Diane Bert

Special to Hometown Life

Throughout his 90 year life, modest, articulate, Bloomfield Hills resident Colonel Clifford Worthy (Ret.) has challenged himself to meet high expectations.

Thirty-five years ago he decided to write a book about his life experiences and now that book has become a reality. His autobiography "The Black Knight" was published in January. The title refers to cadets of West Point who are affectionately called Black Knights as University of Michigan students are called Wolverines.

After graduating from high school at age 16, he enrolled at Wayne University. One day in 1946 he observed a student wearing a West Point uniform. He engaged the student in a long conversation about his experiences. Noting his interest, the student encouraged him to write a note to his Congressman. Worthy notes, “It was only a three cent stamp. Why not try?” He wrote a note to Conressman John Dingell, Sr.

This was the beginning of a three-year process of Dingell supporting Worthy’s nomination to West Point. It was a time when President Franklin Roosevelt had integrated the armed services and Dingell was very supportive. When Worthy was appointed, he was one on three African American plebes as first year students were called.

Worthy successfully met the high expectations of the curriculum and other demands of West Point and graduated in 1953. At the time of his graduation he married his beloved wife, Lillian, whom he had met at Wayne University. Many of their proud extended family members attended the graduation and wedding ceremonies.

As the newlyweds traveled to Fort Sill, Okla., they experienced some incidents which reminded them that discrimination was still rampant. However, their early experiences of Army life were positive. Both Cliff and Lillian adjusted to the social expectations well.

As they traveled from Fort Sill to Colorado Springs, they experienced a dramatic show of intolerance in a restaurant where African Americans were not welcome. The patrons got up and menacingly followed their car on the highway. Fortunately their followers turned around at the state line.

The birth of their first child, Mark, who had developmental disabilities, led to lifelong efforts to meet his needs. Their second child, Kym Worthy, was an outstanding student who became a lawyer and is now Wayne County Prosecutor. Jennifer, their third child enjoys artistic endeavors.

Clifford Worthy was able to meet the demands of military life very well. He served for a year in Vietnam.

“I felt blessed that I never lost a soldier in my field artillery battalion during my leadership,” says Worthy.

In his book, Worthy describes his experiences in many realms of Army service, including an assignment to the Pentagon. Participating in spiritual groups in the Army was important to Worthy. After the sad demise of Lillian, he requested duty in the Detroit area so his extended family could help with Mark’s care.

Four years after Lillian died, Worthy met Mildred, a Maryland teacher. After their marriage, she was very loving and supportive to Mark.

Following his 23 year Army career, Worthy worked for General Motors at the Tech Center.

In his civilian life Worthy has used his fine leadership skills serving on boards of organizations which serve people with developmental disabilities. His marriage to Mildred in 1979 has been a loving, supportive relationship.

Worthy has successfully accomplished his goal of telling the story of his military career and the challenges faced in raising a special needs child. He credits his West Point colleague Walter Oehrlein as his mentor who helped guide him through publishing and Al Tochet who helped him meet publishing requirements. Bob Toohey provided legal counseling.

Kym Worthy and Jennifer Worthy were constant sources of support and encouragement during the writing of the book. In her preface, Kym wrote,”…you will have a great portrait of what a real American hero looks like. And that is a very good thing.”