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General Jervey died at his home in Charleston, South Carolina, serenely as he had lived, on September 30, 1942. His death was a heavy blow and a sad loss to his relatives, his friends and his country which he had served with devoted selflessness, unswerving loyalty and marked ability for nearly sixty years.</p>
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He was born in Dublin, Virginia, June 5, 1866, and was the oldest of the six sons of Dr. Henry Jervey, originally of Charleston, South Carolina, and Helen Louise Wesson Jervey of Summit Plantation, North Carolina.</p>
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In attempting to write an adequate and just appreciation of one much loved and much admired, there always exists the danger, for the writer, of over-statement on the one hand, and of understatement through fear of over-statement on the other. In order to avoid this danger, the paragraphs which follow are largely letters or extracts from letters of friends and relatives who knew General Jervey intimately and loved and admired him.</p>
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When a young lad, Henry went to the home in Charleston of his uncle, the late Eugene Postell Jervey. Through his uncle’s generous aid and affection, he had the privilege and advantage of attending the famous Charleston High School where he acquired a thorough knowledge of the fundamentals, a training in sound ethics and exemplary character, in clear and high thinking, in mental discipline and in orderly and accurate work which remained with him and aided him materially throughout his entire life.</p>
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Having completed his work at the Charleston school, he entered the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee, graduating in 1884 with the highest academic honors and with the degree of Civil Engineer. In this time of action without thought and of temporary revolt against the liberal arts curriculum, it is profitable to pause a moment and note that Henry Jervey started his professional studies and training with an excellent knowledge of the Liberal Arts including both Greek and Latin as well as a high degree of proficiency in the Sciences including mathematics.</p>
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I like to believe that not only did he profit materially, intellectually and spiritually by contact with the splendid Sewanee Spirit and Tradition, but that he aided reciprocally and substantially in its genesis and development.</p>
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In 1930, his civilian Alma Mater, in recognition of his outstanding achievements, awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.</p>
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The Right Reverend Theodore D. Bratton, Bishop of Mississippi. Retired, a lifelong friend, admirer and classmate, writes:—</p>
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“Henry Jervey, the Student as I knew him.”</p>
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“My acquaintance with Henry Jervey began when he entered the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, in 1881. Acquaintance quickly developed into intimate friendship during his college years which persisted throughout his life, though in our busy years few contacts were possible to us. At Sewanee, Jervey was a slender, very attractive youth, well above average height, intellectually brilliant, yet singularly steady, uniform and accurate in his mental activities. The youngest of his class he was ‘facile princeps’ among us. A consistent student he seemed to accomplish his every task with the unhurried ease characteristic of the mind admirably disciplined,—and often with time to assist his less gifted friends. Somewhat inclined to reticence, his pure, strong character and his generous appreciation of others won the enduring respect and admiration of his fellow students, and attracted friendships lasting and affectionate. I do not recall that he entered into athletic activities,—for some students the only, and for others the determining title to recognition and regard. It was Jervey’s exalted character, what he was in himself,—that commanded the respect of all, and what he so modestly yet richly shared with others that kindled the love of his friends.”</p>
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He entered West Point in June, 1884, and graduated, an honor cadet, June 11, 1888. He was assigned to the Corps of Engineers of the Army, graduated in 1891 from the U.S. Engineer School of Application, then at Willet’s Point, New York; served in all grades from 2nd lieutenant to colonel in the Corps of Engineers, was instructor and assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at West Point from October, 1903 to August, 1906. He graduated from the Army War College, and was retained in that institution for a tour of duty as instructor. At the outbreak of World War I, he was appointed brigadier-general and served both as brigade and division commander. Later he became assistant to General Peyton C. March, Chief of Staff in Washington. He was promoted to major-general and made Director, Operations Division, General Staff. This important and responsible position he filled with success and distinction until September 1, 1921. He was retired at his own request on April 10, 1922, and promoted to the grade of major-general, retired, June 21, 1930.</p>
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He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal of the Army for his services as Director of Operations, General Staff. He also received foreign decorations from Great Britain, France, Italy and Belgium.</p>
