Posted by XXXXXX on July 28, 2008:

David W. Armstrong ’48 No. 16606 - 10 Sep 1925 – Officially declared dead on 16 Mar 1954 Missing in action in Korea on 28 Nov 1950 - Body never recovered David Wesley Armstrong was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. At an early age, Dave exhibited qualities of leadership and an indomitable spirit that were to see him through adversity in succeeding years. A member of the Sons of the American Legion during his high school years, he attained the rank of squadron captain. He loved sports and participated in football, baseball, and gymnastics in high school while, at the same time, excelling in academics. He was valedictorian at Germantown Academy of Philadelphia in 1943. In October 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Force Aviation Cadet Program and attained the rank of cadet lieutenant at High Point College in North Carolina, Dave fulfilled a lifelong ambition when he was appointed to West Point from the 7th Congressional District of Pennsylvania by Representative Hugh D. Scott, Jr., in 1944. He entered wholeheartedly into cadet activities, including the Chapel Choir and intramural sports. He had a lively sense of humor that brightened up many a cadet “bull session” during his four years at the Academy. Also, according to one of his roommates, his favorite evening entertainment was beginning letters and then tearing them up! In yearling year, Dave suffered a severe leg fracture during intramural football and, as a result, spent five months in the hospital. But, as he was to do in later years, he drew upon reserves of inner strength and went on to attain the rank of cadet lieutenant and graduated in the upper half of his class. Dave chose the Infantry as his branch and, after graduation went to the Ground General School at Ft. Riley, KS, followed by The Infantry School at Ft. Benning, GA. In January 1949, while at The Infantry School, Dave married Jean Fahrney Butler of Cedar Rapids, IA. In the fall of 1949, Dave returned to Ft. Riley as a member of the Staff and Faculty of the GGS (subsequently renamed the Army General School). Son David Wesley Armstrong, Jr., was born on 21 Jun 1950. Four fateful days later—-Sunday, 25 Jun 1950—the North Korean Peoples Army crossed the 38th Parallel and attacked the Republic of Korea. Events moved rapidly thereafter, In the latter part of July, Dave received orders to Ft. Jackson, Columbia, SC, where he was assigned to a cadre conducting advanced Infantry training. In late October, he received orders to Korea. He flew from Chicago to Japan on 2 Nov and, a few days later, boarded a ship in Yokohama that took him to Pusan. He was assigned to Company G, 38th Infantry, 2d Division. By mid-November, he was Commanding Officer of Company G, while still a first lieutenant. The regiment was establishing blocking positions to protect the Eighth Army’s eastern flank northeast of Pyongyang and south of the Chongchon River The 2d Division was progressing slowly toward the Yalu River when it finally came into contact with Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) on the night of 25–26 Nov. As the Chinese attacked along most of the Eighth Army front that night, the heaviest blows fell on the 2d Division, which bore the brunt of three Chinese armies. Six Chinese divisions attacked the 2d Division directly, while six more poured through the adjoining ROK II Corps, enveloping the 2d Division right flank. The result of this conflict was one of the worst disasters incurred by any division-size American unit in the war. According to a survivor of Company G, forward elements of the company were cut off by the CCF, and Dave sent three men to the rear to get reinforcements. When they returned, they found nothing. Dave and about 30 soldiers were gone. On 28 Nov, Dave was listed as missing in action and, on the same day, GEN Walker directed the withdrawal of the entire Eighth Army, now involved in a completely new war. While still missing in action Dave was promoted to captain on 8 Jun 1953 by Department of the Army Special Orders No. 110. CPT David Wesley Armstrong was officially declared dead on 16 Mar 1954. Dave loved West Point, he loved the service of his country, and he loved his country’s ideals of justice, freedom, and personal dignity. He gave his life nobly in defense of those ideals. He was a loyal and true friend and an outstanding leader. His was an indomitable spirit that never failed to inspire those around him in times of trial as well as in times of good fortune. His spirit first emerged when he was a boy, then blossomed at West Point and, later, carried him through to his final hour in Korea. It may be said, “Dave, well done. Be thou at peace. Although God has willed that your course on earth is run, we will think of you often until we meet again.” —His family and classmates

admin