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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Oct '48
Benjamin Elliott Ivie, Jr. No. 15493
Class of 1946 Died August 20, 1947 at Albia, Iowa,
aged 24 years. |
There are few tragedies more
sorrowful than the sudden, accidental death
of a young man who has just entered into full physical maturity,
highly trained for leadership in military service to his country,
and endowed with qualities of mind and spirit which would have
insured his continuing development and progress in this honorable
profession so vital to the Nation. When we look at the brief
story of his youth; lived in the open book of a small Southern
town; in the sunshine of friendly neighbors, the character-tempering
of limited means; the wealth of a rich heritage of a cultured
family; the young man an only child of devoted parents; a recent
bridegroom of a lovely young wife; the last scion of an honored
name; and leaving no promise of an heir - the bitter loss is
almost beyond the measure of finite minds to accept.
The death of Lieutenant Benjamin Elliott Ivie Jr. on August
20, 1947, following an automobile accident near Albia, Iowa,
involved all these circumstances. Elliott was born September
14, 1922 in Leaksville, North Carolina, the son of Benjamin Elliott
Ivie and Angele Millner Ivie His father's parents came to LeaksvilIe
from Virginia, and his mother and her family were Virginians.
His schooling through high school was In Leaksville. He loved
nature, the woods and fields and was always ready for a swift
run with his dog, or hours of wandering with a good friend, if
his duty of the moment was done. His father and he were great
friends. Almost every Sunday afternoon was reserved for some
trip with his "Daddy", often a long walk in the woods.
They early shared hobbies of gardening, raising rabbits, dogs
and chickens, as well as a love of the woods. He kept busy. His
first job was a paper route, and there was no more reliable or
punctual paper boy in town. He was an active Cub and Boy Scout
at the usual ages for these boyhood interests. In the summer
of 1937, he attended the Boy Scout World Jamboree held in Holland.
When the idea of this trip to Holland was first entertained,
Elliott started to save his money, even more carefully than ever,
for the great event. On this trip, which included considerable
sight seeing In England and on the Continent, he thoughtfully
wrote cards to many neighbors and friends of his parents, as
well as to his own friends, and on his return he shared the story
of his travels and memories with all his fellow scouts and school
friends.
He was a faithful Sunday School scholar and communicant of
Epiphany Church. Some of his good Scout deeds were performed
at his church. A friend of his mother, in charge of supervising
the church grounds, told her that no one cut the grass on the
church lawn as carefully as Elliott did. "His cutting lasts
twice as long as that of those who are doing it while he is away",
she said. From his very earliest years he showed a most unusual
stability of character, sweetness of manner, and faithfulness
to responsibilities. One very discerning boyhood friend, several
years younger, said of him on news of his untimely death, "the
greatest compliment that could be paid 'Eck' was that the 'young
crowd' always thought him a 'swell guy' and the older people
considered him a model youth and all liked him".
After completing high school, graduating in the class of 1939,
he attended State College of the University of North Carolina
at Raleigh, the Capitol City. His course of study was Mechanical
Engineering. During his four years at college he was active in
extracurricular activities, but whenever there was a suspension
of duties this tall, slender boy was often seen on the highway
between Raleigh and LeaksVille, with his portable radio, hitchhiking
home. He was one of the nine honor students to be elected to
the Pi Tau Sigma national honorary mechanical engineering fraternity.
In his senior year, on February 20, 1943, he was inducted into
the Order of Saint Pat, and he was also a member of Lamba Chi
Alpha. On March 25, 1943 he graduated from State College, receiving
a B.M.E. degree. Immediately following graduation he was inducted,
March 27, 1943 into the Army and was assigned to the A.A.F. Officers'
Candidate School in Miami, Florida, receiving a commission as
Second Lieutenant on June 26, 1943. The next day he was appointed
from the Fifth North Carolina Congressional District to the United
States Military Academy at West Point. He had always wanted to
go to the Academy and was glad to assume his duties there on
July 4, 1943. He was determined to succeed at West Point, for
it was important to him to make good the splendid opportunity
thus afforded him. He elected to train for the Air Corps and
was sent for his primary flight training as an Air Cadet to Lodwick
School of Aeronautics at Lakeland, Florida. There he made his
first solo flight. To quote from his letter of May the 10th written
for "Mother's Day" 1945: "It's nice flying but
one is so busy all the time one doesn't have time to enjoy the
ride. It is so different from driving or anything I have done
before. I guess I am slow catching on. Rather discouraging learning,
I don't ever remember being more in the dumps, then once in a
while you will have a good day and feel better. Some of the men
have already soloed and I am to solo soon and just can't see
myself yet, maybe I will get the feel soon. I had sure better
or I will be back at the Point too soon and in the ground forces
again.
"Enough of my troubles, all in all we are having a marvelous
time here. They really are treating us like kings. We can do
about as we please when off duty once a week, and as soon as
we are upperclassmen additional time will be granted us. We are
kept very busy and going fast all day but given as much relaxation
as possible. Almost like a civilian again. It is so different
from West Point I have to pinch myself to see that I'm not dreaming".
His advanced training as a flying cadet was at Stewart Field,
near Newburgh, New York. He was graduated from the United States
Military Academy, as a Second Lieutenant In the Army Air Forces,
on June 4, 1946, and was assigned for duty with the Enid A.F.B.
at Enid, Oklahoma, on July 20, 1946. He was through his flying
there by the last of October, leaving November 2nd when orders
came transferring him to the 371st Bomb Sqdn at MacDill Field,
Tampa, Florida, on November 12, 1946. While stationed at MacDill
Field he married Miss Constance Blue, daughter of Mrs. Andrew
Gair Blue and the late Mr. Blue of Martinsville, Virginia, in
the Martinsville Episcopal Church on March 8, 1947. After a short
wedding trip the young couple kept house in Tampa, Florida, until
Lieutenant Ivie was assigned to the 93rd Bomb Group, at Castle
Field, Merced, California, on June 13, 1947. Here he served until
his last orders were received which were to return to Florida
for four months of school beginning on September 1, 1947.
His commanding officers have paid him the following tributes:
Lieutenant Colonel John Thrift, commanding the 93rd Bomb Group
in Merced, California, under whom he last served, wrote Elliott's
parents:
"Lieutenant Ivie was one of the most clean cut and one of
the finest men it has been my pleasure to know. He was one of
the most popular officers in the Squadron and his untimely death
is a loss to us. I can assure you that you can well be proud
of his actions and accomplishments both as an officer and as
a man".
The following letter came from General Carl Spaatz, Chief of
Staff. United States Air Force: "We of the Air Force, share
your sorrow in the untimely death of your husband, Second Lieutenant
Benjamin E. Ivie, Jr.
"Lieutenant Ivie was a valued officer, and we recognize
a real loss in his untimely passing. He merited the high regard
of all who knew him for the able manner in which he completed
assignments. Loyal and attentive to duty, he was the type of
officer who upheld the best traditions of the Air Force. He will
long be remembered by associates because of these fine qualities.
"I know that words are of little help at a time of grief,
but I hope the thought of your husband's faithfulness to his
country will be a source of consolation.
"I extend my deepest sympathy to you and other members of
the family in the great sorrow you have sustained."
--A. M. I.
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