More detail on this person: Earl Warren
Fletcher, 78, a retired military officer who was
highly-decorated for service in three wars, passed
away Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002, in Arlington.
Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Moore Funeral
Home Chapel, 1219 N. Davis in Arlington. Burial:
Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Memorials: may be made to Cancer Care Services,
605 W. Magnolia, Fort Worth, Texas 761004.
Earl was born and raised in Moultrie, Ga. He rose
to distinguish himself by serving his country in
both war and peace. He graduated from North
Georgia Military College and George Washington
Graduate School. Earl provided optimism and
strength to his friends and family for whom he
cared deeply. His unique approach to life, his
sense of humor, his determination and his fabulous
smile will be greatly missed.
During his long military career Earl served
post-World War II in Europe as aide-de-camp to
Gen. C. Magruder and Gen. Maxwell Taylor.
He served in Korea in 1950. He served in Vietnam
from 1967 to 1969, where he survived three
helicopter crashes and was one of the most
decorated military officers in combat. He was
awarded over 60 combat medals, including: Silver
Star, two Legion of Merits, three Bronze Stars,
Distinguished Flying Cross, 27 Air Medals and
numerous foreign awards; and a double award
which included a National Order and Gallantry
Cross Medals. He was also awarded over seven
Gallantry Crosses for gallantry in action.
Earl was an Army War College graduate. He served
at Fort Rucker from 1970 to 1973, as Assistant
Commandant Deputy Commanding General, Army
Aviation School.
He was posted to Fort Hood, from 1973 to 1975 as
Chief of Staff Army Test Command until his
retirement date, May 31, 1975, as an Army
colonel.
After his military career ended, Earl served from
1978 to 1979 in Iran, Division Director of Flight
Training Division of Bell Helicopter
International. He was responsible for Army
aviation training that involved 2,100 pilots,
ultimately responsible for the safe evacuation of
over 5,000 Americans due to the fall of the Shah
of Iran.
Earl loved spending time with his beloved wife
Wendy and their constant companion Nutmeg aka
"Scooter."
He enjoyed a passion for the stock market, was an
avid tennis player for almost 40 years and loved
the game of golf - at one time achieving a
handicap of "1". He continued to educate himself
throughout his retirement, obtaining a real estate
agent license as well as a broker license.
Our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Station 32
Arlington Memorial Hospital, the Infusion Center
personnel, Arlington Cancer Center. Our deepest
appreciation to Dr. Karel Dicke and Sylvia Hanks,
NP, for their steadfast care and support.
Survivors: Devoted wife, Wendy; sons, Mark,
Michael and wife, Anastasia, David and Scotty;
daughter, Nancy Fletcher Madren and husband,
Clyde; grandchildren, Annie Madren, Melanie
Thornhill, William Fletcher, Collin Fletcher and
Jessica Fletcher; son-in-law, Frank D. Thornhill;
sister, Wyley Maye Gibbs and brother, Jack
Fletcher and wife, Sally.
Published in the Star-Telegram on 8/18/2002.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 11/02/2023
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