Posted by Terry Powers on April 1, 2024:

Birdsey L. Learman 1938 Cullum No. 11306-1938 | June 27, 1967 | Died in Washington, DC Interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA Birdsey L. Learman was born in Bay City, Michigan on 13 March 1913 to Frederick Karl and Bessie Knight Learman. His father was the manager of the cement plant, the own's largest industry. Birdsey had one brother, Karl, and a sister, Eren. He attended Bay City Central High School, where he played football and also won two varsity basketball letters. Michigan was an ideal place to hunt. Birdsey loved the sport. However, it was the depth of the Depression. He had limited funds. He restricted his daily ammunition allowance to three rounds. Each round had to count. His hunting experience later proved valuable at the Academy, where it enabled him to become a pistol sharpshooter. During his early cadet years, his maturity, self-assurance, and warm interest in his fellow plebes earned him the nickname "Pop." As the cadet years passed and his friendships ripened, "Birds" became a more common appellation. Throughout these years, Birds was one of the most popular cadets of "I" Company. In his first class year, he was returning from home by train to spend the last few days of Christmas leave in New York City. He met Jane Sharp of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, a student at Antioch College who, by coincidence, was riding in the same car. They had their first date on New Year's Day. Six months after Birdsey graduated, they were married at the chapel at Randolph Field, Texas. After graduation, Birdsey took flight training at Kelly Field, Texas. He "washed out" because, as he says, "I can do everything except judge how far I am above the runway when landing." The Army transferred him to a pack train unit, based out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. An accomplished horseman, Birdsey played polo, and in his spare time built a home above Haleiwa beach almost single-handedly. The Learmans had three daughters: Ann, born in Hawaii; Eren, in Frankfurt, Germany; and Linda, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Not long after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Birdsey was ordered to the staff of General Collins in Guadalcanal, where he served for more than a year. Since promotions were passing him by, he sought transfer to the States to seek a combat command. He soon was ordered to the 84th Division in Europe. He took command of the 2nd Battalion of the 335th Infantry Regiment, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and participated in the capture of Hanover, Germany. He was awarded the Silver Star. The Learmans retired at Pauper's Promise Farm, seven miles from historic Chestertown, Maryland, which they had purchased in 1951 while stationed at West Point. It was an ideal location for Birdsey to give expression to his ardor for hunting and other outdoor proclivities. Their home overlooked the Chester River. In season, Birdsey would sit in his rocker behind the window and peer out over the shore. When ducks landed, he would fling open the sliding glass doors to the porch. The noise would scare the ducks into flight, and he would blast at them with his shotgun. He claimed to have the most luxurious duck blind on the Eastern shore. They joined the Chester River Yacht Club and became a part of the community. It is a tribute to the Learmans that the county has chosen to name a street "Learman Road." Jane's brother, Dr. Thomas R. Sharp, describes Birdsey as warm, not easily disturbed, worried or excitable, with a great sense of humor. Birdsey died at Walter Reed Army Hospital on 27 June 1967, with his family and Dr. Sharp at his bedside. Tom says, "Birdsey was a true combat casualty of the war, dying of complications resulting from malaria and hepatitis contracted in Guadalcanal." Birdsey was always determined, dependable, and an inspiration to others. His classmates welcomed and respected him as a comrade, devoted to family, West Point and his country. We are better for having known him. He is survived by his wife Jane, his daughters, Ann (Mrs. William Requa), Eren (Mrs. Howard Rose), Linda (The Reverend Kinzan Learman), and his sister, Mrs. Cyril Hayward. alumni.westpointaog.org/memorial-article?id=e7da58bf-969e-4654-9e86-fd28940753e5

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