Engelbert E Mbog-Hob

West Point, 2004

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by MAJ William J. McClary on November 29, 2004:

What a great privilege it was to have known Eric Mbog-Hob! Even now as I think of him I see his smiling face staring back at me ? and trust me, he was always smiling. As his former tactical officer, he was one of the very few cadets I knew who rarely ever let things get him down. I still cannot believe that he?s gone. My deepest sympathies go out to his family who have suffered a tremendous loss. This has been a terrible tragedy for them, and also for the great citizens of Cameroon who have put so much of their faith, confidence, and (I am sure) scarce resources into this young man toward his training within the United States of America. It is they who have lost a bright future leader whom, I am certain, had the potential to rise to the highest levels within his nation?s government. Just as important, Eric was an exuberantly positive personality who made friends easily; during his short life he touched so many other people?s lives in significant and positive ways ? I am certain many hearts have been broken by this news. Also ? know that while Eric officially finished his time at West Point as a C+ level student, as his TAC, I knew him well enough to know that he was probably the hardest working student there. The very real challenges he faced with English as a second language to him presented him with unique, significant challenges that few others have ever had to contend with. At one of the toughest academic institutions of higher learning in this country, in spite of every adversity, he never once gave up and he made it through to graduation ? I will always be very proud of him for that! We who knew him will always miss him, but we can rest assured that his spirit will continue to watch out for us in death the same way that he did for us in life. Eric ? until we meet again, rest in peace. Major Bill McClary

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