Colonel Edwin M Sayre
We are saddened to announce the passing of Colonel Edwin M. Sayre (Ret.), 98, former commander of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He died Thursday, October 23, 2014 at his residence.
Col. Sayre was born on December 19, 1915 to Arthur Neul Sayre and Edna Yarbro Sayre in New Mexico near the Hila River.
In 1940 Ed Sayre joined the Breckenridge National Guard Company L 36th Division that was activated at the start of WWII. In April 1940 Ed passed the Army Officers test and became a 2nd Lt., and after hearing paratroopers made an extra $100.00 a month, he volunteered for parachute training. Upon completing parachute training he was promoted to Capt. of “A Company” of the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
As the A Company Commander, Col. Sayre became known as the “hero of Piano Lupo” in Sicily. He also earned the Distinguished Service Cross during Operation Husky. Later in his Army career, Col. Sayre served as the commander of the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 505th Infantry from June of 1963 to May of 1964. He later retired from the Army in 1968 with over 30 years of service.
He met and married Betty Mavrico in Germany in 1946. His wife Betty also retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Col. Sayre was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, The Legion of Merit/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star/3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Infantry Badge for WWII and Korea, Master Parachutist Wings with over 300 jumps; of these he has two stars for combat jumps. He also has 3 Purple Hearts.
After his Military retirement he returned to Breckenridge. Col. Sayre served as Chamber of Commerce Director, YMCA, Breckenridge Rotary Club, West Texas Council of Governments, Texas Farm Bureau, Breckenridge Housing Authority Board, and the Stephens Memorial Hospital board. He was also vice-president of Citizens National Bank for 6 years, and an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as treasurer and Sunday School Teacher.
We are eternally grateful for Col. Sayre’s service to the nation, our Army, and the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was truly a national treasure.
Col. Sayre was born on December 19, 1915 to Arthur Neul Sayre and Edna Yarbro Sayre in New Mexico near the Hila River.
In 1940 Ed Sayre joined the Breckenridge National Guard Company L 36th Division that was activated at the start of WWII. In April 1940 Ed passed the Army Officers test and became a 2nd Lt., and after hearing paratroopers made an extra $100.00 a month, he volunteered for parachute training. Upon completing parachute training he was promoted to Capt. of “A Company” of the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
As the A Company Commander, Col. Sayre became known as the “hero of Piano Lupo” in Sicily. He also earned the Distinguished Service Cross during Operation Husky. Later in his Army career, Col. Sayre served as the commander of the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 505th Infantry from June of 1963 to May of 1964. He later retired from the Army in 1968 with over 30 years of service.
He met and married Betty Mavrico in Germany in 1946. His wife Betty also retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Col. Sayre was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, The Legion of Merit/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star/3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Infantry Badge for WWII and Korea, Master Parachutist Wings with over 300 jumps; of these he has two stars for combat jumps. He also has 3 Purple Hearts.
After his Military retirement he returned to Breckenridge. Col. Sayre served as Chamber of Commerce Director, YMCA, Breckenridge Rotary Club, West Texas Council of Governments, Texas Farm Bureau, Breckenridge Housing Authority Board, and the Stephens Memorial Hospital board. He was also vice-president of Citizens National Bank for 6 years, and an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as treasurer and Sunday School Teacher.
We are eternally grateful for Col. Sayre’s service to the nation, our Army, and the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was truly a national treasure.