George Waldron

George Waldron came to CHS when his family moved to San Jose in about 1963. George was my neighbor and became a friend. He was a year ahead of me so we didn't have any classes together.

He was quiet, courteous and a very hard worker. His father operated a small carpet cleaning business and George spent a lot of hours working for his father. This, of course, prevented him from participating in a lot of authorized school activities or the non-authorized activities that I and my friends engaged in. Nonetheless, we all got to know George and enjoyed his company. He reflected a calm maturity that was sorely lacking in me and my group of friends. We didn't necessarily know what it was at the time but we respected him for possessing it.

George went into the army after graduation. I believe he was working full-time with his father and going to school as well. In any event, the Santa Clara county draft board was very strict about maintaining the required full-time student status in order for one to retain a student deferment and this no doubt had an influence on his decision. George went to Viet Nam on June 2, 1966 as a Private First Class, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade. On October 3, 1966 George was killed in action. He had turned 20 years old two weeks before his death.

It is impossible to measure the loss of such a young life. Having known George perhaps as well as anyone at Cupertino High School, I can say without hesitation or equivocation that had he lived I know that he would have contributed to our community and society in many positive ways