News Notes

By Army History

Article published on: December 1, 2025 in the Winter 2025 of Army History

Read Time: < 4 mins

Adrian G. Traas (1934–2024)

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Adrian G. Traas, 90, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, 14 September 2024. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Traas received his education at schools in Milwaukee and Delafield, Wisconsin, completing high school at St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield. He received his Army commission and bachelor’s degree in history from Marquette University and a master’s degree in history from Texas A&M University. His military education included the engineer basic and advanced courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the Air War College. Colonel Traas served in a variety of command and staff positions as an officer in the Corps of Engineers from 1957 to 1989. He was a company commander of engineer units in Korea and at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, as well as a post commander of engineers in Verona, Italy. Additionally, he served as an executive officer and commanding officer of the 64th Engineer Battalion, headquartered in Leghorn, Italy. He also worked on mapping projects in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Iran. Traas served as an assistant professor of military science at both Texas A&M and Marquette and as the chief of the Combat Support Branch and a staff officer in the Concepts and Studies Division at the U.S. Army Engineer School at Fort Belvoir. He served two tours in Vietnam and, before his retirement, was a historian at the U.S. Army Center of Military History. While at the Center, he authored several books and monographs, including Engineers at War in the U.S. Army in Vietnam series; two monographs in the U.S. Army Campaigns of the Vietnam War series, Turning Point and Transition; and From the Golden Gate to Mexico City: The U.S. Army Topographical Engineers in the Mexican War, 1846–1848. His burial, with full military honors, took place at Arlington National Cemetery on 15 January 2025.

New Publication From AUSA

On 25 September, the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) released the latest entry in its Medal of Honor graphic novel series, Medal of Honor: Charles Whittlesey. Maj. Charles W. Whittlesey commanded the famed “Lost Battalion” during World War I. On 2 October 1918, he led more than 500 soldiers in an advance against the German line during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. In the face of superior numbers, the American troops were surrounded by the enemy and cut off from their division. Whittlesey overcame the lack of supplies and mounting casualties to hold out for five days before reinforcements finally arrived. Those interested can view or download the graphic novel for free at www.ausa.org/whittlesey.

The Society for Military History 2025 Annual Meeting

The Society for Military History (SMH) will hold its annual meeting from 27 to 30 March 2025 in Mobile, Alabama, at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel. More information can be found on the SMH website, https://www.smh-hq.org/ annualmeeting/index.html.