Jacob Erwin “Jack” Lustig was born March 5, 1935 in Honesdale, PA, the second son of Anna Norma and Philip Harvey Lustig. He and his family moved to Binghamton, NY when he was 4 years old. He attended public schools and graduated from Binghamton Central High School. Following high school, he attended Syracuse University, with a keen interest in business administration. He joined the Air Force ROTC and the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. Jack’s first interest in West Point came on a Boy Scout trip to the Academy. He received his congressional appointment to West Point in his freshman year at Syracuse and joined the Class of 1957. His brother, Sheldon, is a USMA Class 1953 graduate.
While at the Academy, deep friendships were formed with his three-and-a-half-year roommates, Walt Rabe and Bill Hamm, and D-1 companymates. Having very few academic problems, he sang in the West Point Glee Club and the Jewish Chapel Choir; joined the French Club, Fishing Club, and Debate Council and Forum; played on the Fencing Squad; and enjoyed swimming, soft ball and volleyball. Jack enjoyed his life as a cadet and coped well with the hard times with his keen sense of humor and not taking life too seriously. Jack’s optimism and sincerity was evident with all he served, and later in civilian life.
Jack managed to avoid walking the Area for three and a half years. He met Phyllis Swartz, a student at Elmira College, on a blind date at the Academy firstie year, after a long pen pal relationship. It was love at first sight. An after-hours phone call from the sinks with Phyl, planning a weekend trip to New York City, broke his record. He later admitted that “she was worth the walk.” On August 6, 1957, Jack and the love of his life, Phyllis, were married in Schenectady, NY. They enjoyed a beautiful, strong, loving life together for 60 years.
Upon graduation in 1957, he was commissioned in the Army, Air Defense Artillery. His first 10 years were spent in various command and staff positions. He completed the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Bliss, TX. After completing Jump School at Fort Benning, GA, he served at a Nike Ajax missile battery in the Detroit Defense as launcher and radar platoon leader. After a one-year unaccompanied tour in Thule, Greenland, Jack returned to Fort Bliss, where he completed the Air Defense Artillery Officer Career Course, then became an instructor of Air Defense tactics.
His career was highlighted by commanding the double Nike Hercules Battery C, 3rd Missile Battalion, 51st Artillery, Fort Hancock, NJ. He was battalion commander of the 1,300-man Nike Hercules 4th Battalion, 44th Artillery USARPAG, South Korea during the time of the USS Pueblo Crisis. He served in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971.
The last 10 years of active duty were in Air Defense, research, and development, including the development of the SAM-D, later named the Patriot Missile System, at Redstone Arsenal, AL. Jack earned his Master of Science degree from the University of Southern California with an emphasis on systems approach to management, to include all disciplines essential to effective project management. He enjoyed schooling at the Armed Forces Staff college and completed the program management course at the Defense Systems Management College, Fort Belvoir, VA for the training of project managers for military hardware systems.
In 1977, after two years of a very satisfying tour in the office of the DSRADA at the Pentagon and being pleased with the previous 24 years, he followed his original plan, to retire from active duty to begin a different life. His decorations include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal and Legion of Merit.
He settled his family in Springfield, VA after 22 moves during Army life. He expressed great joy with all his military accomplishments when establishing himself in the business community. Jack led his family—Phyllis, Steve, Gary, and Brian—to many activities. They created many joyous family memories: camping at Lake George, NY (for over 25 years), sightseeing, finishing the basement and travelling.
His other activities included regular golf games, barbershop singing, racquetball, fishing, gardening, his Synagogue community, rooting for his Dallas Cowboys, corny Dad jokes and spending time with his five grandchildren.
Jack and Phyllis attended every five-year reunion at West Point from the 20th (1977) to the 60th (2017). He attended several Company D-1 mini-reunions all over the United States.
In 1980 Jack and Phyllis (an interior designer) established Lustig Interiors. Jack, the President and CEO. Lustig Interiors thrives to this day.
Jack was an outwardly devoted Dad who asked that his boys always do their best and be the best citizens possible. The three points he lived by were:
Always do your best. Never let perfect get in the way of very good.
Balance the values in life, while making sure the finger is pressed firmly on the side of family.
Always know we can be counted on.
Jack lived an exemplary life as an honest businessman. He helped build his business through hard work, discipline and the moral values imbedded in him at West Point. He was an inspiration to his wife, his three sons, and in the business world for these qualities. He was a fine example for his patriotism and his passion for the truth.
Jack passed away suddenly of a massive heart attack in his beloved home at age 82. He is laid to rest on a beautiful site between his brother, Sheldon, and roommate, Walt.
Be Thou at Peace.
— The Lustig Family