Peter Zhu, 21, of Concord, California, a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, died Feb. 28, 2019, from injuries he suffered while skiing on Feb. 23 at the base slope. He was scheduled to graduate from the academy in May.
Zhu was the only son of Monica and Yongmin Zhu. A native of Shanghai, he was president of the Cadet Medical Society and planned to attend medical school at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences.
After being discovered unconscious by another skier, Zhu was taken to the Keller Army Community Hospital and airlifted to Westchester Medical Center. He was declared brain dead on Feb. 27 but remained on life support so that his organs could be donated.
On March 1, his parents obtained an order from a New York Supreme Court judge directing the medical center to retrieve sperm from his body in an effort to continue the family name in the Chinese tradition, according to news reports.
“Peter was one of the top cadets in the Class of 2019, very well-known and a friend to all,” said Brig. Gen. Steve Gilland, commandant of cadets, in a statement. “He embodied the ideals of the Corps of Cadets and its motto of duty, honor, country, and all who knew Peter will miss him.”
A memorial ceremony will take place on Tuesday, March 5, at West Point and a private funeral service on Thursday at the West Point Cemetery. A memorial is also planned in California.
