Ret Colonel Archie F. Bassham, 71, passed away Friday March 4, 2005 at La Posada. He was born April 19, 1933 in Eagletown, OK to Arch and Prudence Davis Bassham. Enlisted in the United States Army on February 20, 1948. Attended the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School graduating on November 30, 1954 as both the Honor and Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Artillery. Served in Iceland, Puerto Rico, Europe, Vietnam and Korea; commanded one of the first HAWK Missile Batteries to be deployed to Europe; was a District Senior Advisor in the Delta of the Republic of Vietnam and commanded the U. S. Army Garrison-Yongson and Tactical Area III in Korea. He was also Deputy Commander for Personnel and Community Activities, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Was promoted to Colonel in May 1976 and, after nearly 37 years of active service, retired from the Army on 1 January 1985. During the early commissioned years served as the Prosecutor or Defense Counsel for military trials for more than 200 cases. Life Member VFW Post 10124; Past Post Commander; Chairman of Past Post Commanders Club for seven years; Served as Post Trustee, chaired the Post House Committee for five years and several other Post committees; Past VFW State Surgeon; VFW State Chairman for Americanism Programs; VFW State Junior Vice Commander; District Trustee and Buddy Poppy Chairman. Member of VFW National Resolutions Cmte and the Citizenship Education and Community Service Committee. Military Order of the Cootie: Life Member; Past Seam Squirrel three times; served in virtually every PT position; elected Junior Vice Commander for the Grand of New Mexico and Grand Senior Vice Commander; advanced to Grand Commander. Grand By-Laws Chairman for three years; Grand Trustee for three years; Currently Deputy Council Member Supreme District 11; Appointed Supreme Blood Chairman; appointed Supreme Deputy Chief of Staff and; Member Supreme By-Laws Committee. Military Order of World Wars: Perpetual member of both the Mesilla Valley and El Paso Chapters; past Chapter Commander for eight years; several national awards including the Patrick Henry Bronze Medal; past Department (all of NM & El Paso) Commander. Life Member: American Legion, AMVETS, DAV ( Past Commander Chapter 10 of NM), MOAA & USAWar College Alumni Assn. Masonic Affiliations: Master Mason, Hancock Lodge 311, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Life Member, Heroes of '76, Phil Sheridan Camp, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Perpetual Member, National Sojourners Kentucky Chapter 134, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Member, Scottish Rite, Valley of Leavenworth (Kansas); Shriner, El Maida Temple, El Paso, Texas. Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (conferred by the Governor of the Commonwealth of KY). Military Awards: Combat Infantryman's Badge; Army General Staff ID Badge; Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Medal; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; Vietnam Campaign Medal with three bronze stars; Armed Forces Service Medal with "X" device; NCO Education Ribbon with "2" device; overseas and other service awards; Presidential Unit Citation with Palm; Vietnamese Service ribbon with"60" device; Korean Service Medal; Cold War Medal. Archie Graduated from New Mexico State University and was awarded a Masters of Science Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University Pennsylvania. He is survived by his son Wayne Robert Bassham and wife Kim of Sandy, Utah; daughters Sherri Lynn Bassham of Olney, Maryland and Kathi Ann Bassham-Costales and husband Ramon of Las Cruces; brothers Forney Bassham of Stockton, CA and Jim Litchford of Dequeen, AK; sisters Alice Covington of Irvington, TX, Georgia Powers, Drucla Taylor and Janice Leonard all of Eagletown, OK. He is also survived by his granddaughter Sienna Nicole Bassham. Archie was preceded in death by his loving wife of 48 years Irene Bassham. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at Getz Funeral Home. Funeral Services are at 10:00 AM Wednesday, March 9, 2005 also at Getz Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow also on Wednesday and 2:30 PM at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors. Following the interment, the family will gather at VFW Post 10124 with Dad's comrades and other friends so we will have ample opportunities to bid a final farewell and offer a toast to the years past and to the forever journey ahead. The family suggests that flowers be sent to Getz Funeral Home or private donations be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana, Las Cruces, NM 88005. (505) 523-4700 or to charity of choice. PDF Printable Version
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