![]() The Men of B-2 Plebe Year CIRCA
1951
- Since we joined B-2 in '47 change and differences have provided new
interests for us all. Each year we moved. We averaged a new Tac a year. We
sadly said goodbye to some classmates and welcomed a couple of new ones.
And now there are nineteen who have "stuck our four years through: Just as
the changes in Tacs and the shuffling around in Old North gave new
interest to each year, our own diversity has kept life interesting. We
boasted eleven Northerners and two Texans; seven of us were regular Corps
Squad files, four could not make up their minds; we have our goats and a
star man; we have our eager files and a few of us sacked for all four
years. We were different. In everything it was these differences and these
changes that made life interesting, whether as plebes when we laughed at
ourselves or as firsties when we became most interested in cars, weekends,
June, and the way old B-Co. ticked. We have had four good years together.
THE
REST OF THE STORY
- Eighteen graduated; 7 went Air Force, 3 Armor, 1 Artillery, 2 Corps of
Engineers, 3 Infantry, and 2 Signal Corps. In the end there arose out of
B2‑Co a three star general, Ernie Peixotto. The average rank was Major +
and served an average of 16.6 years, however, considering only those who
stayed in for twenty the average rank is Colonel (plus) and the average
number of years served is 25.6. Decorations
– B-Co went out and earned a Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally
meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility, Ernie Peixotto did
that, and Pursley earned a Silver Star for distinguished gallantry in
action. Joe Smith was decorated with the Purple Heart for wounds received
in action against an enemy. There were seven Legions of Merit for
exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding
services. There were also 5 Distinguished Flying Crosses for distinguished
heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial
flight; 3 Bronze Star Medals for distinguished heroism against an enemy,
11 Meritorious Service Medals for conspicuously meritorious performance of
duty in a non-combat situation; 28 Air Medals for meritorious achievement
beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight, with
Led Long getting 16; two Joint Service Commendation Medals; 10
Commendation Medals for distinguished service and 2 Combat Infantryman
Badges among B-Co files. Advanced
Degrees
- The lads next door, earned seven advance degrees as follows; one PhD in
Engineering, one Masters in Education, one MBA, five Master of Science in
Engineering and one Master of Arts in English. National
Defense University
– One, Ernie Peixotto, attended the National War College at Ft. McNair. Ur Friend Andy Grip hands with us now, though we see thee not, Grip hands with us, ... Lynn ... Dain ... Charley ... George ... Joe ... Buck ... Jim ...Don ...Led ...John ... Sam ... Tom ... Joe Smith ..... Strengthen our hearts! 1. Lynn Galloway died on August 26, 1953 in Korea. Still Kicking are;... Jack, ... Murt ... Dick ... Ernie ... and Lew. You'll recognize those attending the 65th, they look thusly now.
Update on Jack Upon graduation Jack went in the Signal Corps and after attending the Signal Corps Training Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia reported to his first duty station. Jack resigned his commission as a First Lieutenant in 1954. He makes him home in Boston, Massachusetts. **********************************************Update on Murt Upon graduation Murt went in the Air Force and after flying training reported to his first duty station. In 1965 Murt earned a Master of Science degree from Florida State University and then was appointed to the Air Force Advisory Group for the Republic of Vietnam. In 1969 Murt was appointed Commanding Officer of the Grand Turk Airfield and served as such until 1970 when he was selected to attend Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia. In 1976 Murt was assigned to Armament Development Test Center, Eglin AFB, and he retired from the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel. Murt makes his home in Pensacola, Florida. **********************************************Update on Dick Mac's last military assignment was to Weapons System Evaluation Group, Office Secretary of Defense where he served
from 1970 until 1973 when he retired from the United States Army as a Colonel. After retirement Mac became associated with Honeywell Aero Space Division
and in 1978 was appointed Project Manager. Mac and his wife Dabney make their home in St. Petersburg, Florida. Update on Ernie In August 1981 Erny accepted his last military assignment; he was named Comptroller of the Army, Washington, D. C. and
served until his retirement from the United States Army in August 1984 with rank of Lieutenant General, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
On retirement, Erny was affiliated with the Systems Research and Applications Corporation from 1984 to 1989 when he retired again and moved to Florida
where he and his wife Libby make their home in Palm City, Florida. Update on John In 1970 he was appointed to the Military Group in Venezuela and served there for four years. Then from 1974 he served as Director of Production & Procurement at Headquarters Air Force Logistics Command until 1976 when he retired as a full Colonel. In 1979 Ritch earned a Masters degree in Education and became a School Teacher where he served until 1991. In 1995 Ritch was elected to the Town Council of Chelsea, Alabama where he and his wife Terry make their home. **********************************************
Update on Lew Upon graduation Lew went in the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia reported to Camp Roberts in 1952 and from there was ordered to the 223rd Infantry Regiment, 40th Division in Korea where he served until 1953. In 1954 Lew resigned his First Lieutenant's commission and returned to civilian life. In 1969 Lew became a Stock Broker. Lew makes his home in Phoenix, Arizona. **********************************************Update on Joe Joe's last military assignment was as Director of Facilities Engineering, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC where he served from 1978 to 1981 when he retired from the United States Army as a Colonel after a distinguished career. Joe and his wife Betty make their home in Fairfax, Virginia. ********************************************** |