Walter Clifton McCrillis

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Bill Bottoms on November 14, 2014:

It is an honor, an honor because Walt was a man of honor and he was my friend, to have this opportunity to convey what I am sure expresses the feelings of many members of the West Point Class of 1955; especially those of us in Company C of the Second Regiment; and, of course, myself and my wife, Mary Fran. It comes to mind that Walt so well personifies the theme of that fine old hymn, not often , heard nowadays, "Onward Christian Soldiers". He began the military part of that role when he very ably wore the cadet grey of the Corps of Cadets. The U S Military Academy is a wonderful place. However, it becomes a dreary one during "gloom period", the time between cadets' return from Christmas leave and start of the countdown of the last 100 days until graduation/summer leave. It seemed that at that time the fog would rise up from the icy Hudson River enveloping our very souls. Fortunately, we in company C-2 had a secret weapon, a momentary refuge from the gloom. When all became nearly unbearable we could visit the barracks room of Walt and his roommates, John Lovell and Sam Lowry. Those three kept up an almost constant good natured banter that infected all present with cheeriness that offered instant respite from reality. Upon graduation, Walt traded the grey garb for Air Force blue and filled that uniform equally well. He loved flying. He surely experienced the emotions familiar to most of us flyers, so perfectly described by John Gillespie Magee, Jr in his poem, "High Flight". It begins: "Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth. . . " and ends: "Put out my hand, and touched the face of God." Undoubtedly, such feelings eased the transition when he retired from the Air Force, attended seminary, and donned the uniform of Christ as a minister. He served his heavenly Commander-In-Chief as faithfully and as fervently as he had his country. So, we say to you our friend: Onward, Christian Soldier!

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