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The Korean War ended for First Lieutenant William R. Penington on March 11, 1951, on a lonely hill called "Squash Mountain," Like many another West Point graduate,  Bill was killed in action in the Korean fighting.

Bill Penington was born at Fort Bayard, New Mexico, on April 18, 1926, son of the late Carlos A. Penington and Mrs. Penington, Bill was born into the Army environment, and it was almost inevitable that he would choose the Army as as a career and some day go to West Point. He grew up in the Northwest, where his father was stationed at American Lake Veteran's Hospital near Tacoma, Washington. Bill's life at home was an extremely happy one because of his comradeship of his father and his closeness to his mother.

In 1944 he graduated from Clover Park High School in Tacoma, and took in his stride the quick change from care free high school days to the not so care free days  of infantry basic training. Later he went to  Lafayette College for training, and after  thirteen months in the Infantry, received his appointment to West Point in 1945. He achieved his life long ambition an became a West Point graduate in June 1949. After West Point he went to Fort Riley, kansas and then to Fort Benning, Georgia. It was  while taking the Infantry Basic training at Fort Benning that he met the girl for him, Mary Teal of Georgia. They were married at the Fort Benning Chapel in July 1950. After a brief honeymoon at  Hot Springs, Arkansas, they visited Bill's home in Tacoma., Washington before Bill left for Japan. That was to be all, but for Bill it was to be one of the happiest periods of his life.

It was by no means unusual that Bill's  classmates in high school voted him the friendliest boy in his class.  That was the same feeling that all who knew bill had. His genuineness and his easy and sincere  manner gave people he  met the feeling that they were old friends and had known each other a long time . His friends will always remember the sparkle in his eyes which bore evidence of his keen interest in life

The 1949 Howitzer ably summarized one of  the outstanding characteristics of Bill's personality when it stated "the Army can well use Bill's conscientious hard work and perseverance with his ability to always make the best of any situation".

Bill's boyhood activities showed this persevering quality. When he became a boy Scout, he wasn't content until he had received the highest award-that of Eagle Scout. On the track team in high school, Bill spent many grueling hours in bettering his own performance.

His ability to make the best of any situation is testified to in a letter written to his family by one of the men that served with him, who said, "Lt. Penington had the knack making the right decision at the right time. and I always had complete confidence n his leadership whether in combat or in reserve".

Bill's seriousness about his Army career is well illustrated by his taking the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning after his completion of the infantry training- The airborne course was an "extra-curricular" activty. He could have spent this time on leave before his overseas assignment, but he was anxious to have this training that would make him a better qualified officer
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Bill left for Japan in August 1950. After training in Japan, he landed with the Seventh Infantry Division at Inchon, Korea. It surprised none of his friends to hear that Bill had received the Bronze Star during the first few weeks he was in combat for  displaying outstanding leadership and bravery as he aggressively led his platoon against the enemy, without regard for his Own personal safety".

Then came the terrible days of being trapped behind enemy lines and the evacuation at Hungnam. On Christmas morning, his wife and mother received the joyous news that he was safely in friendly territory once more. Then three short months later came the tragic news of his death.

This letter received by Bill's wife from one of the men in his platoon tells the story better than any words of eulogy could from one who was not there:
"Your husband meant a lot to the boys in his platoon and  to all of the  officers of this regiment. He was a most upstanding officer and leader of men. His gallantry and heroism are something never to be forgotten by his men and his fellow officers.

"It was through his great heroism that many of us are here today to tell the story of  Square Rock Mountain, the place where he so gallantly led his men and lost his life trying to get his men back to safety so they could call in Artillery and save the lives of the men from the country which he served so faithfully.

"It was the first time up this mountain that your husband lost his life as he was moving his men back. He was trying to keep the enemy down until his men had reached safety. I know that we men who are here today because of his gallantry will never forget what he did up there that day".

It is difficult for his loved ones to understand how this could have happened to one so gentle, with such a love for life, and with such a fine future ahead of him. Yet he lived a full life, and by the way he lived it left the world a better place, and by the way he died added his name irrevocably to the hallowed list of those who have rendered the ultimate sacrifice unto the country they served. And he would not now question that the will of the One he believed in so devoutly be done. Those he left behind take comfort from his own words in a letter written home, "and if anything should happen to me, realize, as I do, that neither mine nor the other daily sacrifices being made in Korea are for any but a very worthy and important cause".

-W. Perry McCormick. Jr.
 
 

Personal Eulogy