Five alumni selected for veterans HOF

Five University of North Georgia (UNG) alumni are part of the 14-member class of 2024 inductees into the Georgia Military Veterans' Hall of Fame, and UNG alumni now account for 27 of the 191 inductees since the Hall of Fame started in 2013. The induction was held Nov. 2 in the St. Luke Ministry Center in Columbus, Georgia.

This year's inductees from UNG include retired Lt. Gen. James Terry '78, retired Brig. Gen. Fred Wilbur Collins '35, retired Col. John Terrell Lawrence II '66, retired Col. Richard Harry Taylor '66, and retired Capt. Ralph C. Colley '66. Terry was inducted for achievement and the other four for valor. Colley, Collins, Lawrence, and Taylor are all being inducted posthumously.

Terry serves as senior vice president and superintendent of UNG's Cadet Leadership Academy, a role he began in June.

"For 151 years, the University of North Georgia Corps of Cadets has delivered leaders of character for our nation who understand selfless service. When I look at the short biographies of my fellow alumni of our Corps of Cadets and their selfless and valorous actions while leading in combat, I find myself humbled to be inducted alongside them," Terry said. "If they could speak, and I know Col. John Lawrence personally, I am certain they would credit our legendary Corps of Cadets for being foundational in their learning how to lead. That’s what we do: produce leaders of character. And that’s what we must do for the future of our nation."

Throughout his distinguished military career, Terry commanded at every level from rifle platoon leader to theater army. He led soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines from multiple nations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. After retiring from the U.S. Army in January 2016 at the rank of lieutenant general, he transitioned to the U.S. defense industry, serving as senior vice president for strategy and business development at Cubic Defense since August 2016 prior to returning to UNG.

During the Normandy invasion in World War II, Collins was the executive officer of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, and landed with the assault forces on D-Day at Utah Beach. In August 1944, he assumed command of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, and participated in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Ardennes campaigns. Collins' awards in his 32-year Army career include the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Croix de Guerre, and many other awards and decorations. He also earned the Combat Infantry Badge.

Lawrence was recognized twice for heroism while serving in Vietnam. During his 27-year Army career, Lawrence was awarded the Silver Star, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, seven air medals, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star medal, and many other awards and decorations. He also earned the master parachutist badge and was a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School.

Taylor served in posts in the United States and around the world, including two tours in Vietnam, one as a Vietnamese infantry battalion advisor during the TET Offensive of 1968, and again as a company commander and intelligence officer in the 1st Cavalry Division. He participated in the liberation of Grenada as Inspector General of the 82nd Airborne Division. His awards include the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for Valor, four Bronze Star Medals, two Purple Heart Medals, The Legion of Merit Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Combat "V" for Valor, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, as well as many service ribbons. He also earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Ranger Tab.

Colley lost three limbs to a land mine in Vietnam while serving as the company commander of the 3/187th infantry company in the 101st Airborne Division. Colley began selling real estate full time and was awarded the Disabled American of the Year in 1970. He was later elected vice chairman of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities in 1986 and recognized as Handicapped American of the Year that same year. In 2010, he was the first recipient of UNG's Ralph Colley Spirit of North Georgia Award, which honors those who have lived exemplary lives even in the face of adverse circumstances. He was also one of the only triple amputees to fly his own plane, a Cessna Cardinal.