Posted by Paul Churchill Hutton III on August 29, 2008:

Cuthbert Powell Stearns Jr, or "Tups" as all knew him, was born at West Point in 1922 when his father was Master of the Sword. He descended from a family that helped build America. One ancestor captained a ship to Jamestown in 1609. Another, Richard Henry Lee, offered the key resolution to declare independence and signed the Declaration and Constitution. Other forebears included Leven Powell, a key subordinate of George Washington's; John Stearns, the medical pioneer who founded the New York Medical Society; and leading engineers, educators, doctors, lawyers, and governors. This noble background, radiant parents, and an outdoor youth at Cavalry posts in the West, inspired Tups to West Point. When his father was reassigned to the War Department to write WWII mobilization orders, Tups went to Sullivan's Prep and entered USMA in July 1941. It was only then that the impact on his education of frequent family reassignments and changes of schooling became clear. Struggling in several subjects through much of his Plebe year he was found deficient in May 1942. His departure was a stunning heart-break for Classmates and for his family. Tups, however, pressed on. Returning to Fort Riley, KS, he enlisted, completed Basic Training and OCS, and was commissioned a 2LT of Infantry in 1943. He then married his boyhood sweetheart, Mary Louise Beidler ("Mimi") of Brackettville, TX (adjacent to the former Fort Clark, TX), in a union of profound love, hope, and joy. In uniform, Tups radiated character, love, and leadership that deeply influenced those around him. His men adored him. In 1943, for example, he was asked to organize and train for deployment 38 men just released from Ft. Riley stockade. He led them with such vigor, good humor, and compassion that they soon set the highest scores and were selected as the outstanding platoon of many hundreds trained that year by the Ft. Riley mobilization command. Peers recognized his extraordinary leadership. A fellow platoon leader, who served with Tups at Riley and later in Italy, sent moving letters to his parents. The organist at the Denver Cathedral, who had known Tups from boyhood, wrote a musical tribute to him. William Ganoe, Chief of Army History at the time, spoke of him in lectures. One colleague wrote "the eyes of the Army are on this man." What they saw was rare gentleness, humility, and nobility of purpose. There was nothing selfish in Tups. He was also unafraid of danger. When General "Sandy" Patch assembled US forces to liberate southern France, Tups volunteered for the most dangerous role; leading mine reconnaissance units in the 65th Infantry that would precede the main columns. After General Patch's forces landed between Nice and Marseilles, Tups led his small mobile elements brilliantly, facilitating the main force's rapid advance north. Tups gave his life to his country 20 October 1944, when a Teller mine exploded under his jeep in the Vosges near Epignal, France. In a tragic sequel, his boyhood friend "Sandy" Patch Jr. was killed nearby two days later. Their two fathers, both generals, wept for their sons at a joint memorial at the American Chapel in Paris. Tups's body was interred in Arlington National Cemetery in 1946. His spirit radiated a divine light that deeply affected all who knew him. Such men come seldom. They are the best we have. After 64 long years, his death still brings tears to the eyes of his family. God Bless you, Tups. You gave everything you had. We grip hands from afar.

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