George Massle Gividen

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Sam Dickens on August 15, 1998:

Our own George Gividen's earthly remains were interred today at l300 at the Parkhill Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia. Gil Stephenson was in attendance representing the class. Gil told me over the phone how a Ranger unit from Fort Benning provided the richly deserved military honors for George including all the traditional observances we all know so well. Gil was very moved by eulogies from two sons, one an active duty Army Major, a daughter and a step-son, each expressing their love and admiration for George. A Chaplain from Fort Benning conducted the services, which Gil stated, were well done and paid George proper homage as a fallen warrior. Class flowers were at the grave site, where George's remains were buried alongside those of his first wife. When talking to classmates so many marvelous stories come out about George. George the Marine Corps Golden Gloves boxer who became a plebe with us. George who developed into one of the greatest of West Point flying rings gymnasts. One looks in the Register of Graduates and reads Distinguished Service Cross, Five Purple Hearts and the Combat Infantry Badge. Gil Stephenson remembers him from Benning attending the Ranger Course, with only one leg and jumping out of airplanes. He also remembers him astounding cadets at West Point in his MP&L class hammering a nail into his trousers to "hold up his sock," when they didn't know he had a wooden leg. A company mate told me how he hated to be matched against George in plebe boxing as he went at it hammer and tong. George who was greatly influenced by Dick Wasson (A-2 Company Commander and classmate killed in Korea) who was deeply religious and taught sunday school for children of personnel on duty at West Point. Some times we know so little about classmates. He never quit. He always gave it everything he had. George was such a great credit to West Point, his family, to his classmates, to the Army and to our nation. May it be said "well done," be thou at peace.

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