachelor's degree in Animal Husbandry.
Maj. Gen. Harry V. Steel, Jr. is retired from his military career and currently resides in San Antonio, TX.
G.J.
Wilson, Jr. ’53
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Army Maj. Gen.
Houston, TX
Maj. Gen. G.J. Wilson, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1953 with a bachelor's degree in Geology.
Maj. Gen. G.J. Wilson, Jr. is retired from his military career and currently resides in Houston, TX.
Richard T.
Gaskill ’52
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Navy Vice Admiral
Pensacola, FL
Vice Adm. Richard T. Gaskill passed away in July 2020 in his home in Pensacola, Florida.
Howard H.
Haynes ’52
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Navy Rear Adm.
Tavares, FL
Howard Haynes earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering while at Texas A&M University. He built a career in the field of engineering. He is married to Jayne Haynes.
Charles H.
Kone ’52
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Texas Army National Guard Maj. Gen.
Niceville, FL
Maj. Gen. Charles H. Kone is retired and currently resides in Niceville, FL. He was Commander of the 49th Armored Division from November 13, 1987 to May 22, 1989.
Kenneth E.
Lewi ’52
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Army Lt. Gen.
Eureka, MO
Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Lewi was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps after completion of Reserve Officer Training at Texas A&M University. His civilian education includes a master of business administration degree from the University of Alabama.
Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Lewi's most recent assignment before retirement was as Commander of the 21st Theater Army Area Command (TAACOM) in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The 21st TAACOM was the Army's largest forward-deployed logistics command, responsible for over 33,000 personnel and budgeted for more than $1 billion per year. General Lewi's other commands included 46th Support Group, Fort Bragg, NC; U.S. Army Troop Support Command, St. Louis, MO; 3d Support Command, Frankfurt, Germany; 23d Supply and Transportation Battalion, Vietnam; and Support Battalion, 196th Infantry Brigade, Vietnam.
General Lewi's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. He also earned the Parachutist Badge, the Rigger Badge, and the Army General Staff Badge.
Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Lewi retired and currently resides in Eureka, MO.
John H.
Storrie ’52
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Arlington, VA
Maj. Gen. John H. Storrie was the director of space, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
Maj. Gen. John H. Storrie graduated from Texas A&M University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.
Maj. Gen. John H. Storrie is retired from his military career and currently resides in Arlington, VA.
Louis L.
Stuart, Jr. ’52
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Army Brig. Gen.
Bryan, TX
Brig. Gen. Louis L. Stuart, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Louis L. Stuart, Jr. passed away in 2007.
James W.
Taylor ’52
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Woodland, CA
Maj. Gen. James W. Taylor graduated from Texas A&M University in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education.
Maj. Gen. James W. Taylor is retired from his military career and currently resides in Woodland, CA.
William R.
Wray ’52
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Army Maj. Gen.
Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Maj. Gen. William R. Wray graduated from Texas A&M University in 1952 with a Master's in Civil Engineering.
William Wray was born and raised in DeQuincy, LA, son of Madonna Mozelle Hunt Wray and William Thomas Wray. He graduated from DeQuincy High School in 1942 and the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1946, beginning a distinguished career of 36 years as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the last nine years as a general officer.
General Wray served as a troop unit commander at all levels through the grade of colonel, as well as in various engineering and scientific assignments in the U.S., Philippines, Okinawa, France, Korea, Canal Zone, and Vietnam. As a captain he had the distinction of serving as the Officer-in-Charge of an Army, Air Force, Navy crew which started up and evaluated the Army's first nuclear plant designed specifically to produce electrical power.
During the early years of his career, he also earned his Master's Degree in Engineering from Texas A&M University. As a general officer, he was responsible for the construction of military facilities worldwide for the Army, Air Force, and several foreign governments. This work included construction of two new complete hardened air bases in Israel on an extremely tight time schedule at President Carter's direction. Those bases were essential to permit the timely withdrawal of Israeli Air Force units from the Sinai in compliance with the Camp David Accords.
On retirement from the Army in 1982, as its Deputy Chief of Engineers, General Wray was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the military's highest peacetime decoration.
Maj. Gen. William R. Wray is retired from his military career and resided in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX until he passed away on September 23, 2010.
Wilman D.
Barnes ’51
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Army Brig. Gen.
Falls Church, VA
General Wilman D. Barnes was born in Goodman, Texas, and grew up in Abilene, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1951 and received a master's degree in personnel management from George Washington University in 1972.
He served in the Army from 1951 to 1981 and was employed by Computer Sciences Corporation from 1981 to 1993. As a career infantry officer, General Barnes commanded units from platoon to brigade size and served as assistant division commander of the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea.He also was commanding general of the First ROTC Region at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; deputy director of operations in the office of the joint chiefs of staff; and, in his final assignment, deputy commanding general of the Army Military Personnel Center.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. He served in Europe, South Korea, South Vietnam and the Dominican Republic.
