Clyde Jr Massey

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Wynne Stern on August 18, 1998:

It is a sad day indeed- -Skip's passing. I know that I, for one, had many fond memories of times shared. At first, I viewed Skip with enormous wonder. If memory does not fail, Skip had ben turned out, at least once, in, what was it, "five" subjects at one time...maybe it was four...*and he survived*. Imagine...he survived. Think of the pressure. Then, after graduation, there was flight school at Gary AFB, San Marcos, Texas [and that GREAT party at the West's motel room--no food, but a refridge FULL of booze!!!]; followed by Ft Rucker; BIOC at Ft. Benning (and the Camellia apartments); and, finally, Korea. Korea- -1957/1958- -I was serving in the 7th Div, up in the Chowon Valley above Uijonbu, among other things, I was EXO Company A, 17th Inf and Platoon Ldr. Flying was viewed like "golf"...you get your flight time in on your time "off". Had a plane flown up, one day, from TC's location at Camp Casey, to get some flight time in. Flew down to Seoul, landing at Kimpo at the same time that a First Cav ship did. And, there was Skip. I told Skip about my difficulties getting airtime. He advised that he had no such problems, although he too was serving a ground tour. The difference you ask? His Regimental (or was it Battle Group?) Commander learned that Skip was a prize fighter. A deal was made...Skip would coach the team...and he would always have a plane at his disposal..... So long Skip...thanks for all the wonderful memories.

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