Howard
Penney ’49
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Army Lt. Gen.
Lt. Gen. Howard Penney '49 earned an MS in civil engineering at Texas A&M University in June 1949.
Lt. Gen. Penney of United States Army, was first director of Defense Mapping Agency from July 1972 to August 1974. Under Penney’s leadership, the new agency focused its assets into a decentralized structure with a lean staff to respond to the rising demands for geographic information by a variety of military users.
Lt. Gen. Howard Penney passed away in June 2004.
Billy M.
Vaughn ’49
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Army Brig. Gen.
Arlington, TX
Brig. Gen. Billy M. Vaughn graduated from Texas A&M University in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in Accounting.
Brig. Gen. Billy M. Vaughn is retired and currently resides in Arlington, TX.
Carl D.
McIntosh ’48
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Army Brig. Gen.
Waco, TX
Brig. Gen. Carl D. McIntosh graduated from Texas A&M University in 1948 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.
Brig. Gen. Carl D. McIntosh passed away in 2009.
Robert M.
Mullens ’48
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Army Brig. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Brig. Gen. Robert M. Mullens attended Texas A&M College in 1948 and graduated with a bachelors in Agricultural Administration.
Brig. Gen. Robert M. Mullens passed away in 2009.
John D.
Roper ’48
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Pearland, TX
Brig. Gen. John D. Roper graduated from Texas A&M University in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after two semesters at A&M, then commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Air Force Reserve upon graduation. Gen. Roper served as commander of the 925th Civil Engineering Flight, and while as commander the unit was selected as the outstanding non-flying unit in the Air Force Reserve. Next, Gen. Roper was selected as commander of the Air Force Reserve's only heavy-duty construction squadron, the 307th CES "RED HORSE," which was named outstanding unit of the year under his command. He was then assigned as Mobilization Assistant to the DCS for the Air Force's Technical Training and promoted to Brig. Gen.
Brig. Gen. John D. Roper passed away unexpectedly on March 5, 2017.
Ansel M.
Stroud, Jr. ’48
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National Guard Maj. Gen.
Shreveport, LA
Major General (Retired) Ansel M. Stroud, Jr., was born April 5, 1927, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was a graduate of Belcher High School, attended Baylor University and Texas A&M University. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the State of New York. His military education included the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and The Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
General Stroud enlisted in the Army in April of 1944 and was commissioned a second lieutenant following completion of Officer Candidate School in February 1946. After serving on active duty, he joined the Louisiana National Guard in June of 1947. During his service with the Louisiana National Guard, he served as a Company Commander, Regimental Supply Officer, Aide to the Commanding General of the 39th Infantry Division, and Battalion Commander. In 1968, he was assigned as Chief of Staff for the State Emergency Operations Center, and became Commander of the 356th Support Center (RAO) in 1971. He was appointed to the position of Assistant Adjutant General on May 9, 1972 and in August 1978, was given a dual assignment as Commander of the 256th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized). General Stroud was assigned as Adjutant General in October 1980. Additionally, he was made Director of the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness in 1989. He retired on November 8, 1997, after 53 ½ years of military service.
Noteworthy of his 17 ½-year tenure as Adjutant General, was the performance of the Louisiana National Guard units during Desert Storm, when 6,400 Army Guardsmen from Louisiana were mobilized, more than from any other state. In 1991, the Guard and the Office of Emergency Preparedness received high praise for their performance after Hurricane Andrew.
The Louisiana National Guard under his leadership was a finalist for nine years in the Army Community of Excellence competition.
General Stroud's military decorations and awards included the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three Hourglass Devices, and the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (NG) with two Oak Leaf Clusters. His Louisiana decorations included the Louisiana Distinguished Service Medal with Fleur-de-Lis, the Legion of Merit, the Cross of Merit, the War Cross, the Louisiana Emergency Service Medal with 19 Fleurs-de-Lis, and the Forty-Year Longevity Medal. He received Distinguished Service Awards from the States of Alabama, Arkansas, and Oregon. He was twice awarded the National Guard Bureau Eagle Award and the United States Army Reserve Meritorious Performance Award. In 1997, he was the first recipient of the National Guard Association of the U.S. President's Award.
