William Childs Westmoreland

West Point, 1936

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Chuck Nichols on behalf of the Class of 1965 on July 31, 2005:

The following are remembrances from the Class of 1965 about their Supe. He was their for most of their cadet years and led most of them in Vietnam July 2005-Thoughts from the Class of 1965 on ?Our? Supe ****************** One thing I remember about Westmoreland was how he would play tennis until the absolute last moment before supper formation, jump the fence, run across the Plain and be in perfect condition by the time we were seated. Ed Dye *************** There will be a fresh grave in the Cemetery all will want to visit at the Reunion. Ross Wollen *************** Sept of our plebe year- after losing 30 pounds in Beast Barracks I ended up in the orthopedic ward after having 3 out of 4 knee ligaments torn and repaired. An incredibly beautiful and sweet woman appeared at my bedside. She asked how I was doing and how I felt about West Point. I said, "All my life, this is where I wanted to go and this is the is the School I wanted to graduate from. She asked, "What do you think of the Supe?", I said with all due respect Maa'm, I think he's a prick. Kitsy said, that's my husband, I said pardon me Ma'am that's my morphine talking. Like it or not, we were his "boys" , he loved us, he respected us, he mourned us, and he never betrayed us. The politics of the Viet Nam era should not diminish his service to thisCountry and his devotion to West Point. The last time I saw Westy was May 6, 1985 , he and Kitsy looked great. It was not about my academic achievement, my better than average leadership achievement, had signed my Bronze Star , but remembered that he also did not sign my Purple Heart and my Silver Star. First, I was stunned that he remembered me, second I I was stunned that he knew all of the details of the Class of 65; and, third that he followed all of our careers. Last time that I saw him, he was sharp, handsome, (newspapers say jut jawed and totally confident) on the stern of The Spirit of New York.) This will be my memory of Westy-----I love all of my boys , our soldiers. That's where I wish to remember him. Mark Sheridan ********************* Bo Forrest tells a funny one of when he was a Plebe playing tennis and squash. He received a call from the Supe?s aide instructing him to be at the cadet squash courts at an appointed hour, where low and behold, Westy walks in. Contrary to popular belief, the Supe was not that well coordinated but was very determined. They started playing. The Supe was using an around about, tennis-like swing, according to Bo, which (for anyone who knows why squash players yell ?Coming around? is all about) can be dangerous to the other player. Westy also determined early on that the ?tee? in the middle of the court was his! Bo ?played with him? for awhile and then had a good ?kill? shot, which he hit aggressively! Unfortunately, the Supe?s head, actually a spot very near his right eye, got in the way. Down went the Supe, blood everywhere, and Bo just knew that his military career was finished. The aide jumped down from the balcony and they rushed the Supe to the hospital. Bo was sent back to the barracks! A few hours later, Kitsy called and told Bo not to worry, that Westy was going to be OK. If you look closely at pictures of him, you can still see the scar. ********************** When young Bill (?) Westmoreland graduated in 1936, he was assigned to an Artillery regiment at Fort Sill, in which my father (Class of '31) was also assigned. (As a result of their friendship from that assignment, I was startled at our Plebe Christmas dinner to see the Superintendent enter the Mess, start around the perimeter, then turn and make a bee-line for our table, where he greeted my father with "Mac, Mac, how are you?" - I did not previously know they were acquainted). During the time they were assigned together, one of the duties was to take the school horses to summer pasture. Horses being very skittish, one takes a few horses with a large number of soldiers to establish the camp. As the horses become comfortable with the new location, one adds a few more horses, then a few more and so on until the entire herd is in residence. When nearly the entire herd had been collected in the field, one day my father (probably a 1LT) had business back at "main post". He left 2LT Westmoreland in charge. While my father was there, the herd stampeded across the main post with the loss of many horses and destroying the golf course. My father told me this story long after we graduated, and recollected that the inevitable investigation (Report of Survey) naturally found no responsibility on the part of the LT in charge. That's just how horses are. Camden W. McConnell ************************ We all know how good General Westmoreland was with names. He used to come down to Shea stadium and call me over calling me by my first