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Jack M. Beringer '54

No. 198586 September 1928 - 21 March 2007

Died: Colorado Springs, CO

Interred: Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs, CO

Jack Maurice Beringer was born at Tripler General Hospital, Honolulu, HI, on 6 Sep 1928, to COL Lester E. Beringer, M.D., and Winifred Rothrock Beringer. Over the next several years, the Beringer family “followed the flag” to Walter Reed General Hospital, Fitzsimmons General Hospital, and Ft. Huachuca, AZ, (with Jack attending a one-room schoolhouse in Tombstone) and Camp Claiborne, LA.

In August 1941, anticipating the gathering storm, Jack and his mother returned to her hometown in Longmont, CO. Subsequently, in January 1942, Jack’s father took the 19th Station Hospital to Ireland, in the first overseas troop deployment of World War II. Jack attended Longmont High School and graduated in 1945. He enjoyed his high school experience and participated in several sports, excelling in track. His senior year his team placed third at State, and Jack made All-State in the 220 and 440 yard events.

At age 17, Jack enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His enlisted service included attendance at the USMAPS at Stewart Field, NY, which heightened his interest in West Point. He qualified for entry and received an appointment for the following year. After Jack’s discharge, he returned to Colorado Springs, where his father was hospital commander at Camp Carson. While waiting, Jack attended Colorado College, joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and participated in track, where he won his numerals. His life-long love of ice hockey was born at this small private college, a powerhouse of the NCAA.

Jack was assigned to Cadet Company M-2 and graduated with the Class of 1954 as an Armor officer. As a cadet, he quickly established himself as a wise and accomplished leader, ready to help other cadets transition into the military way of life and in making their personal and career choices. Jack’s judgment and maturity earned him the title of “Jack, the Elder.”

During graduation leave in Colorado, Jack met Joan Forester Self, an Army daughter. Their courtship developed and continued while he attended the Armor Officer Basic Course and Airborne School. Jack joined his first organization, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, as a Cavalryman and loved it. After obtaining a short leave from the regiment, Jack and Joan were married on 12 Mar 1955 in the Shove Memorial Chapel at Colorado College.

In July 1956, Jack began a three-year tour with the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fulda, Germany, and Joan joined him in October. With the many friends they made and the busy duty schedule, including border duty along the “Iron Curtain,” Jack and Joan considered the three years in Germany among the most enjoyable of their Army career. During 1959–60, Jack was a student at the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Ft. Knox, KY.

Jack’s next assignment (1960–1963) was a three year tour to USMAPS at Ft. Belvoir, VA. In 1963, he was assigned to Korea as the Secretary to the General Staff , Korean Military Assistance Group and the First Republic of Korea Army, with which he was very impressed. Next, it was Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS (1964–1965). His Korean counterpart joined him there, adding to the enjoyment of the year and their continuing friendship.

Jack then returned to Ft. Knox for a short period before leaving for Viet Nam in December 1965. His first assignment as Armored Cavalry Advisor at MACV was followed by a rewarding assignment at the Republic of Viet Nam Military Academy. January 1967 found Jack and Joan in Norfolk, VA, with Jack a student at the Armed Forces Staff College. Their next assignment was to the Pentagon for a tour with Armor Branch and the first addition to the family, their son, Jack Lester “Luke,” born in March 1968.

In 1969, the Beringer family moved to Ft. Lewis, WA, where Jack commanded the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. This tour saw the second addition to the family, daughter Laura Joan, born in July 1970. After his command tour, the family returned to Ft. Leavenworth, where Jack was assigned to Combat Developments Command. The assignment included a great deal of travel and a year as Secretary to the General Staff. Jack’s last assignment was as Chief, Armor Branch, Main Battle Tank Task Force. The first signs of serious problems with his health began at Ft. Leavenworth, contributing to his decision to retire in 1974, in the rank of lieutenant colonel.

The family retired to Ft. Collins, CO, where Jack started a master’s degree program and accepted an administrative position with Colorado State University. In 1976, he underwent his first life-saving heart bypass surgery, with a second operation in 1991. Jack took up oil painting, genealogy, radio-controlled airplanes and serious running. His love of track and field events provided an opportunity to become an official with the U.S. Track & Field Federation. He was Head Finish Judge for all CSU track and cross country championship meets, to include the WAC conference championships. The 18 years at Ft. Collins were most enjoyable, especially for raising their young children.

When their children finished college, Jack and Joan returned to Colorado Springs. Despite two by-pass surgeries, cancer and emphysema, Jack and Joan continued an active retirement with vacation trips and visits with family and friends. They also hosted and co-hosted many Cadet Company M-2 reunions in conjunction with Army-Air Force games. On one occasion, Jack was chairman for a very successful Army-Air Force game mini-reunion of the entire Class of ’54.

Jack’s health problems, however, proved to be more than even the most determined individual could handle. A massive heart attack placed him on the other side of the Long Gray Line on 21 Mar 2007. Jack is survived by his wife and children, Luke and Laura, and granddaughter Carrie Joan.

“Jack the Elder” always will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, a steadfast friend, and a loyal soldier to whom the words “Duty, Honor, Country” were a way of life. “Stack Arms, Parade Rest.”

—M-2 classmate

 

Originally published in ASSEMBLY, May/June 2008

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