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<p><em>John William Faulconbridge</em> was born on June 5, 1956 in Grove City, PA to John and Mary Faulconbridge. There were no limits to John’s inquisitiveness growing up. He read encyclopedias to explore issues he didn’t understand. John loved music and motorcycles passionately. He played the trombone and bought his first motorcycle at age 13. At Lakeview High School, John was actively involved in the science, chess, and motorcycle clubs and was the football team manager. In the AFS (American Field Service, originally) club, John was involved with the school’s cultural exchange program, which included him going to Turkey the summer before his senior year. His love of music led him to be the school band’s drum major for both his junior and senior years due to his ability to arrange music, write marching band shows, and direct the 100-member band.</p>
<p>John knew from an early age that he wanted to pursue a military career, and West Point was where he wanted to go. He entered USMA in July 1974 as a member of the “Proud and Great” Class of 1978. After completing Beast Barracks, John entered Company C-2 for his first two years. He was active in the Military Affairs Club and a member of the Cadet Band. He was Cadet Band leader his firstie year. The shuffle to Company B-2 during cow year introduced John to one of his role models, Major Herb Lloyd. John often reflected on how Major Lloyd was instrumental in his leadership development.</p>
<p>If asked, John would describe December 26, 1974 as the most consequential date of his entire life because that was the day he went on his first date with Rebecca Wright. It was love at first sight for them both. Their relationship became official that following summer. Becky traveled from West Virginia to attend as many cadet activities with John as possible. They married on June 17, 1978, after John’s graduation.</p>
<p>Selecting Armor for his branch, John and his young bride went to Fort Knox, KY for the Armor Officer Basic Course. Upon graduation, John was assigned to 4th Battalion, 40th Armor Regiment at Fort Carson, CO and was involved in the testing of the XM-1 tank at Fort Hunter Ligget, CA. Prior to departing Fort Carson, their son, John II, was born in July 1981.</p>
<p>After graduating the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox, John was assigned to 5th Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 8th Infantry Division and stationed in Manheim, West Germany, where he commanded a tank company. As commander, John’s highest priorities were always the mission and welfare of his men. Their daughter, Bethany, was born in September 1985 during John’s tour.</p>
<p>The Faulconbridges later returned to Fort Knox, where John served as an Armor School instructor. During his five-year assignment, John discovered another passion, teaching. His next career stop was as the ROTC detachment commander in Salisbury, MD. John enjoyed mentoring young men and women as they pursued their military careers. He joined the Army Reserve as a major in 1993 and retired six years later.</p>
<p>In 1994, John began his civilian career with General Motors Corporation, which he found to be most rewarding and where he was quite successful. He began as a supervisor at Flint Assembly and then worked at numerous plants in Michigan before transferring to the Distribution Center in Memphis, TN. </p>
<p>After 15 years, John transferred back to Michigan and worked at the Center for Human Resources in Detroit as a safety auditor, traveling to GM facilities across the U.S. This job entailed working with United Automobile Workers (UAW) partners to develop and maintain all GM North America health and safety programs. John’s participation in this team led to developing manuals and books. This work was done in collaboration with the UAW, which often involved lengthy and challenging dialogue. John traveled several weeks of each month throughout the year to plants with a UAW partner to conduct walk-through audits, identify compliance issues for on-the-spot corrections, and mentor his peers regarding the shortfalls.</p>
<p>John became the lead safety manager of the Detroit Hamtramck Plant in 2019 and was responsible for all safety issues for Detroit’s largest plant. COVID-19 changed the mission of the plant (renamed Factory Zero), and John supervised the implementation of new safety protocols for the manufacture of the electric Hummer as the plant’s safety design review specialist. His West Point education and military experience were invaluable as he adapted procedures and monitored compliance to ensure employee safety. During his time at Hamtramck, John was elected to serve as secretary on the board of directors of the Institute for Safety and Health Management. John retired from General Motors in June 2023 after 30 years.</p>
<p>John loved his wife and children and was so very proud of their accomplishments. When he was home, he made sure to stay present and involved with his family. John was an accomplished motorcyclist and musician (both vocal and trombone) and never lost his keen interest in military history, weapons, and tanks. He was a devoted Christian and believed in the power of prayer to God, who called him “friend.” He loved the Lord and the church. He will be remembered for his selfless devotion to his family and as a man of integrity who had a true passion for West Point and embraced the “Duty, Honor, Country” motto throughout his life. He will be missed beyond our ability to express.</p>
<p><em>— Jonathan Coomes, Classmate, and Rebecca Faulconbridge, Wife</em></p>
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