Victor H.
Thompson, Jr. ’42
direct link to this listing
Air Force Brig. Gen.
Houston, TX
Brigadier General Victor H. Thompson, Jr. passed away September 1, 2011 in Houston TX. at the age of 90 years old.
He had two rewarding simultaneous careers as well as numerous civic leadership positions during his lifetime. His service in the Air Force spanned 37 1/2 years and he retired January 30, 1981 in the position of Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Air Training Command, Randolph AFB, Texas, receiving the Legion of Merit for his outstanding service in this position.
He worked at Mosher Steel Company, Houston (now Trinity Industries, Inc.) for 49 years, retiring in 1989 as Sr. Vice President General Manager of Technical Services & Customer Relations. He was also Mayor of Hedwig Village, Houston TX from 1989-1993.
Other honors and awards he was given include the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, as well as numerous citizenship awards.
William A.
Becker ’41
direct link to this listing
Army Maj. Gen.
Kaufman, TX
A Kaufman County native, Bill Becker was born on his family homestead April 2,1919. He graduated from Kaufman High School in 1936. He later attended Texas A&M College, where he was a member of the 1939 ROTC national championship pistol team, and also a member of the four-man horse show team. He was junior editor of the yearbook and was elected senior editor but resigned to serve as cadet corps commander during his senior year. Upon graduation in 1941, he was given a diploma, a commission as 2nd Lieutenant of field artillery, and orders to report within eight days to the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. Maj. Gen. Becker was sent to fight in the Southwest Pacific Theater during WWII, and in four years, he advanced from the rank of 2nd Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel. Upon return from WWII he was assigned to the military staff at Texas A&M during which time he met the love of his life and wife of over 55 years, Frances Carlyle. He also served in Vietnam as Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division (AIRMOBILE). What began as a military career on horseback concluded in a helicopter as a rated pilot. Over his 30-year career he had a variety of other commands and assignments. His last active duty assignment was to the Pentagon with the Office of the Secretary of the Army, as Chief of Legislative Liaison, working with the United States Congress from 1968-1971. During his years of service he was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters. Upon retirement from the Army, Bill returned to his home community with his wife, Fran, and their four children where he established a real estate brokerage and enjoyed cattle ranching on his beloved Becker farm. He continued his dedication to service to his community, county and country through numerous civic organizations and appointments. Above all else, he valued his role as husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. Bill is preceded in death by his wife Frances Becker. He is survived by his children William Becker of Terrell and wife Jennifer, daughter Anne Becker Tolbert and husband Jerry of Woodville, son Christopher Becker of Becker and wife Gay, daughter Kimberly Becker Barnett of Rowlett and husband Keith, and sister Ellen Dodson of Texarkana and husband Ed, Arkansas. He was blessed with eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. During a special ceremony in Kemp, Texas US Congressman Jeb Hensarling presented General Becker with remarks from the Congressional Record honoring him for his service. "President Calvin Coolidge once said the Nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten. As a veteran, Gen. Becker understands that better than most Americans. It is because of his service that we are able to enjoy the many blessings that God has bestowed upon this great land, the United States of America."
George L.
Cassell ’41
direct link to this listing
Navy Rear Adm.
Alexandria, VA
Rear Admiral George L. Cassell, USN (Ret.) made his last takeoff on Thursday, March 19, March 2009. He was married to his wife of 65 years, Ellen Yates Cassell. During WWII, Admiral Cassell flew 43 combat missions from USS Yorktown (CV-10), while attached to Fighting Squadron Three. At the time, he was among the first carrier-based night fighter pilots flying the F6F Hellcat. After WWII, he commanded Attack Squadron 126 (F7U-3 Cutlass), USS Nitro (AE-23) and the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) - the latter for an 11 month deployment in the waters off Vietnam. He had duty on the staff of Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the staff of Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. In 1968 he was selected for Flag rank and was assigned as the Deputy Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe in Napes, Italy. In October 1971, he commanded Antisubmarine Warfare Group TWO on board USS Wasp (CVS-18), and later Antisubmarine Warfare Group FOUR on board the USS Intrepid (CVS-11). He then became Commander Fleet Air Quonset Point and Commander Hunter-Killer Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. His next and final duty was Commandant Eighth Naval District, over specified activities, as well as area coordination over all shore activities within the geographical limits of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana. After temporary assignment to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, he retired in September 1977 as the Grey Eagle. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, four Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement against Japanese forces, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Navy Unit Commendation. Rear Admiral Cassell was a member of the Golden Eagles Association. While at Texas A&M University, George Cassell studied chemical engineering.
