Courage Under Fire: Take Hill 800! On June 25, 1950, North Korea launched a massive invasion of South Korea, setting off a bitter, bloody war that would last more than three years and cost the lives of well over a million people, including nearly 50,000 Americans—eight Andover graduates among them. When the news broke on American radios that morning, Angus Deming ’44 had been having coffee with his close friend and Andover classmate Joe Reisler ‘44. They’d served together in Navy training and had roomed together at Yale, graduating in 1948 with BA degrees plus commissions as second lieutenants in the Marine Corps Reserve. Listening to the radio, Joe had an immediate and uncanny premonition: “I bet this means us,” he said. And so it did. Just three months later, Deming and Reisler found themselves on active duty and undergoing intensive training at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, VA, in preparation for being sent to Korea as replacements for Marines killed in weeks of heavy fighting there. That December, the 1st Marine Division suffered heavy casualties during fighting in bitter sub-zero weather at the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. Back in Quantico, several hundred Marine Corps reservists trained together for seven weeks in the Fall of 1950, as the 1st Special Basic Class. Many of them were sent directly into combat in January and early February of 1951. Reisler flew to Korea. Deming crossed the Pacific aboard an old World War II troop ship. Most of the hastily trained reserve lieutenants were assigned to front line infantry units upon arrival in Korea and began taking casualties almost immediately. Ten members were killed in action in the first few weeks and months of 1951. Many were wounded. One would die 16 years later in Vietnam.
the strength and morale of even the most seasoned troops. Andover was there. During one assault along a ridgeline, Joe Reisler saw a Marine sitting beside the dusty trail, bleeding and in pain. It proved to be Burch Ault ’44, a good friend and classmate. Burch was also a lieutenant in the Marines but neither Deming nor Reisler knew that Ault was in Korea. On June 2, 1951, Deming’s battalion was clawing its way along treacherous ridgelines, against battle-hardened North Koreans. The order came down, “Take Hill 800!” It was a steep, massive slope defended by a well-concealed enemy. Deming had the assault platoon. Two air
strikes, an artillery barrage, mortar rounds, and close quarters fighting were required to win the day at the cost of 52 Marines dead or wounded. Deming would be awarded the Silver Star Medal for valor. Deming had a variety of assignments in Korea. When it came time for his rotation home, he was E Company’s machine gun platoon leader. He spent his last night on line huddled in the deepest foxhole he could find, then dodged sniper fire to get back to the rear. Weeks later he arrived at the military airport outside San Francisco, and with a small sack of belongings, thumbed a ride into the city. His war in Korea was over. —George Rider ’51
The Blue Guidon The Newsletter of Andover and the Military
Fall/Winter 2016
Lt. Cmdr. Laurie Coffey ’95
Athlete, Fighter Pilot, Mom During 17 years of naval service, Lt. Cmdr. Laurie Coffey ’95 has learned to balance the sacred duties of family and service to country. Before her 1999 commissioning as an officer, Coffey (call sign “Mocha”) was a standout athlete at Andover and the U.S. Naval Academy. Excelling in basketball and rowing, she led both teams to New England championships in her upper year. Continuing each sport as an Academy Midshipman, Coffey stroked the varsity eight crew, qualifying for the U.S. National Rowing Team. She also led the women’s basketball team to a Patriot League title and its first-ever 30-win season. A ruptured Achilles tendon scuttled her Olympic basketball aspirations months before the 2000 games, but Coffey likes to say that if not for joining the Navy she’d have had an all-star WNBA career. As it turned out, Coffey earned her pilot wings in 2003 and became an F/A-18 Hornet fighter pilot. Her first assignment included flying combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom off the deck of aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Coffey was awarded the Air Medal for her outstanding wartime performance and was featured in the PBS documentary series Carrier. She was subsequently tapped for flight instructor duty, teaching the next generation of Navy fighter pilots. Coffey also designed operational tests for the Navy’s newest fighters and weapons, and was handed the most demanding department head billets during deployment aboard the carrier USS Harry S. Truman.
