Peter W. Cuthbert – U.S. Army 1950-53
Peter W. Cuthbert – U.S. Army 1950-53
Peter W. Cuthbert (1929-2021) had 32 years of commissioned service, serving in the U.S Army from 1950-53, 10 years in the National Guard and 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserve. While serving in Korea, Pete was a replacement platoon leader with 4th Platoon, Charlie Company, and the 35th Regimental Tank Company stationed along the MLR (Main Line of Resistance). Pete worked as a history teacher and his book “Korea (Our War) 1950-1953)” is available on Amazon. This interview was recorded shortly before Pete’s death at VFW Post 5350 in Westhampton Beach, NY.
Colonel (Retired) Peter W. Cuthbert Sr. peacefully passed away after a brief battle with leukemia on October 5, 2021. He was 91 (just shy of 92!) and lived a full and active life.
Peter was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 30, 1929 and graduated from Hempstead High School in 1947. He attended the Citadel military college for two years and after marrying his high school sweetheart, Nancy Whaley, he transferred to Norwich University where he graduated in 1951. Following graduation, he was commissioned in the US Army and went on to serve a combat tour in the Korean War with the 25th Infantry Division.
After completing active duty, Peter became a teacher and also went on to serve a total of 32 years as a “citizen soldier” with the US Army Reserve and New York National Guard. Peter taught Social Studies at the Westhampton Beach High School for 31 years. He was a summer school principal and coached both basketball and golf.
Peter was an avid skier, tennis player and sailor into his late 80’s. He volunteered for the Norwich University alumni association and was a dedicated member of VFW Post 5350. In 2018, COL (Ret) Cuthbert was inducted into the NY State Veterans Hall of Fame. He proudly marched in uniform into his 90’s in local parades and was honored as the Grand Marshall for the Westhampton Beach 2018 St. Patrick’s Day parade. For more than 50 years, Peter was an active member of the Westhampton Yacht Squadron, including as Commodore. He was a frequent contributor to several publications and was the author of Korea (Our War) (’50-’53).
He was predeceased by Nancy Whaley, his high school sweetheart and wife of 66 years, son-in-law, Arthur Green Jr., Daughter-in-law Julie Matthews Cuthbert, and granddaughter, Sarah Clifton Rankin. He is survived by his second wife, Jean Van Hoesen, six children – Jane (Rick) Clifton, Mary Cuthbert (Rick Waters), Peter Cuthbert Jr., William Cuthbert, Lee Green, Lynne (Mark) Jones, stepson James (Hala) Solomon, brother-in-law Zach (Marcie) Whaley, sister-in-law Holly (Peter) McCarthy, 9 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.
