Posted by Paul Grim on September 3, 2015:

John Oi was a major reason I went to the United States Military Academy. From 1966-1968, my father, a crusty Warrant Officer, was stationed in Neu Ulm, Germany with the 1st Signal Battalion. If there was one thing he disliked, it was Second Lieutenants. Except one. I can still remember him mentioning to my mother what a super Lieutenant a young man with the name "John Oi" was. And then he said, "but what do you expect - he's a West Pointer." From that moment on I wanted to go to West Point. I didn't make it out of high school, but three years later, there I was. Many years ago I heard of John's untimely and tragic death. I realized that I probably would have seen him while I was a cadet since, from my understanding, he was on his way to teach at the Academy while I was there. It would have been so much better to say thank you in person - but that was not to be. So, John Oi, many years too late - thank you for the influence you have had on my life. Be thou at peace. Paul Grim USMA, 80

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