Ron Zinn was a West Point cadet who had difficulty with marching, yet became an

Olympic walker. He was a man determined to succeed in tribute to his loving

parents back in Illinois who wanted nothing but the best for their son. They saw

their goal realized in his accomplishments at the Academy.

Col. Richard (Dick) S. Kent (ret.) remembers his former roommate:

"Even after 41 years, I remember Ron as a truly modest, honest and

straightforward person with a dry sense of humor. He made lots of

Corps Squad trips, but usually managed to bring something back for his

roommates. He spent more than a few weekends at our home in Manhatten Beach and

was well liked by everyone there. He even dated my sister for a short time. I

guess that the thing that sticks with me the most after all this time is my

recollection of Ron's level-headedness and his fundamental decency"

That’s the way that I remember Ron, too as we shared the rigors of cadet life in

Company C-1. Ron and I also ended up in the same company yearling year at Camp

Buckner. This was fortunate for both of us since our company won the Buckner

Stakes training competition. As a result of our victory, Ron and I both

celebrated Labor Day weekend with a three-day pass in NYC. I still have a

picture of us standing around the piano at Joe King’s Ratskeller. Our glasses

are raised in unison to the beat of our favorite drinking song. We both enjoyed

the occasion as we let off steam built up from the demanding summer training.

Another fond memory of Ron occurred during our first class year when I was on

holiday leave. Sitting in the finished basement of my girlfriend’s house, I

turned on the television and tuned in to a track meet being held at Madison

Square Garden. Ron was clearly visible on the screen as he power walked his way

to the front of the pack. My immediate reaction was to proudly exclaim for all

to hear, "That is my classmate Ron, and he is on his way to another victory!"

Dick Kent also recalls memories from firsty year, after Ron had been in the

Olympics:

"Lots of other cadets, myself included would challenge Ron to informal

Walking races. After all, how hard could it be? We all probably harbored secret

hopes of beating the champ. At first, Ron would sort of humor us and let us win.

If we became too obnoxious or insistent, he would reluctantly and with a

degree of resignation shows us the basic points of Olympic walking and how sorry

we really were. It was done without malice and in genuinely good humor but it

left me in total awe of Ron's capabilities and self-discipline, If you

pressed him for stories of what the Olympics were like, he would never

talk about himself, but would make an observation about his fellow athletes and

his respect for them, even those from Warsaw Pact countries."

Ron is not only remembered by family and classmates, but also by the comrades-in

–arms with whom he served.

On 21 April 2000, Roy S. Lombardo, JR., LTC, Infantry, Former Company Commander,

B/2-503 (1964-1965), after laying a wreath on Ron’s grave at

The United States Military Academy Cemetery, addressed assembly of the

Bravo bulls as follows:

"We, veterans of Co B, 2-503d Parachute Infantry Regiment assemble today IN

MEMORY OF LT RON ZINN, 21 April 2000, not to praise you, but to remember you. It

has taken us 36 years just to learn that your gravesite is here at the Military

Academy. There are 64 veterans of Company B, in contact by letter and Email, and

all, who served with you, remember you with camaraderie and respect."

In his eulogy, LTC Lombardo observed:

"We remember a young officer, described by his Military Academy classmates as

fun-loving yet ascetic in his physical training regime; a tough wrestler with a

Unique ability to absorb pain while outlasting his opponents; a world class

track Olympian, participating in the 1960 Olympics while still a cadet and in

the 1964 Olympics, after commissioning.

As a lean, muscular Lieutenant, who joined us on Okinawa, led the company track

team to the battalion Championship.

We remember a newly married officer, anxious to become proficient at his

Infantry assignment but equally anxious to have his bride, Barbara, join him on

Okinawa.

We remember a dedicated soldier, who worked night and day to master his trade in

the jungles of War Zone D and to win the trust of his men, for whom he cared

deeply.

We remember a determined leader, who on 7 July 1965 rushed to the aid of his

wounded squad leader, only to succumb to enemy fire. In so doing, you became

the first Officer KIA in the 173d Airborne Brigade and one of the first in

Vietnam."

Inspired by Ron’s selfless example, Bravo's battered heroes turned the

tide of battle. In the process, they garnered one Medal of Honor, two

Distinguished Service Crosses, four Silver Stars, fourteen Commendation

Medals and over a hundred Purple Hearts. Ron’s valor was emulated over and over

again.

In addition to the military, the athletic community is also commemorating Ron.

Each year in Asbury Park, NJ an event is held for all would-be champion walkers.

I myself participated in the "Captain Ronald Zinn Memorial Races" one year. I

did not win any prizes, but I still treasure the tee shirt I received

bearing his name. His brother Jerry reports that in the Chicago area, there is

an annual race-walking award presented in Ron’s honor.

Ron’s father died in 1973, but his widow, mother, brother and sister live on

with their fond memories of the good times that preceded their tragic loss.

They join with his friends, classmates and fellow soldiers in remembering Ron as

a brave soldier, a world-class athlete and a real class guy. His name is not only

engraved on The Wall in DC and the tombstone in the West Point Cemetery, but it

is also etched in the hearts of all of us who were fortunate enough to have

known him.

Sleep well, old friend, you are not forgotten. Pax vobiscum.