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MISSION FRIENDSHIP

Photo of Major General (Retired) Bernard “Burn” Loeffke ’57 Major General (Retired) Bernard “Burn” Loeffke ’57 has planted the seeds of friendship and will sustain his vision through a remarkable legacy. Through multiple planned gifts, Loeffke has ensured continued support for the Friendship Fund—a unique program that he established at USMA in 1992.

The Friendship Fund seeks to promote relationships and mutual understanding between young leaders of the United States and the people of other nations. The program was created by Loeffke in memory of Sergeant Larry Morford, a young soldier serving in Loeffke’s battalion who sought ways to build friendships between nations during the Vietnam War until his untimely death in battle.

The Friendship Fund aims to inspire cadets, as future leaders, to increase their understanding of their colleagues and vice versa. Loeffke believes that one way to strengthen peace is to encourage West Point cadets to build connections with their counterparts in other nations. From these early friendships among our future leaders will grow long-term personal relationships that will ultimately strengthen international relations. These cultural exchanges and friendships will help reduce tensions and strengthen prospects for peace.

Administered by the Department of Foreign Languages, one of the most important aspects of the Friendship Fund program is its emphasis on both education and service. Focusing specifically on friendships between China, the former Soviet Union, and the United States, in recent years the Friendship Fund has supported summer Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) trips to China. Last year five cadets traveled to Xi’an and Beijing, China. Intense academic study included language classes as well as classes on Chinese culture. Cadets also engaged in significant service activities through teaching of preventive medicine at elementary schools.

Photo of Major General (Retired) Bernard “Burn” Loeffke ’57 A West Point Distinguished Graduate, Loeffke lived the mission he seeks to carry out through the Friendship Fund. He served three and a half combat tours in Southeast Asia, earning numerous commendations for his military skill and service. His decorations include the Purple Heart for wounds in combat, Silver Stars, and Bronze Stars with V device. He is the first foreigner to parachute with Chinese troops in 1982 and has been an Army swimming champion as a Captain, competed in a military-style decathlon in Russia as a Colonel, and ran three full-length marathons in China.

Fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, French, and Mandarin Chinese, Loeffke served as a military attaché in Moscow during the Cold War and as defense attaché in the People’s Republic of China and later served as Director of Task Force Russia in its mission of investigating and resolving questions regarding U.S. POWs and MIAs in the Soviet Union. Following retirement from the Army, Loeffke embarked on humanitarian missions to provide medical aid to people in impoverished circumstances in a medical theater of operations spanning the globe.

Loeffke’s career as a diplomat and humanitarian is being carried forward through the Friendship Fund, as both young cadets and supporters follow his leadership. Loeffke is a tireless advocate for the Friendship Fund and through his outreach efforts has brought many others to support his mission. Among these are fellow West Point graduates, young Army officers serving throughout the world, and colleagues and friends he’s met throughout his distinguished career

As a soldier, as a scholar, and as a statesman, Loeffke has lived a life of truly selfless service. His contributions to the Academy, the United States Army, and the world community have been and continue to be extraordinary—and through the Friendship Fund this legacy will endure.

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