Wayne Allan Downing

West Point, 1962

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Milo on August 6, 2007:

I was probably one of the few, and maybe the only one, who did a study of his leadership style and told him his strengths and weaknesses. This was something you did not do lightly. I may have been one of the few that knew that he has a phobia, which I shall maintain to myself. There were times when he would call me and ask me my opinion or advice out of the clear blue sky. In one case in particular, he told me that he was going to West Point to speak to the cadets. He was wondering what he should tell them, being a four star and all. I told him not to tell them what he wanted them to know, but to tell them what they wanted to know. They are cadets, you are a four star general, the gulf between interests and experiences is too great for you to bridge. Think back when you were a cadet, what would you have wanted to know. He considered this good advice and ran with it. He never sent a Christmas card or such. In these sense, we were not friends. His life was the opposite of mine once I retired. While serving, he would tell me when he was coming to the Pentagon and we would have lunch in the Chief's mess. When I was in town on TDY from Germany, he was a one star in the Pentagon, and I called him up. He told me to check out of my local motel and come live with him for those three days. As an 06 commander, I asked him for some time to speak to my officers at Fort Meade. He was then a four star. He showed up as promised, walked out of his private jet, approached me and just hugged me. He could make you feel like a close friend no matter how long between communications or meetings. He required nothing but loyalty, honesty, and dedication. Once given, he returned it all twice fold. We have so few heros left. I lost one, America lost one, the Army lost one.

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