In 1977, General Stroud was selected to direct a Department of the Army study on full-time training and administration for the Guard and Reserve. This was known as the “Stroud Study" and was accepted by the Department of the Army as a guideline for requirements of the National Guard and Army Reserve for full-time manning programs. This study was the basis for launching the AGR program.
In addition to his duties as the Adjutant General, General Stroud was active in Scouting. He is a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award and the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
General Stroud was awarded the Citizen of the Year Award in 1989 by the United States Marshals Service.
In 1995, General Stroud was the recipient of an honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
In 2005, General Stroud was one of the first inductees into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame.
General Stroud was a past President of the Adjutants General Association of the United States, past President of the National Guard Association of the United States, and served on the Council of Trustees of the Association of the United States Army.
General Stroud passed away on July 1, 2016.
Walter H.
Baxter, III ’47
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Air Force Maj. Gen
Boerne, TX
Retired August 01, 1982
Died May 10, 2004
Maj. Gen. Walter H. Baxter III is commander, 3rd Air Force, United States Air Forces in Europe, with headquarters at Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall, Suffolk, England.
General Baxter was born in southern Texas in 1926 and graduated from high school in his hometown of Weslaco, Texas, in 1943. He then attended what is now the University of Texas at Arlington and in 1944 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces. In 1946 he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., and upon graduation in 1950 was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. General Baxter is also a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
He entered flying training at James Connally Air Force Base, Texas, and received his wings at Craig Air Force Base, Ala., in 1951. He went through gunnery school at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and went on to South Korea where he flew F-51s with the 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group. As a lieutenant he became a squadron operations officer and led group strikes deep into North Korea.
The general returned to the United States in August 1952 and was assigned to Clovis Air Force Base, N.M., where he served with the 10th Fighter-Bomber Squadron of the 50th Fighter-Bomber Wing. A year later General Baxter transferred to Langley Air Force Base, Va., with the 509th Fighter-Bomber Squadron of the 405th Fighter-Bomber Wing. While there he wrote many of the plans and procedures for tactical mobility that continue today in the Tactical Air Command.
In June 1955 he joined the 20th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Royal Air Force Station Wethersfield, England, where he served as both flight commander, and wing gunnery and bombing officer until May 1958. He was then assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., as course director and executive officer in the department of military studies.
General Baxter became director of officer training and an instructor pilot in August 1961, flying T-33s and T-38s at Webb Air Force Base, Texas. In September 1963 he entered the Air Command and Staff College. Upon graduation in June 1964, he was assigned to Williams Air Force Base, Ariz.; where he served at various times as wing executive, director of plans and T-38 operations officer.
In early 1966 General Baxter went through F-4 training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and in June transferred to the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, Bitburg Air Base, Germany, where he served as operations officer of the 22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron for one year and as commander of the squadron for two years.
General Baxter returned to the United States to enter the Army War College. Following graduation in June 1970, he went to Southeast Asia with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. He flew 125 combat missions in F-4s while serving as deputy commander for operations and later as vice commander of the wing.
In September 1971 General Baxter transferred to Reese Air Force Base, Texas, as deputy commander for operations. In January 1972 he took command of the 64th Flying Training Wing at Reese. He became vice commander of Keesler Technical Training Center, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., in July 1974. In March 1975 he was selected to command the 13th Air Force advance echelon at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, which in July 1975 was renamed the 17th Air Division. It was during this assignment that these forces played a significant role in the evacuation of Phnom Penh and Saigon, the reclaiming of American equipment in Southeast Asia and the rescue of the "Mayaguez."
General Baxter served as vice commander of 13th Air Force with duty at U-Tapoo Royal Thai Naval Airfield, Thailand, from January to June 1976. He then became commander of the 313th Air Division and the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing on Okinawa.
From September 1978 to August 1979, he was commander of the 24th North American Air Defense Command and 24th Aerospace Defense Command Region at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. He then served with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as air deputy, Northern European Command, at Kolsas, Norway. The general assumed his present command in July 1981.
