Georgia Chapter History

Georgia Chapter Charter Members

 
At the October 25, 2003, meeting in Savanah, GA, John Viani called our attention to the fact that our Chapter was created ten years ago. He also produced a listing of charter members. Later discussion indicated that the list was a tad incomplete. The following DE sailors were charter members of the Georgia Chapter, DESA:
 
Paul Coffey DE 419, Ellenwood
Bill Davenport DE 35, Hampton
Roy DeVore DE 264, Cumming
Joe Eason DE 679, Atlanta
Bob Fletcher WDE 428, Marietta
Gene Hall DE 686, Stockbridge
Walter Kantor DE 30, Decatur
Jimmie Kilburn DE 679 & DE 592, Fairburn
Bill Lloyd DE 160, Duluth
Nelson Nicolaus DE 242, Conyers
Paul Schilling DE 7, Roswell
John Viani DE 396, Alpharetta
Willis Walker DE 157, East Point
Charles Upshaw DE 178, Dillard
 
 
All of these charter members are from north Georgia. John Viani explained that the original idea was to also create a second chapter in south Georgia, but it was later decided to form just one chapter for the entire state. Later, a note from Nelson Nicolaus was found in our files that said the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association had granted a charter to the Georgia Chapter on May 28, 1993, our official birthday.