Bill Maus
(27 OCT 1929, 23 APR 1998)
Bill Maus Eulogies
**********************
Frances and Bill Maus (1995)
**********************
| Standing (L to R): Weaver, Lewis, Turner, Chikalla, Gallup, O'Brien, Freed, Hadly, Wix, ?, Streett, ?, Reb Young, Quinn, Lenio, ?, Perkins, Thorsen, ?, Nieves, Sherman, Burroughs, Giza, Traut, Sloan, Gay, Paul Parks, Andrews, Ginter, Bates, McNair, ?, Lichtenberg, Nidever, Secord, Feagin, Cathey, Herren, ?, ?, Ludwig, ?, ?, ?, Ralls, ?, Shimunek, Macdonald, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Bob
Strickland Front (L to R): Soper, Newton, Dax, Chance, Schmidt, Shideler, Bergen, Matteson, Hargrove, Hornbarger, Steakley, Stevens, Drummond, Rudzki, Knierem, Wargowsky, ?, Stern, ?, ?, Livesay, Dickson, Michalove, Hagan, Landers, ?, Blitch, ?, Cardillo, Ordway, Trobaugh, Crancer, Maus, LaFrenz, Sydenham, Strom, ?, Howie Stone, Schepps, Raymond, Spellman, Sanderson ?, Wray , Fikaris, Stevenson, Sims, ? |
(10th Reunion 1965)
Larger Size
**********************
L - 2
1st Row: Goldstein, Hardy, Schlotter, Faurer, Cutchin, Landers
2nd Row: Mayson, Darrah, Volkstadt, Barker
3rd Row: Herren, Karnes, Doerr, Smetana
4th Row: McNerney, Maus, Spellman, Schepps, Sydenham (CO)
**********************
3rd Bn Staff, 2nd Regt
Maus, Rock, Skip Macdonald, Perkins
**********************
Bill Maus, Tom Herren, John Spellman (1953 Air Force Trip
**********************
|
I knew Bill only at West Point, our Army careers went different paths.
I always remember Bill as our first 2nd Lt, he held that rank coming into our class. He was my 'role
model' for what a USMA Cadet should be. He looked like a Cadet should look like and he acted
as a Cadet should act. During our 4 years at West Point he never disappointed me. During those
days, although I never told anyone, he was the 'mark-on-the wall' which I aimed for but rarely
achieved. Thanks Bill for setting the standard. Bill Welter August 18 (1998) Bill went to his final assignment today. Long before we were classmates we were service mates. I was a young private. He was a lieutenent and battalion commander and a leader from the start. He was already what we all aspired to be..a second lieutenant. And yet he strove for more...to be our classmate as well. He recently chided me for my humor at the expense of Texas. Well he was a credit to his state and more important to his country and he will be sorely missed. Be thou at peace Bill. Tommy West August 18 (1998) An L-2 company-mate, Bill was our outstanding leader from the start. When most of us were still sniveling juveniles, he set the pace. A kinder comrade I'll never know. It was an honor to have known him, a privilege to have served with him. Well done. Be thou at Peace. Jim Darrah August 18 (1998) From early Fall 1950) until last Sunday, I kept in touch with Bill. My latest exchange with him concerned his upcoming trip to his trout stream in North Carolina. He had considered stopping by my home on the way up from Florida. Bill, John Feagin and I shared an experience unknown to us at the time. We all marched in the first Armed Forces Day parade (19 MAY 1950), in San Antonio. As others asked him, I too wondered why he wanted to go to USMA, when he was already a 2d LT. Mostly he just smiled and said "Someday Deardorff you'll understand." Well, I'm not sure I ever did, but he was an excellent model for me and others he came in contact with. His last words in his last message to me: "Press on." Bob Deardorff August 18 (1998) Bill Maus was a consummate soldier, in bearing, in being, in his relationships with others, in every measure that can be taken as a man. Quietly, each of us who knew Bill wished we could be like him, even in the slightest way, because we knew that was the right way, the way that led to mission's accomplishment and the satisfaction of knowing we had done our very best. He set the example for all of us, he led the way, and he was the first to laud our successes with praise. Rest well, good friend, you will not only be missed, you will be treasured. Well done! Charles W. Roades August 18 (1998) Bill and I were L-2 company mates. In addition to the 4 years at WP our careers crossed a couple times. Throughout the whole association, I have never met a more friendlier, kinder, more "human" kind of person. He always had time for you. Bill, you will be missed. God Speed Jim Barker August 18 (1998) Our classmate Bill