George P.
Cole ’41
direct link to this listing
Air Force Brig. Gen.
New Orleans, LA
Brigadier General George P. Cole is assistant deputy chief of staff for materiel, Strategic Air Command, Offutt, Air Force Base, Neb.
General Cole was born in 1919 in New Orleans, La. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Jacksonville, Fla., in 1937 and attended the University of Florida for three years prior to transferring to Texas A&M College. He entered the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in April 1941, and attended flying training at Americus and Macon, Ga.; and in December 1941 he graduated from advanced flying school at Selma, Ala., with a commission as second lieutenant and his pilot wings.
From 1942 to 1944, General Cole served as base aircraft maintenance officer for the Radar Training Center at Boca Raton Field, Fla. During this period he directed search and rescue operations involving a downed aircraft in which radar was used for the first time. He was cited for his efforts in locating the disabled aircraft and successfully directing rescue operations. In 1944 he attended the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
In 1945, he went to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations, and became aircraft maintenance and materiel officer for a B-29 aircraft wing. From June 1946 to July 1949, General Cole was chief of maintenance for the Joint Brazil-United States Military Commission in Rio de Janero, Brazil.
General Cole returned to the United States and served as chief of supply at Second Air Force Headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., from October 1949 to December 1952. As chief of supply, he instituted many innovations designed to help the aircraft maintenance man, foremost of which was the supply delivery system now in use throughout the Air Force. In January 1953 he became director of materiel and later vice commander of the 306th Bombardment Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. This was the first B-47 aircraft equipped Strategic Air Command wing and was the first deployed with these aircraft to a forward area. He was active in the development of procedures to place the aircraft in his wing and follow-on wings on temporary duty in England and in setting up 90-day rotation procedures between United States bases in England, Spain and Morocco.
In 1955, General Cole became commander of Ben Guerir Air Base, Morocco. He returned to the United States in July 1957 to attend the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. His next assignment was as commander of Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., where he later became director of training for the 1st Missile Division.
General Cole was appointed director of materiel at Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force, March Air Force Base, Calif., in July 1960. In this position he was instrumental in accepting the first operational squadrons for Atlas, Titan and Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles into the Strategic Air Command inventory.
In July 1965, he assumed command of the 95th Bombardment Wing at Biggs Air Force Base, Texas, which was equipped with B-52 and KC-135 aircraft. He next moved to Walker Air Force Base at Roswell, N.M., where he commanded the 6th Strategic Aerospace Wing for a short period.
He was appointed commander of the 12th Strategic Aerospace Division in September 1966 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz. He became assistant deputy chief of staff for materiel, Headquarters Strategic Air Command in June 1968.
Brig. Gen. George P. Cole retired in 1970 and passed away in 1997.
Hubert O.
Johnson ’41
direct link to this listing
Air Force Brig. Gen.
Houston, TX
Brigadier General Hubert O. Johnson Jr. was the director of facilities management in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Brig. Gen. Hubert O. Johnson was born in 1921, in Houston, TX. He received a bachelor of science degree in engineering administration in 1946 and master of engineering degree in civil engineering in 1955 from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, College Station, Texas.
He received a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve in June 1941 through the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
He was responsible for policy formulation, plans, programs, management and surveillance of execution on a worldwide basis of the maintenance and operation of the Department of Defense property and resources. He was a registered professional engineer with the State of Texas, a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and is the national president of the Society of American Military Engineers, 1973-1974.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the French Croix-de-Guerre with Silver Star. He was awarded the Silver Beaver by the National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, for distinguished service to boyhood, 1964.
Brig. Gen. Hubert O. Johnson retired on August 1, 1974 and passed away on August 10, 1999.
