Pro Patria

Starting as far back as the Revolutionary War, many from our family have died while serving our country in the military. The Sevier Family coat of arms, based on the coat of arms of Xavier of Navarre, is sometimes displayed with a banner that includes the motto, "Pro Patria" (Latin meaning "for country").

Robert Sevier was a Militia Captain in command of a company of volunteers at the Battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780. Robert, a younger brother of General John Sevier, was mortally wounded and died shortly after the battle. Married to Kesiah (Robertson) Sevier, he was 31 years old. He was survived by his wife and two sons, Charles Robertson Sevier and Valentine Sevier, just 2 years old and 3 months old, respectively, at the time of their father's death.

The following names are carved in the marble wall of the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii:

Charles Clifton Sevier, California, US Navy, Seaman First Class

Warren Joseph Sherrill, Texas, US Navy, Yeoman Second Class

The following individuals are listed on the Vietnam Memorial wall in Washington, DC:

David Howard Sevier, Indianapolis, Indiana, US Army, Private First Class

Amos Chester Sherrill II, Stafford, Kansas, US Army, Private First Class

Herbert Sherrill, St. Albas, New York, US Army, Sargent

James J. Sherrill, Dover, Tennessee, US Army, SFC

Jimmy L. Sherrill, Morgantown, Kentucky, US Army, 2LT

John Otis Sherrill, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US Army, 2LT

Richard Wayne Sherrill, Hartman, Arkansas, US Marine Corps, LCPL

Vann Dwain Sherrill, Thomasville, North Carolina, US Army, CWO

In this list of names we are presenting people that are probably our cousins. We don't know much about many of the people listed. All died in service to the United States. If You know anything about any of these individuals, please take the time to write. We welcome your comments, questions, additions and corrections. You can reach us by email at, lance@johnsevier.com.

Editor's note: On a vacation trip to Hawaii in 2000, my wife and I visited the USS Arizona Memorial. After quietly uttering prayers of thanks and for peace, I was surprised to find C.C. Sevier USN S1c engraved in the white marble wall. My visit to the memorial was made even more poignant by this cousin who died 60 years earlier and lies entombed there. • Lance Sevier