|
Company Commander |
Dick Wasson |
|
Lieutenants |
Sam Dickens, Bud Bacon |
|
|
Paul Summers, Al Costanzo, Tom Horgan |
|
First Sergeant |
Dave Phillips |
|
Supply Sergeant |
George Reid |
The Little Giants of A-2
At Steps to Division Moats -Yearling Year.
Standing at left is Dickens (nd) & Horgan (nd), and on the right are Snyder and Gividen (nd). Sitting - 1st row - Reid (nd), Thomas and Chacon. 2nd. row - Leffler, Summers (nd), Danforth (nd) and Doval (nd). 1st V row; Wasson (nd), Magsino, Miller (nd) and Schuman (nd). 2nd V row; Bacon (nd) , Spach (ex '51), Nist, Phillips (nd) and Costanzo (nd).
CIRCA 1951 - After struggling for
two years, A-2 finally was reassembled, little matter that we were in the wrong
regiment. No distance could ever disrupt the friendly and cooperative spirit of
these ambitious men. Widely distributed throughout Corps activities - from
cheerleader to Sunday School Teacher, from star man to goats, from wheel to
spoke, from gymnastics to lacrosse, we still found time for bull sessions, for
Qui-Qui's tales of wild romance and even for singing to the accompaniment of
Pete's plinking uke. 'Twas these little things that made our four years happy,
aided, of course, by our few well-earned successes in inter-murder and those
meetings with the Tac, whom we could never quite understand. In the future,
whenever we meet in some far-off spot, we'll have no difficulty in recognizing
one another, for although - some faces always smiled, others eternally frowned,
still we're always standing, awfully close to the ground.
THE REST OF THE STORY - It has been my fate to be
associated with Little Giants. The first time was during World War II when I
served as an aerial gunner with Torpedo Squadron VC-75 flying off the USS
Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) as part of General Douglas MacArthur's Navy, the Seventh
Fleet. Our biggest battle was the Battle for Leyte Gulf in October, 1944 during
which the Baby Flattops distinguished themselves and were credited with turning
the powerful Japanese Fleet back. We were sunk in the Sulu Sea on January 4,
1945. I am a survivor of the sinking by a Japanese kamikaze of that Little
Giant, the USS Ommaney Bay, the Big O, we called her affectionately. Those of
us who survived get together every five years to reminisce. I attended the last
reunion in Baltimore in 1995. Our Skipper was Captain Howard Young, Sr. His son, Captain Howard Young, Jr. was our banquet
speaker. The reunion
was a memorable event. First, let me provide some statistics.
There were 19 of us A-2 files who graduated on June 5, 1951 and set out on our
destined military careers on that day. Of the nineteen; 6 went Air Force, 2 Armor, 4 Artillery, 1 Corps of Engineers,
5 Infantry, and 1 was a foreign cadet. In the end, we collectively served 322
years of active duty that averages out to 17 years each. Two of us attained the
rank of general, that is wore stars on their shoulders before they retired. Bud
Bacon and Flo Magisno attained general rank. It has been said that the Class of
1915 was the class on whom the stars
fell on; well it must have been the class of 1951 where the stars fell from. It is not that we are not accustomed to
wearing stars. Danforth, Wasson, and Magsino amongst us wore stars on
their collars during our cadet days. Four out of nineteen with academic stars
during our cadet years should have been a very good omen. It did not work out
that way, but then, out of the total class of 475 graduates, only 31 attained
general rank. I guess we can say that the
stars did not fall on us. One
of us did a vertical over Vladivostok, and one of us was responsible for
recovering Soviet space debris and having it analyzed at Wright-Pat to assure
that the Soviets did not place any space bombs in orbit which could rain on us
on Soviet command. However, it is in the
non-military areas, those areas that perhaps were not contemplated that some
notable accomplishments by our classmates are herewith recorded; particularly
by those who left the military early, and by those who retired after a full
military career as well. Most of the Missile silos that this country built were
built under the supervision of an A-2 grad. Others designed computers at the
National Laboratories.
We
have been a busy bunch, and like the Energizer, at eighty plus, still going strong!
