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Stories of Alumni Legacies and Troops, Campus History and the Greatest Generation
 Browsing Greatest Generation Stories
The UGA Alumni Association had a nice visit recently from alumnus, Dr. Carl Wooten, Jr. ‘43, a native of Homerville Ga. recently visited the UGA Alumni Association. This was his first trip back to campus in 64 years. After graduating from UGA, Wooten served in WWII in the Burma campaign. Upon his return home, he went to UNC-Chapel Hill and received his doctorate in Chemistry. He worked with Eastman Kodak for 42 years and retired in Chapel Hill where he is active in the Chemistry Department as an adjunct professor. He has contributed a great deal to the field of … continue reading »
Many important members of the “Greatest Generation” did not engage in combat, in fact, some who played a strategic role during World War II were not even in the armed forces. A case in point is the following memoir from Dr. Joseph P. Hester ‘73 of Claremont, N.C.
“In December 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and I turned two years old. My father, being a skilled electrician, moved us from Newton, NC to Wilmington, NC where we spent the next five years. My father worked in the shipyards constructing Liberty Ships. We first lived on Carolina Beach just up the … continue reading »
Click to enlarge. Dr. Leander K. Powers BS ‘35, is a member of UGA’s Greatest Generation and one of our most unusual alums. At 93, he still has his general practice in Savannah that he started in 1945.
Dr. Powers received his M.D. from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta in 1940. His late wife, the former Pauline Cargill, and their five children all went to UGA. One of his daughters, Polly Powers Stramm ‘77, ABJ of Savannah, shared the following information with us.
“My father served in southern Italy during World War … continue reading »
 Dr. Vaughn D. Bornet of Ashland, OR, attended UGA in 1940-41 and is member of UGA’s Greatest Generation. When asked to respond for our series, he responded:
“I have to confess being uneasy about being in a “greatest generation” category. Still, it was not I who invented it.
“I am to be 92 on October 10. I came to UGA for a full year graduate program in History, second graduate year, on a full ride scholarship (all expenses) in 1940-41, living in the Graduate Dorm across from the campus. … continue reading »
George Kessler ‘37, a World War II veteran, graduated from UGA with a degree in animal husbandry. His daughter, Sandra Kessler ‘67, found a series of letters Kessler wrote to his mother while stationed in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines from 1944-45.
While Kessler was stationed in the Philippines, most of the fighting between the Japanese and allied troops was over and the country and its people were devastated. The people of the Philippines welcomed the U.S. Army with open arms, often inviting them to their homes for meals.
The letters are filled with stories about the Philipino culture and customs … continue reading »
During World War II, 33 University of Georgia alumni were officers of the U.S. Army’s Sixth Calvary Regiment, which helped bring about the final defeat of Hitler. They received their commissions through the ROTC program upon graduating from the University of Georgia.
Harold Parady BS ‘40, PhD ‘77, a retired University faculty member now residing in Macon, GA, is one of five surviving members of that group. Parady said the men all distinguished themselves as well-trained, highly disciplined officers and leaders.
“In fact, when World War II ended in Europe May 8, 1945, five of the six highest ranking officers in the … continue reading »
Click to enlarge. Harold Storey ‘43 actually graduated in December, 1942. Two years later he was in Europe involved in one of the strategic battles of World War II, The Battle of the Bulge.
Storey’s account of combat during the worst winter on record up to that time is featured in Tom Brokaw’s book, “An Album of Memories – Personal Histories from the Greatest Generation.”
Originally from Armuchee, Ga., Storey was very active at UGA serving as President of the Baptist Student Union; Vice-President of the Religious Council, Treasurer of the Economics Society and … continue reading »
 Captain Henry F. “Doc” Manget, Jr. ’48, a member of UGA’s greatest generation, one of our state’s most honored combat veterans and a pioneer in Georgia aviation passed away July 2004.
Doc and his wife, the former Maie “Toy” Watkin, graduated from the University in 1948. They have three sons who are all UGA alumni: Frederick, (BA’73), Thomas, (BSA’77) and John, (BA’79).
Doc was a fifth-generation Georgian who spent more than 35 years in civil service and 40 years in Naval Aviation. During those careers, he flew … continue reading »
Tifton native Henry Tift (Hank) Myers, (UGA 1929’) appeared on the aerospace scene at a pivotal point in aviation history—at a time before there was a branch of service called the Air Force, before planes routinely crossed oceans and continents. As an accomplished and respected aviator with quick wit and a Georgia born charm, he was a natural to become this country’s first Presidential pilot—the first to fly the presidential aircraft across the globe and into theaters of war. Setting records for speed and distance, Hank Myers was an aviation pioneer who not only transported U.S. Presidents but royalty, … continue reading »
Click to enlarge. Howard Hall ‘48, is part of an interesting UGA legacy and a member of the Greatest Generation.
After completing his freshman year at North Georgia College in 1943, Hall enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He did his basic training in Mississippi and pre-flight school in Texas. He received his wings as a 19-year-old 2nd Lt. in Altus, OK.
He was assigned to a B-24 heavy bomber crew and was stationed in Lincoln, NE and Topeka, KS before being sent overseas to the American Air Base in Cerignola, Italy.
From there, the … continue reading »
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