He is a command pilot and has more than 4,700 hours flying time in 24 types of aircraft - primarily fighters. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. For his service on Okinawa, he was awarded the 3rd Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government.
He was promoted to major general June 1, 1978, with date of rank Sept. 1, 1974.
Guy H.
Goddard ’47
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Washington, D.C.
Major General Guy H. Goddard was General Goddard was born in Woodsfield, Ohio, in 1918.
After a year in the College of Engineering, Ohio State University, he attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, from which he graduated in 1941 with a bachelor of science degree and commission as Second Lieutenant. He received his Master of Science degree in civil engineering at Texas A&M University in 1947.
He served as the director of civil engineering at the Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C. In this position, he was responsible for the worldwide management and direction of Air Force programs involving design, construction, maintenance, and operation of real property facilities.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Maj. Gen. Guy H. Goddard retired on January 1, 1972 and passed away on June 2, 2005.
Thomas G.
Murnane ’47
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Army Brig. Gen.
Brig. Gen. Thomas Murnane ’47 of Fort Worth shared with us this photo of his hand, with Aggie Ring, holding the hand of his wife, Constance “Connie” Murnane, in 2014. He said he saw something particularly Aggie in the composition of this photo—“perhaps the assurance the Aggie will always comfort his spouse.” The Murnanes were married for 61 years up until Connie’s passing in October 2014. He was chief of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps and said Connie was “a good Army bride” who served 27 of his 31 years in the Army. Their five children include Mary Muller ’76 and Tom Murnane ’81.
John H.
Miller ’46
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Marine Corps Lt. Gen.
College Station, TX
Lt. Gen. John H. Miller was born April 16, 1925, in San Angelo. In 1942 he entered Texas A&M College but within a year he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in May 1943.
He served in the United States, on Okinawa and Japan, and attained the rank of staff sergeant prior to his release from active duty in April 1946, General Miller received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M College and was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in June 1949.
Upon completing The Basic School, Quantico, Va., in June 1950, General Miller participated in combat operations in Korea as a company officer, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award, and Purple Heart Medal with two gold stars for this service. He was promoted to first lieutenant in June 1951.
Lt. Gen. John H. Miller military awards and decorations include but are not limited to, he Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and gold star in lieu of a second award, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and gold star in lieu of a second award, the Purple Heart Medal with two gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
Additionally he holds the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars.
Lt. Gen. John H. Miller is retired and currently resides in College Station, TX.
Wesley E.
Peel ’46
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Army Maj. Gen.
Bryan, TX
Maj. Gen. Wesley E. Peel served as Engineer of the U.S. Army Pacific and commanded the U.S. Army Engineer Division, Pacific Ocean and the North Pacific Division of the Corps of Engineers, with headquarters in Portland, Oregon.
Maj. Gen. Peel retired from active military service in 1979 after more than 30 years of active duty.
His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Maj. Gen. Peel passed away in August 2020.
Allen D.
Rooke, Jr. ’46
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Army Brig. Gen.
Victoria, TX
Brig. Gen. Allen D. Rooke, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1946 with a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Allen D. Rooke, Jr. passed away in 2009.
William L.
Webb, Jr. ’46
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Army Maj. Gen.
Vienna, VA
Maj. Gen. William L. Webb, Jr. attended Texas A&M University, he is class of 1946.
Maj. Gen. William L. Webb, Jr. is retired and currently resides in Vienna, VA.
David O.
Williams, Jr. ’46
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Austin, TX
Brig. Gen. David O. Williams, Jr. was chief of staff at U.S. Taiwan Defense Command with headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Previously, he served as deputy director for operational test and evaluation, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
His military awards and decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Brig. Gen. David O. Williams, Jr. retired from his military career and resided in Austin, TX. He passed away on August 18, 2019.
Charles Lowry
Wilson ’46
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Air Force Maj. Gen
Switzerland
General Wilson was born in 1924, in Paris, Texas. He graduated from Paschal High School, Forth Worth, Texas, in 1942 and attended Texas A&M University for one year. In May 1944, he graduated from aviation cadet flying training as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
He then served 18 months in the Southwest Pacific as a C-47/C-46 pilot and operations officer with the 403d Troop Carrier Group. He left active duty in August 1946 and become a member of the organized reserve at Hensley Field, Dallas, Texas, where he was an active flier for four years while attending Southern Methodist University. He graduated from SMU in 1950 with two bachelor's degrees, one in science (mechanical engineering) and the other a double major in business administration (statistics and industrial production management).
