<p>
“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams,” said Henry David Thoreau, “and endeav­ors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.” Ron achieved the “success” described by Thoreau, but not only during common hours. He lived the life he had “imagined” and proved himself a brave man and good during some of the most uncommon of hours. The thought of that Frazer smirk helps the lump in our throats go away.</p>
<p>
Ron Frazer was bon at Ft. Sumner, NM, the second of Lewesa and Lloyd D. Frazer’s 8 chil­dren. While in the 5th grade, Ron saw <em>The West Point Story</em> and decided that his goal was to gradu­ate from the Academy.</p>
<p>
Ron was a perfectionist and excelled in academ­ics, civic contribution, and athletics. He was a member of the National Honor Society and vice president of both his junior and senior classes at Lincoln High School in Cambridge City, IN. He also was an outstanding wrestler and linebacker on the varsity football team.</p>
<p>
In 1963, Ron won a competitive Congressional appointment to West Point through the Honor­able Ralph Harvey. He entered the Academy with the Class of ‘67 on 1 Jul 1963.</p>
<p>
Although academically prepared for West Point and in superb physical condition, plebe year was rough for him. Landing in D-l (a company noto­rious for its strict treatment of plebes) was bad luck for Ron but good luck for those of us he would influence by his tenacity and unfailing good humor. Ron loved life, so from time to time that love of life and recognition of the absurdity that confronts plebes would cause Ron to smirk, grin, and laugh out loud at the red-faced tirades of some misguided upperclassmen. Inevitably, this led to ef­forts on the part of those same misguided but more senior cadets to make life slightly less won­derful for Fourthclassman Frazer.</p>
<p>
Throughout his ordeals, Ron never lost his sense of humor. He never got discouraged. His positive attitude, determination, and natural un­selfishness served as an inspiration to his class­mates. By Recognition Day the whole company especially the upperclassmen, was more than ready to pay special tribute to Ron’s example.</p>
<p>
Academics were not a problem for Ron. De­spite the harassment and intramurals (wrestling and football), he easily attained passing marks in all of his course work. And he even found time to participate in the annual Association of Graduates Essay Contest, winning third place one year with a character sketch entitled, “<em>Jefferson Davis, 1828</em>.”</p>
<p>
Ron enjoyed his remaining stay at West Point and his role as a stable and wise company member, always calm in a crisis and willing to assist or encourage anyone hav­ing difficulties.</p>
<p>
By 1965, it was clear that the Class of ‘67 would be called to ac­tion in Vietnam. Ron knew that he would become an infantryman and participate in the conflict at the ear­liest possible moment. He had no desire to delay and relished the opportunity to serve his country Ron graduated with his class on 7 Jun 1967, achieving his childhood goal. After Infantry Officer, Ranger, and Airborne training, he was as­signed to Company C, 1st Battalion, 508th Air­borne Infantry Regiment of the 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC. Approxi­mately two months after joining the brigade (with 24 hours notice), the 3d Brigade was ordered by President Lyndon Johnson to immediately deploy to Vietnam. 2LT Frazer served as a platoon leader in C Company and soon experienced the Infantryman’s “baptism of fire” in early 1968. Ron was one of the first members of his class to see ac­tion. His unit helped force the North Vietnamese Army from its attempted siege of Hue back into the A Shaw Valley where the NVA continued to be pursued by the 3d Brigade and units of the 101st Airborne Division.</p>
<p>
Though still a second lieutenant, Ron replaced the C Company commander after he was killed. Ron and his company were flown by helicopter to an area where retreating elements of the 22d NVA Regiment were known to be hiding.</p>
<p>
During intense fighting, 2LT Ronald L. Frazer was killed in action with his radio operator on 24 May 1968, less than one year after graduating from West Point.</p>
<p>
For his gallantry, Ron was awarded the Silver Star and another Silver Star with Oak Leaf Clus­ter. His other combat decorations were the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge. He is survived by his mother, father, and many brothers and sisters, all of whom he loved very much. Ron always will be remembered as the young man who led his Plebe Class in Company D-l through a difficult introduction to military life with a smile on his face, humor in his voice, and determination in his heart.</p>
<p>
<em>Ron’s classmates</em></p>