Jim Torrence

[23 OCT 1932 - K1 - 20286 - 18 MAY 1971]

Jim Torrence Eulogies

AOG Testimonials



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Jim Torrence (son) commemorating Jim Torrence
[55th Reunion - May 2010]



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Torrence Family
[45th Reunion - SEP 2000]



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Torrence Plaque
[45th Reunion - SEP 2000]



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K-1 Firsties - 1st Row: Skaff, Raynal, Joe Franklin, Rich Miller, Knieriem, Wayne Smith, Law, 2nd Row: Torrence (CO), Steinman, Napier, Brunstein, McWilliams, 3rd Row: Guthrie, Hock, Livesay, Pettet, Ed Anderson, 4th Row: Jerry Hawkins, Funkhouser, Fleming (Absent: Gransback)



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Rear: Pettet, Guthrie, McWilliams, Steinman, Law, Hock, Raynal, Front: Ed Anderson, Livesay, W. Smith, Capt. Adams, Knieriem, Torrence [USAF Trip - 1953]



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2012 AOG Online Register Entry

Register Glossary



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James Edward Torrence was born on 23 October 1932 in New York. He was appointed to West Point as a Qualified Alternate and entered on 3 July 1951. He was in Company K1, played lacrosse for four years and was a Cadet Captain and Company Commander his first class year. He graduated on 7 Jun 1955 and was commissioned in the US Army in the Infantry.


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In our last year at WP as Cadets, Jim Torrence and I tried to start a Mountain Climbing Club. The powers that were said no, so we started a special interest group for mountain climbing in the Ski Club -- that way we could get to use the special mountain equipment in the Ski Club's stuff. We never got to do a lot of climbing except close in rudimentary work on and around the campus.

In the 54-55 winter, we made a couple of forays to the rapelling cliff at Camp Buckner. We would draw rations at the Cadet Mess Hall (nothing but steaks!), pick up some equipment -- especially ropes, pitons, and D-rings at the Ski Club; then hike out in the snow to Buckner. After climbing up a mountain, we would spend the night in the snow after cooking some steaks on forked sticks over an open fire, then roll up in our ponchos and blankets for sleep in the snow. Next day, we would spend rapelling; then hike back to barracks.

When I was teaching at WP 62-65, my old Regimental CO Colonel Gleszer was a regimental TAC. He made sure the Mountain Climbing Club was organized separately and operating. (Also I taught mountain warfare techniques at Buckner in the Summer working with Jim Eddins.) I believe the Mountain Climbing Club is still going strong.

Jim Ryan
22 FEB 2011


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TAPS Memorial Article



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