Military history

1953-1959



George Preston Hill Jr.
Coast Guard & Army, CW2
Born Oct. 15, 1926 Johnston County, NC
Died April 14, 1988 Durham, NC
Served in Coast Guard for four years from 1942 to 1946. Joined Army in 1947 at Fort Bragg, NC. Served during Korean War and two tours in Vietnam. He was a tug boat pilot and licensed harbor pilot. Participated in the testing of the "H" bomb. Retired from Army in June 1972 after 28 years of service. Received several medals while in service, including the Army Commendation Medal for Valor and Bronze Star for Valor.

Husband of Margaret Pope, son of Preston Hill, grandson of Tempy Ann Stancil Hill.

More on George Preston Hill Jr.

James Ronald Cockrell
SP4 Army
Born July 8, 1933
Died May 22, 2008 Kenly, NC; Buried at Cockrell Family Cemetery
Enlisted in the Army in WWII

Husband of Shirley Stancil, daughter of Ronia Hill and Stephen Stancil, granddaughter of Tempy Ann

Billy Royce Pittman
Air Force, Staff Sergeant
Born May 10, 1930

Enlisted on Jan. 1, 1951, and was sworn in at Fort Bragg, NC. Immediately he was sent to Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. This was the largest training wing in the Air Force for basic training. Then Billy was sent to Tyndall AFB, near Panama City, Fla., for three months of Air Police Training. Years later the name was changed from Air Police to Security Police.
Billy was dating Jackie Underwood before he enlisted. They decided to get married on April 20, 1951. Billy wore his uniform when they were married. Billy was stationed with the 509th Bombardment Wing at Walker AFB, near Roswell, New Mexico. This was the largest Strategic Air Command Base of the Air Force. Billy enjoyed his security work. He received his discharge in 1955. For a time he considered re-enlisting.

Son of Gertrude Stancil Pittman, grandson of Harvey Stancil.

James Graydon Renfrow Jr.
Marines
Born Nov. 4, 1935

Served from October 1953 to September 1958. Enlisted before turning 18. His father had to allow it. He was a seagoing Marine, served on board the USS Lake Champlain, an attack aircraft carrier, from Jan. 11, 1957 to July 27, 1957, for it's final deployment. The attack aircraft carrier went to the Mediterranean. It anchored at Cannes, France. J.G. was a Seagoing Marines. They provided security on board the ship and functioned as honor guards. J.G. was a cook's helper at one time serving the Non-Commissioned Officers Mess. A poached egg cost J.G. a plum job. J.G. took an order for poached eggs, didn't know what that was, said it was boiled.

Son of James Graydon Renfrow and Celia Rachel Stancil, grandson of George Ira Stancil

Donald 'Don' Glenn Campbell
National Guard & Army
Born April 8, 1937

Served from 1953-1956 in the National Guard. He trained in intelligence. He was drafted into the Army on April 1, 1957, with basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. He was sent to Fort Knox, Ky., for military law training. Assigned to G2 Intelligence Headquarters U.S. Army Europe, Heidelberg, Germany. While there, he met and married Elizabeth Christel Moll. He was discharged on March 20, 1959.

Son of Mozelle Stancil & Glenn Coy Campbell, grandson of Josiah Stancil

 

Glenn Darrell Schore
Air Force, Airman/2nd Class
Born Sept. 8, 1937 Chicago

Served from October 1955 to October 1959 as a photographer. Was stationed in Korea, Japan, Greenland, Iceland and Newfoundland. Among memorable photos were ones taken of Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Newfoundland, Secretary of the Air Force Donald A. Quarles, and of Major James Jabara, First American jet ace, USAF F-86 Sabre pilot shot down 15 MiGs over Korea, awarded Distinguished Service Cross.

Husband of Georgeanne Stancil, daughter of George and Ethel Stancil, granddaughter of George Ira Stancil

Garland Willard Brinson
Air Force
Born April 14, 1938

Served from 1958 to 1979. Attended basic training at Amarillo, Texas. He was assigned to ground refueling. Nine days after getting married to JoAnn Campbell, daughter of Mozelle who was the daughter of Josiah, Garland was sent to Goose Bay, Labrador, for 15 months. Garland made many moves including El Paso, Texas; Orlando, Fla.; Philippines; Phoenix, Ariz.; Okinawa; Great Falls, Montana and Shemya, Alaska. Garland retired as a Technical Sergeant.

Husband of JoAnn Campbell, daughter of Mozelle, granddaughter of Josiah