Grip hands with us now, though we see thee not, Grip hands with us, ... Dick ... Joe ... George Gividen... Dave ... Quique
... Sambo .. Paul ... Bud ... George Reid ... Tom ... Al .... Joe .... and Paul ...Strengthen our hearts!
1. Dick Wasson was killed in action in Korea on June 25, 1953.
Well, I have since been associated with Little Giants of
a different genre; that is my A-2 Company mates of my West Point days.
The average rank we A-2 Little Giants attained,
over an average of 17 years of service, was Lieutenant Colonel. Those who made
Colonel and General are over-achievers? Actually, if we remove from the sample
those who resigned within five years of graduation the rank versus years
of service numbers are much more impressive, they are 22.8 years of service and
average rank of Colonel. Given the era during which we served the stars did not
fall on us. Those who attained Colonel and above are over-achievers!
But let's
see how we, A-2 files, did in other areas. First, Awards and Decorations; 1 of
us earned the Distinguished Service Cross, 3 earned Distinguished Service
Medals, 1 a Defense Distinguished Service Medal, there are 13 Legions of Merit,
7 Distinguished Flying Cross awards, 10 Bronze Star Medals, 6 Purple Hearts, 8
Meritorious Service Medals, 35 Air Medals, 12 Commendation Ribbons or
Commendation Medals, 5 joint Services Commendation Medals, and 4 Combat
Infantryman Badges. Some of the awards were multiple, that is, more than a
single award of a particular genre to a single individual. For instance, George Gividen got the Purple
Hearts; he got five. Dickens and Bacon got 12 Air Medals each, Schuman got 3
Legions of Merit, and Nist got 3 Bronze Star Medals, and 2 Combat Infantry
Badges. Oh well! Hogs in the line of duty. Still considering military
accomplishments; one of us commanded a Wing in the Air Force, one a Base in
Spain, one a Battalion of Artillery, one an Army Brigade, and two served as
Superintendent of Military Academies.
And we pursued
higher education as well. We, 19 of us, earned 21 advanced degrees from
Cornell, U of Michigan, Texas A&M, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
University of New Mexico, Vanderbilt, University of Puerto Rico, University of
Virginia, and others. We got 2 MS's in Civil engineering, 2 MS's in
Aeronautical engineering, 2 MS's in Industrial engineering, 1 MSEE, 2 LLB'S, an MA in
English, and several in Public Administration, as well as a DBA. Two of us sat
in classrooms together again. Four of us went on to advanced courses at the
National Defense University such as the National War College, Industrial
College of the Armed Forces, or the Army War College.
Our
classmates have had responsibility for the systems testing of nuclear weapons
at the National Labs, for providing the Multi-hundred Watt Radio-isotope
Thermoelectric Generators aboard Voyager I and Voyager 11 and for the
performance of complete Air Force Weapons Systems, for which the Congress of
the United States issued a Commendation. But that is not all. Our A-2
classmates have served on State Government Boards, such as Public Welfare,
Mental Health, Vocational Rehabilitation, University Regents, as University
Professors, and on numerous other local agency governing boards. Most of these positions, I might add, are
non-compensatory boards and commissions. One of us served as Associate Director of the Peace Corps in Peru and as
Science and Technology Advisor for all of Central America. One was Deputy Director of the Veterans Administration.
One of us chairs the steering committee of the Universal Peace Federation. One of us is a Banker, and one of us is an
Enrolled Agent. A what?, You say! Yes,
one of us is an Enrolled Agent, that is what the IRS calls those special few
who are certified to practice the Art of Accounting with and/or for the IRS.
Most interesting though, although I have yet to identify them, it is rumored
that at l12. Joe Schuman died in California on July 17, 2013
east two, could be three, of our classmates are self-made
millionaires. One of us may be a CIA agent. Surprise?
We will meet at the Point in 2016 for our 65th reunion like we did in 2011 for our 60th and in 2001 for our 50th.
One of us died in combat, one lost an eye, one a leg, and all of us have lost our heart for
our Country and our Alma Mater. Ten others have died since retirement from active duty.
