"Give him a trust to fulfill and you may rest assured it will be fulfilled. His spirit of fairness, understanding, jovial nature and selflessness are outstanding characteristics." So stated the write-up on “Turk” in the 1914 Howitzer. How true these words described his character and activities to the day of his passing.
Turk started life at Fort McDowell, Arizona, on February 16, 1890. As is the lot of most Army children, constant moves and various types of schools were routine until he entered St. Luke's School at Wayne, Penn. There he not only developed his scholastic and athletic ability but made close friendships that lasted his entire life. He was recognized as a quiet leader who gained and held the respect of all the boys and the Masters at school. As a young man one of his greatest attributes was his sense of humor, a quality he never lost. Always a loyal friend, never offering uncalled for or unkind comments about anyone, endeared him to all he knew.
Upon graduation from West Point Turk chose the Field Artillery and with the exception of a few Staff details stayed with it during his entire active service. On February 16, 1917, his birthday, Turk and Frances Louise Huster were married in New York. From this happy marriage came two children, Leslie Wardwell and John Churchill II. Leslie joined the Service as a WAC cryptographer in World War II and later changed to the Air Force as a WAF where she serves now with the rank of Technical Sergeant, stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. John entered West Point with the Class of 1946, but like many of his classmates feared the War would end before he could ever help so left the Academy and immediately enlisted. Following the War he entered the University of Utah to study mining geology and is at present with Continental Oil Company in Vernal, Utah.
After serving at various posts in the United States and Hawaii, World War I took Turk to France. Upon his return in 1919 he returned to West Point as an instructor in mathematics. From there in 1921 he was sent to the University of Chicago as a student where he graduated in 1923 receiving a M.S. Degree. Additional details at the Field Artillery School, the Command and General Staff School, in the Philippines, at the University of Missouri and the University of Utah rounded out his career until December 1941 when he was called to duty with troops as Chief of Staff of the IX Corps at Fort Lewis, Washington, 1943 found him again in Europe where he commanded Headquarters XII Corps Artillery Group, the 404th Field Artillery Group and served with the XV Corps Artillery until November 1945. At that time physical troubles caused his removal to a hospital and led to his eventual retirement on August 31, 1946. So ended an outstanding military career, primarily devoted to his favorite branch, the Field Artillery, but encompassing many varied assignments which took advantage of his abilities to serve his country.
Turk’s qualities as a leader stand out in the various citations received during his service. On December 8, 1944 the Commanding General, XII Corps, stated, “Colonel Wyeth, by aggressive personal reconnaissance for tactical positions, skillful employment of the Battalions under his command and carefully planned displacements, rendered uninterrupted and close reinforcing support of the Corps Infantry Divisions throughout this period. His leadership inspired conspicuously courageous performances. Colonel Wyeth has contributed to the success of the XII Corps in a superior manner by his outstanding performance of the exceedingly difficult tasks assigned him, by his fine sense of cooperation and coordination and by his superb leadership”.
Upon his relief from Command of the XV Corps Artillery, Turk received a letter from Major General Walter M. Robertson, XV Corps Commander which stated in part, "On this day when you leave active field service I must congratulate you on your long and superior service in the Army. In particular your War performance must be admired and respected. Against the advice of the Medical Corps you insisted on field duty and performed with outstanding courage and devotion under most arduous conditions in prolonged fighting. Such selfless interest in your Army and Country is characteristic of a great soldier".
After retirement Turk and Frances decided to make their permanent home in Santa Barbara, California. There they purchased a lovely home and Turk immediately interested himself in the life of the community. In addition to engaging in the real estate and automobile business he took an active part in the annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta of Santa Barbara.
The writer had the great pleasure of seeing Turk a few months before he died. He told me he had been forced to cut down on physical activities due to a heart condition but seemed to be in good health with his ever cheerful and happy outlook on life. His sudden death was a terrible shock to all who knew him.
The Service, his friends and family have lost a great and gallant gentleman, an outstanding officer, and a loving husband and father.
—William Ord Ryan, '14
http://apps.westpointaog.org/Memorials/Article/5223/
Notes by Toni: Some of the information is incorrect.The author is getting confused with information between John Churchill Wyeth I and his son John Churchill Wyeth II and some other Wyeth. He never (as far as I know) never attended the St. Luke's School in Pennsylvania. However, I am researching it more to be sure)
Notes by Toni: Some of the information is incorrect.The author is getting confused with information between John Churchill Wyeth I and his son John Churchill Wyeth II and some other Wyeth. He never (as far as I know) never attended the St. Luke's School in Pennsylvania. However, I am researching it more to be sure)
No comments:
Post a Comment