Posted by Tom Hoffman on February 5, 2008:

Although Harry was a classmate, our service together in the same battalion in Japan and Korea in 1949-1950 was the true beginning of our friendship. We went to war together and became fast friends -- a bonding as a result of mutually traumatic times. Harry became a proven soldier in every sense of the word. Combat seemed to energize him. Early on in Japan as a Lieutenant he became the Intelligence Officer (S2. Later in Korea with his Intelligence and Reconnaissance Section he crossed the Naktong River at night in search of the enemy. Which he found in abundance. His return to our lines was under heavy fire, but he brought his patrol home. With Harry's extraordinary courage exhibited that night he became a hero to us who observed. While all this was going on Sally, his wife, was in Japan supporting the garrison at Hayama. It was there that Sally and my wife took a house together and became the fastest of friends. The Buckley Team was to continue through their service career as community leaders. At West Point Harry became a Professor at USMA and the Head of the Office of Military Psychology and Leadership, later to be transferred to the Academic Department and re-titled the Behavioral Sciences Department. Harry was its first Head. It was here that our paths crossed once again. With the added bonus of being in the same neighborhood. It was like old times again. It is important to note that between tours at West Point Harry volunteered for a tour in Vietnam as an Airborne Infantry Battalion Commander. This in itself says a lot about Harry. If he was to teach leadership he had better show that he could do it as well. After retirement Harry and Sally headed up to Vermont where Harry again influenced the course of development of Norwich Military College, later to become Norwich University. His tenure there spanned many years. His focus was on the cadets as he had done at USMA, bringing along and encouraging cadets with potential to be career officers. Our friendship continued with visits to Norwich campus and the Buckley home. Harry was always the consummate host with Sally at his side. They were more than friends to us, they were life time companions. Harry has left us, but his legacy remains. Husband, Father, Teacher, Soldier, Leader-- a life example in every way.

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