WILLIAM A. HOOS JR. 1962
Cullum No. 24026-1962 | February 14, 1966 | Died in Vietnam
Interred in West Point Cemetery, West Point, NY
William Arthur Hoos, Jr. was born and raised in Indiana. He attended East Chicago Washington High School in East Chicago, IN, and played basketball and baseball. He was always willing to talk to anyone about Hoosier hysteria and especially about the highly competitive nature of high school basketball in northwest Indiana. He also was an avid Chicago White Sox fan and somehow always managed to follow the team, even when he served overseas.
After high school, Bill worked for a short time in a steel mill and attended Valparaiso University in Indiana. He joined the Army and, in 1957, was assigned to the USMA Prep School at Ft. Belvoir, VA.
Bill entered West Point with the Class of 1962 on 1 Jul 1958. From the outset, it was obvious to all who knew him that he had leadership skills and a maturity that made him a standout amongst his classmates in G1. To those who didn’t know him well, these traits made Bill seem somewhat serious and unapproachable. His yearbook entry facetiously, but accurately, captured this aspect of Bill’s demeanor. “Daddy took Plebe year seriously. We saw him smile three times. We discovered after Buckner that he wasn’t really grouchy, he was just more mature than the rest of us.” All those who knew him well, however, appreciated his warm, gentle and fun loving nature.
Late in Plebe year, Bill and other G1 plebes had blind dates with a group of nursing students who came to West Point from New Jersey. Bill was matched up with Barbara Jean (Beej) Shank. At the end of the daylong visit, the groups separated without any indication that any of the pairings would continue beyond that first date. Bill especially didn’t give any clue that the day had been anything more than an obligation to the classmate who had arranged the visit. It was only midway through Buckner that it became apparent that Bill had been smitten and had been secretly and regularly corresponding with Beej. The mighty Oak had fallen, and no one knew or noticed. From that point on, Bill and Beej were inseparable at all West Point social events and during every leave. New Jersey saw far more of Bill than did his native Indiana during the remainder of his cadet days.
No one was surprised when Bill became the commander of company G1 his First Class year. His leadership skills, intelligence and maturity had much earlier made him the de facto leader of the class and the company. Perhaps the only serious criticism of Bill came from his roommates who had to endure multiple playings of Gene Krupa’s 1-1/2 hour solo drum performance on an LP album called “Big Noise from Winnetka.”
After the tragic death of Steve Pierce midway through his First Class year, Bill was selected to command the Second Battalion of the First Regiment.
Bill and Beej were married shortly after graduation. They then both left for Ft. Benning, where Bill attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course as well as Airborne and Ranger training. In March of 1963, Bill and Beej joined many ’62 classmates in the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, HI. Bill was assigned to the 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry Regiment.
The years in Hawaii from 1963 to 1965 were an idyllic time for Bill and Beej. They lived on the beach on the north shore of Oahu, close to many classmates and friends. Two children, Bill and Terri, were born to the couple. The training was hard but rewarding, as the division honed its skills with one eye on the expanding U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia. As part of the Pacific strategic reserve, it became increasingly obvious that the 25th Infantry Division would one day be committed to the struggle in Vietnam.
Bill’s leadership skills, so evident at West Point, were soon recognized in his battalion. In 1965 he became a company commander. Late that same year, the division was alerted for deployment to Southeast Asia. In January of 1966 the division left Hawaii for Vietnam. Two brigades, including Bill’s battalion, were sent to Cu Chi, near Saigon.
On 14 Feb 1966, Bill led his company on a dismounted sweep forward of the Cu Chi perimeter on the fringe of the Fil Hoi plantation. As the company maneuvered through the brush that included Viet Cong trenches and bunkers, they were under constant, harassing sniper fire. When stopped by some heavy machine gun fire, Bill attempted to place a 90mm recoilless rifle team into position to take out the machine gun, but he and the team were hit by an enemy claymore mine. As the command group rushed forward to help, a second claymore killed and wounded the Field Artillery forward observer team. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.
Bill’s death and the other casualties were a tragic microcosm of the entire guerrilla war being fought in Vietnam at that time.
Bill’s death snuffed out what all who knew him would agree would have been a highly successful military career. It also took from all of us a wonderful husband, father and friend. Bill is buried at West Point, the place where he grew so much professionally and personally. It was the place that transformed him from that lanky ex-steelworker and enlisted man to the excellent officer he became. West Point was also the place where he met and courted the love of his life.
Bill is survived by his wife Barbara Jean, his children, Bill and Terri, and three grandchildren, Malia, Olivia and Emma.
The intervening years have not made his loss any easier for those of us who knew him and loved him. We’re left only with happy thoughts of our times together and sad thoughts of things that will never be. So rest peacefully, old buddy. We miss you. We’ll never forget you.
