Ronald Laurence Lucas was born in Frostburg, MD on March 21, 1944. Born into a large, tightly knit family, where giving back was a family virtue, Ron always served his community. In 1956 he saw The West Point Story on television and knew then exactly where he wanted to go to college and what career he wanted to follow.
A natural leader and organizer, he was elected vice president of both his senior class and the student council of Beall High School and participated in soccer and track. Graduating in 1962, he was determined to get an appointment to West Point. He was able to get into West Point on his third attempt in 1965, after attending Frostburg State College for one and a half years, enlisting in the Army and attending the USMA Prep School at Fort Belvoir, VA.
While at West Point from 1965 to 1969, he participated in the Ring and Crest Committee, the Dialectic Society, and SCUSA and served as a Protestant acolyte at the Cadet Chapel. Many a young plebe survived the rigors of plebe year due to Ron’s skills, maturity, and knowledge of the Army. An enthusiastic and active company intramural player, he was an outstanding intramural soccer player. A quiet, positive leader, he served as a squad leader in his junior year and a platoon sergeant in his senior year. He was never too busy to help out a classmate. He would even lend his prized Pontiac Firebird or Bonneville to a stranded classmate in need.
Ron was a cadet’s cadet and a future warrior. He sought the challenges of combat in Vietnam, choosing Armor and volunteering for Vietnam as his first permanent duty station.
Ron completed Airborne, Ranger and Armor officer training and reported to Vietnam for his first tour in August 1970. Assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in III Corps, he served as an Armor officer. Returning from Vietnam in August 1971, Ron then volunteered for rotary-wing flight training. Upon graduation from flight training, he reported back to Vietnam for a second tour as a helicopter pilot in mid-1972. The war was winding down for the United States, and it was a very dangerous time for those serving in country.
Upon his return to the States in 1973, he was assigned as a pilot to the 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. He bought a house in the Fayetteville community and enjoyed his three-year assignment.
After leaving Fort Bragg and his initial duty commitment, Ron would transition into an Active Guard Reserve pilot billet with the Maryland National Guard at Aberdeen Proving Ground (Edgewood Air Field). Later he would become the executive officer of the 29th Air Traffic Control Unit. In 1990, while serving as the XO of the 29th, he was sent as part of an advance party to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm. After deploying his unit, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and served five months in country running the Army Aviation airfields and beddown site.
Returning to the States in April 1991, he would continue to serve in the 29th Air Traffic Control Unit until his retirement in September 1994. Among his personal awards were the coveted Senior and Master Aviator Wings, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with “V” device and 12 Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and an Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, along with his Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Remaining in the Edgewood area upon retiring and owning a beautiful home in Havre de Grace, MD, Ron was a successful realtor and astute day trader. He could often be found in Frostburg on a Saturday working with his brothers on one of his houses. The whole family enjoyed having Ron in town.
Always devoted to giving back and particularly devoted to West Point activities, Ron ran the West Point Exchange Program for 30 years. Ron would sponsor these cadets and look out for them. In this effort he would mentor 360 West Point cadets over the 30 years of his dedicated service. He also coordinated Army-Navy tailgates and was a member of the West Point Society of Annapolis for 30 years.
Ron was a passionate Baltimore Ravens football fan, and he would share that passion with his friends and family. On October 11, 2021 (the night of his funeral services) the Ravens would win 31-25 over the Indianapolis Colts in overtime.
A totally selfless, kind, and humble man, Ron still had his own brand of swagger. He was a big brother and the rock of support within his family and for his friends. He always put the needs of others before his own.
Ron passed away September 26, 2021, in his home in Havre de Grace, having experienced a tragic household accident. He is survived by his brother Don and sisters Carole and Glenda. At his services, which were held in Frostburg on October 11,2021, members of the West Point Classes of 1968, ’69, ’70, ’77, and ’01 were present, as well as five SNCOs from the 29th Air Traffic Control unit. This demonstrated the long reach of his Army service, both before, during and after his retirement from active duty, which is rare indeed. A true American, a hero of three combat tours and a pillar of strength to his family, friends and troops, he served his country well and faithfully.
Ron, your work on earth is now done. Rest in peace my friend.