Some of us may need a little help getting
around, a walker or a wheel chair or perhaps the shoulders of our ladies to
lean on, but we will be there, proud Little Giants all. We did it, and we did
it our way! We must circulate pictures of each other before 2016 so
that we will recognize each other. I just ordered my wearable computer and an
ipak, so I will be able to recognize you no matter what your disguise. (UFA)
2. Joe Danforth died in Colorado on July 14, 1995.
3. George Gividen died in Texas on August 8, 1998.
4. Dave Phillips died in Virginia on November 23, 2000
5. Juan Francisco "Quique" Doval died in Puerto Rico on February 15, 2006
6. Samuel T. Dickens died in Virginia on December 29, 2006
7. Paul Miller died in England on August 4, 2007
8. Bud Bacon died in Tennesse on June 2, 2008
9. George Reid died in New York on May 3, 2010
10. Tom Horgan died in Massachusetts on September 3, 2011
11. Al Costanzo died in Virginia on October 5, 2011
12. Joe Schuman died in California on July 17, 2013
13. Paul Summrs died in Virginia on Januaey 18, 2014
For a list of all deceased classmates, click on: Casualties
Cece Nist writes on 5-30-11, "Greetings, (the) picture taken first class year
before taps.
Sam Lutterloh (Giant from A-1) showing his movies taken in England. First class summer, Sam went to England, and drove all over England.
Left to Right ... Sam Dickens, Paul Miller, Yearling?, Sam Lutterloh, Yearling? (behind Sam ), Andy Chacon (arms crossed), two unidentified Plebes?
The Little Giants of A-2
with families at 50th reunion in 2001.
First Row, L-R, Isabel Chacon, Danforth dau, JoAnn Danforth (nd), Danforth son, Dickens dau (holding child), Marcy Dickens (with child in front of her)
Sam Dickens (nd), Cornelia Dickens (with child in front of her), Bearded one ?
Second Row - Andy Chacon, Snyder granddau April and daus Linda & Sheri, Bob Snyder, George Reid (nd), Rose Costanzo, Marty Reid,
Pat Nist, Cece Nist, David Dicken's wife?, David Dickens?
Third Row - ?,Tom Horgan, John Spach, Al Costanzo (nd), Bud Bacon (nd), Joyce Bacon
Still Kicking ... Andy Chacon, ... Marcie Dickens ... Red Leffler, ... Flo Magsino, ... Cece Nist, ... . Bob Snyder, ... . and Pete Thomas. .....LET'S ROLL ... RUNTS!!
You'll recognize us at the 65th, we look thusly now!!
 Andy Chacon w/ Isabel @45th |
 Andy Chacon w/ Isabel @50th |
 Marci Dickens @/55th |
 Red Leffler W/ Jean nd |
Update by Andy ... My labor of love began in 1996 after the 45th. The first project was the Class Bulletins of which the
most comprehensive was USMA Briefing. In the process I developed a Class DataBase. Later I undertook to have deceased classmate George Gividen inducted to the Rangers Hall of Fame. I also assisted in
the effort to have Joe Clemens designated as a Distinguished Graduate. In 2001 I published USMA '51 YOUR LIFE 1951-2001
which is presently being converted and updated as an E-Book, i.e. no plans to publish it but to keep it as a blog. Changes every day. I keep it as current as
I can. Isabel, somehow puts up with it all. We both suffer from aches and pains, she is diabetic and I am a little "bunkers" as you can see. I also suffer from the "4b's and a g" decease. (Ur Friend Andy)
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal w/oak leaf cluster, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal w/4 stars, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon w/2bronze stars, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Korean War Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal for Korea, Republic of Korea Liberation Medal.
Sixty Years of Marriage!
Our Diamond Jubilee
Bulletin at Sandia Resort Lobby
Dinner party was at Sandia Casino and Resort Hotel. Mariachis and the whole works! A fine time was had by all but little Andrew Scott Glenn, at a year and four months stole the show! He joined the flamenco dancer and did his thing to mariachi music!!!! Our three daughters, Dolores, Cecilia and Monica split up the pretty penny it cost!!!!!!
