Posted by Terry Powers on January 9, 2023:

JOSEPH E. MUCKERMAN II 1949 Cullum No. 17279-1949 | June 26, 2010 | Died in Lewes, DE Interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA "I loved Joe. He was the nicest man I ever knew. He exuded good feelings and warmth. Not only was he quite religious, although he didn't flaunt it, but he was clearly gentle; both as a human being and also as a gentleman." Joseph Edward Muckerman's classmate, Dan McGurk, accurately and succinctly expressed the feelings of Joe's Company M -2 classmates. Many who served with Joe in later years held similar views. Joseph E. Muckerman II was born in St. Louis, MO, on 4 Jul 1926. His parents were Edward C. Muckerman and Josephine Muckerman. A sister, Mary Ann, came later. Joe attended Saint Louis University High School, a Jesuit institution, during 1940--44. When he announced he wanted to enlist, his father suggested he consider West Point. Joe enrolled in Millard Preparatory School and succeeded in getting appointed to West Point. Most new cadets in 1945 had prior military service. Jim Lampros, Joe's Beast Barracks roommate, remembers Joe drawing disproportionate attention from upperclass­men eager to improve his military bearing. The end of World War II led to a reduced need for lieutenants and the Academy, grad­ing on the curve, chopped away at the Class of 1949. Joe was under continuous pressure to stay ahead of the severing blade. Joe branched Artillery after graduation, and his subsequent assignments were progressive and indicative of an officer on a fast track. During the Korean Conflict, 1LT Muckerman served in Japan as an acting anti-aircraft battery commander. Mary Ann Muckerman's best friend in high school was Anne Butler. Joe and Anne became engaged just before Joe left for the Far East. They married in Ladue, MO, on his re­turn in 1953. The couple reported to Ft. Sill, where Joe became battery executive, then S-3 of a 155 mm gun battalion and was promoted to captain. Daughter Martha was born in December 1954. Joe was next assigned to the staff com­munications branch in the Pentagon. Son Edward was born in November 1957 in Alexandria, VA. In 1958, Joe found himself in Panama, commanding Battery C of the 517th Artillery. Son Peter was born in Panama in March 1960. Daughter Lucy was born in Key West in October 1966. In mid-1961, Joe was promoted to major and entered the Command & General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth. His critical think­ing and communication skills led to a two-year assignment on the faculty. In October 1964, Joe went to Vietnam as a sector advi­sor with the 9th Vietnamese Division in Vinh Binh Province. He earned the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Joe returned from Vietnam to a criti­cal assignment, commander of a Hawk missile battalion in Key West shortly after the Cuban Missile crisis. Defense of the continental U.S. remained a serious concern. Joe next attended the Army War College and then spent two years on the faculty as director of Communist Studies. In July 1970, Joe assumed command of the 13th Artillery Group, defending the Los Angeles area in the era of mutually assured destruc­tion. Joe had the key role, directing Army, Navy and Air Force elements in the defense of Los Angeles. In 1976, Joe was director, Communist Military Strategy Studies, and di­rector, Defense Programs Department, for the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. His rapid progression testified to Joe--s per­formance. However, Dan McGurk's insightful description of Joe Muckerman invites a ques­tion. Could someone who was "loveable, ex­uded good feelings, and clearly gentle perform well in the military?" The answer, expressed by higher level officers: "loyal to superiors and well-liked by his subordinates." "reflected his competence, but also his es­sential decency." "Established a...close working relation­ship with his Vietnamese counterparts and the Province chief" a relationship "not even ap­proached by any other advisor." "without a doubt one of the best officers I have had the privilege to serve with." "most intelligent officer I have ever met." "represents the finest of army officers." "more closely approaches the theoreti­cal officer in all respects, than any officer I have known." Several of his superior officers commented on Joe's special talent: he could articulate con­cisely the central point that others may have missed. His October 1971 assignment to the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff provided the ideal venue for his analytical, communica­tion and leadership skills, as he contributed to or led study groups formulating the Army's strategic plans. Joe's principal assignment was deputy chief, Nuclear Forces and Policy Division. He was commended repeatedly and promoted to colonel in May 1974. Joe retired from the Army in 1979 and joined General Research Corporation, a consulting firm focused on military issues. He later joined the Mobilization Concepts Development Center, National Defense University. MCDC advised the DOD on mobilization and industrial preparedness. Joe became director, Defense Programs Division. In 1986, Joe returned to the Pentagon as a civilian director of emergency planning un­der the Secretary of Defense. He was repeat­edly recognized for the quality of his contri­butions to the nation's readiness. He retired again in 1992. Joe Muckerman, in Dan McGurk's words, was "quite religious." He attended daily Mass whenever he could. Because he could get quickly to the heart of an issue and succinctly surface what oth­ers overlooked, the New York Times and the Washington Post published many of his letters. Longer articles on national strategy and mobi­lization were published in several journals. West Point's mission is to produce "leaders of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation." Joe Muckerman clearly deserves his "Well done." And West Point: "Well done." - Tim Cronin & Anne Muckerman

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