Paul George Cerjan once said, “Well, the choice really wasn’t that hard. Stay in Rome, NY, get my softball jersey with the name on the back, and see the same guys in the same bar every night, or head off to West Point and a career in the Army.” As his roommates for an unprecedented three of our four years, we are eternally grateful to our “lifelong brother’s” choice.

Paul was not only a great guy, but he also had great “CARE packages” from home. Picture him munching kielbasa while play­ing the accordion! His Polish immigrant parents sent to West Point their beloved first born, an All-American package raised with faith, hope, charity and deeply imbued with a spirit of hard work, love of country, and Christian ethics. He also was a letterman at Rome Free Academy in three sports, altar boy, Eagle Scout, Scout of the Year (Rome, NY), and Order of the Arrow.

For Paul, every Academy day was an opportunity to excel in academics, mili­tary skills, and leadership, then letting it all hang out in 150-pound football by center­ing the line. He broke his nose yearly in wa­ter polo and football. Paul set out on a very successful military career, rising to the rank of lieutenant general. Upon retirement, he continued to serve as a contractor to the military in peace and war. A fellow officer and friend, when writing Paul’s widow Pat, tried to articulate the things Paul contrib­uted:

“Paul had legions of close friends and admirers, and not just among those with whom he served and worked. Virtually ev­eryone he touched came away with a special feeling about Paul’s innate goodness, sin­cerity, and compulsion to make things bet­ter... I’m compelled to try and catalog the reasons I have such high regard and warm affection for your husband.

“First is the magic he brought to per­sonal and professional relations. No mat­ter how challenging the topic, regardless of the passion of those involved regarding the issues at hand, Paul brought resolution or reconciliation reflective of the confidence everyone felt about his motives and under­standing. Second is the genius he brought to complicated problems. Finding the right path working through complex matters, you knew his vision encompassed all the right factors, going beyond those usually considered. Then there is his warm and car­ing approach toward all people, the great, and the not so great. He really loved/cared for his wide spectrum of friends and associ­ates, and they loved and respected him in return.

“His extraordinary military career as the consummate professional was marked by versatility, commitment, excellence and sac­rifice. He started out at West Point playing small-people football and carried that love of football with him throughout his life. He successfully led Infantry, Armor and Engineer units—he was sort of the original Combined Arms Soldier—and consistently sought out new and experimental forma­tions, such as the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam, the 9th Light Infantry Division at Ft. Lewis, and the 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Drum. Top Army leaders recognized Paul’s special gifts early on and drew on them regularly, including division commanders, USAREUR commanders, the Army Chief of Staff, and the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. One of those division commanders uniquely made Paul, an engineer officer, his Division G-3... Paul culminated his spectacular military career in academia, first as Commandant of the Army War College, and then as President of National Defense University. And he had fun throughout the entire 34 years. You could tell. We laughed a lot together.

“Our personal/family relationship and friendship started back in Germany, blessed and continued to date, from those first memorable days, where we were fellow battalion commanders in the 3rd Infantry Division. Only the Cerjans were sent to a remote family quarters on a troop caserne, surrounded by thousands of U.S. troops, and isolated from the other military fami­lies. The Cerjans had two strapping teenag­ers, waiting daily for a school bus outside an artillery battalion headquarters, routinely engaging in unarmed combat.

“Paul’s second career was as a suc­cessful businessman, first running a uni­versity, later supporting our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with long tours living in Baghdad and Kuwait City where his troops were. Anything else would have been bor­ing to this distinguished soldier and patriot. One little known fact was Paul’s agreement, early in the Iraq conflict, to go to Iraq and assess what should be done about the thou­sands of Iraqi units and soldiers who no lon­ger had a mission. Paul returned with the right answer, but, unfortunately, his recom­mendations were not accepted, with very negative, long-term results.

“So, Pat, that’s my summary recollec­tion of Paul Cerjan, a distinguished pro­fessional, a brave and dedicated soldier, a Great American, and as close as anyone gets these days to being a true Renaissance Man. What a wonderful person and friend. He will be missed by all of us. We are saddened by your terrible tragedy, and hope our deep and abiding sympathy and our celebration of Paul’s amazing life help assuage your pain.”

GEN Edward C. “Shy” Meyer, retired Army Chief of Staff and Paul’s mentor since Vietnam, said that Paul was an outstanding officer because he took care of his troops. One classmate said—accurately—that Paul was the most respected member of our class.

Paul met and married his soul mate, Pat, while serving in Germany. They have three boys, Rob, David, and Tim, who have re­turned Paul’s love for them many fold. We are so glad Paul made that decision to go to West Point. We gained a lifetime friend, and the Army and the United States are all the better because of that choice.

—By Dick Gates and Ed Handler, B-2 ’ 60