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<p><em>Michael Joseph “Mike” Silva</em> was born on August 28, 1956 in Manhattan, KS, the son of Richard and Genita Silva. </p>
<p>Mike made it his goal to become the first college graduate in his family. In high school, he applied for an ROTC scholarship at Kansas State University. One day, he got pulled into the counselor’s office to see an Army colonel. The colonel had read his application and considered Mike an excellent candidate for West Point. Mike knew West Point was in New York, but that was about it. The more he learned though, the more he considered USMA a possibility, and he applied for admission. Mike was nominated to the Academy by Senator James Pearson and received an ROTC scholarship to KSU. He chose West Point to begin his military journey. </p>
<p>Mike was an outstanding athlete and ranked high on USMA’s Order of Merit List. He also served on the Plebe Hop Committee, and his smiling face was often the first on the dance floor at plebe hops. An accomplished high school runner, Mike continued to compete in cross country and indoor track and was a member of the SCUBA Diving Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Orienteering Club. He demonstrated an early prowess for financial matters, as evidenced by his participation in the Finance Club during firstie year, and those skills would serve him well during his civilian career. Mike will best be remembered by many as a Rabble Rouser and Mule Rider, rising to head Mule Rider his firstie year, making him a constant presence riding Hannibal on the football field during games. </p>
<p>Following graduation, Mike became a Field Artillery officer and attended the FA Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, OK. After graduation, he reported to the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany. Its motto, “Toujours Prêt” (Always Ready), expressed not only the spirit and élan of the regiment but how Mike approached life: he was always ready to serve others. During his participation in REFORGER 1979, Mike demonstrated his military acumen by reaching out to his noncommissioned officers for assistance when he faced an early challenge in his first assignment. Early in his career Mike recognized the importance of capable NCOs and worked hard to gain their respect and wisdom, which would serve him well as he rose through the ranks. After Germany, Mike was selected to return to West Point to serve in the Office of Admissions, where he helped increase the Academy’s minority candidate applications. </p>
<p>In 1983, after graduating from the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, Mike was assigned to Fort Bragg, NC. Shortly after his arrival, Mike married Susan Wannemacher. They had been dating since meeting at West Point. In the following years they welcomed Rebecca (1987), Christina (1989), Jeffery (1991), and Evan (1994) to their family. </p>
<p>Mike served in the 82d Airborne Division in various roles before assuming his first command as a battery commander. In 1984, he transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve and the Corps of Engineers. He then assumed his second unit command—Company C, 391st Engineer Battalion (Spartanburg, SC)—which was selected to go to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA. Mike’s unit performed in an outstanding manner, which qualified it to be the first engineer unit to receive the Order of Hamby award. He was then assigned to the 391st Engineer Battalion as a civil affairs officer and battalion S-3, the 416th FE TDA (Chicago) as assistant brigade S-3, the ADC of 91st Training Division, and the 411th Brigade commander as part of his service during the Global War on Terrorism. Because Mike earned an outstanding reputation for developing average units into very effective units, he was promoted to brigadier general and commanded the 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power), which provided oversight on all coalition operating base power projects in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom and in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. After returning home, Mike entered the Individual Ready Reserve and retired from the Army in 2011.</p>
<p>From 1984 until 1996, Mike held key civilian positions with Michelin Tire, W.R. Grace and Company, and Viskase Corporation. In 1996, he launched Asset Protection Company, an investment company that he owned until 2004. After his service in Afghanistan and Iraq, Mike worked for the Department of Defense and a consulting company. In 2008, Mike was recruited by Booz Allen Hamilton and worked on several projects, most notably the relocation of the much-maligned Walter Reed Hospital complex. In 2012, he decided once again to strike out on his own as an investor and financial advisor in his home state of Kansas, where he enjoyed great success building franchised businesses. Mike continued to serve the military community from 2013 to 2017 as the president and chairman of the Board of the Reserve Officers Association. </p>
<p>Years after his divorce, Mike met Cindy Myers in 2013 through a ballroom dancing group in Kansas City, MO. They spent many happy years traveling and dancing together at every opportunity. On November 28, 2022, they were married on the steps of the historic Truman Courthouse in Independence, MO. </p>
<p>Mike enjoyed life and always gravitated to challenges. He traveled extensively and had a lifelong goal of visiting every country in the world. Mike made friends everywhere he went. These friends join his family and West Point classmates in feeling the sadness brought on by his early passing on January 2, 2023 in Kansas City. We miss him tremendously.</p>
<p>“His battle is over, and he can now lay down his sword and rest.”</p>
<p><em>— Ramõn Grado, Cindy Myers, Family and Classmates</em></p>
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