Posted by Tran Quan on October 9, 2024:

Lewis Stone Sorley III held many distinguished titles. He was a third generation West Pointer, a retired USA lieutenant colonel, a doctor of philosophy in national security policy, a professor of English literature and military history, a senior CIA official, an acclaimed author to ten books, an advocate of Vietnam veterans and the South Vietnamese people. But when I first addressed him as "Dr. Sorley," He said, "What's this doctor business? Call me Bob." And that's how friends and admirers know him" a man of great moral conviction with a humble ease. For me, I was in awe of Bob, not for his accolades but for the generosity and kindness he showed me, especially when he didn't have to. Bob had many long friendships that spanned over half a century.Those lucky enough to know his friendship treasured it and remained loyal through good and not so good times. So how does a former South Vietnamese refugee who came to America at the age of five with her family befriended Bob Sorley? I would have to say through Devine blessings. We were immigrants with little means but we had a story. Bob learned of my story and helped turned it into a book. This was an example of his steadfast generosity which allowed me to tell about the resiliency of the South Vietnamese people through war and its aftermath, a message which Bob championed. He was a benefactor to the forgotten and underdog. Bob loved West Point. He lived the West Point motto of Duty, Honor, Country. He was even asked to write a book about its honor code in Honor Bright. I dreamed of attending West Point when I was in high school but was too intimidated to apply. Nonetheless, I got my opportunity to serve when I received a military scholarship to medical school and later became an Army physician. As two great West Pointers, GEN Art E. Brown, Jr. and BG John W. Nicholson Sr, said to me, "Bob has feathered his nest in heaven with his deeds on Earth. And now his work is done." With eternal love, gratitude, and respect to Dr. Lewis Stone "Bob" Sorley III. May he rest in well deserved peace. Tran B. Quan

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