October Retiree's Corner

We had around 60 folks to show once everyone straggled in for the Luncheon, including a first timer, Hayes Baker. Every other month I check and see who comes the farthest, it was none other than our featured speaker, Grady (Gray) L. Patterson, IV. He is a traditional guardsman and lives in Greenville. He came down to be with us and make up a drill day. His dad, Leck, came out to be with his son for a visit. Later during the Luncheon, we had a raffle, Jane Henson was the cash winner. Plus we had some other prizes to hand out. The biggest prize was being able to come to the Luncheon and being with the McEntire family.

McEntire History:  We have been and will be honoring the Berlin Call-Up folks, right now we are engaged with the 169th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (CAMS), there were a lot of folks in this squadron. We will be starting with some technical sergeants at the time of deployment:

• Jack D. Coward, he retired in 1989 as an E-8, He is still living, and comes regularly to our Luncheons. His wife passed away recently.
• Francis “Frank” S. Dunn, he retired in 1988, also as an E-8. He is still living and comes regularly to our Luncheons.
• LeRoy Farr, he retired in 1977 as an E-6, and died in 2001. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• Ronald P. Gregory, he retired in 1993 as an E-9 while with the 240th Combat Comm. Squadron. Ron is still living, and lives in the Eastover area.
• Arliss L. Hallman, he retired in 1986 as an E-7, passed away August 25, 2012. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• Billy T. Harrington, I have no information on him at this time.
• William L. Huff, he retired in 1980 as an E-7 and passed away in 2003. His name is on the SCANG monument as W. L. Huff.
• Boyd M. Jenkinson, he retired in 1988 as an E-9 and passed away in 2005. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• William L. Jeter, he retired in 1983 as an E-7 and passed away in 2003. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• Jimmy F. Joye, Sr, he retired in 1990 (estimated) as an E-9 and passed away March 19, 2017. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• James A. Keel, I have no information on him at this time.
• Charles T. Kelly, Jr., he retired in 1965 as a MSgt, he passed away in 1972, his name is on the Monument as C.T. Kelly, Jr.  He was one of our original 50 members that mustered December 9, 1946.
• Thomas P. McGee, I have no information on him at this time.
• William E. Maddox, he retired in 1990 as an E-8. He is still living, and comes regularly to our Luncheons.  He also helps at the S.C. Military History Museum.
• Lacy V. Poe, I have no information on him at this time.
• Russell G. Pleasant, he retired in 1968 as an E-7. He passed away September 29, 2014. His name is on the SCANG monument as “R.G. Pleasant, Sr.”
• Bobby W. Petty, he retired in 1990 as an E-9 and is still living.
• William T. Wilson, I have no information on him at this time.

Staff sergeants at the time of deployment.

• William B. Able, Jr., I have no information on him at this time.
• William B. Ackerman, he retired in 1975 as an E-6.  I believe he is still living.
• Robert L. Amick, I have no information on him at this time.
• David R. Aull, I have no information on him at this time.
• Edward W. Bartsch, he retired in 1976 as an E-6 and passed away in 2006. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• Richard D. Bates, I have no information on him at this time.
• Frankie L. Black, I have no information on him at this time.
• Olin Black, he retired in 1975 as an E-7 and recently died March 27, 2019.  His name is not yet on the SCANG monument.
• John T. Bowie, he “Jim” retired in 1994 as an E-9 and is still living, however at this time he is in a rehabilitation facility. He would regularly come to our Luncheons.
• Tommy G. Bridges, I have no information on him at this time.
• Lloyd W. Brown, I have no information on him at this time.
• Charles A. Byrd, I have no information on him at this time.
• Allen L. Campbell, Jr., I have no information on him at this time.
• Leo A. Chapmon, he was an active member when he passed away in 1993. His name is on the SCANG monument. I consider him a “retiree” with the amount of service time he had at McEntire.
• Comer E. Collins, he retired in 1991 as an E-7 and is still living in Winnsboro. He and his wife come periodically to our Luncheons. 
• Arthur B. Cook, I have no information on him at this time. 
• George M. Counts, I have no information on him at this time.
• Clyde Craft, he retired in 1976 as an E-6, and passed away 1980. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• James D. Dempsey, he “Jack” retired in 1989 as an E-8. He is still living, although experiencing some medical problems as of late.
• Ernest C. Dowdy, Sr., he retired in 1972 as an E-7. I believe he was on the base bowling team.  He passed away June 22, 1993, and his name is not currently on the SCANG monument.
• William L. Elliot, I have no information on him at this time.
• Billie J. Ellison, I have no information on him at this time.
• James H. Haack, he retired in 1985 as an E-9. As far as I know, he is still living.
• Hordric B. Havird, I have no information on him at this time.
• Oliver B. Heath, I have no information on him at this time.
• James A. Hewett, he “Whitey” retired in 1990 as an E-9 and passed away August 8, 2013. He was quite the character, helped me coach baseball some, and later wore red suspenders all the time.
• Thomas D. Hixson, I have no information on him at this time.
• Marion A. Ike, he retired in 1994 as an E-7 from the Motor Pool. He passed away recently November 19, 2018.
• Ben G. Jenkins, I have no information on him at this time.

A synopsis of the above 47 names. There were 25 folks that I had information on simple because they are known retirees. Of the 25 known retirees, we have seven chief master sergeants, four senior master sergeants, nine master sergeants, and four technical sergeants.  I am not sure what rank Leo Chapmon held, I am guessing either an E-8 or E-9 at the time of his death. A lot of authority and experience in this group. 

The 22 names that I have no information on will be checked out at a later date hopefully going through the old card file at the TAG office. A valuable tool for me. I am again guessing with this group many probably just finished their term and got out. However, I am always looking for the “missing links” (1987-1993). Unfortunately I found one from last month’s article thanks to the Gantt’s recently, Donald E. Honeycutt, he spent about ten years at McEntire but did not retire. He just died August 13, 2019. If I find anymore, I will follow up on them with my readers.

Next Luncheon, October 1st at our usual place, the Fort Jackson NCO Club beginning at 1200, please come and see us and be with your McEntire family.

Prepared by Robert (Bob) W. Barkalow, Jr., MSgt Retired