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<em>Roy Herte</em> was born in Brooklyn, New York and spent his entire younger life on Long Island. He enlisted for the purpose of going to West Point and entered the Academy in 1921 on an appointment from the Army. His cadet years were normal, happy ones although he stubbed his toe in math and was turned back to the Class of 1926 with which he graduated. He was a member of the Rifle Team and was a constant participant in the annual Indoor Meet in which he excelled as a runner. His most prestigious office was as a member of the Cadet Honor Committee. His most amazing accomplishment-achieved by very few-was to go through his entire cadet career without ever serving a period of confinement nor walking a tour on the area. His happiest moments were on dates with Else Klein, a hometown girlfriend.</p>
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Roy was commissioned in the Infantry and his first assignment was at Fort Douglas, Utah. While he was stationed there, he proposed to Else by mail and she accepted. Their first child, Roy, Jr., arrived the following year. After a tour in Panama, Roy was assigned to Governor’s Island where Ellen was born. Normal Infantry assignments followed, including a tour of duty with the 35th Infantry in Hawaii. While serving at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, World War II broke out and Roy was sent to Europe with the 318th Infantry of the 80th Division. He was captured by the Germans and spent 9 months as a POW. For his war service, he was decorated with the Bronze Star with V and received the Award for Valor from the Norwegian government.</p>
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Normal stateside duty followed, culminating with his assignment to the 1802d Special Regiment at West Point in 1951. In the Class of 1926 booklet, published for their 25th Reunion, is this statement: “Roy is one of the distinguished members of the Class who has acquired a silver mane without the corresponding wrinkles of age.” Roy completed his active career as commanding officer of the 1802d at West Point. He was on duty there for the graduation of their son in 1951, as well as for the marriage of their daughter to John Schick of the Class of 1955.</p>
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Else and Roy moved to nearby Cornwall-on-Hudson following his retirement and established a picturesque home on the end of a shaded street, where they lived for more than 30 years. Roy commented to a classmate, “Based on hours spent in building, painting, fixing, cleaning and digging, I can’t remember a day when I had nothing to do.” Roy further cautioned, “(1) Before age 70 move into an apartment. (2) It is not smart to retire where snow is a problem. I realize these gems come too late to do any good.”</p>
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Roy died peacefully in his sleep at his beloved Cornwall home, not long after his 85th birthday. Several months later, Else moved to Carmel, California where she now lives near her son and his family as well as her daughter’s children.</p>
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In a beautiful tribute, Roy’s son wrote these memorable words, “The high points of dad’s life were evidenced by his absolute devotion to his Country, the Military Academy, his family and his friends. If he left any of us a legacy, it was his unblemished integrity, his unwillingness to settle for the ‘half truth’ and his insistence on standing by his principles, regardless of the consequences. I can say with no small amount of pride that those of us that truly knew this kind and genteel soldier, are better persons because of our association with him.”</p>
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Not only Roy’s classmates but all his many friends will attest to the true significance of his son’s poignant observations.</p>
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E.R.H.</p>