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.  


Fulbright grantee heads to South Korea in 2027

Fulbright grantee heads to South Korea in 2027

Three UNG students were selected as Fulbright U.S. Student grantees. One has accepted the opportunity and will teach English in South Korea.
Students, professors collaborate on research

Students, professors collaborate on research

Nine research collaborations are part of this year's Faculty Undergraduate Summer Engagement program. Participants will present their work July 23 in the Hoag Student Center.
Students achieve language proficiency in 7 weeks

Students achieve language proficiency in 7 weeks

Students are spending seven weeks this summer to achieve language proficiency in Chinese and Russian through UNG's Summer Language Institutes.
Athletics names 2026 Hall of Fame class

Athletics names 2026 Hall of Fame class

The UNG Department of Athletics and the Athletics Hall of Fame Committee have unveiled the class of 2026, which is set to be inducted Sept. 24.