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Dear <em>Stanley “Scotty” Scott</em>, This is a letter long overdue and perhaps, one might say, not necessary in view of the heading. However, you live on in my memory jogged by a scar along the in­side of my right arm, courtesy of your enthusiastic epee, and my only quasi-war wound. As “wives” for 4 years, we had much in common, both being Army Brats, Eagle Scouts, en­tering USMA via Service Schools, and with complemen­tary interests and ambitions. One remembers important events, such as getting caught with a radio in our room (just the act, not the punishment) and Graduation Ride, where we stood on horses instead of sitting and vaulted from one to the other. In the pag­eantry of football, your classmates can empathize with your halftime performances as the mule-rider of “Poncho.” Our bonding in those halcyon days could not have been better and promised to grow through the years. As it happened, you did not stay around long enough for us to reminisce about the good old days and to moan that the Corps has.</p>
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After graduation we, understandably, lost track of each other—although, occasionally, news of your progress came from your parents. Like most of us at that stage in our lives, you were involved in coping with a new career with promotions opening vistas of unexpected responsibilities. Who would have expected to be a major in little more than 3 years? During this critical time, you were assigned to the 17th Field Artillery Observation Battalion as Executive Officer in its training, trans­ferred to England and finally to combat in Normandy In this crucible, your commanding of­ficer wrote, “MAJ Scott, with tireless energy and total disregard for his own safety reconnoitered the entire front of the *****Corps, usually within a few hundred yards of the enemy infantry” And so you fell! For this you were awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action. It was presented to your mother in a ceremony at Washington, DC, on 10 Feb 1945.</p>
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In retrospect, this abrupt end to a promising ca­reer was not surprising in view of your training. Consider the advice of your father (Class of ‘16) when he said, “You are training yourself to be­come a man upon whom your government can rely in times of emergency”</p>
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Also, “Don’t let the routine and humdrum of cadet life destroy the romance of your profession.” And again, “Remember what I said. Be calm and confident. If you are, you will never lose your head, never show off, never fail.”</p>
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This family ethic also is reflected in the pride your mother expressed, upon hearing that a soldier under your command respected and liked you, when she wrote, “That made me prouder than such a remark made from your colonel.”</p>
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You are survived by two brothers, both in Texas, who have contributed to my knowledge of your family. Gilbert ‘52 was 13 at the time both you and your father were overseas, you in England and he in the Persian Gulf. Gil recalls that, in your concern for the family you charged him to be “the man of the house” and, further, that it was his duty to take care of his mother while the family men were at war for the country</p>
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It was a task that he took seriously Bill was im­pressed by your determination to be the best, as evidenced by your goal to earn all of the 55 Merit Badges offered by the Boy Scouts at that time and by the fact that you achieved 42, double the num­ber required for Eagle Scout.</p>
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You remember the painful requirement to write each other’s mini-bio for our <em>Howitzer</em><em>.</em> Mine was all too prophetic when I opined that you were “Ac­tive courageous—a true soldier.” They say that the gods of war, if they exist, are partial to the young, the adventuresome, the courageous. If so, you fit, a true warrior exercising your craft through eter­nity. I prefer The Long Gray Line and, surely there is an active bulge where you have joined it.</p>
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It is my privilege to write this message to you and record a family so imbued with the military traditions and values that sacrifice appears normal. You were truly a son of a family who, in the real world, embody the West Point motto, “Duty Honor, Country”</p>
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<em>Al Evans ‘39</em></p>