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James Edward Torrence
James Edward Torrence was born on 23 October 1932 in New York. He was appointed to West Point as a Qualified Alternate and entered on 3 July 1951. He was in Company K1, played lacrosse for four years and was a Cadet Captain and Company Commander his first class year. He graduated on 7 Jun 1955 and was commissioned in the US Army in the Infantry.
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In our last year at WP as Cadets, Jim Torrence and I tried to start a Mountain Climbing Club. The powers that were said no, so we started a special interest group for mountain climbing in the Ski Club -- that way we could get to use the special mountain equipment in the Ski Club's stuff. We never got to do a lot of climbing except close in rudimentary work on and around the campus.
In the 54-55 winter, we made a couple of forays to the rapelling cliff at Camp Buckner. We would draw rations at the Cadet Mess Hall (nothing but steaks!), pick up some equipment -- especially ropes, pitons, and D-rings at the Ski Club; then hike out in the snow to Buckner. After climbing up a mountain, we would spend the night in the snow after cooking some steaks on forked sticks over an open fire, then roll up in our ponchos and blankets for sleep in the snow. Next day, we would spend rapelling; then hike back to barracks.
When I was teaching at WP 62-65, my old Regimental CO Colonel Gleszer was a regimental TAC. He made sure the Mountain Climbing Club was organized separately and operating. (Also I taught mountain warfare techniques at Buckner in the Summer working with Jim Eddins.) I believe the Mountain Climbing Club is still going strong.
Jim Ryan
22 FEB 2011
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Wall of Faces
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Vietnam Virtual Wall
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James Edward Torrence
LTC James Edward Torrence, Vietnam Veteran, Born in West Point, New York.
LTC James Edward Torrence was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army, LTC Torrence served our country until May 18th, 1971 in Phong Dinh, South Vietnam. He was 38 years old and was married. It was reported that He was killed while a passenger in a helicopter crash. He was born in West Point, New York, on October 23rd, 1932. His body was recovered. LTC Torrence is on panel 3W, line 040 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for more than 16 years.
LTC Torrence was there at the battle of Ap Bac in 1963 as an adviser to ARVN forces in their first battlefield encounter with enemy forces. As noted in the histories of that battle, he distinguished himself, just as he did years later, on his second tour in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, where he was killed in action. LTC Torrence exemplified all those qualities of a great leader: intellect, courage, leadership, compassion for all of humankind, and dedication to his country. Those of us privileged to have known him and to have served with him salute him and will never forget him.
He is the Husband of Mrs Mabel M Torrence, 117 East Willow Street, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013. He is the Son of Col James F Torrence Jr(ret) and Mrs Dorothy Marion Semmence Torrence, 7211 Bybrook Lane, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20015.
LTC James Edward Torrence served as a Lieutenant Colonel with Advisory Team 96, Military Assistance Command Vietnam, Military Assistance Command Vietnam Advisors, Army of the United States.
He was awarded The Legion of Merit, The Bronze Star Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, The Purple Heart Medal, The Expert Infantryman's Badge(EIB) and the Combat Infantryman's Badge, The Air Medal, The Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, The National Defense Service Medal(s), The Army Occupation Medal, The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Vietnam Campaign Medal, The Vietnamese Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and the Senior Parachutist's Badge.
Birth: Oct. 23, 1932
West Point, New York, USA
Death: May 18, 1971, Vietnam
Parents:
James F Torrence (1900 - 1972)
Dorothy Marion Semmence Torrence (1902 - 1991)
Burial: United States Military Academy Post Cemetery
West Point, New York, USA
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