Update by JoAnn ... In September 1974 Joe was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his superior management and leadership
capabilities (in the) survivability and vulnerability assessment of the A-10 and A-7D aircraft and for the planning and initiation of the advanced Fighter
Technology Integration program. In September 1974 he assumed total system management responsibility for the A-7 Fighter Fleet at Tinker AFB and received
commendation for making the A-7 "the best supported aircraft in the inventory." It was in this job that Joe went above and beyond the call of duty to solve
a flight problem that had already killed several pilots. He not only solved the problem but he saw to it that corrective action was taken for the entire
fleet and that the design defect would not be repeated in subsequent swept-wing aircraft. The Congress of the United States commended him for his
outstanding leadership ability and a high degree of professional skill and being instrumental in the resolution of many complex problems with major
AF weapons systems. Joe retired as a Colonel in 1979 to his family home which he built himself in the Colorado Rockies. He passed away at his mountain
aerie with his family on July 14, 1995 facing death peacefully, an "ace" in life. Jo Ann passed away on 9-26-2011.
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Update by Red ... In 1977, after Max Cleland became Administrator of the Veterans Administration, he asked Red to head his Tansition Team: later, Red was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve as Associate Deputy Administrator, Department of Veterans Affairs. He served in that capacity until 1980 when he transferred to the Consulting Resources Division, Office of Personnel Administration. Red retired from the Government as an ES 6, Senior Executive in 1982. Red is by far the most active, behind the scenes type, classmate when it comes to class activities. Not a single issue of Assembly Magazine fails to report some function for which Red and his wife Jean are involved. Thanks Red and Jean. Red and Jean have 6 children, 2 boys and 4 Girls who have given them sixteen grandchildren. John "Red" and Jean Leffler lived in Alexandria, Virginia until her death in 2003.
****************************************** Flo Magsino w/Caring |
 Flo Magsino |
 Cece Nist W/ Pat |
 Bob Snyder W/Mary Carolyn nd |
 Pete Thomas W/ Betty |
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Update by Flo ... After his military retirement, Flor served with an architectural-engineering firm as executive vice president and general manager from July 1978 to November 1979; as Vice President, later Senior Vice President of the multinational Landoil Resources Corporation from 1979 to 1985; as President of the International Center for Technology TRAnsfer, Inc. from 1980 to 1989, which trained some 400 Libyan students in 1981/82; and as executive of several other corporations. Flor got involved in various business transactions in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Libya, America, and England while working with LORC. In April 1988, Flor was appointed as civilian President of the National Defense College where he submitted several position papers proposing solutions to various national problems. He retired upon reaching sixty years of age in November 1991. Flor then became a consultant at the Philippine Senate from 1993 to 1995 and a newspaper columnist for the Manila Times from February 1992 to August 1994. He later compiled all his columns into a book entitled "Readings in National Security (or solving the problems of poverty, crime, and government," his third book. As of March 1997, Flor's family consists of his wife, two daughters, two grandsons, and two granddaughters. He is currently connected with two business firms and is active in some twenty organizations, primarily in one which is involved in moral upliftment. Flor and his wife Caring make their home in Manila.
******************************************Update by Cece on 19-18-2004 Pat and Cec send greetings to all from The Greater Sierra Vista-Fort Huachuca
Area in southern AZ. We are now the only members of the Class family in this area. After retiring from over thirty years active duty service, I entered into a second seventeen year
career in real estate. Seven years ago, I retired for the second time. For over seven years, was a volunteer Mediator/Arbritrator for the Coshise County
Superior Court. For over a year, I was doing volunteer work, five days a week, at the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center. Have done some volunteer work
at the Fort. After retirement from the Army, we moved south and out into the Cochise County area into a quiet, residential, one acre lot, subdivision.
Now the city limits are only a half mile away with all of the challenges associated with growth. Our two daughters and son, who are still in their forties,
are successful in their chosen and quite different professions. This includes working for the government, real estate, and a Boeing engineer. We hear
from them often, and see our oldest daughter weekly. There are four grandsons, four granddaughters, and one great granddaughter. Some of the grandchildren
are also employed. Hopefully the family name shall continue. Being married for almost fifty three years now, this Team is an endangered species. I still
speed walk over two miles a day, seven days a week, for over the past five years. It is a good time to think about the future. We see the young,
outstanding, and enthusiastic US Army here daily. We pray for the safe return of our Troops to their families, and we send our very best to all. Pat and
Cec.
