Central High School - Centralian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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 Major IV. S. Me IVade TYPIFYING to all who know him everything that is fine and noble in n man Major V. S. McWade during his two years at Central has well established himself in that niche in the esteem of the students which is reserved for the most popular members of the faculty. He has an enviable service record dating from before the Spanish-American war. During the World War he was for a time stationed with the 88th Division at Camp Dodge. Leaving Camp Dodge, he took charge of the Dumvoodv Institute in Minneapolis where he remained till, at the end of the war. he was assigned to work with the high school cadet corps. His peculiar genius for understanding and appreciating the American boy has aided him immeasurably in his work in tin- military department of the local preparatory schools. Captain Ralph Me Fail I AS professor of military science and tactics of the Cadet corps of the Minneapolis high schools, Captain Ralph McFaul has been sincerely respected by every man who has been under him. Thoroughly human, and known to the cadets as a considerate, kindly leader, he has made friends wherever he has gone. Captain McFaul was graduated from Central with the class of June. 1912, and received his college education at St. Thomas academy. He served during the World War as a captain of infantry. Succeeding Captain Fox as military instructor in the Minneapolis secondary institutions, he quickly gained the reputation of being every inch a soldier—and a man.

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 THE CADET COUPS THE cadet corps of Central high school was organized in October, 1918, under the direction of the school physical training instructor. Cadets were required to buy their uniforms, but nevertheless the companies had a large number of inen. In February, 1919, the War Department detailed W. S. MeWade, then captain, to the Minneapolis high schools, and lie was in charge until June, 1919. September, 1919, found Major Tom Fox assigned in charge of the training, and he and Captain MeWade, together with three sergeants from the regular army, composed the training staff. In June, 1921, Major Fox was relieved from high school duty, and sent to West Point as instructor in English. Captain Ralph Mc-Faul, 36th Infantry, was detailed to succeed him. Cadet hops, a four day camp at Fort Snclling, and numerous competitive drills were the corps activities during this year. In September, 1920, the War Department authorized the high schools of Minneapolis to be classed as a junior unit of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (R. O. T. C.) Under this regulation all uniforms and equipment are furnished by the U. S. Government, there being no expense to the cadet whatever. The corps at Central has been, for nearly two years, at the highest point of efficiency and morale. The spirit is splendid, and consequently good discipline follows. The fact that military training is voluntary accounts in a large measure for the great interest kept up in the corps. In December, 1919, Central won the silver sabre presented by Major Fox. Also for the last two years Central has won the annual drill for the colors. Central is now permanent possessor of the gold sword, it having been won by Captain Hugo Eriekson in December, 1920, and by Captain -Norman Anderson in December, 1921. All these competitions were participated in by companies from the five different high schools of the city. Competing against platoons of picked cadets from St. Thomas Military academy and Cretin high school of St. Paul, a platoon selected from Company B of the Central high cadet corps on May 19 won a magnificent silver trophy offered bv the American Legion to the best drilled high school platoon in the twin cities. The event, which was held on the St. Thomas athletic field, attracted a large crowd. Captain Norman Anderson again commanded the victorious platoon, and it was his soldierly bearing and superb control over the cadets that contributed in no small part to the overwhelming triumph of the Central platoon. The present commissioned cadet officers of the corps at Central are: Captains—Rowland Dobbins, Norman Anderson. Wallace Thexton (Quartermaster). First Lieutenants—Gordon Williams, Thomas Moore, Charles Hocking. Second Lieutenants— Dick Decker, Horatio Walker, William Walker, Robert Cargill, Francis McGowan, Andrew McBlain, Harold Tinker, I.loyd James. The staff of instructors is as follows: Major W. S. MeWade, Captain Ralph McFaul, Lieut. Ashley J. Conard, Sergt. George Rcinshardt, and Scrgt. Elmer Larson. [19]