William Childs Westmoreland

West Point, 1936

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by BG Ramon M. Ong (Ret) on March 18, 2007:

I had only 3 face-to-face encounters with Gen. Westmoreland in my entire life. 1. Recondo Training, Yearling Summer Camp, 1960 - I am dizzy from lack of oxygen, while wheezing, panting and chugging up a trail in Camp Buckner a few (ok, many, many) yards behind the rest of my classmates in the Company. A 2-star General and his Aide-de-Camp zoom past me. They stop. The General waits for me and asks, ?Are you ok?? I answer, ?Yes Sir!? He says, ?Good.? Then both officers continue running up the trail to catch up with the rest of my Company. Later that day, I learn that he is our new Superintendent. 2. Graduation Day, 1963 - I go up the stage and salute Major General Westmoreland. He hands me my diploma and says something to me. I cannot make out his words because the applause from the Cadet Corps is deafening! So I smile, return his handshake and return to my seat. The enthusiastic response of the audience was not really for me (sigh!). It was prolonged cheering for the guy ahead of me, a certain Joe Blackgrove, football and track superstar. 3. Vietnam, 1967 - The MACV Commander visits the base camp of the Philippine Army contingent in Tay Ninh. I am with the group of officers who form the welcoming committee. Gen. Westmoreland spots me, approaches to offer his hand and says, ?Good to see you again.? I am surprised and tickled pink that he still remembered me. Gen. Westy is one guy I shall never forget. Sir, my final salute! Brigadier General Ramon M. Ong (Retired) Armed Forces of the Philippines USMA 1963

admin