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<em>GARY W. CARLSON</em> entered West Point on 1 July 1963 from West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He was an outstanding example of the type of individual that West Point looks for to develop into leaders for the U. S. Army. Gary grew up on a small farm and was quite accustomed to the rigors of a long day filled with multiple requirements. He was secretary of the National Honor Society at West Bridgewater High, played on numerous athletic teams—cross country, basketball, and gymnastics—and was an active member of the Student Council. In addition, he was a member of Demolay and attended the Trinity Baptist Church in Brockton. Gary also possessed those magical qualities of a cheerful disposition, a warm smile and a kind word for everyone, which insured that he would attract a host of friends. He was a truly wonderful child and never could do enough for his family, friends, church and community. His enthusiasm for helping others was infectious and brought him to the forefront as a leader.</p>
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His four years at the Military Academy were merely refinements and improvements of the concepts that he brought with him. West Point proved to be a formidable challenge, but Gary was equal to every task. He expanded his activities in all directions. He was a member of the Pistol Club and the Pistol Team and later became the club’s treasurer. Always a hard, enthusiastic worker, he filled the halls with smiles and stories of life in Massachusetts and was affectionately known by all as “the hardest working goat in the Corps.” A member of the Cadet Band, he displayed the musical talents he inherited from his mother. He was an active member of the Baptist Student Union throughout his four years.</p>
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After graduation, Gary married Dhana L. Kent in a wonderful ceremony at the Holy Trinity Chapel at West Point and then departed for Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia, which he completed in November 1967. Gary next attended Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he also had his initial troop assignment. In November 1968 he departed for the Republic of South Vietnam and was assigned as a platoon leader of Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division, operating out of Cu Chi.</p>
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Gary W. Carlson was the class of 1967’s most decorated graduate. His Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and seven Bronze Stars for valor were demonstrable proof that he was an uncommon man, an individual with rare command talent. However, let it not be assumed that Gary Carlson was a man of violence or war. He was a man of peace, dedicated to serving his country and God and willing to support America’s position of moral responsibility and the right of self-determination for the people of South Vietnam.</p>
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Gary received a Purple Heart that fateful day in June 1969 when he was fatally wounded in the act of saving others in his platoon and company. His reconnaissance force was under severe attack. The battle was one of the bloodiest that US forces engaged in that year, encountering extremely large North Vietnamese Army combat units. The most significant reason for all of Gary’s awards and decorations was the selflessness which characterized his life. While in junior high school, Gary tried in vain to rescue a drowning schoolmate. On 19 June 1969, he again placed others above himself, attempting to rescue them at any cost, including that of his own life.</p>
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Gary was survived by his Mom, Dad, brother, sister, wife and daughter, who was only three months old when he died and whom he never had the pleasure to see. As fate would have it, the impact of his death on his family was compounded within the next two years with the suicide of his older brother and his father’s debilitating stroke. His mother, Rebecca and his wife, Dhana held together and recovered from these tragedies. Jennifer, his daughter, graduated from the University of Virginia in 1991 with an Engineering Degree and is completing her Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering and Applied Nuclear Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara.</p>
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Gary Carlson is remembered by many in his community. The Mother’s Club of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts annually awards a scholarship to a deserving high school senior in Gary’s memory. In May 1990,a clock tower in the town’s new library was dedicated in his memory. Visitors to the library are sure to recognize Gary’s commitment to the West Point ideals of Duty, Honor, Country, the frailty of our own existence, and the importance of our own families, friends and community. The Bible portrays his beliefs and dedication best of all in John 15:13:</p>
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<em>Greater Love hath no man than this,</em></p>
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<em>that a man lay down his life for his friends.</em></p>
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Rest in peace ’til we meet again.</p>
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<em>His Mother, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Classmates and Friends</em></p>