Francis James Adams

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by His classmates and daughter Margaret on September 20, 2010:

FRANCIS J. ADAMS Everyone who knew "Scotty" Adams remembers him with love and affection. He was born in New Jersey on September 9, 1930, but, his family moved back to their native Scotland when he was about 6. This was a fortunate circumstance since he received a fine education at the Strathbungo School in Glasgow that prepared him for the rigors of West Point academics. Even more important for his cadet career, he played on championship soccer teams and was selected as an All Star player. W.W.II intervened as he was growing up, and it was 1948 before his family resettled in Kearney, NJ. Shortly before his 18th birthday that year, he enlisted in the regular Air Force. After training at Keesler AFB as an air traffic controller, he stayed on as an instructor, bolstering the unflappable manner for which he was famous. Scotty received a RA competitive appointment to West Point while at Keesler AFB. Then, in 1950 went to the USMA Prep School at Stewart AFB, NY where he met many of his future classmates. There he was a Squad leader, Platoon Leader, and the Soccer Coach. Life at Stewart Field consisted of intense training in academics plus athletics to prepare mind and body for the all day competitive exam given in March 1951. At the end of that long exam day, one of his classmates wandered into the base chapel to offer thanks; the only other person in the building was Scotty, there for the same purpose. At West Point, Scotty really come into his own. His outgoing and witty personality easily made him one of the most popular men in the class. Prior Air Force service gave him more maturity than the average Plebe, and he was not intimidated by the "system." Today, he would be called laid back. A natural scholar, he had benefited from his time at Stewart Field and he made good grades look easy. Scotty wore stars his Cow year, and graduated 16th in a class of 470. Despite many other activities, he still found time to help other cadets struggling with academics. Though he was barely 5'6" tall, weighing 140 pounds, his size was no handicap on the soccer field where he left a lasting mark. As a Plebe, Scotty played A Squad soccer and also found time to help coach the Plebe team. He lettered all four years at West Point with three stars for victories over Navy, was a three time All-American, and team Captain his Firstie year. In one game, Scotty was facing away from the opposing goal when he took a pass towards him. Without looking back, he jumped up and kicked the ball backwards into the goal. He was probably Army's best player ever. Joe Palone, the Soccer Coach for many years, wrote that "Scotty was not only the best soccer player I ever coached, but a fine and respected man. The years he played for me we had our best seasons; we won 31 games and lost only 4." Scotty made time for many other activities besides soccer, including the Cadet Chapel Choir and Glee Club, and was unforgettable as "Pearly" in the 1955 Hundredth Night Show. He was also gifted in other sports, but swimming wasn't one of them. Scotty could not float, and would just sink slowly to the bottom of the pool! It was a long struggle for him to pass the mandatory swimming requirement, so to compensate he became a swimming team Manager for four years. Scotty was commissioned in the Air Force, and after primary training in Florida and North Carolina, went to Laredo AFB in Texas for basic pilot training. In April 1957, he was asked to be Best Man at classmate Chuck Gersitz's wedding in the Post Chapel at West Point. When he arrived, some members of the wedding party were missing, so he quickly drummed up 6 First Classmen from the class of '57 to form the saber arch after the ceremony! Scotty stayed on as an instructor pilot at Laredo, and married a petite brunette named Carol Burr in February 1958, enabling Chuck to return the favor as Best Man. In August 1958, Scotty was sent to Syracuse University for Graduate study, receiving a Masters Degree in Geography in 1960. Now a Captain, he was assigned to West Point as an Instructor in Economics and International Relations within the Department of Social Sciences. During his tour at West Point, Scotty was a popular and highly regarded officer, and continued his love of soccer as the OIC of the Cadet team. On, December 4th, 1963, Scotty and Norb Glidden, another classmate stationed at West Point, took out a T-33 jet trainer for a proficiency flight from Stewart Field. Over New Hampshire there was trouble with the aircraft. To avoid civilian casualties in the ground, they delayed ejection until it was too late. Both were killed instantly. That same day was daughter Margaret's 4th birthday, and Scotty had invited some of his friends to a small party for her after work. Wrapping paper and other preparations for Margaret's party were evident when the Superintendent and another classmate came to notify Carol of the accident. She was never the same afterwards. His funeral was held at the Cadet Chapel two days later, followed by interment in the Post Cemetery; it was a life full of potential cut short. Scotty was a loving and devoted father who adored his children, and his death was a special tragedy for them. He was survived by his wife Carol, then pregnant with their third child Ian; his son Scott, 2 years; and his daughter Margaret, 4 years. Scotty, your presence continues in The Long Gray Line; it was only yesterday you stepped into the shadows. Grip hands! "...And flights of angles sing thee to thy rest." His classmates and daughter Margaret Assembly Memorial Article October 1996

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