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Vietnam War casualties have cut deeply into the Class of 1966. Now as this war continues, the service of all of us is tempered by true personal commitment and sincere determination to advance this cause for which, already, a number of our classmates have gallantly given their lives. <em>Donald R. Judd</em> was killed in action in Vietnam on 22 June 1967, just a little more than a year after graduation.</p>
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Don was born on 11 April 1943, in Batavia, New York. He grew to maturity in the town of Alexander, New York, a small rural community just outside of Batavia. He graduated from Saint Mary's Elementary School and Notre Dame High School in Batavia, where he became well known for his football, basketball, and track endeavors. By his high school teammates, he is remembered as being a very determined, but always a very fair competitor, who continously looked out for the underclass members of the team. After graduation from Notre Dame High School, Don went on to attend Manlius Preparatory School where he learned the rudiments of military life and cultivated several friendships that were continued as fellow classmates at the Military Academy.</p>
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Don won his appointment to West Point from New York’s 39th Congressional District and joined the Class of 1966 on 2 July 1962. At the Academy Don was not the ideal cadet to the establishment, but for his classmates and friends he made many sacrifices to help many people. His witty remarks and congenial conversation made him popular with everyone he met. He despised pretense and hypocrisy, and his friendship was deep because he shared much with his friends. He enjoyed sports, particularly handball, squash, tennis, golf, and basketball. Plebe year he was a stalwart on the 150-pound football team but was too heavy to compete in subsequent years. It was the competition, the desire to be good, and the comradeship and respect won by battling a worthy opponent that inspired Don to excellence in sports.</p>
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Always, even while at the Academy, Don was his own man. He felt strong the need to excel, but he did so in his own manner. When not competing athletically, Don devoted much of his time to the extensive reading of all sorts of literature, for the knowledge and enjoyment of reading. As a result, his class standing was not the best, but for him he was gleaning the most from life in his own manner.</p>
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In his final year at the Academy, Don chose his branch as Infantry. He first reported to Fort Devens, Massachusetts, in August of 1966, where he learned that the unit he had intended to join was already deploying to Vietnam. At this time he volunteered for Vietnam hoping that he would join this unit over there. Next he successfully completed Airborne and Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and went on to join the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, where later he received orders assigning him to the 173d Airborne Brigade in Vietnam.</p>
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On 6 May 1967, Don married Mary Leahy, the girl he met during his Second Class year. The happy couple honeymooned in Nassau and then traveled about portions of the United States for several weeks while Don said goodbyes to his relatives and friends. On the 2d of June, Don left for Vietnam as a loving husband, devoted son, and eager young officer prepared to meet the challenge of the profession of arms, the profession in which he was now so happy.</p>
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In the 1966 HOWITZER, the inscription under Don's picture reads "When the chips are down, Don could always be counted on.” On the 22d of June 1967, in the hills around Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, the chips were down for Don and his rifle platoon. On that day Don and most of his men found the true meaning of “Duty, Honor, and Country.” Greatly outnumbered after going to the aid of another platoon, they held off for hours an estimated two battalions of North Vietnamese Regulars before they were overrun.</p>
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For his action on that final day Don was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. Knowing Don, it was easy to match him with his Silver Star citation. Exposing himself to enemy fire while bringing wounded men into the safety of the defensive perimeter...Being hit several times by enemy fire but still working to help his men...Moving from defensive position to position resupplying his men with ammunition while exposing himself to enemy fire...Finally, falling mortally wounded while bringing another wounded man to safety. This was the Don Judd we knew, the hard competitor possessing physical ability and stamina, a natural leader of men, and counted on when the chips were down.</p>
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We, who were close to Don, feel a deep sense of loss in his death. Don spent only 24 years on this earth, but during those 24 years he became many things to many people—adored husband, loving son and brother, devoted uncle, remarkable friend, professional soldier, and a gallant and courageous leader. We hope that his bereaved wife and parents will take solace in knowing that we of the Class of 1966 will never forget Don and our other classmates gone before us, who like Don, provide us with the constant reminder that the true greatness in a man is his capacity for self sacrifice in the service of his fellow man. Donald R. Judd made the greatest of all sacrifices. No greater love had a man than that he gave his life in defense of another man’s freedom.</p>