Pickett, George E.

Description

George E. Pickett Sr. was born in Palestine, Texas, 26 May 1918. His parents were James, also known as JD, and Helen Pickett. He had two brothers Tom and Bill. George graduated from Palestine High School in 1935 was selected as an Outstanding Graduate of that school in 1989.

George graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. with a Bachelor of Science degree June 12, 1939.

He married Jane Stanton of Rye, N.Y. June 14, 1939 at a military wedding in Christ’s Church. The Reverend
Wendell Phillips performed the ceremony in the presence of a large gathering, and a reception followed at the
Stanton home on Milton Point. The couple would have four children during their marriage..

His military career began June 12, 1939 when he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant of Signal Corps in the regular Army.

During WWII he served in the following campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Normandy (Arrowhead); Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes Alsace; Central Europe.

Through his military career George E. Pickett received the following citations, decorations, and/or service medals and rose to the rank of General:

Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star; Legion of Merit with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star with V Device; Army Commendation Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster; Croix de Guerre (France); War Cross (Czechoslavakia); Fourragere (France); Fourragere (Belgium); Presidential Unit Citation; Meritorious Unit Emblem; American Defense Service Medal; European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (one Silver, three Bronze, one Arrowhead); American Campaign Medal; WWII Victory Medal; Army Occupation Medal (Germany); National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

In May 1974 General Pickett retired from the Army to become the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. In January 1977 General Pickett assumed the position of Executive Vice President of the United States Independent Telephone Association retiring in 1984.

Although General Pickett retired he used his expertise and became very active in Alexandria, Va. civic affairs.

General George E. Pickett Sr died on May 18, 2008 at Walter Reed U.S. Army Medical Center.

He was predeceased by his wife Jane, son George E. Pickett Jr., brothers Tom and Bill, and daughter Jane Gray Souders. He was survived by son Thomas D’Aubigne Pickett, and daughter Sharon Pickett Mills, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel in Arlington, Va. Burial followed in Arlington National Cemetery.

Published in the Herald-Press from 7/26/2008 – 7/27/2008