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My father, <em>Robert L. Colligan Jr., </em>a member of the United States Military Academy Class of 1940, died on 19 March 1982. I would like to share with you some of my remembrances of him.</div>
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Throughout his adult life my father was extremely proud of his status as a professional soldier. He always believed that in a free society the profession of arms is a high and honorable calling, for it unites a select group of men who stand ready to sacrifice their wellbeing for a higher common good. Having decided as a young boy to become a professional military officer, he prepared himself to attend West Point. His training at the Military Academy was a major influence in his life.</div>
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Following graduation, he served first with the Coast Artillery. Then with the outbreak of hostilities in World War II, he transferred to the Air Corps. As a B-17 pilot in Europe, he flew strategic bombing missions until he was shot down and detained as a prisoner of war. After the war he earned an advanced degree in nuclear physics and became closely involved in nuclear research for both the military and the Atomic Energy Commission. Later he commanded the flight test units of the Aeronautical Systems Division and the Air Force Weapons Laboratory. He derived great satisfaction from his ability to contibute to the nuclear research and flight test fields, both of which he considered vitally important to the national defens posture.</div>
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Upon his retirement in 1966, he worked on national defense projects for the aero space industry. He enjoyed the stimulation and camaraderie of those who worked toward furthering such vital interests.</div>
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While I have always admired my father for his achievements in his professional life my strongest remembrances are of his personal life.</div>
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My father always believed that honesty and integrity are qualities that define a gentleman, and to be otherwise was unthinkable I have never known him to deviate from these principles. Coupled with these principles he added a constant willingness to make sacrifices for a future higher good. I believe the fact that he and my mother raised seven children and provided for their college educations attests to this.</div>
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My strongest remembrance, however, that I have never known a man who too greater delight in children. I remember time almost 20 years ago, when I was en barassedly holding one of my then newbor younger sisters, he told me “. . . never b ashamed to love a baby.” This love of chi! dren was constanly reflected in the upbrin£ ing my sisters and I received. As a parer now, myself, one of my greatest joys he been bringing my children home to visit m father. It was such a pleasure to have thei know that their grandfather loved them s deeply.</div>
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So Dad, Fd like to thank you for these re membrances. They are memories that I wi cherish always.</div>
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<em>—Robert L. Colligan II</em></div>