UPDATE: COL HENRY W. NEILL, Jr To TAPS

Henry (Hank) W. Neill, Jr., was born on August 19, 1939, in the American Revolutionary town of Mendham, NJ., located adjacent to Jockey Hollow National Park. His parents were H. Wilson Neill and Ann Marie Langhan Neill of Mendham. He is survived by his sister, Margaret Neill of Gladstone, NJ,  and his wife, Judy Neill of Springfield, VA. Hank was a member of St. Joseph Church and Boy Scout Troop One, whose leader was William (Green Bar Bill) Hillcourt, author of the Boy Scout Handbook and editor of Boys Life magazine. Hank’s photo often appeared in Boy’s Life modeling camping techniques. He was known around Mendham as “Buzz”.

Hank graduated from Morristown High School. He held a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Villanova University where he ran track under the legendary coach, James “Jumbo” Elliott. He graduated with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado. Military education included graduation from the U. S. Army Finance School, the U. S. Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College. 

Hank Neill enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1962 and was assigned to Turkey as a cryptographer with the Army Security Agency. After achieving the rank of Sergeant, he received a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Finance Corps. Subsequent assignments took him to Vietnam, Turkey, Japan and numerous locations throughout the United States. He retired from active military service as Chief, U. S. Finance Corps (Regiment) and Commandant, U. S. Army Finance School. Among his military decorations, COL Neill held the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster and Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

After military service, Hank continued in public service in various leadership positions some of which were serving as Vice President of the Public Member Association of the Foreign Service, President of the Finance Corps Association and Explorer Post Leader for the Boy Scouts of America. Hank served as the Executive Vice President of the Association of Military Banks of America where he represented the banks operating on military installations and served as a board member and Corporate Secretary of the Armed Forces Financial Network, an automated teller and debit card network serving members of the armed forces and their families worldwide.

Those who ever spoke with Hank quickly found that he did not have to kiss the Blarney Stone to acquire that gift of “gab”. He loved sharing his stories. Over the years he often told stories of how the soldiers of the Finance Unit, Army 5th Infantry Division, Mechanized, in Vietnam enabled him to have a successful military career. Hank kept his soldiers safe in Vietnam and they supported him with dedication. The support of these soldiers with words filled his last hours with memories. The soldiers as well as friends living all over the world, neighbors and relatives were with Hank in spirit. He felt their prayers- they were comforting. 

Hank died at home on November 7, 2020. He remained Army Strong battling cancer for over sixteen years. According to Hank’s wishes, burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery on March 17, 2021, St. Patrick’s Day, an appropriate date for a 100 % Irishman. Because of the pandemic, the funeral will be private.

Memorial donations in memory of Henry W. Neill, Jr. may be sent to:
Center for Prostate Disease Research
c/o The Henry M. Jackson Foundation
6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
Phone: (240) 694-2000

Regards,

Judy Neill

_{As provided by Mrs. Judy Neill:  I love the angle of the sun this time of year in Virginia as it lights on fire the late lingering autumn leaves. It is with this beauty of nature that I will remember my best friend and husband, Hank Neill, as he rose on wings of eagles to the heavens. Hank was at peace with how he lived his life and with his God.}