Brig. Gen. Wilman D. Barnes resided in Falls Church, VA and passed away in 2004.
Keith L.
Hargrove ’51
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Army Brig. Gen.
New Braunfels, TX
While at Texas A&M University, he studied Agronomy, and earned a bachelor's in Agronomy in 1952. He is married to Jean Hargrove. He was a manager of agricultural processors from 1955 to 1995.
Waymond C.
Nutt ’51
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Maj. Gen. Waymond C. Nutt was the commander of the San Antonio Air Logistics Center, Air Force Logistics Command, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture education from Texas A&M University in 1951.
Maj. Gen. Nutt was a command pilot. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Bronze Star Medal.
Maj. Gen. Nutt retired on October 1, 1985 to San Antonio, TX.
Maj. Gen. Nutt passed away in May 2021.
Frank A.
Ramsey ’51
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Army Brig. Gen.
Uvalde, TX
Brig. Gen. Frank A. Ramsey graduated from Texas A&M University in 1951 with a Bachelors in Veterinary Medicine and then in 1954 he graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. He is retired and currently resides in Uvalde, TX.
Herman O.
Thomson ’51
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Air Force Lt. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Lt. Gen. Herman O. Thomson graduated from Texas A&M University in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
Upon graduation from college in 1951, General Thomson was designated a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps program and commissioned as a second lieutenant.
He was director for plans and policy, Joint Staff, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C.
He is a command pilot. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.
Lt. Gen. Herman O. Thomson retired on August 1, 1985 and currently resides in San Antonio, TX.
Russell C.
Wrigght ’51
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Army Brig. Gen.
Vero Beach, FL
Russell Cowan Wright, 85, died Oct. 21, 2011, at VNA Hospice House. He was born Ashburn, Ga. and moved to Vero Beach 20 years ago, coming from Northport, N.Y. He was a veteran of the Army during the Korean War and retired from the Army Reserves as brigadier general. He retired in 1990 as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry. He was a member of Army Reserve Officers Association, had served as president of the Walkers Glen Homeowners Association and attended the First Presbyterian Church.
Walter O.
Bachus ’50
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Army Brig. Gen.
Alexandria, VA
At Texas A&M: Corps of Cadets Regimental Headquarters Sixth Veterans operations officer and Company C Veterans.
U.S. Army Air Corps enlisted communications specialist in France in World War II. Civil service employee in Germany until he returned to Tyler. Was 3rd Platoon Leader, A Company, 13th Engineer Combat Battalion of the 7th Infantry Division during Korean War; landings included Inchon. Retired in 1978 as brigadier general and director of facilities engineering in the office of the Chief of Engineers in Washington, D.C., with more than 30 years of service.
Registered professional engineer. Was executive director of Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) for 15 years (October 1978-June 1993), then retired fully.
Two time recipient of SAME Gold Medal (1974, 1992) for leadership skills in support of SAME mission. Medal renamed Walter O. Bachus Gold Medal in 2005 in his honor.
Survivors: wife of 67 years, Helen; two children.
For more information, visit tx.ag/WOBachus50.
James G.
Boatner ’50
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Army Maj. Gen.
Fort Belvoir, VA
Jim Boatner was born on March 28, 1930 in Tianjin, China where his father was stationed with the United States Army's 15th Infantry. The son, grandson, and father of career infantry officers, he grew up on Army posts and in military towns in the depression era and during World War II. He graduated from high school in San Antonio, Texas, and attended Texas A&M University before entering West Point in 1947.
Upon graduating in 1951, he was commissioned in the infantry and served in combat during the Korean War, returning to the historic 15th Infantry ("Old China Hands') as a company commander. Years later, after retiring from the Army, he proudly served for four years as the Honorary Colonel of the 15th Infantry Regiment.
On the luckiest day of his life, Jim met Kathryn "Kay" Schroeter of Cleveland, Ohio, on a blind date, and they were married in Dallas, Texas, in 1954.
His troop assignments were primarily with light infantry units, including in both the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. In 1958, he attended Harvard University earning two Master's Degrees in preparation for teaching back at West Point in the Social Sciences Department. In 1967, he trained and then deployed a light infantry battalion to Vietnam. During his career, General Boatner also had extensive experience in Washington, DC, serving as an assistant to the deputy Secretary of Defense, David Packard.
His notable general officer assignments were commanding all Army forces in Alaska, including the 172nd Arctic Light Infantry Brigade, and US Commander in West Berlin just before the end of the Cold War. He retired in 1986 with 35 years of service.
