The Class of 1950 mourns the passing of our revered classmate, leader, and friend, Col. William B. "Bill" DeGraf, USA (Ret.), who died peacefully in his sleep on October 4, 2026, at the age of 100.
The quintessential “soldier-scholar,” Bill was the “First Man” academically and First Regimental Commander of our class. Having earned the youngest battlefield commission in Europe during World War II, he famously relinquished his rank of First Lieutenant to enter the Academy as a cadet, graduating as a Second Lieutenant.
Bill’s extraordinary 30-year military career spanned World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He was among the rare recipients of three Combat Infantryman Badges and was awarded eight Bronze Stars (including for valor) and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Beyond the battlefield, he earned a master’s degree in nuclear physics from Purdue, contributed to nuclear non-proliferation and arms control in the Pentagon and the Nixon White House under the National Security Council, and later served as a key architect in developing the National Training Center at Fort Irwin. In 2014, West Point recognized his lifetime of service with the Distinguished Graduate Award.
Throughout his life, Bill’s heart remained anchored to the Class of 1950. Alongside his beloved late wife, Robin, Bill served as the glue of our class community, authoring the class column for ASSEMBLY for decades, maintaining annual rosters, coordinating class reunions, and hosting regular gatherings. In every chapter, Bill led with unyielding integrity, abiding by the principles of Duty, Honor, Country.
Read more about Bill’s life and legacy:
Washington Post Obituary: An Army colonel who stuck to his principles, even when it cost him a dream | PDF
West Point Center for Oral History: Bill DeGraf: “A Baptism Of Fire” (West Point Center for Oral History Collection)
Graduation Newsreel: 1950 USMA Graduation Newsreel (Featuring Honor Man William DeGraf receiving his diploma)
