New York Military Academy - Shrapnel Yearbook (Cornwall on Hudson, NY)

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'lift W5 9' ,U . -- .,,,4,f:--- ,, .., A - - V- -1.-1-. - GROUP OF ENTHUSIASTIC ALUMNI WHO MET jUST BEFORE 1959 COMMENCEMENT Back row Cleft to rightl- Spen Driggs '06g Hen Clark 'OSQ Brad Manning '07, 1938 President of Alumni Asso- ciation: jack Shattuck 'USL john Brewer V041 Elwyn Leslie '06g Lang Leslie '09. Middle row-Stuart Reed '03g Mike Aschoff '00g Zack Walttmn '99, Secretary of Alumni Association: Lloyd Brooks '99g lien jones '99g Burns Magruder '98g Ted Harding '23, newly elected President of Alumni Association. Front row--Frank Zittell '92g Pa Lord '97g Art Simonson '95g Buck Dewey 'UOQ joe Taylor '90g Pat Flaherty '953 Fliot Moore '00. many a cadet's dress coat far too tight for comfortable breathing. During the summer of 1936 General Davis became president of the Academy after serving as superintendent for almost fourteen years. On August 15 of that year it was announced that Colonel Frank A. Pattillo had been appointed superintendent. Colonel Pattillo became associated with N.Y.M.A. in 1926 as commandant and professor of military science. He was appointed assistant superintendent in 1933. Born in Forsyth, Georgia, on May 30, 1892, Colonel Pattilo was graduated from Wentworth Military Academy in 1910, and from Emory University in 1914 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. When the United States entered the World War he enrolled in the 38th Infantry and was appointed a second and then a first lieutenant in August, 1917. He was at the Artny Service School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, during the latter part of that year, and with the 38th Infantry at Camp Greene, North Carolina, until March, 1918, when his regiment was ordered to France. Colonel Pattillo served continuously with the 38th and was appointed captain on june 22, 1918. His command participated in six major engagements, and he was wounded on three different occasions-the Aisne-Marne of- fensive, july Zlg occupation of the Vesle Defensive Sector, August 6, and the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offens- ive, October 11, 1918. On june 6, 1939, Governor E. D. Rivers, of Georgia, appointed him to the Governor's Staff in the capacity of lieutenant colonel. Numerous new cadet activities were introduced by Colonel Pattillo in the school year of 1936-37. Two bowl- ing alleys were constructed and became a central gathering place at once. The popularity of the new game was appar- ent from the beginning, not only among the boys but for members of the faculty as well. Although rifle shooting had been an important sport at the Academy for many years fthe rifie team took first and second places in the Hearst Trophy Match in 1937j, trapshooting was something entirely new when the trap house and shooting stands were opened for the first time on March 1, 1937. Allan Gillette, instructor in English, was placed in charge of the sport, and found a group of about forty boys ready to give it a try. Few of the boys had had any experience in this type of shooting, but Gillette worked diligently with them for the remainder of the year. In the spring of 1938 a team was entered in Class E of the American Amateur Trap- 1:','4.:'.-:L---.rpw..q.-eq-1-u-afralr -- - ,W 1 Y- HW, ,-,TWV Y, Page Tbirly-se1'en

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,, Q92 'Ulllli - ...im V ...A Much of this interest carried over and through the scholastic term of 1933-34. The Spring Hop and Parents' Day program attracted the unprecedented number of 1,300 parents and alumni with a consequent overflowing of all possible accommodations in or near Cornwall. Academy officials added impetus to this alumni interest by announc- ing, at the 1934 commencement, that only N.Y.M.A. graduates would be asked to make the principal address at this ceremony from that time on. The address of that year was given by Lieutenant Colonel deRubio, of the class of 1894. Highlights in sports for 1934 were an undefeated track team, captained by Philip Brooks, '35, and the Academy's first boxing tournament. Boxing had been a compulsory ex- ercise from the early years of the school, but there never previously had been any formal competition, either inter- scholastic or intramural. Lieutenant Edwin johnson, pro- fessor of military science, originated the idea and carried it to such a successful conclusion that the tournament has now become an annual fixture. The first tournament not only drew a large entry but also attracted, as a spectator, every cadet who was not en- tered. The finals were staged with regulation ring, seconds, and all the rest of the paraphernalia of the sport. The fol- lowing champions were crowned: Junior School-Frank