A Veterans Day salute to one of Crittenden County’s own

Veterans Day

Remembering Major General E.L. “Gene” Stillions Jr.

ralphhardin@gmail.com When Uncle Sam comes calling in times of need, the men and women of Crittenden County have always answered that call.

Over the past century, thousands of locals have served their country. Many paid the ultimate price for our freedom, and many did their duty and returned to civilian life.

But more than one has chosen to make a career out of the military, including Earle native Eugene L.

Stillions Jr. Also known as “E.L.” or simply “Gene,” Stillions rose to the rank of Major General in the U.S. Army, and his career resume shows just how worthy he was of those two stars.

In the U.S. Army, a major general typically commands a division of 10,000–20,000 soldiers and is capable of fully independent field operations. They may also serve as deputy commanders in 3-star commands or as senior directors on Army and joint staffs.

Born in Memphis, Tenn.

on Oct. 21, 1934, Stillions grew up in Earle and graduated from Earle High School in 1952 before entering Arkansas State College.

While attending college and ROTC training, he helped activate and served in the National Guard battalion located in Jonesboro. In 1956, he graduated with a BS in Agriculture Education and was discharged from the Guard as a Sergeant First Class to receive his Regular Army Commission in the Quartermaster Corps. During his three decades of commissioned service General Stillions served in Army combat divisions and corps and army units in the United States, Germany, Vietnam, and Korea.

His service included almost 14 years as a commander at company, battalion, brigade, depot and general officer levels. He was Commanding General (CG), 3d Support Command, V Corps; CG, U.S. Army Troop Support Agency; CG, U.S. Army Quartermaster Center/ Commandant Quartermaster School and the 38th Quartermaster General of the Army.

His awards and decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal (2 awards), the Legion of Merit (3 awards), the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal. In 1994 he was inducted into the Quartermaster Hall of Fame. After retirement in 1988 Major General Stillions served first as a Regional Director and then Vice President for the National Industry for the Severely Handicapped, Inc.

He also holds a Master of Science degree in Management from Cornell University. His military education includes completion of the Field Artillery School Basic Course, the Quartermaster School, Basic and Advanced Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

General Stillions’ last assignment before retirement in 1988 was Director of Logistics and Security Assistance, U.S. European Command.. Other key assignments held include Commanding General, 3d Support Command (Corps), United States Army Europe; Commanding General, United States Army Troop Support Agency, Fort Lee, Virginia; and Special Assistant to the Commanding General, United States Army Logistics Center, Fort Lee, Virginia.

General Stillions served in a variety of important assignments. He served as a Staff Officer in the Principal Items Distribution Branch, Supply Distribution Division, Supply Directorate, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, United States Army, Washington, DC. In Vietnam, he was Commander of the 1st Supply and Service Battalion, 54th General Support Group, United States Army Vietnam. He returned to the United States to serve as Chief, Assignments and Reserve Affairs Division, Military Personnel Directorate, Defense Supply Agency, Cameron Station, Alexandria, Virginia. Upon completion of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley J. Mc-Nair, Washington, DC, he became the Commander of the Quartermaster School Brigade, Fort Lee, Virginia. He returned overseas to serve as Commander Camp Carroll Army Depot (redesignated United States Army Military Support Center- Korea), 19th Support Brigade, Korea. He was the Executive to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, United States Army, Washington, DC; and then served as Special Assistant to the Deputy Staff for Logistics, United States Army, Washington, DC.

As Quartermaster General he was greatly involved in the effort to integrate Reserve Component personnel and units into Quartermaster Branch activities.

He was also very successful in obtaining funding for many of the new facilities on Fort Lee, including the food service and supply training facilities as well as major quarters renovations and the Army Logistics Management College addition. He also instituted the Quartermaster Hall of Fame and launched many Quartermaster Regimental initiatives.

Awards and decorations which General Stillions has received include the Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster) Legion of Merit (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Army General Staff Identification Badge.

General Stillions was inducted into the Quartermaster Hall of Fame in 1994 and was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the Quartermaster Regiment in 1991. He is also an inductee into the Arkansas State University Hall of Heroes.

General Stillions passed away a little less than two months ago at the age of 84, on Sept. 15. At the time of his death he was living in Springfield, Virginia.

General Stillions will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. The cemetery has an extensive waiting list.

Memorials may be sent to Earle First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 661, Ealrle, AR 72331, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or to the U.S. Army Quartermasters Foundation.

News of Stillions death drew comments from those who knew him and the prowess he showed during his career.

“Never in my Army time did I work for or meet a general with the knowledge he had,” said Ronald Sims.

“He was a great friend and an awesome soldier.

He was a absolutely great family man. He will be missed.”

“I first met Gene in 1964 when we were students in the Quartermaster Career Course,” recalled Jack Beckett. “It soon became apparent during the discussions in class that he had an exceptional understanding of the military’s logistics systems and would advance in promotions ahead of his peers. He was a true friend.”

“General Stillions’s passing is not only a great loss for his beloved family but also a great loss for the quartermaster corps, for the greater army and defense logistics community,” said James Kalanges “We will miss his knowledge and counsel of how the system works were the ‘rubber hits the road.’ …he was a humble, honest and generous man, possibly the foremost Quartermaster General of the last half of the 20th century.”