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JOHN NICHOLAS KOUN, stalwart member
of Company M of the 2d Regiment and a
1954 graduate of the United States Military
Academy, brought only honor and distinction
to his alma mater throughout his military
career. To his classmates, he was a natural
leader, an organizer, and a “doer.” Any
assignment given him always had the same
happy result mission accomplished.
After completing ninth grade at Highland
Falls High School, John went to Cardinal
Farley Military Academy in Rhinebeck,
NY. He has the distinction of being the first
graduate from Cardinal Farley to attend West
Point. With high school diploma in hand, he
enlisted in the Air Force, went through basic
training, and waited for his appointment to
the Academy. In the interim, he was sent to
prep school in Washington, DC, and gained
admittance to the Academy with the Class of
1953, Company A-1. John ran into problems
with the Academic Department, however,
and was re-admitted to the Class of 1954,
Company M-2, realizing his goal with graduation
from the Academy in 1954.
This young man had an unusually clear
vision of the Academy, for John had lived
on the reservation and attended West Point
Elementary School. Perhaps his attendance
there initiated his life-long love of the Army.
John was the eldest of the four sons born to
Rene and Ann Koun. When his dad accepted
the position as manager of the Officers Mess
at the Academy, a whole new life opened up
for young John. Because West Point had one
of the few remaining active horse Cavalry
units in the Army, he enjoyed the singular
privilege of riding with his dad and the
“brass.” It is not difficult to imagine the joy
and excitement such activities evoked for a
youngster. A favorite family memory is of
young John falling from his horse in the presence
of COL George Patton, whose sharp
reprimand encouraged the boy to re-mount
in a split second’s time. He responded as a future
cadet should immediately, and with no
excuse offered.
John’s camaraderie was instant and gave
great spirit to Company M-2. In the field of
sports, he led the way on the lacrosse field and
was part of the track team. John also had a
gift for language study and actively led the
French Club as secretary. He distinguished
himself in the Debating Council and was
held in high esteem, not only by his companymates
but also by all who knew him well
in the Corps.
To his M-2 companymates, he was affectionately
known as “Coon Dog,” a loyal
friend with a world class sense of humor. After
Call to Quarters each evening, we would be
guided by the laughter down to Coon Dog’s
room, where a funny story or practical joke
was in progress. His room thus became a
gathering place every evening. John was fun
to be with. He was happy in his own skin,
loved people, and made a project of keeping
the people about him happy.
This man’s humor was contagious, and at
each reunion we always found ourselves gathered
round him once again. We wanted to
hear one of his famous stories. It mattered not
whether it was a tale from cadet days or the
recounting of a recent adventure John held
everyone as his captive audience.
Upon graduation, John quickly became
Airborne qualified. His Airborne wings were
complemented with a Ranger tab, and he was
assigned to Panama, followed by a tour in
Puerto Rico. In these initial postings, he wore
Infantry insignia. In 1957, however, John
transferred to the Military Intelligence branch
and began a new set of activities. Because he
had displayed a true gift for foreign languages,
John was sent to the Language School
in Monterey to master French and German.
The young officer then went off to Germany
and then returned to the United States for
an assignment in Miami. Viet Nam was his
next commitment.
John met his beloved wife, Ginny, in
Washington, DC, while he was teaching at
the Defense Intelligence School. Our capital
city holds charm for us all, but for Ginny and
John, it was the beginning of a life-long romance
and adventure. In March 1971, they
were married. Ginny and her three children
Susan, Chuck, and Alan were a deep and
special part of his life. They gave him great joy,
and he eagerly followed the children’s activities
with pride. He ensured that each of them
received a college education. Additionally,
John lived to see three grandchildren, adding
a new and special dimension to his life.
Four months after his marriage, John
went back to Viet Nam. Indeed, our classmate
served the nation with distinction, completing
three tours of duty in that theater of
wartime operations. In 1975, he retired from
active duty.
Each of John’s three brothers Rene,
Neil and Michael recall the pride their
parents took in the fact that their eldest son
was a graduate of the Academy. John’s life’s
calling was to be a soldier, and he responded
with a commitment worthy of the highest
praise. On 9 Jun 1989, he died after a long
illness, possibly associated with exposure to
Agent Orange.
Many words may be written and poems
struck to mark the passing of a soul who has
distinguished himself in the field of valor,
where courage is tested and integrity proved.
John Koun deserves the highest form of praise,
for our motto “Duty, Honor, Country” was
not an abstraction, but a way of life he lived.
Be thou at Peace. Well done.
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