Lewis "Bob" Sorley

August 3, 1934 - September 25, 2024

Lewis "Bob" Sorley, longtime resident of Potomac, MD, died at his home September 25, 2024. Born at West Point, NY, where his father was teaching Military Art & Engineering, he grew up as a typical Army Brat. In 1951, he graduated from Texas Military Institute in San Antonio, where he was the cadet battalion commander. He then attended The Sullivan School in Washington, DC, before entering West Point with the Class of 1956. Following his grandfather and namesake, Colonel Lewis Sorley (USMA 1891), and father, Colonel Merrow Sorley (USMA 1924), he was a third generation West Pointer.

Upon graduation, Bob was commissioned in Armor and soon was posted to Amberg, Germany, with the 2nd Armor Cavalry Regiment, always thereafter described by him as his first and forever favorite outfit.in two decades of military service, he led tank and armored cavalry units in the United States, Germany, and Vietnam; held staff positions in the Pentagon; and taught at West Point and the Army War College. Along the way, he acquired an M.A. degree in English Literature from Penn, an M.P.A. degree from Penn State, and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins.

In 1970, Bob married Virginia Mezey Becker, widow of his close friend Dick Becker. Ginny then had 3 small children, sons, Doug and Tim, and daughter Susan, while Bob brought a daughter, Kathy from an earlier marriage. They all went to Germany together, where Bob commanded a tank battalion, and then to Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, where he attended the Army War College and stayed on for two years of faculty duty. His final active duty assignment was a return to the Pentagon.

In 1976, Bob and Ginny bought a wonderful house in Potomac, where they would reside for the next 42 years. Bob had been recruited by the CIA, where he served as a senior civilian official for most of another decade, then retired from government service again to become a leading historian of the Vietnam War and author or editor of nine books.

His book A Better War: The unexamined Victoried and Final Tragedy of America's Last Years in Vietnam was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. His biographies on Generals Creighton Abrams, Harold K. Johnson, and William Westmoreland were all award winners. His Code and System was commissioned by the Military Academy for use in honor education.

During this time Bob also served for eight years as Executive Director of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States. In later years, he was named a Distinguished Graduate by West Point, a Distinguished Eagle Scout, an Outstanding Alumnus of the Army War College, and VMI's first Visiting Professor of Leadership and Ethics. He was also the first recipient of the General Andrew Goodpaster Prize for military scholarship presented by the American Veterans Center He was a long-time member of the Army and Navy Club, the Association of the United States Army, and the Society of the Cincinnati.

In early 2019, Bob and Ginny moved to Cumberland Crossings, a retirement community in Carlisle, PA.

He is survived by Douglas Becker, Timothy Becker, and Susan Merritt; and his sister, Judith Simpson. His wife Ginny and his daughter Kathy predeceased him.

Burial will take place at the West Point Cemetery at a later date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Carlisle Sentinel on Oct. 15, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Lewis Sorley

Sponsored by Central Pennsylvania Cremation Society, Inc..

5 Entries

Michael Toler

April 10, 2025

When the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA) asked me to do a 50 year commemoration of the terrible My Lai war crime in 2018, I sought the advice of two former CSA's, they both recommended Lewis (Bob) Sorley to present an address, allowing questions and answers in a "closed" Pentagon address to most of the Judge Advocates of the Army. Bob and the late MG Bob Scales related how that unprofessional Army of Vietnam War had been transformed by ethical leaders of all ranks into the magnificent professional Army of Desert Storm. From the first time I met him, Bob became my friend and mentor. We frequently conversed in personal visits, by phone, letter and email over the next 8 years, I learned what a truly distinguished man he was. Honor Bright, one of his books, illustrates how deeply he cherished and supported the Cadet Honor Code and how it applies to all the service members of our Armed Forces. Similar to Bob, I also graduated an honor military school in San Antonio, Peacock Military Academy - the arch rival of TMI and I spent almost my entire adult lifetime serving our Nation. Despite the age difference, Bob acted as a true friend and advisor, urging me to write my memoir. It is with great sadness that l learned of his passing. It was an honor to have met and known this extraordinary American and Distinguished Graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point where his remains will be interned with is father and grandfather, among other heroes of our Nation. God bless his family.

Michael D Starry

December 26, 2024

Bob, and Ginny, were for many years, friends of the Starry family. My father, GEN (R) Donn A. Starry, and Bob shared a mutual respect for military history and it's foundational role in the profession of arms. They collaborated on several biographies, historical articles, and the Army asked Bob to put together a collection of my father's papers. I made a great friend during that papers project. He was a great help to our family when my parents passed away as he reassured us, participated in the farewells, and remained a close friend thereafter. I miss his insightful life perspective and enduring sense of duty, honor and country. Rest in peace my friend.

Jessie Marvin Lazeroff

November 20, 2024

Bob was my mentor. I babysat his daughter, Kathy; and we became lifelong friends. I extend my sincere condolences to his and Ginny´s children. We have lost a good and decent man. I would like to know when his service and burial will be at West Point.

Tran Quan

November 6, 2024

Dr. Lewis Stone Sorley III held many distinguished titles to include a doctorate in national security. But when I first addressed him as "Dr. Sorley," he said, "What's this doctor business? Call me Bob." And that's how friends and admirers know him-- a man of great moral conviction with a humble ease.

For me, I was in awe of Bob, not for his accolades but for the generosity and kindness he showed me, especially when he didn't have to.

Bob had many long friendships that spanned over half a century. Those lucky enough to know his friendship treasured it and remained loyal through good and not so good times. So how does a former South Vietnamese refugee, like me, who came to America at the age of five with her family befriended Bob Sorley? I would have to say through Devine blessings. We were immigrants with little means, but we had a story. Bob learned of my story and helped turned it into a book. This is an example of his innate generosity which allowed me to tell about the resiliency of the South Vietnamese people through war and its aftermath-- a message which Bob championed. He was a benefactor to the forgotten and underdog.

Bob lived the West Point motto of Duty, Honor, and Country. His forefathers belonged to the Greatest Generation, and he also belonged to another great generation-- the Vietnam veterans.

I dreamed of attending West Point when I was in high school but was too intimidated to apply. Nonetheless, I got my opportunity to serve when I received a military scholarship to medical school and became an Army physician.

As two great West Pointers-- General Arthur E. Brown, Jr. and Brigadier General John W. Nicholson, Sr.-- said to me, "Bob has feathered his nest in heaven with his deeds on Earth. And now his work is done."

With eternal love, gratitude, and respect to Dr. Lewis Stone "Bob" Sorley III. May he rest in well deserved peace.

William Mulholland

October 13, 2024

Rest in peace LTC Sorley. Thanks for teaching me about leadership as a 1 LT in the 2/37 Armor Germany

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