By Anne Ruisi
Biographical vignettes focused on the heroism and the sacrifices of Alabama soldiers and sailors highlighted remarks by keynote speaker W. Kent Davis, state commissioner of Veterans Affairs, at Vestavia Hills’ Salute to Veterans on Nov. 10.
As he prepared his remarks, Davis said, he tried to think how he could honor the nearly 400,000 military veterans in Alabama. That is about 1 in 10 people in Alabama who are veterans, the highest rate in the U.S.
“Ultimately, I can think of no better way of discussing the true meaning of Veterans Day than by discussing stories of individual veterans from Alabama who have served their country in uniform,” the retired rear admiral said. “My hope is that, by discussing those individual lives, I can somehow memorialize the contributions of all veterans from Alabama.”
These included men and women from the major wars and conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries. Among those Davis highlighted:
• Osmond Kelly Ingram, a Pratt City firefighter who became the first U.S. Navy enlisted man to be killed in World War I. He died when a torpedo hit his ship as he ran to release depth charges at the ship’s stern. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Birmingham’s Kelly Ingram Park is named in his honor.
• Holland Smith, born in the unincorporated community of Hatchechubbee in Russell County, who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1905. He was called “Howlin’ Mad Smith” due to his ferocity under fire during World War I. By World War II, he’d been promoted to general and directed extensive Army, Navy and Marine amphibious training. His vision for assault warfare is often given major credit for carrying the War in the Pacific to a successful conclusion.
• Ola Lee Mize, an Albertville native who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War at Outpost Harry. At the outpost, he organized defensive actions, rescued wounded soldiers and engaged the enemy until reinforcements arrived the next day.
• Matthew Leonard, born in Eutaw, who served in the Korea and Vietnam wars. A platoon sergeant, he received the Medal of Honor posthumously after dying from wounds in 1967 in Vietnam. His platoon came under attack and he rallied his men, dragged a wounded soldier to safety and charged an enemy gun, destroying the hostile crew despite being hit several times by enemy fire.
• Tamara Thurman of Brewton, an army sergeant who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon, where her office was near the area of impact on 9/11.
“Together, despite their vast differences, these people stand as a metaphor for the invaluable gifts that military veterans in Alabama have bestowed on us,” Davis said. “They were military heroes. Several of them made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. It is fitting that we take part in remembering these great Alabamians and military heroes as we give thanks on Veterans Day.”
The event, held at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, also included performances of stirring patriotic songs by the Vestavia High School Honor Choir and Wind Symphony, songs from World War II and a “Salute to America” by the Birmingham Harmony Belles.
Four young Alabamians from Central Alabama took the Oath of Enlistment into the Army or Navy. This was done for the benefit of their families, who could not attend the original enlistment ceremony, an Army official at the event said.
