Scholar and author of Blundering to Glory: Napoleon's Military Campaigns
"I always thought of John Elting as a senior Colonel, and, above all, a good man in every sense. My letters to him always began, 'Dear Colonel,' although the replies - hand written - were signed 'John.' He was a decorated soldier of World War II, a scholar, and a 'natural noble' - a man of strength, poise, good sense, and obvious integrity. He was a presence to be reckoned with, and yet modest about his heroism in combat and career as a historian.
"Colonel Elting entered the US Army when soldiers ate dust alongside horses; he was in armor in World War II; his latter career was at West Point, teaching and writing. In Napoleonic history, his Military History and Atlas of the Napoleonic Wars (with Brigadier General Vincent Esposito), and Swords Around a Throne: Napoleon's Grande Armee have achieved the stature of scriptures. However, he knew military history in general, as books such as The Superstrategists demonstrate.
"I remember him as amazingly knowledgeable, witty, generous to a fault, and helpful to fellow historians. I am greatly indebted to him for his advice on the manuscripts of my books. One that he liked has yet to appear - on eccentric but great commanders. It appealed, I think, to his sense of humor and love of the incongruous.
"It is hard to believe that he is gone. Surely, when the Consortium on Revolutionary Europe meets, it will not be quite the same without Colonel Elting and Ann, his attractive and perfect 'Army wife.' We shall miss them both, but especially the Colonel's incisive comments, wit and wry smile. May God bless his soul."
More Elting Tribute
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Introduction
Owen Connelly
George Nafziger
Paddy Griffith
Maj. Kevin F. Kiley USMC
Peter Hofschroer
Robert Epstein
Maj. Richard P. Ugino (Retired)
John "Jack" Gill
Calvin Hurd
Andrew Uffindell
John A. Hall
Don Horward
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