USAFA Class Histories

JOHN FRANCIS ARCENEAUX (Deceased)

BY

ROD JOHNSON (1998)

Known to us as €œArce,€ he was a little short on the book side of things at the €œzoo,€ but long on the fun side. This lovable rascal was always in pursuit of bourbon, women, and a good time in whatever order they came. One thing I remember in particular was his habit of keeping a half pint of €œSouthern Comfort€ cleverly concealed in a €œcutout€ of Webster€™s Dictionary in his bottom desk drawer. It was great for a little shot right after Taps. Needless to say, the dictionary otherwise was useless. When needed, he borrowed mine.

€œYoung John€ as he was also often tagged, lived on the edge; and the hidden booze tells you everything about that part of his personality. A good gymnast, an expert marksman, and a true character from the €œgit go,€ Johnny has been sorely missed all of these years. As we tip the goblets, he€™ll be with us; only you can bet Young John€™s libation will be Southern Comfort.

€œLieutenant John F. Arceneaux, Class of 1963, 19th Cadet Squadron, was killed when the C-124 he was co-piloting crashed near Granada, Spain on February 12, 1966. He was assigned to the 15th MASq at Hunter Army Airfield, GA and was TDY to Spain in support of the search for a missing nuclear weapon. He was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lynn V. Arceneaux.€{Ed: Excerpt from €˜93 Memorial}