William F. Lackman

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Andy Chacon on August 31, 2004:

William Frederick Lackman, Jr. Born July 26, 1929 - Died February 10, 1995 William Frederick "Beno" Lackman, Jr. was born in Riverdale, New York on 26 July 1929. Beno or "Duz" as he was also called by his roommates would rather have spent his four years at the beach than within the confines of the Academy. Beno went out for Football and LaCrosse and was a member of the Ski Club. He was also Chairman of the Escort Committee. On graduation Beno went in the Corps of Engineers and his first assignment was to Officer Candidate School at the Engineer Center, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. On completion of the program he went with the 40th and the 2nd Divisions in Korea where he served until 1953. He was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. In 1959 Beno was appointed to the Staff and Faculty at the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. He served until 1961 and was awarded the Air Commendation Medal when he left. His next assignment was to Headquarters, 3rd Division where he served until 1962. He then went to Headquarters, Unites States Army Reserve, Europe and served until 1964. He was awarded the Commendation Medal on completion of this tour. Next, in 1965, Beno attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. On completion he was assigned to the Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C. He earned the Legion of Merit on this assignment. He was then appointed Commanding Officer, 3/47th Infantry and 2nd Brigade, 9th Division, Republic of Vietnam where he served from 1967 to 1968. Beno was decorated with the Silver Star; 3 Bronze Star Medals, two for valor; 4 Air Medals; a second Purple Heart; and a second Combat Infantryman Badge. On return to stateside Beno was assigned to Office, Secretary of Defense, International Security Affairs, and served until 1972. On completion of this tour he was awarded a second Legion of Merit. Beno's last military assignment was to the Office, Joint Chiefs of Staff and he served there until 1973 when he retired from the United States Army with the rank of Colonel. He was awarded a third Legion of Merit on retirement. In 1980 Beno accepted a position as Director of Central Imagery Office of the Department of Defense at Headquarters, Central Intelligence Agency. The May 1995 Assembly noted, "Bill Lackman died 9 February of an embolism. The funeral service was at Middleburg, VA; a number of classmates were present, and Bill Louisell gave a magnificent eulogy. Internment was at West Point. Bill and Virginia Louisell and Tony Delano represented the Class. Anne, our prayers are with you." Anne, Beno's wife, lives in Middleburg, Virginia. Cullum Number 47417 is son Paul M. Lackman, Class of 1990. jac; 18106, wc 450 (9/29/2000)

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