Henry Everett Emerson

West Point, 1947

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by John "Doc" Bahnsen,,, Class of '56 on February 11, 2015:

Hank Emerson was the finest soldier and mentor I have ever known. He adopted me as one of his future warriors when I was assigned to duty under him at West Point during my First Class summer at Camp Buckner in 1955. CPT Emerson, CPT Patton and Cadet Bahnsen planned and executed an airmobile operation for the cadets training at Buckner. Little did we know that 10 years later in Vietnam we would all be employing troops by Air Assault. Hank was truly a master tactician and earned his title as "Gunfighter" leading soldiers in combat. Of the 50 most decorated American fighting men of all time, Hank ranks number 13 on the list. He was a mentor extraordinary and maintained contact with me and a host of other superb soldier/leaders. Last fall he sent me a gift of an engraved replica of his pistol that he carried in Vietnam. No reason given for the gift except our life time association as friends. Hunting, fishing or just drinking a cool one, Hank never lost his enthusiasm in all that he did. America has lost one of our greatest soldiers when Hank Emerson passed. I miss him greatly. Be thou at peace "gunfighter", you were one of a kind. We will continue to "Fight fiercely"----Doc

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