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FRANCIS LEE REVERE was destined to follow
a military career. Born to a military family,
Lee grew up as a military dependent, traveling
from installation to installation until graduating
from high school. Afterwards, Lee attended
junior college at a military prep school to
prepare for entry into West Point. His older
brother also was in the military, so with his father’s
and brother’s examples and the constant
contact with military personnel and aircraft,
there was little doubt Lee Revere would strive
to become a career Air Force pilot.
Lee was born in McComb, MS, to Robert
Ezra and Mary Hesselbein Revere. Until
1941, Lee attended McComb grammar
schools. When his father, then CPT Revere,
was ordered to McDill Field near Tampa, FL,
Lee attended Tampa schools and later the base
school at Eglin AFB, FL. When his father returned
from an overseas assignment, Lee and
his family were relocated to a new military
base near New Orleans, LA, where Lee was
enrolled in Fortier High School.
In high school, Lee enjoyed photography
and sports. The photography editor of the
high school bi-weekly paper, he also worked
on the school yearbook for three years. He
participated in football, baseball, and track.
In addition to being part of an International
Relations Club and a Boy Scout, Lee also held
a part-time job as a bookkeeper.
After graduating from high school in
1948, Lee immediately entered Marion
Military Institute in Marion, AL, to prepare
for West Point. He had received a principal
appointment to USMA from Senator Russell
B. Long of Louisiana. At Marion, Lee lettered
in football and baseball. Most important,
during the year, Lee met his future wife,
Ellen Rainer Fulton, at Marion Presbyterian
Church. She was attending Judson College, a
girl’s school across town from Marion Military
Institute. Their friendship grew into love, and
they made plans to marry after Lee’s graduation
from West Point.
On 5 Jul 1950, Lee joined the Corps of
Cadets. His upbringing in a military atmosphere
had exposed him to the lifestyle of
Army recruits in training, so Beast Barracks
held no surprises for him. He met every challenge
with enthusiasm and self-confidence.
Lee’s loud “Yes, suh!” echoed through the halls
of K-1’s 36th Division, and all who heard it
had little doubt that Plebe Revere was from
the deep South. His southern accent remained
with him throughout his life.
Lee was a determined student with excellent
study habits and at graduation ranked in
the upper middle third of his class. Devoting
many hours to achieving good grades, Lee also
sacrificed precious free time to coach deficient
cadets during his Plebe, Yearling, and Cow
years. His love for photography and publishing
prompted him to join the Howitzer yearbook
staff . Lee was also a very active participant
in many clubs and committees, including
the Ski Club, Skeet Club, Art Club, Golf
Club, General Committee, Debate Council,
Dining Committee (Chairman), and the First
Class Committee.
Cadet Revere’s outstanding forte was his
military aptitude. His unbounded energy,
enthusiasm, and common sense made him
very popular. His tactical officer and fellow
cadets recognized these leadership qualities,
and Lee was promoted to cadet lieutenant as
a First Classman.
While meeting the challenges of West
Point life, Lee also pursued his dream of
making the lovely Ellen Fulton his wife on
Graduation Day. Their romance flourished
while Lee attended West Point, and Ellen
eventually moved from Alabama to Highland
Falls, where she could visit Lee as often as his
schedule would permit.
When the first classmen selected their
branch of service, Lee qualified to enter the
Air Force and receive pilot training. His lifetime
goal of becoming a fighter jet pilot was
within his grasp, and with his future bride at
his side, Lee’s outlook was very bright.
On 8 Jun 1954, Lee graduated and was
commissioned in the Air Force. Immediately
after those ceremonies, Lee and Ellen were
joined in marriage at the Cadet Chapel in
a ceremony performed by Frank E. Pully,
USMA Chaplain. 2LT and Mrs. Lee Revere
left West Point a very happy couple, ready to
begin an exciting new life together.
The newlyweds reported for primary pilot
training at Bainbridge, GA, followed by
basic jet pilot flight school at Laredo, TX. As
usual, Lee worked hard to score high grades
and showed outstanding aptitude as a fighter
pilot. Upon completion of flight school, he
was awarded his pilot’s wings and was assigned
to the 324th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at
Westover AFB, MA, where he was soon promoted
to first lieutenant. At Westover, Lee
began advanced training in fighter aircraft tactics.
After their second year of married bliss,
Ellen informed Lee he was going to be a father.
He was ecstatic.
27 May 1957 was a day of terrible tragedy.
Lee’s F-86 Super Saber fighter aircraft crashed
near Lenox, MA, while on a training mission.
On that fateful day, our country lost a brilliant
and talented young pilot with great potential
as an Air Force officer. On that fateful day,
Ellen Fulton Revere, 7 months pregnant, lost
her loving husband and the father of her unborn
baby girl.
Lee’s outstanding characteristics were
his boundless energy and enthusiasm. His
positive attitude and self-confidence were
infectious. His cadet roommates recall several
occasions when the pressures of cadet life
seemed overwhelming. At those times, Lee
would give one of his usual pep talks, lifting
everyone’s spirits.
Lee believed teamwork was the answer to
success. His sacrifice of his spare time to coach
and help deficient cadets was representative of
his viewpoint of life: “Together we can do it!
Let’s go do it! Let’s go! Go! Go!”
Francis Lee Revere. You were a great credit
to the Corps, the Air Force, and to your country.
Good job. Rest in peace.
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