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HUMBERT FRANCIS SWEENEY, known as
“Frank” to those who were close to him,
was a singularly gifted man. He came to
the Academy from Philadelphia with three
years of college study at LaSalle University already
to his credit. This gave him a maturity
and familiarity with the academic life that
helped him achieve the goals of the Corps.
Classmates recall the quiet, efficient camaraderie
they enjoyed with him throughout the
cadet years.
As a member of the Catholic Chapel
squad, Frank’s musical talents led straight to
the office of director of the Catholic Choir.
In the Debate Council, he was vice-president,
and he enjoyed much prestige in the
Glee Club. Early on, it was evident that this
Philadelphia man was caught up in the spirit
of the Academy.
More than once, Frank would be excused
from parade practice because his fine voice
was needed to get a program in perfect tune
for a visiting dignitary. Many were the moments
we wished we could join the ranks of
the choir when there were orders to “fall in”
for extra parade practice.
He had a significant role in organizing
and directing the 100th Nite Show, earning
him a special place in the memory of his Class
of ’54 comrades. He was gifted musically, but
he also excelled in the English Department
and the literary field throughout his cadet
years. He achieved the honor of being
first–#1 man–in the English Department.
He attempted, sometimes successfully, to
explain and decipher the hidden message in
the Shakespearian sonnets to his classmates.
The spirit of camaraderie was always present,
and Frank was an integral part of that bond
among the M-2 men.
As we well remember, plebes spent
Christmas at West Point in those days.
During Christmas holiday in 1950, Cadet
Sweeney and his roommate, Cadet Palmer,
were invited to the Catholic Chapel for an
afternoon social. Father Robert McCormick
was particularly solicitous about his plebes.
At the chapel, they met roommates Eleanor
McDonald and Nancy Middlemiss from
Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart.
Eleanor and Frank were married at graduation
time, and Nancy and Warren followed
suit in 1956. Even though many years have
passed, and both Eleanor and Frank have returned
to the Lord, the Palmers remain close
to the Sweeney children.
Frank had chosen Artillery branch at
graduation, so Frank and Eleanor reported
to Ft. Sill, OK, upon Frank’s completion of
Airborne School at Ft. Benning, GA, making
the town of Lawton their home for the
next three years. As all of us know, the experiences
of a brand-new second lieutenant are
the source of great stories. Friends all enjoy
sharing of stories of finding the right house
and adjusting to the new post. Many of us remember
the comical way Frank could regale
us all with an experience from the Army at
Ft. Sill. It was secretly believed that Frank’s favorite
artillery command when in the field on
training was CSMO (Close Station March
Order), when the unit would pack its gear
and head for home so Frank could then see
his beloved Eleanor.
Ft. Sill was also the final military posting
for Frank, as he and Eleanor left the
service in 1957. He opted for the industrial
sector and joined the DuPont Corporation
team in Delaware, where he took up residence
with his growing family. Frank was
promoted quickly and was once again on the
move. This time, they moved to the greater
New York City area, where they enjoyed frequent
visits with family and classmates. They
were blessed with seven children: Francis,
Catherine, John, Daniel, Madeleine, Robert,
and Virginia. In all their accomplishments,
their children and now 16 grandchildren are
a beautiful reflection of the high values set before
them by both their parents.
On 1 Feb 1965, Frank died unexpectedly,
and Eleanor raised the children alone. She enriched
them with her own beautiful vision of
faith, wisdom, and humor.
No commentary would be complete
without a reflection on Frank’s devotion to
“his Eleanor” and the children. The romance
began at a social on a snowy December afternoon
and lasted a lifetime. Cadet roommates
have attested to the fact that his literary ability
was finely honed by the epistle he typed to
Eleanor every night after lights out. The clicking
of his typewriter keys in the hallway of
the Cadet division was a familiar sound, followed
by Frank scrambling back to his room
with his typewriter and chair if he heard the
tap of heels from the Tactical Officer on a
lower floor.
Frank’s time with us was far too short, but
the memories we have are undimmed. His
legacy is a strong and enduring one. Lofty
goals and ideals are often expressed in literary
works. Frank was not only conversant
with written wisdom but also emulated these
standards in his own life. Honor and decency
were hallmarks as soldier, husband, father,
and friend.
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