name and wanting to know why I was not breaking Ed Bagdonas' hammer record (since broken by Gerald Ingals '96) in his cow year 1995. Ed's record stood for 36 years - 1959 to 1995. Anyway during plebe Christmas as I was going thru the Supe's reception line, he told me that he had met my father on our R-day and made much of having met my dad which was no small discomfort to a plebe to have this much attention focused on me by the Supe. After not having seen him face to face since our yearling year in 1963 at the track, I saw him again at Ft. Devens in July 1969 when I was in the 10th SF Group. General Westmoreland was Chief of Staff and came to Ft. Devens for a visit. I was at the airfield preparing for a parachute jump and we got the word that the Chief of Staff's plane was landing and we were to prepare the jumpers for inspection by the Chief. I had a parachute on so my name tag was covered up by the harness and I had our jumpers open ranks in preparation for his inspection. When I reported to him, without the slightest hesitation, he addressed me by my first name and said he did not know I was in Special Forces. It had been over six years since I had seen him. Needless to say I was impressed and the sergeant next to me in the inspection line about fainted with surprise at Westy's knowledge. Pete Lounsbury ********************** My remembrance is one that most of us had (probably Plebe year). Just before the Army/Navy game we all converged on the Sup's house after a rally. Westy came out in a B-Robe and he said to us, "Let me show you how many points we'll beat Navy by in the big game." He then proceeded to get down on his stoop and do our winning edge in pushups. Pretty damn cool for cadets! He was always a leader to his troops, regardless of whether they were cadets or Army soldiers. And, as we all remember, he had a really cool wife in Kitsy. Dave Gnau ****************** One Saturday afternoon in Jan or Feb 1963 the Army Wrestling team hosted Minnesota in a dual match. Wrestling at 130 pounds for West Point that day was one Cadet Freddy Grates of Frankfort, NY. In the stands were his parents Dr and Mrs. Joseph J Grates. As Freddy took the mat, a tall distinguished Major General, who happened to be the Superintendent of the U S Military Academy, deliberately moved into the stands and took the seat next to Dr Grates. The two gentlemen who were almost exactly the same age exchanged pleasantries and discussed animatedly the art of wrestling. Thankfully, young Freddy won that day and the silver haired, distinguished General not only congratulated Fred's Dad, but he also thanked him for allowing his son to attend and participate in Academy athletics! Later on the General would command all the Viet Nam troops, who in 1968 happened to include the aforementioned Freddy Grates of Frankfort. These were troubling and controversial times and the distinguished, dedicated General was subjected to much criticism and undeserved abuse. Civilians who did not know the General and who did not understand the ways of the Army were suddenly experts and harsh critics. Dr Joe was never one of these, for he never ever forgot the time the General took the time to sit and talk with him that cold winter day in 1963. Dad loved him and he and I will always respect and admire him! God rest your soul Westy and thank you for all you did for our country. We will miss you. Fred Grates ****************** This story involved Jerry Stockton and me. I admit my memory is awful but Jerry may be able to add to it. Over our plebe Christmas, there was an edict that we were not to cut down Christmas trees. Of course we exactly that from up near Ft Putman. While Jerry and I were bringing the tree down near the reservoir, Mrs. Westmoreland pulled up besides us and offered us a ride. We could not think of an excuse fast enough and loaded our tree in her trunk and she drove us to Qtrs 100. She invited us in to see their tree and introduced us to Gen Westmoreland. As she explained that we had a very nice tree, the Gen gave us the look but said nothing about our escapade. We hustled out of there as fast as we could. The next day the Supe and our Tac came thru the rooms on an inspection. Our Tac's jaw dropped as he saw our now decorated tree. The Supe without passing a beat greeted us and commented that we did have a great tree. The Tac never figured out what was happening. A. Edward Knauf, Jr ************************ Racquet ball and Westmoreland: Col. Joe Solinsky, who was an infantry officer as well as a military history instructor at West Point, told me a story about playing Racquet ball in the gym with the Supe. He was just finishing a game, when Westy showed up, and told him he did not have a game, but asked to play with Joe. Joe said that he won the first game, then the second, and third. Westy said, "lets play another"...and so on thru six games, in which Joe won. Then Westy said, one more! This time Joe laid back, and let