Bernard Francis Kistler

West Point, 1965

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Step Tyner on February 3, 2005:

I first met Bernie at the Prep School at Fort Belvoir. We had a few junior NCOs in the class, a smattering of Air Force types, two each Marines and sailors -- even two or three airborne-qualified snuffies -- but the bulk of us were not too long out of basic training. I had to do a double-, then a triple-take, when I first saw Bernie, for on his chest he wore one of our rarest qualification badges, that of the explosive ordnance disposal specialist. He was an RA corporal, a few years older than the average and eons ahead of almost all of us in terms of dedication and mature judgment. Bernie fully and consistently exhibited the characteristics appropriate to the distinction he wore: unflappable competence and a determination to do whatever necessary to accomplish the mission. I should like to have served alongside him in the "real" Army, for I would have learned more and slept sounder. Had he lived, Bernie doubtless would have worn stars on his AG-44s, and those serving under him would have been glad for it. His premature death is one of the great "what ifs" of our class.

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