THERON WESCOTT KNAPP, JR. was born in Rochester, NY, and attended public schools, excelling in academics, athletics, and drama. He was a member of the Honor Society, the Socka Boskin Drama Club, and the newspaper staff and was president of the West High School Science Club. He held a job in a drugstore and lettered in cross-country, but his classmates and teachers remembered him as the class clown. His gift for the ready joke and his willingness to play the fool put many at ease in awkward situations throughout his life.

On the serious side, Wes wrote in a publication in 1942 sentiments that expressed the patriotism of Rochester's best students: "Thank God I am an American, a son of a land that stands for freedom, a beacon shining out to the oppressed." After graduation, he joined the USMA prep school unit at Lafayette College before joining the Class of '49, graduating 202nd out of 574 classmates. His cadet days were always full of fun, humor, and friendship. He was a leader in six clubs, including the Portuguese Club and the Dialectic Society.

After the basic officer courses, he served with the 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany. A precarious assignment, Wes's first tour in Europe was demanding but rewarding. In 1953, he was sent to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Virginia for a year, giving him time to court and wed Katherine Lowe, the daughter of COL Robert Lowe '27, and granddaughter of Daniel Gregory '01.

He attended the Advanced Armor Course in Ft. Knox, KY, and then earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech. He headed for Sandia Base, NM, for three years with the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project. After a year at Ft. Leavenworth for Command & General Staff College and a year with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea, he was placed in a nuclear weapons study group followed by an assignment to the Advanced Tactical Projects at the Army Combat Developments Command at Ft. Belvoir, VA.

Having a knack for languages, Wes was assigned to MAAG in Bonn, Germany, and attended a German language course at the Defense Language Institute. After two years with MAAG, he was rewarded with command of the 1st Squadron, 14th Armored Cavalry, in Fulda, Germany. His most coveted assignment was commanding the unit that was responsible for providing a viable defense against communism.

He reveled in spectacle---on holidays he would appear at the surveillance towers in his blues and his cape with cavalry gold lining, causing consternation across the line. He was always willing to put on a new guise, a new accent, a new persona, and when it went off well, he would assure you that everything was "mighty fine, mighty fine."

In 1969, a combat assignment finally came as the senior advisor to the Vietnamese 14th Regiment and, later, the 9th Vietnamese Division. He was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Combat infantryman Badge, as well as the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and six Air Medals. The assignment with the 9th Vietnamese Regiment required leadership, persuasion, tact, compromise, assurance, humility, and determination.

After Viet Nam, Wes was assigned to the office of the Assistant Chief of Staff Force Development, for three years and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. His next assignments were to Georgetown University as the professor of military science and to the Army Material Readiness Command, where he was awarded the Legion of Merit.

He retired as a colonel in 1979 and taught math at the University of Maryland for four years. In retirement he continued to be busy, serving as the treasurer and computer guru for veterans associations, community groups, the church, and anyone who asked. He loved new gadgets and technology, so it is not surprising that he became fascinated with personal computers and their capabilities long before they were familiar household objects. He became active in church programs, including the Education for Ministry of the University of the South.

He never lost his innate curiosity and always was delighted to learn new facts, saying enthusiastically, "Why don't we look it up!" He could be accused of having had too many books but never of being too narrow in his interests, philosophy, or outlook on life.

Wes died of cancer in 1997. In his wallet, family found two bible passages. One of the passages, I Corinthians 1:13, was read at his graveside. For those who loved and admired him, there is no more fitting passage for this man of great intelligence and deep awe of mystery than, "now we see as in a mirror but then we shall see face to face." Loving life and laughter so, he really believed "the greatest of these is love." A piper played `Amazing Grace" as he had wished.

Many who knew Wes through the years recognized his love for West Point, his service to his church and community, and his pride in his wife Kathy, and children: Katherine, Robert, Virginia, and Margaret. Kathy passed away in 1986, a deep loss for the family. Wes fought dying valiantly, and his memory lives on. His grandchildren fondly remember his antics, silly jokes, puppetry, fishing, camping, and his devotion, and Wes would be pleased to see his family gather together for laughter, music, and general tomfoolery. Those who remember Wes and Kathy best know that the spirit lives on as long as the laughter does.

Wes was a patriot, yet he was never threatened by even the wildest opinions of his countrymen. He was able to be friends with people of any background and find a common understanding. He was truly a distinctive individual and proudly stands in the Long Gray Line.

Daughter Katherine Knapp Keena

TAPS JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2005

Personal Eulogy