The Four Generals of Hard Work U.: Extraordinary Lives of Ordinary Men
College of the Ozarks President Jerry C. Davis knows a good story when he hears
one. In fact, upon learning the
inspirational stories of School of the Ozarks alumni Terrence R. Dake, Gary H.
Hughey, Jerry W. Ragsdale, and Tommy I. Bell, he set out to write the book
The Four Generals of Hard Work U.: Extraordinary Lives of Ordinary Men.
Recounting each man’s journey from humble beginnings as teenagers attending the
work school located in Point Lookout, MO, to the rank of general in the United
States Military, The Four Generals of Hard
Work U., as General Peter Pace describes in the book’s foreword, “reveals
how the same values led four alumni to the very pinnacle of their success.” General Pace, the 16th
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, served in the U.S. Marine Corps with two
of the four general officers, General Dake and General Hughey, profiled in the
book.
“The fact that such an Ozarks school provided the gateway to prominence for such
a level of leadership has always been intriguing,” explains Davis. “It has been
an especially meaningful experience to trace the lives and accomplishments and
service of four alumni who rose to such high ranks.”
Generals Dake, Hughey, Ragsdale, and Bell assumed heavy leadership
responsibilities. General Dake rose
to the position of Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps in 1998. Lieutenant General Gary H. Hughey
served as Deputy Commander, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air
Force Base, Illinois. Major General
Jerry W. Ragsdale was named Commander of the Texas Air National Guard, Hensley
Field in Dallas, Texas, 1987. The
late Brigadier General Tommy I. Bell, who was buried with full military honors
at the Arlington National Cemetery in August 2011, started out as a fighter
pilot with the 71st Fighter-Inceptor Squadron and eventually served his country
in the Headquarters of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
Davis tells each general’s life story through either their own words or those of
individuals who know them well. “The
purpose of this book is to relate the extraordinary lives of a few leaders,”
said Davis. “Indeed, one does not
have to be a general in the U.S. military to serve with honor. In fact, the four generals of ‘Hard
Work U.,’ would be the first to point this out, for they know the sacrifice of
alumni such as Roy Hopper (former POW), Earl Woodard (Army Air Corps), Kaney
Willbanks (former Japanese POW), and countless others who gave their lives in
service to America.”
The
234-page book does more than simply tell a story.
It is dedicated to veterans of the Vietnam Era who answered their
country’s call and served with honor.
All proceeds from the book will go toward the College’s Patriotic
Education Travel Program, wherein the College sends students to accompany
veterans back to their fields of battle in order to learn about history and
sacrifice from the men and women who lived it.
To
purchase a copy of the The Four Generals
of Hard Work U.: Extraordinary Lives of Ordinary Men priced at $17.95,
including tax and shipping, please click the Buy Now button. For additional information please contact us at (417) 690-3395.
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About the Author:
Jerry C. Davis is President of College of the Ozarks. After graduating from the Berry
Schools in Mount Berry, GA, he attended Truett McConnell College in Cleveland,
GA, before receiving his B.S. degree from Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, NC; an
M.S. degree from the University of Tennessee; and a Ph.D. from Ohio State
University. Prior to coming to
College of the Ozarks, Dr. Davis served as President of Alice Lloyd College in
Pippa Passes, KY.