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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The life of a trailblazing officer in the United |
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States Army drew to a close with the passing of Major General |
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(Ret.) Edward Greer of El Paso on January 29, 2025, at the age of |
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100; and |
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WHEREAS, Edward Greer was born in Gary, West Virginia, on |
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March 8, 1924, to Walter Greer and Vesta Long; he graduated from |
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West Virginia State College, and he later earned a master's |
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degree in international affairs from The George Washington |
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University; and |
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WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Greer |
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enlisted in the U.S. Army as a teenager during World War II, and |
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he was a member of the 777th Field Artillery Battalion, an |
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all-Black unit, and was elevated to master sergeant; |
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commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1948, he also served in |
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the Korean War and the Vietnam War, when he was deputy commander |
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of the XXIV Corps Artillery and commander of the 108th Artillery |
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Group; and |
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WHEREAS, Breaking racial barriers, Mr. Greer become one of |
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the first African American officers to be promoted to brigadier |
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general in the U.S. Army in 1972; his ascension to the rank of |
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major general came later that year; he rose to the positions of |
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deputy commanding general at Fort Leonard Wood and second in |
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command for the U.S. Army Military Personnel Center; |
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demonstrating exceptional leadership and valor in uniform, he |
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received multiple awards, including the Distinguished Service |
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Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, and |
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Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal Joint Service |
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Commendation Medal, and Army Commendation Medal; he retired in |
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1976, and he went on to enjoy a rewarding 30-year career in real |
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estate in El Paso, where he was actively engaged in the veterans |
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community; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Greer enjoyed the love |
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and support of his wife of 73 years, the late Jewell Means Greer; |
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they raised three children, Gail, Kenneth, and Michael, and he |
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later took great pride in his four grandchildren and seven |
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great-grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Edward Greer inspired generations of African |
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American military service members, and he leaves behind a legacy |
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that will resonate for many years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature |
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hereby pay tribute to the memory of U.S. Army Major General |
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(Ret.) Edward Greer and extend heartfelt sympathy to the members |
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of his family: to his son, Dr. Michael Edward Greer, and his |
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husband, Steve Bryant; to his grandchildren, Lisa Cobb, Alissa |
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Maru and her husband, Anteneh, Vaun Greer and his wife, Cynthia, |
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and Tia Greer; to his great-grandchildren, Melia, Morgan, Maya, |
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Zinzi, Clarke, Jude, and AK; and to all who mourn his passing; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns |
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this day, it do so in memory of Edward Greer. |