the general win. Westy said, "you were not trying enough" and lets play another. Joe killed him in the last game. Westy asked, where in the rankings Joe was in the racquet ball club. Joe said he was in the middle of the A rank. Westy said that he thought Joe should be "much higher", since Westy was in the same area of ranking. Joe told me that he thought all Westy's opponents were "letting Westy win" to remain in his favor. Joe said, to me "and the officers who did were probably getting more stars, where I remained in the eagle ranks"... Joe had a serious head wound in Viet Nam, and had to retire early. He still plays golf here at Silverado Country Club, and is married to a lovely nurse he met during his in hospital days. Dave La Rochelle,Md ****************** One that I remember occurred in Oct 1962. After supper we returned to barracks to check the demerit list. There was only one posting and it was for a Hell Report. I can not remember who was the "victum", but it was a cow in F-2: For conduct unbecoming a member of the Corps of Cadets, ie., Winking at the Supe's wife during pass in review at the last regimental parade. I believe that the recipient was Jim Bigelow, Class of 63. I was standing behind the cadet when he read it .there was stark fear evident. Thirty minutes later the barracks erupted in laughter as the author 'fessed up !! If anyone kept the original I am sure Mrs. Westmoreland would get a kick out of it. Eddy Dye ***************** It seems one brisk fall weekend, as my "drag" and I were proceeding in front of Bartlett Hall; me with trusty typewriter case in hand, preoccupied with how to use the mystic of Flirtation Walk with my date, when I looked ahead and recognized Mr and Mrs Supe bearing down on me. Now "Westy" was nothing, if not the epitome of Military bearing and leadership, so seizing the opportunity to display my best yearling military courtesy, I whipped off the crispist salute with the salutation "Good afternoon Sir; Mamn" . Westy acknowledged back, never broke stride or looked at the typwriter case-just steamed on. Mrs. Westmoreland however, said "good afternoon young man", looked directly at my typewriter case and gave me a big smile. I must have turned several shades of crimson, as she caught me red-handed for planning to commit semi-PDA! Hopefully, it brought her fond memories of crisp fall afternoons gone bye. Karl Savatiel ************** My first face to face with General Westmoreland occurred in the fall of 1962 when he presented me and about 35 classmates the coveted stars of academic excellence. In the spring of '63, Westy presented me a gold medal for taking 1st in the high jump in the Army-Navy competition during June Week. It was an honor to have Westy at the meet, for few Supes ventured down to Shea to cheer for the Army track rabble. The gold medal translated into the yellow stars worn on our class jackets indicative of a significant contribution to a victory over Navy. Finally, the "Supe" pinned on my silver star at the five o'clock follies, the daily press conference held in MACV headquarters. On this occasion, he recalled the other two. With a little help from Paul Miles, his ghost writer extraordinaire. Regardless, Westy's regard for the troops and especially the Class of '65, should not and must not be forgotten. He was truly a caring competent, and capable field commander with few peers in modern history. Second vignette -- In the fall of '67, General Westmoreland came to the ceremonial field of the 8th Infantry Battalion of the Vietnamese Airborne Division to present the Presidential Unit Citation to the Vietnamese leaders of the battalion. The advisors to the battalion were Terry Sage ('63) and myself, and we were given a place of honor on the field. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Westy talked with the Vietnamese and then turned toward Terry and me. Terry whispered, "Bet he asks me about my twin." Greeting Terry first, he extended a warm hand and said, "Sage, how are you and how's your twin?" Terry said, "Fine, sir." Westy turned to me and said "Alger, how's it going?" I replied accordingly and as he moved on, Terry whispered back to me, "I don't have a twin." Terry gave the last full measure of devotion during the second day of the Tet offensive in January 19 68. Snippets for the family scrap book. John Alger ************* When I reported to my first unit, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, I met SFC Arno C. Land. He was the platoon leader of a sister platoon. One day when talking about leaders, he said that he would always remember William Westmoreland. Seems that Cpl. Land was in 187th Regimental Combat Team in Korea, under Col. Westmoreland's command. Cpl. Land was having a pay problem, which was a major concern since his mother depended on the allotment that was supposed to be sent her. One day after a battle with North Korean units, Cpl. Land was making his way back to the Regimental Rear