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All of us who had the privilege of knowing and sharing life with <em>Erman M. Newman, Jr</em>. (nicknamed Mink) recognize that he always performed his official duties, and even his routine family support chores, in a manner fully consistent with his ideals of devotion to the Army and dedication to the service of his country.</p>
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Mink was born in El Paso, Texas, on 4 August 1932, the oldest of three sons of Anny Colonel Erman M. and Mae Adelma Newman. He grew up in the Army, and attended public schools in Texas and, from 1946-1948, the school for American dependents in Vienna, Austria. Even before high school, Mink aspired to be a career Anny officer; his plans included West Point.</p>
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Accordingly, upon graduation from Columbus High School (Georgia) in 1951, Mink enlisted in the Army and was accepted at the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School.</p>
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During the ensuing year, in addition to acquiring requisite academic skills, Mink started to date the lady who would eventually become his wife, Barbara A. Wolfert of Greenwich, Connecticut.</p>
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Although he received a second alternate appointment, Mink did not enter the Academy. Mink was not overly discouraged by this setback; rather, he gritted his teeth and tried again. He repeated his year at prep school, secured his appointment, and entered the Academy on 7 July 1953.</p>
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After Beast Barracks, Mink was assigned to Company C-2, reputedly the Corps’ toughest company for plebes. Nevertheless, due to his maturity and the skills he acquired at the prep school, Mink did not experience difficulties. He was elected class ring representative by his company classmates and received excellent leadership performance ratings.</p>
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Throughout his cadet years, Mink continued to skillfully balance his academic requirements, intramural sports demands, and military leadership duties. And he was always faithful in his love for Barbara; he never dated another girl.</p>
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On a weekend the class spent at Eglin Air Force Base during the summer of 1955, an incident occurred that illustrates Mink’s character and leadership potential. A group of seven classmates traveled to a nearby beach to go waterskiing. Mink was selected to be the first skier but the classmate operating the tow-boat didn’t know how to steer. No sooner had Mink risen out of the water when the boat, on a 270-degree turn, drove straight at him.</p>
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Mink’s face became terror-stricken, and he deftly somersaulted out of the skis just before the boat ran over the skis, slicing the rope. Mink did not become angry. He merely ensured that an experienced operator took over the controls and then courageously took his first turn at waterskiing without further interruption. Mink NEVER QUIT!</p>
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Mink was selected as a cow corporal and became Company Commander of C-2 for his entire first-class year at the Academy. He was an outstanding leader. However, he would still occasionally pop into our room, announcing that he was going to have his ears lowered (get a haircut); he never lost his sense of humor as he acquired additional responsibilities. During the fall semester, he was a member of the company’s intramural lacrosse team, which won the Brigade Championship. Ever the dedicated soldier, Mink realized another of his goals at the class’ branch drawing when he received his first choice, Infantry.</p>
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Mink and Barbara were married on Graduation Day, 4 June 1957, and thoroughly enjoyed the ensuing 60-day leave, followed by the Basic Infantry Officers Course.</p>
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During Ranger School, Mink’s arm was broken when the truck in which he was riding overturned. With his arm in a cast for four weeks, he was only set back for a brief period. He attended Airborne School, acquiring his Parachutist Badge, before completing Ranger training.</p>
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During his first assignment as a platoon leader with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, Mink’s battle group was alerted several times for movement to Lebanon, but never deployed. It was at Ft. Bragg that Mink’s and Barbara’s first son, Erman M. Ill, was bom on 26 October 1958.</p>
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In April 1960, Mink was one of many officers from Ft. Bragg and other posts sent to the Panama Canal Zone to form the 2nd Battle Group, 10th Infantry. Mink and his contemporaries had to leave their families in the States for four to five months. It was in Greenwich, Connecticut, that Barbara gave birth to James E., their second son, on 19 May 1960.</p>
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While in Panama, Mink served as a platoon leader, company XO, and staff officer with the 2nd Battle Group and, later, as company commander of the garrison company. With his family living at Ft. Clayton, Mink also tried his hand at deep sea fishing. His first daughter, Suzan A., was born here on 5 March 1963.</p>
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Later in 1963, Mink, Barbara, and family moved back to Ft. Benning, where Mink attended a radio communications course and the Advanced Course and remained for his next assignment with the Infantry Center. During these years, Mink became accustomed to bringing his two little sons with him to spend weekend days fishing at Victory Pond. These were happy years for the Newman family, and their second daughter, Sandra J., was born at Ft. Benning on 10 November 1964.</p>
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In February 1966, Mink attended the Ranger Adviser’s School at Ft. Bragg, and on 26 March 1966 commenced his assignment with the I Corps Ranger Advisory Team, Danang, Republic of Vietnam. Mink never questioned the validity of the Vietnam War; his country needed him and he responded. He fought the battles in a manner that brings honor to his country, his family, West Point, himself. He was promoted to major posthumously Barbara writes: “Mink’s dedication to the Army and his family was extraordinary.” Accordingly, we say: “Well done! Be thou at peace!”</p>