For 14 years after his military retirement, Jim was President and then Chairman of the Board of Robinson Terminal Warehouse Corporation in Old Town, Alexandria, the Washington Post's newspaper warehousing facility.
He and Kay were also longtime active parishioners of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Mount Vernon where he served on the social justice committee, and volunteered as a mentor and advocate for low-income mental health patients. He was also a proud member of the West Point class of 1951, regularly attending monthly District of Columbia-area luncheons and leading the planning for the class 60th reunion in May 2011.
Jim was predeceased by his loving wife of over 62 years, Kay, in March 2017. He is survived by his five children, son, Jim (Nancy) of Clifton, Virginia, son, Tom (Lisa) of Boise, Idaho, son, Mike (Tricia) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, daughter, Jane (Dudley) and son, Peter (Anne) of Charlottesville, Virginia; as well as nine grandchildren.
James L.
Brown ’50
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
San Marcos, TX
Major General James L. Brown was the assistant director for Joint Chiefs of Staff support, Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, D.C.
Maj. Gen. James L. Brown was born in Huntsville, TX in 1928. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission in the U.S. Air Force. He received a Master of Science degree in public administration from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. in 1964.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon.
Maj. Gen. James L. Brown retired on July 1, 1982 and passed away on February 26, 2002.
Eivind H.
Johansen ’50
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Army Lt. Gen.
Keswick, VA
Lt. Gen. Eivind H. Johansen grew up in South Carolina. He served two years as an enlisted soldier (1945-1947) before returning to civilian life to complete college. After graduating from Texas A&M University in 1950, he won a Regular Army commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps.
His 30 years service included multiple tours abroad in Korea, Japan, Germany and Vietnam. He also held several key command and staff positions stateside, culminating in his appointment as DA Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics--the Army's top logistician--and was notably the youngest general officer to ever hold that position.
In the 1960s, Lt. Gen. Eivind H. Johansen played a significant part in the Army reorganization and establishment of the Defense Supply Agency, and was instrumental in drafting the first Department of Defense concepts for integrated supply management. Later as a Joint Staff Officer, he developed a new line of communications to support U.S. forces in NATO. And as the Vietnam War drew to a close, Lt. Gen. Johansen became the Army's logistics expert on redeployment of troops from Southeast Asia.
Before retiring in 1979, he developed a new worldwide distribution system for the Army, instituted procedures for effective supply accountability worldwide, and set up Air Lines of Communication for both Europe and Korea. He also headed the Board that ultimately recommended adoption of the Blackhawk and Apache helicopters as the Army's principal aircraft weapons systems for the remainder of the century.
Lt. Gen. Eivind H. Johansen currently resides in Keswick, VA.
Glenn H.
Kothmann ’50
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Army Maj. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Maj. Gen. Glenn H. Kothmann was born in 1928, in San Antonio, TX. He graduated in 1968 with a bachelors degree in engineering.
He is retired and currently resides in San Antonio, TX.
Charles R.
Bond, Jr. ’49
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Richardson, TX
Major General Charles R. Bond, Jr. was a commander of the Twelfth Air Force in Waco, Texas. As commander he was responsible for the overall training and combat readiness of tactical fighter, airlift and reconnaissance units west of the Mississippi River.
In 1947, General Bond entered Texas A&M University under the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology program and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree in management engineering.
He was also a member of the Flying Tigers. The Flying Tigers was a volunteer for service in China as part of a secret program, the American Volunteer Group, nicknamed the Flying Tigers. The group was made up of about 400 pilots and ground personnel and based in Burma, the Flying Tigers protected military supply routes between China and Burma and helped to get supplies to Chinese forces fighting the Japanese.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Seven Star Wing Medal.
Maj. Gen. Charles R. Bond, Jr. was one of the last surviving Flying Tigers until he passed away on August 18, 2009.
Robert E.
Crosser ’49
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Army Maj. Gen.
Richmond, TX
Robert Crosser was a member of the Aggie Band and Ross Volunteer Company. He studied Civil Engineering while at Texas A&M University. He is married to Ann Crosser. He was a professional engineer and retired from working with ChevronTexaco.
Charles I.
McGinnis ’49
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Army Maj. Gen.
Williamsburg, VA
Maj. Gen. Charles I. McGinnis graduated from Texas A&M University in 1949 with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. He also received his masters in civil engineering from Texas A&M University. Maj. Gen. McGinnis was assigned the engineering responsibility for the nationwide Corps of Engineers Civil Works program. That program involved the Corps' mission relating to navigation, flood control, hydropower generation, recreation, and water resource regulation.
Maj. Gen. Charles I. McGinnis is retired and currently resides in Williamsburg, Va.