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| John Charles Trent
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| NO. 17938 • 11 October 1926 - 15 November 1950
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| Killed in Korea, November 15, 1950, near Wonsan. Aged 24 years.
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"We are landing at the Port of Wonsan tomorrow; it has not yet been
secured. Please don't worry about me." These were the last words heard
from big, wide-smiling, gentle John Trent who met his death near Wonsan,
November 15, 1950.
John, or Jack, as he was known to his family and friends in Memphis, was
born on October 11, 1926 to Walter and Eleanor Trent. His parents still live in
the house on Walker Avenue where he was born - a house filled with
memories of his happy boyhood. The youngest of five children, John was born
into a family, close-knit in love for one another, and one in which
traditions, especially as to holidays and birthdays, are carried on from year
to year - family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas, trips to the
country at Easter and on the Fourth of July, picnics in the summertime and
circuses in the fall.
In his junior high school years, John became interested in sports,
entering every one that was offered in the school. His capacity for leadership
was shown by his being elected president of the senior class, captain of the
football team, and most popular boy in his class. The newspapers selected him
as one of the most promising football players entering high school that year.
His interest and skill in athletics continued to develop during his high
school days. As a senior, he was a member of the Student Council, and received
many honors in athletics. Immediately after graduation, John attended Louisiana
State University, finishing one year's work before he was called to the Air
Force. After fifteen months In the Air Force, he entered West Point.
Whenever John was at home, there was a gathering of the boys from high
school days, for a spaghetti supper. These friendships did not lessen with the
years, and each time John returned, it became a standing joke to say, as the
phone rang and rang, "Jack is home again!"
John's years at West Point and the few months after graduation, are
beautifully described in the following tribute written by "HIS
ROOMMATES":
"On that warm Summer day In 1946, a strapping young man came to us
from a loving Tennessee family who had moulded him in the family traditions of
love and honor. With those inbred ties of closeness and courage, he lived and
died a true All-American. These words are most fitting to John C. Trent,
our dearest friend, who left us on the Korean field of battle on 15 November
1950.
"Our initial acquaintance with John took place on a field similar to
that from which he left us . . . a Beast Barracks tactics problem on the mock
battle grounds that circumscribe our Alma Mater. Here for the first time we met
the broad-shouldered, rugged individual who was to be our roommate for
three years. John arrived at West Point and we immediately accepted the modest
and unassuming typical "Rebel" for the friend that he was. Despite
the many laurels and kudos that he earned for his prowess and accomplishments,
he departed from us unchanged as the quiet fellow he had been from the start.
We remember him for that cool steadiness and amiable personality that depicted
a man who lived for the enjoyment of life itself.
"John never lost sight
of his eternal goal to return home to his cherished family in Memphis and spend
his days with Mom, Dad, his sisters, brother Bud, relatives and friends. The
love and ties that are often absent within the American family of today were
ever so present with the wonderful Trents. John's return from every leave
aIways found him bubbling over with the joys of having been HOME. Naturally,
too, there was always "THE" girl in John's life which meant that
Memphis was the garden spot of the world for him.
"If John's family and
home were his first love, then we must call football his second. In the
ALL-American game, John fulfilled his every ambition as he led our Black
Knights of the Hudson through the difficult 1949 campaign . . . undefeated and
untied. In each of his three years on the gridiron he held one moment to be
more cherished than the others . . . 1947 . . . A pass interception against
Navy that resulted in a touchdown and a 21-0 victory FOR THE TEAM . . .
1948 . . . His last-second grab of a Galiffa pass that proved the margin of
victory FOR THE TEAM against Pennsylvania In a bitterly fought 26-20
battle . . . 1949 . . . Leading THE TEAM in the huge bowl at Philadelphia In
defeating our great rivals, the Midshipmen of Annapolis, 38-0, the
soundest trouncing in the history of that long series. The shy, reserved pride
of this ALL-American John Trent was ever at its highest in receiving from
friend and foe alike the simple accolade of recognition, 'Hi, Big John.' For
this kind of man, it was more than enough. It was this kind of man they called
'ALL-American,' the best our beloved country had to offer.
"It was during his graduation leave that the desperate cry came to
us from Korea. John came to us again to join the new Team which again was the best we had to offer. Big
John was there with his brief words, with a pat on the back from those big
fists to bolster spirits that sagged momentarily, just as he had done in every
football game he'd fought . . . keeping an eye on the score and the yardage. He
was there, his platoon sergeant tells us, on that black Korean night as he
started to check his position and see his Team, to give the pat on the back and
the brief words to those who were fighting fatigue and sleep In their foxholes
as they waited for the enemy. The sergeant had wanted to make the rounds, but as
was the way of this ALL-American, Big John insisted on personally
visiting his weary Team himself. It was during this necessary check of the
perimeter that John received those fatal wounds. He was reverently laid to rest
among others from the Team at the Marine Cemetery in Wonsan, Korea.
"That Big John had not changed to the very end is related by his
platoon sergeant. His conversation throughout those last days was filled with
his true loves . . . his family, his home and friends, 'the' girl, and . . . Football.
"Thus it was that we came to know and love and lose our ALL-American
friend . . . Big John Trent."
In him seemed to dwell the promise of greatness the sort of personality
that made people love, admire and respect him; he had within him a love of people,
kindliness and a deep, abiding faith in God. He has left a heritage of which
he, his family and his friends may be justly proud.
Why he was chosen to die is not understandable, but perhaps he and
thousands of others have died so that the generations to come shall be able to
walk without fear, to live and worship as they please, and to hold their heads
high, as free men should.
His Junior High graduation Speech is a strangely prophetic one, entitled
"I Am An American," and ends fittingly:
"I become a link in an unending, unbroken chain, welded together by
the Spirit of Freedom, and shining with an undying purpose that will keep
forever the principles of Democracy supreme in a turmoiled world."
- Louise Trent Ferguson
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USMA 1950