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<em>Milton Fredrick Summerfelt </em>was a great athlete, one of the greatest football players of all times at West Point. Not only was he a great athlete, but he possessed admirable qualities of character and leadership abilities. He will forever remain in the hearts and minds of his classmates and others who knew him as a cherished friend and one to admire. Open-minded, straightforward and personable in nature, with a keen interest in people and their welfare, he gained and retained the friendships of all who knew him.</div>
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He was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1926. He was eager to go to West Point but had to wait several years for an appointment. In the meantime he spent two years at Western State Teachers College and one year at Northwestern University. He was a star football player in high school and in college. Named football captain for Northwestern University for 1929, he could not accept because of his entry to West Point m July 1929.</div>
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His strong leadership qualities were early recognized at West Point. He was a cadet captain and commanded M Company during his last year at the Academy. In athletics, he was All American in football and lacrosse, winning three major “A” ’s in both sports. He was captain of the football team in 1932 when Army blanked Navy by a score of 20-0. He made all of the All American team selections, including, to Milt’s embarrassment, the Coed’s non-playing team as one of the handsomest players. He was awarded the Edgerton Saber as the outgoing football captain. After graduation he was selected to play in the All Star East-West football game in Chicago, but did not play because of military duties.</div>
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His first duty was with Army Air Corps flying schools in Texas. “A great, exciting and difficult year, gaining those wings,” according to Milt. He received his wings on 13 October 1934 and three days later was married to Val Louise Landry, sister of Bob Landry, Class of 1932 and later a major general in the US Air Force. Milt and Val began their happy married life at Luke Field in Hawaii. Their next station was Mitchell Field in New York. Milt received high praise from the Army Ordnance Department for his support as a bomber pilot of their bomb testing, and from the Coast Artillery for his assistance in their training in the use of searchlights for anti aircraft defense. His professional competence was recognized early in his career.</div>
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Transferred to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland in February 1940 as the air base commander, he pioneered the ballistic and technical proof testing of the new family of Air Corps bombs, soon to be used in combat. He was promoted in the Air Corps to major 22 July 1941 and to lieutenant colonel on 23 January 1942. In July 1942, he was called to the Office of the Director of Bombardment, where he was kept busy for more than two years on bomb requirements. During this period he served temporarily in the China, Burma, India Theater. He was promoted to colonel on 5 August 1943.</div>
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In August 1944, Milt was given command of a B-29 Very Heavy Bomb Group, the 333rd. The group was then in training but later was shipped to Okinawa for combat duty over Japan. Milt was cited for his exceptional qualities of leadership and a high degree of professional knowledge in the manning, organization, administration, flying, and technical training of his group for combat. The citation stated that his keen foresight, effective planning, sound judgement, and tireless effort were examples to his subordinates and inspired them to a greater unit achievement and esprit de corps. In combat, Milt served not only as the group commander but also as wing S-3 of the 316 Bomb Wing of the Second Air Force. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Commendation Ribbon.</div>
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Milt’s war service was interrupted briefly by his attendance at the Command and General Staff Course for Senior Officers. After the war he continued to hold important positions—first, in the War Department general staff policy branch, later with the Atomic Energy Office. After finishing the National War College, he stayed on in Washington, planning for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He then commanded the Rome Air Force Base depot for two years.</div>
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Milt was promoted to brigadier general in 1954. In 1955 he was appointed deputy chief of the US Military Advisory Group in Bonn, Germany. In 1958 he was made deputy commander of the Sacramento Air Material Area, a post he held until 1961. In 1961 he became the senior member of the Personnel Council for the Secretary of the Air Force, a position he held until his retirement in 1963.</div>
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The numerous and important assignments which Milt held were a tribute to his efficiency, professional competence and devotion to duty. His record is replete with letters of praise for his outstanding performance of duty from numerous military and civilian authorities, including the Secretary of State, Dean Rusk; Curtis E. LeMay, Chief of Staff of the Air Force; and David Bruce, Ambassador to Germany.</div>
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Milt was a loyal and devoted husband to his wife Val and father to Milt, Jr. He was especially devoted and kind to Val during her illness prior to her death from cancer. Quoting Milt, “In 1976 my beloved wife of 42 active and global years lost her long fought battle with cancer.”</div>
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Milt was fortunate to meet and marry a charming and lovely lady after Val’s death. Mrs. Lelia Porter of Arlington, Virginia was a lifelong Virginian and a mother of three sons and two daughters. Milt and Lelia lived a happy life together, with Milt filling the role of a true father with the stepchildren and stepgrandchildren, gaining their love and affection. Both Milt and Lelia were avid golfers. They were members of the Washington Golf and Country Club and the Army-Navy Country Club. Milt was also a member of the West Point Society of the District of Columbia and the Association of Graduates of the National War College. He was a member of the Memorial Baptist Church of Arlington, serving on important committees of the church and as a volunteer for other support missions.</div>
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Doctor Randall Robinson, pastor of Milt and Lelia’s church, in his memorial to Milt, said in part: “Descriptions of persons of the stature, depth and strength like Milt are inadequate through words. I listened to you all and what I have heard, over and over, was strong hands and a compassionate heart. His were the hands of the athlete, the military leader, worker, mover. Whether he was competing in a friendly game of golf or helping me paint the church, his hands were busy and fulfilled. His strong hands were matched by a compassionate spirit and a loving heart.</div>
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“Not too long ago, I had to stay in the hospital for a few days following an accident. The first day I was home, the door bell rang and there was Milt with a cake, well wishes, and a deep concern for me. As a family and as friend and pastor, our lives have a void today because we have lost a compassionate and caring friend.”</div>
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Milt was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery with family members, Bob Landry, Milt, Jr., and military and civilian friends in attendance. His son delivered a touching eulogy to his father, citing passages from the poem “High Flight” pertaining to flyers joining their god.</div>
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Milt is survived by his wife, Lelia, of Arlington; his son Milton F. Jr. of Denver, Colorado; three sisters; five step-children and five step-grandchildren.</div>
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Milt has left his mark on history. One we all admire. May he rest in peace.</div>
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<em>G.A.C.</em></div>
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