John H.
Buckner ’40
direct link to this listing
Air Force Maj. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Maj. Gen. John H. Buckner was vice commander of the Twelfth Air Force (Tactical Air Command) at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas.
Maj. Gen. John H. Buckney was born in Cleburne, Texas, in 1919. He attended Texas A&M prior to entering the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y and earning his bachelor of science degree.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 20 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem with two oak leaf clusters and French Croix de Guerre. He was a command pilot.
Maj. Gen. John H. Buckner retired on November 1, 1971 and passed away on December 12, 2009.
Joe G.
Hanover ’40
direct link to this listing
Army Brig. Gen.
Bryan, TX
Brig. Gen. Joe Hanover earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University in 1940, and went on active duty in February 1941 where he served as a motor transportation officer. By the end of WWII, he was the commanding officer of the 1268th Labor Supervision Company in France. Joe Hanover was promoted to brigadier general of the 420th Engineer Brigade in December 1966. While at Texas A&M University, he studied civil engineering.
Brig. Gen. Joe Hanover passed away May 22, 2017, at age 99.
Homer S.
Hill ’40
direct link to this listing
Marine Corps Maj. Gen.
Solana Beach, CA
Maj. Gen. Homer S. Hill passed away in 1992.
James F.
Hollingsworth ’40
direct link to this listing
Army Lt. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Lt. Gen. James F. Hollingsworth received a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture in 1940 from Texas A&M University.
Hollingsworth’s 36-year military career touched the sands of North Africa, spanned the length of Europe, and contributed to the stability of a volatile situation in the Far East. Lt. Gen. Hollingsworth was assigned to Korea in 1973 and served as Commanding General of the I Corps which is the largest field army command in the world. He also served heroically under General George Patton in World War II.
By some accounts, Hollingsworth was the most decorated general officer ever to graduate from Texas A&M, with his array of medal and ribbons stemming from his combat service and command positions in Europe, Asia and elsewhere.
Lt. Gen. James F. Hollingsworth currently has a statue on campus in the Corps of Cadets quad. It stands to remember his commitment to Texas A&M University and his distinguished military service. The Hollingsworth statue bears the inscription “Danger 79er,” which was the general’s radio call sign for more than 20 years, including the time of his command in Vietnam.
His military awards and decorations include Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star and Purple Heart with five Oakleaf Clusters.
Lt. Gen. James F. Hollingsworth passed away at the age of 91 on March 2, 2010.
Herron N.
Maples ’40
direct link to this listing
Army Lt. Gen.
Bonham, TX
Lt. Gen. Herron N. Maples graduated from Texas A&M University in 1940 with a bachelor of science in petroleum engineering.
Lt. Gen. Herron N. Maples passed away in 2006.
Thomas F.
McCord ’40
direct link to this listing
Army Brig. Gen.
The Woodlands, TX
Brig. Gen. Thomas F. McCord graduated from Texas A&M University in 1940 with a bachelor of science degree in geology.
Brig. Gen. Thomas F. McCord was inducted into the Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame on June 24, 2005.
COL McCord began his career with a number of diverse military assignments, including tactical level infantry combat in the Pacific theater in World War II. His first Army Intelligence assignment was in 1950 as a student at an Army Russian language school. He graduated sixth in a class of fifty-five and was chosen as a student for the Army's elite two-year Foreign Area Specialist Training Program in Russian Studies at Regensburg, Germany.
In 1954, he served as an Operations and Case officer in Detachment 35, an intelligence collection unit based in Austria. He was involved in the debriefings of Soviet military personnel defectors and in other operations developing intelligence on the Soviet forces.
Brig. Gen. Thomas F. McCord passed away in 2008.
Jay T.
Robbins ’40
direct link to this listing
Air Force Lt. Gen.
Scott AFB, IL
Lt. Gen. Jay T. Robbins was the vice commander of Military Airlift Command, with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
Lt. Gen. Jay T. Robbins received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 1940 and commissioned a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Lt. Gen. Jay T. Robbins retired on September 1, 1974 and passed away on March 3, 2001.
O.D.
Butler, Jr. ’39
direct link to this listing
Army Brig. Gen.
