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<em>Ralph Edward Haines Jr.</em> was born into the Army on August 21, 1913 at a sleepy post known as Fort Mott, NJ, which has long since disappeared. Ralph was an Eagle Scout and valedictorian of his class at Texas Military Institute, graduating in 1930. Having skipped a grade, Ralph was too young for West Point when he graduated but won an appointment to West Point the following year and graduated in 1935. West Point’s motto—Duty, Honor, Country—became imbedded in his character and would guide him throughout his career and life.</p>
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Ralph’s first assignment was at Fort Bliss, TX, where he joined a horse cavalry troop. The day he reported in, his commanding officer informed him that by the next morning he must know all the names of his men and horses. Ralph spent much of the night at the stables with a flashlight memorizing all the names and markings of his horses and astonished his commander the next morning when he knew all his men and could put the correct name with every horse. After marrying his regimental commander’s daughter, Sally, he got out of town as quickly and far away as possible. He landed in the Philippines, where he remained in the horse cavalry with the Philippine Scouts. During his cavalry days, Ralph was an accomplished horseman and won many horse show and polo awards.</p>
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With the onset of WWII and the demise of horses in modern warfare, Ralph made the transition to tanks. It was during this hectic time that Ralph and Sally had two sons, Palmer and William. Ralph fought with II Corps up the boot of Italy and led the element that first linked the forces in Italy with the forces in Central Europe under Patton’s Third Army at the Brenner Pass.</p>
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Ralph loved command and being with troops, but Army senior leadership was always pulling him away from troops to high-level headquarters. After doing hard time in the Pentagon, Ralph returned to troop duty at Fort Hood, TX, where he received both his first and second star and took command of the newly reactivated 1st Armored Division. In 1962, the 1st AD was deployed to Georgia and Florida in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The fact that a newly activated division was successfully deployed for this critical mission speaks volumes about Ralph’s leadership.</p>
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After more years in the “salt mines” of the Pentagon, Ralph received his third star and was reassigned as the Commanding General of III Corps and Fort Hood, which was the largest and only two-division post in the Army. As always, Ralph developed an excellent rapport with local civilian leaders. Even while in command he was pulled back to the Pentagon to lead the Haines Board, which revamped much of the Army education system.</p>
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Ralph received his fourth star in June 1967 during the height of the Vietnam War and was assigned back to the Pentagon as Vice Chief of Staff. Ralph went on to be the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Army Pacific. He personally knew many of the high-level civilian and military leaders throughout this vast command. Ralph’s final assignment was as the last Commander of the Continental Army Command (CONARC), which included about 500,000 people, along with 300,000 reserves.</p>
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While CONARC Commander, Ralph underwent a deep spiritual experience and became much more fervent in his witness for the Lord. He challenged leaders at all levels to set a Godly example and realize the positive impact on their units. Ralph used to say he was a general in the U.S. Army but only a private in the Lord’s Army. A reporter for the <em>Washington Post</em> distorted this, taking it out of context, and in an editorial suggested that Ralph get out of the U.S. Army. This publicity about Ralph’s Christian witness led to his early retirement.</p>
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In many respects, Ralph never retired from the Army. He stayed very active and knowledgeable in current military affairs and wore his uniform on many occasions during his 38-plus years of retirement. He made a point of attending every senior- level retirement, change of command, and other official Army functions in the San Antonio area. Every year he returned to Washington, DC for the Retired Four Star Conference and traveled to the Sergeants Major Academy to speak with the graduating class and present an award named in his honor. Ralph was the senior officer on the retired rolls of the Army for many years.</p>
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Ralph was an inspiring speaker and teacher. After retirement Ralph travelled extensively around the world and spoke as much as 200 times a year at churches, conferences, and other events. To enhance his teaching, he completed the rigorous three-year Bishop’s School for men in the Episcopal Church. He taught at religious conferences and in his church, to include teaching confirmation classes. Ralph never turned down an opportunity to speak and used to say “generally speaking, generals are generally speaking.” Ralph’s sense of humor was always his great strength and, along with his faith, helped sustain him through many trying times.</p>
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General Martin E. Dempsey ’74, the 18th Chairman JCS, said Ralph “was a great American and patriot whose selfless contributions to the Army and to our nation, in times of peace and conflict, will not be forgotten.” General Ray Odierno ’76, the 38th Chief of Staff of the Army, said, “We are thankful for his determined, successful efforts to make the Army a better place. His legacy will live on for many years through the great Soldiers who continue to answer the call to duty.” As the bible says, you fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Well done, good and faithful servant.</p>
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<em>— His Family</em></p>