Honoring Our Heroes

Master Chief Petty Officer Marion Lee Hornsby: Age 88

Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) Marion Lee Hornsby served 21 years in the United States Navy. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Boiler Technician Chief Master. He received the following decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons: Vietnam Service Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Medal and five Good Conduct Medals.

MCPO Hornsby was born August 11, 1933 to his parents, Luther and Irene Hornsby, in Tallassee, AL, where he was reared and graduated from Tallassee High School in 1952. MCPO Hornsby worked as a cotton inspector in a cotton mill in Opelika, AL, for two years.

MCPO Hornsby volunteered and enlisted in the U.S. Navy July 27, 1954. He received Basic Training at San Diego, CA, where he was assigned to work in the engine rooms of ships operating the generators and boilers. He was assigned to serve at the North Island Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, CA, where he worked with fuel oil tankers for two years. He was then transferred to an ammunition ship, USS Vesuvius, at Port Chicago, CA. He left the Navy for two months and then reenlisted. He was sent to the Navy’s boiler technician school at the Philadelphia Naval Yard and the Naval Leadership and Ethics Center at the Naval Station, RI. He was then sent to serve on the USS Catamount, a Casa Grande-ship, for 52 months where he sailed back and forth across the Pacific Ocean. This included bringing supplies to U.S. military in South Vietnam. He then was promoted to Chief Petty Officer for a temporary assignment to the Philadelphia Naval Yard in anticipation of the launching of the USS Dale, a Leahy-class cruiser. Next, he served on the USS Martin, an Evarts-class destroyer for two years followed by service on a cargo ship. In 1962, he was transferred to San Diego where he worked at the Naval Boot Camp for three years followed by service in Naval ship maintenance at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. He then served as an inspector and supervisor of the generator plant on the USS Shenandoah, a Yellowstone-class destroyer and the USS Forrestal, a super carrier. He last served as a boiler inspector at the Norfolk Naval Station, VA, for two years where he retired August 27, 1974.

MCPO Hornsby and his wife, Barbara, were married 48 years before she passed away, and they had six children, 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. For many years, they enjoyed towing a camper visiting 45 states including Key West, FL. He is a member of Providence Primitive Baptist Church at Kent, AL.

After his military retirement, MCPO Hornsby completed training in vehicle electrical maintenance at the John Patterson Technical College in Montgomery, AL., and he then drove a cement truck with the Robertson & Son Builders Supply Inc. in Tallassee, AL, for six months. Next, he worked as the labor foreman at Auburn University for six months. He worked for 20 years at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL as the plant energy foreman until 1995. He drove vehicles for Capitol Chevrolet and Jack Ingram Motors, Inc. in Montgomery, AL, where he retired from all employment in 1998.

Hornsby’s conclusions about his military service are, “I enjoyed it. I had a few bad days but a lot of more good days and years. I did not want to retire as I wanted to serve 25 years.” He would like future generations to remember him as being a good guy who worked hard.

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Staff Sergeant Morris F. Kendrick: Age 90

Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Morris F. Kendrick served four years in the U.S. Air Force, including service during the Korean War. His Military Occupational Specialty Code (MOSC) was Inventory Clerk. His military decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons included: Korean Service Medal, U. N. Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

SSgt Morris F. Kendrick was born September 9, 1931 in Centerville, AL to his parents, Elmer and Lila Kendrick. He was reared there and graduated from Suttle High School in 1949.

SSgt Kendrick volunteered for military service and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force October 10, 1950. He completed Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base (A.F.B.), TX. His first assignment was at Hill A.F.B., UT, where he received training for Inventory Clerk in supply, which was followed by deployment to Korea for one year, eight months and 22 days. He was involved in combat operations near Kaesong, Korea. He was honorably discharged from military service October 10, 1954 at Maxwell A.F.B., AL.

After military service, SSgt Kendrick went to Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) on the GI Bill and graduated with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration in 1958. After graduation, SSgt Kendrick went to work as an auditor for the Alabama Department of Revenue in Demopolis, AL. He then moved to the purchasing department at Vanity Fair, in Demopolis, AL. After moving to Montgomery, AL, he returned to the Alabama Department of Revenue in the Montgomery office. He left the Revenue Department again when a position was created for him as Chief Auditor at the Alcohol Beverage Control Board. In 1994, he retired after 39 years of state service.

SSgt Kendrick and his wife, Peggy, have been married for 62 years, and they have two children, seven grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. They are members of Eastern Hills Baptist Church of Montgomery where he has served as a Sunday School teacher, worked with the Royal Ambassadors and served with Carpenters for Christ. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening and raising vegetables.

SSgt. Kendrick reflects upon his military service saying, “I enjoyed serving in the military because it was a full filling job. It was an honorable feeling. I would also like future generations to remember me that I was involved with my family on day to day activities as my family is an important part of my life.”

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Master Sergeant Neal R. Schultz: Age 85

Master Sergeant (MSgt) Neal R. Schultz served 20 years in the United States Air Force. His Military Occupational Specialty Code (MOSC) was Navigation, Bombing, Tactics Trainer technician. He received the following decorations, medals, citations and ribbons: National Defense Service Medal (two), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters and the Good Conduct Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster.

MSgt Schultz was born in Pontic, Michigan August 20, 1936 to his parents, Frank and Eva Schultz. After dropping out of high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force January 27, 1954 and began his successful military service.

