In Memoriam: M.B. Etheredge

Retired Lt. Col. M.B. Etheredge (1915-2014) has died. The Huntsville Item (May 15) has a remembrance:

Etheredge received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sam Houston in 1937 and, after stints teaching, he spent four years in Africa, Italy, and France during WWII.  He was award three Silver Stars — the nation’s third highest military decoration for valor — two Bronze Stars for heroism and two Purple Hearts for being wounded in battle.

Following the war, Etheredge returned to earn his master’s degree from Sam Houston State Teacher’s College. He went on to serve three terms in the Texas Legislature, taught at Sam Houston State for 33 years and was also a successful banker and land developer.  He served as the president of the Huntsville Rotary Club and was a member of the board of the HEARTS Museum and Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce.  Etheredge was named a distinguished alumnus in 1982 and was presented the Texas Medal of Honor, the highest decoration awarded to a member of the state’s military forces, from Gov. Rick Perry in 2003.

Etheredge was 98.