Maus was laid to rest at Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina on Monday 27 April. In attendance were many relatives, friends and former students. Classmates who were present were, Don and Mary Andrews, Jim Drummond, Bob Dierdorff, Jack and Judy McCloskey, Dan and Henry Moses, Dave Pemberton, Don Reid, Matt and Betty Schepps, and Dan Troyan. Also from the Class of 54 were Jim and Mary Lou Henry. If you can say that a funeral was beautiful, this one was. We walked from Bill and Fran's home to the cemetery. The coffin was carried by an honor guard from the 5th special forces Group from Ft. Bragg. Four eulogies were given by Bill's children, Bill, Scott, Katharine and Martha. They were eloquent in expressing their love, respect and admiration for a man we also loved, respected and admired. The flowers from his L-2 Classmates were beautiful. I learned that morning, that shortly before Bill's untimely death, he had tried to donate one of his kidneys to his brother Ray who is on dialysis. Unfortunately, Bill's blood type was not compatible. Fran is holding up well, and she was as gracious as ever greeting and comforting friends and guests. The home has been sold to young Bill. Fran's plans are still not yet firm. Matt Schepps August 18 (1998) EULOGY TO WILLIAM CLIFFORD MAUS, JR. Class of 1955), US Military Academy General Robert E. Lee said, "Duty, then, is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less." Bill Maus not only performed duty conspicuously well but also led the way in discharging life's tasks. Bill was always a guiding light and a motivating force--from his days at the USMA Preparatory School where he was the Cadet Candidate Battalion Commander, during his cadet years at West Point when he was named as being first in leadership, while an Army officer, and later in civilian life as an educator. His trusted and respected leadership incessantly inspired others to accomplish their endeavors with excellence and honor. Life-long hallmarks of Bill Maus were leading and caring for those in his charge. In Vietnam, as the original commander of F Company, 51st Infantry, Special Forces, his guidance and dedication to his unit contributed greatly in making it an elite combat team and be considered as one of the Army's finest and most professional long-range reconnaissance patrols. He was duly recognized in that regard, receiving numerous awards. These included our Nation's second highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism and valor involving extraordinary risk of life in connection with military operations against the enemy; two Bronze Star Medals for distinguished heroism in operations against the enemy; and three Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected while participating in aerial flight. Loss of Bill on 23 April 1998) brings much sorrow, but his memory shall live on. By emulating his example of love of family and country, doing what he taught, and remembering his call to "move forward" and to "press on" he will always be with us. Dan Troyan, USMA '55 (MAY 31, 2000) Like many others, I volunteered to serve with a new unit designated, F Company 51st Infantry (LRP)(ABN). Little did I know the extent to which my life would be affected by its commander, Lt. Col. Bill Maus. Following my service in Vietnam, I was assigned (ever so briefly) to the 82nd Airborne. Learning that Col. Maus was a battalion commander of a basic training unit at Ft. Bragg, I visited to pay my respects. He welcomed me with the enthusiasm of a long time friend, when in fact I simply was one of "his F Company boys". Colonel Maus immediately requested my transfer and I had the honor of serving two years as a drill sergeant under his command. I will always remember that it was his leadership that enabled the "lurps" of F Company to excel, to take risks and to have respect for themselves. Those that followed him never lived up to the standard he established. We are better persons for having known him. Many years later I was fortunate to have the opportunity to tell him personally just how very much I respected and admired him. I will always remember that grand smile...the respect shown to all regardless of rank...the high ethical standard he required on himself and others. I will continue to remember him always. Bruce L. Avant December 23, 2001) |
**********************
West Point 1955 Home Page
1955 Personal Web Pages