I met Ed about 20 years ago at a CMH Meeting and we have been friends ever since. He provided the ideas many a YesterYear for German Life and provided an introduction to an Indian friend when my eldest went to Dehli for her Senior Year at Michigan State. And the list of his kindnesses goes on and on ...

We'll miss you, Ed, but if I get to go to the same place you went, I look forward to meeting you again -

Bob, Barb, Mary, Sebastian and Hannah

LTC Edward Milligan was a beloved comarde and the closest of friends for over forty years. From our time at the U.S. Army Command and General College until his passing, he was a valued colleague with whom we were in continuous contact and could always depend. We held him in the highest esteem and with utmost respect. He was our "Uncle Ed" from the earliest days at Fort Leavenworth. He was a prince among men with those about him all the better for the experience. We are all the poorer for his passing. A devoted parent, soldoer, scholar, citizen and friend to all, he will be sorely missed. In deed, one of the few really good guys has left our midst. Our deepest sympathy goes to the Milligan Family and numerous friends. May Almighty God bless and keep you Uncle Ed until our ultimate rendezvous when the final trumpet sounds.

Posted by LTC Edward C. Culbreth and Frances M. Culbreth, U.S. Army Chemical Corp

Last letter to LTC Edward S. Milligan, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Dear Ed

I am still and will stay very sad that the connection between us had been definitely interrupted on 14 January 2010. By the way: This is the birthday of Robert Edward Lee, the unforgotten Confederate general.

In November 1990 we met for the first time. It was on Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington D.C. where the annual memorial service for my great-granduncle, Captain Henry Wirz, C.S.A., Commandant of Camp Sumter Prison, Andersonville, Georgia, took place.

Since then we have met several times in the United States and in Switzerland. Here you did research on your Swiss ancestors. You have supported me a lot in my own researches for Swiss in the Confederate Army, introduced me to the National Archives and accompanied me to Arlington National Cemetery to find the grave of Swiss born U.S. MG Alfred Girard, who was a surgeon during the Civil War.

Every year you mailed me the Confederate Calendar and I sent you documentation on the Swiss Armed Forces in German language which you could easily read.

During the last years I received your electronic courier on historical and current military events. This kept me well informed about the defence research and development in the United States and related countries.

Dear Ed: You have been a real American friend and a great comrade. I miss you but I wish you the eternal peace in the grand army of the dead soldiers.

Heinrich L. Wirz, Col. Swiss Army (Ret.), Bremgarten BE, Switzerland.

Uncle Ed was one of the nicest people I have ever known. He was a very giving and helpful man. I met Unle Ed in 1995. During his visit to Istanbul, he learned from my sisiter that I was in the DC area for a month. He helped me very much during my stay. He lent me furniture, showed me around, and gave me hints about how to do things in the US. He also introduced me to his very good friends, which are all wonderful people. It was a privilege to know Uncle Ed, and he will truly be missed.

I am greatly saddened by the loss of "Uncle Ed". a respectful, loving title bestowed upon him from the historians and authors who worked with me so closely in the upcoming docu-feature film, "Men without a Country, Chinese in the Civil War"
Uncle Ed is one of the featured historians in this project and now his presence will live on forever.

It is customary in Chinese to use the respectful term "Uncle" for certain elders.

I fondly remember him at my mother in laws home in Montgomery County. He ate a down home meal with us just like a real Chinese, utilizing chop sticks and all. Another fun time was with Dr. Tom Lowry and his wife who attended my wedding in 2001. He was a party animal!

When it came to military history, he was razor serious. I was his guest to a private OSS/CIA function in 2004. Old spooks, kooks, he knew them all. While the presenter spoke, Uncle Ed stopped him in his tracks to correct a statement. He made his case and was correct! The presenter acknowledged and thanked him. I thought wow, this man knows his stuff. Now what was his connection to these "Black ops" guys? He told me, "don't ask". Trust me, I never did.

May he rest in peace. Pleasant journeys!
Your Chinese nephew, Monty