David Webster Huff

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Colonel Jerry J. Burcham, US Army Retired on February 28, 2013:

Dave and I both grew up in Jasonville, a town of 2,500 residents in southwestern Indiana. He was my senior by six years. Dave and his two brothers, Tom and Dick, were star basketball players on our high school basketball team. His brother, Tom, and my older brother were classmates and best friends. Dave's dad, Dick, Sr., was an insurance salesman and visited my home regularly to collect life insurance premiums from my parents. Sometime in 1950, while Dave was at the academy and I was a high school junior, his dad suggested to my mother that I might be a good candidate for West Point. The thought had never entered my mind and I knew practically nothing about the academy other than its reputation as a football powerhouse in the 1940's during the Blanchard/Davis era. But I was curious enough, as a result of Dave's father's suggestion, that I borrowed and read a book from our local library titled "West Point Today." I vaguely recall subsequently talking to Dave about the academy when he was home on summer leave. Based on my research and Dave's encouragement, I decided that West Point sounded interesting and challenging, and I began the process, with the help of my parents, high school officials, and some local politicians, of applying to our district congressman for an appointment to the academy. That process bore fruit two years later and I entered West Point in 1952 with the Class of '56. So Dave played a major role in helping this young teenager, who had little idea of what he wanted to become, to decide the direction his life would take, and I am in his debt. I am saddened to learn of Dave's passing. My deepest condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

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