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16058 Mewborn, Needham Phillips
May 30, 1922 - October 18, 1980

usma1946

 

 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


Personal Eulogy

deceased

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