MSgt Schultz served at 10 state side bases and had two overseas tours as a radar navigation and flight simulator technician. He began service at Samson Air Force Base (AFB), NY, with the 3650 Military Training Wing. He completed technical training at Chanute AFB, IL with the 3345th Technical Training Wing and was sent to Craig AFB, AL with the HQ 3615th Flight Training Group ATC. Next, he served with the 3501 Support Squadron at James Connally AFB, TX, followed by service with the 2266th Pers Proc Squadron (CONAC) at Manhattan Beach AFS. This was followed by service at the 1608th Air Terminal Squadron (MATS) at Charleston AFB, SC. He then served with the HQ 1604RH Air Base Squadron in Bermuda, followed by service at Headquarter A.F. Special Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB, NM, followed by service at HQ Electronic System Division at L.G. Hanscom Field, MA. After this, he served with the combat crew Training Wing at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ, followed by service with the 27 TAC Recon Wing at Cannon AFB, NM. His next two assignments were with the 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ, and with the 81st TAC FTR Wing in England. His last assignment was with the 509th Combat Support Wing at Pease AFB, NH, where he retired January 31, 1974.

Following his military service retirement, MSgt Schultz worked in retails sales selling cars in AZ and AL for eight years and then worked as a supervisor with Service Master, a company that provided inspection controls for hospitals, and he was a leader opening a hospital in Centre, AL. While working in retail sales, he used the G.I. Bill and attended Snead Junior College in Boaz, AL where he earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Real Estate Law. He then attended Alabama A.& M. University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. Degree in General Business in 1985.

MSgt Schultz was selected as a Palace Acquire Intern in the U.S. Air Force Commissary Program and completed two years of training with one year at Columbus AFB, MS and the other year at Maxwell AFB, AL. He served as a Commissary Management Specialist, Deputy Commissary and Commissary Officer at six different state side locations and one overseas tour. He worked as a civilian in military commissaries including working as a commissary officer at England AFB at LA, for three years, at Hurlbert Field, FL, as TDY for three months, at Howard A.F.B. in Panama for 1.5 years, at Fort Polk, LA, and then as deputy commissary officer at Maxwell AFB, AL, where he retired from 12 years of civil service in 1998.

MSgt Schultz has continued to serve his country as he is a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans in which he has held membership for more than 45 years and had held numerous states offices and committee positions including National Deputy Chief of Staff for three years and AL Budget and Finance Director, Chapter Commander at Guntersville, AL, Chapter 23 and at Montgomery, AL Chapter 12. He is a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America. He has served as PTA president and served on numerous school committees. He has served as Cub Scout master for 10 years serving youth. He has served on the Board of Directors of the AL Department of Veterans Affairs for four years, and he is a life member of the Air Force Sergeant Association and the National Order of Trench Rats, a fraternal and honor organization. In addition, he is also a Third Degree Mason and a member of Knight Templar in the York Rites.

MSgt Schultz and his wife, Billie, have been married 66 years, and they have five children, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

MSgt Schultz’s conclusion about his military service is, “I served my country with my whole heart.”

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Command Sergeant Major Anthony Edward Sharpston: Age 60

Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Anthony Sharpston served 14 years in the United States Army. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Cannon Crewman. He received the following medals, citations, awards, badges and ribbons: Bronze Star (two), Purple Heart (two), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (three), Army Combat Medal, Defense Service Medal, Southeast Asia Medal with two service stars, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Arm Service Ribbon, Expert Marksmanship Badge with Riffle, Arms (expert), Marksmanship with Grenade Badge, Parachutist Badge, Arm Assault Badge, Driver and Mechanics Badge and Officer Driver Badge.

CSM Sharpston was born October 5, 1961 in Littleville, AL, to his parents, Henry Edward Sharpston and Juanita Sharpston. His father served in the military in the Korean War. He was reared in Littleville and graduated from Bradshaw High School in 1980. He attended college in IL for one year and volunteered and enlisted in the United States Army March 4, 1984.

CSM Sharpston reported for duty at Fort Campbell, KY, where he qualified as a Cannon Crewman. The cannon crewmembers work the howitzer cannons that support infantry and tank units during combat and play crucial roles in the Army’s success on the battlefield. Their job duties include communicating over wire and radio. identifying target locations and operating self-propelled howitzers, ammunition trucks and other vehicles. He went to Fort Benning, GA, where he completed parachutist and Ranger training. He made 19 jumps in combat zones during his service.

Next, he completed training in Special Forces at Fort Bragg, NC. CSM Sharpston served 32 months in Desert Shield and 22 months in Desert Storm in Iraq. Twice he was seriously wounded and received two Purple Hearts. He was treated at the U.S. Army’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center at Frankfurt, Germany, for nine months. He was transferred to the hospital at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, where he was treated, and he was discharged from military service there January 12, 1998.

After recovering and returning to civilian life, CSM Sharpston was employed with the W. S. Newell & Sons, a construction company in Montgomery, AL, dealing with heavy construction, mass grading and site development where he worked as a welder and frabricator for 12 years retiring in1995. He and his wife, Rhonda Denise Ray, were married for three years. He and his wife, Martha, were married for eight years. He rebuilds antique cars and gives them to others. He enjoys making toys from scrap lumber, which he gives to children in his neighborhood. He has held membership in the VFW and the American Legion. He attends services at Baptist churches in Montgomery, AL.

CSM Sharpston personifies true heroism, and his conclusions about his devotion to military service are, “It was my whole life. I’m sorry that I am out. I would still be in it if they would let me. I got to go all over the world. I miss it. I highly recommend it. It was the greatest thing that I ever did with my life.”

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