Washington High School Cadets - Adjutant Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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EXCERPTS FROM THE HISTORY OF THE CADET CORPS WASHINGTON PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL Brought up to date by COLONEL DAVID A. RHODES, H. S. C. 1882--The Washington High School Cadet Corps was organized when two com- panies of 50 men each were formed at Central High School. Since only fifty Austrian rifles had been issued, the two companies used them alternately. George Israel, a Central High School teacher, instructed the companies. Later, Captain Burton R. Ross, who became Lieutenant Colonel of the District Militia, was formally appointed the first instructor of the Cadet Corps. 1883-The corps made its first public appearance in the parade of the Grand Army of the Republic. 1885-The cadets marched in the inaugural parade of President Cleveland and were present at the dedication of the Washington Monument. 1888-First Competitive Drill was held. Company A of Central High School won first place. 1890-Four new companies were added to the Cadet Corps with the opening of four new schools in September of this year: Business, now Roosevelt, Eastern, Mckin- ley and Western. 1893-The first Colonel was appointed. This honor was bestowed upon Luther Reichelderfer, now Dr. Reichelderfer, an ex-Commissioner of the District of Columbia. 1895-The Allison Nailor Medal was presented to the High School Cadets by Mr. Allison Nailor. The purpose of the medal is 'fTo stimulate a higher degree of pro- ficiency and skill in Military knowledge .... 1913-Colonel Ross, who had discharged his duties efficiently for twenty years and had won the respect and admiration of everyone associated with the Corps, died. Major McCathran was appointed to the position vacated by the death of Colonel Ross. 1914-The late Stephen E. Kramer, Assistant Superintendent of the public schools, originated the idea of holding an annual ceremony to present Commissions to the cadet officers. His purpose was to create a feeling of unity among the cadets. The first presentation was made by Brigadier General E. M. Weaver, U. S. Army. The ceremony has been continued and is now observed at each school every Spring. 1916-Major McCathran was called to the Mexican border for service. For a year the cadets were without an ofhcial Military Instructor. Major E. Z. Steever, U. S. Army, then a lieutenant. voluntarily gave the cadets elementary training in military science. Lieutenant N. B. Briscoe was appointed by the War Department to succeed Major McCathran. When war was declared with Germany Lieutenant Briscoe was assigned to other duties. His assistant, the former Cadet Colonel Wallace M. Yater, was pro- moted to instructor and Cadet Major Worth Shoults became Assistant Military Instructor. 1917-Cadet Corps was first organized as a brigade under the direction of Lieu- tenant Briscoe. The first ofhcial program of the Competitive Drill was published. It consisted of only twenty pages and contained the personnel of the brigade and the pictures of the officers. Miss Rebecca E. Shanley, teacher of English, who originated the idea of a cadet year book, founded in 1917 the year book we now know as the Adjulfml. Under Miss Shanley's direction the magazine has developed from a program into an ofiicial record of the history and regulations of the Cadet Corps. During the World War the cadets received numerous certificates from the War Department for service rendered in assisting the Registration for the Selective Draft. Many cadets joined the national forces and participated in actual combat. We are justly proud of the fine precedent set by members of the corps in such a crisis. 1918-Cadet Major Shoults was promoted to the position of Military Instructor. 1919-Lieutenant Richard R. Day, U. S. M. C., was appointed Military Instructor when Major Shoults resigned. Eight

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THE ADIUTANT Save He Serve, No Man Can Rule VOLUME XXII MAY 5 and 6, 1941 NUMBER 1 MR. NORMAN J. NELSON An Interview by LT. COL. JACK F. BENNETT, H. S. C. HE Washington High School Cadet Corps has a true friend in Mr. Norman J. Nelson, the principal of Woodrow Wilson High School, whose associa- tion with Washington schools and Cadet work has extended over nineteen years. lt was in 1910 that this young westerner, who was to accomplish so much in the field of education for his adopted city. CEUIIC to the Capital to work with the Federal govern- ment. He left his home in North Dakota, where the majority of his youth had been spent and where already he had completed two years of college. This education he continued in Washington by attending school at night, and soon the George Washing- ton llniversity conferred upon him a Bachelor of Arts degree. ln 1918 Mr. Nelson resigned from the Federal government to enlist in the armed forces of the nation. Almost immediately he was transferred to London, remaining there for a year and a half. Upon his return to America he again entered the employ of the government and for three years he served in an executive capacity. A deep ambition to enter the held of academic instruction was gratified in 1922, for in that year lVlr. Nelson withdrew permanently from the government and joined the teaching faculty of Central High School. A few years later he was advanced to the ollice of assistant principal. Here it was that his active interest in and deep respect for the Washington High School Cadet Corps