Posted by Shane M. Deverill on July 7, 2011:

Eulogy: COL James (Buster) Lloyd Hayden James Lloyd Hayden was born into the Army on 14 Aug 1923 in NYC. We knew him as Buster, Grand Buster, COL Hayden, and "Hayden of Army". Many have asked how he got the name Buster. Shortly after he was born, while making a fist, an attending nurse commented that he is a Buster, and with that the name stuck. But he was not "a" Buster--he was "our" (one-of-a-kind) Buster. He was a Leo for sure with his red hair, penetrating brown eyes, and "take no prisoners" personality--he was a strong man of character and conviction who made things happen. Underneath his tough exterior was a driven, compassionate, loving man, who made the world better for hundreds of cadets, Soldiers and their families. Our world would certainly be in much better shape if there were more Buster Haydens--a true gentleman by any measure. He loved people and lived life to the fullest. A passionate man--family, friends, West Point, and the Army were his greatest treasure and triumph. Other passions included: all sports (especially any West Point sporting event), his beloved San Francisco Giants (they finally gave him a World Series Championship last year), fly fishing with his family and the Moores, and an evening martini. Buster was an incredible role model whose life was dedicated to selfless service, and authentic leadership - indeed a lifetime of service. Selfless service: A 5th generation West Pointer, Buster was destined to join the family business! Growing up at West Point, West Point became a part of his DNA--this 24/7 devotion spawned a lifetime of selfless service to West Point, our Army and our nation! From birth, he was a fighter. He spent his youth playing baseball, basketball and evading the authorities for childhood pranks. I believe there is an outstanding warrant for all the streetlights he broke in Panama! Graduating from Balboa High in Panama, Buster spent two years surviving a frat at Berkley before he entered West Point with the class of 1945. While a cadet, he enjoyed having his family stationed at West Point. Believe it or not he walked over a hundred hours for indiscretions - go figure! Graduating as WWII ended, he was commissioned a 2LT in the Coast Artillery. His first duty was with the Constabulary in Germany. This began a 30 year distinguished Army career with duty around the world and the beginning of many life-long Army friendships. Following his first assignment, he married Sugar Thompson--an Army Brat at Governors Island in 1947. Together they would raise a magnificent tribe of six children - they actually considered 12, but the twins would cause them to reevaluate that plan! His combat duty came as a battery commander in Korea. One of my enduring images is of a photo of him digging a foxhole in Korea - "never ask of your men what he would not do yourself." He later commanded two battalions in Germany, and held key staff billets on the Joint and Army Staff. His career culminated at Ft Bliss as Chief of Tactics in 1975. Transitioning to a civilian career as a banker was not an ideal fit for Buster. He found his niche as the El Paso area Military Academy admissions representative. So beginning in 1976, Buster started working admissions with the USMA candidates for the Class of 1981. In fact with us today, from the Class of 1981, are my classmates MG Dana Pittard 1AD Commander (Eastwood, HS) and one of USMA's first female generals BG Heidi Brown (Austin, HS). In all, during Buster's 35 years, he worked tirelessly with over 600 cadets and their families. He holds the distinction of having more cadets enter and graduate USMA than any other admissions rep. This is no mystery. Buster was the Vince Lombardi of USMA admissions reps, he invested mind, body and soul - intense interviews and planning with each candidate and their family--probing and questioning to ensure that each candidate understood that West Point was not about them, but about serving our Army which demanded incredible personal commitment! Buster was tough and discerning for he turned several away. But his relationship with "his" cadets didn't end on the Reception Day at West Point. He personally followed each cadet through their four years at the Academy, offering encouragement and support when it was most needed and appreciated. In many instances, he's followed their military careers, amazingly, with his longevity, now in some cases through retirement. But of course, that's what you do with family, and Buster cared about his cadets as well as any parent would their own. Buster epitomized Authentic Leadership: His leadership started at home as the Hayden patriarch. Raising a son and five daughters would challenge the best leaders, but Buster's successful leadership began with teamwork. He and Sugar raised six magnificent children--their masterful parenting also graced 29 grandchildren and great grandchildren! Leaders step up to fill voids and take charge. Buster felt it was his obligation in fact his duty to do so. He volunteered as a little league coach, as the master of ceremonies for countless horse shows, founded the West Point Parents Club of El Paso, served as president for the Ft Bliss West Point Alumni Association, served on West Point Board of Trustees, and on other countless committees and boards. Family and friends were the center of his universe. If you were family or friend there was no sacrifice too great, and no detail too trivial. Most importantly, he made the investment of himself: his time, his energy, his emotion to determine what was important to you--what interested you, what excited you. In doing so he created strong relationships that would withstand life's challenges and endure the test of time. Buster placed others before self - a quality everyone should embrace. While battling cancer for 18 months, he pressed on - never complaining but serving others! I found his ability to relate to anyone fascinating. From dignitaries to teenagers, he had an immediate appreciation and uncanny ability to relate in a meaningful manner that was rooted in humility. Buster always worked the room and befriended people from all walks of life. Each relationship had special meaning to him. Always tough under fire, we sought his counsel when times were tough. He was a pillar of strength. He brought sanity to chaos, and he was at his best when things were their worst. He was able to dissect any circumstance, break it into digestible parts so you could understand and define an appropriate path to resolution. If your situation demanded direct involvement, he would critique your plan and provide meaningful input. In the Army, he always supported his subordinates and the underdog. "Loyalty to his subordinates to the point of insubordination"--a line from one of his efficiency reports that Buster considered it a badge of honor. Buster would challenge convention when convention made no sense. He was relieved a couple times in his career, for challenging authority when decisions made didn't make any sense or were just flat wrong! Achieving many awards and accolades among them West Point Distinguished Graduate Award, El Paso's Man of the Year, 31st BDE's honorary COL, the Department of the Army Civilian Superior Service Award for his service with West Point Admissions, the COL Buster Hayden Hall at Fort Sill just to highlight a few. But Buster would tell you that his real endorsement and satisfaction came from the seeing his cadets and Soldiers grow into successful leaders, parents and mentors - continuing the Buster legacy! So a little of him resides in each of us. Buster was authentic leader because he was his own man--comfortable in who he was and what he said and did. He was an inspiration to everyone he met. And so this is but a brief glimpse of Buster. His lifetime of selfless service and authentic leadership defined a man of incredible capacity. Always strong and on message these collective qualities nurtured friendships that endured a lifetime, enabled his marriage to flourish, and helped form the bedrock for his children to be successful and transformed the lives of several hundred cadets and Soldiers. In sum, he lived a remarkable life that is forever a part of the tapestry of his family and friends and countless Soldiers' and cadets' memories. Buster - I LOVE YOU! Let it be said well done! Be thou at Peace! His course on earth is run. West Point for thee! Thank you for your unmatched legacy of selfless service and authentic leadership. God Bless! Go Army--Beat Navy!

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