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<div>The seasons have come full circle since the death of Major <em>Arthur George Bonifas.</em> On many occasions during the past months, I have taken pen in hand, attempting to write this memorial to Art—a fellow officer, a classmate, a friend. And, over and over I have failed, blocked by deep grief and a lingering sense of bitterness.</div>
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<div>Death can be accepted and comprehended if it brings physical peace and relief at the end of a long and rich life. But when premature and unwarranted, death cannot be rationalized nor ever really accepted. Thus it was—and is—in this case. Despite the profound finality of it all, believing he is gone is so very difficult...</div>
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<div>In late August of 1976, Art Bonifas was expected to return home from his tour of duty as Company Commander and Security Officer of the Joint Security Agency in Panmunjom, Korea. With his homecoming only a week away, Marcia and children—Beth, Brian and Megan—were joyfully anticipating being together as a family once again. Homecoming parties had been planned; orders were on hand for his next assignment; a new home had been bought in Savannah, Georgia. The "homecoming” did occur, but not as anyone could have foreseen. Murdered by North Korean soldiers on the 18th of August, Art did come home—to be interred in the West Point Cemetery, honored by the Nation and mourned by his friends.</div>
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<div>For those of us who endured those days in late August of 1976, certain memories will never fade—the Bonifas children, aware but not really comprehending; Marcia, outwardly strong and full of faith while inwardly suffering so greatly; classmates, trying, but failing, to choke down their tears; a flag, folded and given as the notes of Taps echoed through the late summer air. But fortunately, there are other memories, equally indelible, but far more joyous. Though we shall miss his warm smile and his presence, Art will be with us always in spirit.</div>
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<div>Lengthy obituaries are concomitant upon a lengthy life. Hence, the "facts" of Art’s life consume few lines of print...</div>
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<div>Born in Omaha, Nebraska, on 22 April 1943 as the son of Raymond and Thelma Bonifas, he entered the United States Military Academy in July 1962, following graduation from Creighton Prep and one year at Creighton University. While at West Point, he was active in the water polo and scuba clubs, and served as a cadet lieutenant. The 1966 <em>HOWITZER</em> remembers him succinctly but aptly as "soft spoken, mild mannered, easy going.” After Airborne and Ranger schools, there followed a series of successful assignments—battery commander in the 2d Battalion, 10th Artillery (Fort Benning), battery commander and assistant S3 with the 5th Battalion, 16th Artillery (Republic of Vietnam), the Artillery Advanced Course (Fort Sill), graduate schooling at Syracuse University, faculty of the Mathematics Department (United States Military Academy), and his ill-fated—and final—assignment with the United Nations Command in Korea.</div>
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<div>In those relatively few years though, Art knew and experienced a fullness of life that many of us search for yet never achieve. It was that richness of experience which he treasured most and which he used to measure the "success of his own existence."</div>
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<div>While acknowledging the years that went before, Art was fond of noting that his real life began with his courtship and marriage of Marcia. They met in the spring of his plebe year and were married on 29 April 1967. In the years that followed, Art and Marcia were partners as well as man and wife. The real milestones in their existence were the birth of their children—Beth, at Fort Benning; Brian, at the Artillery Advanced Course; and Megan, at West Point. Together, they forged a life in the richest sense, one whose love and warmth extended far beyond their immediate household, touching and enriching the lives of all they met.</div>
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<div>For Art, the foci of his life were his family, his God, his profession and his friends. As a husband, Art was tender and loving, possessed of an extraordinary ability to counsel and encourage. His life reflected his personal belief that strong family bonds must be the foundation of a healthy society. As a Christian, Art was devout and prayerful, quietly preaching his religious convictions by his example. As a soldier, Art was a stalwart member of the Long Gray Line, loyal and steadfast to its motto, "Duty, Honor, Country." As a man, Art was dignified, honest, friendly and without pretense. Few ever gave as freely to others of their time and love as did he; fewer still ever had a wider circle of friends.</div>
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<div>In his final birthday message to the Corps of Cadets, General Douglas MacArthur extolled four virtues as paramount—intelligence, courage, tolerance and balance. It can be truly said that Art possessed each in full measure.</div>
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<div>His mind was keen and discerning, honed by conscientious application to his studies. Yet, for Art, knowledge existed not to be hoarded or flaunted, but as a vehicle for the growth of his students. His courage was quiet, pervasive and deep; it was reflected not only physically, but spiritually as well. Never given to bravado nor the taking of unnecessary risks, he was nevertheless willing to put his life on the line for what he believed in, his principles his fellowman. He was tolerant of others and, though subjected to life’s frustrations, he was never petty or vindictive. Aware of his own shortcomings, he was patient and compassionate with others. Above all, he possessed a uniquely balanced perspective of himself, and his relationship with his life, his family and his God. Clearly defined and absolute, his values were never subject to compromise for the sake of expediency. Despite stress and pressure, he always remained calm in attitude and unwavering in his ideals and beliefs.</div>
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<div>Arthur Bonifas passed through our lives in all too short a time, but he touched us deeply. To all of us his death brought profound sorrow, to some of us, such as myself, his death engendered a thorough reassessment and redirection of our own lives as well. In August of 1976, we cried openly; even today it is hard to remember without crying inwardly.</div>
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<div>The greatest tribute that can be given to any man is friendship which transcends death. In 1966, the <em>HOWITZER </em>also noted that "the people whose respect and friendship Art hasn&#39;t captured yet are simply those who haven’t met him." Between then and the time of his death, Art met many people, and the numbers of those who were proud to be counted as his friends increased many fold.</div>
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<div>On 11 November 1976, some of those friends gathered in the Superintendent’s Conference Room at West Point, the very same room in which Art had been sworn in as a second lieutenant ten years earlier. This time, however, the assembly was to mark the end of a career rather than a beginning. In presenting to Marcia a collection of sympathy tetters from the Korean people. General Richard Stilwell (Commander in Chief, United Nations Command) read the following words which he had inscribed thereon;</div>
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<div>This volume tries to express the genuine sorrow and outrage—and, at the same time, the profound appreciation—of the Korean people. They will never forget the supreme price your beloved husband paid for their country. Nor will they forget the lasting impact of Art’s loss on your family and you.</div>
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<div>These letters come from all sectors. They were penned, for the most part, by those occupying the highest ranks of government, of the military, of the church. But I know at first hand that they reflect the sentiments of all Korean citizens. The little men on the streets have told me so.</div>
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<div>Art Bonifas will always be a hero in the eyes of Americans and Koreans—and especially mine.</div>
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<div>To that, there is little that can be added, except—"Art, we shall miss you. Rest in peace.”</div>
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<div><em>—Major Jim Gardner, USAR Class of 1966</em></div>
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