More detail on this person: Sunday, March 11,
2007
Colonel (retired) Alfred J. Reese, Jr. age 82, of
Lehighton, Pa., died Friday, March 9, 2007, in his
home.
Col. Reese was a 1942 Lansford High School
graduate. After graduation he was drafted into the
United State Army and began and illustrious
Military Career, retiring in 1975 after 32 years
of active enlisted and commissioned service. His
military career spanned World War II, the Korean
War, and the Vietnam conflict. A career which
included wartime tours of Korea and Vietnam. He
served in various parts of the United States,
France, and Italy and held responsible positions
in the Washington, DC, while stationed at the
Pentagon. He specializing is such fields as
logistics and Comptrollership, and was a
designated U.S. Army Logistician. In Vietnam he
commanded an aircraft maintenance and supply
battalion of seven companies supporting 1,600 army
airplanes and helicopters. He was a Senior Aviator
rated in fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.
During his last overseas assignment, he served as
Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the U.S.
Support Command, Thailand. His last assignment,
was as Director of Clothing and Textile at the
Defense Personnel Support Center, Philadelphia,
Pa. Where he was responsible for procurement,
storage, and supply of uniforms and textiles for
all Services.
Colonel. Reese attended the U.S. Army Command
and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS
and after graduation, remained there on the
faculty to teach logistical subjects. He is a 1968
graduate of the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle
Barracks, Pa. He is also a graduate of the
University of Maryland, where he was elected to
the honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. His military
decorations include The Legion of Merit with Three
Oak Leaf Clusters, The Meritorious Service Medal.
The Air Medal, The Army Commendation Medal
with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and service awards
from three conflicts.
Upon his retirement in 1975 after 32 years of
service to the military, Colonel Reese returned
home to embark on a career of Civic Concern. He
was a member of the English Congregational
Church of Lansford, Pa., Lansford, Legion, Amvets,
and Masonic Temple #677, all of Lansford, Pa.
His primary civic commitment was that of fostering
his Welsh Heritage. He served on the Board and as
Past President of the Schuylkill and Carbon
counties St. David's Societies. Was the originator
of the Society's newsletters, and earned Welsh
Citizen of the year in 1986. In 1985 he led the
successful effort to restore the Old Welsh Church
in Lansford, Pa., which earned him the Ninnau
Citation awarded by that leading North American
Welsh Newspaper, and served on the Welsh
Congregational Preservation Society. In 1986 he
was elected to the National Welsh American
Foundation, served as President, and helped to
form the Pennsylvania Welsh Federation, know
consisting of 13 major Welsh-American
organizations in the commonwealth.
He received many prestigious honors for his work
in promoting his Welsh ancestry and heritage. Born
in Lansford, Pa. he was the son of the late Alfred
Reese, Sr. and the late Elizabeth (West) Reese.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years Mrs. Faye
(Miller) Mitchell Reese; Two Daughters,
Daughter-Mrs. Laurie (Reese) Foley wife of George
of York, Pa. Step Daughter-Edith "Dee" Dally wife
of Thomas of Tamaqua, Pa.; Three Sons, Son-Maj.
Mark Reese, (USAF RET) of Beaver Creek, Ohio
Step Son-Mr. John Mitchell & his wife Sally of
Weatherly, Pa. Step Son-Mr. Stephen Mitchell and
his wife Phyllis of Reedsville, Pa.; Ten
grandchildren loving and devoted grandchildren;
Sister Mrs. Lousie Walker of Summit Hill,
Pennsylvania.
Arrangements are being handled by Holmes -
Griffiths Funeral Home Inc., 200 E. Bertsch Str,
Lansford, Pa., where the family will receive
friends from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM Wednesday,
March 14, 2007. Funeral service will be at Holmes
- Griffiths Funeral Home, Inc. at 11:00 AM
Wednesday, March 14, 2007, Rev. Dr. Wayne
Benack officiating. Military honors will be
bestowed at Fort Indiantown Gap National
Cemetery in Annville, Pa. on Thursday March 15,
2007.
Memorials in the Colonels name maybe made to
Diakon Hospice St. John, 1201 North Church
Street, Suite 403, Building B, Hazleton, Pa.
18202.
Burial information: Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Annville, PA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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