United States Naval Academy - Lucky Bag Yearbook

“^nmmmimBmmmBm mmmsBomBm ; V ' ^s\ J THE CLASS OF 79 PHILO N. McGIFFEN ' 82 Born in 1860. Philo McGiffen came to ihe Naval Academy as as Naval Cadet in 1878. A rugged in- dividualist, his actions soon established him as such. It could be said that he typified the mischevious young- ster that is in us all. For example, he used to roll cannon balls down the barracks steps at inappropriate limes, and once wrote a report on " imaginary " weapons under the Navy ' s control. He did not do well in aca- demics in general, although he did well in his profes- sional courses and really enjoyed them. Upon graduation in 1882. he was not offered a com- mission due to a lack of billets for passed midshipmen, and later obtained one in the Chinese Navy. He then went on to establish the Chinese Naval War College and also introduced the Chinese Navy to the holiday obser- vance of Thanksgiving. Although unable to serve in the U.S. Navy. McGif- fen ' s dedication to service is representative of the highest professional standards of the United States Naval Academy. McGiffen died in 1897 from wounds he received while commanding the CHEN YUEN in the battle of the Yalu. T 1 • It iii^uffi ' ir.rtia ssmdaKtL.ij. ^^ 5 " 3» .. ' f ' S* V^ -« /. -, Al ”