United States Veterans. We are proud of them all. For their service, dedication, sacrifices, hard work, blood, sweat, tears, putting their lives on the line for us, and most importantly, our freedom! While all Veterans are all equally as good as one another, there are some who we(or myself at least) just might find more interest in knowing about. The “some” I am referring to are our hometown veterans. The ones we have heard about for years. The ones we might have walked past on the streets. The ones we see in pictures or on markers memorializing them. For me, that means veterans of/from Union County. More specifically, the Union County veterans placed on the Union County Legends mural. As the mural is still fresh and brand new to some, this Veterans Day week is a good time to learn who the veterans of the mural are. So, let’s get to know them, where they lived, where they fought, and even where some of them are buried(Just in case you may actually want to remember and honor them at their graves).

 

 

Eric England(Master Sgt. USMC)

Brief Background: If you have ever heard about Eric England or did your research on him, then you should already know he is a legend. Not just on local or state levels, but on the national and global levels. This is even if the world takes notice of that or not. While he isn’t quite as well known about in the larger circles, he also didn’t speak or brag much about his service, and at the end of the day, the measurement of being a legend isn’t quite about just being “well known”, but it is more about his outstanding service that he gave to his country(And he more than has the stats to back it up with).  After all, he did have more confirmed kills than the legendary Carlos Hatchcock(who is definitely more nationally and globally known) during the Vietnam War, making him only 1 of 2 snipers in that war that can say that(The other being Chuck Mawhinney. In total, he had 98 confirmed kills(Compared to Hathcock’s 93). Even more legendary? All of these kills came within only 7 months of time. He also even once had wanted posters and cards put out all over Phu Bai(Be sure to see it in his photo gallery in the link provided below!) during his time in war after being believed to be responsible for the death of several North Vietnamese military officers and Viet Kong officials. It’s almost as if a “Phantom” was among them, and this is where he got the nickname, “The Phantom of Phu Bai“. Aside from his war service, he is highly known for his shooing abilities as well, winning the Nationals Rifle Shooting Championship in 1952(At just the age of 19), the Leech Cup, and the Coast Guard Cup. He also held the long-range. When he won the Leech Cup, he set a long-range shooting record that lasted for 42 years.  I would keep going and telling more, but given that I am trying to keep this brief, and I worked with one of his family members to help put together a biographical video for him for the interactive aspect of the Union County Legends mural, I am going to recommend you go watch it to learn more(Also, there’s some pretty cool photos that you won’t want to miss)!

Years Served: 1950-1992

Where He Grew Up In Union County: Choestoe(NOTE: Eric grew up being raised mainly by his Uncle Roy Nix in his home which you can see when driving on Liberty Church Rd.-See the map for directions, but keep in mind that YOU CANNOT TRESPASS!)

Where He Is Buried: Arlington National Cemetery(Arlington, VA); Section 57, Grave 1343

How Else He Is Remembered And Honored(He has so many medals that I can’t even begin to guess the total count or list them all!):

2017 Georgia Military Veterans Hall Of Fame Inductee

His rifle AKA “Ole Yeller” is displayed at the NRA Museum

Union County Gun Range(Eric England Rifle Range)

Eric England sculpture on display at the Union County Historical Society War Room

Union County Legends Mural

Union County Legends Mural Interactive Link: Eric England – Gooch & Fifty

 

 

Mary Jo Miller(Lt. Col. U.S. Army)

Brief Background: Mrs. Mary Jo Miller. She was one known to be one of a kind and way before her time, according to my sources who knew her and from what I have read. I mean, how many other Union County women can you recall that left their family and hometown to go out into the world to start military careers of their own, ESPECIALLY in her days?! I can say, she is the only one that I know of! She is also the only Blairsville woman that I know for a fact is buried at the prestigious Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. In fact, she was the FIRST person, man or woman from Blairsville, to be buried there and is only 1 of 3 Union Countians buried there. According to notes given to me by a family member of hers, she graduated with a nursing degree from Crawford Long General Hospital in 1924. Not long thereafter, she started her illustrious military career as an Army nurse, taking her around the world and all over the United States, including Hawaii(Her first stop), The Philippines, Maryland,(Where she worked at the prestigious Walter Reed National Military Medical Center), Virginia, Washington, North Carolina, and other locations. She served as Chief of Nurses in several of these places that she went. Eventually, at some point in the 1950’s she retired and returned back to Blairsville where she served as the local school nurse, which is how many still remember her. She never did get married or have kids, which makes her a great example of putting her career and country first instead of following or living up to the typical standards of society.

