Notable Cadets

David Wilson was attracted to PMC by its military education, discipline, and development of leadership skills. He quickly assimilated to life at PMC and was considered to be a model Cadet. He promoted esprit-de-corps and motivation among his classmates. He was commissioned during the Commencement Exercises of 1966.

On 31 January 1968, First Lieutenant David Wilson commanded a supply convoy of mostly 5-ton tractor trailers that was returning to An Khe from Pleiku, RVN. At the foot of the Mang Yang Pass, a superior enemy force, supported with heavy weapons, ambushed the convoy. Many of the vehicles in the convoy had stopped and were subject to intense enemy mortar and small arms fire. At the moment the ambush was triggered, 1LT Wilson’s command vehicle was just forward of the kill zone.  Although he was out of danger, he immediately returned to the kill zone and, with complete disregard for his own safety, 1LT Wilson commenced leading his men to safety.  Then, while directing the convoy to safety, his jeep sustained a direct hit from a mortar round.

David Wilson was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his outstanding leadership and heroism for saving the lives of many of his men. Six Cadets served as pallbearers and the Commandant’s Staff and others from PMC attended the services. In December of 1968, the Bien Hoa Cantonment Area was dedicated to his memory.  During the ceremonies, Brigadier General D.A. Richards, Commanding General of II Field Force Transportation units, stated: “David Wilson knew the meaning of valor . . . the meaning of caring … the meaning of responsibility, and to me, David Wilson represents the hope for the future!”

On the recommendation of a PMC alumnus, John Tilelli’s family visited the college. Impressed by the “rigor, discipline of study and environment” of PMC, John Tilelli applied, was accepted and enrolled. His Rook year was difficult, but as he became acclimated to the procedures and the expectations of the academic work, he improved. As a cadet, John quickly became an outstanding example. With some luck and hard work he never walked a tour and graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate. To this day he credits the Corps of Cadets, with its camaraderie and the leadership education, putting him on the path to success.

After graduation, he began a career in the Army in a variety of diverse and vital positions. First in Vietnam as a Company Commander in the 18th Engineer Brigade and as the District Senior Advisor to Team 84, Commanding General the 1st Cavalry Division during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and four times in Germany. Tilelli’s staff assignments include the Pentagon, as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, then as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. He concluded his active duty career as Commander in Chief of the United Nations Command, Republic of Korea / U.S. Combined Forces / U.S. Forces Korea. Tilelli is a highly decorated officer, wearing the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge along with decorations. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with “V” Device (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Defense Distinguished Service medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and Palm.

For more than 30 years, John Tilelli served his country in the armed forces with integrity and distinction. His combat leadership and management skills have made the U.S. Army an improved organization. This sentiment was echoed on the floor of the House of Representatives in 2000.

Listen to General John Tilelli Jr., USA (Ret) speak on Veterans Day at the Vietnam Memorial Wall. November 11, 2012. Click

When Robert E. Lee entered Pennsylvania in 1863, the Governor sought to raise 75,000 volunteers to repel the invasion. Colonel Hyatt offered the services of the cadet battery, but they were declined because many of the cadets were too young. Disappointed, the older cadets, led by George R. Guss, Frank E. Townsend, Johns A. Leslie and William J. Harvey, asked Colonel Hyatt if Pennsylvania would accept a battery led by them. When asked, Governor Curtin immediately responded, “I will.” On June 29, after enlisting 121 volunteers, the battery was ordered to move to Harrisburg to “aid in the repulse of the audacious Lee.”

When the battery, consisting of six brass guns, arrived in Harrisburg, they were assigned to Major General Couch’s newly formed Department of the Susquehanna. The battery was then “sent at once down the Cumberland Valley Railroad to Carlisle” to relieve the Keystone Battery of Philadelphia. Upon their arrival the battery found the horses for them were in very poor condition. Despite trying to improve the horses, the battery was forced to remain near Carlisle. Frank Townsend, ‘63 wrote later that Guss’ Independent Artillery Company, as it was called, remained near Carlisle until they were discharged in August 1863.

For the service of Guss’ Independent Company Militia during the Gettysburg campaign, the State of Pennsylvania awarded PMC a Campaign Streamer. Since 1968, this streamer has been attached to every Corps flag, including that of the Dauntless Battalion.

What drew Carl “Jimmie” Schaubel to PMC in the fall of 1926 was his interest in horses. His classmates soon recognized that his “witticisms and easy-going manner” made his personality a strong attribute. Schaubel was a hard worker in the classroom and played shortstop on the baseball team. At the same time he learned to ride and developed into a fine polo player under the tutelage of Frank Hyatt. Schaubel commented that being a member of the undefeated polo team in 1930 was a highlight of his time as a Cadet. As a polo coach, he was considered to be one of the best in the country.

In 1930 Schaubel was awarded a Bachelor of Economics degree and was asked to remain at PMC as the coach of the polo team and assistant professor of military science and tactics. After spending 10 years in the army reserves, Mr. Schaubel volunteered for active duty in 1940. His first assignment was at PMC in large part due to Frank Hyatt. After an similar assignment at the College of William & Mary, Schaubel was ordered to report to the commanding general of the European Headquarters in London. After the invasion of Normandy, Schaubel traveled through Northern France and Germany as part of an advance team for General Eisenhower’s Staff. After the war, he was sent on a special mission, which included travels throughout the Middle East and all the countries behind the Iron Curtain including Russia. He was then transferred to the Pentagon.

After leaving the Army, Schaubel worked at the Dunlap Printing Company in production and then as sales manager. In 1956 he became president of the company. In 1964, he returned to PMC as a staff vice-president and retired in the 1973.