Erickson, Jr., '34, and Vernon Landon, Jr., '34, flyweight- John Cassidy, '39, featherweight-Courtland Young, '36, lightweight-Raymond LaRose, '35, Welterweight-joseph Kohout, '36, middleweight-Vincent Lupo, '36, heavy- weight-Donald Ward, '36. The month of November ended at midnight with the Corps divided. Some were far down the jersey coast while the remainder were holding the fortress at Corn- wall. Little wonder that there was uneasiness and ex- citement in the air that night. The Corps divided . . . never before had it been. -The Shrapnel, 1935. War again? The cadets called out to help defend the country against a grim invader? Hardly. November 30, 1934, was the day before the first football game between N.Y.M.A. and Admiral Farragut Academy at Atlantic City and the gridiron squad had left a day early in order to get in some practice at the auditorium there. Next morning marked the beginning of an orgy the like of which had never been witnessed at the Academy before. Relieved of the rigors of the usual daily schedule, the Corps sat down to breakfast at 9:30 A.M. and gorged itself on steak and potatoes, an experience in itself to be long remembered. Then came the march to the special train and the loading of the entire student body and faculty. The ride on the train was satisfactory for awhile but the amusement facilities were limited, and the boys were glad to reach the Jersey coast resort in the late afternoon. Dinner finished, the cadets marched off to the audi- torium and took part in the almost endless ceremonies which preceded the football game itself. The battle was a fitting climax to the full day, however, as the teams fought on even terms through more than three quarters, and then it was N.Y.M.A. which made the only score of the game. Mickie Lowell, '35, tossed a 40-yard forward pass to Don Ward late in the final period to set the stage for the touchdown, and crossed the goal line himself a few plays later to bring victory to Cornwall. The tired but deliriously happy cadets had another thrill on the return journey the next day. When their train pulled into jersey City they found themselves cheek-by- jowl with the West Point train and, says Shmpnel, it was they who looked up to us for having accomplished a task which they had failed to do-that of whipping Navy. February, 1935, found the Academy in the throes of another epidemic, but this one was more annoying than serious, for the majority of the Corps had contracted-of all things-German Measles. West Barracks was called into service as an emergency hospital, and student activities were at an almost total standstill for a long time. There was little lingering in bed by convalescents, however, as the epidemic threatened cancellation of the Midwinter Hop, a catastrophe beyond imagining. Fortunately, the Corps lost its spots in time so that the Hop was delayed only a week from its originally scheduled date. Spring sports were featured by the performances of two undefeated teams-track and tennis. Phil Brooks led the trackmen through six dual meets in which the Ny- manians were never pressed. Jack Devereaux, '35, and Bill Smallwood, '35, served as co-captains of the racqueteers in their all-victorious drive against seven opponents. Pough- keepsie High School presented the only team to give the cadets a close fight. An impressive and romantic ceremony-that of the Ring-became a part of traditional life at the Academy at the Spring Dance of 1936. Copied from similar ceremonies at West Point and Annapolis, the rite now marks a high point in the junior year of every cadet. The juniors choose their class rings in advance of the date of the Spring Dance and a gigantic replica of the ring is then constructed and mounted on a low platform in the gymnasium. At a given signal the senior class, each man with his feminine companion, forms an aisle through which each junior and the girl of his choice walks to the Ring. Each couple mounts the tiny platform and the girl then slips the Class ring upon her companion's finger-and seals the pledge with a kiss. Ensuing heart-throbs have made Page Thirty-six

