05/25/2020
Joseph Alvin Venable began his military career in 1940 by joining the Army. CSM Venable’s military assignments included combat duty in World War II where he served with the 8th Infantry Regiment in the European Theater of Operations. There he participated in five major campaigns and was wounded twice.
During the Korean Conflict, he volunteered for combat duty and was assigned to the 5th Regimental Combat Team. CSM Venable took part in three campaigns before coming to the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood in 1955. CSM Venable also served tours at Fort Hood as post sergeant major.
In the late 1960s, CSM Venable took an assignment in Vietnam under the command of Major General Keith Lincoln Ware. On September 13, 1968, while checking a report of a downed aircraft in South Vietnam, the UH-1H carrying CSM Joseph Alvin Venable, MGN Keith Lincoln Ware, LTC Henry McCarty Oliver, 1LT Steven Lee Beck and crew members, AC CPT Gerald W. Plunkett, P CW2 Williams Manzanares, Jr., G SP4 Raymond Edward Lanter, and CE SP5 Jose D. Gutierrez-Velazquez was hit by a .51 cal and all perished.
The Legion of Merit Award, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal of Valor, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Ribbon, the Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge with two stars were some of the decorations awarded CSM Venable.
CSM Venable honored his country by serving 28 years in the Army, with Fort Hood as his home base. As a result of his dedication and commitment, his memory will be honored through the school and community of Venable Village. Venable Village Elementary School opened on Fort Hood Texas in 1995 and is name after the Venable Village housing area.
