Born on July 11, 1945, in Batavia, NY, Gary Scott was cited as an outstanding member of his high school class and was co-captain of the football team. In 1963, he enrolled at SUNY-ESF and in Syracuse Army ROTC. While in ROTC, LT Scott was a member of two cadet honor societies: Pershing Rifles and Scabbard & Blade. Cadet Scott was also President of the Cadet Association. Because of his outstanding cadet record, he received a regular Army commission and graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Soon after graduation and commissioning, LT Scott completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course and the rigorous Ranger School. LT Gary Scott deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in early December 1967 as a Platoon Leader in the 101st Airborne Infantry Division. He courageously led his platoon on patrols and missions in Vietnam for the next four months. He was highly respected by his men.
On March 29, 1968, Gary Scott died in an ambush near the city of Hue in Vietnam at the age of 22. He never realized the bright future he had fostered through his accomplishments at Syracuse. However, he touched the lives of the men he served so well. In the words of his radio operator, SPC Philip Woodall, “I served under a great many officers and consider Gary the worthiest to emulate. His characteristics and leadership qualities are what education in America is all about. Gary Scott deserves to be remembered by his alma mater, not just for the gift of his own precious life, but for the quality of leadership he learned at Syracuse. He never ordered his men to go where he would not go with them. He died for that reason.” LT Scott’s service to our nation and ultimate sacrifice stand as a shining example of the three values Army ROTC is founded upon; Duty, Honor, Country.