Thomas Dudley Ayers

COLUMBIA — Funeral services for Lieutenant General Thomas Dudley Ayers, U.S. Army, Ret., 81, of Columbia will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Road, Columbia. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers will be Alan Parker, Cory Scanlon, Caleb Ayers, Cameron Scanlon, Ethan Ayers, John Parker, Stephen Scanlon, Kurt Weinzapfel, General John Renner, Colonel Edward Corcoran, Colonel Angelo Perri, Colonel Joe Hick, Fabrizio Marciano, and Colonel Jack Witherell. The family will receive friends after the service in the church fellowship hall.
 
General Ayers died on Friday, December 4, 2009. Son of the late John Hartley Ayers and Julia Hanlon Ayers, he was born in Birmingham, AL, on January 30, 1928. He was initially commissioned as a reserve second lieutenant following the completion of Army Officer Candidate School. Later, he won an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned a Regular Army Second Lieutenant and awarded a degree of Bachelor of Science in Military Sciences in 1952. He also earned a Master of Arts Degree in Political Science from Columbia University in New York City. His military education included the Infantry Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, and the British Joint Services Staff College.
 
General Ayer’s military active duty included a wide variety of important command and staff positions that culminated in his final assignment as Deputy Commander in Chief of the United States Army in Europe. He also served as Chief of Staff for United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, and Commander of the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, California.
 
In Vietnam he commanded the 3rd Battalion of the 39th Infantry Regiment and also was Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of II Field Force. Returning to the United States he served in the Pentagon in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations. Later, he commanded the 3rd Brigade and served as Chief of Staff for the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.
 
A subsequent appointment was as an Army Fellow with The Council on Foreign Relations in New York City and then with the Army Training and Doctrine Command where he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Training and Intelligence. He was then posted to Korea and served as the Assistant Division Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division and later as Commanding General of the 19th Support Brigade. He returned to the United States and was assigned to the Army Forces Command serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics.
 
His awards and decorations included the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster) the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device (with two Oak Leaf Cluster) the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal with “V” Device. He also held the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
 
In retirement he devoted his efforts to community services and served as President of the Spring Valley Rotary Club. He was a member of the Retired Officers Association, the Fort Jackson Officer’s Club, Fort Jackson Golf Club, and the Spring Valley Country Club.
 
Surviving is his wife of 57 years, Janice Belote Ayers; son Mark Ayers, a retired U.S. Army Officer; daughters and sons-in-law Julia and John Parker, Kathryn and Stephen Scanlon, Carolyn and Stevan Weinzapfel, and ten grandchildren, Leigh Marteney, Kelly Newhouse, Travis Newhouse, Alan Parker, Cory Scanlon, Sarah Weinzapfel, Erin Weinzapfel, Caleb Ayers, Cameron Scanlon, Ethan Ayers, and three great grandchildren.
 
Memorial contributions can be made to Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Road Columbia, SC 29223 or Spring Valley Rotary Club, P.O Box 24342, Columbia, SC 29224
 
Tom Ayers was a Soldier’s Soldier. He leaves a legacy of service to the Nation.
 
Please sign online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com.