|
More about
the
Bevier-Elting
Family Association:
|
|
Colonel John R. Elting (USA Ret):
Master Historian
By Grace Elting Castle
Envision a young boy, not yet old enough to learn to read,
sitting mesmerized by pictures of Napoleon and his white horse in the Child’s
Book of Knowledge. That book, a gift from his parents, ignited the spark for a
lifelong interest that has resulted in Colonel John R. Elting, (USA Ret.)
becoming the world’s most recognized authority on the life and battles of
France’s most renowned military figure.
 Yes,
that’s "our" Col. John Elting---past president of our family
association, long-time supporter of family projects, that man usually introduced
at annual meetings as "the Elting family patriarch."
Such a "patriarch"! While many of us were exhausted
after a stimulating October family meeting, our 88 year old Col. John rushed
back to his Cornwall on Hudson, NY home to get his beloved wife Ann settled in,
and then he was off to Egypt and Syria (modern Israel) to follow the trail of a
Napoleonic campaign.
Once described in print as a man who could "map almost
any battle (Civil War) from memory and spell out its action in minute-by-minute
detail," Col. John has, with Ann by his side for the past 63 years, earned
a flawless reputation as historian, writer and consultant. His accomplishments
are too numerous to fully enumerate within the confines of our newsletter, so I’ll
just offer samples:
After graduating from high school in Billings, MT he earned a
B.A in zoology from Leland Stanford University where he was in the ROTC.
 | He soon began an extensive military career in the final days
of the "horse soldier" that culminated with his retirement in 1968
after having earned the Bronze Star, three Commendation Ribbons, a Purple Heart
and the Legion of Merit. In his early training, he had been taught military
equitation and the functioning of horse-drawn field artillery, equipped with the
famous Model 1897 ‘French 75’. "Like Napoleon’s gunners," he
says, "I learned something about what horses could do and the problems of
caring for them—knowledge unavailable to later motorized and mechanized
artillerymen." During his career, he participated in numerous projects
including being Deputy Chief, Intelligence Center, J2, Headquarters Far East
Command. Though his career spanned World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, he
modestly points out that he "only had combat service in World War II." |
| An illustrious teaching career took him from Billings, MT
High School where he taught biology and English, to Oregon State University to
be the ROTC instructor. He earned an M.A in Secondary Education from Colorado
State College of Education, and then it was on to such other prestigious
campuses as the Armed Forces Information School and the U.S Military Academy (USMA)
at West Point, NY, where as an associate professor he became a prolific and
respected author. |
| When Life needed a historical consultant for their Civil War
Centennial series of books, the USMA designated Col. John and he was soon deeply
immersed in six special series: World War II, Third Reich, Classics of World War
II, Echoes of Glory and the Collector’s Library of the Civil War. |
| Col. John’s vitae lists nearly 20 books of military history
that he has edited, authored or co-authored with titles ranging from Military
Uniforms in America: Years of Growth, 1796-1851 to The Battles of Saratoga and
Battles for Scandinavia. His A Military History and Atlas of the Napoleonic
Wars, published in 1964 was republished this past February. |
| While at West Point he and Ann happened to visit Washington’s
Headquarters at Newburgh and noticed that one of the exhibits had been donated
by a Paul Elting. Overhearing their comments about the Elting name, a
receptionist suggested they visit New Paltz and they arrived to find the village
celebrating Stone House Day! From that accidental discovery of Elting history,
he went on to serve several years as president of the BEFA and now cites his
most significant contribution to the association as "I kept a roof on the
house! Place was in poor shape and deteriorating. With the help of Bob Lasher
and David Wiese we took care of a whole range of essential repairs." |
When asked what he believes to be his most significant
contribution as an historian, Col. John responded, "Having been a
professional soldier, with both staff and line experience, and having served
during the final days of the ‘horse solder’, I have been able to bring a
certain practical understanding to old wars---and have learned how to put this
into effective wording."
Today, one need only enter the name John R. Elting on an
Internet search engine to learn of his importance in the world of military
history and literature. Go to "books on tape.com" and you’ll find
his 1988 book Swords Around A Throne available and described as "The
definitive story of Napoleon’s Grand Armee by a master historian." Click
on "amazon,com" and you’ll find 17 titles ready to be shipped. Go to
"british-bookshop.com" and you’ll find Swords Around A Throne with
such comments from distinguished historians as "A masterpiece; quite
simply, John Elting’s fine book is the best I have ever read on this
challenging subject," and "Elting is a master historian."
It was while surfing on the Internet that I found my favorite
description of Col. John. In a March 1996 announcement of the Illinois
convention of Miniature Wargamers, participants were invited to "come meet
and hear this living treasure of military lore."
This talented gentleman is our family’s "living
treasure". While the entire world has had the benefit of his incredible
knowledge and contributions to history, we have had the added pleasure of his
interest, friendship and continual sharing of ideas and information, as well as
his interest and on-going support of the Bevier-Elting house and other
association projects.
Not one to rest on his laurels, he is rushing to meet
publication deadlines, the latest for his Napoleonic Uniforms, Volume III, and
contemplating yet another book, perhaps on logistics!
Sadly, "our" Col. John left us in May 2000. We were blessed to
have known this gentle man whose quick wit, ready sense of humor, "let's
get to the heart of the matter" attitude, and insistence on the correctness
of our endeavors, were guiding stars for these many years. Now his light will
shine from our fond memories. -GEC
Back | Next
|
|
|
