JOSEPH JOHN TRAMPOSCH JR., was born in Baldwin, New York on 24 July 1955 to Gloria and Joseph J. Tramposch and loving sister Carol. A visit to West Point at a very early age must have planted a seed in Joe’s mind. That seed finally sprouted in the spring of his junior year at Uniondale High School when he expressed his desire to attend West Point. He was finally selected by Representative Norman F. Lent of Nassau County’s 4th Congressional District as his principal nominee.
Joe received his appointment to West Point early in May and reported 7 June 1973. Vietnam was still in high gear, and he was eager to report for duty. West Point became a very real challenge for him, but he still found the time to join the Glee Club and the Holy Trinity Chapel Choir.
Graduating as first sergeant in Company G-3, he chose Field Artillery at branch drawing. He graduated from Jump School at Fort Benning, but injured his knee on the final jump at and could not attend Ranger School. Instead, Joe went on to Fort Sill, Oklahoma to attend the Artillery Officer Basic Course, followed by three years with the 2-92nd Field Artillery in Giesen, West Germany (1979-82). He returned to Fort Sill in October 1982 to attend the Advanced Course, after which he reported to Fort Ord, California to command a headquarters company (1982-84); then to serve in the 7th Infantry DivArty (1984-85). Joe resigned in July 1985 to attend Vermont Law School, hoping to return to the Army in the JAG Corps. He graduated cum laude in May 1988 and tried desperately for three years to return to active duty. But, defense spending was being cut, the RIF was starting and he was always turned down.
He remained very active in the Reserves as a Military Academy Liaison Officer with the West Point Admissions Office and was promoted to major in June 1991. Because of his tireless efforts to seek out and guide the very best applicants for the Academy, he was posthumously awarded the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal, presented to his family by LTG Howard D. Graves, Superintendent, USMA.
After graduating from Vermont Law School, Joe became a Nassau County assistant district attorney, serving from 1988 until his death in March 1991.
His first love was always West Point, and his proudest accomplishment in his short life was June Week ’78 and graduation. Joe always tried to help the underdog. He loved and respected every one of his soldiers, whom he referred to as “My Kids.” His life was cut short much too soon, but he surely earned, with distinction, his rightful place in the Long Gray Line.
Joe died of a massive heart attack after completing a tri-weekly workout at the Hofstra University Fitness Center. He constantly wanted to stay in shape should the Army accept his application to return to active duty. But, it just wasn’t meant to be.
We are often judged by our greatest achievement, and as your proud and loving parents and devoted sister who helped guide you, you certainly were ours. Let it always be said that no man tried harder to do his very best in whatever he wanted to accomplish. The true mark of greatness in a man is how his family and friends remember him. By this criteria, Joe was a great man. His life ended long before his full potential was achieved. He loved to help and guide young people and, in the true West Point tradition, pointed the way for many to follow. Rest in peace, Joe, and may we all remember Duty, Honor, Country for our own lives, as they controlled and inspired yours.
The life and death of each of us has its influences on others; if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord.
Romans 14:7
Farewell, gentle Joe, your love will live with us and sustain us until we, too, cross over and are together again.
Mom, Carol and Dad