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HERBERT WILLOUGHBY "BILL" BOOTH, JR.,
was proud of his dad’s service in the Army Air
Corps in World War II, and by the time he
was in high school he had decided upon a military
career–indeed, a pilot’s career in the Air
Force. Wanting the best preparation for this
career, he planned to attend West Point.
In 1948, Bill graduated from Sarasota High
School. While waiting for his congressional
appointment, he spent two years at Virginia
Military Institute, so Beast Barracks and Plebe
year were a breeze. As a cadet, he made the
wrestling team and sang in the Glee Club. His
proud parents, sister Betsy, and fiancée Nancy
Penrose cheered at his graduation.
After earning his wings, Bill saw that the
Air Force was developing new close-in support
doctrine using specialized aircraft. He was
an early volunteer to become a Forward Air
Control (FAC) pilot. The U-10 aircraft was
designed for football field-length takeoff and
landing and very close-in fire direction and
enemy field analysis. When the Air Force was
ready to put this doctrine to the test in support
of ARVN units in Viet Nam, Bill volunteered.
He knew it was a high-risk assignment, but
he was determined to be on the cutting edge.
In fact, volunteering for the tour resulted in a
deferral of a German attaché assignment Bill
had earned against stiff competition. On 15
Oct 1962, Bill piloted his plane into harm’s
way with an Army captain and a sergeant as
observers. They took heavy ground fire and went down to instant death.
It still stuns us to relive the memory of
Bill’s death. He was one of West Point’s best
men and the Class of ’54’s second combat
death. His courage, his hero’s death, and his
Distinguished Flying Cross inspire us. When
he passed away, we lost a good friend, good
husband, good father, and someone who
would have been a good grandfather. Bill had
married Nancy Penrose on 21 Aug 1955, and
his son Herbert was 19 months old, and his
daughter Victoria was just days old when he
left for Viet Nam. Now Herb and his wife
Shelley have a son, Ian, and Vicki and her husband
Ron have three boys: Bradley, Westley,
and Riley. This is a full and proud legacy. As
a youngster, Bill’s son Herbert III, found his
dad’s camera and started taking pictures for
fun. His fun led to a full-fledged career as a
professional photographer.
Words of friendship and respect from four
of Bill’s companymates:
“Bill was my roommate First Class Year.
We became good friends, sharing interests in
music, singing, speaking German, and history.
I developed great respect and admiration
for Bill. His maturity and goals made a lasting
impression on me. He phoned
in the fall of 1962 to say he was off
to Viet Nam. We had a good talk. A
month later, he was dead. I attended
the funeral and visited with Bill’s
parents and sister Betsy, telling them
that I felt honored to have known
Bill Booth.”
“I can still recall Bill’s dynamic
personality, dry humor, and dedication
to a career of service to his
country. He was a stalwart believer
in the plebe system for developing
future officers. Housed as we were, a
“runt” company with “flankers” on
both sides, Bill’s impact on some of
our neighboring plebes was most colorful,
to say the least. Remembering
Bill in his cadet days and knowing
of the dangerous mission he volunteered
for makes us all proud to have
been his classmates.”
“Bill’s years at VMI prepared him
well for USMA. It was clear that Bill
was cut out for military life. Being
“spoony” was routine. Spit-shined
shoes, polished brass, and constant
readiness for inspection were his hallmarks.
Bill was highly disciplined,
with excellent military bearing. He
was a credit to West Point and his classmates. We
all knew he would be an outstanding leader.”
“I remember Bill as a serious, no-nonsense
individual with his future in the military very
much in his heart. I got a kick out of his pose of a
stern and fierce demeanor that could put the fear
of God in a plebe. I can’t think of anyone in our
company who could dress down a plebe as effectively
as Bill. He was a guy who was determined
to achieve his goals.”
Yes, Bill, your dry wit entertained us. Your
ideals and career inspired us. Your life goes on
in the hearts and minds of your classmates and
your family.
We all sure miss you.
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