Sanders A. Cortner

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J. A. "Andy" Chacon on November 1, 2011:

Sanders Ashford Cortner, Jr. Born July 16, 1928 -- Died October 26, 2011 Sanders Ashford "Sandy" Cortner, Jr. was born in Courtland, Alabama on 16 July 1928 and was appointed to West Point on a Senatorial appointment. Surprising everyone by passing the entrance exams, Bama's finest quickly established himself as a permanent member of the goat sections. A genuine friend of the women, we will not soon forget his prowess on neither the rifle range, nor the pictures in his locker. During his cadet days Sandy went for the Rifle Team yearling, cow and first class years; for Golf first class year; and was a Cadet Lieutenant his first class year. Upon graduation, Sandy went in the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia reported to the 224th Infantry Regiment as Company Commander in Korea where he served from 1952 to 1953 and was decorated with the Combat Infantryman Badge. Next Sandy went with the 11th Airborne Division as a Company Commander and Aide de Camp to the Commanding General served as such until 1958. In 1959, Sandy was appointed Professor of Military Science at the Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama and served in that position until 1962. Sandy attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1962-63. Sandy's next assignment was to Military Assistance Command, Vietnam in 1964 and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy; Air Medal for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight; and the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. From 1965 to 1966, Sandy served at Office of Personnel Operations, Department of the Army and was awarded a second Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Next, he went with the Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army where he served until 1967. From 1967 to 1969 Sandy served as Battalion Commander of the 325th Infantry and as G4 with the 82nd Airborne Division; then he held the same positions with the 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, Republic of Vietnam until 1970 and was decorated with the Silver Star for distinguished gallantry in action; the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services; the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy; 20 Air Medals (one for valor) for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight; a third Commendation Medal for distinguished service; a second Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Soldiers Medal for rescuing a crew from a downed helicopter. In 1972 Sandy attended the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania and on completion was appointed to the Staff & Faculty at The Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia where he served until 1974. From 1974 to 1977, Sandy served with the V Corps, in Germany, as G1 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. Sandy's last military assignment was to the Staff & Faculty at the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA where he served until 1981 when he retired from the United States Army as a Colonel after thirty years of commissioned service. After retirement, Sandy served with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency from 1981 to 1991. Sandy and his wife Nancy made their home in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

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