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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly May '93
Needham Phillips Mewborn No.16058 Class of 1946
Died 18 October 1980 at Durham, North Carolina, aged 58 years.
Interment: West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York. |
The second of four boys, Needham Phillips Mewborn
was born 30 May 1922 in Kinston, North Carolina. His friends
and family always called him Ned. His aunt, Mrs. Lu Lang MacKenzie,
recalled that Ned was always busy as a child. He was interested
in everything and everybody. From an early age, he loved horses
and other animals. He spent most of his spare time with his ponies
and dogs. Ned graduated from Granger High School in Kinston and
then attended the Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Virginia.
He had a year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
before he received his coveted appointment to West Point. Ned
joined the Class of 1945 on 1 July 1942.
Ned translated his love for horses into extracurricular
activities during his cadet days. He played polo each year and
was a mule rider at Army football games. Academics were a problem
for Ned, and he was found deficient at Christmas his first class
year. He returned to join the Class of 1946 in 1945. Since all
his original classmates had graduated, Ned remained in E-2 Company.
One of his '46 roommates, Rex Sheffield, recalled: "He was
a charming guy with a knowing smile and a mischievous twinkle
in his eye, 'Mr. David Niven of E-2 Company."' Rex also
recalled the Duke-Army game when Ned rode the mule with a gorgeous
Duke cheerleader accompanying him. That event made him the envy
of his classmates. Another roommate, Steve Edwards, recalled:
"He always had a sunny disposition and a busy social calendar.
He was a 'spoony' looking cadet, always with a ready smile. He
was the personification of a Southern Gentleman in a cadet uniform.
Among my more vivid memories is having Ned run back into barracks
from riding, just before first-call for supper, and in need of
help pulling his boots off. Rex never seemed to be around at
that time..." While Ned was a member of the Class of 1945,
he opted for Air Cadet Training in the spring of 1944. He completed
the Army Air Corps Primary Flying Course but, of course, couldn't
complete his flying training after he was turned back to the
Class of 1946. Ned became a second lieutenant of infantry upon
graduation on 4 June 1946.
Following branch schooling at Fort Benning, Georgia,
Ned traveled to Korea to become a Platoon Leader in the 31st
Infantry Regiment. In September 1948, Ned became aide-de-camp
to the Assistant 7th Division Commander. About the same time,
he met Eleanor R. Downes, who worked for Special Services. Ned
and Eleanor were married in Korea on 10 December 1948. Shortly
after that, the Mewborns transferred to Japan, where their daughter,
Carolyn was born on 14 January 1950. Returning to the States,
Ned became an instructor at the Army General School, Fort Riley,
Kansas. Ned went back to Korea in July of 1953 and commanded
a company in the 160th Infantry for four days before the Korean
War ended. Ned was reassigned to the Korean Military Advisory
Group (KMAG) as advisor to the Chief of Staff, Republic of Korea
Army. Six months later, he became aide-de-camp to the Chief,
KMAG. In 1954, the Mewborns traveled to Fort Monroe, Virginia,
where Ned served with Headquarters, US Army Continental Army
Command. In 1956, Ned reported to West Point to serve as aide-de-camp
to the Superintendent, Major General Gar Davidson.
After attending the Army Command and General Staff
College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Ned received his Masters
in Business Administration from Syracuse University. His utilization
tour was as Post Comptroller, Fort Jay, New York. In 1963, Ned
and Eleanor moved to Germany, where Ned became Program and Budget
Officer, Personnel and Administration Division, Headquarters,
US Army Europe. Two years later, Ned became commander of the
2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry. After twenty years active duty,
Ned decided to retire as a lieutenant colonel in 1966 and try
his hand at civilian life. He opened the Interstate Securities
Office in Burlington, North Carolina after a short time in Durham.
When his daughter Carolyn graduated from Duke University, she
joined Ned in the office in Burlington. For relaxation, Ned raised
English bird dogs for field trials, Eleanor and his friends thought
that the field trial work reminded Ned of his mule riding days.
He also did woodworking and, according to Eleanor, was always
building things. He never lost his love of the outdoors and animals.
Ned died 18 October 1980 at the Veterans Administration Hospital,
Durham, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife Eleanor, daughter
Carolyn and two brothers.
Ned Mewborn was a well-liked and respected member
of the Class of 1946. Having been a mule rider, everyone knew
who he was. One friend and classmate, Tony, recalled: "Ned
Mewborn was the 'solid-type' the type that did everything extremely
well without blaring trumpets. He loved his family and his duties.
I appreciated his sense of humor his sincerity and his friendships.
My wife Claire and I recall many happy social occasions spent
with Ned and Eleanor. They were a great team." Another friend
and classmate, Shep Booth, remembered: "Ned was the epitome
of a Southern Gentleman. He neither sought advantage nor took
advantage of any situation. He was gracious, friendly to all,
a staunch friend and always sincere... At Fort Benning, he is
fondly remembered for his enthusiastic participation in the Saturday
night gatherings at the Officer's Club. Everyone enjoyed and
sought his company because he was so friendly and outgoing, without
guile or pretense."
If members of the Class of 1946 were asked to describe
Ned Mewborn, the unanimous response would be: "Ned was a
kind, generous, even-tempered, easy-to-get-along-with person.
His gregarious disposition won him friends easily. He was respected
by all, subordinates, peers and superiors." In short, Ned
was a man and graduate of whom West Point can be proud. Duty,
Honor, Country were the hallmarks of his existence. He didn't
make a big point out of it, but he lived the motto in every facet
of his life. The Class of 1946 is proud to join his family and
friends in proclaiming: "Well Done, Ned; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife Eleanor
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