Larry Liss’ first exposure to PMC was as a high school senior at the 1958 Mother’s Day parade. He watched from the stadium as the Corps marched onto the field. He told his father “I’ve got to go to this school.” Larry adapted to balancing his academic and cadet life very well. As a ‘Rook” he joined Pershing Rifles, which was a demanding experience. Larry graduated as a Distinguished Military Student in 1963 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Regular Army. While stationed in Germany, he volunteered for helicopter flight training. After primary training, he was sent to the Army Aviation Center and learned to fly the Huey. Larry graduated from flight school in the fall of 1966. Within 30 days, he was in South Vietnam.

On May 14, two unarmed UH-1 “Huey” helicopters had landed at an outpost called Cau Song Be, near Tay Ninh City. Co-Pilot Captain Larry Liss along with Warrant Officer Tom Baca, learned that a South Vietnamese company had been surrounded by the 273rd North Vietnamese Army regiment. Along with another Huey they responded by taking off to rescue the South Vietnamese. The South Vietnamese had been ambushed along a narrow road with trees and bamboo growing along the roadside. As the helicopters hovered, it was clear that there was not clearing, so they chopped their way through the bamboo and other vegetation using the rotor blades.
Almost immediately South Vietnamese soldiers started to climb aboard both helicopters. Disregarding his own safety, Liss left the cockpit and assisted evacuees onto the helicopter during several landings. Later, the aircrews recalled seeing soldiers being killed on the aircraft while they were boarding the helicopters or already had boarded. The valiant helicopter crews made numerous trips, and rescued 80 to 100 South Vietnamese soldiers and the U.S. Special Forces adviser. In addition, information about the location of the enemy force likely prevented the outpost at Cau Song Be from being overrun. His courageous actions during the Cau Song Be rescue mission earned Liss the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor.

View Rescue at Cau Song Be On YouTube at http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rhdvG1X2AU4&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Ffeature%3Dplayer_embedded%26v%3DrhdvG1X2AU4 produced by the Angelo Group.

Dennis Isom ‘66 was a hard person not to like at PMC. Although small in stature, he was a member of the Ranger Platoon and was remembered for rappelling off the roof of Terrell Hall. He was mentally tough and processed the qualities of being a leader. Upon graduation he was commissioned and joined the infantry.

The Army’s 4th Infantry Division began Operation Wayne Grey in early March 1969. Its mission was to prevent the 66th North Vietnamese Army Regiment from moving into South Vietnam’s Central Highlands, particularly in Kontum province near the Cambodian border. The lead element for the operation was the third battalion, 8th Infantry, comprised of Companies A, B, C, and D. They were deployed by helicopter assault into the Plei Trap Valley, an area northwest of Pleiku and Kontum.

On the morning of March 3, helicopters dropped A Company, led by Captain Dennis Isom, into the valley to prepare for a night patrol. As the company began to set up their night location, the third platoon, under the command of Lt Buddy Williams, was ordered to go further along the trail.  As the men made their way along a ridgeline, they killed two NVA soldiers, and that’s when the firefight began. A machine gun opened up at close range, killing one soldier and wounding another. Williams and his men took cover and returned fire, but more NVA joined in the fight. When Isom learned of the engagement, he rushed to reinforce the platoon with elements of A Company. Isom immediately calls for air support. At this the radio operator was wounded. When Isom went to his aid, he was killed instantly by a burst of machine gun fire across the chest.

Conceived by Cadet Roger A. Godin, ’61, the Corps of Cadets honored the sacrifice of Second Lieutenant Zadoc Aydelotte, a member of the Class of 1861, in January 1961. During the observance, Cadet Colonel Edward Bankowski, Battle Group Commander, stated that the actions of Lieutenant Aydelotte “has been so typical of the wearers of the proud gray of PMC through the years ….”

Aydelotte joined the 81st Pennsylvania Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers and was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 1862. The Regiment left its winter quarters in December to engage the Confederate army at Fredericksburg. On the morning of December 13, the Regiment went into action. Aydelotte was leading Company F. In the face of a terrific storm of fire, a ball shattered his right arm. With sword in his left hand, Aydelotte continued to advance until struck by a shell, which broke his leg in three places and fractured a number of ribs. He fell bleeding from nine wounds, and died January 5, 1863, in Washington, D. C., at the age of nineteen. Among his last words were “I die for God and my country.”

The corps of cadets of the PMA were the guard of honor at the military funeral accorded the heroic Aydelotte at the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery.

It was a rare occasion when PMC encountered John “Jack” Geoghegan. As a cadet he left everyone with the impression of potential greatness.  He entered PMC in 1959 and was described as a young man of “impressive presence and likeable personality.” He was selected as a Mother’s Day Corporal and as a second classman he was appointed Brigade Sergeant Major. As a First Classman, he was selected to be the Brigade Commander. He was also an above-average student and graduated in the top third of his class.

Before reporting to the Army, Geoghegan entered the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a master’s degree in International Relations. Upon completion of the Infantry Officers’ Basic Course he was assigned to the 1st Cavalry (Air Mobile) Division’s 1s Battalion, 7^th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Colonel Harold G. Moore.

In November 1965, the news of the ferocious and costly Battle of ia Drang Valley began to spread throughout the campus. Soon it was learned that Geoghegan had been killed while tending to a wounded soldier. PMC was shocked and in silent disbelief.

The tributes from those who knew him were endless. General William S. Biddle, Military Affairs Advisor at PMC, may have said it best: “he thus joined in memory Zadoc Aydelotte (Class of 1861) and other gallant sons of PMC who died on the field of battle.”

For a video presentation about the life of “Jack” Geoghegan, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FRscyNjuvU.