In February 1951, Deming went ashore in Korea and was immediately assigned to E Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. The following morning, the 1st Marine Division jumped off on the offensive with a quick succession of initial attacks, dubbed Operation Killer and Operation Ripper, which put the United Nations forces back on the offensive. For the better part of six months, UN troops fought their way north to the 38th parallel and beyond, only to be hurled back by two massive Chinese offensives, which UN forces blunted, mainly with American artillery. The unforgiving terrain was as much an obstacle as the enemy, sapping
But the progression of Coffey’s career has seen additional priorities come to the fore. She is the mother of 7-year-old Brooke and has learned to balance national service with raising her daughter. Coffey remarks, “The greatest challenge that I didn’t even think about when I joined at 18 was how to manage a family and have a job that is worldwide deployable.” Perpetually rising to the occasion, Coffey is successfully managing the responsibilities of both motherhood and naval service. 1st Lt. Angus Deming receives the Silver Star in Korea
Coffey is an advocate for strengthening the bond between our military and the citizens it serves. During the course of her career, she has seen the
Coffey in the cockpit of her F/A-18 Hornet
military’s growing dedication to helping veterans transition to civilian life. Coffey says the skills and work ethic of our servicemen and women are a great asset to any organization, and our nation will benefit as the civil and military communities increasingly interact. Coffey’s career has come full circle; she recently completed an assignment back at the Naval Academy as a mentor to future Navy and Marine Corps officers, deputy director of the sailing program, adjunct professor of ethics, and officer representative for the women’s basketball team. Coffey’s ambition is to continue serving for as long as she is able to occupy the challenging billets that allow her to give back to her country; she has a follow-on assignment coming up soon in Naples, Italy, with the U.S. 6th Fleet. — Lt. Livy Coe ’04, USNR
Andover Women at West Point
Alumni Profile
Alexandra “Alexi” Bell ’13’s father regularly reminisced about his cadet days at West Point, although it wasn’t until the former Hale House prefect and Phillipian sports editor was approached by the Army volleyball coach that she became interested in attending herself. “I really liked the mission of the school and its focus on building leaders of character,” said Bell. “I also liked the idea of the challenge. I wanted to know if I could do it.”
Thomas Harvey ’54
“It was definitely a culture shock,” says Bell regarding the transition from Andover, but the cooperative atmosphere has allowed her to thrive in all facets of cadet life, including sports. “Andover prepares you very well academically,” said Bell. “That’s one less thing you have to worry about, especially during plebe year.”
Hell From Above: Courage Over Duc Pho, Vietnam “On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days, on other fields will bear the fruits of victory,” observed Gen. Douglas MacArthur, West Point superintendent (1919–1922). Like all West Pointers since, Thomas “Mike” Harvey ’54, knew these words, carved into his soul as deeply as they were chipped into granite above the entrance to West Point’s gym. ALUMNI CURRENTLY ON ACTIVE DUTY*
Bell briefs the West Point dean of academics
Four years later, the Austin, TX, native is postured to graduate from West Point. Bell plans on branching Military Intelligence with a strong interest in the field of signals intelligence. Additionally, she has been selected to apply for the highly prestigious Marshall, Rhodes, Gates Cambridge, and Rotary scholarships, which offer the possibility of graduate school immediately following graduation. Bell proudly welcomed her sister, Annette ’16, to the Corps of Cadets this past summer. Also entering West Point this July was AnnaMaria Dear ’16, marking the largest gathering of Andover women ever at the military academy. —Capt. Hanson Causbie ’08, U.S. Army
From the Editor When it comes to honoring Andover’s many veterans, timing can be everything. This past winter and spring, George Rider ’51 had wonderful timing, interviewing Ambassador Walter Curley ’40 for the spring 2016 edition of The Blue Guidon. In preparing the article, Rider enjoyed several opportunities to talk on the phone with both Walter and his wife, Mary. “It was a thrill of a lifetime,” Rider recalled. Walter Curley passed away in June 2016. I missed the mark. I became aware of the incredible service record of Thomas “Mike” Harvey ’54 (see story, page 3) over the past year and hoped to talk with him on the phone. Sadly, I learned that Mike had died in 2013. Happily, however, I got to meet his son Todd ’80, who also became an Army helicopter pilot and works in the Pantagon today. Sometimes, calendars collide. On November 10, Capt. Robert Patrick ’88 took command of the Navy’s Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 on Whidbey Island, WA, coinciding exactly with Veterans Day celebrations at Andover. Many Andover veterans and friends who were on campus that day wished we could also have been at Whidbey Island to celebrate with Rob his new command. Between stories in The Blue Guidon, events on and off campus, and our video project to interview as many of Andover’s veterans as possible as they return to school for reunions, the AATM Committee within the Alumni Council wants to improve our timing. We encourage our veterans to reach out to AATM—we want your stories. No service experience is insignificant, and all stories help us recognize the role of Andover alumni in the Armed Forces of the United States. Non Sibi,
