John F Kurth

West Point, 1995

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Joe Sowers on March 29, 2004:

I have tried and tried, but I cannot properly sum up my thoughts on Hans Kurth. We did the ICCC/CAS3/Bradley Leader Course ?education? process together in 2000 and from November 2000 until December 2003, we were either on the same staff or commanding together in the same battalion. While I knew Hans for over ten years and could consider myself a close friend for the last four, I feel cheated out of decades of great friendship and camaraderie. I also realize that I was lucky to have spent so much time with such a tremendous man. Hans, was a superior infantryman, officer, friend and man. He was physically impressive, morally straight, extremely funny, incredibly smart, and tremendously disciplined. Hans was such an impressive individual that I felt that having him consider me a friend, in some ways, validated me as a good officer or a quality person. I left 1-18IN in December and came over to 1-26IN, so we are in Samarra ? just a short drive from the Vanguards in Tikrit. I was able to attend his memorial service on 15 March. Being a proud paratrooper, he had his company greet him with ?Bushmasters lead the way, sir? so he could respond with ?All the Way!? All in attendance filed according to rank and position to salute his boots, dog tags and Kevlar: the CG, Brigade Commander and Sergeant Major until all in attendance had paid their respects. One squad leader, leading his 9-man Bushmaster Infantry Squad popped off, loud as hell, BUSHMASTERS LEAD THE WAY, SIR! He was respected throughout the Brigade for being as good as all of the previous eulogies have stated. Hans, I miss you. You were a great friend to Jean and I. We considered you a part of our family. I wish we took that picture of you and my son. I wish I said something more personal or profound when we parted company in Kuwait. Thanks for considering me a friend. I count that as one of my greatest accomplishments. Job well done, big fella.

admin