Posted by Terry Powers on January 15, 2023:

JOSEPH P. KINGSTON 1949 Cullum No. 17309-1949 | December 20, 2006 | Died in Birmingham, AL Interred in Shady Grove Cemetery, Leesburg, AL My father, Major General Joseph Paul Kingston, had an exemplary military ca­reer and was a stellar human being. His en­tire adult life he exemplified the principles in the motto of West Point: Duty, Honor, Country. He came from rather humble be­ginnings, growing up on a distant relative's farm in Yakima, WA. He graduated from high school toward the end of World War II. His strong sense of patriotism led him to enlist in the Army as a private. His ini­tial assignment was to patrol the beaches of Washington State with his guard dog. It was a year into this assignment that he received one of the "best calls of his life," an offer of an appointment to West Point. After his Plebe year, dad enjoyed West Point, although academics were not his strongest suit. Upon graduation, he com­pleted basic officer and paratrooper training and then headed to Korea. After participat­ing in the Inchon Landing, he experienced more than his fair share of combat. He was instrumental during many battles but most particularly during the critical battle of Hill 902. After this five-day engagement, he re­ceived both a battlefield promotion and his first Silver Star for his resolute leadership and consummate courage against an enemy force that outnumbered his company by more than twenty to one. His company received a Presidential Unit Citation, and as a mere lieutenant he received a letter directly from LTG Edward M. Almond, congratulating dad for his leadership and valor during this battle. The letter stated, "The gallant stand by "A" and "K" Companies...withstood the brunt of the enemy's determined attack and held intact the shoulder of the X Corps...[a] prompt and decisive action...felt throughout the X Corps front." This battle, and other aspects of my father's tour in Korea were memorialized on the front cover and in a six-page article in the April 1996 issue of Military History magazine. Two months after the battle of Hill 902, dad was severely wounded in the shoulder in another engagement. He barely survived. The bullet traveled downward and lodged near his liver. He was operated on at a MASH unit and then again on the Navy hospital ship Repose. The doctor was only able to find and remove the bullet after the local anes­thetic had worn off. Dad then suffered a col­lapsed lung during the flight back to Japan. At Tokyo General, the doctors made five or six chest taps to drain fluid in his lungs, and, during one of those, his heart stopped for a few seconds. After three months of recupera­tion, he returned to Korea to complete his tour, being awarded a Bronze Star with "V" for Valor and the Purple Heart, along with four additional medals. Returning to the States, dad excelled in a variety of assignments and graduated from Ranger School as well. He rose through the ranks and entered his next combat assign­ment as a full colonel in Viet Nam. During his two-year tour, he commanded the 1st Brigade of the 1st Calvary Division for six months and the 2d Brigade for a month. He also served as the chief of staff of the 1st Calvary Division for six months. While in Viet Nam, he received his second Silver Star when he filled in for a fallen battalion commander at Fire Support Base Grant and rallied his men to victory over a tena­cious enemy with vast numerical superiority. While in Viet Nam, he was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, 22 Air Medals and five additional medals. During the course of his military career, dad attended the National War College, receiving his master's degree in International Relations from George Washington University. He also attended the State Department's Senior Seminar in Foreign Policy. From September 1974 through October 1976, he was the commanding officer at Ft. McClellan, AL. His last assignment before retiring was as Acting DCSPER of the Army from November 1976 to 30 Sep 1978. During his career, dad was a Ranger, Aviator, Paratrooper (with more than 50 jumps), and the recipient of 31 medals for valor, heroism, and exceptional leadership. These awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Stars, three legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with V for Valor, the Purple Heart, and the 22 Air Medals, as well as the Combat Infantryman Badge with Star. While at Ft. McClellan, dad met Julia Snead. After his retirement, he returned to the Anniston, AL, area and married her. She was the love of his life, and they had a wonderful 27-year marriage until she passed away in July 2006. Shortly after they were married, dad became the Deputy Governor of the U.S. Soldier's and Airmen's Home in Washington, DC. Their joint move from Alabama to Washington, DC, was the largest single family move in the history of the Mayflower Company to that point in time. They both enjoyed their time in the Washington area enormously. Julia volunteered her services to the staff of Senator Claude Pepper in support of his efforts to pass legislation to deter elder abuse at nursing homes, etc. After spending six wonderful years in Washington, they re­turned to Cherokee County, AL, where Julia owned a very large lakeside home. Dad quickly became involved in sev­eral civic programs, such as the Centre Rotary Club. He chaired the committee that championed the building of a four-lane highway from Atlanta to Memphis, with a portion passing through the northern part of Cherokee County. During the first 10 to 15 years after their return to the Centre, AL, area, dad and Julia traveled extensively throughout the country, spending the eve­nings in VIP suites at various military instal­lations along the way. Those were some of the best years of their lives. MG Joseph P. Kingston-warrior, sol­dier, Christian, parent and friend. Well done, good and faithful servant. Rest well in God's hands.

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