College Station, TX
Ogbourne Duke “O. D.” Butler, Jr., one of the foremost animal agriculture leaders of the 20th century, was born September 29, 1918, in Orange, Texas.
As an undergraduate, Butler was a member and leader in the TAM Corps of Cadets and received a military commission upon graduation.In 1941, after Pearl Harbor, Butler entered active military service and embarked on a long career in the military. In 1944, Butler and forces (Headquarters Company, 12th Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division)arrived at Omaha Beach on D-plus one, the day that followed the D-day invasion. Then a captain, he was in combat for nine straight months. After being wounded, he returned to the States and, upon leaving active duty, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves, in which he rose to the rank of Brigadier General in command of the 420th Engineer Brigade.
After his active military service, Butler returned to Texas A&M and served in the management of the Food Service Department. This was followed by teaching part-time and then as a full-time instructor in the Animal Husbandry Department upon completion of his M.S. degree in 1947. In 1951, he was awarded a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship, and in 1953 he obtained his doctorate from Michigan State University in animal husbandry and food science. He returned to Texas A&M as associate professor of animal husbandry prior to being named professor and department head in 1956, a position he held for 22 years.
The O. D. Butler, Jr. Animal Science Complex was built in 1997, and dedicated to former department head, Dr. O.D. Butler in 2004. The facility is a 580-acre complex devoted to teaching, research, and Extension in animal science. The complex is located just west of the TAMU Campus on Highway 60, along the banks of the Brazos River between College Station and Snook, Texas.
Brig. Gen. O.D. Butler, Jr. retired from the military in 1977 and passed away in 1998.
Andrew W.
Rogers ’39
direct link to this listing
Army Brig. Gen.
Wimberley, TX
Brig. Gen. Andrew W. Rogers graduated from Texas A&M University in 1939 with a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Andrew M. Rogers passed away in 2008.
Andrew P.
Rollins, Jr. ’39
direct link to this listing
Army Maj. Gen.
Portland, OR
Maj. Gen. Andrew P. Rollins, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1939 with a degree in Civil Engineering.
Maj. Gen. Andrew P. Rollins, Jr. is retired and currently resides in Portland, OR.
Woodrow W.
Vaughan ’39
direct link to this listing
Army Lt. Gen.
Alexandria, VA
Lt. Gen. Woodrow W. Vaughan attended Texas A&M University, he is class of 1939.
He was responsible for the logistical support of American and Allied forces in China during World War II, focused on Army logistics for 35 years of his 50-year career at every level and in every functional area.
He served as a Quartermaster in research and development, procurement, supply, staff and command - from Company A in the field to Theater Headquarters, on the Army General Staff, the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Army Materiel Command, and the Defense Supply Agency.
Lt. Gen. Woodrow W. Vaughan is retired and currently resides in Alexandria, VA.
Theodore H.
Andrews ’38
direct link to this listing
Army Brig. Gen.
Austin, TX
Brig. Gen. Theodore H. Andrews passed away in 2002.
David L.
Hill ’38
direct link to this listing
Army Brig. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Everyone knew Brig. Gen. David L. Hill as "Tex".
He was born in Kwangju, Korea but raised in Texas. He attended Texas Military College and later attended Austin College, where he would graduate in 1938.
Hill earned his wings as a U.S. Naval Aviator in 1939 and joined the fleet as a Devastator torpedo bomber pilot before joining a Dauntless dive bomber squadron aboard Ranger. In 1941, he was recruited with other Navy, Army and Marine Corps pilots to join the 1st American Volunteer Group (better known by its later nickname of the Flying Tigers). He learned to fly the P-40 in the AVG training program in Burma, and did well as a fighter pilot in the 2nd Pursuit Squadron (Panda Bear) as a flight leader and then squadron commander, becoming one of the top aces under the tutelage of Claire Chennault.
He ended his military career in the Air National Guard, retiring as a Brigadier General. He was the youngest Brigadier General in the history of the Air National Guard.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Chinese Order of the Cloud and Banner 4th, 5th and 6th grades, 2-Star Wing Decorations, Chinese Victory Medal, Legion of Merit, and British Distinguished Flying Cross.
