Search Results

Truscott -- Lucian King Truscott III, Col. US Army, Retired, born September 17, 1921 in Honolulu (Territory of) Hawaii and died March 12, 2000 in Redmond, WA. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Anne Elizabeth Harloe Truscott. Survived by his five Truscott children, Lucian King IV, Francis Meriwether, Susan Harloe, Mary Randolph, and Virigina Anne; grandchildren, Rachel, Sara, Lauren, Ian, Christopher, Lucas, Thomas, Nicholas, Lilly; and great-grandchildren, Sierra, Maxwell, Nathan (and soon to be born baby Perez); and by his brother, James J. (and Helen) Truscott; a niece and three nephews. Truscott graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1945 and was sent to Japan and the Philippines, where he married Anne, a Red Cross Volunteer. He was among the first Army Air Corps pilots to fly the F-80. He commanded an infantry platoon and company in the Korean War, and later commanded the first Mechanized Infantry Battalion stationed in Vietnam. He retired in September, 1970 in Fort Leavenworth. Truscott was a natural leader who led by example. He valued honesty and integrity, and had high expectations of himself and those who served with him. He loved"his troops" and in return, they loved and respected him. Decorations included the Silver Star for gallantry in combat in Korea and the Legion of Merit. After 26 years in the Army, he and Anne spent 22 happy years in Albuquerque before relocating to Redmond in 1992. Far from the stereotypical"colonel", Truscott was a fiercely patriotic man of principle who stood up for his beliefs, and taught his family and his troops to do the same. In the early 90's, he wrote editorials in the national press in favor of allowing homosexuals to serve in the military without hiding their sexuality and he proudly testified in front of the House Armed Services Committee. The veteran of two wars also worked as a volunteer"baby cuddler" in hospital nurseries during retirement, and none who knew him ever considered the warrior and the baby cuddler to be contradictory. He was a devoted husband and father, a man whose friendships spanned decades, and the epitome of an officer and a gentleman. The Colonel (and he did like to be called Colonel!) was strong, proud, handsome, and charming (and, he would add, modest!). He had a wry and clever wit, and was well known for his songs, poems, skits, and pretty horrible bugling. He and Anne were great dancers. They lived in 34 different homes in 53 years of marriage, and in retirement, loved to travel and visit their many friends, and had many happy times"when the sun was over the yard arm." And now, once more, he is dancing with his beloved Anne in his arms."Day is done, gone the sun, from the hills, from the lake, from the skies. All is well, safely rest, soldier or the sailor, God keep."--"Taps" The family requests memorials to Evergreen Hospice, 12910 Totem Lake Blvd. NE, #200, Kirkland, WA 98034. Family service will be held at Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia in May, 2000. Family contact: Susan Truscott, 425-697-5670.
        Published on: Sun April 02, 2000