Posted by XXXXXX on May 18, 2008:

John Baker Wadsworth Jr. NO. 16696 CLASS OF 1948 Died 25 March 1978 in Northfield, Vermont, aged 52 years. Interment: West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York "COLONEL WADSWORTH died Saturday morning. Anyone who has been close to Norwich in recent years knows full well the loss we have suffered. Our campus is in deep mourning for a soldier who proved to his colleagues, friends and seven classes of Norwich students that there is a nobility in mankind." The above is quoted from a special news release published by Norwich University on Easter Sunday of 1978. John Baker Wadsworth Jr. was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the son of John Baker Wadsworth and Nelle Roecker Wadsworth. He attended school there and as a senior in high school, was appointed Cadet Colonel of Reserve Officer Training Corps. He was destined to become a great soldier! At West Point, John served as chairman of the Class Ring Committee, was a member of the Lacrosse team and the Honor Committee while rising to the rank of Cadet Captain and serving as both a Company and Battalion Commander. He was commissioned in the Infantry and all who encountered him from then on knew full well what it meant to him to be part of the Queen of Battle. John commanded numerous units in the ensuing twenty-three years of active service. Quoting a classmate, ". . . his first desire was to be with troops. He was not only their tactical leader, but also their counselor. He had an uncanny ability to remember everything about his men — names, hometowns, birthdays and family problems. His men rewarded him with their respect and admiration." Some of his assignments included front line company commander in Korea, the Tactical Department at West Point, Senior Advisor for a special zone in Vietnam, Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, battalion and brigade commander, and Deputy Secretary General Staff in the office of the Army Chief of Staff. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Air Medal all with Oak Leaf Clusters; the Distinguished Service Medal of Greece, the Gallantry Cross — Republic of Vietnam, and the Combat Infantry Badge. John retired from active service in 1971 to become Commandant of Cadets at Norwich University. He was appointed Vice-President in 1976. His service there is best summed up by the following excerpts from the eulogy delivered by the president of Norwich. "From the moment John Wadsworth came to Norwich University, a new spirit came with him. He brought with him a resolve, firmly manifest in precept, and above all eminent in example, that in duty, devotion, dedication to mission, lay the stength of Norwich and its Corps. He brought to Norwich an infectious enthusiasm for military life. Cadets long ago responded to his concern for them. Two years ago, the graduating seniors dedicated their yearbook to him. Last fall he lived to present the Wadsworth Trophy, created in his honor for the winner of the annual Norwich-Middlebury football game. John Wadsworth believed that the glory of Norwich reflects from its Cadets. Its Cadets, I know, give credit to those occasional rare men like Colonel Wadsworth who guide them, and they believe that today, because of him, their glory, like his, shines brightly in the sun." John was a devoted husband and father, and his strong faith in God guided and sustained him throughout his life. He is survived by his loving wife of almost thirty years, Barbara; his sons, John III and Todd; mother, sister, aunt, and many loving friends.

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