17296 DENHAM, ERNEST WILLIAM, JR.
10 August 1926 - 12 May 1998
Died in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Interred in Bay Pines V.A. Cemetery, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Aged 71 years.

ERNEST WILLIAM DENHAM, JR. was born in Tampa, FL. He attended schools in Tampa and, while in high school, developed the urge to attend West Point. Toward the end of high school, he attended the Severn Preparatory School in Severn, MD, and from there, earned an appointment to West Point. Since he had no previous military service before entering USMA, as many of his classmates did, Ernie encountered the full cultural shock of Beast Barracks; however, that did not phase him (an illustration of a character trait that would come to the forefront in later years). Ernie regaled his roommates during Plebe year with stories of Florida, its palmettos, cigars, and rattlesnakes. He spent Plebe year in B-2 Company but, as part of a major USCC reorganization, was transferred, along with several other B-2 classmates, to A-2 Company during Yearling summer. Despite B-2's reputation for a tough Plebe year, Ernie never let the system get him down - another character trait that would stand him in good stead in later years. Ernie's southern drawl and laid back approach characterized his experience for the remainder of his time at the Academy

Upon graduation, Ernie married his high school sweetheart, Gloria Terrell. As a new Infantry officer, he was sent to Ft. Riley and Ft. Benning for schooling before joining one of the Army's line units. The attack on South Korea came while he was attending the Basic Course. Gloria was pregnant at the time, so his departure for combat was deferred until his first daughter, Amy, was born in 1950.

In 1951, Ernie left for Korea and joined the 2Ist Infantry, 24th Division. His first assignment was as commanding officer of a company that had lost all of its officers to enemy action. Ernie was up to the challenge. After three months of combat, his company was tasked to take a very well-defended hill. After two platoons attacked and were beaten back, Ernie took the third platoon for a final attempt in the best "Follow Me" tradition. A 120mm mortar shell took his right leg and mangled his left leg, putting an end to Ernie's Korean tour. During the blood transfusions to save his life, he contracted hepatitis, further complicating his recovery. Editor: Gloria and daughter Amy were able to join him at the Army hospital in Battle Creek, Ml, as he convalesced. The following year or more, he learned to walk again with an artificial leg. He then became a firing range instructor at the Infantry School at Ft. Benning, where he mastered the ability to stand on his feet for eight hours a day. In December 1953, Ernie and Gloria were blessed with their second daughter, Jill.

His next assignment was to attend the University of Georgia, where he graduated with a master's degree in journalism. In April 1959, Ernie and Gloria were blessed with another daughter, Maureen. He was assigned to the Pentagon for a few years before going to Cameron Station, VA, where he served as Production Editor of the Army Digest. Next, he attended CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, before he was sent to Washington, DC, for language training in Spanish. He then became the Public Information Officer at Ft. Polk, LA, and in January 1967, he was assigned to the Public Information Office at Ft. Monroe, VA.

Ernie retired in 1968 with a permanent disability. He, Gloria, and their three daughters - Amy, Jill, and Maureen - settled in St. Petersburg, FL, where Ernie joined a brokerage firm and sold stocks and bonds for 14 years. Following that, he joined the Internal Revenue Service and provided customer assistance for another eleven years, leaving only because of required standing for long hours.

In 1997 he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease and fought a tough, but losing, battle. He died at the Woodside Hospice facility in St. Petersburg in May 1998 with Gloria and his family at his side. Gloria, three daughters, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren survive him.

Ernie is remembered as a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose strength of character enabled him to handle the strongest challenges with calm leadership and unmatched bravery. Throughout his military and civil careers, he was a perfectionist in his work. Although he lost a leg in Korea, he never felt that it hampered him or that he needed any special treatment. He simply wanted to make his contribution and be accepted.
Ernie will always be remembered for his cheerful attitude towards life, his bravery under fire, his dedication to his family and his country, and his ability to handle adversity under any circumstance. He earned the respect of all who knew him, worked for him, and worked with him. He has added to the moral strength of the Long Gray Line.

Family and classmates

Personal Eulogy
 
Class Website
1949 TAPS
Contact The Class
ADMIN