Scott Edward Mooney

West Point, 1975

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Bob Harren on August 30, 2000:

Scott Mooney died of brain cancer, 11 Oct 90. Scott came to USMA from 'upstate' New York. He arrived a quiet unassuming lad, who left a Ranger, Infantry Lieutenant bent on going into the Special Forces. Scott always chose the 'harder right'. He only worked at mastering the most difficult tasks. He chose Chinese as his language, the most difficult of the six offered. His sport was distance swimming, requiring the most dedication and training hours. He volunteered for Ranger School because it was the hardest school the Army offered. That was Scott's quiet unspoken attitude -- "If it's too tough for the everyone else -- it's just right for me." When Maj Sobke became our tactical officer, he thought I needed a responsible roomate to help keep me in line. Scott was my roomate several times after that. Obviously, Scott could only do so much in setting an example. Being a very slow learner -- I still worked myself into many more hours on the area. I remember Scott's dedication and relentless perseverance in everything he did. As a swimmer he woke up an hour earlier than the rest of us and swam a few miles before breakfast. He applied the same work ethic to studying and was often the last one asleep, after spending hours on all his daily academic assignments, in addition to learning the hardest language, Chinese. That was Scott! Tasks the rest of us thought to be impossible, he simply worked harder at and got them done. I have no idea how he keep going, smiling, joking and still having fun along the way. Yearling year we both volunteered for Ranger School. Scott pushed me into taking the preparation seriously. We worked out together regularly in getting ready for that ordeal. Of course Scott would still swim his 3-4 miles in the morning before breakfast and then take me running for 5-6 miles after classes. Scott rarely broke a sweat during those runs, while I was soaked to bone, gasping for air and ready for the Emergency Room. Obviously Scott's training program paid off and we both did well and got our tabs. Scott always did what he said would do. He walked the talk and always set a personal example. Rangers Lead the Way. We all miss you.

admin