James Clifford McKittrick

West Point, 1964

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by John Raymond on August 13, 1999:

Dear Tom, Cliff was one of the most outstanding people I have ever known. I got to know him our plebe year, as you did, when we were in G-1. Cliff and I were on the G-1 intramural track team in the fall of 1960. Cliff was on the track team because he was an athlete. I was on the track team because I wasn't. (I took the place of an upperclassman who didn't want to run.) Cliff ran the hurdles, the 100 yard dash, the half mile, the 440, etc., like a rabbit. He could do it all. In the winter Cliff was on the Plebe gymnastics team. As I recall, he had never done anything in gymnastics before. I can remember watching him do the rope climb. Our plebe year was the last year the rope climb was a gymnastic event. Using just his arms, Cliff would fly up the rope. Plebe Christmas, Cliff went "out of the company" with his rank. I think he was on regimental staff. You probably remember Yearling year when we elected Cliff as our company Honor Rep. His successes continued all four years. Cliff was so well-rounded. Our First Class Year, he was a five-striper, the Vice-Chairman of the Honor Committee (I think), graduated number 117 in the class out of 565, and won the award as the Number 1 standing Cadet in Physical Education. Outstanding in every area. Cliff was an usher at my wedding the day after graduation. I can remember how sad I was the day I heard that he was Missing In Action. He was the epitome of all that is good about West Point and was a true friend. Please give my best to Cliff's family. John Raymond

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