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Like the mountains of his native of Vermont, <em>Joseph Anthony Silva </em>was very strong and rock-solid. From his earliest days, Joe was a "quiet leader," one his teachers and coaches could single out as a model for fellow classmates to follow. That characteristic followed Joe from high school to West Point, to Viet Nam, where he lost his life in combat in September 1970.</p>
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Joe was born in 1946, the oldest of three children of Joseph and Frances Silva, in Rudand, VT. With his great love for the outdoors, he enjoyed skiing, golf, hunting, and fishing. Joe attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy, where he graduated with honors, was the class vice president, a Boy’s State representative, and a member of the National Honor Society. Joe played baseball and received All-State recognition as a football player on the Vermont State Championship teams his junior and senior years. Upon graduation from high school, Joe attended Norwich University for one year, but his real dream was to attend West Point and become an Army officer. That dream become reality when he received an at-large appointment from Vermont and entered West Point in July 1965, with the Class of’69.</p>
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After Beast Barracks, Joe was assigned to Company C-4. As classmate, Bob St. Onge, wrote, "Joe was a veteran plebe, having weathered a Rat year at Norwich. He knew how to get things done." As a cadet, Joe excelled in academics and was on the Dean’s List for three of our four years, graduating 165th in our class. He shared this knowledge, helping many classmates in French, math, engineering, and other academic endeavors. During the summer of our Cow year, Joe attended Airborne School— forgoing his summer leave for this more challenging endeavor. He received his jump wings in August 1967 and proudly wore them throughout the remainder ofhis cadet days. Joe participated in the Ski Club, Military Affairs Club, Outdoor Sportsman Club, and the Newman Forum, and was on the <em>Howitzer</em> staff. He was deeply religious and set an example of selfless help and support to those in need.</p>
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At 6’3" and 190 pounds, Joe was an impressive cadet. He had a rich sense of humor but, typically and true to form, let others take the lead in some cadet hijinks. This is not to suggest in any way that Joe did not participate, though! Quite the contrary, as he could always be found in the midst of the mischief that included such pranks as moving the C-4 Tactical Officer’s (the Air Force Liaison TAC) office furniture to the middle of North Area before the Army-Air Force football game.</p>
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During November of Firstie year, Joe met Margie Mihalek. In typical fashion, he quietly pursued and won Margie’s heart, yet few of his buddies knew the seriousness of the relationship or the love and respect for each other that Joe and Margie shared.</p>
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Upon graduation, Joe selected Infantry branch and volunteered for Viet Nam. As classmate Mike Taylor noted, "Joe was quiet, bright, utterly reliable, and trustworthy. I wasn’t surprised that Joe would have had the courage and sense of duty to be in the line of fire." He attended the Basic Course and Ranger Training at Ft. Benning and Jump Master Training at Ft. Bragg. Joe and Margie married in September 1969 in Columbus, GA.</p>
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Joe attended Jungle Training prior to departing for VietNam inAugust 1970. He was assigned as a platoon leader with E Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Almost immediately, Joe saw hostile action. He received the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy. Joe’s platoon came under heavy enemy fire from two hostile bunker positions. He courageously exposed himself to that fire while maneuvering his platoon to direct fire against the bunkers. His actions forced the enemy to withdraw. Since darkness was descending, Joe moved his platoon into a defensive perimeter and called for and adjusted artillery fire until dawn. At first light, Joe personally engaged and thwarted a probe of his position.</p>
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Tragically, on 26 Sep 1970, Joe was fatally wounded during an ambush. In one instant, the life of this quiet, strong, and rock-solid classmate was ended, and the lives of so many classmates and friends who knew and respected him were profoundly touched.</p>
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As fate would have it, Margie was pregnant. While Joe’s death deprived Margie of her best friend and loving husband, the birth of their son, Joseph, Jr., provided Margie and the world with a living model of the heroic father Joseph, Jr., would never meet.</p>
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Joe was initially interred in Rutland, VT, near his birthplace, but Margie moved him to the West Point Cemetery so he could rest among the many soldiers and quiet heroes that exemplify the true character of graduates.</p>