CP to see if he could get the pay fixed. The Regimental Commander encountereed Cpl. Land a short way from the front, and asked him what he's doing. Land explained his situation. The Regimental Commander radioed to the rear, then got out of his jeep and told Land to get in. The Regimental Commander proceeded to walk to the forward positions while Cpl. Land was driven to the rear. When he got to the Rear CP, he was met by a senior NC, who handled his situation. Cpl. Land never again had a problem with the allotment to his mother. And that's why he held his commander in such high regard for the rest of his life. Bob Frank ********* I met (encountered) GEN Westmoreland on July 4, 1961, you may recall that was the day before we reported in as New Cadets. I, and some other unknown member or former member of the Class of '65, decided to walk across the Plane rather then use the sidewalk. It seems the GEN Westmoreland was practicing some chip shots on the Plane at the same time and informed us in rather certain terms that we were not to be on that sacred grass. I could tell immediately by his stature that he was somebody in charge. Only later did I figure out who he was; I then clearly understood. Spizerinctum! Pat Kenny ****************** I do have one humorous story that involves both the Supe as well as his lifelong partner Kitsy. Most of us have forgotten our Plebe football experiences except for some flashbacks now and then. I have one that many of us can relate too. Our last plebe game of the year was the Manlius(?) Prep game, after which the Supe presented a trophy (appropriately named the Superintendents Trophy!) to one of the Plebe players. I was fortunate enough to have been selected to receive the award from the Supe. My parents were in attendance, having traveled from Detroit with a contingent of University of Detroit fans whom the Army Team faced the next day at Michie. As an additional reward my Mom and Dad were invited to sit in the Supe's loge that Saturday to view the game. Of course Plebe Seymour would now be subjected to the eyeballs of every upperclassmen, staff officer and visiting dignitary attending the game, making him wish someone else has gotten the award. Saturday comes and I joined my Dad and Mom at the Supe's loge for the game, which should have been a cake walk for the Big Rabble but actually found Army tied 7-7 at halftime. Now the story begins to get interesting as several of the U of Detroit fans make there way somehow to the loge. The Supe was taking the time to introduce my parents to many of the assembled visitors and staff when one of the Detroit fans finds us. This particular fan had hosted cocktails at the pre-game tailgate and was not overly concerned about who was who. He commented rather vociferously that there were more generals at the game than he ever saw in Korea as well as other choice comments which caused me to both brace and shrink at the same time. The Supe had to be annoyed but showed no outward signs of stress at the situation. The halftime entertainment was provided by the Army mules and their riders since the Detroit Team had no band. The assembled group was watching one particular pass of a mule and rider, politely applauding the handstands and tricks being performed when suddenly a voice was heard booming loudly .."Those have to be the only jackasses in the whole US Army who haven't been commissioned!!" Dead silence as eyes went from the Supe to the inebriated, loge crashing, Plebe Seymour family friend. My life was quickly coming to an end at the ripe old age of 18 when a giggle was heard that broke to a laugh, joined by howls from all in the area. The giggle and laugh, whether real or manufactured to break the tension, came from Kitsy who was elevated immediately to sainthood in the Seymour family history book! A lighter moment in the General's life, shared as always with his beautiful bride Kitsy! Army did go on to win after Chet Kempinski dove on and broke the leg of the Detroit QB in the 3rd quarter. John Seymour ************* I wonder how many of us remember the banana peel in the elevator incident. The Supt. was visiting some classes in Thayer Hall (even the true GOAT sections). When upon taking the elevator down to the dungeon (reserved for the Goats) he found a banana peel in the elevator. Since the classes of '64 and '65 were in session in those darken halls he assumed that one of our two classes had left the slippery object there. That is despite the fact that we weren't allowed to use the elevator. Why he didn't suspect some disgruntled "P" is beyond me and the "P" was probably mine whom our section had driven to distraction. Anyway, that launched the famous five mile run (well maybe it was two) for "64 and '65. As I recall that was very very shortly before he turned over Command. I didn't eat bananas in Vietnam because he was Supt. there too when I was there. Tim Thames

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