Possessing a college degree and a delightful sense of humor, Doug was respected and liked by his West Point classmates. He was a master of practical jokes and always ready for a “bull session” on any topic. In the January 43 Howitzer, his roommate accurately described Doug and forecast his military career:

“A college graduate and athlete, Doug continued his purposeful way here. Unable to play his favorite sport, lacrosse, because of four years previous participation, he willingly helped coach West Point teams for four years. His will to finish any task he undertakes made him a star man and will take him far in the service.”

Doug fondly remembered his good fortune when he met his future wife, the lovely Shirley Snow of South Orange, New Jersey, on a double date at West Point. Shirley was the date of another classmate who ended up marrying Doug’s date. Shirley remembers, “The first time Doug’s name was on my hop card, I knew I had just met the man I would marry.” They married on 20 January 1943 in the cadet chapel. It was the beginning of 60 wonderful years together. They raised four children and enjoyed close relationships with them, their eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Their first station was Richmond, Virginia, where Doug was assigned to the 928th Aviation Engineer Regiment. In March 1944, Doug was sent to the Pacific Theater, where he commanded an engineer company. In that capacity, he was directly involved in the successful construction in a combat environment of vitally needed airfields in New Guinea, the Philippines, and the Ryukyu Islands. While so engaged, he received the happy news that Shirley had given birth to their first son, Peter. He was retained in the Theater as Commander of the 1879th Engineering Battalion to participate in the occupation of Okinawa and Japan. He finally returned to the United States in September 1946 for a joyful reunion with Shirley and their son, with station at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.

Recognizing Doug’s potential, the Army sent him and his family to California Technology Institute in Pasadena in May 1947. While there, they welcomed their second son, Donald. Soon after Doug earned a master’s degree in civil engineering, they were sent to West Point in June 1948. Doug served in the Department of Mechanics as an instructor, of which he humorously said, “My most rewarding contribution to the Army was teaching goat section cadets the mysteries of solid mechanics at USMA — a real challenge.” While there, Shirley and he joyfully welcomed their first daughter, Heather.

Continuing his professional development, Doug and his growing family were next dispatched back to Ft. Belvoir in June 1951 for the Advanced Engineering Course. While there, a second daughter, Holly, happily rounded out the family. Doug and his engineering skills, however, were needed in the Korean War. He was sent in July 1952, while Shirley and their four children moved to Snowville, New Hampshire, her ancestral home.

Doug’s WWII experience in constructing airfields paid dividends in Korea, where he was given command of two engineering battalions: first, the 840th, building Uson Airfield in an area that had been rice paddies; and then the 811 th, providing facilities engineering and maintenance support for the entire Kimpo airfield.

Doug’s continual efforts at self-improvement were manifested in 1961, when he not only graduated from the Army War College but also earned a master’s degree in international affairs. He and his family next enjoyed assignments in Europe and in the military advisory assistance group in Taiwan before he again was sent to serve his country with distinction in war. This time it was in Viet Nam, where Doug was deputy commander of the 18th Engineering Brigade, providing engineering support from just north of Saigon to the Demilitarized Zone. His final tour of duty before retiring in June 1970 was with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon.

Doug and Shirley remained in Arlington, Virginia, while Doug worked as a consultant for Battelle Memorial Institute. Doug summed up the next several years in the Class of January’43 50 Year Book, writing,

“May 1976, abandoned DC rat race and moved to rural New Hampshire to live at Alaya, our self designed, oriental style, dream house on a semi private lake. No neighbors within sight or sound. Have traveled to Egypt, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and Scotland (golf at Saint Andrew’s), but there is no place like home. Three of four children and four of six grandchildren live close by a real delight. Our closely knit family unit is among our most treasured accomplishments. Recalling cadet days, I marvel at the technical progress made during our Army service . . . But ‘Duty, Honor, Country’ remain dominant and unchanged.”

Doug is greatly missed by his loving family and many friends. His quick wit and humor were hallmarks of his character that we so fondly recall.

— Written by family and a classmate.