Years Served: 1924-1956(Almost certain she started in 1924

Where She Grew Up In Union County: Blairsville(On her family’s farm near the present-day site of Home Depot)

Where She Is Buried: Arlington National Cemetery(Arlington, VA); Section 21, Grave 474

How Else She Is Remembered And Honored:

Union County Legends Mural

Union County Legends Mural Interactive Link: Mary Jo Miller – Gooch & Fifty

 

 

Glenn Gooch(U.S. Army)

Brief Background: Glenn Gooch. Yep, that’s my Papaw, and I am proud to claim him! He got the less desirable entry into military service, and it was through the WWII Draft when he was drafted at just the young age of 17. Literally, a child. He barely stepped foot outside of Suches as a young boy, and from what I can remember him always telling us, he had never even had a piece of candy in his life until he went overseas. For some reason, I feel/felt like he was clearly “pulling my leg” about this, but I have been told that he in fact was not. Needless to say, the reason for even telling this is to give you the idea of just how sheltered he actually was, and what a shell shock it must have been for him to actually get his first taste of the world by way of fighting for his country in war! While fighting overseas, he was with the 4th Infantry Division, which suffered more casualties than any other division during the war. He was one of the many brave men who stormed Normandy and fought, luckily surviving the battle. His life did get a close call when we went to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, which he suffered a gunshot wound to the back in and left him on the cold, snow-covered ground. Luckily, he survived this near-death experience and lived to tell about it. I still remember him showing me his blood-covered bible that he held and all of the stories he told(Which you can hear from his personal account on his Gooch & Fifty page) and showing me his gunshot wound in his back(Which grossed me out, but fascinated me all at the same time LOL). After the war, he returned back home, started his family, worked his farm, and got involved in politics(Which he was most notably known for during his time as Union County’s Sole Commissioner). For his war service, he was honored with 2 Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, an EPO Ribbon, and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge. I still madly respect him for his hard work and sacrifices to our country and to Union County today!

Years Served: 1943-1945

Where He Grew Up In Union County: Suches

Where He Is Buried: Union Memory Gardens(Blairsville)

How Else He Is Remembered And Honored:

Glenn Gooch By-Pass

Union County Legends Mural

Union County Legends Mural Interactive Link: Glenn Gooch – Gooch & Fifty

 

Charles Simpson Reid(Lt. Col. Army/USMC)

Brief Background: Known more for his time and work as Georgia’s Chief Justice, Charles Simpson Reid is the only man I know of to have resigned his position as a State Supreme Court Chief Justice to go take part in a war. While I am not quite sure if there has been another State Supreme Court Chief Justice in Georgia(or any other state) do so since this time, I do know that from my research, during the time that I was gathering his information for his Gooch & Fifty page, that he was the first and only Chief Justice in the entire nation to EVER do so. And this, for whatever reason, is never mentioned by or brought to the attention of Union Countians that I know. To me, this feat is pretty honorable and should definitely be talked about more, but that’s just me. After his honorable resignation, Reid went to work for the staff of General Dwight D. Eisenhower(AKA President Eisenhower) where he took over as the Chief of the property control division. Also, while serving under Eisenhower, he presided at the prestigious Old Bailey Court, and while doing so, became the first person outside of British subject or outside of the King’s Bench to preside over that very court(Again, why this is NEVER talked about?!). My research also helped me to find out that he enlisted into the USMC during WWI which he was said to have fought in. Not only did he serve the nation on the ground, but he also served under a future U.S. President(Eisenhower becoming the 34th U.S. President in 1953) in a very important role. Charles Simpson Reid’s service is definitely a service to be remembered!

Years Served: 1944-1946(U.S. Army, WWII); Exact dates for his service in the USMC could not be found.

Where He Grew Up In Union County: Blairsville

Where He Is Buried: Westview Cemetery(Atlanta, GA)

How Else He Is Remembered And Honored:

Chief Justice portrait hangs at Georgia State Supreme Court

Union County Historical Society’s Union County State Supreme Court Justices Room

Union County Legends Mural

Union County Legends Mural Interactive Link: Charles Simpson Reid – Gooch & Fifty

 

 

Jack Lance(U.S. Army)

Brief Background: My Papaw Lance AKA Jack Lance. While he is more widely known for his career as a pharmacist and running Hill-Lance Drugs, alongside his lifelong friend and co-pharmacist, Charles Hill, he also served 2 years with the U.S. Army. These 2 years came after he had just finished his education at Young Harris College which he attended on a basketball scholarship. Unlike the 4 Veterans written about before him, he was lucky enough to avoid war time. And just to add some humor to this, he said he signed up with the U.S. Army because “he didn’t know what he wanted” to do with his life. Fast forward to his first letter to his friend, Charles, while stationed at his camp in Germany, he said he figured out “what he wanted” real quick and that was OUT of the Army. LOL! Thankfully, however, he managed and came out a better man. I will always remember him telling me what a difference it made in the person he became, how it prepared him for life, and why respecting those in service shouldn’t be taken lightly. After life in the U.S. Army, he returned back home to finish his college education, start his family and career, and became known most notably for his efforts in working with Union County youth in sports, primarily basketball, which he had a big hand in helping many young players go onto receive basketball scholarships and achieve success.

