Knox College - Gale Yearbook (Galesburg, IL)

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CHAPTER TWO KNOX AT WAR

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PRESENTATION GF I-IERGISM AWARDS a i Barely virible from the crowd becaure of the rain was tlue actual presentation of the heroism awards. Captain Ford here pin: the Distinguished Service Cross on Mrs. Heller. On April 26 of this year Willard Field was the scene of the first public military review ever to be staged on the Knox College campus. Ar this review the dual decora- tions of the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart were awarded to Lieutenant Clifford Heller, Army Ranger, who was killed at Casablanca, French Morocco, November 8, 1942. By order of General Dwight B. Eisen- hower, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph P. Heller re- ceived these medals, which were presented by Captain H. R. Ford of the Knox Col- lege Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit. The Distinguished Service Cross was be- stowed on Mrs. Heller for her son's valor above and beyond the call of duty. Mr. Heller received the Purple Heart in recog- nition of Clifi's meritorious service and wounds received in action. The presentation of the awards was ac- companied by a battalion review, in which participated the several hundred trainees of the 302nd College Training Detachment of the Army Air Corps. The military band under the direction of Mark Bibble, was also composed of Air Corps students. The senior members of the Knox ROTC unit formed an honor guard for the service. Ir was Mrs. Heller's desire that these awards be made on the campus of her son's alma mater and in the presence of his many friends. Cliff was a member of last year's graduating class and was one of the most popular students in school. As a climax to his military career at Knox, he was named the outstanding company com- mander and was awarded the Hill trophy, which is the highest honor to be presented by the military department.

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Knox at War is the most important section of this hook. It gives you a true picture of the scope and intensity and spirit of Knox College at war. The Knox faculty and students worked harder and longer this year than ever before. The men realized that in few short months their lives might well depend upon their know- ledge of military science, mathematics, or physics gained while at Knox.