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View a eulogy for William Ralph Crites, USMA '56, who passed away on June 6, 2002.

William Ralph Crites

West Point, 1956

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Morrill Ross, Jr. on June 8, 2002:

Sadly, I did not know Bill that well at the Academy, he being at one end of the regiment and I at the other. However, in 1963, Bill and I both found ourselves commanding companies in the 4th Missile Command. My unit was the 161st Engr Co and Bill had E Co, 19th Inf. By good fortune, our companies were next door neighbors. We were on a small post, a long way from the Eight Army flagpole and pretty much were allowed to run our units with very little interference the Missile Command.Bill and I got into the habit of alternating coffee calls in each others messhalls each morning and I got to know him well. He had all of the qualities of a great soldier and epitomized all that West Point stands for. He was held in great esteem by his men and all of the other officers of the 4th Missile Command. Bill and I talked of those days in Korea each time I saw him, most recently at our 45th. He always said that assignment was the one he enjoyed the most during his career. I feel the same way about mine, and much of the enjoyment came from my association with Bill. I will always remember him the way he was in those days and I mourn this great loss to our class.
Skip Ross

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