The veterans of Drury
Community, Editorial November 21, 2021, Comments Off 502Veteran’s Day is a day in which we take time to appreciate and acknowledge some of the greatest heroes in our nation. They risked their lives for our freedoms. Men and women across our history have sacrificed their lives to ensure America’s prosperity and to uphold the things that make America great. We as citizens are forever thankful and mindful of all veterans who have risked life and limb for us.
Here are a few stories of veterans who are a part of the Drury family.
William Beiderlinden
Beiderlinden was born in Springfield, Missouri in 1895. He attended Drury as a Pre-Med major and graduated in 1917. He later went on to the National Guard until he was put into action with the U.S. Expeditionary Forces in World War One. By the time World War Two arrived, Beiderlinden had worked his way up to Commanding General of the 44th Division Artillery. General Beiderlinden led the 44th Division Artillery into a crushing force that helped achieve victories in Northern France, Rhineland, Central European and Ardennes-Alsace Campaigns. In Schalbeck, France, Beiderlinden led his men to a victory against the enemy in hellacious cold conditions. They were outnumbered but prevailed. Soon after, Beiderlinden led an assault against Wehrmacht remnants in Austria. His division captured large numbers of enemy soldiers and territory.
Perhaps Beiderlinden’s greatest victory came in stopping the destruction of Heidelberg, Germany. The city was a piece of German history, filled with castles and other historic buildings. The artillery teams of the U.S. were preparing to destroy the city and Beiderlinden successfully negotiated peace with the Germans and stopped the bombings. He saved countless lives and preserved a historic city. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal.
Eugene Westover
Westover was a Drury graduate in the class of 1938. He was a phenomenal athlete and dominated in track, baseball and basketball. He made several All-conference teams and made a name for himself in the area. He was a kind person who was known for his great sportsmanship.
As he looked to begin a new life after graduation, World War Two broke out. Westover was called into action with the 36th Armored Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army. Westover fought gallantly and paid the ultimate price. He was killed in action in late 1944 at the Battle of the Bulge. Westover’s sacrifice and love of country are truly inspiring. He was awarded the Purple Heart Award for his sacrifice.
Justin Miller
Miller is currently a student at Drury. He is majoring in history and looks to be an archivist after graduating. Miller served in the U.S. Army’s 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment. He was stationed in Germany for nearly three years and was also in Latvia for a time.
He recalls that “I appreciated the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself, and to learn more about who I am and what I’m capable of. It could be pretty rough at times, so getting through it had a major impact on how I view myself.”
While serving, Miller won the Army Good Conduct Medal, 3 Army Achievement Medals and 3 certificates of achievement.
A cool memory that Miller has is, “while stationed in Latvia, about 50 of us took part in a Latvian Independence Day parade in a small town near the Russian border. We marched around the town with a huge component of the Latvian army, with thousands of Latvians lining the route. Then we all stood in line formation to be reviewed by the head of the Latvian military. It was pretty cool to be a part of something like that.”
Miller is a joy to be around in class and a very nice person. He is thoughtful and extremely funny.
Josh Arnold
Arnold is a senior at Drury and majoring in history. Josh was in the 3rd of the 505 PIR Parachute Infantry Regiment in the 90s at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He also was in the 82nd Airborne Division.
The second time Arnold served was in 2005. After a year in Korea, he went back to the 82nd. This time he was in HSC 122 Aviation support battalion. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007-08.
A funny story Arnold remembers came when he was in Germany. He recalls that he, “got a chance to receive German jump wings while at Bragg. I had to use a German parachute and plane. After jumping I caught a thermal pocket and while everyone else landed, I was stuck in the same spot up in the air. I could not come down or go up and it felt really weird.”
Arnold says that he “always knew I would join the military, but when I was a kid, it was supposed to be the Marine Corps. I believe everyone should have to serve their country.”
Arnold is someone who loves his country more than anything. He is one of the funniest guys I know and someone who works extremely hard every single day.
Gary Ray Park
Park is the grandfather of a current Drury student, Tyler Park. Gary Ray Park was in the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War. He was especially proud to be an American. He loved fighting for his country more than anything. Vietnam was a fierce and bloody war. He remained focused on his duty throughout his service.
Park loved his family and was dedicated to them his whole life. He earned the National Defense Service Medal along with the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Camp Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
Thomas Calabro
Thomas Calabro is the grandfather of a current Drury student, Nikko Calabro. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served as an Infantryman.
Thomas was a Technical Sergeant. He served from 1945 – 1947 around the European theatre. He never spoke much of his service. He was very humble and proud to be an American.
Charles Sanders
Charles Sanders is the grandfather of a current Drury student, Jack Sanders. He served in the United States Army and was a PV 2 in the 8th Infantry Division. He was a part of the United States Army Artillery.
Sanders was born in Arkansas and lived in the Ozarks after his service time. He became a football coach and teacher at Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Missouri. He was a kind man who loved all and had a passion for helping others. He loved his country and was proud to serve it.
Paul Farquharson Noble
Paul Farquharson Noble is the grandfather of Drury history professor, Michael Verney. He grew up in Vienna, Maryland. He always loved the water. He would swim and hunt Muskrat in the Nanticoke River. He was also a hard worker all of his life. He would work farming in the summertime and developed a lifelong taste for corn soon after.
Noble was called into service during World War Two. He became a part of the United States Navy. During the war he was around the Pacific islands and moved into action as the U.S. began taking island after island. He once was called into a cave where the island’s natives had been instructed to hide from the American soldiers by Japanese forces. He went along with a Japanese interpreter and let the natives know that everything was going to be okay.
Noble was proud to be an American and loved his country dearly. He never boasted and always remained humble about his service. He saw it as doing his duty and getting the job done.
After the war he married his sweetheart Mary. He moved back to Maryland and became an insurance agent. Overall, Noble was a man of faith who always remained humble and treated others with respect.
Alvin Hannah
Alvin Hannah is my great-grandfather. He served in the U.S. Army during World War Two. He was a Tec 4 in the 3rd Infantry Division.
He was often quiet about the war and his service. He was fond of General Patton and loved his country. He once remarked that he dived off of a tank to save himself in one particular battle. He never bragged about his service and never spoke of any awards he won. I only later found out that he had been awarded the Silver Star Medal. He simply did his duty. He didn’t want any attention or praise. He did his job and went back to work here in Missouri after the war.
He was a true hero and patriot. His Silver Star Medal citation reads, “The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Alvin H. Hannah, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.”
Special thanks: Professor Garvin, Dr. Verney, Brock Sanders, Tom Calabro, Tyler Park, Josh Arnold, Justin Miller.
All photos of veterans are via those mentioned or their families. Featured image taken by Jared Henry.
Article by Payton Hannah
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