Reece named to Military Veterans Hall of Fame

November 17, 2022

Article By: Denise Ray

Retired Army Col. Frank Siddal Reece was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame on Nov. 5 in Columbus, Georgia. UNG alumni now make up 19 of the 161 inductees in the Hall of Fame's 10-year history.

The Newnan, Georgia, resident was one of 15 members of the class of 2022.

Reece served as Boar's Head Brigade commander for UNG's Corps of Cadets and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Infantry branch in 1960. He entered flight school early in his career and was qualified in both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.

During his first deployment in Vietnam as a UH-lB pilot, Reece came to the rescue of a beleaguered Vietnamese Battalion, which had sustained a large number of casualties when being ambushed by enemy forces. In the midst of heavy ground fire, Reece flew into the embattled zone despite the absence of ground cover and loss of communications. Being aware of the imminent danger, he nonetheless flew three more extraction missions, evacuating a total of 26 wounded soldiers to safety.

There is no question that Frank Reece served his country well as a member of the U.S. Army and that he is an outstanding individual, a key member of his community, and is deserving of this special recognition.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Gerald Lord

For his actions, Reece was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Additional decorations awarded during his distinguished career were three awards of the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

Reece served his country for 30 years, including a second combat tour and numerous high-level comptroller/resource management positions, with chief of staff of U.S. Army Recruiting Command as his final assignment.

Retired Col. Gerald Lord, '61, nominated Reece. 

"There is no question that Frank Reece served his country well as a member of the U.S. Army and that he is an outstanding individual, a key member of his community, and is deserving of this special recognition," Lord said in his nomination of Reece.

Lord said it was a "distinct honor and pleasure" to propose Reece's membership, and "from the time he was named as corps commander of the Boar's Head Brigade at North Georgia College, he was destined to be a major contributor to the U.S. Army and the American way of life."

Hall of Fame nominees must have ties to Georgia and qualify in one of three categories: valor for heroic action in combat; outstanding achievement while in service; or significant local, state, or national contributions after leaving active duty.  


UNG honors '20 Under 40'

UNG honors '20 Under 40'

The Alumni Association has announced this year's '20 under 40' honorees, recognizing members of the UNG family for their personal and professional accomplishments or their distinguished service.
Poultry team earns No. 6 spot in nationals

Poultry team earns No. 6 spot in nationals

The UNG poultry judging team placed sixth in the national poultry judging contest at the University of Arkansas.
Glouse receives student DAISY award

Glouse receives student DAISY award

Sydney Glouse received the first student DAISY Award given by Northeast Georgia Health System. The award is a recognition program to celebrate and recognize nurses.
Case, Hines earn first publication

Case, Hines earn first publication

A recent alumnus and a senior have earned their first peer-reviewed publication for a piece studying political rhetoric surrounding the Ukraine-Russia war.