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Tate Recognized as OBHT American Hero

As we continue our series, “A SALUTE TO OUR VETERANS,” Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & Tate, Inc. would like to recognize John H. Tate, II, a shareholder in our firm’s Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy Section.

John was born an “Army Brat” at Ft. Bliss, Texas (El Paso) on January 14, 1943, where his father, Charles W. Tate (then a Captain in the Veterinary Corp.), was stationed with a Cavalry Unit. Shortly after John’s birth, his father departed for service and served throughout World War II with the famous “Merrill’s Marauders.” His father’s duties were to provide veterinary services to a large herd of mules used to pack supplies and troops through the jungles of Burma and into China.

As a youngster, John traveled with his family through various Army assignments until his father’s untimely death in 1954. John’s mother returned to Texas to be near family, and settled in San Antonio, Texas.

John attended high school in San Antonio, Texas, and upon graduation obtained an appointment to the United States Military Academy which he entered in July of 1960. John graduated from West Point in June 1964, and then attended the Infantry School and Ranger and Airborne Training in Fall 1964.

John’s initial assignment (1964-1967) was with the Berlin Brigade in then occupied West Berlin. As an Infantry Platoon Leader, John conducted night patrols into East Berlin and lead convoys through the land access routes from West Berlin through East Germany. In addition, every fourth month (relieving the Soviet Guard Troops) he was officer-in-charge of the guard unit at Spandau Prison for the then remaining World War II Nazi Nuremberg war crimes prisoners, including Rudolph Hess, Albert Speer, and Baldur Von Schirach. John later became the Aide De Camp to the United States Commander of Berlin and met regularly with Mayor Willy Brandt and other Berlin authorities. During this time of tension in Berlin, John’s duties as Aide-de-Camp included assisting the U.S. Commander in hosting many dignitaries who visited West Berlin, including Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, comedian Milton Berle, actor Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and many other politicians and dignitaries.

In June 1967, John was reassigned briefly to the Presidio in San Francisco, California. John then attended and was the honor graduate of the Aerial Reconnaissance School at Fort Holabird, Maryland, following which he was assigned to the First Brigade, Fifth Mechanized Infantry at Ft. Carson, Colorado. In July of 1968, John’s Brigade transferred en masse to Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, where they were attached to the 3rd Marine Division. John served in combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam from July 1968 until September 1969. While in Vietnam, he was awarded various Vietnamese decorations, as well as a Bronze Star and Air Medal. John returned from Vietnam in early September 1969 and was discharged from active duty.

John entered the University of Texas, School of Law, in September 1965, and graduated in 1972, when he joined the Firm as an associate attorney. John’s entire legal career has been with OBHT.

Since his discharge from the Army, John has remained interested and active in both military and West Point affairs. He and a group of Vietnam Veterans of all ranks and services raised money for and established the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in San Antonio, Texas. In addition, John serves on the Board of Directors and is Vice President of the West Point Society of South Texas, and was recently elected to a three year term as the South Central States Regional Advisor to the Board of Trustees of the West Point Association of Graduates.

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