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<em>John Cruickshank Pearson</em> was born in Roundup, MT, the son of Dr. Joseph E. and Lillie Violet Cruickshank Pearson. His father, a dentist, served in India with the Army Medical Corps during WWII until a heart attack forced his retirement as a lieutenant colonel. John’s family, including his younger sister Enid, subsequently moved to Albuquerque, NM. John later graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute at Roswell, NM, and attended the University of New Mexico for two years before being appointed to West Point.</p>
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On a hot 3 Jul 1951, John and his new classmates of just a few hours were sworn in at Trophy Point as New Cadets. Two months later, having successfully survived the rigors of Beast Barracks, John shed that title for “Cadet” and was assigned to Company A, 1st Regiment. During Plebe year, he wisely focused on aca­demics, allowing himself only skeet shooting for relaxation. Having gained confidence, he later found enjoyment in golf, photography, fishing, the French Club, the Dialectic Society and the <em>Pointer</em> staff. The <em>Howitzer</em> has this to say of him: “John, our Old Reliable, or Old Man, is an old pro at West Point customs. His ‘tin school’ background caused him to be a Plebe Prodigy. Though no natural ‘hive,’ his application to the system has enabled him to stand high not only in Academics, but in his classmates’ regard for his ability.”</p>
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During the summer of Yearling year, John met Marjorie Bliss, known as “Marge,” and they “dragged” frequently until graduation. She, however, saw little of him during foot­ball season because he was busy in the press box taking game pictures. Marge visited our rock-bound highland home from her college outside Boston with a friend who eventually married a member of the Class of 1956, a companymate of John’s.</p>
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On 7 Jun 1955, John graduated close to the upper third of his class and was commis­sioned in the Artillery. Several days later, on 11 June, John and Marge were married in New Canaan, CT. Their honeymoon was a trip from Connecticut to his family’s home in Albuquerque, en route to basic officer training at Ft. Bliss, TX. Following Airborne school at Ft. Benning, GA, his first unit assignment was with the 1st Guided Missile Brigade, again at Ft. Bliss, after which he spent a few months at Ft. Sill, OK, for artillery cross-training.</p>
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In 1959, the Army sent John to the University of Illinois at Champaign for post­graduate schooling. While there, he and Marge, seeking the joy and fulfillment of parenthood, adopted a son, David, at The Cradle agency in Evanston. In 1961, John received his mas­ter’s degree in chemistry and transferred to the Chemical Corps. That same year, he was among the first officers in his class selected to teach at West Point. He returned to teach chemistry in the Department of Physics and Chemistry. On the family side, John and Marge adopted their daughter Pamela from The Cradle while sta­tioned at West Point. Somewhat faded memo­ries seem to recollect that John may have had the opportunity to remain on the Academy fac­ulty but rejected that possibility because he had not joined the Army to teach!</p>
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Departing West Point in 1964, he re­ported to the Army’s Combat Development Command at Ft. McClellan, AL, for a year. He subsequently went to Headquarters, Arctic Test Center, Ft. Greely, AK, where he served as liaison between the Center and Ft. Douglas, UT. This latter tour was cut short when he re­ceived orders for Viet Nam. After a brief stay at Ft. Hood, TX, he served with the 29th General Support Group in Viet Nam from 1966 to 1967. He and his family, which had relocated to San Antonio, TX, sent many tapes back and forth to keep close to each other dur­ing their year of separation.</p>
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John then returned to the United States and to Ft. McClellan. He successfully un­derwent relatively minor surgery but died tragically on 17 May 1968, shortly after un­dergoing a second, identical procedure. The immediate cause of death was endotoxic shock and cardiac arrest due to septicemia and acute meningitis.</p>
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John was a wonderful and devoted hus­band and father. At the time of his death, son David was in second grade and daughter Pam was in pre-kindergarten, so, sadly, they nev­er really knew him. Today, he would be very proud of them and their many achievements, including the wonderful five grandchildren they have given to Marge.</p>
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The Army was John’s life, and he always tried to do his best at whatever he was asked to do. He had been selected for early promotions and was promoted posthumously to lieuten­ant colonel. At the time of his death, John was enrolled by correspondence at the Command and General Staff College, and he had received outstanding grades for his work. John was in­deed led by principles learned at West Point and was always faithful to them.</p>
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Marge has remarried and lives happily in Maryland. She still maintains ties with several of John’s classmates and other friends, and she has fond memories of life as an Army wife.</p>
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<em>Family and a classmate</em></p>