Joe Ellis, Jr.

After several years of enlisted service, Major Joe Ellis, Jr. was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry, 12 March 1957 (OCS Class 2-57). | His duty assignments include: Served three years at Fort Lewis, Washington, Co C, 22nd Inf BDE (Rifle Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Company Commander); served one year in Korea (Combat Support Co, 1st BG 5th Cav (Mortar PLT Commander) Adjutant 6th Avn Gp, Fort Bragg, North Carolina (6 Months); S-1, 3rd Trans Bn Lawson Avn Command Fort Benning, GA (6 Months). Commander, 756th Trans ACFT Maint & Sup Bn, Fort Benning, GA (1 year); served 2 years as Post Comptroller, Fort Greely, Alaska; Brigade S-2, 3rd Bde, 101st ABN Div, Fort Campbell, Kentucky (1 year); Regimental Training Advisor, Team 74, Vietnam (67-68 1 year); erved three years as Assistant Inspector General, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; Inspector, Inspection Division, Office of IG, USMACV (70-71 – 1 year); served two years as Chief, Control Branch, Volunteer Army Committee, Fort Benning, Georgia. | His military education and training includes: Ranger, Airborne and Jumpmaster courses at Fort Benning, Georgia; Army Primary Flight Training, Camp Gary, Texas; Infantry Officer Advance Course, Fort Benning, Georgia; Personnel Records Procedure Course, Fort Benning, Georgia; Military Comptrollership Course, Fort Benjamin, Indiana; and DA Inspector General Course. He also holds a B.S. in Business Administration and a M.A. in Education from Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia. | He was awarded twelve ribbons and medals and the Parachutist badge and Ranger Tab. | Major Ellis was from Mt. Calm, Texas, one of five brothers, all of whom served over 131 years collectively in the United States Armed Forces. Two served in the Army and three served in the Air Force. | Joe Ellis enlisted 11 June 1946 as a private and served three years in Japan (933rd AAA Bn – 1st Cook). He was promoted to Sergeant E-5. Served four years at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (Bn Mess Steward), promoted to E-6. Served three years in Germany (26th Infantry Regiment – Regimental Food Advisor). Enlisted Service: Ten Years, 6 months and 25 days. | He graduated from 8th Army (Japan) Food Service School (Cook and Food Supervisor Courses), and from USAREUR QM School (Germany) Food Advisor Course and completed 26th Infantry Regimental Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Course. | Major Ellis retired 1 May 1973. He served 17 years as Director of Army Instruction, for the Macon County (Tuskegee, AL) Board of Education, retiring 1 October 1992. He performed volunteer work for the Macon County School System, Alabama; Retired Teachers Association, Russell County and Regimental Road Chapel, Fort Benning, Georgia.