Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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With the dedication of the George C. Marshall Research Library on 23 May 1964, hundreds of the nation ' s distinguished citizens, including President Lyndon B. Johnson, paid tribute to the man referred to by cadets as The Institute ' s most distinguished graduate. It is our purpose in THE 1965 BOMB to further the ideal expressed by Sir Winston Churchill that Suc- ceeding generations must not be allowed to forget his achievements or his example. For General Mar- shall probably best symbolizes the compatability of the twin goals of the Institute: the combination of the best qualities of both citizen and soldier. What was the relationship of General Marshall with the Institute? What were the achievements of the man of whom Churchill said: There are few men whose qualities of mind and character have so impressed me as those of General George C. Marshall. He was a great American, but he was far more than that. In war he was as wise and understanding in counsel as he was resolute in action. In peace he was the archi- tect who planned the restoration of our battered European economy and, at the same time, laboured tirelessly to establish a system of Western Defense. He always fought victoriously against defeatism, discouragement and disillusion. George Catlett Marshall was born 31 December 1880, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. His childhood was normal. Following the tradition of his family and back- ground, Marshall matriculated at the Virginia Military Institute in September, 1897. Although poorly prepared for college work, his grades steadily improved, en- abling him to be graduated in the upper half of his class. In the military aspects of his cadetship, Marshall did extremely well, achieving the ranks of first corporal, first sergeant and first captain. Later, Marshall was to say of his years at the Institute, What I learned at V M T WlNftICATE HER ' HONOR OR DEFEND HER RKiHi COL J TL PRESTON General Marshall is honored by the VMI during the dedication of the MARSHALL ARCH

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THE MARSHALL STORY iM ' President Johnson delivers his dedicatory address during the dedication of the George C. Marshall Research Librar

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was self-control and discipline. This Institution gave me not only a standard for my daily conduct among men but it endowed me with a military heritage of honor and self-sacrifice. Thus Marshall gained more from VMI than just a basic education in academic and military subjects. Robert A. Lovett, former Secretary of Defense, speaking at the dedication ceremonies on 23 May 1964 stated: It was here at Virginia Military Institute that General Marshall ' s natural gifts were refined by discipline and nourished by learning; it was here that he first came under the full influence of the traditions of the past, which are handed down in person from generation to generation, of duty, honor, loyalty and dedication to the service of one ' s own country. Upon being graduated from VMI in June of 1901 Marshall stood on the threshold of a career that would see him hold every commissioned rank in the United States Army, serve as Secretary of State in a critical era, serve as Special Representative to China, act as president of the American National Red Cross, and as Secretary of Defense. In February of 1902, the twenty-two-year-old grad- uate was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. He was attached to the 30t h Infantry, stationed in the Philippines. Marshall next attended the Army Infantry-Cavalry School in 1907, being graduated with honors. Later in 1907, he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to study at the Army Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Here his natural ability for strategy and military theory was again to stand him in good stead; he was graduated from the Staff College in 1908 and served the remaining two years of his tour of duty as an instructor there. In 1911 and 1912, he was an inspector-instructor of the Massachusetts National Guard; in 1913, he served in Texas and Arkansas. In the latter part of 1913, Marshall returned to the Philippines and remained there until 1916. While in the Islands, his ability as a tactician was