Dee Wayne Stone

West Point, 1964

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Robert Brown on November 27, 2018:

I remember Dee Stone living across the hall from me at the Manlius Military Academy in 1955/56 Company B. We had just finished our Saturday AM Battalion inspection by one Major MIllington. He was a no nonsens guy with little or any sense of humor... not well like by the cadets. If he was chosen to inspect your Company on any given Saturday, you were more than likely not win the inspection competion amongst the other companies. On this particular day in January/56 when finished with our inspection there was a company inspection with our M1 rifles in company formation of open ranks inspection. This is when the inspector passes each cadet, he then presents his weapon with at "inspection arms" with manually opening up the chamber. I remember distinctly what happened that day with Dee. He was sporting a huge black and blue eye from what must have been a spectacular fight with another cadet-i don't remember who with or what about. When Magor Millington came before him and did a left face and directly in front of Dee, of course, came to inspection arms. Major Millington lokked at him for quite a few seconds, and replied: "What happened to you son, a snowball with stones in it?" Dee replied, no sir, a fist with five fingers in it. One of the feww time Major Millington smiled and laughed out loud. We won the battalion inspection that day, I believe because of Cadet Stone's candor. Dee was an honor student, a great smile, well like, and quick wit as demonstrated. He was friendly and not full of himself as some others. He was commiited to excellence as a cadet. It's not surprising to me at all that his valor towards his fellow soldiers and that steadfast commitment to saving their lives is part of his legacy and who he was as a person unselfish, dedicated,and in the true sense of the word, the ultimate professional. Traits I"m sure that carried over from our day at the Academy and West Point. I was saddened to learn of his passing and i thank him for his service for which he gave his life, the ultimate sacrifice. He would have, I feel in my heart, been a truly great leader, mentor and inspiration had his military career allowed him to do so. He will be missed. A profound loss indeed. Life is so fragile, loss so sudden. What we keep in memory is ours, forever. Robert Brown.

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