Colonel Philip V. Dashiell (Retired, USA) of Odenton, MD was called to eternal rest on April 1, 2014, at age 85. A lifelong Maryland resident, he lived in Salisbury, Fruitland, Severn, and Glen Burnie for many years. Upon his death, he resided in Odenton, MD.
He was the son of the late Otto and Rebecca (Toadvine) Dashiell of Fruitland, MD and the brother of the late Private Allen Dashiell of Fruitland, MD who was killed in action in the Korean Conflict. Philip acted as special escort accompanying his brother’s body back for interment in the United States.
Born in Salisbury, MD, Colonel Dashiell grew up in Fruitland, MD and completed elementary and secondary school in the area. He graduated from Salisbury Colored High School in 1944 and attended Hampton Institute (now University) in Virginia. He graduated in the upper third of his class with a B.S. degree in Architectural Engineering. He also received a commission as a Second Lieutenant from the Reserve Officers Training Course (R.O.T.C.), the first graduating class at the school. He was a distinguished military graduate.
Colonel Philip V. Dashiell’s combined military and federal service career spans from May 1948 to September 1988, from the time of receipt of his commission, until his retirement. He is both a retired military officer and retired federal employee. During his military career, he served in leadership roles from Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Executive Officer, and Battalion Commander. He was one of the first African American officers assigned as commander of a predominately white unit after President Truman’s executive order to fully integrate the armed forces. He has served as a Chief of Staff on a General Officer’s Headquarters staff. Colonel Philip V. Dashiell completed the following military training and courses during his distinguished military service: AA & Guided Missile School – Ft. Bliss, TX, Airborne and Air Transportability School – Ft. Benning, GA, The Artillery School – Ft. Sill, OK, CBR School – Camp Gifu, Japan, Command and General Staff College – Ft. Leavenworth, KS, Transportation School – Ft. Eustas, VA, and the Chemical School – Ft. McClellan, AL. His foreign tour of duty service included Japan, Korea, Belgium, and Germany. His awards, citations, ribbons, and medals include the following: National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Glider Badge, Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Parachute Badge, Occupational Medal (Japan), Army Commendation for Outstanding Medal for Meritorious Service.
Along with a long and distinguished career of military service, he served in the following civilian capacities. Chief of Logistics, U.S Army Recruiting Brigade (NE), the first African American to work for the United Insurance Company in the Salisbury, MD area, Executive Director of the Wicomico County Housing Authority, in which over 400 housing units were established. He was instrumental in initiating the Home Ownership Program of the leased housing program formerly known as section 23 (now known as section 8). He left the Housing Authority to return to active duty in 1975 and remained on duty at Ft. Meade, MD until his retirement in 1988. During his lifetime, he has also been employed in the following capacities: as an illustrator in the intelligence section at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, MD, as a draftsman with Westinghouse, Linthicum, MD, and as a postal carrier in Baltimore City, MD.
Always active within his community, Colonel Philip V. Dashiell held positions at various times with the following civic organizations: Vice President of the Wicomico County N.A.A.C.P., Senior Chairman N.C.C.J., Industrial Representative BSA, Chairman of the Steering Committee, Salisbury, MD O.I.C., Chairman of the Board Salisbury, MD O.I.C., Assistant Secretary of Section 23 Leased Housing Association, President of the Wicomico Chapter N.C.C.J., Member of the Board of Directors of the Advisory Council to the Boy’s Club of the Salvation Army, Salisbury, MD, President Jessup Elementary P.T.A., Chairman of Provinces Civic Association blood drive for over 10 years, Director At Large Provinces Civic Association, Member of Superintendent’s Advisory Council of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County Committee on Redistricting of Schools, Lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 10159, member of the American Legion Post #0297, National Association of Uniformed Services, Military Order of the World Wars, and A.A.R.P. In 1987 he received a special Service Award from the Provinces Civic Association. He was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Hanover, MD, involved actively in the following church committees: Former Chairman of Pastor Staff Parish Relations Ministry, Chairman and Co-Chairman of annual Men’s Day, member of the Bertina Randle Gospel Ensemble Men’s Chorus, received Man of the Year award, a participant in Make A Difference day, Mission Ministry Committee, RESPECT Committee, Share Program, and also worked as a volunteer with the Reading Program at Harman’s Elementary School.
In his down-time, he enjoyed singing, dancing, traveling, playing golf, and fellowship among friends. He respected and loved everyone. He and his late Wife, Effie Dashiell, enjoyed cruises, and enjoyed traveling to the following destinations: The Caribbean (St. Maarten & St. Thomas), San Juan – Puerto Rico, Nassau – Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska (Skagway & Juneau), Cancun and Cozumel in Mexico, and enjoyed vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard.
Preceded in death by his late Wife Effie Upshur Dashiell, Mother Rebecca Dashiell, Father Otto Dashiell, and Brother Allen Dashiell, Colonel Philip V. Dashiell leaves to cherish his wonderful memory four children: Charles Frederick Dashiell of Macon, GA, Danita Clarice Dashiell of Odenton, MD, Philip Slemon Dashiell of Stoney Beach, MD, and Anita Dashiell-Sparks of Los Angeles, CA; three granddaughters: Danesha Ellis of Odenton, MD, Olivia Pearl Sparks of Los Angeles, CA, and Paige Dashiell of Stoney Beach, MD; two grandsons: Langston Sparks and Dashiell Sparks of Los Angeles, CA; one son-in-law Anthony Sparks of Los Angeles, CA; two daughters-in-law Moneshia Dashiell of Macon, GA, and Ronn’I C. Allen of Stoney Beach, MD; one niece, Rebecca D. Dashiell of Fruitland, MD; one nephew, Douglas Dashiell of Salisbury, MD, seven Sisters-in-law: Veetta Rainey of Newport News, VA, Ella Stanley of Radcliff, KY, Cozelle Jones of Hampton, VA, Connie Christian of Richmond, VA, Paulette Hamilton of Upper Marlboro, MD, Adelta Upshur of New York, NY, and Kay Upshur of Hawaii; five Brothers-in-law: James Upshur of New York, NY, Raleigh Upshur of Hawaii, Nathaniel Stanley of Radcliff, KY, Ralph Christian of Richmond, VA, and John Hamilton of Upper Marlboro, MD, and a host of cousins and friends.
We thank God for blessing us with a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather who is at rest and in peace with our heavenly father. His cheerful smile, radiant personality, and loving presence will always be with us in memory and in our hearts.
Memorial services will be at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 1440 Dorsey Road, Hanover, MD on Monday, April 14, 2014. The wake will be held from 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM, with funeral services to begin at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow funeral services at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, MD at 1:00 PM. Arrangements being handled by the Witzke Funeral Home, Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045.
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