Brig. Gen. David L. Hill passed away at the age of 92 on October 11, 2007.
On November 2, 2007, the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg observed "Tex" Hill Day with speeches, patriotic music, and friends' memories of the fallen hero.
On November 2, 2008, the Air Force Heritage Flight at the Lackland Air Show in San Antonio was dedicated to Hill. It consisted of an F-22, an F-15E, an F-16C, and a P-40 like the one Hill flew with the AVG.
Robert M.
Williams ’38
direct link to this listing
Army Brig. Gen.
Greenville, Texas
Col. Robert M. Williams was born in Greenville, Texas, on 29 November 1916. He graduated from Texas A&M College in 1938, and on 1 July 1939 was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Regular Army and assigned to the 20th Infantry at Fort Francis E. Warren, Wyoming. In August 1940, he was ordered to the Panama Canal Department and assigned to the 5th Infantry
at Camp Paraiso. While serving there he was promoted to first lieutenant and captain.
Returning to the United States in the summer of 1942, he took the New Division Course at the Command & General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and upon graduation was ordered to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, as Headquarters Commandant of the 100th Infantry Division, soon to be activated. His promotion to major followed.
In early 1943, he was again ordered to Leavenworth, and upon graduation was assigned to the 399th Infantry, whose 3d Battalion he took over in August of that year. During January-March 1944, he attended the Canadian School of Infantry at Vernon, British Columbia. In March 1944, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In October 1944, Colonel Williams sailed to France with the 100th Division. His battalion relieved a battalion of the 45th Division near Raon-l'Etape on 1 November 1944.
On 17 December, he was transferred to the 398th Infantry, and assumed command of the Regiment on that date. On 12 June 1945 he was promoted to colonel, and remained in command of the 398th until December 1945, the month the 100th Division left Germany for return to the United States for inactivation.
Colonel Williams' decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Col. Robert M. Williams passed away on June 19, 1985.
Clarence A.
Wilson ’38
direct link to this listing
Army Brig. Gen.
Luling, TX
Brig. Gen. Clarence A. Wilson graduated from Texas A&M University in 1937 with a bachelor's in Industrial Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Clarence A. Wilson passed away in 1990.
Jack T.
Brown ’37
direct link to this listing
Army Brig. Gen.
Rockport, TX
Jack Tyre Brown was born on September 11, 1915 in Luling, Texas. He studied Agricultural Administration while at Texas A&M. He was married to Mary Kathryn Glass. He passed away on June 14, 1993 in Rockport, Texas.
Robert L.
Pou, Jr. ’37
direct link to this listing
Army Maj. Gen.
Dallas, TX
Maj. Gen. Robert L. Pou, Jr. began his distinguished military career as a cadet in ROTC at Texas A&M University graduating in the class of 1937. After graduation, General Pou enlisted in the Texas State Guard serving from March 1, 1941 to October 15, 1941.
He was inducted into the Air Corps in 1942 and rose to the rank of staff sergeant before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1944. After separation from active duty, General Pou was commissioned in the Texas National Guard in 1947 where he assisted in the initial organization of the 136th Fighter Group and later the 236th Air Force Group which he commanded at the time it was mobilized for the Korean Conflict in 1950.
Maj. Gen. Robert L. Pou, Jr. retired on July 20, 1969 and passed away in 1973.
Kyle L.
Riddle ’37
direct link to this listing
Air Force Brig. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Brig. Gen. Kyle L. Riddle was born in Decatur, Texas, in 1913. He graduated in 1937 from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors in Agricultural Administration.
He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps Flying School at Randolph Field, Texas, in March 1938, and received his pilot wings and second lieutenant commission in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve at Kelly Field, Texas, in February 1939.
He was chief of staff, Headquarters Twelfth Air Force, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Austin, Texas. Previously, he served as chief of Military Assistance Advisory Group- Japan and deputy chief of staff for Operations and Training to Headquarters Tactical Air Command.
His military awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem.
Brig. Gen. Kyle L. Riddle retired on March 1, 1969 and passed away on November 16, 2008.
