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<em>JOHN ALVIN VINEY</em> was born 7 December 1932 at Letterman Hospital in San Francisco, the son of Alvin G. Viney ’29 and Allene S. Viney. His dad was career Army, and home was where the Corps of Engineers sent the Viney family. When the war broke out, Alvin was sent to the Europe and Allene moved the family back to her home in Pasadena, California. Jack and his brother climbed trees with a kid by the name of Marlowe Delphey. When the war ended, the Vineys had several assignments at West Point. By the time Jack entered Episcopal High in Alexandria, Virginia, he had spent more than half of his life at the Academy. Between school and post life, Jack was well prepared for presidential appointment competition. In June 1951, he joined the ranks of the Class of 1955.</p>
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A congratulatory note on his appointment was sent by Marlowe, along with a photo. They became pen pals until she gave up trying to read his handwriting. While at the Academy, he “dueled with the German Department, and both survived.” One of his favorite stories was about tryouts for the Glee Club. Like his dad, it was strongly suggested that “he not even sing in the shower.” The rifle team was a great love, and competition won him a variety of awards. Jack's branch assignment upon graduation was Air Defense Artillery, the big guns.</p>
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Following completion of Ranger, Airborne and Jump Master Schools, Jack’s first duty assignment was at Fort Lewis, Washington. On reassignment to Fort Bliss, Texas, he paid a visit to Dr. and Mrs. Delphey. Marlowe, no longer a kid, captured his heart. He asked her to “tag along on the road of life.” On 1 April 1958, they were married in Pasadena, California, and returned to Fort Bliss to honeymoon. There Jack was assigned to a Nike battery in preparation for deployment of the system to Okinawa. In October 1958, they departed for the tiny island. During the three-year tour, two daughters, Patricia and Jacquallene, were born. Upon return, Jack was assigned to the Career Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. A short tour at the Fort Bragg Language School was followed by a tour in Vietnam. There Jack volunteered and obtained a Branch Detail to Infantry to serve as senior advisor to an AR VN Ranger Battalion. He wore the CIB with pride. Upon return to the States, in December 1964, he served as an instructor at the Air Defense School, Fort Bliss, Texas. He submitted his resignation from the Army in 1968. At that time he was the only instructor to be fully qualified to teach virtually any subject taught by his branch to both U.S. and foreign officer students. He also presented many special briefings to visiting dignitaries. Before completion of the tour in Texas, a third daughter, Diane, was bom. When his resignation was accepted in 1969, he was honorably discharged as a major, Artillery.</p>
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The Vineys returned to the Southern California area, where civilian employment at Rockwell assisted Jack in completing his master’s at USC in Systems Engineering. The Army Reserves kept him occupied as a weekend warrior. As he moved along in the industry, he also made changes in the military sector by a transfer to the Army National Guard. Assignment to the 2nd Battalion, 144th Field Artillery as battalion commander was a “challenge and opportunity” that brought commendations. When he joined Hughes Aircraft Company in 1984, he had returned to the Reserves, completed the Command and General Staff School and served ODCSOPS for Opns and Plans at the Pentagon as a staff officer. Then he began to consider a third career in law. Paralegal studies were the starting point. He maintained a GPA of 4.0 and hoped to graduate with high honors. As this is written, Jack will be graduated posthumously. The final class has been waived because of his outstanding papers and thesis, Gays in the Military. These will be used as models for future students. On 7 December 1992, he was officially retired from service as a colonel. The Bronze Star, Air Medal, Order of St. Barbara, and several Vietnamese commendations are included in his military awards.</p>
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The 30th reunion at West Point brought Jack to the realization that many of his classmates were on the West Coast, and he delighted in planning California-West get-togethers. He also became involved in the West Point Society of Orange County and subsequently served as president of the Inland Empire West Point Society in 1994. He resigned from an active role in the association because he had volunteered to be sent by Hughes to Saudi Arabia to teach the Saudi Air Force, Peace Shield. Surgical intervention prevented a January 1995 departure to Saudi. On 14 February 1995, Jack received a “special” travel order and departed to join “The Long Gray Line.”</p>
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His strong faith sustained him through a variety of situations in his adult life. He lived his life according to Joshua 1:9 “This is my command: Be strong, be resolute, do not be fearful or dismayed, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” He loved to teach and opened the study of the Bible to mobile home friends. Throughout his military and civilian careers, Jack believed in the highest standards. His life was exemplified by, “Duty, Honor, Country.” He ran the good race, fought the good fight and is now at peace. Final resting place is West Point. His daughters, their husbands, three grandchildren and his wife look forward to the day that they are again reunited with him.</p>
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<em>Marlowe D. Viney, his wife and teammate</em><br />
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