Engjineer Memoirs
out in favor of arming the Muslims, but not in favor of putting ground troops in
the area or conducting air strikes except to protect enclaves for refugees.
Distinguished Graduate Award, West Point
I was pleasantly surprised to learn in March 1993 that West Point would honor me
on May 25, 1993, with a Distinguished Graduate Award, West Point's version of
an honorary degree. The award was established in 1992, at which time it was
awarded to Generals Ridgeway, Van Fleet, and Goodpaster. In 1993 two awards,
other than mine, went to General Roscoe Robinson and Robert McDermott.
In my acceptance speech I told the cadets that there were three principles other than
Duty, Honor and Country instilled in me at West Point. One was the primacy of
peace over war. "Never be afraid of going to war to defend U. S. vital interests,
I said, "but never fear to exhaust all other options before going to war." A second
principle instilled in me was not to fight future wars with the weapons and tactics
of the last war. This principle impelled me to help develop the air mobility
concept and to introduce armed helicopters into Vietnam. The third principle was
the importance of moral courage. This lesson stood me in good stead when
President Carter signed the fatally flawed SALT II treaty in 1979. Not being able
to support the treaty in good conscience, I resigned my post and retired from the
Army. In retrospect, it turned out to be the correct decision; a fair and equitable
agreement on strategic arms was signed in 1991.
Postscript
In June 1995 I find myself in good health and active at teaching, writing, and
consulting. I miss the busy schedule I previously followed, but find it satisfying
to be able to pick and choose those things I want to work on. I have established
three criteria for the rest of my productive life. First, to undertake projects which
serve the country's interest. Second, to work on those projects where I have
something significant to contribute. And third, to work only on those projects that
interest me. I hope I can continue to work until the year 2000 observing these
three criteria.
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