By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Andrew Jackson Mundy, Jr. grew up in Jonesboro, Ga., the oldest of four siblings.

He graduated from North Georgia College on an ROTC scholarship where he met and fell in love with Carolyn Collier.

Jack and Carolyn Mundy married on June 12, 1965, and life began in the U.S. Army.

After infantry basic training, Mundy spent a year in Korea as a platoon leader on the DMZ from 1965-1966.

Returning stateside, the Mundys moved to Fort Ord, Calif., where Mundy received advanced infantry training before going to Vietnam in 1968.

Carolyn, pregnant with their first child, moved back to Georgia to be close to family while Mundy served with the 35th infantry in Vietnam in 1968.

Mundy was Company Commander, Co D, 2nd BN 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, leading over 250 men in combat.

He learned of his daughter’s birth from the Red Cross on June 21, 1968.

“I forgot about the small stuff,” said Mundy. “In combat you realize what is important are your men and your relationship with God. It was my job to keep my men safe.”

Among the many medals Mundy received for his valiant service were the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with 4OLC, Meritorious Unit Citation, Bronze Star with 1OLC and with V Device, Army Commendation Medal with 1OLC, Cross of Gallantry with Bronze and Silver Stars from the Republic of Vietnam and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 5 stars.

After duty in Tennessee and Hawaii, the Mundys moved back south with duty at Fort McClelland where he was first, executive officer 2nd Battalion, and then, executive officer of the 10th battalion military police.

Mundy received his Master’s in Public Administration from Jacksonville State University, and Carolyn received her degree in library science.

In 1979, Elvin Hill Elementary School Principal Ann Head hired Carolyn Mundy as the new school librarian and the family moved to Columbiana.

Jack left active service and joined the Army Reserves.

He was hired as the director of Columbiana Housing Authority where he served for 15 years till his retirement.

Col. Jack Mundy retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service on March 19, 1995.