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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jan '98
Lewis Burton Tixier No.15681 Class of 1946
Died in Charleston, West Virginia 18 May 1981. Interred in the
Post Cemetery, Ft. Knox, Kentucky
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Lewis B. Tixier was born in the shadow of the Rabbit
Ear Mountains, to John B. and Carrie Tixier in Clayton, NM. On
the Clayton High School football field, his leadership skills
were born. A starting halfback for the Clayton Yellow Jackets
for four years, during his senior year he scored 151 of Clayton's
187 points, leading the state in touchdowns scored. In the state's
annual Gateway Bowl, Lew carried the ball 46 times for 180 yards
and was named the game MVP. The Artesia Advocate declared, "'Tixier
is the most outstanding back ever seen in a football game in
southeast New Mexico." Lew graduated with honors in 1941
and, from I941-1943, attended Oklahoma A&M, excelling in
academics (although he could not pass Spanish) much to his father's
chagrin.
On 15 May 1943, he received a congressional appointment
from U.S. Representative Antonio M. Fernandez. Lew credited his
parents for their tireless efforts in securing his appointment.
He roomed with "Demo," Harold DeMoya, for 3 years.
During plebe year, Lew often wrote his parents for money and
boodle. His father always sent $5 and cookies hidden in an empty
cigarette carton. Lew strained to pass plebe math, finally passed
Spanish, and led runt company (G-1) to the Intermurder football
championship in 1944. During firstie year, he was G-1's company
commander.
Upon graduation, Infantry 2LT Tixier headed for
Ft. Benning. From 1947-50, Lew was with the 14th Armored Cavalry
Regiment in various company grade positions. The three most notable
events of his tour were: marriage to Phyllis Byrd, the birth
of son Michael, and being first string halfback for EUCOM's All
Constabulary football team in 1948 and 1949. He married Phyllis
by proxy in November 1947 via telephone. She was in New Mexico,
and he was in Germany. She then sailed from New York to Germany
aboard the troop ship, Admiral Sims. On18 Jan 1948, they officially
married.
Lew was the starting halfback for the 14th ACR
Red Raiders and EUCOM's scoring leader for two years, playing
in the first two Vittles Bowl games. After the 1948 contest,
Jack Ellis, Sports Editor for the Stars and Stripes, wrote, "Lew
Tixier led the 14th Constab Regt. to a convincing 7-0 Vittles
Bowl triumph this afternoon before 8,000 fans at Victory Park.
Tixier, a workhorse all afternoon, carried the ball 19 times
for 73 yards, caught two passes, and did most of the kicking
to make his day complete." In the 1949 rematch, 371,000
fans saw the Red Raiders defeat the Rockets 14-l3. Although Lew
did not score, his two interceptions in the end zone, late in
the 4th quarter, sealed the victory.
From 1950-56, Lew served in battalion-level positions
at Ft. Bragg, Ft. Hood, and Ft. Polk. His experience with Armored
units in Germany impressed him enough to branch transfer to Armor.
He attended AOAC in 1951 and, upon completion, CPT Tixier was
aide-de-camp for LTG John (Pee-Wee) Collier. During this time,
Lew developed cancer and spent 6 months in BAMC undergoing cobalt
treatments. In 1957, he attended C&GS, finishing 17th in
a class of 532. Next, MAJ Tixier was an instructor of Military
Arts at West Point. Daughter Sally was born there on Columbus
Day.
From 1961-64, Lew was the Chief of Vietnam Section,
Intelligence Division of USARPAC, responsible for producing intelligence
on North and South Vietnam to fulfill USARPAC requirements. He
spent six months in Saigon establishing the North Vietnamese
Order of Battle. During the November 1963 coup, Lew was noted
for his superior initiative and leadership ability in keeping
the G-2 and USARPAC staff fully informed of the situation. In
1964, LTC Tixier was Commander, 1st Bn, 69th Armor, 25th Infantry
Division. As a "dyed-in-the-wool tanker," he worked
with the Infantry battalion commanders to improve the Infantry/tank
team operations in the Division. His techniques and manner were
somewhat cold and calculating but effective. He demonstrated
an unusual aptitude for training young officers by instilling
in them a desire to excel. From 1965-67, he served in the Armor
Assignments Section, Colonels Division, OPD, and attended the
National War College. From 1967-69, COL Tixier spent back-to-back
tours in Vietnam. He was the Chief of Doctrine, Systems, &
Training Division, G-3, USARV. The G-3 noted that Lew was assigned
when DS&T was foundering from a lack of leadership and direction.
Lew's uncommon bluntness and absolute confidence revitalized
the section to fulfill its mission. Next, he was hand-picked
to be G-2 of I Field Force, USARV. From there, he was acting
Chief of Staff of the Americal Division and CO for the Support
Bde. He was in J-3, Nuclear Weapons Employment Section, at the
Pentagon for two years and then returned to OPD as the Chief
of Colonels Division, supervising the nomination, assignment.
and career development of Army colonels. He was fearlessly frank
when dealing with officers, yet perpetuated the human understanding
side of personnel management. His last assignment was as the
Deputy Director, OPD, MILPERCEN. On his final OER, his rater,
BG Harley F. Mooney, Jr., when asked what this officer did best,
responded, "Kept the DCSPER and the Officer Corps out of
trouble." After retirement, Lew worked briefly as the Personnel
Director for the West Virginia State Police.
To those officers and men who served with and knew
our father, the words "Duty, Honor, Country" were never
more apparent than when talking with him. Be thou at peace, Dad.
His son and daughter
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