In May 1951, during the Korean war, he was called to active duty for 21 months as operations officer with the 443d Troop Carrier Group, Donaldson Air Force Base, S.C. Soon after his return to inactive duty, he accepted a regular Air Force commission on Aug. 3, 1953, and then served four years with the U.S. Air Forces in Europe as a group and wing operations officer in the 465th and 317th troop carrier wings.
After one year in the Class of '58 at Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., he served two years as a plans officer at Headquarters 1st Missile Division, Strategic Air Command, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. From July 1961 to July 1963, he was a graduate student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Cambridge, Mass., where he received a master of science degree in aeronautics and astronautics.
General Wilson next served two years as an astronautical engineer and plans officer in the Directorate of Plans at Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. He then attended the U.S. Army War College in the Class of '66 at Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
In July 1966 he was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., as chief, Strategic and Defense Branch, Directorate of Command Control and Communications. He later served two years in the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as chief, Systems Division, Joint Command Control Requirements Group.
In July 1970, he left Washington and began a four-year tour of duty in Air Force Systems Command. First he served a year in Los Angeles, Calif., as deputy commander of the Air Force Satellite Control Facility in the Space and Missile Systems Organization, then spent 10 months at Bedford, Mass., as vice commander, Electronic Systems Division, L.G. Hanscom Field. In May 1972 he moved to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., as the inspector general in Headquarters Air Force Systems Command; then in September 1972, he became chief of staff for procurement and production, and responsible for procurement policy and guidance for 5,600 personnel handling annual contract awards of more than $6.5 billion.
In August 1974, General Wilson assumed duties as chief, Special Project Office, Static War Headquarters, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Belgium, where for almost four years he was directly responsible to the chief of staff for coordinating and managing a $100 million international project for acquisition of a new protected underground command center for SHAPE. He assumed his present duty as vice commander of the Acquisition Logistics Division, AFLC, in May 1978.
His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Presidential Unit Citation Emblem and the Missileman Badge. He is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours.
He was promoted to the grade of major general effective May 1, 1975, with a date of rank of July 1, 1972.
George W.
Connell ’45
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Army Brig. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Brigadier General George W. Connell attended Texas A&M from 1941 to 1943 before he entered the army as a Private.
He served as Commander of the Department of Defense Property Disposal Command, which consisted of 226 offices and operations in 23 countries of the world.
Brig. Gen. George W. Connell awards and decorations include Legion of Merit medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medals, and numerous service awards.
Brig. Gen. George W. Connell retired on September 1, 1994 and passed away in 2004.
Irby B.
Jarvis, Jr. ’45
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Sweetwater, TX
BG Irby B. Jarvis, Jr. was the commander of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the 2750th Air Base Wing.
BG Irby B. Jarvis, Jr. was born in 1921, in Lookeba, OK. However he considers Sweetwater, TX his one and only hometown. He attended Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) through his junior year when his class was called to active duty in 1944. He later finished his bachelor of arts degree in 1952 at Sacramento State College in CA.
He was a command pilot with more than 8,000 flying hours as an instructor and pilot, including 88 combat missions totaling 165 combat hours in the F-4E Phantom in Southeast Asia. He became quadruple rated in 1953 with the additional aeronautical ratings of navigator, bombardier, and radar observer.
His military decorations and awards include but are not limited to the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem.
BG Irby B. Jarvis, Jr. retired from the Air Force on February 1, 1975 and passed away on May 15, 1982.
Joseph E.
Wesp ’45
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
San Marcos, TX
Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Wesp attended Texas A&M University, he was class of 1945.
He was the command surgeon, Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force, Base, Texas. Previously, he assumed command of the USAF Medical Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and was a clinical professor for obstetrics and gynecology by Wright State University College of Medicine.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Wesp passed away in 2006.
Mike P.
