Henry Charles Otten

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on September 4, 2004:

Henry Charles Otten Born November 30, 1926 - Died March 1, 1984 Henry Charles Otten was born on 30 November 1926 in Lewistown, Montana, the son of Herman Claus and Florence Mary (McMillan) Otten. His mother died when he was eight years old. Loving relatives helped his father to rear him amid the harsh realities of the Great Depression, in wheat country, suffering through years of devastating drought. Known as Charles or "Charlie" to all those who knew him before graduation from Fergus County High School in 1944, he was "Henry" or "Hank" subsequent to his enlistment in the US Army Air Corps. Serving in Peiping, China, he was recalled to the United States, and received an Army appointment to the Military Academy, and sent to the Preparatory School at Stewart Field. From there he entered the Academy in 1947 with the Class of 1951. During his cadet days he was an usher at the Protestant Chapel, a member of the Spanish Club and vice chairman of the Honor Committee. Graduating in the upper third of his class, at the height of the Korean War, Henry chose the Infantry as his branch of service. After brief tours at the Infantry School and at Fort Riley, Kansas, he found himself in the 32nd Infantry of the 7th Division in Korea. Severe wounds received in combat resulted in the above-knee loss of his right leg and in a prolonged hospitalization in Japan and San Francisco. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Always one to make the most of any situation, Henry courted and won the hand of his occupational therapist, the beautiful and talented Jane Banning Graves of Alhambra, California. Reflecting love of country and the Army, and perhaps a streak of obstinacy, Henry refused medical retirement and transferred to the Corps of Engineers. He returned to his esteemed West Point and taught Military Topography and Graphics. Later, in 1960 he earned a Master's in Civil Engineering degree at Ohio State University and was assigned to topographic duty in Chile. Other military assignments included the Engineer Center at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the Department of Army Staff, Headquarters Military Assistance Command in Vietnam, and Headquarters European Command in Stuttgart, Germany and the Army Map Service. Hank also was decorated with the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Henry was a full colonel when he retired from the Army in 1974. Settling near Bigfork, Montana, he became engaged in community and church affairs. He served on the school board, the church council, and was a member and past master of the Bigfork Masonic Lodge. Humble, yet proud; loving life, but loving service more, duty to God, to Country and to those he cherished framed his every thought, word and deed. Despite his hardships, Henry was a man looked to for courage wrapped in humor. He enjoyed a good joke, especially when the joke was on him. He was active to the last moment; his death, the result of a falling tree, was not atypical in life as Henry lived it. Hank Otten is survived by his wife Jane and three daughters; Katherine, Anita, and Elise. jac; 18162, wc 536 (9/30/2000)

admin