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Major <em>Erven C. Somerville</em>, officer, gentleman, friend and hero.</p>
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Erven was born at Maynard, Ohio, June 17, 1909. He graduated from the United States Military Academy on June 10, 1932, and after a comparatively brief but brilliant career he died at Fukuoka on Kyushu, Japan on Sunday, February 11, 1945.</p>
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It was the privilege of the writer to know him but a very short time, seven years to be exact, but as a man, an officer and friend he endeared himself to me as no other officer I ever knew.</p>
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He was married in the Cadet Chapel the day after graduation June 11, 1932 to Miss Thelma McCabe of Bellaire, Ohio. Of this union one son was born. E. C. Somerville, Jr., “Skippy” who, with his mother survive Erven.</p>
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His service was as follows: At Fort Barrancas, Florida from September 1932 to December 1934 which included C.C.C. service at Chunchula, Alabama of eight months duration. He and his wife had a tour of duty at Fort Shatter, Oahu, T.H., January 1935 to December 1936. While here their son was born on August 9, 1936. Returning to the States they proceeded to the Harbor Defenses of Portland with station at Fort Preble, Maine. This tour lasted from March 1937 to June 1939. It was here that the writer became acquainted with Major Somerville, then 1st Lieutenant, 8th Coast Artillery. He served under me in various capacities, Adjutant, Mine Property Officer, Mine Commander, Battery Commander and Athletic Officer. He performed all these duties in a superior manner.</p>
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Physically he was handsome, strong and robust. Mentally he was keen, courageous and more than willing. Spiritually he was the soul of purity, honesty and frankness. No Job was too big, too tough or too long. He always came up smiling. He possessed the trait of leadership to a marked degree, noticeably in athletics. I, as an older man, always marveled at him and when he left me I paid him the highest compliment for his services under my command. My last efficiency report on him read, “This officer is all that I would like to have been myself when at his age and rank.” That was seven years ago.</p>
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He left the regiment June 1939 to enter the Coast Artillery School, Battery Officers Course 1939-1940. After completion of the course he was assigned to duty at Fort Mills, Corregidor, P.I., and arrived there in July 1940. War broke out. He survived the bombardment and the surrender and after suffering untold hardships his powerful nature succumbed and he died as a prisoner of war in Japan February 11, 1945.</p>
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Erven is gone. He went as he would have wished, on active duty in a blaze of glory. I am infinitely richer in having known him. He loved his work and to my knowledge declined many sinecures, preferring duty with troops. His widow, Thelma, and son, Skippy, can well be proud of him. Sorrow is always tempered when memories are bright and beautiful.</p>
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After my first contacts with him, he became more than a subordinate officer to me, he became a friend, and although years of difference in our ages existed I loved him as a friend, as I did my sons, and we corresponded until his death. I grieved at his untimely end and still do, as he was destined for eminence in his chosen profession. But the grief is softened by the memories of a most noble character. His life was the embodiment of the motto of his beloved Alma Mater,<br />
DUTY—HONOR—COUNTRY.</p>
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He gave the fullest measure of devotion—No man can do more. He is beyond the reach of gunfire, bombs, airplanes and torture.</p>
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May God grant him the peace that passes understanding.</p>
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ERVEN I salute you.</p>
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<em>—O. H. Schrader, Colonel U.S. Army Rtd.</em></p>
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