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<em>HAROLD P. KINDLEBERGER </em>was born on 31 October 1940 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1948, the family moved to El Paso, Texas, where we all lived until leaving for school or the military. Butch, his nickname for as long as I can remember, left for the Army before Iwas in high school. According to Al Carver, “KB decided early in life that West Point and an Army career were what he wanted. When we were in high school together, we traveled about 100 miles from El Paso in the wee hours of the morning to hunt ducks. On one of these hunts, KB mentioned that from the earliest days of his youth he aspired to attend West Point.”</p>
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While in high school, KB began to prepare for a service career. He excelled in ROTC, achieving the highest rank attainable. He looked the soldier; his bearing was ramrod straight. He was a fierce competitor, succeeding in all that he did. Typical of his performance was the touchdown-killing interception of a pass reported in the <em>El Paso Times</em>. During his senior year, he scored the winning touchdown in the first victory in Burgess High School history. ROTC was a very important part of his high school years and, in addition to being the top cadet at Burgess, he was selected as cadet colonel for all of El Paso. He received a third alternate appointment from Senator Rutherford. That was too far down for selection, though, so he joined the regular Army. During that time, he wrote again to the senator, receiving confirmation that all his appointments were committed; however, the senator offered testing for the Naval Academy. Once again he was selected as a third alternate.</p>
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Now a PFC, KB was sent to Germany, and, after only two days, was notified that he was being sent to Maryland to attend the Naval Academy Prep School. It seems that he endured severe harassment since he wore the Army Green. KB had a sight problem which would require a waiver. His mother recounts that he was notified by a Naval officer that he was accepted to the Naval Academy subject to the approval of the waivers. KB replied, “No sir, never mind the waiver. I will remain a soldier.” Shortly afterward, he was accepted to the USMA Prep School at Ft. Belvoir. He loved West Point; it was his life. General MacArthur always had a special place in KB’s heart. He met him later and carried the general’s flag at his funeral.</p>
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Our Dad had an old Dodge in the backyard in El Paso. I never remember it running, but Butch and I spent many afternoons “driving it around, perhaps planting the seed for the Corvette he would purchase upon graduation. Our favorite pastime during the holidays was taking turns emptying the whipped cream cones. We always got into trouble, but it was too good to resist.</p>
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I went into the Marine Corps in 1963, coming home after boot camp later that year. Butch was home from West Point on leave and a little bit of rivalry existed. I thought I was pretty tough, besides being bigger than KB. I was firmly entenched in Marine Corps doctrine. He kicked my butt all over the front yard—my mom yelling at him not to hurt me contributed to my embarrassment. He spent most of the time laughing; I spent most of my time on the ground. Upon graduation, he bought his Corvette and did some sightseeing across the US. He must have been stopped several times for speeding. In Arizona, he was stopped by a patrolman. Upon learning that he had just graduated from West Point, the officer let him continue on to his destination, on the condition that he see the justice of the peace and pay his fine en route. No question that KB would comply.</p>
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In August 1964, KB came out to El Toro, California, where I was stationed. He was to report for Airborne and Ranger schools for five months. He offered me the use of his Corvette during the time he was gone. We drove to Las Vegas, then to El Paso where I dropped him off. I headed back to El Toro, a 19-year-old PFC with a new Corvette and my brother’s gas credit card.</p>
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In 1965 KB was my best man when I married my wife of now-28 years. We both were in our uniforms, he the Army second lieutenant and I the Marine corporal. I was proud to stand beside him. KB went to the 101st Airborne Division, which he dearly loved. Unfortunately the 101st wasn’t yet going to Vietnam, and he felt that he had to. He transferred to the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, preparing to deploy to Vietnam.</p>
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KB came to El Toro on the way to Travis Air Force Base en route to Vietnam. After spending a night or two with my wife and me, we drove him to Travis. The evening we arrived at Travis, we decided to have a farewell drink. Standing in front of the O’ Club, both in civvies, we wouldn’t have had any problem, except for the fact that he knew I was enlisted. He wouldn’t break the rules. It was either right or wrong with KB. No compromises. He always kept his word. I never dreamed that I would never see him again.</p>
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Growing up, Butch and I had different interests, friends and directions. However, he was always there to help me. He was a homebody, a stable force. He taught me a lot.</p>
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Duty, Honor, Country. Not just words with KB. They <em>were </em>KB. KB was the 2d Regiment commander while he was a cadet. He was killed in action on 11 May 1966, serving the country that he loved so much.</p>
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<em>Jim Kindleberger, Al Carver, family and classmates</em></p>