Wood B.
Kyle ’36
direct link to this listing
Marine Corps Maj. Gen.
Carisbad, CA
Maj. Gen. Wood B. Kyle was born March 3, 1915 in Pecos, TX. In 1932, he entered Texas A & M College, where he was a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps unit, and graduated with Military Department honors in June 1936.
He resigned his commission in the U.S. Army Infantry Reserve to accept appointment as a Marine second lieutenant, July 11, 1936.
Maj. Gen. Wood B. Kyle was promoted to major general in March 1966, and that same month reported to Vietnam as Commanding General, 3d Marine Division.
For service in this capacity, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and three personal decorations from the Vietnamese government. Detached in March 1967, he reported to Camp Pendleton, California, the following month, and assumed duty as Commanding General, 5th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, serving in this capacity until he retired from active duty, August 31, 1968. For his service as Commanding General, 5th Marine Division, he was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Maj. Gen. Wood B. Kyle retired from active duty on August 31, 1968. He passed away in 2000.
Clifford M.
Simmang ’36
direct link to this listing
Army Reserve Brig. Gen.
Bryan, TX
Brig. Gen. Clifford M. Simmang graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Clifford M. Simmang passed away in 1994.
Ormond R.
Simpson ’36
direct link to this listing
Marine Corps Lt. Gen.
Bryan, TX
Lt. Gen. Ormond R. Simpson received a Bachelor 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.
Lt. Gen. Ormond R. Simpson passed away in 1998.
Carter C.
Speed ’36
direct link to this listing
Army Brig. Gen.
Sacramento, CA
Brig. Gen. Carter C. Speed graduated from Texas A&M University in 1936 with a bachelor's degree in Horticulture.
Brig Gen. Carter C. Speed passed away in 1971.
Odell M.
Conoley ’35
direct link to this listing
Marine Corps Brig. Gen.
Point Loma, CA
Brigadier General Odell M. "Tex" Conoley, spent almost three decades in the Marine Corps and was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during the battle of Guadalcanal in World War II.
In 1935, he graduated from the college with a bachelor's degree in science and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps two months later.
He began his military career as a company officer in the 6th Regiment. He was then transferred to the Far East and served in Shanghai, Tientsin and Peiping, China, until 1940.
He participated in various campaigns in the Pacific during World War II, beginning with Guadalcanal, where he earned the nation's second highest award for valor. He also was awarded the Silver Star at Cape Gloucester for bravery in combat.
He became a battalion commander in the 7th Regiment before he was reassigned to the operations section of the U.S. 6th Army in 1945. Subsequently, he filled the same position in the 8th Army.
In 1947, General Conoley went to Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he served for three years as Operations Officer. At that time he was a lieutenant colonel.
He attended the Army War College and later served on the staff of Marine Corps Schools in Quantico, VA. In 1954, he served as commander of his old regiment, the 7th Marines, based in Korea.
In 1961, as a brigadier general, he was transferred from his position as assistant division commander at Camp Lejeune, NC, to fill the post as deputy head of operations at NATO Headquarters in Paris, France. He served there for three years.
General Conoley was awarded the Legion of Merit for his work with NATO in the United Nations Congo airlift and the Cypress crisis in 1963.
He retired in 1964 and returned to the United States, where he grew orchids and played golf. Brig. Gen. Odell M. Conoley passed away in 1993.
Kay
Halsell II ’35
direct link to this listing
Army Brig. Gen.
Bryan, TX
Kay Halsell II graduated from Texas A&M University in 1935 with a bachelors degree in Agricultural Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Kay Halsell II passed away in 1990.
Bruno A.
Hochmuth ’35
direct link to this listing
Marine Corps Maj. Gen.
San Francisco, CA
Maj. Gen. Bruno Hochmuth was born on May 10, 1911 in Houston, TX. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1935 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education. He was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in July 1935, upon resigning a U.S. Army Reserve commission.
Maj. Gen. Bruno Hochmuth traveled far and wide while in the Marine Corps. He ventured throughout the United States, China, and Japan.
Maj. Gen. Bruno Hochmuth passed away on November 18, 1967.