Eli "Link" Lincoln Veazey, Jr.

Eli Lincoln Veazey, Jr., Ret. Colonel USArmy

    Eli “Link” Veazey, the son of the late Eli Lincoln Veazey, Sr. and Eleanor Rebecca Alford was born in Greensboro, GA on September 5, 1922 and passed away in Lawrenceville, GA on January 18, 2016 at the age of 93.  He was a graduate of Greensboro High School, class of 1940.  Link was inducted in the U S Army Air Corps in May 1943.  He served as a Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner in the 446th Bomber Group (H) in the European Theater of Operations.  During his assignment to the Bomber Group in England, he participated in twenty-two bombing missions over Germany, France, Austria and Hungary.  Upon completion of his service in World War II, he graduated from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and received a Commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U S Army.
    Link re-entered military service in August 1951 and served in many and varied activities in the U S Army, both in the United States and overseas, until his retirement with the rank of Colonel in June 1979.  During this service, he was an Infantry Officer, a Field Artillery Officer and an Officer in the 5th Special Forces Group (Green Beret) in Vietnam.
    Upon his retirement Colonel Veazey was authorized to wear the following decorations and awards: American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Ribbon w/3 Bronze Stars, World War II victory Medal, Air Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit w/3 Oak Leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal w/1 Oak Leaf cluster, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross w/Palm & Silver Star, Vietnamese Armed Force Honor Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device.  In addition, Link was awarded U S Army Parachute Wings, Vietnamese Parachute Wings and Thailand Parachute Wings.  He was in the service of his country during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.  After retirement, he headed the 446th Bomber Group reunions. Link was a member of the First Baptist Church of Greensboro where he joined when he was 11 and attended First Baptist Church in Snellville.
    Preceding Mr. Veazey in death were his parents, his wife, Virginia Oliver Veazey; two sisters, Eleanor V. Bowers and Jeane V. Christopher and brother Charlton S. Veazey. He is survived by four sons, Gary L. Veazey, Sr. (Ruth) of Laredo, TX, Roderick O. Veazey of Miami, FL, Rev. Terry A. Veazey (Georgia) of Montgomery, AL and John M. Veazey (Amy) of Wrightwood, CA; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
    A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 203 South Main Street, Greensboro, GA 30642 with Rev. Terry Veazey and Gary Veazey officiating. Interment will follow at Greensboro City Cemetery with full military honors.  The military will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Friday night at McCommons Funeral Home.  McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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