When Leonard Roy “Len” Hawley succumbed to an intense battle with leukemia, the nation lost a distinguished soldier, a creative thinker and strategist who devoted his life in service to the nation and embodied the core values of West Point.

Born February 19, 1947 in Traverse City, MI to Harold and Lois Hawley, Len was destined to lead. An Eagle Scout, he was president of the student council in high school, quarterback of a championship football team, and National Honor Society member. Len filled out only one college application—USMA.

Len took plebe year, the TD, and academics in stride as much as one could. He moved from B-1 to D-1 when the Corps expanded in 1967. Known affectionately as “Hawls,” he provided classmates sound counsel, good humor, and enduring friendship. Serious and competitive, but popular and well respected, Len served as a cadet officer, lettered on the Ski Team, and maintained a solid academic record.

He initially selected MI branch, but found that he loved Armor when he was detailed it, so he switched branches and never looked back. Len and Elaine married on graduation day and, after Armor basic, headed to Kitzingen, Germany, where Len served as company commander and S-3 in 1-64th Armor Regiment. Always an effective coach and motivator, he and his young tank crew were the “Top Gun” in USAREUR tank gunnery.

In early 1973, Len was assigned as advisor to the 21st ARVN Tank Battalion in Pleiku. Upon return from Vietnam, he became S-4 of 2-63rd Armor Regiment at Fort Riley, KS and then attended AOAC in 1974-75. After grad school at the University of Michigan, Len returned to West Point, armed with an MS in ORSA, for assignment in the Departments of ES&GS and Engineering. He attended Naval CSC, then returned to Germany (Ansbach and Bamberg) for three years on division and brigade staffs with the 1st Armored Division. 

As lieutenant colonel, Len landed in the Army Chief of Staff’s office in the Pentagon for two years before taking command of 3-32nd Armor Regiment at Fort Hood, TX. He honed his battalion into a lethal fighting force whose NTC training exploits served the unit well when, after Len’s departure, the 3-32nd deployed to Operation Desert Storm. After ICAF and another Pentagon tour as a J-6 division chief, Len completed his military career on the NDU faculty before retiring as colonel in 1994.

Len’s Army career provided a solid foundation as he moved on to higher levels of federal government. He was a serious strategic planner and dedicated the last 25 years of his life working with domestic and international institutions to peacefully resolve international crises. He served in the Clinton administration as (acting) DASD for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance. His organizational skills and reputation led to assignment in Dick Clarke’s office at the NSC, where he directed multilateral peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, East Timor, and many other hot spots. In 1998, Len was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations, continuing to work on multilateral peacekeeping interventions.

These experiences made Len a credible expert in complex planning. He had worked on the Y2K task force and, in 2003, was asked to serve on the 9/11 Commission. Len was a sought-after consultant, speaker, and senior mentor at military and civilian institutions where he shared his knowledge of interagency coordination for planning complex contingencies. He co-edited The Quest for Viable Peace, a groundbreaking book on post-conflict interventions and was adjunct faculty at the University of Maryland and the American University of Kosovo until his death. 

In his “down time,” Len became a seasoned offshore sailor. He loved meeting the challenge that sailing unknown seas provided and, in retirement, thanks to a friend with a sailboat, Len and Elaine sailed the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Coast, the Bahamas, and much of the Mediterranean Sea from Gibraltar to Cyprus, often with harrowing adventures to recount. 

Len was humble, thoughtful, and curious, always seeking a depth of knowledge. He had a boundless capacity for friendship and shared an infectious laugh. Unwaveringly supportive of his wife, children, and grandchildren, he championed their interests, in school or on the soccer field. He was a thoughtful mentor to young colleagues as well, taking every opportunity to advise them and promote their achievements. An engaged listener, Len was quick to praise and show appreciation. 

Len was first and foremost a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He deeply loved his family; he and Elaine were married for 51 years. He was immensely proud of his sons Jason (Susan) and Colin (Sarah) and their families. Jason is an Army colonel and neurologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and Colin is a computer engineer working in national security. His five grandchildren—Andrew, Adam, Kate, Erik, and Brooke—were Len’s great joy.

In October 2019, Len fell ill suddenly while vacationing in Michigan. Tests revealed acute myeloid leukemia, and he returned home for treatment at Walter Reed. A quiet warrior, Len maintained an indomitably positive spirit, fighting valiantly to the end. 

Len viewed public service as a distinct privilege and a deep responsibility. He valued the challenge of working with teams to address complex problems, whether leading a tank battalion, managing international crises, or sailing into heavy seas.

Len honored the West Point ideal and lived its values throughout his life. He inspired people to prepare well, work together, meet daunting challenges, and do their best. He embodied the highest standard of integrity. To us, he will forever be remembered as a strong leader, mentor, and role model, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, a cherished classmate, and a great friend.

— Family, friends and classmates