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Acknowledging and repentant for his sins, and humbly believing in a merciful God’s understanding and forgiveness, retired Col. Louis G. Mathern Jr., U.S. Army, passed away in Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, at the age of 83.
He was predeceased by his mother and father. He is survived by his sister, Eleanor (Henry) Clemans; his bride of 60 years, Muriel; and their five children, Jeanette James, Louis (Rosemary) Mathern, Alice (Jim) McArthur, Ruth (Manny) Roman, and Walter (Barbara) Mathern. Between them they blessed him with 16 grandchildren, Toni, Neil, Tim, Shannon, Jeanette, Joshua, Cathleen, “Little Jim”, Jeffrey, Donn, Dennis, Robb, Ken, Madison, Monica and Ruth. He leaves seven great-grandchildren, Morgan, Tiffani, Jessica, Samantha, Mitchell, Nicholas and Tyler.
 Retired Col. Louis G. Mathern Jr. |
In June 1945 he was assigned to the 1st Armored Division on occupation duty in Germany. In December 1945, he re-enlisted and after a 90-day home leave returned to Germany. He served two years with the 97th Signal Constabulary Squadron, his introduction to the Signal Corps.
He returned to the states in 1948, assigned to the Garrison Headquarters Pine Camp, N.Y. He was selected for attendance at the Army Ground General School, Fort Riley, Kan., for six months, with Officer Candidate Schooling leading to his commission as a reserve second lieutenant Signal Corps on Aug. 31, 1948.
While attending the basic signal officer’s course at Fort Monmouth, N.J., he met Muriel Shannon of the Bronx, N.Y., and they were married on Feb. 26, 1949. Two weeks later, Lou flew to Japan for assignment as a Communications Center Officer in General Douglas McArthur’s Headquarters Far East Command, Tokyo, Japan. Muriel joined him in July, 1949.
He was among the first to be deployed to Korea after the North’s invasion on June 25, 1950. While in Korea, Lou was awarded a Regular Army Commission and was promoted to first lieutenant. In December 1950, he was evacuated to Tokyo for a short hospital stay. He was reassigned from Korea to General Headquarters, Far Eastern Command, Tokyo in January 1951 and served as communication center and cryptographic duty officer. Lou was on duty at the COM center the night the message came in announcing the relief of command of General McArthur. It was a sad time for those who served with and admired the general.
Lou and Muriel, now with two children, Jeanette and Louis, returned to the states in 1952. The assignments that followed during his 33-plus years of service included: Company Commander and Battalion Operations Officer with 313 Signal Battalion, Fort Meade, Md., (1952-1953); Instructor in Tactical Communication and Communication Center Operations at the U.S. Army Signal School, Fort Monmouth, N.J. (1953-1954); staff officer, headquarters, Landsoutheast, NATO, Izmir, Turkey (1954-1965); signal officer, company commander, and staff officer, 1st Airborne Battle Group, 505th Parachute Infantry with 83rd Airborne Division and the 8th Composite Infantry Division, Mainz, Germany (1957-1961); staff officer, family housing officer headquarters Fort Monmouth, N.J. (1962-1963); signal advisor to the Vietnamese I Corps, Danang, Vietnam (1964-1965); staff officer, Doctrine Division, USA Combat Developments Command (1965-1966).
Lou was especially grateful to have the honor of commanding the 125th Signal Battalion of the 25th Infantry in Vietnam (1967-1968) and he was extremely proud of the performance of his troops who participated significantly in the defense and defeat of Charlie at the many fire bases throughout the division area during the TET Offensive of 1968.
Subsequent assignments included: chief, Networks Management Division, Defense Communications Agency, DCA Europe (1968-1969); commanding officer, 35th Signal Group Airborne, Fort Bragg, N.C. (1970-1972); assistant chief of staff communications electronics, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C. (1972); chief of staff, U.S. Army Communications Systems Agency, Fort Huachuca, Ariz. (1973-1974); deputy JG, Headquarters, U.S. European Command, Vaihingen, Germany (1974-1976). Retirement Aug. 31, 1976.
No story of Lou’s life would be complete without mention of his deep regard and respect for the senior noncommissioned officers with whom he served for so many years. He attributed the proficiency of the units he led and his success as a leader to the dedication and professionalism of his senior noncommissioned officers. In his words, “I demanded and expected much from my Senior N.C.O.’s and I was rarely disappointed. They are truly the backbone of the Army.”
During his service career, he graduated from the Signal Officer’s Basic Course (1949) and the Signal Officer’s Advance Course (1957). He was designated a distinguished graduate as the Army’s representative to the U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in June 1962. He was awarded a bachelor of science degree with honors by the University of Maryland in June 1963 and graduated from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa., in June 1970.
Lou wore his Master Parachute Badge with great pride, not in what it symbolized in the number of parachute jumps, but rather the story it told of his having had the privilege for a time of serving with the best of the best.
His other military awards include the Legion of Merit First Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with “V” Device First Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal Third Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal with two knots, The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and 15 Campaign Ribbons and Unit Citations.
After retirement he was employed by the BDM Corporation and came to Sierra Vista in 1979 as the office manager when BDM obtained a contract with Fort Huachuca. He became fully retired in 1981 and he and Muriel enjoyed the climate and friendly community of Sierra Vista.
For many years they looked forward to their yearly 30-day or so trips to visit their kids. North to Walt and Jeanette in Colorado, east to Ruth in Ohio, on to Long Island to visit sister Eleanor, south to Alice in North Carolina, back west to Lou in Texas and return to the peace and quiet of Sierra Vista. He always enjoyed those times when his kids and grandkids would come to town and regardless of the season he would ensure that the pool and hot tub were at a good temperature.
He was very active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Sierra Vista Lodge #2065. He had a number of years as a Trustee and served as the Lodge Secretary for 15 years (1983-19980). He was elected Leading Knight in 2005 and subsequently as Exalted Ruler for the Elk Year 2006-2007.
In addition to his Life Membership in the Order of Elks, Lou was a Life Member of the following: American Legion Post #52, VFW Post #9972, Coronado Chapter MDAA, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans Arizona Chapter, Association of the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division Association and the National Rifle Association.
Lou was a soldier first and foremost and proud of that. He would hope that his friends and associates would remember him as just that — a soldier for whom honor, duty and country were not just words but a way of life to live up to. To all he would want to be remembered as a father and grandfather who loved his family very, very much.
Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at the Hatfield Funeral Home, 830 S. Highway 92, in Sierra Vista.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, at the Sierra Vista Elks Lodge #2065, 1 Elks Lane. The Elk graveside ceremony with military honors will follow at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Lou asked that donations in his name be made to the Elks Lodge #2065 earmarked for the Children’s Christmas Shopping Spree.
Dennis Shannon Tiffani and Jessica Roman wrote on Oct 7, 2008 6:09 AM: