Cadet Life

PMC Aviators

Theodore Hyatt Cowee ’20

In the fall of 1919, just 16 years after the Wright brothers made the first powered flight, PMC became what was reported at the time to be “the first college in the United States to include flying in its curriculum.”

Lt. Theodore Hyatt Cowee ’20, of the United States Air Service, the grandson of PMC founder Theodore Hyatt, was the instructor for program, which consisted of eight flying lessons in a Curtis biplane and 12 ground lessons. Twenty students enrolled, and training took place on the field opposite Springhaven Country Club in Wallingford, about two miles north of the campus.

The following year, the course was under the direction of G. Sumner Ireland, of Curtis Eastern Airplane Corporation. Although 17 Cadets wanted to participate, most were unable to obtain parental consent and the program was grounded.

Records are sketchy, but it appears that the course was not revived until 1939, with the Civil Aeronautics Authority providing both ground schooling and flight training at Philadelphia’s S. Davis Wilson Airport, later to become Philadelphia International Airport. Students who successfully completed 72 classroom hours and flight training received a pilot’s license.

In 1955, PMC became the first military college in the U.S. to have a Civil Air Patrol program. According to the Alumni Bulletin “more than 100 cadets have enrolled in the program ….” The instructors were Air Force Reserve officers. Studies included aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology and flight training. By 1963, first classmen able to pass a flight physical qualified for the Army ROTC Flight Training Program conducted at the Bridgeport Airport in New Jersey. After 35 hours of instruction, which included soloing, cadets received the ROTC pilot’s badge and could apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for a private pilot’s license.

In 1967, the Atlantic Aviation Corporation awarded the Atlantic Aviation Trophy to the first classman selected the outstanding student pilot in the ROTC flight training program. After 1st Lt. William J. Stephenson (’63) was killed by enemy ground fire while flying a Sioux observation helicopter in Viet Nam in 1966, the award was renamed in his honor. Three years later, criteria for the medal was changed, awarding it to the first classman in the program who displayed the most sincere and dedicated desire for a career as an Army aviation officer. In 1972, the year the Corps of Cadets was disbanded, the award was once again tendered to the most outstanding student in the program.

When PMC started its aviation program, it was leading the way into the future, and the move made headlines nationwide. After all, the Ironwood (Mich.) Daily Globe reported in its coverage of the cutting-edge course, “In a short time, aerial passenger service will be demanding a great number of experienced fliers who will be needed in the coast-to-coast service … composed of large, comfortable planes capable of carrying twenty-five passengers….”

PMC Aviators

Name Year Unit
Elliot Durand, Jr. 1903 24th Aero Squadron
Frank B. Smith 1910 Aviation Section, Signal Reserve Corps
John Burns 1912 Aviator USMC
Clarence Paige 1916 Aviation Division Signal Corps Reserves
Theodore H. Cowee 1920 Aviation Section, Signal Reserve Corps
Hugh McCaffery 1924 31st Bomber Squadron 7th Bombardment Group
Joseph V. Carels 1934 35th Fighter Squadron 8th Fighter Group
S. Ellsworth Duff 1938 Army Air Corps
Robert Moyer 1939 Air Force Cryptologic Depot, USAF
George Kassab 1939 530th Bomb Squadron, 380th Bomb Group B-24
J. Gerald Lynch 1939 71st Bombardment Squadron Army Air Corps
Sidney Rosberger 1939 338th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force
William F. Spang 1939 Marine Scout Bombin Sqadron 132
Myron B. Arronson 1940 653rd Bomb Squad, 35th Bomb Group
Thomas Anderson 1942 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Silvio Dignazio 1942 491st Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force
Lewis Brunner 1943 827 Bomb Squadron, 484 Bombardment Wing
Benjamin Kimlau 1942 380th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force
Art Riley 1943 Air Wing
Bruce Hoffman 1946 Patrol Squadron 21 (Navy P4M)
Richard E. LaBrode 1951 162nd Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion
Robert Azzolin 1954 Avation Section, 2ND Cavalry Regiment
John Adams 1955 11th Air Assaault Division
David Johnson 1955 11th Aviation Battalion
Joseph Mossman 1961 VA-72, CVW-7 Task Force 77, 7th Fleet
Joseph Newsome 1961 145th Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade, USARV
Edward Underwood 1961 Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, USARV
Richard Handly, Jr. 1962 18th Aviation Brigade
Martin Post 1962 Avionics Systems Engineer US Army Avionics Lab
George Horn 1962 118th Aviation Company
Dan Madish 1962 604th Transportation Company Pleiku
Rex Newman 1962 26th Bomb Squadron, 668th Bomb Squadron USAF
David Cole 1962 Rex: all Army aviators (deceased)
Paul Sykes 1962 Helicopters (4/24/2005 deceased)
Albert Hansen III 1963 Army Helicopter School (Hearing loss prevented graduation)
George D. Alloway 1963 146th Aviation Company
Kenneth Chien 1963 118th Assault Helicoper Company
Kenneth Johnson 1963 118th Aviation Co. (AML), 145th Aviation Battalion
Larry Liss 1963 162nd Assault Helicopter Company Aviation Detachment, II Field Force, USARV
David C. Sapp 1963 220th Aviation Company, 1st Aviation Brigade
William J. Stephenson 1963 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Divison
Richard Zeltner 1963 282nd Assault Helicopter Company
John F. Giblin, Jr 1963 unkown
William G. Miller 1963 unkown
Peter Vanderland 1964 1st Aviation Battalion, 1st Infantry Division
Charles Weber 1964 13th Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade, USARV
Jim Delay 1964 jdelay@mindspring.com
William Allanach 1965 229th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter) 1st Cavalry Division
Anthony Coggeshall 1965 116th Assault Helicopter Company, 269th Aviation Battalion USARV
John Grant 1965 VMAW Pilot
Evans Kayser 1965 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division, USARV
Michael McCloy 1965 219th Recon Airplane Company
Clayton Rash 1965 229th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter) 1st Cavalry Division
David Rittman 1965 229th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter) 1st Cavalry Division
Frederick Scheffler 1965 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse)
Richard Taus 1965 307th Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade
Bill Whittaker 1965 unkown
Richard Berkey 1966 388nd Aircraft Maintenance Transportation Company (DS)
Edwin Carpenter 1966 17th Assault Helicopter Company
Jeffrey Travers 1966 Mission Pilot, Connecticut Wing U.S. Air Force Auxiliary
S. Douglas Eckard 1967 117th Air Assault Helicopter Company, 14th Combaat Aviation Battalon
David B. Usechak 1967 Avionics Systems Engineer US Army Avionics Lab
Charles Merkel, Jr. 1967 Casper Platoon, 173d Airborne Brigade
Hayden Wilbur 1967 unkown
Joseph Gross 1968 176th Assault Helicopter Company, Americal Divison
Charles W. Dievendorf 1968 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry
Steven Raho 1968 128th Avn Co, 52nd Avn Bn, 17th Avn Group
David Fiedler 1968 Avionics Systems Engineer, U S Army Avionics Lab
James Pearson 1968 98th Medical Company (Air Ambulance)
Robert Aldrich 1969 Marine Medium Helicoper Squadron 165, 7th Fleet
Robert Huntley 1971 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 6th Air Cav Combat Brigade
Glen Dower 1973 Co A, 8th Combat Aviation BN, 8th Infantry Division
Jeff Fox 1973 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Desert Demons” (deceased)

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PMC Authors

The key to successful writing, Ernest Hemmingway famously said, is “the application of the seat of the pants to the seat of a chair.” What he was referring to, of course, was discipline. At PMC, inculcating discipline was at the heart of the curriculum, not to mention the real purpose of all that seemingly interminable spit-shining and brass polishing and bracing and close-order drill. So it’s not surprising that several former cadets went on to become successful authors. Here are a few:

BILL SPEER (Class of 1972) has taught at the American Military University and Georgia Military College and produced several historical documentaries and films. “Broomsticks to Battlefields: After the Battle, the Story of Henry C. Robinett in the Civil War,” is the biography of an 1860 graduate of Delaware Military Academy (predecessor to PMC) who distinguished himself as a Civil War artillery captain, only to commit suicide. The book “reminds us that historians and psychologists have barely begun to study…post-traumatic stress disorder among Civil War veterans,” one reviewer wrote.

MARK L. RICHARDS (Class of 1969) served as an Army infantry officer before entering the health care field, where he worked as the chief financial officer at a large academic health center. “Legions of the Forest,” which opens in 9 A.D., and centers around a clash between Roman legions and the German people they intend to subjugate, is a tale of war, treachery and the vicious politics of the Golden Age of Rome.

ROY EATON (CLASS OF 1969) left the Army as a second-lieutenant. He taught math and coached wrestling at St. Bernard, a Connecticut prep school that inducted him into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. He was named to the New York Military Academy Sport Hall of Fame in 2007 and the New London (Conn.) Hall of Fame in 2009. His memoir, “Soldier Boy,” tells the story of his experiences at PMC and as a prep school cadet at New York Military Academy.

DAVID FIEDLER (Class of 1968) served in the Signal Corps and after a deployment to Vietnam was assigned to the U.S. Army Electronics Command. Drawing on his combat experiences, Fiedler wrote a book on radio physics that is still in use today, was used extensively in the Gulf War/Afghanistan and has been incorporated into official Signal Corps doctrine. As a result of his work in tactical communications the Army Chief of Signal has awarded him the Chief of Signal plaque twice and inducted him into the Order of Mercury signal honor society

BRIAN KATES (Class of 1968) served as an Army military police captain in Berlin Brigade during the Cold War. His first recognition as a writer was PMC’s Dome Award as best student journalist. Later, as a reporter and editor at the New York Daily News, he won numerous awards for journalistic excellence, including a Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing. His non-fiction book, “The Murder of a Shopping Bag Lady,” the story of a homeless woman slain on the streets of New York, won a Special Edgar Allan Poe Award from Mystery Writers of America.

TOM VOSSLER (Class of 1968) severed 30 years in the U.S. Army commanding an infantry platoon in the Vietnam War and a mechanized infantry-armored battalion task force in Germany. In addition, he taught military history, strategy and leadership at the U.S. Army War College and is a former director of the U.S. Army Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks, Pa. Vossler and co-author Carol Reardon combined to encapsulate the events of the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single day in American military history, and in their newest book “A Field Guide to Gettysburg.”

EDWARD J. MAROLDA (Class of 1967) served as the Acting Director of Naval History and Senior Historian of the Navy. In 2017 the Naval Historical Foundation honored him with its Commodore Dudley W. Knox Naval History Lifetime Achievement Award. He has authored, coauthored, or edited nine works on the U.S. Navy’s experience in Vietnam. In support of the U.S. Naval Institute’s Oral History Program, he has interviewed Vietnam veterans and retired admirals Stanley R. Arthur and Joseph W. Prueher.

CHARLES E. “Doc” MERKEL, Jr. (Class of 1967) served for more than 20 years as an Master Army Aviator in the U.S. Army and currently serves as the historian for the 53d Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. He authored the book “Unraveling the Custer Enigma,” which contains information about the court martial of Custer.

 

 FAGIANI (Class of 1967) was a social worker and director of a program for recovering drug addicts, He is also a translator, essayist, short story writer and poet whose free verse captures “the rhythms of struggle and street life,” the New York Times wrote in 2014. His first book of poetry, “Rooks,” published in 2005, follows him through his freshman year at PMC, where, one reviewer noted, “the spotlight is on the time-honored discipline that transforms young men into warriors.”

LOUIS HORNER (Class of 1962) served in the U.S. Army Signal Corp. He received a presidential citation from President Ronald Reagan in 1985 for designing a computer enrichment program that served several thousand children nationwide. His book “Who Will Water the Flowers,” chronicles his life as an African American during a turbulent time in U.S. history and examines the friendships he forged, beginning with those built at PMC.

MERVYN HARRIS (Class of 1957) is a former Army captain and served as a representative to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from Delaware County from 1964-66. He has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations and events committees. His book traces the history of Nether Providence Township, Pa, from its original Lenape Indian inhabitants.

 

KARL WETTENGEL (Class of 1921) wrote “The Ghost of Paddy O and Other Poems” in free verse while at PMC. It illustrates the continuity of the spirit of PMC.

 

 

 

EUGENE HOOPES (Class of 1901) served as an engineer during World War I and became an aeronautical consultant for the military, working at air fields in the U.S. and Europe. He began his writing career in 1951 with the publication of “Tales of a Dude Wrangler,” a series of fictional stories told, as one reviewer put it, “by the type of wrangler one may find at any roundup, at any ‘dude’ ranch, or around any campfire where stories of the rangeland and its lore were told.”

HORACE HOBBS (Class of 1897) was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism during the Philippine Insurrection in 1905 and the Silver Cross for gallantry in France during World War I. “Kris and Krag: Adventures among the Moros of the Southern Philippine Islands” is recognized as a classic work on the little-documented Philippine Insurrection.

 

The Kings Point Bell Caper

Boardwalk Bowl 62:63The PMC – Merchant Marine Academy football game was billed as “The Little Army – Navy game,” held each year at the Boardwalk Bowl in Atlantic City, N.J. Stealing the Kings Point Victory Bell was our version of West Point stealing the Navy goat from Annapolis. We inherited the idea from the class of ’63 when Jack Geoghegan, the Cadet 1st Captain, led an expedition of his classmates to try, but failed, with disastrous consequences for him. We heard about that story as Rooks and it stayed with us for the next four years. No class in between attempted the stunt again. The Class of ’63 were great mentors, having many characters who inspired us to become “the best class” at PMC, and so it was only natural that we would one day attempt to get that bell.

Bell figuresEarly in the Fall of our senior year, Andy Patten took a trip with his parents and sister to visit Kings Point. Posing in civilian clothes as a prospective midshipman, Andy made a reconnaissance of the campus, taking photos of the bell and surrounding location. When he returned to campus, he had a meeting with Glenn Dennis and Bill Symolon to discuss a plan. One of the main points noted was when Jack Geoghegan made his run on Kings Point he took along a large contingent of classmates; something like 15 or 20. We knew that was just too many bodies with too much chance for discovery. We settled on a raid mission with a very small force. Bill’s Marine Corps training told him a fire team of 4 would be the right size force to pull this off. We quickly agreed and then had to pick the team.

Since Bill was the Cadet 1st Captain of our class, we all knew that he would have to be in this party to take up where Jack had left off. Andy, having made the reconnaissance and given us the basics of the plan, was a solid 2nd member. Glenn Dennis clearly wanted to be in, but, showing the maturity of a good ROTC student who had absorbed the leadership lessons of instructors like Ranger Captain Doug Detlie, realized that the CO and XO of a unit should never be on a mission together. He reluctantly agreed to stay behind. Who would be the other two members? We felt the team had to have the Army Ranger-type personalities, so Mike Stalkus, with his prior Army experience, immediately came to mind. He quickly signed up. Finally, the 4th member came looking for us. Somehow, word of this plan had leaked out even though we tried to keep it close-hold so no one in school administration might stop it before it began. Tom Keller came to us one night and just about begged to be in the Bell Force. With his high enthusiasm, he became number 4. Truth be told, the Class of ’66 was chock-full of cadets who could have easily joined the team.

Next decision point was when to conduct the raid. We chose the night of the Kings Point – Coast Guard Academy game, knowing the campus would be nearly deserted. Camouflaged and armed with the necessary tools to dismantle the bell based on Andy’s detailed recon, our team made it to the objective undetected. The bell was separated from its moorings and man-handled back to the getaway vehicle, which was Andy Patten’s VW bug. It was a near flawless operation with the only misstep being an inadvertent clanging of the bell one time, but not enough to draw attention. On the way back, we were stopped by a police officer for a reason lost to memory. But, thanks to some quick thinking and fast talking by Andy, who was driving, the good cop let us go. And we made it safely back to campus.

61_PMC_gets_bellFirst thing Monday morning, Bill Symolon told Col Menard, our Commandant, about the caper. His reaction was to give a sly smile and say, “Oh Dear…. how will we get it back to them?” Our group already had that plan, which was to happen at half time of our game when we would march out to mid field and deliver it to Kings Point, under the cheers of our admiring classmates. Col Menard’s reaction to that idea was, once again, to say, “Oh Dear, we can’t do that.” So, his judgment prevailed and he arranged with the Commandant of Midshipmen at Kings Point to receive the bell at half time, but quietly behind the stadium…deftly avoiding a potential mini riot on the football field.

This escapade could never have succeeded without a grand plan well executed and an equal measure of good luck. The plan grew out of the combined efforts of the classmates involved. The good fortune came from Andy Patten’s quick wit at a crucial point. A third windfall came unexpectedly. Andy’s fiancé’s parents gave us the shelter of their home as a way station for the raid and Andy’s future father-in-law constructed a wooden crate for us in which to carry the bell to its destination in Atlantic City.

And this story is just one reason why the Class of ’66 remains the Best Class ever at PMC.

Written by Bill Symolon, Andy Patten, Mike Stalkus and Tom Keller

DeMille “Freedom” Trophy

DeMille & CadetsShortly after his father’s death in 1893, Cecil DeMille was enrolled at Pennsylvania Military College. According to DeMille’s biographer, Charles Higham, while at PMC DeMille was a “determined, forceful boy,” who “loved the endless dawn drills, the cold baths, the stern reminders of the dangers of falling from a high level of many virtues.” In the two years he spent at PMC, DeMille was a successful student, ranking fourth in his class and was an athlete. Colonel Hyatt approved of his passion for the theatre and in 1898 DeMille left PMC.

Although he did not graduate from PMC, DeMille remained loyal to the school throughout his life. In 1931, he received an honorary degree Doctor of Letters. In 1951, this acknowledged founding father of the Hollywood film industry, created the DeMille “Freedom Trophy.” It was to be given yearly to the Cadet who has “shown in an outstanding Freedom Trophy 1951manner his personal conviction and devotion to the American ideal of individual freedom and the inalienable rights of man.”

According to George Bjotvedt ’51, who interviewed DeMille in California, “The award idea was born during a nostalgic discussion with Mr. DeMille about the time he was a cadet in gray. A marksmanship medal, awarded to DeMille while attending PMC, was one of his most cherished possessions.” For the next 24 years, the DeMille “Freedom” Trophy was one of the most coveted awards presented at Commencement.

Year Cadet
1951 Glenn E. Patsch
1952 Henry C. Schmidt
1952 William M. Rideway
1953 Edward W. Blackburn
1954 Peter M. Marx
1955 David S. Johnson
1956 Louis A. Sasso
1957 Franklin A. Walsh
1958 Charles A. Clemens
1959 David O. Hinterleiter
1960 Sheldon Schwartz
1961 John A. Macintyre, Jr.
1962 Lawrence P. Gioielli
1963 Raymond L. Hastings
1964 Richard H. Kilmer
1965 David E. Allen
1966 George W. Graner
1967 Joe M. Charles
1968 Stephen A. Raho
1969 Robert A. Miller
1970 Joseph S. Lewis
1971 Edward M. Davidson
1972 William J. Troy
1973 Junior Treadway
1974 Edward T. Moore
1975 Frank D. Hnat

The Pink Tank Incident

Pink Tank_Homecoming 67One of the cheekiest pranks in the history of PMC was the “Pink Tank Incident.” Homecoming was always a grand celebration featuring a pajama parade, pep rally and bonfire and the colorful decorations in front of the dormitories. It was also a time when the exuberance of students was tolerated throughout the campus.

In October 1967, Homecoming Co-Chairman, Junior Class President and future PMC Student Government President Roy Eaton ’69 imagined an exploit designed to unify PMC Cadets and Penn Morton students during the weekend celebration. With the support of student leaders and others, as well as the entire cheerleading squad and Band, Eaton organized the group as his diabolical plot was planned.

After the Friday night student mixer, the carefully recruited classmates “clad in fatigues with camouflaged faces were led in a commando style four-hour raid on three of the iconic landmarks on campus – including the most revered, the M4 A-1 Medium tank, located in front of the Hyatt Armory. To those Cadets who had chosen Armor as their service branch, the Sherman class tank, which was used in Europe during World War II, was a prized symbol. The next morning, a “Mickey Mouse face donned the steeple clock, the entire length of the stadium’s white press box had been scrupulously candy stripped in the school’s yellow and red colors,” and the symbolic tank was fully covered in bright pink paint.

“As the cadets marched to breakfast, no one noticed the co-ed cheerleaders dressed in cadet uniforms who had been positioned in various companies throughout the Corps of Cadets.” As the Corps entered the dining room, “the Cadets were startled to find that the commandos had totally disassembled the mess hall and void of all tables and chairs. Before the corps could regroup, the cheerleaders, having impersonating Cadets, emerged from the ranks of the Corps and discarded their cadet uniforms. They then joined the band to lead an impromptu but well-planned school-wide pep rally.

 

PMC Color Guard

The history of flags and banners is as old as civilization itself. The armies of the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt and the Romans followed the flags and banners of their leaders. These flags and banners were a distinctive symbol. This tradition was carried on during the American Revolution.

The Color Guards of PMC, a well-trained and prestigious unit, carried the American and PMC flags. At first there was only one Color Bearer, typically a sergeant, who carried the American Flag. When the PMC Flag was added and the size of the Corps of Cadets expanded, the unit grew. The detail then consisted of two Cadet corporals and two or three sergeants. Usually the Color sergeant gave the necessary commands for the movements and for rendering honors.

Much of the information about the PMC Color Guard is contained in the Adjutant’s Books (1862 to 1888) and the published General and Special Orders of Charles and Frank Hyatt. Although most of the Cadet appointments did not contain descriptions of assignments, in some cases individuals were listed as Color Bearers. Unfortunately a complete set of these Cadet appointments has not survived.

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Year
Name
Rank
1864-65
H. F. Keller
Color Bearer Sergeant
1865-66
L.L. Reamey
Color Bearer Sergeant
1869-70
Julius H. Pratt
Color Bearer Sergeant
1870-71
John Singer
Color Bearer
John W. Robinson
Color Bearer
Harry Bacon
Color Bearer
1871-72
Harry Bacon
Color Sergeant
Truxton Beale
Color Corporal
Don James Perry
Color Corporal
1872-73
William C. Fox
Color Corporal
Edwards P. Duffield
Color Sergeant
1876-77
George Rainsford
Color Sergeant
William J. McCormick
Color Sergeant
C.F. Mills, Jr.
Color Corporal
Paul Millikin
Color Corporal
1879-80
William L. Rice
Color Bearer Sergeant
T.L. Hesserchill
Color Bearer Sergeant
E.P. McCinsky
Color Corporal
Robert G. Stiles
Color Corporal
Robert Cox
Color Corporal
1880-1881
H.H. Ross
Color Sergeant
S.B. Lee
Color Corporal
B. McGinley
Color Corporal
1881-82
Francis Doggett
Color Bearer Sergeant
1881-82
John Perry
Color Corporal
M.R. Brown
Color Sergeant
H. Manning Fish
Color Bearer Sergeant
1883-84
T.R. Hall
Color Sergeant
W.A. Smith
Color Bearer Sergeant
1885-86
Joseph Imhoff
Color Sergeant
1894-95
Jeffrey Travers
Color Sergeant
1899-1900
Eugene Hoopes
Color Corporal
Barr
Color Corporal
1900-01
Frank McIntire
Color Sergeant
1901-02
Lyndon Newhall
Color Sergeant
1902-03
Marcus Smith
Color Sergeant
1903-04
John Wetherill
Color Sergeant
1905-06
Isaac Johnson
Color Sergeant
1906-07
Percy Campbell
Color Sergeant
John Rawcliffe
Color Sergeant
Roy Campbell
Color Corporal
Roy Hawkings
Color Corporal
1910-11
Alexander Brown
Color Sergeant
Leslie Hyatt
Color Sergeant
1911-12
Don C. Sharp
Color Sergeant
1912
Samuel Lewis
Color Sergeant
1914-15
Frederic deL. Comfort
Color Sergeant
1915-16
Harry Smith
Color Sergeant
1916-17
Albert Ardussi
Color Sergeant
1917-18
Lester Wilcox
Color Sergeant
1919-20
William J. Crothers
Color Sergeant
Kiong See
Color Sergeant
1920-21
Lewis Bryant
Color Sergeant
Adriano Valdez
Color Sergeant
1921-22
Abram Minis, Jr.
Color Sergeant
Irwin Schmidt
Color Sergeant
Abram Minis, Jr.
Color Sergeant
Irwin B. Schmidt
Color Sergeant
1922-23
no one listed
1923-24
Sylvan Ochser
Color Sergeant
Richard Wilson
Color Sergeant
1924-25
Alvin Burt
Color Sergeant
Kurt Nanninga
Color Sergeant
1925-26
Clyde Adams, Jr.
Color Sergeant
William A Ripley
Color Sergeant
1926-27
Paul Blake
Color Sergeant
Herman Neuweiler
Color Sergeant
Kenneth MacAlpine
Private
Edward Gillen
Private
1927-28
Daniel Jones
Color Sergeant
David Wright
Color Sergeant
1928-29
Seymour Potter
Color Sergeant
James Cowee
Color Sergeant
Kermit Frederick
Color Sergeant
1929-30
Eugene Knoblauch
Color Sergeant
John Finn
Color Sergeant
William Burton
Color Sergeant
Galen Warren
Color Sergeant
Jack Smith
Private
Carl Bauer
Private
1930-31
Frederick Rossman
Color Sergeant
John Pickering
Color Sergeant
1931-32
Charles Bauer
Color Sergeant
Norman Lynn
Color Sergeant
Levi Huber
Color Corporal
John Pugh
Color Corporal
1932-33
Walter Eberlach
Color Sergeant
Jack Harte
Color Sergeant
Charles Hires
Color Corporal
Sydney Pollock
Color Corporal
1933-34
Frederick Zimmerman
Color Sergeant
Robert Stephenson
Color Sergeant
Jack Smith
Color Corporal
Robert Scholes
Color Corporal
1934-35
Edward Fay, Jr.
Color Sergeant
Leonard Frescoln
Color Sergeant
Andrew Hubbard, Jr.
Color Corporal
George Iredell
Color Corporal
1935-36
Harry Stevens, Jr.
Color Sergeant
Cyril Sobeck
Color Sergeant
David Hickman
Color Corporal
Lee Pollack
Color Corporal
1936-37
Lee Pollack
Color Sergeant
William Metzger
Color Sergeant
John Warren
Color Corporal
Frank Wright, Jr.
Color Corporal
2/8/37
William Metzger
Color Sergeant
Albert Ryan
Color Sergeant
Frank Wright, Jr.
Color Corporal
William Spang
Color Corporal
1937-38
William Spang
Color Sergeant
Tazewell Smith
Color Sergeant
Gene Schraeder
Color Corporal
Charles Starr, Jr.
Color Corporal
1938-39
Alfred Boandl
Color Sergeant
Alexander Benson
Color Sergeant
Joseph Sestito
Color Corporal
William Gaskill
Color Corporal
1939-40
Joseph Sestito
Color Sergeant
Forrest Nourse, Jr.
Color Sergeant
Joseph Symmes
Color Corporal
William dePando
Color Corporal
1940-41
Joseph Glenn
Color Sergeant
Vincent Hartnett
Color Sergeant
William Schoble
Color Corporal
Robert Mowry
Color Corporal
1941-42
Frank McCracken
Color Sergeant
Jack Bartow
Color Sergeant
William Callahan
Color Corporal
Clayton Bond, Jr.
Color Corporal
1942-43
John Ake
Color Sergeant
William Callahan
Color Sergeant
1943
John Ake
Color Sergeant
Victor Mitrani
Color Corporal
William J. Wolfgram, Jr.
Color Sergeant
1947-48
C Dreter
Color Sergeant
William Martin
Color Sergeant
M Hollack
Color Corporal
Robert Buck
Color Corporal
1950-51
Charles Nagle
Color Corporal
Frank Widrig
Color Corporal
1951-52
William Murty
Color Sergeant
Richard Hackbarth
Color Sergeant
John Brotosky
Color Sergeant
Frank Widrig
Color Sergeant
Smith
Color Corporal
McDermott
Color Corporal
1954-55
Wesley Moody
Color Sergeant
Frederic Simon
Color Sergeant
Joseph Brown
Color Corporal
Fred Kuss
Color Corporal
1955-56
Joseph Brown
Color Sergeant
William Zigmant
Color Sergeant
Reynold Kaufman
Color Corporal
Joseph Klimek
Color Corporal
1956-57
Louis Caccese
Color Sergeant
Michael Cockill
Color Sergeant
Mark Monroe
Color Corporal
Richard Hintze
Color Corporal
1957-58
Richard Hintze
Color Sergeant
Walter Adelmann
Color Sergeant
Albert Boyer
Color Corporal
Robert Gage
Color Corporal
1958-59
Robert Jefferson
Color Sergeant
1959-60
Lowell Hattori
Color Sergeant
John MacIntyre
Color Sergeant
Franklin Andrew
Color Corporal
Anthony Prezioso
Color Corporal
1960-61
Bruce Hanley
Color Sergeant
Lawrence Gioielli
Color Sergeant
Raymond Hastings
Color Corporal
Bruce Overton
Color Corporal
1961-62
Richard Zeltner
Color Sergeant
John Stoeffler
Color Sergeant
Robert Duffy
Color Corporal
Sicotte
Color Corporal
1962-63
Gill Alderfer
Color Sergeant
Theodore Cappone
Color Sergeant
Eugene Evans
Color Sergeant
Joseph Holler
Color Sergeant
1963-64
David Allen
Color Sergeant
William Allanach
Color Sergeant
A. Gordon Tunstall
Color Corporal
Charles Nistico
Color Corporal
1964-65
Glenn Dennis
Color Sergeant
George Graner
Color Sergeant
Jeffrey Travers
Color Sergeant
Thomas Tarbutton
Color Corporal
William Trumpoldt
Color Corporal
1965-66
Joseph August
Color Sergeant
Richard Emery
Color Sergeant
John Everson
Color Sergeant
Ronald Callentine
Color Corporal
Stephen Vasak
Color Corporal
1966-67
Charles Cantley, Jr.
Color Sergeant
Keith Kampert
Color Sergeant
Thomas Dougherty
Color Corporal
Paul Porcino
Color Corporal
1967-68
Kent Carlton
Color Sergeant
Thomas Dougherty
Color Corporal
Ron Erale
Color Corporal
Jim Howard
Color Corporal
Daniel Schorr
Color Corporal
1968-69
David Esto
Color Sergeant
Daniel Schorr
Color Sergeant
Larry Spang
Color Sergeant
Larry Johnson
Color Corporal
Thomas Soper
Color Corporal
1969-70
Larry Johnson
Color Sergeant
Leslie Probst
Color Sergeant
Ray Wade
Color Sergeant
John Vencius
Color Corporal
David Wray
Color Corporal
1970-71
Breck Cook
Color Sergeant
Robert Poltarak
Color Sergeant
David Wray
Color Sergeant
Jeffrey Barry
Color Corporal
Robert Beamer
Color Corporal
1971-72
Jerome Tilghman
Color Sergeant
Douglas Cervi
Color Sergeant
Edwin Greene
Color Corporal

Accreditation of PMC

classroom XBy the 1920’s, the reputation and enrollment of PMC was endangered by a lack of academic accreditation. To overcome these challenges, admissions standards were changed and all high school work was shifted to the Pennsylvania Military College Preparatory School. As Vice-President, Colonel Frank Hyatt also investigated having PMC approved by the Middle States Association.

Founded in 1887, The Middle States Association is an organization that provides schools, colleges and universities affirmation that they meet the established and rigorous academic standards of the Association. The value of this accreditation is the recognition that a reliable and independent authority has affirmed the quality of education offered by a college or university.

Colonel Hyatt learned that PMC did not meet the standards for accreditation by Middle States because

PMC was a private military college with no endowment.
Its library facilities were lacking.
The relationship with the preparatory school was to close.

To meet the requirements of Middle States, PMC began to expand the library, in large part due to gift of 3,000 books from Dr. James H. Gravell, of the Board of Trustees, and the appointment of Albert Corpening as the first librarian. In addition, steps were taken to make the preparatory school separate, including making Karl Agan, the College Registrar, Headmaster of the Pennsylvania Military Preparatory School.

In 1947, new efforts were made to gain accreditation, including building a new library. Unfortunately, the visiting committee from Middle States denied the college’s application in 1949 because of a lack of financial stability. With the arrival of General Edward E. MacMorland in 1953, a detailed plan had been developed to accomplish the goal of achieving Middle States accreditation. Under the General’s leadership along with the many improvements made over the past 10 years by other dedicated people, PMC was ready. Despite several areas that needed “clarification,” PMC was accredited in 1954.

During a follow-up evaluation in 1957, which was to confirm the findings of the 1954 evaluation, the Middle States Visiting Committee commended PMC for its “administration and leadership, improved alumni relations, good record keeping, improved financial and budgetary situation, high spirit and morale of students and good library leadership and staff.”

Rukard H. Hurd 1878 (Taps)

BuglerThe iconic bugle call “Taps” is possibly the most familiar melody to those who have served their country. When played, these twenty-four notes produce an emotion that lingers in the hearts and minds long after its tones end.

According to Taps historian M/Sgt Jari Villanueva, the bugle call was intended to signal lights out. While encamped at Harrison’s Landing during the Peninsular Campaign of 1862, Union General Daniel Butterfield (Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac) sought to replace the bugle call Extinguish Lights. He felt the call was too formal. He called Oliver Willcox Norton, the brigade bugler, and the two men worked together on a new call. Taps was first sounded in July 1862, and quickly spread to other units. The first use of Taps at a military funeral occurred when Captain John C. Tidball of Battery A, 2nd Artillery, ordered it played for the burial of a soldier killed in action. This custom was quickly adopted throughout the Army of the Potomac. In 1874, the U.S. Army officially recognized Taps.

Almost immediately words were added. The first were, “Go To Sleep, Go to Sleep.” The most famous and possibly the most recognized set of words to Taps has been attributed to Rukurd Hurd, an 1878 graduate of Pennsylvania Military Academy.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well. Safely rest.
God is nigh.

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright,
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Dear one, rest! In the west
Sable night lulls the day on her breast,
Sweet, goodnight!
Now away, to thy rest.

Love, sweet dreams! Lo the beams
Of the light fairy moon kiss the streams;
Love, goodnight!
Ah, too soon! Peaceful dreams!

Cadet Hurd '78Rukurd Hurd left PMA in 1878 with a degree in civil engineering and settled in Minnesota. Although he was the secretary of the Minnesota State Tax Commission, he was also a consulting engineer for the United States Bureau of Mines. In 1911, he wrote Hurd’s Iron Ore Manual of the Lake Superior Region, and was recognized to be one of the leading mining experts in the country. During World War I, Hurd was a Major in the Engineer Reserve Corps and in charge of the Division of Statistics and Reports. In addition to composing the lyrics for Taps, Hurd wrote the music and words to three cadet songs: Rally (in memory of Theodore Hyatt), PMC Marching Song, and PMC Cadet Ley (dedicated to Charles Hyatt).

 

Commemorating 150 years of America’s most Famous Bugle call

Junior Ring Dance

Ring centerpieceThe PMC class ring has been a cherished memory of every cadet’s years at the school. The “Junior Ring Dance” was the long-awaited event for cadets. At the dance, members of the Junior Class received the coveted college ring, were officially recognized as upperclassmen, and given a greater responsibility in the Corps.

The Hyatt Armory was always beautifully decorated for what many considered to be a social highlight of the year. Upon entering the armory, Juniors were received by the College President, Commandant of Cadets and members of the military staff. Although the armory was always decorated, the center of attention was the nine-foot high replica of the PMC ring. As the name of each cadet and his date were called, they walked through the ring. Here the cadet had his own ring placed on his finger by his date. After receiving his ring, and a kiss, the couple walked through an arch of drawn sabres held by Seniors..

Prior to 1961, the replica of the ring was borrowed from Valley Forge Military Academy. For several years, the Student Council worked tirelessly on obtaining a replica of the ring for the use by successive Junior classes. The A.J. Schmidt Company of Chester made the frame of the ring. In 1963, a committee of Juniors completed the ring and artwork.

Maynard FergusonAfter the ring presentations, the capacity crowd spent the rest of the evening dancing to the music of renowned orchestras. Members of the Class of 1962 were able to entice Maynard “The Boss” Ferguson and his 16-piece orchestra to play at the Junior Ring Dance. The performance of the band enthralled many on the dance floor. In fact many couples stopped dancing near the end of every song to listen mellow tones of the brilliant Ferguson, who ranks as one of the most influential musicians in the history of Jazz.

Cadet Corps Commanders

First Captain 2The Cadet Corps Commanders, called First Captains after Eisenhower’s 1963 visit, were the highest-ranking Cadet. They were the personification of the PMC Cadet. In the eyes of Rooks, they were “God-like figures.” To the Upper Classmen, they were responsible for maintaining the morale and standards of the Corps as well as keeping the bond of trust with the Military Staff.

A selection committee, consisting of the Military Staff was responsible for selecting the new First Captain. This group prepared a slate of candidates and, after a series of meetings, the leadership of the Corps was decided and presented to the President of PMC.

The criteria for selecting a new First Captain consisted of:
1. A Cadet’s performance during ROTC Summer Camp
2. The military record of the Cadet at PMC
3. Academic Standing (a GPA of 2.5 was required)
4. Demonstrated, or potential, leadership qualities

Leadership, however, was the critical factor that was often considered the most important.

cadet-commanders-extra-cadet