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Stories of Alumni Legacies and Troops, Campus History and the Greatest Generation
 Browsing Greatest Generation Stories
 On Memorial Day this month, an 81-year-old UGA graduate will be passing out silk red poppies in honor of Americans who have died serving their country.
Aurelia Dunstan Wallace ‘45, ‘46 will carry on the tradition begun while a student at UGA in 1942 when she was selected to accompany Miss Moina Michael, one of her professors known as the “Poppy Lady.” Miss Michael was the originator of the poppy tradition in 1919 when she made red silk poppies and passed them out in remembrance of her fiancé who made the ultimate sacrifice. The … continue reading »
Benjamin F. Parks ‘42 and Daniel Eugene Thompson, Jr. ‘42, each officers in the UGA ROTC Infantry Regiment were killed in action in World War II. Parks and Thompson were outstanding students and soldiers – two heroes of UGA’s Greatest Generation.
 Born in Maysville, Banks County, Georgia, Parks was named for his forefather who is associated with the discovery of gold near Dahlonega. He attended public school and was the first honor graduate of Maysville High School in 1939. He graduated first in his class in 1941 from North Georgia Junior College. Although … continue reading »
Charles G. Shepherd ’48 BBA, responded to our appeal for World War II stories. He is a member of UGA’s Greatest Generation and wrote:
On December 28, 1943, at the age of 20, I graduated from the Infantry School’s Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning. This Class was made up primarily of former College ROTC students.
There were several men in this class from UGA, Willis Johnson, who recently died, Henry Neal and “Chief” Walter Rourke, an outstanding UGA football player on the 1942 team, who was later killed in action.
I served in the 121st Infantry which … continue reading »
 Charles McMullen, ’49 AB, a member of UGA’s Greatest Generation, never flew in combat in World War II, but he was well trained and ready.
“Charlie Mac,” as he is known to family and friends, realized a longtime dream when he was offered a scholarship to play football at UGA in 1943. Instead of coming to Athens, he ended up in basic training for the U.S. Army air cadets in Biloxi, Mississippi.
He is a native of Columbus, but grew up in Atlanta and graduated from North Fulton High School. After his basic … continue reading »
Claude H. Sullivan, Jr. ‘48ABJ, of Florence, CO. is a member of UGA’s Greatest Generation and a retired Methodist minister.
“Sully,” as he is affectionately known by friends and family, is 88 years old. He was born in Perkins, GA in 1921. His life story has been published in a booklet, “They Called Me Brother” as told to his daughter, Laura Sullivan Lopata. The delightful volume chronicles his growing up in Perkins, his youth, his experiences in three wars, well as his days at the University of Georgia, courtship, marriage and family and finally his years with the United Methodist Church.
Sully
… continue reading »
The following is a passage from the experience Claude Williams, Jr., ‘44, ‘48 shared.
Click to enlarge. After graduating from North Georgia College, a two-year military school, in 1942, I entered UGA as a junior in the Infantry ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps). There were about 30 of us in this program along with several hundred more enrolled in similar colleges around the country.
During the summer of l943 we were inducted into the army at Fort McPherson in Atlanta as privates and returned to UGA while the army decided what to do with us. This … continue reading »
 When the Bulldogs ran onto the field at the 2007 Homecoming Game, few realized that an 85-year-old Marine combat Veteran of World War II was one of the alumni cheerleaders leading the pack.
Curtis Beall ‘47 is a member of UGA’s Greatest Generation and one of the most unique men you will ever meet. Growing up in a small town near Dublin, Ga. Beall came to the University in 1941. His studies were interrupted in 1943 when he received orders from the U.S. Marine corps to report for duty…. continue reading »
 Dan Magill ‘42 ABJ, one of the UGA’s favorite and most colorful characters, is a proud member of America’s Greatest Generation.
Magill, widely known and respected former Sports Information Director, Associate Athletic Director, and Tennis Coach, headed the effort to establish the Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame and is responsible for its being located in Athens. In 1983 the facility was built at the UGA Tennis Center where he presently serves as curator.
The amiable coach founded the Georgia Bulldog Clubs throughout the state and in other major cities in the Southeast and has authored … continue reading »
Benjamin F. Parks ‘42 and Daniel Eugene Thompson, Jr. ‘42, each officers in the UGA ROTC Infantry Regiment were killed in action in World War II. Parks and Thompson were outstanding students and soldiers – two heroes of UGA’s Greatest Generation.
 Born in Pinehurst, Dooly County, Ga., Thompson’s family was among the earliest settlers in Dooly County. Gene attended public schoos and was a member of the First Methodist Church.
Following high school he attended North Georgia Junior College, where he received a degree in 1941 and entered the University of Georgia. He was an officer … continue reading »
“Short Snorter” with signature ofClark Gable
Dequindre McGlaun, ’50 MEd, is a member of UGA’s Greatest Generation. At age 91, the former teacher – coach , resides in Junction City, GA. He has a son and daughter who graduated from UGA and we published the first installment of his reflections upon service during World War II in the last issue of the alumni e-newsletter dealing with his early life and military training. This is the second installment.
The 94th Bomb Group landed at Presque Isle, Maine in April of 1943, and McGlaun was … continue reading »
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