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Cullum: 36792
Class: '79
Cadet Company: H1
Date of Birth: June 29, 1957
Date of Death: May 30, 1989 - View or Post a Eulogy
To understand Lance, one must hear how he died. Lance was working as a reporter for "Soldier of Fortune" magazine. He was with the Karen guerrillas in Burma when he was injured by a stray mortar round. He died the next day from his wounds. To anyone who knew him, this did not come as either a surprising way for him to die or as an inappropriate way. It was totally fitting to Lance's personality and the way he chose to live his life.
Lance came to West Point from California. From the start of his time at the academy, Lance began acquiring a reputation. Unlike most of his peers, he had only one goal in life; to be a soldier and to live the life of the warrior. This may sound like an antiquated concept but it was one which Lance truly took to heart. He focused all of his energies towards this pursuit, to the exclusion of almost everything else. This attitude, combined with his uncompromising and sometimes bull-headed personality, made Lance stand out from almost everyone else at the academy. He was different, but did not care because he knew he was right. He believed in America, the flag, and the profession of arms. Some may associate such an attitude with various groups of "crazies" and amateurs who play soldier games on weekends and like to think of themselves as something they are not. That was not Lance. He was the genuine thing who was committed to his ideals and believed them with everything within him. He was also good at what he chose to do and dedicated himself to being better. He gave up much of his free time to such things as the Military Affairs Seminar and the Tactics Club, of which he was a founding member. He went to Air Assault school during a Spring Break and set a new school record there for the 12 mile rucksack march. He also became famous for doing a rucksack march on the West Point reservation during CATEGORY IV conditions, passing out, and being found by the Commandant. Such was the person who graduated and went to the "real Army" in June of 1979.
Lance in turn went to the 82d Airborne Division, 2d Ranger Battalion, and the 9th Infantry Division. The peace-time Army though could not hold him and so after five years he resigned and sought to find his own wars. His first move was to go to Afghanistan for six months. He was at this time on his own, without employment or sponsorship. Upon his return though he wrote several articles for "Soldier of Fortune" magazine and was hired on a permanent basis. Lance occasionally wrote under his own name but usually went by the name of Gene Scroft. He in turn then went to all of the wars of the world. He visited Lebanon, Honduras, Nicaragua, The Philippines, Guatemala, and any place else where there was action and a story to be told. From his writing though, one could tell that reporting was merely a means to an end. Lance was learning about the profession in the only way he could. He always went with the "good guys" though and spent a lot of his time training, teaching, and sometimes leading the soldiers he was with. He got as close as he could and in the course of his travels was wounded three times. He accepted the danger though and such a lifestyle is what eventually caught up with him.
What then to think of Lance Motley? He was an extremist, a fanatic even. He was also though completely honest and a friend who would break his back for you, for friendship and honor too were a part of his make-up. Although he made most people uncomfortable, he made no apologies for his attitude or actions. He believed and knew what was right. He was a patriot, soldier, and dedicated professional.
Probably nobody else could, or would want to be, like Lance. He was one-of-a-kind. Let us hope though that there is a part of Lance in anyone who wants to indeed be in the profession of arms and serve this country. For all of his extremism, one has to admire his patriotism, dedication, honesty, and motivations. He lived Duty, Honor, Country.
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Written by Greg Banner, '79