View a eulogy for William Childs Westmoreland, USMA '36, who passed away on July 18, 2005.
William Childs Westmoreland
West Point, 1936
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Bob Warfield on July 21, 2005:
|
Like the Virginian who lead the Continental Army through the perilous and improbable conception of our country, I don't know when General Westmoreland ever slept. In the J-2 "basement" at MACV circa 1968, he would often be reviewing/approving targets with the corps desk officers approaching 2300 hours and back (24/7) for "duty" at 0600 to attend operational demands (to include CINCPAC and White House, of all things). His (COMUSMACV) had to be the most demanding, but strangely constricted, tenuous and frustrating command experience imaginable. He at least had help with laundry and meals. He was supremely punctual, with unassuming presence, attentive and calm, conveying dedication with a master's gyroscope for exemplary and courageous forbearance. General Westmoreland epitomized the senior professional American officer, combining executive authority with patient interest in everyone privileged to the earnest proximity of his task. Bob Warfield (173d ABN BDE; MACV) |
 admin |
West-Point.Org (WP-ORG), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides an online communications infrastructure that enable graduates, parents, and friends of the military academy to maintain and strengthen the associations that bind us together. We will provide this community any requested support, consistent with this purpose, as quickly and efficiently as possible. WP-ORG is funded by the generosity of member contributions. Our communication services are provided in cooperation with the AOG (independent of USMA) and are operated by volunteers serving the Long Gray Line. For questions or comments, please email us at feedback@west-point.org.