On 12/23/13 Cece writes "Greetings!
This Day my old rustic instrument moved to 88....two 8 balls or a good, round, even number. Last month Pat turned 85. In a couple weeks will be our 62nd Wedding Anniversary. Endangered species?
Again we are in combat. Been hacked? Erase...you what!!! Delete, no ,no, no!!! Blue screen, air medevac, Plan A and also B. No medals or even a TS Card.
Seasons Greetings to one and all. We especially wish you a Happy New Year to a good,in coming, even number, Year 2014.
Very best to you,"
Pat and Cec Nist
Update on Bob Snyder..He retired in 1971 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Bob then took a position as Mathematics Teacher in his old High School 1972. He obtained a Masters degree in
Mathematics from Indiana State University in 1975, and retired from teaching in 1987. Bob is now self employed as an Enrolled Agent, that is a self employed
tax accountant. Since 1989 he has earned professional credentials as Chartered Financial Underwriter and Enrolled Agent. He is a member of the Retired
Officers Association of Indiana and the West Point Society of Indiana. Bob and Mary Carolyn had two daughters, Linda VanOsdol of Brooklyn, Indiana and
Sheri Brosz of Huntington, Indiana. The two daughters have now given Bob four granddaughters. The March 1991 Assembly noted; "Bob and Mary Carolyn
traveled, enjoyed family and 4 grandchildren, each other, their lives and played golf between April and December as Bob's tax practice keeps him tied
down between January and April." Mary Carolyn died on February 23, 1996 after a two year battle with cancer. Since then Bob has devoted his time to travel
during the off tax season and traveled to Puerto Rico in 1996 where he visited with Quique Doval.
On November 21, 2012 Bob reports, "The Tax Practice
Linda is still working at the local nursing home just four blocks
from her home.
Jim, Sheri’s husband, had his first hip replacement on one hip
and his third hip replacement on one botched hip. Jim also
had a heart attack and had two stents inserted. Sheri keeps
busy with her tax practice in Huntington. She took her annual
cruise and the family became state campground hostesses’ in
Florida for four months.
April is becoming a internet sweepstakes expert. She has won a
trip to Boston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and VIP tickets to the
Kentucky Derby. Additionally, she has won an I-Pod and
numerous miscellaneous items.
April beIMG height=160 alt="" src="A-2 History_files/bob_s.jpg" width=150>
gan a new job in November. She is now working for Indiana
as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.
Christmas Newsletter 2012
The tax season was unusually challenging this year. IRS went to the Modern
Electronic Filing system and it blew up in their face. After two weeks, they
returned to the old Legacy system after their web site “Where’s my refund”
crashed. This was my last year as Site Coordinator. I can no longer do it
because of health reasons. Nevertheless, we filed 1006 Federal and State tax
returns, a six percent increase from last year.
Sheri had a successful season. She doubled her income. She did most of my
returns and increased her Huntington practice significantly.
The Girls
My Year
Caption describing picture or graphic.
I have stayed close to home this year. I have kept the local
library busy checking out three or four books a week. I still attend
the Beef and Boards seven times a year with April. Chloe, my
collie, keeps me company and busy. She is 11 year old and I am
84. I have never had a collie last more than 12 years and no one
in my family has lived beyond 84. So we are going out together.
I have a good life and my girls seem to be happy.
I can only wish you the same happiness this Christmas.
Have a safe and healthy 2013. Hope to send you a newsletter
next year—God Willing and the crick don’t rise." Bob
Update on Pete Thomas..After Korea Pete transferred to the Corps of Engineers and after obtaining an Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M in 1956. As an engineer he was assigned to the Army Combat Agency in 1957 where he served until 1961 when he resigned as Captain and went to work as a Manager for the Boeing Aerospace Company where he had responsibility for the construction of missile silos throughout the country. He retired in 1984 and now resides in Florida. Pete continued to do consulting work until 1988 when he took up full-time golf. The January 1991 Assembly noted that after his retirement from Boeing in 1984 and consulting in 1988, Pete and Betty Thomas located in Hernando, South of Ocala. Along with 8 grandchildren, Pete enjoys golf and music while Betty is active in golf, bridge and volunteer work.
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