Ron and I met in 1977 by virtue of being assigned to the same military unit (2d Battalion, 34th Field Artillery) at Ft Sill, OK. As often happens in the Army, we became close not merely through our duties but also through a number of intramural events — flag football, basketball, and racquetball, where we won the post championship in doubles. Our families came to know each other as well. Assignments that brought us together separated us as well. I left Ft Sill for language school in California; Ron went to Wash DC for a personnel position. But we kept in touch.
Not long afterward (1980-ish) I was selected for the Command and General Staff College and had to call on Ron for assistance. The timing of my assignment was inconvenient; it would have caused a significant disruption in the progression of assignments, so I asked for help. Ron, now in his officer assignment post in DC, managed to shift my school slot from Ft Leavenworth to the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Va, an equivalent college for a career officer. Couldn’t have done it without him.
Both of our follow-on postings were in West Germany and he came through with another assist. By the late summer of 1985, I had completed a tour as a battalion executive officer (XO) in Herbornseelbach in central Germany and had to move. I managed to secure an interview with the 66 Military Intelligence Brigade commander for a job with his element in Munich.
On the day of the interview I was in the secretary’s office in Munich when her phone rang. She answered and gave me an unusual look, saying “Yes, he’s sitting here with me.” It was Ron (in Neu Ulm an hour away)! I had no idea what was going on or how Ron knew where I was, but he said he had in important message for me. As soon as my interview was over, I should call the general’s aide at the 56th FA Command about a meeting with BG Raymond Haddock to discuss a job as his G-5 (civil-military) officer. I said, “Ron, I’m going into an interview with the 66th MI right now. The colonel’s waiting.” He told me to call the 56th as soon as I finished. OK, time to make this tale shorter.
What Ron suggested actually came to pass. I called the aide, took a train to Ulm, was picked up by another 56th Command officer and driven to his kaserne. Ten minutes later the general’s helicopter landed to take me to BG Haddock’s HQ in Swäbisch Gmünd for my second interview of a crazy day. I did get the job at the 56th and all turned out well. Again, Ron had gone out of his way to help with my career progression — one of the best Army buddies ever!
We have remained close ever since 1977 and spoke periodically, but probably not often enough. One of the last times was at the very beginning of the pandemic, shortly after my LSU Tigers won the CFP following the 2019 season. I gloated; he laughed companionably and charitably.
Rest well, my Friend!
Ken Guillory
