Return to Pointer View home page August 19,  2005

Former academy, USCC Command Sgt. Maj. passes 

By Jennifer Downing
PAO Intern   

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mary Sutherland, who served here from 1997 to 2004, died Sunday after a long battle with cancer. Her military career spanned 35 years. She held the distinction of being the longest serving woman in the history of the U. S. Army.

Sutherland served as both the Command Sergeant Major for the Corps of Cadets and the academy, respectively. She was the first woman to hold each of those positions.

In addition to being a trusted adviser to two superintendents, she also volunteered on and off post -- emphasizing the importance of selfless service and teamwork. She was an active participant in institutional leadership, the daily operations of the academy, cadet mentorship and Army sports.

“Command Sgt. Maj. Mary Sutherland was a Soldier’s Soldier,” said U.S. Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. William J. Lennox Jr. “She loved Soldiers and she loved cadets. Like a parent, she was tough as nails when she had to be -- but always the biggest supporter. She was my confidant and my battle buddy. I’ll miss her.”

A native of West Virginia, Sutherland emerged from basic training as a clerk typist, the only role available to enlisted Soldiers in the Women’s Army Corps at the time. She quickly climbed the ranks and earned further schooling at Fort Lee, Va.

During her career, she completed 16 years of overseas service and served as the Command Sergeant Major at Fort Ord, Calif.; the 22nd Support Group, Vicenza, Italy; and the 1st Armored Division, Division Support Command, in Germany before coming to West Point.

Services will be held here Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Cadet Chapel followed by burial here.