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JOHN ALEXANDER POTEAT, JR., was born in Marion, NC, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. As children, John and his sister Mary Allen were nurtured not only by their parents, but also by a large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. His father, a state highway engineer, died when John was twelve years old. John’s mother was a fourth-grade teacher. She lived long enough to witness and enjoy the demonstration of character, humanity, and achievement that she and her husband had imparted to John. These character traits became evident early in John’s life. He became an Eagle Scout, camp counselor, and high school valedictorian. He attended North Carolina State University for two years, where he won a scholarship as the outstanding ROTC cadet.
At West Point, John was captain of the Army pistol team. He was also on the Honor Committee and a terrific commander of Company G-2. As a classmate observed at the time, “John is conspicuously comfortable and competent in command. He is the best company commander in our regiment.” And, yes, John was a “hive.” In spite of this, his companymates knew they had no better or more enjoyable friend.
Joining the Corps of Engineers after graduation, John completed his officers basic training at Ft. Belvoir, VA, and Airborne training at Ft. Benning, GA. He then embarked on a distinguished career as a troop leader, professional engineer, facilities construction manager, and scholar.
John began his career by leading a platoon and commanding a company in Germany. Later in his career, he commanded a battalion in Viet Nam and one in Germany.
A distinguished scholar, John was honor graduate at the Combat Intelligence School at Oberammergau, Germany, and he graduated first in his class at the Advanced Officers Course at Ft. Belvoir. He earned his master’s degree at MIT and graduated from the Command and Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, and the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA. John was also a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. In 1981, he was elected to the Phi Beta Phi Chapter at USMA.
In 1960, John returned to West Point to teach in the Department of Earth, Space, and Graphic Sciences for three years. According to one of John’s students, “[John] won our respect for his focused and personal style of instruction.” During this assignment at the Academy, John enjoyed coaching pistol for the Triathlon Club. He inspired one of the club members to train for and become a member of the Olympic Pentathlon Team. During his fourth year at USMA, John was appointed as senior aide to the Superintendent, MG J.B. Lampert. This was a heady and challenging assignment, as John served during a period when major expansion of the Corps of Cadets was being planned.
Interspersed with two tours at the Pentagon, John managed projects as an Army engineer in Turkey; infrastructure chief for NATO’s Central Command; as commander of the Corps of Engineer’s Seattle District; and, finally, as commander of the extensive Huntsville Division in Alabama. John retired from the military in July 1984.
John was a superb officer and leader, and he was a marvelous human being. He met his wife Madelyn while attending North Carolina State, and they were engaged before John was appointed to USMA. Their courtship and devotion to each other throughout the cadet years was touching to all who observed them.
John also was a devoted father. As committed as he was to his Army responsibilities, John always found time for his daughter Lexi. He imparted to her his avid love of skiing. He also taught her to swim and play chess, and, when Lexi became interested in riding, John built a barn for her horse and then spent weekends taking Lexi and her horse, Thunder, to horse shows all over the South.
John was decent, open, and friendly. Taken as a whole, his life and service to the country he loved has been rarely equaled. He was a professional leader and thinker who fulfilled the highest ideals of West Point.
Goodbye, John! All who knew you miss you still.
— A classmate
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