GEORGE O. PEARSON

 SHERIDAN - Services for George Oliver Pearson, 94. will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ron Nelson officiating. Interment will be in the Masonic Lodge No. 8 section of the Sheridan Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Wyoming National Guard.
   A former Wyoming adjutant general, he died March 20, 1998, at the Sheridan VA Medical Center. He was born Aug. 15, 1903, in Sheridan, to Nels A. and Anna (Oliver) Pearson. He was a graduate of Sheridan High School, attended the University of Wyoming and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1928 with a degree in architectural engineering. He returned to Sheridan to work for the N A Pearson Construction Company. He joined the Wyoming National Guard in I920 and was commissioned 2nd Lt. USAR through ROTC at the University of Minnesota and assigned to the 6th Coast Artillery in 1928.
   In 1931, he was assigned to the Sheridan unit of the Wyoming National Guard He marred Sarah "Sally" Leitner on Sept 27, 1942. in Sheridan and lived there until 1941, when they left for Ft Lewis. Wash , in the World War II mobilization of the Guard he served as troop commander. squadron commander and regimental executive officer while there.
   He held numerous assignments during World War II. His regiment was the first into Japan on Aug . 30. 1945. in set up security for Gen. Douglas MacArthur's landing. He held assignments in the Philippines. Berlin. Hokkaido [Japan], the Pentagon and Fort Benning. Ga.

   He retired in November 1958 with the grade of colonel. USA. He was appointed assistant adjutant general, Army, upon return to Wyoming and was the stale's adjutant general from 1961 to 1967. retiring as major general. ARMY.
   From October 1967 to April 1969, he served a tour in Vietnam as a civilian with Pacific Architects Engineers. He was then employed by the Republic Bank of the Philippines before returning to Sheridan.
   He was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, two Legions of Merit, two Commendation Ribbons. 1967 Freedoms Foundation Award and the Wyoming Distinguished Service Medal. The Sheridan Armory is named for him.
   Organizational memberships include Masonic orders. Shrine. Elks. American Legion. Disabled American Veterans. Veterans of Foreign Wars. Bozeman Trail Association. Sheridan County Historical Society. Sigma Nu, 11th Airborne, 187th RCT, 115th Calvary associations (life), and the NG Association of the United States.
   He was preceded in death by his wife in 1983 and by three brothers, Harold, Carl and Evert. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Paine of Portola Valley. Calif., and Ann Olsen of Mound, Minn ; his sister. Esther Markley of Tubac, Aniz.; five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
   Memorials may benefit the Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Peter's Episcopal Church or a i charily of the donor's choice   Ferries Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

[Casper Star-Tribune Casper, WY, 22 Mar 1998, Sun. Page 13]

[courtesy of Marsha Hanson Dillon]

Grave marker for George O. Pearson in Mason 8, Oblong Square, Block C , Lot 1, Grave 3, Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, Sheridan (Sheridan county), Wyoming.

George began his military career as a 2nd lieutenant in the military drill company at Sheridan high school

George enlisted as a private in the Wyoming National Guard in 1920.

He then attended the University o Wyoming before transferring to the University of Minnesota where he graduated in 1928 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering.

He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 11 June 1928.

Colonel Pearson was the executive officer of the 508th ARCT in the early 1950's.

He ultimately rose from Private to the grade of  Major General.