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1 . i TSC i' shooting Tournament at Travers Island, N. Y. Alfred Murphy, '40, won the event with a score of 191 x 200 and Kenneth Cashin, '39, was runner-up with 189 x 200. The outstanding feature of the Parents' Day program, however, was the military review for three veterans of Troop D-Caesar, Cora, and Apache-in honor of their retirement from active duty. The three horses stood with the officers on the reviewing line while the entire corps passed by at salute. Following the review Troop D drew up before the line and its officers dismounted and re- moved saddles and bridles from the veterans. Thus re- leased, the horses trotted to the head of the column and led their comrades back to the stables. The following orders were published during the re- view: HEADQUARTERS, CORPS OF CADETS NEW YORK MILITARY ACADEMY CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON, N. Y. General Orders No, 2 May 8, 1937. The retirement of the following members of Troop D is announced: CAESAR . . . . . .Age 34 years CORA ......... .... A ge 30 years APACHE ............,.... Age 25 years CAESAR was at all time equal to the important, re- sponsible duty in which he was placed during his twenty years of service as a member of Troop D. A superior animal in every way, he will continue to hold the respect and admiration of all who knew him. His broad understanding and patience has been of inestim- able value to Troop D and N.Y.M.A. CORA's service in Troop D has been one of high attainment and marked achievement, as this faithful animal performed duties of ever-increasing responsibility. During her entire active service she has at all time displayed the Finest qualifications for a troop horse, loyalty and devotion to her duties, which has won the commendation of all those with whom she served. APACHE was presented to Troop D by General Davis, and for over 15 years was the Troop Captain's horse, leading all parades, drills, and formations. In addition to being an outstanding troop horse, Apache was a jumper of outstanding ability. During the past few years Apache has been used for a spare mount due to injuries. In appreciation of the loyal and faithful service of the above Troopers it is directed that they be retired to pasture for the duration of their lives, never again to he required to perform duty of any kind. By Command of General Davis Official: Frank A. Pattillo, Capt. U.S.A. CRet'dJ, Superintendent Commencement of 1937 was marked by a new depar- ture. Recognizing that certain former cadets, who had not been graduated from the Academy, had since carried on in their own lives the traditions of the school, it was de- cided to present honorary diplomas to five men for dis- tinguished service in military and business life . The five so honored were John G. Shattuck, '05, B. Winthrop Pizzini, '16, Robert H. R. Loughborough, '14, Bradford M. Manning, '07, and Harry S. Clark, '05. The 1957 football team, captained by johnny Bath, '58, had visions of immortality until they were blasted in the very last game of the season. The Academy players swept through their first five games, not only undefeated but un- scored upon and came upon the annual classic against Admiral Farragut Academy with high hopes for comple- tion of the greatest season in more than thirty years. The Little Army-Navy Game was staged in Munici- pal Stadium, Philadelphia, before 40,000 spectators, but N.Y.M.A. was defeated, the score being 51-0. Basketball was revived during the following winter as a varsity sport and the team made a fair showing in view of its inexperience in interscholastic competition. It won four games and tied one in an eight-game schedule. Bill Nelson reigned as captain. A group of cadets became picture-minded during the year with the result that a new organization found a place on the campus. George Gregg, instructor in mathematics, took charge of the Camera Club activities. A pall was cast over late spring activities in 1938 by the death of General Davis on May 51. He had been associated with the Academy, first as superintendent and then as president, since 1909. General Davis had the interests of the Academy always at heart and was respected and loved by hundreds of alumni as well as the cadets and faculty. General Davis' civic contributions and honors were many. He was Vice-President and Director of the Corn- wall National Bank, member of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, President of the Hudson Val- ley Federated Chamber of Commerce, President of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States, Vice-President of the Orange County So- ciety of New York, National Counselor of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, Fellow of the Na- tional Geographical Society, member of the Army-Navy Clubs of Washington and New York, member of the Camp Fire Club of America, the Explorers' Club, the Ends of the Earth Club, The Players, Lambs', Companion Foreign Wars, and Companion Society of Indian Wars. Inclement weather on Commencement Day made it im- possible to present commissions and warrants under the Guardian Maple, as had been the custom for many years, and this part of the program was transferred to the Davis Memorial Chapel. The largest crowd in history attended both this and the actual commencement ceremonies in the gymnasium, however, and heard John G. Shattuck, '05, de- liver a stirring address to the graduating class. Pu ge Thirty-eight