Years Served: 1957-1959

Where He Grew Up In Union County: Ivy Log

Where He Is Buried: Ivy Log Cemetery(Blairsville)

How Else He Is Remembered And Honored:

Jack Collins Lance Sr. Memorial Highway(AKA Murphy Highway)

Union County Legends Mural

Union County Legends Mural Interactive Link: Jack Lance – Gooch & Fifty

 

 

Ed Jenkins(U.S. Coast Guard)

Brief Background: “One of the smartest operators on Capitol Hill” AKA Ed Jenkins. This is the former nickname of his that was given to describe him due to his reputation for being the skilled and diplomatic politician that he was known for being. However, long before his time as Georgia’s 9th District U.S. Representative began, he was a “Coastie” with the United States Coast Guard. During his service, the Korean War was ongoing, and he was stationed in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. According to what I was told by his family members, Ed truly enjoyed his experience with the Coast Guard, getting to see the world and meet others from all over. He, too, stated that he was a better man for his U.S. military services. Ed stayed with the United States Coast Guard until he was eventually honorably discharged, and it was then that he went on to receive his bachelor’s degree and then his law degree in 1959 from the University of Georgia. It was after this that he began working with Phillip Landrum and then eventually found himself building a career that took him all the way to Capitol Hill.

Years Served: 1952-1955

Where He Grew Up In Union County: Blairsville

Where He Is Buried: Antioch Baptist Church(Blairsville)

How Else He Is Remembered And Honored:

Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area

Union County Legends Mural

Union County Legends Mural Interactive Link: Ed Jenkins – Gooch & Fifty

 

 

Ed Mauney(U.S. Army)

Brief Background: Ed Mauney. Yes, the man with the pet bear, and the man who was appointed by the state of Georgia as Union County’s first official county historian. Ed was a pretty all-around, great, and yet eccentric guy, who brought many skills and talents to the table. Little did I realize, until I read up on him and did my research, that he actually served in the U. S. Army. He went into the Army at the time of WWI at the age of 21, being deployed to England on November 8th, 1918. Luckily, for him, though, this was just 3 days before WWI had ended on November 11th, 1918. So, luckily, he avoided the experience of having to fight in war. Following the end of WWI, he was sent to France for postwar occupation, before coming back to the United States in May 1919. In the photo above, his nephew, Don Byers, stated that this picture was probably taken at Camp Gordon, where he most likely was stationed before being deployed. If this is the case, he very well may have been at Camp Gordon at the same time as George Crawley, another native Union Countian, who deserted the camp and ended up on the run in a 3-state man hunt!

Years Served: 1918-1919

Where He Grew Up In Union County: Ivy Log

Where He Is Buried: Bellview Methodist Church Cemetery(Murphy, NC)

How Else He Is Remembered And Honored: 

Union County Legends Mural

Union County Legends Mural Interactive Link: Ed Mauney – Gooch & Fifty

 

 

William Henry Duckworth(U.S. Navy)

Brief Background: I wonder at if this point of this article if anyone else has noticed something pretty impressive and worth noting? If you can’t think of what that may be, then just let me go ahead and point it out for you: Out of the 8 listed U.S. Veterans from the Union County Legends mural that are on this list, 2 of them just so happen to be former Georgia State Supreme Court Chief Justices! While I know this article is supposed to be about Veterans and their service, which I will stick to, I’ve got to say that this is a pretty impressive stat, and I couldn’t help but point it out! Anyway, back out of ADD land and to the point. As we all know, William Henry Duckworth was known clearly mainly for his work as the state’s highest sitting judge for the longest period of time. However, before he got into that position, and even before he became an attorney, he was first an ensign with the U.S. Navy. Definitely worth noting, however, is that Judge Duckworth actually wore his Navy uniform to his first courtroom appearance as an attorney because he had nothing else to wear. At the time, he had just accepted the invitation by future Georgia Governor, and his best friend at the time, E.D. Rivers, to enter into a law partnership together in Cairo. This was just the beginning of his bright future and legal career ahead.

Years Served: 1917-1919

Where He Grew Up In Union County: Choestoe

Where He Is Buried: Decatur Cemetery(Decatur, GA); Section 11

Honors: 

Candler-Duckworth Courtroom at the Union County Historical Courthouse is partially named in his honor.

The Duckworth Library at Young Harris College is partially named in his honor, alongside his brother, James Lon Duckworth.

Chief Justice portrait hangs at Georgia State Supreme Court

Union County Historical Society’s Union County State Supreme Court Justices Room

Union County Legends Mural

Union County Legends Mural Interactive Link: William Henry Duckworth – Gooch & Fifty