Cokinos ’43
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Army Lt. Gen.
Houston, TX
Lt. Gen. Mike P. Cokinos received a bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M University in Science in 1943.
He served in the U.S. Army. In 1951 he established the Cokinos Insurance Agency in Beaumont and served as an insurance consultant. He was also the President of the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association, was a Vice President of The Association of Former Students, and is the 2004 Sul Ross Group President.
Mike P. Cokinos awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, and the American Defense.
Mike P. Cokinos retired with the rank of Brigadier General in 1980.
Charles V.L.
Elia ’43
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Army Brig. Gen.
Garden Ridge, TX
Brig. Gen. Charles V.L. Elia has done extraordinary work in the veterinary service field.
He was a Corps Chief for the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps from 1972-1976. Veterinary Corps participation in all of our nation's conflicts since World War I has been an essential element in the maintenance of the health and well being of both animals and Soldiers. The highly technical education obtained by veterinarians has continued to prepare them for their changing mission requirements for over the past ninety years.
Today, the Army Veterinary Corps, composed of 780 veterinarians and warrant officers in both active and the Army Reserves, concludes ninety years of historic achievements about which it can be tremendously proud. Accomplishing its broad functions of food safety and security, animal care, veterinary public health, and research and development, will continue to be essential as long as the need for military forces remain.
He has an award named after him. The "BG Charles V.L. Elia Veterinary Excellence Medallion". To this date only 59 people have received this medallion, it is a great honor to receive this award.
Brig. Gen. Charles Elia is retired and currently resides in Garden Ridge, TX.
Harold B.
Gibson, Jr. ’43
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Army Maj. Gen.
Odenton, MD
Maj. Gen. Harold B. Gibson, Jr. was very active in his duties in the Army. He also generously supported the military efforts by donating to several different organizations after he retired. Two of the organizations he donated to was the Military Officers Association of America and The Army Distaff Foundation/Knollwood.
Maj. Gen. Harold B. Gibson, Jr. passed away in 2003.
Jack N.
Kraras ’43
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Army Brig. Gen.
Little Rock, AR
Brig. Gen. Jack N. Kraras graduated from Texas A&M University in 1942 with a bachelors degree in engineering, industrial education and later on graduated from Texas A&M University with masters in engineering, industrial education.
After retiring Brig. Gen. resided in Little Rock, AR. He passed away in 1996.
Tom E.
Marchbanks, Jr. ’43
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Brightwood, VA
Maj. Gen. Tom E. Marchbanks Jr. was born in San Benito, Texas, in 1922. He graduated from Texas A&M College, College Station, Texas, from 1939 to 1942
He was the Chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
Maj. Gen. Tom E. Marchbanks, Jr. was nominated by the president of the United States to serve as the first chief, Air Force Reserve, in the Office of the Air Force Reserve which was established by an Act of Congress; that nomination and the grade of major general was confirmed by the Senate in 1968.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon.
Maj. Gen. Tom E. Marchbanks, Jr. retired on January 31, 1971 and passed away on March 1, 1975.
Homer D.
Smith ’43
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Army Maj. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Maj. Gen. Homer D. Smith graduated from Texas A&M University in 1943 with a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering.
As Chief of Staff of the 1st Logistics Command, Vietnam 1968, he was almost entirely responsible for the organization's administration. During this period, the organization was the largest in the United States Army, with an assigned strength of over 100,000 troops, who provided logistical support to Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines engaged in combat in the Da Nang area.
In 1974, he was assigned as Defense Attaché, U.S. Embassy, Vietnam and was responsible for the materiel assistance support to the Vietnam Armed Forces. In 1975, the escalating advances of the enemy required his expertise to plan and execute operation “Frequent Wind.” This operation resulted in the evacuation of hundreds of U.S. and Vietnamese citizens and culminated on April 29, 1975 with the evacuation of 1,373 U.S. citizens and 4,595 Third Country Nationals and Vietnamese citizens by U. S. Air Force and Marine helicoptors. He departed the Defense Attaché Office at Tan Son Nhut Air Base only hours prior to the evacuation of the Marine Landing Force and the demolition of the communication equipment.