—His family and G1 classmates
William Arthur Hoos
| WILLIAM ARTHUR HOOS JR |
| CAPT – O3 – Army – Regular 25th Infantry Division Length of service 4 years His tour began on Jan 5, 1966 Casualty was on Feb 14, 1966 In , SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS Body was recovered |
DATE OF BIRTH: May 2, 1937
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Indiana
HOME OF RECORD:
East Chicago, Indiana
William Hoos graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1962.
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION: 1 of 1
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Division: 25th Infantry Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) William Arthur Hoos, Jr. (ASN: 0-95978), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company A , 1st Battalion, 5th Mechanized Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, during a reconnaissance in force operation near Cu Chi, Republic of Vietnam on 14 February 1966. During the early morning hours Captain Hoos’ company made contact with and engaged a well-fortified Viet Cong force employing small arms and automatic weapons. With complete disregard for his own safety Captain Hoos continuously exposed himself to the intense hostile fire while leading his men through the heavily booby trapped area. He personally directed the fires of his men, administered to their needs, maintained an air of calmness and strong leadership, and assisted in protecting the landing site he had selected for the evacuation of casualties. He constantly cautioned his men about booby traps and personally pointed them out to his men that day. While directing fire against a hostile emplacement, a command detonated mine was exploded directly to the front of Captain Hoos which mortally wounded him. Inspired by his dauntless and heroic actions of that day, Captain Hoos’ men successfully completed the mission. Captain Hoos’ extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
POSTED ON 9.25.2001 POSTED BY: PATRICK LUZZI WILLISM ARTHUR HOOS You have a beautiful grandaughter named Malia borne by your daughter Terri.
OSTED ON 5.2.2020
POSTED BY: KR
CPT WILLIAM A. HOOS JR. – BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE (83D)
The “Friends of Rocky Versace” remember one of Rocky’s fellow alumni from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point – a Plebe in Cadet Company G-1, USCC when Rocky was a Firstie in Co. K-2, and a brother Airborne-Ranger – Captain William Arthur Hoos Jr., USMA Class of 1962, on what would’ve been his 83d birthday – 2 May 2020.
POSTED ON 7.11.2019
POSTED BY: LUCY MICIK
THANK YOU
Dear Captain William Hoos, Thank you for your service as an Infantry Unit Commander. Thanks also for graduating from WEST POINT. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.
POSTED ON 5.2.2019
POSTED BY: DENNIS WRISTON
I’M PROUD OF OUR VIETNAM VETERANS
Captain William Arthur Hoos Jr., Served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.
POSTED ON 3.12.2016
POSTED BY: KR
CPT WILLIAM A. HOOS JR. – USMA GRADUATE
CPT William Arthur Hoos Jr was an alumnus of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY. He was one of 335 men from West Point who died or are MIA in Southeast Asia/Indochina during the period October, 1957 – September, 1972. “Well done; Be thou at peace.”
POSTED ON 12.22.2013
POSTED BY: RUSS DOWDEN
NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Bill Hoos was an infantry company commander with A Company, 1st Battalion 5th Mechanized Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, when he was killed in action on 14 February 1966, near Cu Chi, Vietnam. I was with Captain Hoos that day, working as his artillery forward observer.
POSTED ON 12.18.2013
POSTED BY: CURT CARTER CCARTER02@EARTHLINK.NET
REMEMBERING AN AMERICAN HERO
Dear Captain William Arthur Hoos Jr, sir
As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.
May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.
With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir
Curt Carter
IF I SHOULD DIE…REMEMBRANCES FOR CAPT. WILLIAM ARTHUR HOOS, JR, USA…WHO DIED FOR OUR COUNTRY!!!!
If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep…for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile…Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine…Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine…and I, perchnace, may therein comfort you.
CAPTAIN
WILLIAM ARTHUR HOOS JR
WAS A DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE
OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
AT WEST POINT, NEW YORK
IN THE CLASS OF 1962
WHO MET HIS UNTIMELY DEATH
ON 14 FEBRUARY 1966
WHILE SERVING WITH
ALPHA COMPANY
2nd BRIGADE (MECHANIZED)
5th INFANTRY REGIMENT
” BOBCATS “
25th INFANTRY DIVISION
” TROPIC LIGHTNING ”
HE WAS POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED
THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL
and was entitled to wear the
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
~~~ – DUTY – HONOR – COUNTRY – ~~~
~~~ – THE LONG GRAY LINE – ~~~
YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE
USMA – 1962 – 24026
POSTED ON 2.14.2004
POSTED BY: ROBERTA (PFC JOSEPH DANIEL JARRELL’S SISTER)
THANK YOU
Thank you William for serving our country and for our freedom. My brother was KIA on the same day as you, that day our thoughts was with him, but now, my thoughts are with each and every one of you who have made any sacrifice and served. May God bless each of you!!
For What They Gave on Saturday Afternoon 