William F. Magill

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on September 1, 2004:

William Fulton Magill, 3d. Born December 17, 1926 - Died August 10, 1993 William Fulton "Muscles" Magill, 3d., was born in Oklahoma on 17 December 1926 but was appointed to West Point from the 11th Congressional District of California. His West Point classmates recall: "Muscles also claims the name, 'slugger' but it is unknown whether this name came from plebe boxing or the T.D. Magill and Patton both believed that West Point is a five year course but some make it in four. Then this goat turned hive and played for the Engineers the next year. He claims that the most important thing that he got out of West Point was himself. California here he comes. During his cadet days Muscles went out for Football and Soccer plebe year; on the LaCrosse Team yearling and cow years, earning a Monogram; was with the Ski and Camera Clubs all four years; with Handball, Model Railroad, Radio, and Spanish Clubs plebe and yearling years; and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation Muscles went in the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia reported to the 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Division in Korea where he served from 1952 to 1953 and was decorated with Bronze Star Medal (valor) for distinguished heroism against an enemy and the Purple Heart for wounds in action against an enemy. From 1953 to 1956 Muscles served as Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of California and then was assigned to the Communications Zone in Paris where he served from 1957 to 1960. From 1961 to 1963 Muscles served with the 22nd and with the 8th Infantry Regiments and then was assigned to the Armored School, Fort Knox, Kentucky the latter part of 1963 where he was awarded the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. His next assignment was to the 1st Calvary Division in Korea where he served from 1964 to 1965 and was awarded a second Commendation Medal for distinguished service. In 1966 he was appointed to the Army Evaluation and Selection Board but he resigned his Regular Army Captain's commission and accepted a Reserve commission. Muscles served as a Civil Engineer in Facilities Engineering with the 4th Missile Command in Korea in 1977 and with the 1st Signal Brigade from 1981 to 1986 when he retired as a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. After retirement he served as a DEH at Fort Irwin from 1986 to 1988. Muscles died in Tacoma, Washington on 10 August 1993. His widow Mrs. William F. Magill has an FPO address. Muscles was an Infantryman. For the Infantryman's Creed click Creed uf

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