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<p><em>Richard Allen “Rick” Metro</em> was born to John and Mary Metro on February 7, 1956 in Pittsburgh, PA. He spent many hours with his maternal grandmother listening to Pirates baseball games from her house next to Forbes Field. He was a member of the Gateway Senior High School rifle club and a volunteer fireman in Monroeville, PA. Following in the footsteps of his father, a World War II Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, Rick pursued his strong desire to serve his country and applied to West Point. He received an appointment to the “Proud and Great” Class of 1978 and entered USMA in July 1974.</p>
<p>As a plebe and yearling in Company I-1, Rick’s hard work and dedication to duty earned him a reputation as someone who always helped his classmates succeed and stay out of trouble with the company’s upperclassmen, who strictly enforced the Fourth Class System. He was a member of the German Club, an experience that later proved valuable during his assignment in Germany. When the class was shuffled in 1976, Rick moved to Company A-1. He was known for his vibrant personality and for having “the blustering facade of a striper maximus and the heart of a true gravy trainer.” Rick enjoyed simple pleasures like whiffleball with his classmates in Central Area in front of Pershing Barracks or resting on the balcony of his room, which looked out over the many visitors arriving at Grant Hall. He was also remembered for his resilience during challenging training exercises. As a cow and firstie, Rick served on the Military Tactics Committee, showcasing his expert field work and training of young cadets, a passion that would be a constant for the rest of his life. This commitment to duty caught the eye of his tactical officer, Major George Crocker ’62, who assigned Rick as A-1’s company commander during his firstie year. In this position, Rick literally led the Corps of Cadets during parades. </p>
<p>After graduation in June 1978, Rick embarked on a distinguished military career in the Military Police Corps, during which he earned a reputation for an unwavering commitment to service and education. After completing the MP Officer Basic Course, he was stationed at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Rick was then posted at Fort Campbell, KY, where he married his high school sweetheart, Lisa Jane Metro. Rick completed the MP Officer Advanced Course at Fort McClellan, AL and was then assigned to the National Capital Region. It was during that assignment that his first child, Beth Ann Metro, was born. Rick was then stationed in Stuttgart, Germany as the S-3 officer in charge for the 385th MP Battalion. He returned to the U.S. to attend the Armed Forces Staff College and then began his systems engineering master’s degree studies at the University of Virginia. It was during this time that his second child, William Scott Metro, was born. After graduation, Rick returned to USMA to teach in the Systems Engineering Department for three years. </p>
<p>During Rick’s West Point assignment, he was best remembered by many of his classmates for his outstanding support during class reunions and his sponsorship and care of all his classmates’ children who attended the academy. </p>
<p>Upon arriving at West Point, Rick found his way to his office, which had been relocated. His staff commented that it would have required FBI training to find the somewhat hidden location. Rick matter-of-factly mentioned that he was a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He was accomplished—no brag, just fact. </p>
<p>After West Point, Rick served as Schofield Barracks’ community commander in Hawaii for two years before returning to USMA to teach in the Systems Engineering Department for an additional four years. He impressed cadets with his personal philosophy of the importance of being “Regular Army” and always putting “steel on the target.”</p>
<p>Following his tour at West Point, Rick was stationed at Winchester, VA, working with the Corps of Engineers’ Trans-Atlantic Command to help establish security measures across the Middle East and Africa. He then returned to West Point one final time as its provost marshal, earning the Legion of Merit. </p>
<p>During a class reunion coinciding with this assignment, Rick prepared a special “behind-the-scenes” tour of Washington Hall, for which many classmates were forever grateful. He retired in 2005 after 27 years of honorable military service.</p>
<p>Rick remained at West Point after retirement and continued his commitment and service to USMA and the surrounding community as a Department of the Army civilian. He was the program assessment coordinator for the Department of Military Instruction at USMA for 15 years. He served on many committees at the Academy and worshipped at the Cadet Chapel. He was also a member of the NYS Fraternal Order of Police Mid-Hudson Lodge 188 and a Boy Scout Leader.</p>
<p>Rick died on February 22, 2021 at his home in New Windsor, NY. He was laid to rest at West Point, a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the institution and the values it represents. He is survived by his wife, Lisa; his son, William Metro and his wife, Allyson, of Carthage, NC; his daughter, Beth Metro of Cornwall, NY; and his sister, Gail Metro of Roanoke, VA.</p>
<p><em>— Beloved Wife, Lisa J. Metro</em></p>
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