Posted by BG RM Ong (Ret) on May 19, 2016:

Each of us takes many things with us when we leave West Point to pursue careers in the different branches of the service. One gift that is perhaps not as well recognized as others is the gift of true and good friends. Frank Cornelius Gibbs III was such a friend. Friends like Frank become more dear as their numbers dwindle and as we realize that friendship will outlast most of the temporary measures of success that we encounter from day to day. Frank was a friend for more than twenty-five years. I was deeply saddened to learn of his death. Frank entered West Point as an Honor Graduate from Oklahoma Military Academy. He was a brilliant student -- one of those who understood what we were studying so well that, with a few memorized scientific principles, he could solve almost any engineering problem. He was a "star man" all four years at the Academy, graduating sixth in our class of 504. There was no hint of intellectual arrogance or snobbery in Frank. His "Redman" nickname derived from his American Indian ancestry, of which he was justly proud. We also called him "Gibber" or, when we wanted to tease him a bit, we became very formal, addressing him as Cornelius. We were sure this name was taken from a famous Roman orator -- possibly a contemporary of Cicero. I remember one occasion when we were assigned an Economics paper which would count for six grades. Frank turned this six-week project in a month early. The professor returned it with an A+, noting, "This paper is so outstanding that I have overlooked certain minor errors and have left it uncorrected." Frank was commissioned in Artillery and served two tours in Vietnam, receiving the Bronze Star. In 1970 Frank left the service to study law at Harvard. On graduation, he set up a law practice in Houston, Texas. Later, he moved his law practice to Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Frank honored me in many ways. He was my friend. I was best man at his wedding. He asked that I write this article informing you of his death. I shall miss him. -- Peter L. Sawin '63

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