Edward Martin Willis

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on November 14, 2004:

Edward Martin Willis Born May 7, 1927 - Died September 29, 2001 Edward Martin "Ed" Willis was born in Arkansas on 7 May 1927 but was appointed to West Point from the California 22nd Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "Ed came to the Point from the heart of the Imperial Valley by way of the Corps of Engineers and USMAPS. He brought with him a talent for sketching, a ready wit, and an abiding dislike for jokes about gray hair. Without over-working himself, Ed was able to rank in the top quarter of the class. His many friends, quiet humor, and sound judgment will insure Ed's continued success." During his cadet days Ed was on the Ski Club all four years, on the Debate Council and the Portuguese Club plebe and yearling years, on the Radio Club yearling and cow years, on the Art and Skeet Clubs cow year and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. On graduation Ed went in the Corps of Engineers and after completing the Basic Engineers Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia reported to the 194th Engineer Combat Battalion in Korea from 1952 to 1953. He was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy on completion of his tour. His next assignment on return to stateside was to the United States Engineer District in Louisiana where he served through 1954. Next Ed went with the Sharpe Department and served through 1955, then in 1956 he earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ed's next assignment was to West Point and his beloved Military Art & Engineering Department where he served from 1960 to 1963. Next Ed went with the 11th Engineer Combat Group in Germany and served from 1963 to 1964. Ed then went to Headquarters, United States Army Reserve, Europe and served until 1966 on completion of which tour Ed was awarded the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Then Ed went to Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam and served from 1966 to 1967, on completion of which he was decorated with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Then in 1968 Ed went back to school, this time at the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on completion of which he was named Commanding Officer of the 603rd & 818th Engineer Combat Battalions during 1968 and 1969. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal for Distinguished heroism not involving conflict with an enemy and the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation on completion of this tour. From 1969 to 1971 Ed served with the Coastal Engineering Research Center and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. Again Ed went back to school, this time to the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania which he completed in 1972. Next Ed was named District Engineer for Japan and served in that capacity from 1972 to 1975. Ed's last military assignment was as Project Engineer at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1975 and he served in that role until he retired from the United States Army in 1976. On retirement Ed accepted a position in the Department of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and continued to serve in that capacity. Ed and his wife Joan made their home in Matthews, North Carolina. Ed died on September 29, 2001 To learn about District Engineers click on District Engineers ufa

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