Soldier Follows in Father's Footsteps

By Army Cpl. Brandon Babbitt
3rd Army

May 3, 2010 - As an infantryman in World War II, Royce Glass was part of one of the most challenging achievements in American military history as a member of Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army. His division was one of the first to pivot and move north to engage the German forces surrounding Bastogne, Belgium. Today, his son, Army Lt. Col. Scott Glass, the 3rd Army's logistics operations plans branch chief, is serving in support of Lt. Gen. William Webster's drawdown in Iraq and buildup in Afghanistan.

The colonel's father was one of four brothers from Greensboro, Ga., who fought in World War II. He was a "replacement" in Patton's Own, which meant he would go into a unit after a soldier was wounded or killed.

The elder Glass fought in many battles, including the Battle of the Bulge. He earned the Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts in the European Theater and won the admiration of a son who knew he wanted to serve at a young age.

"He lost his best friend, who was killed next to him," Glass said. "That is an inspiration from which we can all draw strength."

Taking a job as butcher in small-town Georgia after the war, he said, his father became a devoted husband to his wife, Hilda, a loving father of three sons, a patient Little League coach and a man who never lost his temper - except that time his sons accidentally burned down his beehives. People in trouble and needing help could always call on him, day or night, he added.

Glass is married and has two sons with military aspirations of their own. They are involved in the ROTC and Junior ROTC programs at their respective schools.

"My wife, Paige, and I are so proud of our boys, Michael and Matthew," Glass said. "My daddy attended the commissioning ceremony for me and cried like a baby. I too, can see myself getting very emotional if one of my sons ever fulfills their goal of becoming a commissioned officer."

Meanwhile, Glass said, he is drawing on his father's inspiration in his own service.

"My father was and still is the greatest man I ever knew," he said. "If I live to be as respected as he was, I think I will have done well."