 |
MEMORIAL ARTICLE
PUBLIISHED ASSEMBLY JAN 1998
WALTER GRAHAM ELLIS * EX '46
DIED 7 OCTOBER 1996 AT OOSTBURG, WISCONSIN, AGED 72 YEARS
INTERMENT: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA |
An "Army Brat", Walter G. (Smiley) Ellis
was born 14 December 1923 at Fort McKinley, Philippine Islands.
Smiley attended Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia
and then went to Sullivan's Prep School before entering West
Point on 1 July 1943 with the Class of 1946.
Problems with the Academic Department caused Smiley to depart
West Point in January 1945, when he enlisted in he Army. He was
commissioned from OCS in November 1945. Shortly after the end
of WWII, he was sent to Germany and the European Signal School
where he met and married another Army Brat, Pamela Dunn in 1947.
The Ellises returned to the States in 1948 when Smiley transferred
to Signal Corps and attended school at Ft. Monmouth, NJ. It was
then on to Fort Bragg, NC before Smiley took part in the Inchon
Landing in 1950 prior to spending eighteen months in Korea during
the war. Following assignments at Ft. Monmouth and Ft. Shafter,
HI, Smiley was assigned to West Point as the Assistant Signal
Officer, his most enjoyable assignment.
From West Point, the Ellises moved to Ft Leavenworth, KS for
C&GSC before going to Turkey. It was then to the Pentagon
before going to Ft Bragg where Smiley organized Hqs. 86th Signal
Battalion and deployed it to Vietnam. It was back to the Pentagon,
then to Alaska where Smiley commanded Stratcom Alaska Signal
Group. His last assignment before retirement as a Colonel was
as Deputy J-6, Strike Command at MacDill Field, FL.
The Ellises retired to a small town, Oostburg, Wisconsin where
they enjoyed life for twenty four years. Smiley died 7 October
1996. He is survived by his wife, Pamela; two sons, James and
Walter; two daughters, Louise and Catherine; and a sister, Cynthia.
Smiley Ellis epitomizes the term, "Military Professional."
He treasured his time at West Point, as a cadet and when assigned
there. He always kept abreast of the news and doings of the Class
of 1946. To understand the man, the soldier, the husband and
father, Smiley Ellis, the remembrances of those who knew and
loved him provide that insight.
BG Ransom Barber, USMA '51, recalled: "Walt was my first
company commander and later helped me with the golf corps squad
when we were both at USMA. He demonstrated a warmth and 'humanness'
that made it clear to all who served under him that he cared.
He was highly competitive at work and on the links-he could do
tricks with a seven iron most only dream about. Above all else,
he had a love for the family of Ellis and the family of man."
Sister, Cynthia, provided these insights: "What I would
like Smiley's classmates to know is how proud he was all his
life of being a military professional. In the small village where
they retired, he was "the Colonel.' Both he and Pam felt
an obligation to participate in the town constructively and they
tried to make a difference. Smiley marched in parades, made speeches
at patriotic celebrations, spoke to students about 'what it was
really like in Korea and Vietnam.' At coffee hour at the Knotty
Pine, he was the resident authority on all matters military.
There was enormous respect and affection for Smiley because of
his military bearing, his integrity his knowledge and pride in
his profession and his country. He was for his fellow townspeople
exactly what they wanted to believe an Army man should be."
Harold Ten Haken, one of Smiley's fellow coffee klatchers at
the Knotty Pine, remembered: He was considered the 'historian'
for the group. If someone had a question no one could answer,
Smiley would always say he would find out and the next day would
have the answer. One day when Smiley wasn't there, a fellow said
he would stump Smiley by asking about hummingbirds. That night
another participant alerted Smiley. The next day Smiley astounded
all with his knowledge of humming birds. I was very proud to
present the American Flag to Pam at the funeral."
Son, James had this to day about his father: "These memories
personify to me who and what my father was:
A late night in Izmir, turkey, November 1963 as he stood at attention
and saluted while a radio announcer described the passing of
President Kennedy's caisson.
A widely held belief that unless he lost his seven iron, he was
going to win the round.
My father loved his wife, his family and his profession. He instilled
something in each of his children that made us better people.
He was a man of loyalty, integrity and determination. He believed
in duty, honor, country, and in his final days, many of this
thoughts were of 'The Corps.' He gave the Army his full measure
and led a life that will always make me proud."
Daughter, Catherine reflected: "There are lots of things
special about Dad, but I'll pick just one. He was devoted to
my mother-no question about it. He certainly had the capacity
to be crabby with just about anybody, but if anyone offended
or tried to take advantage of my mother's generous nature, they
were in for a special treat. I like to joke that I married someone
just like my DAD(and THAT was certainly not my goal as a child).
I guess my choice doesn't really surprise me-with the father
I had, I couldn't have accepted anything else. Dad was tough,
independent, military, military, military-and he was devoted
to Mom."
Daughter, Louise wrote: "Being raised in a solid home with
firm values and varied experiences was certainly a gift of my
father, though I'm sure he never viewed it that way. When I was
about 18, I told a friend, 'I respect my father. I admire him
and his values. He stands for something.' My father was a soldier,
and I was proud of that fact. He was moral, honest and forthright-those
are the qualities of my father that I will carry with me forever-that
have become strong values in my own life, and I see them in my
children as well."
To these expressions of love, affection and respect from friends
and family of Smiley Ellis, the Class of 1946 would like to add
the words that would mean so much to him: "Well Done, Smiley;
Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Pam
|