<p>There are people who walk into a crowded room and immediately shout, “Here I am!” Then there are others who, being of a more humble and gracious nature, walk into a crowded room and say, “Ah, there you are!” Always the gentleman, <em>George Sebastian Speidel Jr.</em> was a “there you are” man, despite the fact that his lengthy list of achievements gave him ample reason to say, “Here I am!” During his remarkable life George served on General Patton’s Third Army staff, participated in the testing of atomic weaponry in the Bikini Islands, earned his Jump Wings, personally fired the one millionth 105mm artillery shell launched against DPRK forces in the Korean War, commanded the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery, became an assistant professor of mathematics at North Carolina State University, and found enough free time to play polo.<br />George was born and raised in Swissvale, PA and appointed to West Point in 1927. George adapted quickly to life at USMA. His participation in the 100th Night Show (as composer, musician, and singer) was a source of enjoyment and acclaim throughout his life. His camaraderie and loyalty endeared him to his classmates, especially those on the receiving end of George’s renowned sense of humor.<br />Upon graduation in June 1931, George married Olive (Tommie) Rinehart in the Cadet Chapel. The newly commissioned Field Artillery lieutenant and his bride were assigned to the 76th Field Artillery Regiment at the Presidio of Monterey, CA, where George added polo to his interests. Additional assignments took him to Schofield Barracks, HI, where his first son, George III, was born, and to West Point as a member of the Department of Natural Philosophy (mathematics and mechanics), where his second son, Richard, was born.<br />After serving in the Artillery School at Fort Sill, OK, as both instructor and assistant head of gunnery, George was promoted to lieutenant colonel and selected to attend CGSC. He then shipped out to the ETO, initially serving in the Office of the Chief of Transportation in London. George’s analytical and organizational skills, combined with his growing expertise in logistics, earned him a position on General Patton’s Third Army staff as deputy G4. Patton himself decorated George (LM, BSM) for designing, implementing, and maintaining the advance supply installations that enabled Third Army to make its rapid drive through France, culminating in Patton’s famous attack on the German left flank at Bastogne. Reading the citations on his awards, one gets the impression that George was almost single-handedly responsible for the defeat of the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge. For his efforts he also received the Croix de Guerre with palms for “…exceptional service in the war for the liberation of France.” <br />After World War II, George participated in Operation Crossbow, the testing of atomic weaponry in the Bikini Islands. Subsequent assignments included tours as both student and instructor at the Armed Forces Staff College, Jump School student at Fort Bragg, NC, and C/S, 82nd Airborne. <br />George’s devotion to his professional obligations was balanced by a jovial nature and an intense intellectual curiosity. In addition to his polo pursuits he developed interests in golf, coin collecting, and model railroading. His 150-square-foot, raised-platform model railroad was the talk of the Armed Forces Staff College. While at Fort Bragg, George and Tommie organized elaborate parties that became the social events of the post. <br />After serving as commandant of the Artillery School, George attended the Army War College. He was then assigned to Korea as XO, 2nd Division Artillery, and CO, 40th Division Artillery, where he personally pulled the lanyard on the one millionth 105mm round fired against North Korean forces. George completed his Korean assignment as C/S, KMAG, followed by a tour at the Pentagon as part of the Department of Manpower and Personnel. <br />George was promoted to brigadier general in 1957 during his next assignment as CO, 11th Airborne Division Artillery. Following that, he was ADC, 24th Infantry, then CO, VII Corps Artillery. George’s final assignment was at Fort Bragg as the Commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps (STRAC) Artillery, the role in which he finished his military career in 1961.<br />After his retirement George and Tommie moved to Durham, NC, where he earned his master’s degree in mathematics from Duke University. George accepted a position as assistant professor of mathematics at North Carolina State, where he was a much sought after instructor in beginning calculus. As the years at State passed George reduced his teaching load to take up grandparenting and extensive traveling. In 1990 George retired from NC State and continued his residence in Raleigh, where he died of cancer on March 24, 1994. His beloved wife Tommie preceded him in death by less than 30 days.<br />George’s life was characterized by organizational wizardry, intellectual strength and curiosity, and a sincere desire to help others achieve the skills necessary to carry out their life’s work. Always the gentleman, he treated others with kindness and respect, although he did not suffer fools or lack of effort. He and Tommie formed a formidable team for the promotion of the right stuff for West Point, the Army, and NCSU, proudly and admirably continuing the tradition of “Duty, Honor, Country.”<br />George is survived by his two sons, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.<br /><em>— His Sons</em></p>