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SAGA OF A DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN
Lieutenant General Manton Sprague Eddy was born in Chicago, Illinois
on May 10, 1892. He lived in the city and attended public schools until his
high school days, where he enrolled in Shattuck
School in Fairbault, Minnesota.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant during World War I, and served
overseas with the 39th Infantry of the 4th Infantry Division. While
commanding a machine gun company during this conflict, he was wounded in
action. Upon his recovery, he rejoined his unit for further action
against the enemy.
While on active duty at Fort Benning, Georgia
in 1921, he met Miss Mamie Buttolph, a native of Columbus, Georgia.
General Eddy and Miss Buttolph were married during this year. During World
War II, General Eddy commanded the 9th Infantry Division which was involved
in the campaign in North Africa, Sicily, and the Normandy
Invasion. In 1944, he commanded the XII Army Corps which was a part of
General Patton's Third Army. This unit was the spearhead of many
attacks against the enemy while on French soil.
In 1950, General Eddy was
appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the European Command. In 1952, he
served as the Commander of the United States
Army, Europe, which placed him in charge of
250,000 American troops stationed on the continent. He was cited by his
government and several foreign nations for an outstanding job of building and
maintaining excellent relations between the soldiers of his command, and
foreign nations.
Upon his retirement from
military service, General Eddy made his home in Columbus, Georgia;
the birthplace of his wife. He immediately found his place in his new
civilian community. He served as Vice-President of Williams Construction
Company, a member of the Board of Directors of Williams Lumber Company, Gas
Light Company, Concrete Company, and Mass Construction. In his civic endeavors,
he was Senior Elder in the First Presbyterian Church, chairman of the Safety
Board, chairman of the United Givers campaign, headed the Board of Managers
of Armed Services Y.M.C.A., and was elected president of the Chamber of
Commerce for two years. General Eddy died on April 11, 1962. He was
buried with full military honors in Arlington
National Cemetery, Washington,
D.C.
The
school officially opened on March 20, 1961 as South Columbus
Junior High School. In
April 1962, the school board voted unanimously to change the name of the
school in honor of Lieutenant General Eddy. During the 90s, the middle school
concept was adopted throughout the district, whereby the name Eddy Middle
School was implemented. The school colors are
royal blue and white. Current and past principals include: Dr. Cleo Y.
Griswould, Dr. Ed Barnwell, Mr. Carlos Skeete, Dr. James Patrick, Mr. Del
Pratt, Mr. Joseph Gosha, and Mr. Percy Griffin.
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