CPT Ernest Crews Lacy, Jr

ASSEMBLY. The Magagazine of the AGUSMA ^ | October 1947 | John J. Norris

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Ernest Crews Lacy, Jr. No. 13068 • 6 June 1920 – 28 April 1945

Killed in action in Germany, aged 24 years Interment: American Military Cemetery, Margraten, Holland

ON 28 APRIL 1945, BUCK LACY was killed by enemy small arms fire while leading a patrol across the Elbe River in Germany. The tragedy of his death was particularly untimely, coming only ten days before the cessation of hostilities in Europe and after the victory for which he fought had already been won. A brief review of his life is in order. Buck was born at South Boston, Halifax County, Virginia, on 6 June 1920. He spent his childhood and boyhood days at Halifax attending the Halifax High School from which he was graduated in June 1936. In September 1936, he entered the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, leaving the school after three years of study to enter the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, on 1 July 1939. Buck was graduated from the Military Academy near the top of his class on 19 January 1943 and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. After a brief course at the Engineer Branch School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he joined the 327th Engineer Combat Battalion of the 102nd Infantry Division at Camp Maxey, Texas, and accompanied the battalion overseas in September 1944. He was in actual combat from October 1944 as the Battalion S-2 until his death on 28 April 1945. His life was ended instantly by enemy small arms fire while he was leading a patrol across the Elbe River in enemy territory. Buck was buried in the American Military Cemetery at Margraten, Holland. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medals posthumously.

Buck’s outstanding abilities were apparent at an early age. Being mechanically inclined, he was interested as a boy in mechanical things. His resourcefulness always kept him engaged in gainful occupations and earned for him his own spending money. He studied the lives of great soldiers and formed an early liking for things military. His intelligence was unquestionable; he stood near the top of his class in high school and made an excellent record at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. At West Point, he wore stars as a distinguished cadet for two years. His leadership was clearly demonstrated. His first class year at West Point found him a captain and battalion commander in the Corps of Cadets. As an army officer, he was rapidly promoted to the rank of captain. The battalion commander of the 327th Engineer Combat Battalion had this to say of Buck in a letter of condolence to his father:

“Captain Lacy was a member of my staff, a natural born leader and commanded the respect of all the officers and enlisted men who knew him. His friendliness, sincerity, and loyalty, which distinguished him as a true American soldier, made him one of the best liked officers of my command.” But character was Buck Lacy’s finest attribute. Modesty, straightforwardness, sincerity, and clean thinking were characteristic of him. Upon his death, the very highest tributes to Buck were sent to his family by many of those who knew him and respected him. His high school principal described him as “modest and retiring.” His family pastor wrote:

“He was one of those young fellows who always bore the characteristics of a gentleman. When in conversation he always looked you straight in the eye and in answering that look one could see the intelligence and character that few young men have. In going over my memory of him he stands out as one of the finest young men I have ever known.” Buck Lacy always held himself to a high code of personal honor and character. He was a Christian gentleman.

At West Point, Buck had to spend little time studying. He learned quickly, and as a result was able to spend a great deal of time working at his favorite hobbies — movie making and pistol practice. Buck really became an expert at movie making. His color movies of West Point were particularly good and it was a pleasure for him to show them to his friends on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. His work was always done quickly, quietly, and well. He was a considerate and thoughtful roommate and a loyal friend.

At the Academy, Buck was often “kidded” about his “efficiency.” He practically never made an error in the performance of his military duties and ranked number one in his class in Tactics during his second class year. Buck enjoyed a good “bull” session and often sat up hours after taps to continue a pleasant discussion. He was a staunch defender of the South at all times. His Virginia accent also was good for many laughs among his friends. There were friendly arguments on the correct pronunciation of such words as “aunt,” “house,” and “about.” There was never any doubt that Buck was a born and bred Virginian.

Buck believed strongly in consideration for others and was always attentive to prevent a classmate from being “gigged” for misconduct of another cadet. He never cared too much for the “femmes” and seldom “dragged” to the Cadet hops. Nightclubs didn’t particularly interest him. The football trips to New York were occupied in enjoying a good dinner, walking around town, or looking at interesting shop window displays. He was keenly interested in athletics and attended almost all athletic contests. Frequent handball games kept him in good physical condition during the winter months.

Buck was fond of his visits to Virginia Beach each summer with his family. He enjoyed putting the cottage in order, swimming, and sunbathing on the beach. During the summers at West Point, Buck longed to be at Virginia Beach. On his furlough, he had several of his cadet friends as his guests there and enjoyed entertaining them. While overseas he took his only leave to the French Riviera while his battalion was resting at Krefeld, Germany, just before crossing the Rhine River. It was at Krefeld, also, that he had a final reunion with several of his closest cadet friends.

As an officer, Buck excelled at administrative work, but preferred field soldiering. He thoroughly enjoyed the Louisiana maneuvers, and afterward was not satisfied during the months of waiting in garrison before going overseas. He was anxious to get into combat, feeling that a more constructive contribution toward winning the war would make him happier.

Throughout his life, Buck was always considerate and thoughtful of his family. He was loyal and generous to his friends. His life was a credit to his mother and father and to the proudest traditions of our country. He is survived by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Lacy of Halifax, Virginia, and his two sisters, June and Marian Marie. He was particularly close to his uncle, Mr. Alton Lacy, who looked upon Buck as a son.

Buck Lacy left many abiding memories — his clear blue eyes, his genuine smile, his complete happiness in enjoying the simple things of life. There are memories of his happiness during the college years in being at home again, fixing things about the house, of friendly greetings to the hometown people. But the finest memory of all is the picture of his attitude of reverence during the services each Sunday morning in the beautiful chapel at West Point. For in the spirit of all for which that chapel stands Buck Lacy lived and in that same spirit he also died.

— John J. Norris, Class of January 1943

Originally published in ASSEMBLY, October 1947