Wynne Bennett Stern

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Carl H. McNair, Jr. on December 19, 2009:

Like most all of us in the Class of 1955, I first met Wynne in New Cadet Barracks, July 1951, and knew him over our four years as cadets, although we were in separate regiments, he in Co D-2, while I served in Co E-1. After graduation, however, we both chose Infantry and Army Aviation Training at Gary AFB and Fort Rucker, AL, which brought us closer together. Those were exciting months, entering an entire new dimension and earning the silver wings of an Army Aviator. After our initial aviation assignment, we attended the Basic Infantry Officer's Course at Fort Benning, GA, further extending our friendship and association. Wynne later left the active Army in 1958 for the Reserves and followed the practice of law in the private sector, yet maintained his contact with our West Point Class of 1955 as well as our Flight School Class 56-2. Wynne attended the 50th reunion of the flight class at Fort Rucker, 3-5 Feb 2007, and it was like yesterday. As old friendships and life experiences were renewed, nostalgia and memories took control and shrunk 50 years into three short days. Wynne will be remembered fondly and proudly by all of us who knew him and served with him at West Point and Fort Rucker - learning years ago the touching words of "High Flight", the memorable poem by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. - "I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings, Sunward I've climbed -- Put out my hand and touched the face of God." Soar on, dear classmate, friend and fellow soldier-aviator, you have now gone on to greater glory and rest in the arms of the Almighty. Carl H. McNair, Jr. President, Class of 1955

admin