Mr. Bruce A. Ackerson
Cullum: 18293
Class: '51
Cadet Company: A1
Date of Birth: January 22, 1926
Date of Death: June 27, 2008 - View or Post a Eulogy
From the class of '51 50th reunion book:
Bruce A. Ackerson A-I
In June 1944, after high school, I voluntarily inducted myself into the U.S. Army - Inf. After basic training at Camp Wheeler, I went to OCS at Ft. Benning. Graduation was in Feb. 1945 and then it was off to Europe and WW II where I was awarded the CIB and Bronze Star. After my return from Europe, our division became part of the Strategic Reserve for the invasion of Japan. When the "Bomb" was dropped, that assignment was ended. The War Dept., not knowing what to do with a division floating around the Pacific Ocean, decided to send us to the, Philippine Islands to live in the rice paddies of Luzon. This turned out to be assignment, being selected to assist in the training and reorganization of the famed Philippine Scouts. It was a real honor to wear the Carabao patch on my shoulder. I returned to the States as a 1st Lt. (Reserve Status) and attended the Univ. of New Mexico to get my study habits back in order.
Shortly thereafter I received a Senatorial appointment to enter West Point. During my 4 years as a Cadet I had the honor of playing football for the "great" Red Blaik, making honorable mention All-American and Cadet Captain. My prior military service had an interesting impact upon my career. After graduation, and my first tour at "Benning School for Boys", I was sent to Trieste, Italy and not to Korea. The reason being that my last overseas tour had been the Philippines. After the Trieste crisis in 1952 between Italy and Yugoslavia, I was sent to Germany to be with the 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment as Executive Officer of a Tank Company; then Cdr of C Troop, and finally Regimental S-1.
After that tour it was back to West Point and off to Columbia U. for a Masters Degree and the Dept. of Tactics. This too, was a great experience, being S-3 in the Office of PE, because I felt I was making a meaningful contribution to the training of cadets. Along the way, I had changed branches and I was off to Ft. Knox to attend the Advanced Armor Course. After completion, I resigned my commission (after 16 years) for personal reasons. It was perhaps the most difficult decision I ever made. Guess I did all right though, retiring at age 62 after a successful career in the mutual fund industry as a Vice-Pres., Sales. My wife Jeanie is the pride and joy of my life and my best friend. She too was in the brokerage business as a co-owner of her firm. Today we are enjoying our retirement to the fullest with our children, grand and also great-grand children. In closing, let me say it has been a privilege and honor to be associated with the Class of 1951, which has contributed so greatly to the defense and economic strength of our nation.
BEAT NAVY! ! ! !
