Scope and Contents

The collection consists of approximately 3 linear feet of materials documenting Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel George Bryon's U.S. Army service with the 25th Infantry Division and the 361st Signal Battalion at Cu Chi and Danang, as well as his postwar military career. The materials include artwork; slides; photographs; clippings; award citations and certificates; military orders; pamphlets; schedules; postcards; greeting cards; rosters; a New Testament bible; correspondence; maps; and prayers. The materials are dated predominately 1965-1987.

Biographical / Historical

From the time George T. Bryon was born on February 9, 1932 until his death on April 17, 2018, he was in love with the U.S. Army. At the time he was born, his father, Sgt. Edward R. Bryon, was assigned to the Mississippi National Guard in Grenada, MS.
From the time CH Bryon was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister at age 18 in the summer of 1950 in Pontotoc, MS, his aim was to become a chaplain in the U.S. Army.
During his father's career in the Army, from 1918 to 1950, wherever he was stationed his family went with him. Altogether, CH Bryon attended 21 different schools from First Grade through Seminary - from Fort McPherson, GA to Beaumont and Palm Springs, CA and different Army posts in between. He was a graduate of Bethel College in McKenzie, TN and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
He was serving as Pastor of Woodville Heights Baptist Church in Jackson, MS when he received his commission in November 1966 as a Chaplain Captain in the Army. At the time he was also serving as a captain in the Mississippi National Guard.
He was commissioned as a U.S. Army Chaplain with the rank of Captain on January 11, 1967. After attending Basic Course at Ft. Hamilton, NY, he became a Battalion Chaplain with 5th Training Brigade at Ft. Polk, LA. While at Ft. Polk, he attended Jungle School in Panama. For his service at Ft. Polk, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal - the first chaplain to be so honored at Ft. Polk.
In January 1968, he left his family in Pasadena, TX for Vietnam. He was assigned to the 4/23 Mechanized Unit of the 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi. He arrived in country just in time for the Tet Offensive of 1968. For his assistance in helping wounded soldiers to the aid station on the night of May 8-9 when his unit came under attack at Duc Hoa, he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Later he was also awarded the Bronze Star for his service to the division that year.
He returned stateside and reported in February 1969 to his next assignment at Letterman Army Hospital at the Presidio in San Francisco.
In July 1970, he returned to Vietnam. He was assigned to the HHC 361st Signal Battalion at Da Nang. He covered signal sites from there to the DMZ. He was awarded his second Bronze Star for his service with this unit.
He returned home in July 1971 with orders to Ft. Knox, KY. He was assigned to 10th Battalion, 5th Training Brigade and later served as Staff Chaplain of the brigade. He was promoted to Major and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster.
After attending Career Course at Ft. Hamilton, his desire to serve again with the 25th Infantry Division was granted. He spent the next four years at Schofield Barracks, HI. As noted on his award of the Meritorious Service Medal, he covered other islands while with the different units to which he was assigned - namely Johnston Island and Enewetak (Einiwetok).
His next assignment he asked for was Ft. Hood, TX. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel while there. He served his final two years as the Division Chaplain for the 1st Cavalry Division. He participated in Reforger 84 in Germany.
CH Bryon retired in January 1987 to Fort Sheridan, IL. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Legion of Merit.