Lewis Christian Buffington

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J. A. "Andy" Chacon on June 15, 2010:

Louis C. Buffington, Jr. Born August 13, 1928- Died May 25, 1981 A RED-HAIRED, Pennsylvania Dutchman with a great sense of humor, a true friend and classmate, and a trusted comrade-in-arms. That is how we came to know and value Lewis Christian Buffington, Jr.'s, friendship, and Lew as a special person. Lew was all this and more to his classmates, friends, and family, consisting of his mother Hannah, his sister Ardith, and his brothers Richard, David, and Timothy. Lew's father died while Lew was serving in the Marine Corps during 1946--47. Lew was an inspiration to his mother and siblings following the death of their father. The entire family pulled together to help each other. Their story is an example for all of us to follow. Lew's one year in the Marines before entering USMA gave him a military "edge" in 1947. A good student, Lew always was ready to help those needing some "academic understanding." Our years at USMA provided us with so many memories. The last three years went by quickly, but Plebe year was a day-by-day event, and Lew's sense of humor helped us get through it. After graduation, Lew was off to the Air Force and on to Primary Flight Training at Columbus AFB, Columbus, MS. Following graduation from flight school, his choice of "multi-engine" training put him on the road to SAC before flying RB-29s out of Japan in the Korean War. Stateside assignments followed for Lew, with tours at Lake Charles AFB, LA; Homestead AFB, FL, flying B-47s; and two years at Westover AFB, MA, flying B-52s. A variety of missions included "hurricane hunting" and in-flight re-fueling, flying the "tanker." In June 1960, Lew was assigned to the University of Colorado as a graduate student of aeronautical engineering. After earning a master's degree, he joined the Flight Test Section of the GAM-77 "Hound Dog" project at Wright--Patterson AFB. In 1966--67, during the Viet Nam War, Lew served as Group Director of Operations at Takhli, Thailand. Lew married a childhood sweetheart of his, Ruth "Sis" Troutman Cusick, in 1972. Ruth's sons, 15-year-old Michael and eleven-year-old Patrick M., became Lew's stepsons. Lew retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1973, returned to Pennsylvania, and attended Dickinson Law School, graduating with a JD Degree in 1976. After passing the Bar exam, Lew was hired by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, becoming Assistant Deputy of Rates. Lew later took a job with a local law firm. After 30 years, Lew wrote, "We reside in a beautiful old brick farmhouse surrounded by four acres on the edge of town. The house was the birthplace of former President Eisenhower's father, having been built by Ike's grandfather in 1854." Lew died suddenly from a heart attack, just a few days following our 30th Reunion in 1981. We were very fortunate to share those last few days with Lew and Sis, and I know, from a letter written by Sis to us shortly after Lew's death, that they both enjoyed our 30th Reunion very much. Lew died while participating in his hometown Memorial Day service. There is no better way to honor Lew's memory than to quote from his Memorial Day address, "During the past several weeks my wife Sis and I attended two other Memorial Day Services. During the 30th Reunion of my West Point Class of '51, we attended a very simple but eloquent Memorial Service for 42 of my classmates who died in the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, in aircraft accidents, or by other "in the line of duty" means. My classmate and Chief of Army Chaplains, MG Kermit Johnson, had this to say, "Their bodies have been buried in peace, and their names will live on for all generations." Yesterday we accompanied my father-in-law, Dr. Walter A. Troutman, to a reunion at Valley Forge of the 314th Regiment of the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI. In the 63rd year since they saw action in France, only ten members were able to attend this brief ceremony at their log cabin filled with WWI mementos. "We have come here today from different walks of life, from different backgrounds, and from different generations. We pause today to honor America's sons and daughters who died or remain missing serving their country. Those whom we honor had one thing in common, they carried the flag for all Americans; however, it is doubtful that anyone ever said things more eloquently than did a Canadian soldier, physician, and author - COL John McCrae - who in 1915 wrote, In Flanders Fields "In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt Dawn, saw Sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you with failing hands we throw the Torch; be yours to hold it high. If we break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields." The Register of Graduates and our 30th Reunion book summarize Lew's military stations, achievements, and honors, as well as his academic and personal endeavors, not mentioned in this article. Sadly, Lew's wife Sis died five years after Lew. They are fondly remembered, and greatly missed, by classmates, family, and friends. Charles R. Witmer '51

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