Colonel Michael John “Peffs” Peffers was born on August 9, 1960 in Wiesbaden, West Germany, where he lived for eight years, cultivating a lifelong love of travel and history. In 1969, the family moved to San Antonio, TX, where Mike excelled in academics, competitive swimming, cross-country running and attained his Eagle Scout rank.
After graduating from San Antonio’s Robert E. Lee High School in 1978, he reported to the United States Military Academy. From the very beginning Peffs excelled on the Orienteering Team, leading it to four consecutive national championships. He embraced the West Point experience and its values while making lifelong friends whom he considered true brothers. Cadet Peffers graduated with the Class of 1982 (“The Select Few”).
Second Lieutenant Peffers was commissioned in the Ordnance Corps, and, following the Ordnance Officer Basic Course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, he reported to Vilseck, Germany. After this initial assignment, Captain Peffers transferred to the Corps of Engineers, completed the Engineer Officer Advanced Course at Fort Belvoir, VA, and returned to Germany for assignment to the 10th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division in Kitzingen, Germany as the battalion S-4. As was Mike’s custom, he set about getting to know most of the officers on a personal level and quickly became a favorite of this close-knit group. He also loved to serve others and volunteered with the local Boy Scout troop as assistant Scoutmaster. Captain Peffers commanded Company D, where he was admired for his dedication to his soldiers and for mentoring the officers. A hard-working engineer during the week, he was active on the weekends. He spoke German and led many groups of friends on alpine adventures. They even invented a travel brand name for him, “Club Peffs.” His friends recalled Mike looking dapper on the ski slopes in a Jean-Claude Killy ski suit, his nose coated in sun guard and with an easy smile on his face. In warmer weather Peffs could be found rock climbing in the Bavarian mountains, joining friends on a volksmarch or celebrating at local fests.
After consecutive tours in Germany, Captain Peffers transitioned to the Reserve component in 1989 and settled in Northern Virginia. It was there he met and married Cynthia Lyons in 1995. Mike excelled working for several companies in the defense contracting industry. His ability to cultivate relationships in a sincere and honest way served him well in business. In the Reserves, he served as the Military Academy liaison officer (MALO) for Northern Virginia, one of the largest and most active groups in the USMA Admissions Field Force. He was tremendously successful as a MALO, taking on additional regional responsibilities. As a direct result of Major Peffers’ efforts in recruiting and mentoring cadet candidates, hundreds of young men and women are currently attending or have graduated from West Point and are now serving as commissioned officers.
At the onset of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Major Peffers was recalled to active duty and promoted to lieutenant colonel in 2003. He was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group in Task Force Viking and deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In 2004, he deployed again as the command engineer for the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) of Central Command, overseeing all engineering requirements for SOCOM construction projects throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Peffers was recalled again for active service with the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), where he coordinated NGA warfighter support with the Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Services, National Intelligence Community and other NGA offices. He eventually rose to the position of military executive to the Director of Analysis and Production. Promoted to colonel, he attended the Army War College, graduating in 2010. He then deployed a final time in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, serving as commandant of Area 82, a Joint Intelligence staff of over 700 personnel at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Colonel Peffers retired from military service in 2012. During his distinguished career, he was awarded numerous medals, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal and Defense Superior Service Medal.
From Eagle Scout to cadet to soldier, Mike lived a life of service to his community and country. He loved his wife, family and friends, inspiring them with his lifelong adherence to West Point’s values: Duty, Honor, Country. Mike was always the first to reach out and cultivate his many friendships. Peffs was the glue that kept his beloved Company B-1 brothers connected. He will be remembered as a voracious reader with a keen intelligence and uncanny memory, and as a lean and fit athlete who was passionate about traveling to ski, scuba dive, hike, kayak, bike and run. Most of all, he was cherished as steadfast and loyal as well as a wonderful listener who never took his friends and family for granted.
Mike passed away on January 3, 2020 at the age of 59 after a three-year battle with neuroendocrine cancer, which he courageously fought with both grit and grace. He was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. Mike is survived by Cynthia, his wife of 24 years, of Herndon, VA; his mother and father, Robert and Jean Peffers of Raleigh, NC; his sisters: Margaret (Tom) Turlington of Clinton, NC, Melissa of Washington, DC, and Marla (Ed) Turlington of Raleigh, NC; four nephews, two nieces, and his beloved dog Merlin.
— COL (R) Dean C. Stodter, USA, B-1 classmate