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Limited space, need for which in the West Point Alumni Bulletins is too tragically obvious in these sad days, forbids further reference to his long and distinguished record as a soldier and an engineer. For it, reference is made to War Department files and to Cullum’s Biographical Register.</p>
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General Peyton C. March, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army during the greater part of the first World War, writes:—</p>
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“Henry Jervey was not only my classmate, but in later years my warm personal friend.</p>
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When I returned from France in 1918 to become Chief of Staff of the Army, I found him serving on the General Staff. I made many changes in personnel, but Jervey stayed and became more and more valuable. As Chief of Operations, he had work of the most important character to do, and in spite of some physical weakness, he never missed a day,—and the days lasted until 12 o’clock at night, every day including Sunday.</p>
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He had an unusually good mind, a wonderful devotion to duty, and gave all he had, every day, all day.</p>
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My classmate friendship warmed into a rare affection for one of the finest characters as well as one of the ablest officers, with whom it was my good fortune to serve.</p>
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He was so modest he never received the public notice his work deserved, and he passed on respected by all who knew him.” (sig.) Peyton C. March, General.</p>
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Major-General Lytle Brown, formerly Governor of the Panama Canal, and Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army from 1930 to 1933, pays this beautiful tribute to his friend, Henry Jervey:—”I have known many of the officers of the Army, and nearly all of the engineer officers of my time. None of them inspired in me the confidence and affection I had for Henry Jervey. He was wholly unselfish, open-minded, honorable and kind to all men. I never heard him utter a word against any human being. He had a keen, brilliant mind. His old friend, Francis R. Shunk, said to me, ‘If Henry Jervey had been a student at Cambridge he would have been the senior wrangler’. Had he been so it would have been without presumption of vanity.</p>
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I saw his work in the World War I as Chief of Operations of the War Department General Staff. He bore a heavy burden well and brilliantly. Under it I have seen him so weary in body that he could hardly stand, but his mind functioned perfectly and unerringly then and at all times. He never received the fractional part of the credit he deserved; still there was never a word of complaint or any expression of bitterness from him.</p>
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Surely I join with you in regret at his passing, but feel quite sure that God knows his worth and will reward him in that realm which is a happier world than this. May we meet again there when our work here is done.”</p>
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In his life and work at West Point he not only was outstanding among his classmates academically, but ethically and spiritually as well. They were devoted to him and admired him to a most unusual degree as shown by the extracts from two letters which follow:— “...In almost his last one (letter) he wrote that so many big things were happening he wished we could sit down together and talk things over. Who knows but we do that yet ... He was as fine a man and gentleman as I have ever known” Mac. (McKinstry, ‘88).</p>
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... I saw him only once in 55 years yet as long as I knew he was living and close by, I felt at ease and had a sense of contentment. All my six children have been taught from infancy that he was the best man their daddy ever claimed for a friend ...’For I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day’. 2 Tim. 1:12”. (T. M. Kelly, ‘88).</p>
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Henry had a beautiful manner and influence with young people and small children. His friendly and gentle air and his genuine sympathy with their needs and view-points attracted and assured to him their confidence, affection and admiration. His two fourteen year old great nephews, James Addison Ingle at the Epsicopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, and Edwin Stuart Townsley at Exeter say of him:— “I can hardly believe what has happened. It seems but a few days ago I was talking to Uncle Henry and you,—telling you good-bye; telling Uncle Henry good-bye forever. He was such a sweet soul. I don’t believe there ever was another man like him or ever will be” (James). “He was so kind as to bewitch every person he met”. (Ed).</p>
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All who came in contact with him from humble black William Munro who played with Henry as a boy in Powhatan County, Virginia, to those of the most exalted station, regardless of age, race, creed or station loved and admired him. To no one, no matter how lowly, was advice or a kindly word ever denied.</p>
