Colonel Samuel Williams Pinnell
USMA June 1943
Retired Army Colonel Samuel Williams Pinnell, a decorated
veteran of World War II and the Korean War, who later spent
nineteen years with United Services Automobile Association,
died February 22, 2001 in San Antonio, Texas of natural
causes. Col. Pinnell was a June 1943 graduate of the U. S.
Military Academy at West Point. During World War II he
served as a platoon leader in an Engineer Combat Battalion,
the first of five he would serve with during his career, in
line and staff roles. He felt that these experiences
equipped him uniquely to prepare for his last Engineer
command for duty in Vietnam. He was a graduate of the Army
Command and General Staff College and the US Army War
College. He earned a Master of Civil Engineering Degree at
the University of Illinois. Shortly after graduation, Sam
met the lovely girl who was to be his lifetime love and
companion, Elsie Florence Sannes. They were married at the
Cadet Chapel at West Point, February 20, 1944. Elsie passed
away in August of 1992 and now they are together again. Sam
found it difficult to bring up and educate his children on
his Army pay. He studied hard and on off-duty time became a
highly qualified and esteemed life insurance and brokerage
account representative. Even as a part timer, Sam's
production was always in the top one percent of the agency.
Because of his financial experience and background, a
Boston firm offered Sam the position of manager of its
Washington, DC office, an offer he painfully decided he
could not refuse. And so, with tears in his heart and his
eyes, Sam left the Army he loved so much, retiring in
December 1967. During his career, Sam was awarded the
Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC) (the first when
he was a lieutenant). For supervising the installation of a
minefield behind German lines Christmas Eve 1944 and
removal of a road block under fire, he was awarded the
Bronze Star with V. Later, after the war he earned two Oak
Leaf Clusters to the Bronze Star. His decorations and
awards also included the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf
Cluster, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign
Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-
Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service
stars, Victory Medal (World War II) Army of Occupation
Medal (Germany), Korean Service Medal (two battle stars),
National Defense Service Medal (OLC), Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic
of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Army Commendation
Medal (OLC); and the US Presidential Unit Citation.
In May 1971, General McDermott, the President of USAA,
telephoned Sam to tell him that he was planning to set up
the first USAA field office and asked if Sam would be
interested in tackling the task. It seemed a natural
challenge, so Sam began another career. His credentials as
a Registered Principal of the NASD and experience in
managing a branch office were tickets "McD" needed in this
new USAA venture. The new Washington area office became the
prototype for many USAA would establish in years to come,
now a hallmark of USAA dedication to service. In 1981,
"McD" called again. He wanted Sam to come to San Antonio to
head up the Facilities and Services operation, now slated
to undertake a large expansion of USAA facilities. In
February 1982, Sam began the programs which resulted in the
construction of two and a half million square feet of space
in San Antonio, Sacramento, and Tampa. Sam took great pride
in his work in the design and construction of the Supply
and Archives Building, the USAA Federal Savings Bank and
the USAA Towers, USAA's showpiece retirement facility in
San Antonio. His qualifications as a Registered
Professional Engineer were obviously useful here. He
retired from USAA in February 1989. Survived by sons, Bruce
Pinnell, Phoenix, AZ; Dr. Douglas C. Pinnell, New Port
Richey, FL; daughters, Nancy Pinnell, San Francisco, CA,
and Mrs. Joan Seay, Cincinnati, OH; five grandchildren,
Katy and Kimberly, Jack, Courtney and Marshall; and his
brother, F. Hart Pinnell, Warrenton, NC.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
SATURDAY 10:00 A.M.
THE TOWERS
The Rev. Phil Holch officiating. A reception will follow
immediately after. In lieu of flowers, donations can be
made to the USMA, Association of Graduates, West Point, NY
10996 in his memory. Sam will be buried at the United
States Military Academy, with Full Military Honors beside
his beloved wife, Elsie on February 27, 2001. Services will
be held at the Cadet Chapel at 10:00 A.M. Arrangements with
Porter Loring Mortuary.
02/23/2001
(Reprinted from San Antonio Express News,
February 23, 2001)