More detail on this person: Colonel (Ret.) James Welton "Pete" Booth, age 88, of Tennille, died Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at his residence following an extended illness. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 9th at 2:00 p.m. at Sandersville United Methodist Church with military honors. The Reverend Dr. Stan Littleton will officiate. Colonel Booth's cremains along with those of his late wife Sue will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Colonel Booth was born in Hartwell, the son of the late James Plumer Booth and the late Ruth Allen Booth. He graduated from Hart County High School in 1946 and attended North Georgia College before transferring to the University of Georgia where he graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Colonel Booth then entered the military where he began a distinguished career in the U. S. Army. Soon after joining the Army in 1952, he was trained to fly Army helicopters. Colonel Booth was instrumental in the development and deployment of armed helicopters for the Army. His training and expertise took him to Vietnam for two tours where he served as Company Commander of the 1st of the 9th Cavalry Division. He saw many hours of combat duty and earned two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star, a Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars and the St. George's Medal of Valor. In retirement, Colonel Booth wrote a book, "Returning Fire" that chronicled his time in Vietnam. After serving in Vietnam, Colonel Booth went on to become the Battalion Commander of the Lightning Brigade in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He completed his service in the Army in Seoul, South Korea at the U.S. Army Headquarters. After retiring from the Army in Seoul, South Korea he went to work for McDonnel Douglas, a defense contractor. He later became the President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Seoul where he performed many diplomatic duties. He and his wife, Sue traveled widely while living overseas. He retired from his work in Seoul and moved back to Sparta, where his wife had grown up. They also enjoyed a home in Clearwater, Florida at this time. They eventually moved to Sandersville, GA where Colonel Booth became very active in the Sandersville Rotary Club, Sandersville United Methodist Church, and the non-profit, and Broken Shackle Ranch where he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Colonel Booth is predeceased by his wife, Sue Jackson Booth and his son, Michael Clinton Booth. Survivors are his daughters, Cheryl Giordano of Roswell and Cynthia Rogers-Thomas and her husband Christopher of Sandersville; grandchildren, Christopher Giordano, Shannon Marie Rogers and Jessalyn Thomas; great granddaughter, Charlie Jane Zbinden; and sister, Tempie Booth of Greenville, SC. The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 9th from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service at 2:00 p.m. in the Heritage Hall at Sandersville United Methodist Church. Donations may be made to Broken Shackle Ranch, 1542 Francis Bridge Road, Davisboro, GA. 31018 or to Sandersville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 611, Sandersville, GA. 31082. May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 01/06/2019
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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024
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