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The death of <em>Don Colglazier</em>, one of the best personalities and friends that anyone could ever hope to have, results in a deep personal loss to us all. Donald, known as the “Bird” to many of his classmates, was killed in an ambush near Tam Quan, Republic of Vietnam, on the 18th of January. His death came as a shock to all of us, but his memory will live on forever in the hearts and minds of his many classmates and friends.</p>
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Don was born at Cherry Point, North Carolina, 7 January 1947, and was graduated with the Class of 1964 from Havelock High School, Havelock, North Carolina. Because of his father’s service commitment, Don attended eight different schools, including three high schools.</p>
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Immediately after Beast Barracks, Don came to the forefront by providing leadership and guidance to his fellow classmates in A-1. He made friends very quickly, and soon everyone in his regiment knew him because of his abilities in intramurals and academics, and his dedication to helping others. Early in his Plebe Year, Don was elected by his company classmates to represent them on The Honor Committee of The Corps; and for four years he worked diligently trying to decide “Right from Wrong” in the cases of honor violations.</p>
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During his high school years, Don’s superior athletic abilities made him a star in all sports. Early in his West Point career, Don proved to be the heart, mind, and spirit of the company intramural program. It was due to his efforts and outstanding leadership that A-1's intramural programs of wrestling, football, lacrosse, ana basketball thrived for four years. Don had the quality of motivating and leading his classmates and underclassmen in both sports and academics. He was always coaching someone to help him pull through an exam; and recognizing early the importance of knowledge, his hard work paid off when he earned his stars during his Cow Year. Don’s natural ability to think quickly and lead others made him many friends at West Point, and there was many a night when he could be found in the halls of East Barracks keeping everyone’s spirits high with his wit and sense of humor.</p>
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Don graduated with stars, ranking number 29 in his Class of 708; and was commissioned in Armor. The whole company and his many friends were surprised by the number of weddings he attended during his leave, but this genuine concern for his friends was just an extension of Don’s personality.</p>
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After graduation leave, Don met us all at Fort Benning and the Ranger Course where, once again, his natural leadership and concern for others helped everyone through the rigors of Ranger training. From Ranger School Don went on to the Armor Basic Course and then to the Airborne Course at Fort Benning. Once again, as so many times before, his willingness to help others and his leadership made him a well-known student among his contemporaries. Don spent five months at Fort Bragg assigned to the 17th Cavalry, and here Don was the favorite bachelor. His humor and appetite always made him welcome in everyone's home; his popularity stemmed from the fact that he took such personal interest in organizing the weekend activities, and he always brought the “latest" news of the post with him. While at Fort Bragg, Don attended the Jumpmaster Course, and as was the norm for him, graduated with top honors and the esteem of his fellow students.</p>
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From Fort Bragg Don left for the 173d Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, and he became the "clearing house” for all the news because of his many letters and friendships. Don’s reputation in Vietnam was just as great as all the other assignments that he had fulfilled so well. He was a superior Armor Officer, and his natural leadership and friendliness stood him in good standing for any unit in which he served.</p>
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Donald was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart posthumously during ceremonies held on the 22d of June in the office of Lieutenant General John J. Tolson, Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The flagpole at the new high school in Havelock, Norm Carolina, will be erected and dedicated in his honor and memory. The “Colglazier Room," a library and classroom, will be a part of the renovation and remodeling of the United Presbyterian Church in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, of which he was a member.</p>
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Don’s love for Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, was most evident to those who knew him well. Everyone in the company knew of the "Wyalusing Rocket,” the weeldy newspaper from his home town, and he spoke of the beauty of this town which lies in the rolling mountains of Pennsylvania between which the Susquehanna River slowly winds. Don was interred in the Hornet Cemetery of Wyalusing on the 28th of January.</p>
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Donala Colglazier’s life was brief, but during that brief span of time, he accomplished so much, so well, that he made an everlasting impression in the hearts and minds of all those who loved him.</p>
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<em>—Neil Foster Cowperthwaite Co. A-1, Class of 1968</em></p>