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<em>Tom Emerson</em> was born in St. Joseph, MO, and died in the Republic of Vietnam. In between, he did a heap of living along life’s highway</p>
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Even though we remember Tom as an “Okie” (and Tom was proud of that), he spent his first 10 years in Missouri. His older sister, Camille, recalls that his red hair was apparent from day one, as was his devilish spirit.</p>
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He spent great years climbing to the tree house he built, racing the soapbox derby car he designed, at­tending elementary school, and starring in a role in an educational movie about Tom Sawyer, a role he fit to a “T”.</p>
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It was after the family’s move to Oklahoma, while Tom was in high school, that he became in­terested in attending West Point. His German teacher, COL Caldwell, sparked this interest by spending most of his class time speaking about his own Army experiences. COL Caldwell appreciated Tom’s classroom abilities as well as his antics out­side of the classroom. One of the many pranks for which Tom is remembered in high school was en­couraging his male friends to dress as female cheerleaders and try out for the squad. Tom and his friends ended up talking to the principal about their inappropriate dress and cheer!</p>
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Following high school graduation, Tom spent a year at the University of Oklahoma in Norman awaiting his appointment to the Academy. It came in 1963, and Tom immediately fell into step at West Point.</p>
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He fit right in as a dedicated, hard-working, talented cadet—but with a twinkle in his eye. George Dials, Tom’s Beast Barracks roommate, re­called that Tom was more mature than most of his classmates and was held in high regard by them. George was one of Tom’s teammates on the 150-pound football team. Tom was strong, hard­hitting, aggressive, and smart. He did well but making weight was a problem, especially after Plebe year. Tom liked food more than football and settled back in Company A-l.</p>
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By the time Cow year rolled around and his move to Company B-l, Tom’s reputation as not only gifted but rambunctious was solidifying. There were rumors in the Tactical Department about a red-haired cadet traveling the underground heating tunnels and surfacing in the Ad­ministration Building. Although never proven, Tom told many tales about those trips. His Firstie year TAC, then-MAJ George Stapleton, recalls be­ing alerted by other officers to keep an eye on the clever fox. “Stapes” never knowingly had a prob­lem with Emo and developed a lot of respect for his enthusiasm, spirit, and ability to date some of the best-looking girls around.</p>
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He did well with academics, athletics, and espe­cially in escaping the long arm of the Tactical Department. His father had been in die horse cav­alry, and Tom followed in his footsteps by choos­ing Armor—really Cav—as his branch.</p>
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Following graduation leave and Ranger School, Tom attended the Armor Officer Basic Course at Ft. Knox. His first assignment was at Ft. Bragg. Former B-l classmate Bill Obley and his wife Joan were nearby Bill remembers Tom’s enthusiasm for active duty and his endless appetite for good, home-cooked meals.</p>
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Tom was reassigned to the 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam as pla­toon leader of 2d Platoon, A Troop. In February 1969, he sent his last letter to his sister, filling her in on his situation and heaping praises on his brand new red-haired niece. He liked his job. His letter was reassuring, with a message that things were fine and not to worry: Nevertheless, sisters, moms, dads, and friends did. Aside from worry, classmates carried an eerie, foreboding feeling about their brother-in-arms. Late-night phone calls were worrisome. Mike Hood remembers the phone ringing in his Ft. Benning apartment at 3 a.m. Peggy Stapleton, the TAC’s wife, was on the other end. “Is it Emo?”</p>
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“Yes.” Hood hung up.</p>
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When Ranger Hale heard of the circumstances of Emo’s death, he remarked that Tom died as he lived—charging hard. His posthumous Silver Star citation read, “LT Emerson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 24 Mar 1969 on a reconnaissance mission in Quang Tri Prov­ince. After his unit became heavily engaged with a large, well-entrenched enemy force, LT Emerson courageously led his men in an assault against the hostile emplacements. Maneuvering through in­tense enemy fire, he repeatedly exposed himself to the fusillade to direct his men and personally fire against the enemy. Although seriously wounded during the assault, he continued to lead his men until the enemy had been forced to retreat, but then he succumbed to the wounds he received.”</p>
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Time passes, memories fade, but things happen that spur thoughts of old friends. Kirk Alford re­members that, as roommates, we mixed up our gear on occasion. He has one of Emo’s coat hangers with his handwritten name on it. Every few years he comes across it in his closet, and the memories come rushing back.</p>
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We all have our enduring images of old bud­dies. Andy Komblevitz commented, “Tom, the square-jawed Oklahoman, looked and acted like a leader. When I watched James Garner, a fellow Oklahoman, on television, I always thought of Tom. They both carried themselves so well. When it came time to be serious, they performed. True cowboys. You could count on them. True friends. They just never let you down. It wasn’t their way”</p>
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<em>John Severson, Ron Naples, and a host of people who enjoyed their journey down life’s highway with their friend Tom</em></p>