Cadet William James “Bill” Aggas Jr. joined the Class of 1969 on July 1, 1965 from Lantz Corners, PA. His parents were William James Aggas and Hannah E. Erickson Aggas, and he was their only child. Bill’s father served as a staff sergeant in the Army Air Force during World War II with the 1596th Base Unit from 1942 to 1945.
Prior to entering the Academy, Bill graduated from Smethport Area High School, PA. Following Beast Barracks he was assigned to Company C-2. He was identified as that guy with a real competitive spirit and an ability to easily make friends. Those traits remained with him throughout his short time with us, especially his willingness to share those good times with his friends. His companymate Glenn Ferraro remembers him as fun-loving, outgoing, and a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Pete Drewer, also a companymate, posted the following eulogy about Bill: “Bill came to us with a great sense of humor and a strong desire not to let the gray walls get him down. I had the privilege of rooming with him as a yearling and he was a good friend. Whether it was hiding popcorn poppers and TVs from the TAC or trying to pick up his term paper from Central Area after it mysteriously flew out of the window, he helped us to make it thru with his energy and high spirits. A traffic accident took him away from us too soon.” During his time at the Academy he was a member of the Chess Club and the French Club. In our class publication, Muster, published after our yearling year, Bill listed his “interests” as “skiing, baseball, golf, blonds, and cars.”
On August 13, 1967, Bill was killed in an automobile accident while on leave from the Academy. His companymates Glenn Ferraro, Pete Dencker, Bob Allardice, and Jeff Donaldson were able to attend the funeral with Pete, Bob, Jeff, Dan Sharphorn, Russell Houck, and John Hahn serving as honorary pallbearers. He was laid to rest in the Nebo Lutheran Chapel and Cemetery, also known as the Mount Nebo Cemetery, in Mount Jewett, PA.
As I put the finishing touches on this effort in the summer of 2017, I was struck with the irony that it was just 10 days short of the 50th anniversary of Bill’s untimely death. I was also keenly aware of the difference in the era in which Bill died and our current era. Bill Aggas was our first classmate to die and to 19- to 21-year-old men it was a shock and an enduring sadness, a grim reminder that maybe we were not really immortal after all.
Through the convenience of the Internet, I was able to do a pretty comprehensive search of public records never having to leave my home. The coverage of the funeral was front page, center of Bill’s local paper and gave a picture of small time America now a distant memory. Both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars were well represented providing a color guard and firing squad. The family gave each honorary pallbearer a cigarette lighter in recognition of their participation in the ceremony. Also covered on the front page was the Vietnam War, something that would dominate our lives at West Point and in which most of our class would fight. An event that continues to affect our classmates to this very day.
My research led me to the Mount Nebo Cemetery and through the diligence of someone, probably a volunteer grave walker; there is a picture of Bill’s tombstone. It is a color picture and to the right of the stone is an American Flag held by a VFW or American Legion flag holder, a visible symbol that we the living place on Memorial Day to honor those who have served. Seeing that picture brought it all back, an acute sadness for a classmate lost far too soon and now, unfortunately, a distant memory—a memory of sword fights with broom sticks in the hall in the now demolished Old Central Area and marathon Risk board games on the endless and lonely Saturday nights during plebe year. Between the 1947 and 1967 on Bill’s tombstone is the Academy Crest, forever linking us with our brother.
Bill Aggas, friend, companymate, and classmate remains trapped in a simpler time, forever young and forever in our hearts and in our memories. In our faith we know that we will see you again.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
— Lindy Blackburn and C-2 companymates