Posted by J Phoenix on January 20, 2005:

http://www.west-point.org/users/usma1962/24143/ Subject: [gray-matter] A Walk In The Sun Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 09:38:29 -0500 From: Jphoenix In 1945, Dana Andrews starred in the war movie "A Walk in the Sun," chronicling a simple "walk in the warm Italian sun" from a landing at Salerno, Italy, to seize a farmhouse inland. In focusing on the actions of a platoon that had lost its platoon leader and platoon sergeant early on, it was one of the more realistic war movies of the era. In July of 1958, the Class of 1962 began Beast Barracks at West Point. Back then, the term R Day had not yet been coined, and Beast began on the first Tuesday of July. The Class of 1962 took many a walk in the sun, but a question often heard from the cadre, exclaimed at the top of their lungs, was, "Mr. Zinn! Why are you bouncing? Stop bouncing! Are you doing that to make me angry?" Ron Zinn had a tall, thin torso with legs that were somewhat shorter than one would expect on a six footer, and his gait had a natural up and down component that exaggerated the vertical movement of his head and shoulders. The bouncing Mr. Zinn became infamous among the first Beast detail, with upperclassmen often double-teaming him, but otherwise he was progressing satisfactorily. One of the reasons for his persistence in the face of challenges and his single-minded determination to succeed was his Mother. One evening, about three weeks into the summer training, Ron was opening a boodle package his Mom had sent. He said, "My mother sacrificed too much getting me through school in Iowa and into this place for me to break. I'll never quit." Another reason was his sense of the ridiculous-and his rather large, wide mouth. Among the treasures being surreptitiously shared that evening were a small, homemade cake and a can of SPAM. Suddenly, an upperclassman banged on the door, and the plebes sprang to attention. All that was left of the SPAM was an empty can and some rather strange bulges in Ron's cheeks. Although Ron's face was immobilized, his roommates smirked and then burst into impossible-to-stifle laughter. Even the upperclassman could not suppress a smirk as he commanded, "Don't just stand there, Mr. Zinn. Chew!" After the upperclassman retreated, a steady steam of other members of the Beast detail then visited to watch Ron consume his impossible, solitary meal. Although otherwise squared away, Ron could never quit suppress his bouncing. Nevertheless, he was able to excel in cross country running and wrestling. Then, in 1959, encouraged by Coach Carl Crowell, he took up the challenge of Olympic race walking. While adapting and developing his walking style, Ron also designed a training vest that the Cadet Tailor Shop then fabricated for him. He became a common sight around West Point, practicing his unique walk with heavy weights loaded into his special vest. Football standout Berry Butzer once quipped, "When Ron got going, he could walk faster than I could run." In 1960, Ron's efforts were crowned with success as he became the first cadet ever to successfully compete for a slot on an Olympic team, placing 19th in Rome in the 20-kilometer walk. He was the AAU two-mile walking champion in 1963 and 1964, and at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 he advanced to sixth in the 20-kilometer event and became the first American to beat a Russian race walker. He also became the first American to win an international walk since World War II when he won races in Poland, Germany and England. All his friends and classmates knew that he would take the gold in the 1968 Olympics, but it was not to be. Ron died on a different walk in the sun on 7 July 1965 near Saigon, Viet Nam, with the Bravo Bulls of B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade out of Okinawa. He died rushing to aid a wounded squad leader and was the first officer of the brigade to be killed in action. At the time, he held eight U.S. walking records, and American Race Walker magazine devoted its entire August issue to Ron's memory. USA Track & Field now bestows three awards annually "to commemorate the achievements of CPT Ron Zinn, who lost his life in combat during the Viet Nam War." In 2000, his former company commander, LTC Roy Lombardo, representing the 64 survivors of the Bravo Bulls, placed a wreath on Ron's grave at West Point and noted: "We remember a lean, muscular lieutenant who joined us in Okinawa and led the company track team to the battalion championship. We remember a dedicated soldier who worked night and day to master his trade in War Zone D and to win the trust of his men, for whom he cared deeply. We remember a determined leader, who, on 7 July 1965, rushed to the aid of his wounded squad leader, only to succumb to enemy fire." We remember Ron Zinn. Much of the material for this Gray Matter is provided by Ron's Beast Barracks roommates, Bill Mogan and Judge Mack Howard, and initially appeared in the Recall section of the May/June 2003 ASSEMBLY. Other material is from Ron's Memorial Article in the January/February 2004 edition of TAPS. Your humble servant, J. Phoenix, Esquire Please forward guest articles, comments and suggestions for future topics to JPhoenix@aogusma.org.

admin