We knew him as "Jimmy from West Virginia"... short, strong, and with a beagle bark to announce his presence among us. Those who knew him well were permitted to call him "Beaver," a nickname acquired along the way. He was a good friend and classmate and one we have missed for so many years.
Jimmy Morton Ford was born in Charleston, WV, the son of a chef and housewife. He grew up in modest surroundings in Beckley, WV, and first learned of the opportunities available to those who served in the military from his father, Jimmy Cox Ford, formerly enlisted.
In time, Jimmy set his sights on the Military Academy "as the finest institution from which to attain a college education and serve my country simultaneously," and he worked hard to develop the necessary credentials to obtain an appointment. Over the four years he attended Woodrow Wilson High School, he was an active participant and leader in numerous student activities, clubs and civic organizations, including: the Student Council, the Latin and Science Clubs, the Methodist Church, and the Boy Scouts. But it was through sports that Jimmy really made a name for himself. He was a star athlete, lettering multiple times in track, wrestling, and football, a sport in which he was the team’s co-captain and a two-time All-State awardee. In the end, Jimmy succeeded in getting an appointment to West Point from Senator Robert C. Byrd and entered the Academy with the Class of ’69 in July 1965.
Jimmy took to his new life with an uncommon grace and enthusiasm. He quickly mastered the knowledge and skills necessary to "stay out of the line of fire" and tried his best to help others succeed. His pleasant attitude, good nature, unique sense of humor, and that beagle bark, quickly won over both the upper class cadre and his fellow classmates. Jimmy completed "Beast" with little difficulty.
As a cadet, Jimmy never seemed to have much difficulty with academics and maneuvered through all the tough courses with ease. He took the time to serve as a chapel acolyte for two years and was an active participant in the Portuguese Club, Scuba Club, Behavioral Science Club, and KDET Staff. He also served as a cadet honor representative during his Cow year and was the H—3 cadet company commander when the class graduated.
During his four years at the Academy, Jimmy developed a fiercely loyal group of friends attracted to his good spirits, great sense of humor, and the ability to thrive in the Academy environment without being captured by it. His personality and good looks guaranteed success in finding stunning female companionship but the hunting was over when he met his "sweet Lori" on a blind date. We all knew that Jimmy had found his soul mate.
Without a doubt, Jimmy’s outgoing personality, sense of loyalty toward his friends, intelligence, and athletic ability marked him as a cadet who had it all. Jimmy always said that his greatest achievements as a cadet were those he experienced "on the fields of friendly strife."
His love of sports and determined athletic prowess served him well. As a yearling, he earned the place of middle-guard on the varsity roster of the 150-lb. football team, a position he did not relinquish for all three years. Perhaps Jimmy’s proudest moment as a cadet came when he learned that he had been named to the All-League First Team. For him, it was the same as being a Division One All-American.
Jimmy was commissioned an Armor officer and had brief assignments at Ft. Benning, where he attended both Airborne and Ranger School, and Ft. Knox for the Armor Officer Basic Course before reporting for duty as a platoon leader with the 2d Battalion, 81st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division at Ft. Hood, TX. Following that assignment, Jimmy was asked to serve as Aide- de-Camp for the commanding general of Project MASSTER. He discovered during that assignment the future role of Army Aviation and decided he wanted to be part of it.
His request for Flight School was approved and, in July of 1971, Jimmy headed off to Ft. Rucker, AL. While at Ft. Hood, Jimmy married his sweet Lori, the former Lori Lawrence. They made a perfect couple and quickly settled into the life of "student pilot" at Rucker.
In February 1972, Jimmy was assigned to Viet Nam, where he initially was a weapons section leader with the 1st Cavalry Division and, later, a weapons platoon leader with F Troop, 9th Cavalry, 12th Cavalry Group. During those two assignments, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, 37 Air Medals with "V" device, and the Army Commendation Medal.
In January 1973, Jimmy returned home from Viet Nam. One month later, he and Lori traveled to Germany, where Jimmy was assigned to Headquarters Troop, 2-2 Armored Cavalry Regiment. In the late afternoon of 6 Oct 1973, during a REFOGER exercise, a call went out over the Air Traffic Control system that an OH-58 scout helicopter was overdue. Typical low clouds, fog, and rain made Grafenwoehr a dangerous place to operate helicopters not rated for instrument flight. Two of Jimmy’s classmates were responding to the air search and rescue mission when the word came that the aircraft had been located—there were no survivors—and "it was Beaver."
Shortly thereafter, Jimmy’s remains were buried at the West Point Cemetery but the tragedy of his loss so early in life continues in the hearts of his classmates.
Jimmy Ford, in life and spirit, made being at West Point worthwhile for everyone he touched. All who knew him as a friend and classmate miss his wonderful smile and words of encouragement. For those who knew him as Beaver, his absence is still pronounced. But we know that Jimmy is still with us.
I’ve heard that on a quiet night, if you listen carefully, you can hear the bark of a beagle on the gentle wind blowing over the Hudson, still announcing his presence in the Long Gray Line.
Rest in peace.