Pioneering Black Army general who lived in El Paso dies at 100

Yahoo

30-01-2025

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Retired Army Maj. Gen. Edward Greer, who broke racial barriers during his long Army career, died at age 100 at his El Paso home on Wednesday, Jan. 29, his family said.
Greer, a native of Gary, West Virginia, lived in El Paso during his retirement and was an active member of the military and veterans community until the end of his life. His family, community and veterans groups in El Paso had several public celebrations last year when he turned 100.
Army general looks back on Korea, Vietnam, integration as 100th birthday nears
His family described him as 'a pioneering figure in the U.S. Army and a trailblazer for African American servicemembers. His remarkable career spanned three major conflicts and represented a significant period of change in the military's history.'
Greer started out in the Army in 1943 when it was still segregated and rose up through the ranks. In 1972, he was became one of the first Black officers to be promoted to the rank of brigadier general (one-star general).
Greer was one of five Black officers promoted to that rank in 1972, his family said.
At the time, only four Blacks had previously ever reached the Army's general officer ranks, his family said.
Greer was the last surviving member of that group of five who were promoted to brigadier general in 1972.
Greer's career spanned three major conflicts — World War II, Vietnam and Korea — and 'represented a significant period of change in the military's history,' his family said.
In Korea, he earned the Silver Star for calling artillery fire onto his own position to enable an infantry company to withdraw safely, his family said.
In Vietnam, he served as deputy commander of XXIV Corps Artillery and later commanded the 108th Artillery Group.
'He held significant leadership positions, including deputy commanding general at Fort Leonard Wood and at the U.S. Army Military Personnel Center,' his family said.
'Greer's career trajectory from a segregated Army to becoming one of its highest-ranking Black officers exemplifies the progress made in military integration. His achievements helped pave the way for future generations of servicemembers,' his family said.
Greer's awards included the aforementioned Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Distinguished Service Medal.
Upon retiring from the military in 1976, Greer and his wife relocated to El Paso, where he undertook a 30-year career in real estate.
He stayed active in the community and was a fixture at events for local veterans organizations until the end of his life. He served as chairman of the Officers Retiree Council for Fort Bliss and on local boards for the American Cancer Society, Visiting Nurses Association, Association of U.S. Army, and the Association of El Paso Realtors.
Greer was a graduate of West Virginia State College. He later earned a master's degree in international affairs from George Washington University.
Greer grew up in Gary, West Virginia and was the son of a coal miner and union Walter Thomas Greer and wife Vesta Elaine Long.
'Greer's maternal grandfather was born into slavery, yet Greer and his two siblings all attended college just two generations later,' his family said.
Greer is survived by his son Michael Edward Greer, MD (Steve Bryant and former wife Pamela Greer-Walker, MD) and his grandchildren Lisa Cobb, Alissa Maru (Anteneh), and Vaun Greer (Cynthia), along with six great-grandchildren Melia, Morgan, Maya, Zinzi, Clarke and Jude. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Jewell Means Greer, his daughter Gail Sharon Lyle and son Kenneth Wayne Greer.
Memorial arrangements will be announced for El Paso and Washington, D.C.
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