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<em>Gordon Talmage Kimbrell, Jr.</em> was born in Ft. Meade, MD, the son of Gordon ’37 and Edith Kimbrell. Gordy had an older sister, Marjorie J., and a younger brother, Robert L. Although I knew little of Gordy’s early years, I’m sure that, as any “Army brat,” he moved frequently around the country, fol­lowing the assignments of his father’s military career. From Norfolk, VA, to Clarkesville, TN, to West Point, to Germany, Gordy undoubtedly saw places and witnessed events that would shape his future aspirations as a young officer.</p>
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It wasn’t surprising that in 1959, after graduation from Clarksville High School in Tennessee, he decided to enlist. Gordy’s enthusiasm for Army life was infectious, and it must have been obvious to his leaders. Within a year of his enlistment, Gordy was selected to attend the USMA Prep School at Ft. Belvoir, VA. After a year of intense study, he entered the Academy in the summer of 1961. Although probably not his preference, he opted for the five-year course, taking his time to master the languages, arts, and sci­ences. By then Gordy was already skilled in military conduct, but his previous military experience did not exempt him from an oc­casional visit to the “Area.”</p>
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Gordy was always ready for a laugh. His humor was low-key and frequently colored by his Southern drawl. He liked to express his stories in the context of the “down home” antics and experiences he had enjoyed while growing up as a young man in the South. As company mates in C-1, we seldom took things seriously. If something dire happened, such as cancellation of a weekend trip, Gordy always found a way to look at it from a hu­morous angle. For Gordy, life wasn’t meant to be droll and uninteresting. It was a little bit surprising that Gordy was not a disciplinarian and sometimes overlooked, or eschewed, the “spit and polish” image normally adopted by those cadets with previous military service or who had grown up as “Army brats.” In fact, his father had been a TAC at USMA when Gordy was a child, making this personality trait even more curious.</p>
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During the time I knew Gordy, which was far too short for me, as well as all who really knew him confirmed, he had a laissez faire attitude toward the disciplined requirements of cadet life but showed unique interest in the Portuguese Language Club and the Scuba Diving Club. Most of his weekends during Cow and Firstie years were spent in New York City. Gordy had become infatuated with dating his “one and only” sweetheart Karen Addis. At school, Gordy’s conversations usually centered on his in­fatuation with Karen, his plans for the next weekend, and, ultimately, their engagement and pending wedding.</p>
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On 9 Jun 1966, three days after gradua­tion, Gordy and Karen were married in the West Point Cadet Chapel. Unfortunately, after their marriage, I lost track of Gordy and Karen for several years, but I’m absolutely positive that the early years of their mar­riage were the best years of their lives. They produced two fine sons, Gordon T. III and Robert K. II. Gordy’s love and respect for his wife and family were absolute. Whether in Ranger School, on an overseas assignment, or working around the house, Gordy’s thoughts never took him far from the relationships he enjoyed most.</p>
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I still remember receiving the sad and shocking news, just four years after gradua­tion, that Gordy was killed in action on 11 Jun 1970 while on a combat mission with B Company, 2-5 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in Cambodia. He was laid to rest in the West Point Post Cemetery (Section X, Row H), just a few feet away from his par­ents. Under spreading oaks that look nearly as old as the cemetery itself, Gordy and his parents are together again.</p>
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Gordy must know that the war for which he gave his life has had an enduring impact on all soldiers since. Rick Atkinson’s book, <em>The Long Gray Line,</em> contains several pas­sages recalling events of Gordy’s military life that symbolize the determination and stoic nature of Gordy’s personality. Viet Nam was indeed the crucible in which future U.S. military policy was formed and the standard against which nearly all other conflicts since have been, in some way, measured.</p>
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I have returned to the West Point Cemetery many times and visited Gordy’s grave in the silence of the autumn and the spring. I see him in our glory days, and I see him in my Army memories, but mostly I see him in the good memories that bring us back to our youth as cadets. And though our memories have dimmed through the years and some of the details have blurred, Gordy has not aged, and he has not changed. He has stood resolute. Gordy was a warrior for our generation who served his country proudly and courageously; who cared greatly for his soldiers; who loved his wife and sons with passion; who was a loyal friend and confidant to his classmates and to anyone seeking his advice; and, above all, a heroic soldier leader who sacrificed his life for our freedoms.</p>
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<em>Psalms 30:5. For his anger endured but a moment; in his favor is life; weeping endured for a night; but joy came in the morning.</em></p>
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<em>A classmate</em></p>