Cadet George Michael Bostwick was born at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Hospital in Greene, OH on April, 23, 1947. His parents were George Eugene Bostwick and Beverly Ruth Westcott Bostwick. Mike had two younger brothers, Bradley Breck Bostwick and Danny Patrick Bostwick.
Mike grew up in a military family and intended to carry on its proud legacy. His father, George, was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps, flying primarily the P-47D Fighter during World War II. George became an ace during the war, shooting down eight enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus he is credited with two damaged and six destroyed on the ground. After retirement, George worked for General Dynamics on the F-111 fighter program in Fort Worth, TX.
As a military brat with the family stationed overseas, Mike attended the Chateauroux High School, Chateauroux Air Force Base, France (1961–63). The family relocated Stateside, and Mike finished high school at Arlington Heights Senior High School in Fort Worth (1963–65). He earned varsity letters in football, baseball, track, and wrestling, and he was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Skeet Shooting Club at the air force base. His athletic pursuits reflected a family tradition, his father having earned a college scholarship in both football and baseball. Mike was a scrappy 5 foot 8 inches tall and 145 pounds at admission, but he frequently fought above his weight in the martial arts classes, displaying guts, determination and enthusiasm.
Mike and his family were living in Fort Worth when he left for the U.S. Military Academy in June 1965. He entered the Academy on July 1, 1965, appointed by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Honorable James Wright, from the Texas’ 12th Congressional District. The appointment was highly sought after, but Mike’s already developed leadership skills and all around athletic capabilities won him the appointment.
From his first day at the Academy, Mike was a fierce competitor on the corps squad Wrestling Team, and with the C-1 intramural teams. His cadet activities included the Behavioral Science, Bowling, Archery, and Outdoor Sportsman’s clubs, as well as the Ski Patrol. Mike was well known as an organizer, whether for trips to New York City on weekends, summer leave excursions, or getting a group together for skiing, skeet shooting, or other activities. He made quick friends and always had interesting tales to tell from his life in Europe and his Air Force upbringing. Mike especially enjoyed our weekend getaways into New York City where we enjoyed the nightlife and the company of attractive young women. Lest you think he was all play and no work, his leadership skills were cited as superior by his commander while on temporary duty his Second Class year while serving with Battery C, 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 31st Artillery at Fort Sill, OK. As a senior at the Academy, he served as the company platoon sergeant.
We were entertained and enchanted with Mike’s stories of life in Europe. He used his experience as a military dependent and living abroad to provide insights to his fellow cadets many of whom had never been outside their state boundaries before attending the academy. During the evening study period, he frequently roamed the halls of East Barracks in his iconic USMA bathrobe, hands in pockets, socializing and helping classmates with homework. Classmate Bill Jones recalled their attempts on summer leave to get a military flight to Europe, but instead managed to get a flight to Texas, where they were able to drive to Mexico for some fishing. On another vacation break, he organized a tour of the F-111 production facilities in Fort Worth for classmates in the area. Mike was always ready to help his classmates, both at the Academy, and while on leave or on duty elsewhere; his efforts were much appreciated.
Mike’s life was unfairly cut short when he was the victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Returning from Christmas Leave on January 5, 1969, Mike was a passenger with two other cadets in a car that went out of control on a snow-covered road and struck a tree in Suffern, NY. The trio had come into Newark Airport earlier in the day and had spent some time at the house of a relative of Frank Romano in Oakland, NJ. At 4:30 in the afternoon, they started the journey back to West Point. Mike died at the scene. Companymate Bob Capel suffered critical injuries and was later released from the Academy due to his injuries. Frank Romano, the third passenger and a junior in Company G-3 at the time, recovered from his injuries and graduated in 1970.
Mike was a great friend, full of enthusiasm, love of life, dedication to the country. He will remain forever young to all who knew him. He was survived by his parents and two younger brothers and will be forever missed by his many friends and relatives.
— Philip Holden