As Commanding General, U.S. Army Logistics Center, he increased the credibility and visibility of the Logistics Center, by increasing the number of visits and contacts made by its staff. Because of his experience and expertise, he was chosen as the first Director of Logistics, NATO International Staff, Brussels, Belgium following his retirement on August 1, 1979.
Maj. Gen. Homer D. Smith is retired from his military career and currently resides in San Antonio, TX.
Guy M.
Townsend ’43
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Mercer Island, WA
Brig. Gen. Guy M. Townsend attended Texas A&M University, he is class of 1943. While at Texas A&M, he studied aeronautical engineering.
He was the deputy for systems management, Aeronautical Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command at Wright –Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. As an Air Force officer, he served as chief of bomber test at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, flew as co-pilot on the first flight of the B-52 Stratofortress, was test force director for the XB-70 Valkyrie, and served as program director for the C-5 Galaxy and B-1 Lancer.
He was the first military pilot to fly the B-47 Stratojet, B-50 Superfortress, B-52 Stratofortress, and the prototype of the KC-135 Stratotanker. During his years at Boeing, he was the head of the Supersonic Transport operations organization.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Air Force and Army Commendation Medals, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Brig. Gen. Guy M. Townsend is retired and currently resides in Mercer Island, WA.
Merton D.
Van Orden ’43
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Navy Rear Adm.
Arlington, VA
Dick Van Orden ’43 was a member of Battery D – Coast Artillery while at Texas A&M. During his time at Texas A&M, Dick was involved in the Singing Cadets as well as the Army Student Pilots Training Program. After graduation, Dick served in the U.S. Navy where he retired as a Rear Admiral. In his free time, Dick enjoys being an author, sailing, and history. He and his wife, Nancy, have two children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Seaborn J.
Buckalew, Jr. ’42
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Army Brig. Gen.
Anchorage, AK
Seaborn Buckalew, Jr. was a retired Alaska Superior Court Judge, a former territorial legislator, a former territorial U.S. Attorney, and a Alaska Constitutional Convention Delegate in Anchorage, Alaska. He was married to Marcy Buckalew. While at Texas A&M University, he studied Liberal Arts.
Otto E.
Scherz ’42
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Army Maj. Gen.
San Angelo, TX
Maj. Gen. Otto Erwin Scherz was born in San Angelo, Texas, on July 15, 1921. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture.
General Scherz's military career began upon graduation from college when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Field Artillery, and assigned to the 561st Field Artillery Battalion.
He fought in World War II, in Europe, as a battery commander. After returning from World War II he became a member of the Texas Army National Guard. Continuing his military career he held positions such as, Division Artillery Commander and Assistant Division Commander. He was promoted to Maj. Gen. in March of 1976.
Among his numerous awards in recognition of his long and distinguished career are the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal.
Maj. Gen. Otto E. Scherz retired on July 31, 1978. His military career spanned over 36 years. He passed away in 1993.
Charles M.
Taylor, Jr. ’42
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Army Brig. Gen.
Santa Barbara, CA
Brig. Gen. Charles M. Taylor, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1942 with a bachelor's degree in Economics.
Brig. Gen. Charles M. Taylor, Jr. passed away in 2000.
Harold C.
Teubner ’42
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Maj. Gen. Harold C. Teubner graduated from Texas A&M University in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering.
His most recent military job was the auditor general of the Air Force, Norton Air Force Base, California.
During World War II, he trained heavy bombardment combat crews. As a lead crew commander, he flew missions covering the Dutch East Indies, Burma, Malaya, China, Formosa, Manchuria and Japan. After World War II, General Teubner participated in the first nuclear weapons tests (Project Crossroads)
Maj. Gen. Harold C. Teubner was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force in July 1962 and held successive assignments as chief of Electronics Division, deputy director of science and technology, and assistant for research and development programming in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research and Development. He became deputy director of the budget, U.S. Air Force Comptroller in May 1966. In August 1967 he was assigned as deputy chief of staff for comptroller, Air Force Systems Command.
His personal military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Maj. Gen. Harold C. Teubner retired on March 1, 1973 and currently resides in San Antonio, TX.