CHS Distinguished Alumni
Elmer Carmichael
Class of 1940
In World War II, Elmer Carmichael enlisted and volunteered for amphibious duty. He took part in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Italy and in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. His ship was sunk, fortunately, he survived. Since his retirement, he has organized an annual reunion of their landing craft flotilla.
Elmer spent forty years as a county banker, goint to work at the Farmers and Merchants Bank in 1945 on the G.I. Bill of Rights, working his way up from bookkeeper to President. For twelve and a half years, he served as President of the First National Bank in Okeene. Elmer retired in 1985. Since then he has been involved in real estate.
Elmer has been an active member of the Christian Church for more than sixty years, a longtime elder and church leader.
His community service includeds twenty years on the
Crescent Fire Department with two years as chief. He served ten years on the Crescent City Council, four of those as Mayor. He was a member of the Crescent Lions Club and the Okeene Kiwanis Club, holding various officed including President of both. For nine years, Elmer was a member of the Okeene Municipal Hospital Board. He is involved in politics on the local, state and national levels. Elmer served two terms as the President of the Crescent Alumni Association, including 1989, the Centennial Year.
Elmer's great pride in the service to one's country can be seen in his active role in the Crescent American Legion and his latest effort, the Wall of Memories Project at the Legion Hall.
During World War II, over twelve million persons served in the United States Armed Forces. In May of 1995 only six individuals were chosen from the ranks of those who served by the War Memorial 50th Commemoration Committee to represent each branch of the military at the V/E Ceremonies in England, Prague and Moscow. Elmer had the honor to be chosen as one of those six. He represented the Navy and met with dignitaries, including President and Mrs. Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Admiral and Mrs. Crowe, Ambassador to England. While in England, he attended V/E Cerremonies as the Saint Paul's Cathedral with the Royal Family and more than 50 heads of state. He took part in helping the Clintons lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Red Square with President Yelstin as host in Moscow, Russia.
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