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I remember going to see him in Washington during the World War I. As I passed through the corridors of the War Department, two field officers whom I did not know came from an office door. One of them remarked impatiently, “There is no use trying to get anything in there; let’s go and see Henry Jervey; we will get something definite and worth-while from him”. I went Into Henry’s office and found him busy, calm and clear-headed as usual. He was much pleased when I told him what I had overheard. Hard working and loyal public servants receive much unmerited criticism and abuse but few kind words.</p>
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Later when I retired to take a municipal position in a Virginia city, I asked his advice. I shall always remember his answer:—“Tell the truth, do what you know to be right and let them rave.” Experience showed how true and wise his words were.</p>
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His power to discern clearly and to reject ruthlessly all that was false, all that was spurious, all that savored in the slightest degree of dishonesty or knavery, all that was non-essential gave him a sound and unassailable basis for his reasoning processes, and permitted him to follow through with almost an uncanny and unerring accuracy to correct conclusions leading to prompt and vigorous action.</p>
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He was a power for good, and an active and uncompromising foe of all that was foul or corrupt in our national life. Soon after the end of World War I had occasion to see a United States Senator on a matter of official business. During my visit he asked me if I were a relative of General Henry Jervey. Director of Operations. On my telling him that we were brothers, he said, “You ought to be proud of it; he has a brilliant mind, and his integrity is above reproach and absolutely unassailable. He won’t do a thing for the sake of political expediency”</p>
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The famous mathematician and philosopher, Dr. Robert A. Milliken, summed up his ideas of human progress in three brief creeds,—the first, a gift of religion and the other two, of science:—the idea of the Golden Rule; the idea of natural law; the idea of evolution Henry’s life showed his adherence to these creeds and more. His first thought was always for the other fellow whose viewpoint he could always perceive, and for whom he had always a full measure of sympathy. His love of all living things, his joy in watching orderly development in Nature, his own beautifully ordered life show that he was in accord with Milliken’s views.</p>
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He was more or less a Nature worshipper and an ardent student of all her processes. He made a long and careful study of local birds in many localities, and I remember seeing him often in Virginia observing them through a field glass with the most painstaking care. He was also a skilled botanist and a successful gardener. I’m sure all living and growing things felt the influence of his loving and tender care and throve for him accordingly.</p>
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He had a great fondness for working at mechanical problems and many beautiful pieces of furniture resulted from his skillful workmanship.</p>
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In addition to possessing those attributes of the mind and spirit,—the Eternal Verities,—which go to make men great and good, Henry had also that saving grace of quiet humor which makes men so companionable and lovable. That gentle humor was one of his facets that always twinkled for beloved relatives and intimate friends. He never liked to tell a story in a crowd, but he could always enjoy one from somebody else, and he often got off very amusing quips,—not in the life of the party style, for that was not in his line at all, but rather like light French humor in modern essays, and just to one or two people as an audience.</p>
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General Jervey was married twice; first to Katharine Erwin of Elkhart, Indiana. Katharine died in 1929. To this marriage was born a son, William Wesson Jervey. His second wife whom he married in 1930 was Henrietta Postell Jervey, daughter of Eugene Postell Jervey of Charleston, South Carolina. She survives him. Other survivors are his son, William Wesson Jervey, Colonel, Signal Corps, U.S. Army; a grandson, John Page Jervey also in the Signal Corps; and four brothers,—James Postell Jervey, brigadier-general, U. S. Army, Retired of Sewanee, Tenn.; Walter Elliott Jervey, Marietta, Georgia; William Palmer Jervey and Edward Darrell Jervey both of Powhatan County, Virginia.</p>
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Many more words of admiration and love might be uttered, many more lovely letters might be quoted. His friends were many, his enemies, if any, few. But mere words in a way are wholly inadequate. The blameless and marvelously useful life he lived, the vivid picture he has left in the minds and hearts of those who knew and loved him will endure long after words have been forgotten.</p>
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His attitude towards things of the spirit may be epitomized by a quotation from Philippians. 4:8:—“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; it there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things”</p>
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He did think in truth on these things, and, what is more, practiced and lived them both in spirit and in fact. They were his guerdon, his guide and light through life.</p>
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