Ernest L. Massad
Encyclopedia
Ernest Louis "Iron Mike" Massad (December 25, 1908 — February 20, 1993) was a college football star, major general
of the U.S. Army
, and successful oilman.
, Oklahoma
to Namey and Shafiga Kouri Massad in 1908. Massad graduated from Ardmore High School and enrolled in the University of Oklahoma
in the Fall of 1928, where he starred in football, playing as a fullback, linebacker and kicker, and earned the nickname "Iron Mike
" for his athletic ability. In 1956, he was chosen by Sports Illustrated
magazine for inclusion in a set of "Men of Achievement" who excelled at football in 1931 but by 1956 were "furnishing U.S. leadership in business, medicine, law, theology, diplomacy, teaching, coaching and the military."
General Massad was a member of Reserve Officers' Training Corps
from 1928 to 1932 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1933.
Massad married Mozelle Sockwell on January 30, 1939 in Shreveport
, Louisiana
, and had a son, Michael Louis, and a daughter, Elaine.
He served in the First Cavalry Division from 1940 to 1943. After the United States entered World War II
he also served in the 82nd Airborne Division.
He rose to battalion command in the Eleventh Airborne Division, which fought in the Pacific Theater of Operations
. He served as Commander of the 675th Para-Glider Field Artillery Battalion and participated in the New Guinea campaign
, and the battles of Leyte
and Luzon
. He was promoted to Colonel in 1945 and released from active duty in 1946. He returned to Ardmore, Oklahoma
and resumed participation in the US Army Reserve.
Massad continued in the Reserve until 1968, where he rose to the rank of general. He had been assigned Assistant Division Commander of the 95th Infantry Division in January 1958 and the following May was promoted to Brigadier General. He was promoted to Major General on December 11, 1962.
He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for reserve affairs in Washington D.C., appointed by the President
Lyndon B. Johnson
. He served as Chairman of the State of Oklahoma Fair Board and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. He was elected Vice President of the Oklahoma Heritage Association on January 27, 1984.
In 1963, General Massad was named the American Lebanese Man of the Year by the Western Federation of American Syrian and Lebanese Clubs.
He was also an Independent Operator of the E.L. "Mike" Massad Oil Company and a successful businessman
now in housing and real estate
.
He died died on February 20, 1993, in an Oklahoma City
hospital.
, Silver Star
, Legion of Merit
, Bronze Star
with Oak Leaf Cluster
, Purple Heart
, Silver Arrowhead, and Presidential Unit Citation.
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
of the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, and successful oilman.
Biography
Major Ernest L. Massad was born in BrinkmanBrinkman, Oklahoma
Brinkman is an unincorporated community in Greer County, Oklahoma, United States. It lies at the western end of State Highway 34B, nine miles north of Mangum and one mile west of U.S. Route 283.-History:...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
to Namey and Shafiga Kouri Massad in 1908. Massad graduated from Ardmore High School and enrolled in the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in the Fall of 1928, where he starred in football, playing as a fullback, linebacker and kicker, and earned the nickname "Iron Mike
Iron Mike
Iron Mike is the de facto name of various monuments commemorating servicemen of the United States military. The term "Iron Mike" is uniquely American slang used to refer to men who are especially tough, brave, and inspiring; it was originally a nautical term for a gyrocompass, used to keep a ship...
" for his athletic ability. In 1956, he was chosen by Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
magazine for inclusion in a set of "Men of Achievement" who excelled at football in 1931 but by 1956 were "furnishing U.S. leadership in business, medicine, law, theology, diplomacy, teaching, coaching and the military."
General Massad was a member of Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Reserve Officers' Training Corps
The Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a college-based, officer commissioning program, predominantly in the United States. It is designed as a college elective that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.The U.S...
from 1928 to 1932 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1933.
Massad married Mozelle Sockwell on January 30, 1939 in Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, and had a son, Michael Louis, and a daughter, Elaine.
He served in the First Cavalry Division from 1940 to 1943. After the United States entered World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he also served in the 82nd Airborne Division.
He rose to battalion command in the Eleventh Airborne Division, which fought in the Pacific Theater of Operations
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
. He served as Commander of the 675th Para-Glider Field Artillery Battalion and participated in the New Guinea campaign
New Guinea campaign
The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II.Before the war, the island of New Guinea was split between:...
, and the battles of Leyte
Battle of Leyte
The Battle of Leyte in the Pacific campaign of World War II was the invasion and conquest of the island of Leyte in the Philippines by American and Filipino guerrilla forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Philippines led by...
and Luzon
Battle of Luzon
The Battle of Luzon was a land battle fought as part of the Pacific Theater of Operations of World War II by the Allied forces of the U.S., its colony The Philippines, and Mexico against forces of the Empire of Japan. The battle resulted in a U.S. and Filipino victory...
. He was promoted to Colonel in 1945 and released from active duty in 1946. He returned to Ardmore, Oklahoma
Ardmore, Oklahoma
Ardmore is a business, cultural and tourism city in and the county seat of Carter County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 24,283, while a 2007 estimate has the Ardmore micropolitan statistical area totaling 56,694 residents...
and resumed participation in the US Army Reserve.
Massad continued in the Reserve until 1968, where he rose to the rank of general. He had been assigned Assistant Division Commander of the 95th Infantry Division in January 1958 and the following May was promoted to Brigadier General. He was promoted to Major General on December 11, 1962.
He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for reserve affairs in Washington D.C., appointed by the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
. He served as Chairman of the State of Oklahoma Fair Board and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. He was elected Vice President of the Oklahoma Heritage Association on January 27, 1984.
In 1963, General Massad was named the American Lebanese Man of the Year by the Western Federation of American Syrian and Lebanese Clubs.
He was also an Independent Operator of the E.L. "Mike" Massad Oil Company and a successful businessman
Businessperson
A businessperson is someone involved in a particular undertaking of activities for the purpose of generating revenue from a combination of human, financial, or physical capital. An entrepreneur is an example of a business person...
now in housing and real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
.
He died died on February 20, 1993, in an Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
hospital.
Awards and decorations
Among Massad's service awards and decorations were the Army Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
, Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Oak Leaf Cluster
Oak leaf cluster
An oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
, Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, Silver Arrowhead, and Presidential Unit Citation.
Army Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with one Oak Leaf ClusterOak leaf clusterAn oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...- Army Presidential Unit Citation
