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<p><em>Robert W. “Bob” Arnold</em> was born to Berry and Elizabeth (Dewey) Arnold of Reading, MA. Graduating from Reading High School in June 1950, Bob, with the Korean War in its opening days, enlisted in the Air Force in July 1950. While serving in the Air Force in England in 1951 he became interested in pursuing a military career and decided to go “first class.” In 1951 Bob competed for and won an Air Force competitive appointment to West Point, followed shortly thereafter with a congressional alternate appointment from his congressman in Massachusetts. These orders transferred him to the USMA Preparatory School located at Stewart AFB, Newburgh, NY. In January 1952 Bob plunged into the remainder of the academic year leading up to the entrance exams. </p>
<p>Although rated “fully qualified” he received disappointing news of “no vacancy.” Bob again competed for an appointment to West Point and won both an Air Force and the coveted principal appointment from the 8th Congressional District in Massachusetts. Returning to the USMA Prep School, Bob was active in sports and, as a result of his “sparking” the 1952 USMA Prep School in football, he was written up in the Newburgh newspaper and christened with the nickname of “Sparky” by his classmates. His father often called him “Sparky” as a young boy, so this nickname meant even more to him. Bob’s endeavors to become a cadet reached their fulfillment on July 6, 1953 when he was sworn in as a new cadet. </p>
<p>The 1957 <em>Howitzer</em> notes: “Academics were no breeze for Bob, and he collected his share of battle scars. With perseverance, he came through victorious. A hand injury cut short his promising football career but the traits of determination and endurance he gained through the game have remained.” Graduating in June 1957, Bob was commissioned in the Air Defense Artillery, from which he transferred to the Chemical Corps in June 1960 so that he might specialize in the effects of nuclear weapons. Following the Chemical Officer Advanced Course, which he completed in May 1961, he studied nuclear engineering (effects) at the Naval Postgraduate School. This schooling led to an assignment as the Chemical Branch representative at the Air Defense School, Fort Bliss, TX, where he taught nuclear weapons employment (prefix 5) and NBC classes for the next two and a half years. After completion of the Special Warfare School at Fort Bragg, NC, in March 1964 Bob arrived in the Republic of Vietnam, where he initially served as an advisor before moving up to become a MACV J-3 chemical operations officer. </p>
<p>While serving in this position he worked closely with the political section of the U.S. Embassy and with the Vietnamese High Command planning and conducting chemical operations in RVN (the USAF Ranch Hand program for which he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and two Air Medals). As the buildup of U.S. forces in RVN continued to accelerate, he left MACV to become a chemical officer for Task Force Alfa (later named Field Force I). Bob returned CONUS in March 1966 and spent the next three years with the Combat Development Command (CDC) CBR Agency in Fort McClellan, AL. Then it was off to Germany and an assignment with the NATO Weapons Systems Department (SHAPE) at Oberammergau, Germany. </p>
<p>It was during this assignment that Bob met the woman who was to become his best friend and companion for the rest of his life. Bob and Elfriede (Margaret) moved to Bad Kreuznach, Germany upon his selection for promotion to lieutenant colonel, and he served the next two and a half years in what he considered to be the best assignment of his career, an Airborne slot as chemical officer, 8th Infantry Division (Airborne). During his assignment Bob earned his cherished German, bronze, Parachutist Badge and completed Command and General Staff College. </p>
<p>In the spring of 1972, Bob returned CONUS and was assigned to Headquarters, CDC INCS Group at Fort Belvoir, VA. This assignment was cut short by the consolidation of CDC with CONARC to form the new TRADOC command. Bob joined Army Readiness Region VI, Fort Knox, with his duty station in Columbus, OH as advisor to the 452d Support Group. This proved to be a very enjoyable assignment for Bob and Margaret, and they enjoyed their many friends and associated in the 83rd Army Reserve Command. </p>
<p>Over the years, Virginia Beach, VA had drawn Bob and Margaret for several vacations, so as Bob’s thoughts turned to retirement, he turned down an assignment with the XVIII Airborne Corps and accepted an assignment to TRADOC Headquarters, Fort Monroe, VA. Bob retired on December 31, 1976, and Virginia Beach gained two new citizens. Because of his interest in veterans and the service they had provided to our country, Bob became very active in the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and spent many years active in the DAV Virginia Beach Chapter 20. Bob and Margaret did not have any children together, but his daughters, Kimberley and Lisette, were very close to them, as was his great nephew Michael D. Meier Jr. and his wife, Melissa. From the poem “To Those I Love” by Isla Paschal Richardson, Bob would like to closeout his days on earth with us by saying to his Margaret: “You were so good to me! There are so many things I wanted to still do—so many things to say to you—Remember that I did not fear—It was just leaving you that was so hard to face. We cannot see Beyond—But this I know: I loved you so—’twas heaven here with you!”</p>
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