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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly May '99
CAREY WAYNE MILLIGAN * '46
No.15525 * 1 Aug 1924 - 26 Jun 1996
Died in San Diego, CA * Ashes to be combined with those of his
wife and scattered after her death.
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Wayne, as he preferred to be called, was born and
raised in Cherry Fork, OH. He graduated from Cherry Fork High
School in 1941 and entered the University of Cincinnati part
time while working. He joined the Class of 1946 at West Point
on 1 July 1943.
Wayne did well as a cadet. Roommate, Skip Strain,
recalled: "He was a quiet, straightforward friend who never
pushed but was always there as a voice of reason. He was like
the definition of a good neighbor - never in our way, often invisible
unless you needed him." G-2 companymate, Harry Smythe wrote:
"Wayne was reserved, quiet yet confident in making his views
known. He had a common sense approach to problems, philosophy
or whatever subject was being discussed. He met without complaint
the many challenges we faced. He was a good friend and he left
me with many good memories." Wayne graduated a second lieutenant
in the Field Artillery.
Wayne received his basic officer schooling at Fort
Sill, OK. Before his first assignment, he married Nancy Bronson
on 1 May 1947 in Jackson, MI. His first assignment was with the
159th FA Battalion in Nara, Japan. Wayne served on the Staff
and Faculty of the Artillery School at Fort Bliss, TX in 1951.
In 1953, it was back to Fort Sill for the Officers Advance Course.
In 1954 he was assigned to the 529 FA Observation Bn in Karlsruhe,
Germany and in 1955 commanded a battery in that battalion. He
moved up to the staff of the 72and FA Group, also in Germany,
in 1956. Wayne was selected to attend Georgia Tech in 1957 and
received his MSEE in 1959. It was back to Fort Sill with the
Artillery Board and then a short tour in Korea in 1962. Returning
to the States, Wayne was assigned to the Combat Development Command
at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Friend and associate, John Ely, USMA '42,
wrote: "Wayne assisted very well in bringing the Army into
an understanding of the potential of ADP applications to tactical
functions such as fire direction, fire support coordination,
communications and intelligence. He brought a sound technical
background to the development of Army tactical ADP. He helped
break ground for the later major developments in tactical information
systems. Wayne worked with great diligence and technical skill
and without a lot of hype and bombast when some tended to overplay
various aspects of progress. He was a practical developer."
Wayne retired in 1966 to try his hand in the civilian arena.
His first position was as a Radio Frequency Design
Engineer with Bell Aerospace and later with Lockheed Electronics
in Tucson, AZ. In 1974, Wayne joined Validity Corporation, again
as a RF Design Engineer.
In 1975, The Milligans moved to San Diego, CA where
Wayne became a Senior RF Design Engineer with Tracor, Inc. In
1988, Wayne moved to RF Microsystems, Inc as a Senior RF Design
Engineer.
Wayne suffered a massive heart attack and died
26 June 1996. Survivors include his wife, Nancy, son, Robert
and daughter Susan.
Wayne Milligan was everything you would expect
from a West Pointer. Not one to toot his own horn, he was quietly
and effectively productive in a very technical and rapidly expanding
field. He always gave his best to everything he attempted. A
loving husband and father, a faithful worker in his church, Wayne
was just a very good person in every way. Respected by all who
knew him, he never wavered from the precepts of Duty, Honor,
Country that meant so much to him.
John Ely spoke of his friend: "Wayne's technical
reputation had been established and he was highly respected.
He was of great assistance to young people in search of entry
level positions in technical/administrative fields. One of these
was our daughter. Wayne made the opportunities for these young
people, mentored and supported them from entry to the achievement
of true professional capabilities. They all admired him greatly
and had the utmost respect for his kindly and effective leadership.
Wayne was smart, well informed and humorous in addressing the
foibles of his fellow citizens, though not judgmental. He was
a kind and gentle man who is much missed by many people. He favorably
touched all of us who knew him."
In 1947, on his first tour of duty, Wayne met Mr.
Takeji Kadota in Nara, Japan. Mr. Kadota was sent later to the
United States to study. Wayne renewed his contact with him some
years ago and Mr. Kadota, now President of the Institute for
Improving Productivity and Systems, Tokyo, wrote in part: "I
was shocked with profound grief to learn of the sudden death
of your beloved husband. My impression back in the old days in
Nara was he seemed a man of sincerity, friendly to the other
officers in the battalion. From his letters of season's greetings
of later years, I have found him to be faithful to his profession
yet affectionate to his friends and family, especially you. I
am proud of being the friend of such an ideal American gentleman
for many years. Yours truly, Takeji Kadota"
Wayne would be pleased to hear from the Class of
1946 these words that would mean so much to him: "Well Done,
Wayne; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Nancy
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