Washington – The students who graduated on Saturday from the United States Military Academy in West Point for four years in studying strategy, ethics and leadership art. They are walking in the statues of the giants in the battlefield, and they memorize the lessons of Anttamam and Afghanistan as they are steeped in courage stories from the long arc of American military history.
But among the lessons in service and sacrifice for the 2025 category, there is an inspiration for their ranks – one that has not been found in the footnotes of the war colleges or the annual medals of honor. It is the story of a teenager who never wore the uniform he was wearing as a student of Ronor in Florida seven years ago – a boy dreaming of being a soldier, but before he could achieve him, he had already sacrificed his life as a hero.
Peter Wang, a member of this year’s West Point category, was only 15 years old when he was 17 dead in 2018 collective shooting At Margori Stoniman Douglas Secondary School in Parkland, Florida. It was found dead in the third floor corridor, wearing the JROTC army uniform.
When she wore the shooting sounds across the corridors, Peter was in the school hall, as it was time on the chess panel. With the spread of panic through the corridors, he moved towards the director – not to escape, but to keep the door open, eliminating the way for his classmates to escape behind him.
Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, US Senate Member of Florida at the time of the shooting, told CBS News that Peter’s greeting was “formal recognition” [his] Courage and heroism on that horrific day. The duty, honor, and country are the main pillars of West Point students, and Peter is clearly embodied by these principles.
He was shot 13 times, first in the foot, then twice in the thigh. Try a round by stem. His arms absorbed five other bullets. The final shots – four in the total – were on his head, according to Windolin Sanid, the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy and to attest At the hearing of the ruling issued by the shooter.
The governor of the state, Rick Scott, from Florida, is now a member of the US Senate, the National Guard in Florida to honor Peter at a military funeral. Hundreds were collected in southern Florida to pay their respect, as those present extend to generations and backgrounds.
Young reserve officers stood from Margori Stoniman Douglas Secondary School and other South Florida schools, which greeting in the official uniform. He joined the old military warriors and local residents. the The assembly is reflected Peter’s deep effect on both peers and the broader society.
CBS News / JAMES LAPORTA Screen snapshot
The American flag was wrapped on the coffin in Peter, where “taps” hesitated through the air and rose from all corners of the crowd. Among them were the veterans with the lined faces, members of the unified service, and the first respondents in dress clothes. But he was the smallest among them – students of young probability officers in a clear uniform – who was still more than that.
For his actions, Peter was after his death Gave The championship medal by the US Army, the highest award for the JROTC and ROTC Cadet, who “performs the acceptance of the danger and extraordinary responsibilities.” Junior ROTC students Alaina Petty and Martin Duque, who were also killed during the shooting, received the medal.
West Point granted Peter’s pottery acceptance in the 2025 category, which is now preparing to take their workers as a second lieutenant and may lead the soldiers in the battle.
“Peter has shown the characteristics and features that we are looking for from the graduates of the Maritime Academy or West Point,” said retired Lotanant, Robert Cascin, the West Point supervisor who authorized Wang in the year 2025.
