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<em>Herbert Willoughby “Bill” Booth, Jr.</em> was proud of his dad’s service in the Army Air Corps in World War II, and by the time he was in high school he had decided upon a mil­itary career—indeed, a pilot’s career in the Air Force. Wanting the best preparation for this career, he planned to attend West Point.</p>
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In 1948, Bill graduated from Sarasota High School. While waiting for his congressional appointment, he spent two years at Virginia Military Institute, so Beast Barracks and Plebe year was a breeze. As a cadet, he made the wrestling team and sang in the Glee Club. His proud parents, sister Betsy, and fiancée Nancy Penrose cheered at his graduation.</p>
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After earning his wings, Bill saw that the Air Force was developing new close-in sup­port doctrine using specialized aircraft. He was an early volunteer to become a Forward Air Control (FAC) pilot. The U-10 aircraft was designed for football field-length takeoff and landing and very close-in fire direction and enemy field analysis. When the Air Force was ready to put this doctrine to the test in support of ARVN units in Viet Nam, Bill volunteered. He knew it was a high-risk assignment, but he was determined to be on the cutting edge. In fact, volunteering for the tour resulted in a deferral of a German attaché assignment Bill had earned against stiff competition. On 15 Oct 1962, Bill piloted his plane into harm’s way with an Army captain and a sergeant as observers. They took heavy ground fire and went down to instant death.</p>
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It still stuns us to relive the memory of Bill’s death. He was one of West Point’s best men and the Class of ’54’s second combat death. His courage, his hero’s death, and his Distinguished Flying Cross inspire us. When he passed away, we lost a good friend, good husband, good father, and someone who would have been a good grandfather. Bill had married Nancy Penrose on 21 Aug 1955, and his son Herbert was 19 months old, and his daughter Victoria was just days old when he left for Viet Nam. Now Herb and his wife Shelley have a son, Ian, and Vicki and her hus­band Ron have three boys: Bradley, Westley, and Riley. This is a full and proud legacy. As a youngster, Bill’s son Herbert III, found his dad’s camera and started taking pictures for fun. His fun led to a full-fledged career as a professional photographer.</p>
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Words of friendship and respect from four of Bill’s companymates:</p>
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<em>“Bill was my roommate First Class Year. We became good friends, sharing interests in music, singing, speaking German, and his­tory. I developed great respect and admiration for Bill. His maturity and goals made a last­ing impression on me. He phoned in the fall of 1962 to say he was off to Viet Nam. We had a good talk. A month later, he was dead. I attend­ed the funeral and visited with Bill’s parents and sister Betsy, telling them that I felt honored to have known Bill Booth</em>.”</p>
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<em>“I can still recall Bill’s dynamic personality, dry humor, and dedi­cation to a career of service to his country. He was a stalwart believer in the plebe system for developing future officers. Housed as we were, a “runt" company with “flankers" on both sides, Bill’s impact on some of our neighboring plebes was most col­orful, to say the least. Remembering Bill in his cadet days and knowing of the dangerous mission he volun­teered for makes us all proud to have been his classmates. ”</em></p>
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<em>“Bill’s years at VMI prepared him well for USMA. It was clear that Bill was cut out for military life. Being “spoony” was routine. Spit-shined shoes, polished brass, and constant readiness for inspection were his hall­marks. Bill was highly disciplined, with excellent military bearing. He was a credit to West Point and his classmates. We all knew he would be an outstanding leader. ”</em></p>
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<em>“I remember Bill as a serious, no-nonsense individual with his future in the military very much in his heart. I got a kick out of his pose of a stern and fierce demeanor that could put the fear of God in a plebe. I can’t think of anyone in our company who could dress down a plebe as effec­tively as Bill. He was a guy who was determined to achieve his goals. ”</em></p>
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Yes, Bill, your dry wit entertained us. Your ideals and career inspired us. Your life goes on in the hearts and minds of your classmates and your family.</p>
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We all sure miss you.</p>
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<em>Your Classmates</em></p>