Buddy Reed fulfilled his father's dream for his son in gaining admission to West Point. Ollie knew the only path to the top ranks started at the academy, At the academy, Bud met Laura Sloman, and they fell in love. Graduating into war, they married and Laura gave birth to a son, Ollie W. Reed, III, just months before his young lieutenant father left for combat duty overseas. "I held the baby up as he drove out of sight so his last view of home would be of his precious son,” Mildred wrote.