John Luther Gates – Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army

From a contemporary press report:

John Luther Gates, 85, a retired DAV National Service Officer (NSO) passed away at Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in May2001. He was honored at a graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery in June.

“After a full career as an Army officer, John Gates came to work as a DAV National Service Officer (NSO) and spent another decade working on behalf of disabled veterans and their families,” DAV National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson said. “Until physically unable to do so, he spent his adult life committed to serving our nation and its veterans. Through his expert work as a DAV NSO he made a positive difference in the lives of countless veterans and their families. We shall miss him.”

A native Kentuckian, Colonel Gates was born in Louisville in 1916. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1934 and served in the Army Air Corps before being commissioned. His Army career spanned 25 years, with tours of duty at the Pentagon,  Headquarters Europe Command, and in the Western Pacific theater. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1962.

Colonel Gates attended the University of Louisville, San Antonio College, St. Mary's University, and Bryant-Station Business College.

A member of DAV Chapter 9, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Colonel Gates joined the DAV's professional staff as a National Service Officer trainee under the supervision of NSO William B. Gardiner at the Atlanta National Service Office in 1965. In 1966 he was assigned as a full time Associate NSO in Waco, Texas. In 1969 he was assigned as Supervisory NSO at the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, DAV office, where he served until failing health forced him to medically retire in 1976.

His wife, Doris Nitsche Gates, two sons, a grandson, a stepdaughter and stepson, and stepgrandson survive Colonel Gates.

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