Earl Thomas Wiley

West Point, 1965

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Patrick Kenny on November 29, 2017:

At the conclusion of Beast Barracks in late August 1961 I picked up my belongings and moved from Beast Barracks to Company E-2. As I entered my assigned room on the 3rd floor of the 54th Division I noticed this casually dressed and relaxed individual who seemed to have already moved into the room. My initial reaction was that I must be in an upper classman's room. The person in the room introduced himself as Tom Wiley. Tom explained that he indeed was a member of the Class of 1965 but was a "turn-back" from the Class of 1964. My memory tells me that Tom failed Portuguese but passed the reentrance exam and once again was a cadet. Tom and I roomed together that entire year and we got along with each other very well. He was always supportive and always willing to help anybody who needed assistance. At the end of yearling year we went to different companies, so saw less of each other. Upon entering the active Army we never served together at the same installation so we drifted even further apart. I remember Tom as a very considerate and carrying person. I was saddened to hear of his passing and my condolences to his family. He will always be remembered by me as a fine person and a true friend.

admin