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Our Class was deeply saddened to hear that Le Tondu (Napoleon) had passed away. We have special feelings for all our classmates, but somehow Le Tondu won a particular place in our regard. He came to us from New Jersey as a Plebe. He was "spoony," getting up at 5:00 a.m. to shine his dress hat. Always resplendent in appearance, he held the cadet ranks of corporal, first sergeant, and captain. John Huff was a good athlete, excelling at basketball all four years and serving as captain of the team as a First Classman. He also played on the Cullum Hall softball team and participated in outdoor and indoor track meets. In addition he served on the Howitzer Board.</p>
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In June 1913 he married Sara (Sally) Elizabeth Hubbard. We all predicted high rank for Le Tondu, but he became enmeshed in the various Army schools both as a student and as an instructor. He attended the Infantry School, the Command and General Staff School and the War College, and served on the faculties at the Military Academy, Fort Benning, and Fort Leavenworth. As a consequence he did not receive the active command duty in wartime so necessary for the promotion he desired.</p>
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Le Tondu was born at Shrewsbury, New Jersey, on 16 June 1889, the son of Frederick Christiaan Van Vliet, M.D., and Emma W. Franklin. He came of ancient Dutch stock and as a descendant of Adrian Gerritsen Van Vliet who came to this country in 1662 from Utrecht, The Netherlands, was a member of the Holland Society of New York. A third generation member of that society, his father was president of the Monmouth County Branch from 1916 to 1920, and his grandfather, Major General Stewart Van Vliet, USA, was president of the U.S. Army Branch from 1890 to 1901.</p>
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John Huff is survived by his wife Sally; a son. Colonel John H. Van Vliet Jr., USA (Ret), of Clearwater, Florida; a brother, C. Windsor Van Vliet of Basking Ridge, New Jersey; and three grandchildren. Services were held at Trinity Episcopal Church, Red Bank, with interment at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown Township.</p>
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When John Huff retired, General Omar Bradley, then Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, wrote:</p>
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"As you put aside the uniform you have wom with distinction for more than 40 years, I want to express my deep appreciation for your many contributions to the Army since we were cadets together.</p>
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"Your knowledge of tactics and the devotion you have brought to every task, no matter how difficult or demanding, have paid dividends to the Army. I do not hesitate to say that it has been men like yourself who have made the Army what it is today.</p>
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"We consider ourselves especially fortunate to have had the benefit of your talents in the teaching of our officers at the Command and General Staff School during and since the late war. Your superior performance in this assignment was characteristic of the zeal and enthusiasm that have always marked your long and faithful service. Our personal association at the school in the early years of your duty there was a real pleasure to me.</p>
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I trust our paths will cross often in the years to come.</p>
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"As you look back upon the distinguished record you have built so capably, you may take a full measure of pride in all that it contains."</p>
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We have seen many soldiers, but none have been more dedicated than John Huff. The Long Gray Line takes on a special significance for the example of Le Tondu. Your Alma Mater says: "Well done. Be thou at peace."</p>
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<em>—A classmate</em></p>