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“Ever since attending the West Point graduation ceremony for my cousin, Jack Woodmansee, Class of ’56, it has been my fond hope to follow in his footsteps. As I grew older, West Point came to mean much more to me than ceremonies and parades. It symbolizes to me a sanctuary where the long-lost traditions of honesty, bravery and service are maintained and cultivated. The bravery, of the constitutional fathers and the acts of courage and sacrifice that formed our nation are embodied in West Point.”</p>
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<em>Paul Coburn Sawtelle</em> wrote the paragraph above on 26 Jul 1965—after achieving his nine-year dream by entering West Point as a member of the Class of ’69.</p>
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Paul was born in 1946 in Memphis, TN, to Margaret Woodmansee Sawtelle and George Coburn Sawtelle. Along with his younger sisters, Jan and Suzi, Paul knew the joy of unconditional family love every day of his life.</p>
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Paul recognized his destiny to attend West Point at nine years of age, and he started preparing immediately. He excelled at Hicksville Senior High School, where he was the youngest person in his class. He graduated in the top 20% of his class of 609 students in June 1963.</p>
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When Paul graduated from high school, he was too young to enter West Point, so he enrolled in the Sullivan Preparatory School in Washington, DC, where he graduated number one in his class.</p>
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Paul’s dream came true when he entered West Point. The next four years saw him blossom into a young man who was a gift to us all.</p>
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Paul thrived on cadet life. He was a member of Company E-2 and later, G-2. He was a leader in the Christian Science Organization, the Academy Exchange Committee, First Captain’s Forum, Parachute Club, Rabble Rousers and Hop Managers. Paul’s most cherished leadership achievement was being appointed Executive Officer of the 2d Regiment for two of three details as a First Classman. Paul wore those five stripes proudly and was as fond of saying, “handsomely” as well. At 6' 1" and 170 pounds, with dazzling blue eyes, Paul was a walking West Point recruiting poster. It surprised no one that he selected Infantry and volunteered for Viet Nam.</p>
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The best way to capture Paul’s profound impact on his friends is by quoting from a few of the recent email messages sent to Paul’s sister, Jan M. Rickey.</p>
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K.C. Brown, in Paul’s company at USMA and in a sister battalion in Viet Nam, wrote, “Paul is forever in our memories. His loss leaves a void in our ranks.”</p>
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Joe McCarville visited Paul twice in Viet Nam: “Paul’s death was one of the great tragedies of the war. I can assure you the soldiers with whom he served were well aware of what a great man he was.”</p>
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Cor Westerhoff knew Paul well from having classes together: “Albeit, none of us walk this earth as perfect creatures, but some are less imperfect than others. Such was the character and soul of your brother. Whatever the purpose of his too-brief sojourn here, I have no doubt it was wonderfully achieved.”</p>
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Moon Mullen was very close to Paul. He wrote: “My time with Paul was too short—often intense—and still held dear through AOT, IOBC, Ranger School at Ft. Bragg, as we readied for Viet Nam in the same battalion in-country, and finally, in a silent farewell at his interment.</p>
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Paul was the ultimate friend— always selfless and never demanding, always supportive and never critical, always up and never down. He was the epitome of the quiet professional, a leader by example, respected by all, proud but without an ego. Greatness was his, although time was not, yet ours is the benefit still.”</p>
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Paul’s one true love came as he lived his life—with speed, depth, intensity, and devotion. After a romance of two weeks, Paul was engaged to Donna M. Quinn just days before leaving for Jungle School and Viet Nam. Paul’s letters to family and friends from Viet Nam spoke constantly of his total immersion in Donna and in their love.</p>
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Tragically for Donna, Paul, his family, and for all of us who had fallen in love with him and his dreams, Paul Coburn Sawtelle was killed in action in Viet Nam.</p>
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Paul’s Viet Nam tour began in August 1970. His initial assignment was with D Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), but his aim was to join the elite—the Rangers. After three months, he jubilantly joined L Company, 75th Infantry (Ranger), 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) as a platoon leader.</p>
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On 16 Apr 1971, Paul and his Rangers were ordered to set up an ambush along a jungle trail in the A Shau Valley. As the enemy point man entered the area, he apparently sensed that something was amiss and wildly sprayed the area with his automatic weapon. Paul was hit in this initial burst of fire and died instantly.</p>
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Classmates, family, and friends from around the world flocked, heartbroken, to West Point, to say goodbye to our beloved Paul. Graveside services were conducted in the West Point Cemetery. As Paul would have wanted, in lieu of flowers, donations were sent to the Fund for Christian Scientist Activities for Armed Service Personnel. He was posthumously promoted to captain as of 15 Apr 1971.</p>
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Paul’s West Point ring is in the Cadet Library, on commemorative display as the Class of ’69 Donor Ring in the Library’s Memorial Class Ring exhibit.</p>
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Paul had so much to give, and he gave it all—much too soon. His favorite parts of the “Cadet Prayer” aptly capture his character: “Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Endow us with a courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, and which scorns compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy.”</p>
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Rest well, son, brother, fiance, cousin, classmate, friend. We know that you are enjoying the company of little sister Suzi, many of our classmates, and of the Lord you loved so much. We miss you.</p>
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<em>Vince Corica ’69, with help from Paul’s family and friends</em><br />
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