Charlie Dean ’79 2
THE BLUE GUIDON The Newsletter of Andover and the Military Vol. 5, Number 1 Published biannually by the Office of Academy Resources, Phillips Academy
Annette Bell ’16
Cat Reppert ’02
Benjamin Bolduc ’16
Eric Chase ’01
AnnaMaria Dear ’16
Aaron DeVos ’01
Anirudh Murali ’16
Matthew Sullivan ’00
Alexandra Bell ’13
Hunter Washburn ’00
Adrian Lehnen ’10
Jarreau Jones ’00
Ansley White ’10
Gil Barndollar ’00
Walker Washburn ’08
Justin Accomando ’99
Jess Choi ’08
Grancis Santana ’99
Jake Bean ’08
Ali Ghaffari ’98
Hanson Causbie ’08
Luis Gonzalez ’97
Eamon Hegarty ’08
Michelle Kalas ’97
Alex Ryan ’07
Jesse Ehrenfeld ’96
Lauren Johnson ’07
Kenny Weiner ’96
Billy Cannon ’07
Rush Taylor ’96
Helal Syed ’07
Laurie Coffey ’95
Karl Novick ’07
Randy Allen ’95
EDITOR Charlie Dean ’79
Connor Flynn ’06
Ryan Shann ’93
Brendan De Brun ’06
Matthew Macarah ’93
ASSOCIATE EDITOR George S.K. Rider ’51
Aaron Stroble ’04
Spencer Abbot ’91
Livy Coe ’04
Craig Der Ananian ’91
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Charlie Dean ’79, chair Seth Moulton ’97, cochair Christine Balling ’86 Tom Beaton ’73 Livy Coe ’04 Laurie Coffey ’95 Johnson Lightfoote ’69 Karl Andrew Novick ’07 Robert Patrick ’88 George Rider ’51 Don Way ’63
Jenn Bales ’04
Eric Hawn ’89
Tom Barron ’04
Rob Patrick ’88
Steve Draheim ’04
Kazimierz Kotlow ’83
Matt Fram ’04
Graeme Henderson ’83
Walter Haydock ’04
Douglas Creedon ’79
Nick Ksiazek ’03 *We recognize this list may be incomplete; it is based on data we have received from alumni updates. If you or someone you know is not on this list, please e-mail Jenny Savino at jsavino@andover.edu.
Harvey was an Andover Athletics Hall of Honor inductee who lettered in hockey, football, and lacrosse. At West Point he would go on to earn similar honors, including All-American honors in lacrosse twice, the Hal Beukema Memorial Award as the outstanding hockey player in 1958, and the Army Athletic Association Trophy his senior year. Harvey eventually would live MacArthur’s words to their fullest in Vietnam. During the course of three voluntary tours of duty in Southeast Asia, Harvey would earn the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second highest award for valor (the Medal of Honor is the highest); the Silver Star for valor; and four Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism. After 33 years of service, Harvey retired from the U.S. Army in 1991. Maj. Gen. Harvey passed away in 2013 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. “Andover was a valued and cherished experience that provided a cultural diversity rarely found elsewhere,” noted Harvey, proud parent of Todd ’80, at the time of his induction into the Andover Athletics Hall of Honor. “The military became a calling where duty, honor, and country were, indeed, a way of life.”
Citation—Distinguished Service Cross “The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Thomas H. Harvey, Major (Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with
Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Major Harvey distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 April 1967 while serving as platoon leader of a helicopter team flying a reconnaissance and Harvey receives the support mission for Distinguished Service Cross from ground operations near Gen. Westmoreland in 1967. Duc Pho. Catching a North Vietnamese unit in the open, Major Harvey made a series of low-level passes firing his rockets and machine guns. Expending his rockets, he then hovered directly over the insurgents so his gunners could direct deadly fire upon them. His helicopter received heavy damage from ground fire, but he continued the attack until his aircraft ran low on fuel. After returning to his base to change aircraft, Major Harvey flew back to the battle area. Again locating Viet Cong in the open, he made a treetoplevel rocket pass into the face of withering fire. His rockets failed to fire so he again hovered over the hostile forces while his door gunners inflicted heavy casualties. Once more returning to base after his helicopter was damaged and a crewmember wounded, he again changed aircraft and flew back to support the infantrymen. His courageous actions were instrumental in bringing heavy casualties on the enemy and successfully completing the mission. Major Harvey’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.” When Thomas “Mike” Harvey’s name is spoken, non sibi rings truest. —Charlie Dean ’79
Happy Birthday, Capt. Hudner!
Seniors Head to Service Academies
On August 30, Capt. Thomas J. Hudner ’43 was surprised to hear chanting on his street in Concord, MA. Stepping onto his front porch, he recognized the voices of chief petty officer selectees from the USS Constitution. The group broke into the Navy Hymn, and Hudner stood to salute them. They topped off the visit by singing “Happy Birthday” to the war hero, who soon would turn 92. Hudner was recently on campus to receive the Andover Alumni Award of Distinction.
The Class of 2016 will hold a special place in Andover’s service history: for the first time in nearly 20 years, four Andover seniors are pursuing their commissions at U.S. service academies: Annette Bell of Houston, TX (U.S. Military Academy, joining sister Lexi Bell ’13); Benjamin Bolduc of Methuen, MA (U.S. Coast Guard Academy); AnnaMaria Dear of Los Angeles, CA (U.S. Military Academy); and Anirudh Murali of Andover, MA (U.S. Naval Academy). We wish them all well!
—Jenny Savino
—Karl Novick ’07
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