During the 1940's, the Georgia Tech yearbook ran this dedication to the students who were serving in the armed forces. With only a small change in words to now honor the women who are in uniform, these sentiments still stand today. As we pause and reflect on Memorial Day, let us remember and give thanks to the Georgia Tech students who have given their time and even their lives to defend our nation.

For some of the those who went to war, there was no homecoming, no return to the hallowed halls of Georgia Tech. Their youthful flights of fancy ended on foreign soils, in searing skies, or under watery depths. Those who returned from war and service have their stories to tell. Pause for a moment and learn more about some of our engineering students who have served their country so admirably.

Jule C. Spach - ChE 1949. Military Service: U.S. Air Force Bomber Pilot - WWII (three years), POW at Stalag-Luft III in Germany, participated in Death March from the Russians. Author of Every Road Leads Home, his memoirs as a POW and then later in life as a missionary in Brazil.

Scott Bryan, Jr. - IE 2003. Military Service: Company Commander 4th Ranger Training Battalion Headquarter Co. (2010-Present), Rifle Platoon Leader during duty in Iraq (2005-2006), Airborne School, Ranger School, 82nd Airborne.

General W. Gay Thrash - CE 1939. Military Service: U.S. Marines (33 years) WWII, Korea, Vietnam; 3-Star General. Prisoner of War Korean War (survived two years); Marine Liaison to Congress (3 years). Distinguished Service Medal (2); Distinguished Flying Cross; Silver Star; Legion of Merit with Combat v (3); Air Medals (7); The Purple Heart; Navy Commendation Medal; Presidential Unit Citation; Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.

Colonel Susan Wisnom - IE 1971. Military Service: U.S. Air Force Reserves (30 years); Retired Colonel. Colonel, USAFR (Retired 2006); Meritorious Service Medal-two Oak Leaf clusters, Air Force; Commendation Medal-three oak leave clusters, Air Force; Junior Officer of the Quarter; Space and Missile Systems Organization (1972).
General Raymond "Ray" Davis - ChE 1938.  Military Service: Highly decorated United States Marine Corps officer, serving in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. His single most notable endeavor was the salvation of hundreds of trapped Marines during the 1950 Battle of Chosin Reservoir while commanding the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, for which he received the Medal of Honor. His final rank, appointed by President Nixon, was General. He retired from the post of Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on March 31, 1972, after more than 33 years with the Marines.
Craig Sands - IE 1983. Military Service: U.S. Air Force (23 years active; Bosnia/ No Fly zone Iraq). Lieutenant Colonel; Master Navigator with 1800 hours in the F-111 and the EF-111. Former President, Tuskegee Airmen Las Vegas Chapter.
Leonard Wood - GT Engineering Alumnus (1895?). Military Service: Army contract physician in 1885, and was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Wood participated in the last campaign against Geronimo in 1886, and was awarded the Medal of Honor, in 1898, for carrying dispatches 100 miles through hostile territory and for commanding an infantry detachment whose officers had been lost. At outbreak of the Spanish-American War, Wood, with Roosevelt, organized the 1st Volunteer Cavalry regiment, popularly known as the Rough Riders; Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Military Governor of Cuba and Governor General of the Philippines.
   


Through out the history of our great nation, men and women have served our country to preserve the freedoms we hold so dear. These engineering students stepped forward without hesitation to protect and serve. We are proud of our students who in both war and peace have given their time and their lives for this country. We welcome this opportunity to pay special tribute to our alumni and students in the Armed Forces.