originated. Central at that time, with its thirty-two hundred students, often had as many as ten companies, and the affairs of this great organization were largely in the hands of a military committee composed of eight teachers. lVlr. Nelson was made a member of this committee. Consequently, each spring he would with the other members judge all prospective commissioned officers in an oral examination and in an actual exhibition of commanding a squad. Later, while he was assistant principal. all cases of breach of discipline were brought before him. Leaving Central in 1928, lVlr. Nelson studied for a year at Harvard University and received a lVlaster,s degree in English. The next year, however, he re-entered the District school system as assistant principal at Western High School. Between school terms in 1930 he visited England again on a travelling scholarship, making a thorough study of the secondary schools of that nation. At its founding in 1935, lVlr. Nelson became principal of Woodrow Wilscmii High School, which under his good-natured. intelligent and inspiring leadership has in but a few years attained an eminent rank among the secondary schools of America. lVlr. Nelson entertains high regard for the worth of the High School Cadet Corps training. With pleasure he recalls the benefit it has been to boys whom he has taught and known well. Particularly clear is his memory of the second-place captain whose Cadet training had instilled in him such determination that, when, during his turn on the company competitive held, a sudden cloudburst drenched him and his men, he held his men in place and decided to continue the drill rather than to take the op- portunity of returning later. lVlr. Nelson considers that the Corps produces two primary benefits. One of these is the training in leadership which by placing unusual re- sponsibility on high school boys heightens their self-reliance and increases their stature -a value which may flow from other extra-curricular activities but from none to so many boys. The other is the stimulation to scholastic achievement resulting from a system of advancement which places so great an emphasis upon curricula achievement. The High School Cadet Corps is most fortunate and indeed proud to have the wholehearted support of a man who so well as lVlr. Norman J. Nelson understands its purposes. problems. and ideals. Seven

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Extended order drill was introduced to make military training more realistic and practicable. 1920-Military Map Problems competitions were introduced to stimulate interest in military tactics. The membership of the Cadet Corps had increased to a total of 1350 men, who were distributed through 23 companies. Un May 5, the Cadet Corps marched in the National Army Essay contest parade and was complimented by Secretary of War Newton D. Baker upon its fine appearance. 'l92'l-Brigade Rifle Team was organized by Walter R. Stokes, who had been Captain of Company B in 1917. A medical unit was organized by Dr. Yater, but this unit was discontinued a few years later. Lieutenant Colonel Wallace M. Craigie became the Professor of Military Science and Tactics. Captain A. C. Strecker and Captain Johnson were appointed his assistants. On March 4-, the entire Cadet Corps acted as guard of Honor for President Harding at his inauguration. 1922-The Third Regiment, consisting of Western, Eastern, and Business High Schools, and the Junior High Schools, was organized. The annual Non-Commissioned Officers Competition was established to determine the best sergeant in the brigade each year. The Cadet Band was organized in two divisions. The black leather Sam Browne belt was adopted. A summer camp was formed at Camp Simms where boys could further their cadet training. A cadet court, composed of the highest ranking officers, was introduced to try all infractions of the rules and regulations. Major B. O. Kennedy and Captain A. J. O'Keefe became assistant instructors. 1923-The Regimental Competition was introduced, and being successful, was continued. The Brigade was presented with its first Brigade colors. 1925-Major John S. Donovan, U. S. Army, was transferred from the Third to thc First Regiment, and Major Raymond C. Payne filled his place at the Third Regiment. Junior High School Drill was discontinued. 'I926-The modern, comfortable lapel-collared uniform was introduced and the high stiff uniform collars were discarded. Captain David Van Pelt became the military instructor of the Second Regiment. 1928-Captain Van Pelt died after two years of conscientious service. 1929-Selected companies marched in President Hooverls Inaugural Parade. 1931-Colonel Maish became ill and was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Frank Moorman. Colonel Maish died in the fall of this year after eight years of faithful service with the Cadet Corps. Captain Robert W. Norton was assigned to duty at Eastern High School, replacing Major Payne, who was transferred to Western. 1932-The Cadet Corps participated in many ceremonies celebrating the George Washington Bicentennial. Among these was the Army Day Parade. Participation in the Army Day Parade is now an annual function of the Corps, and to the many duties of the Brigade Commander has been added that of mounted aid to the marshal of the R. 0. T. C. units. 1933-The National Economy Act dealt a severe blow to the cadets when it eliminated the salaries of the Military Instructors. Apparently doomed, the Cadet Corps survived, when Colonel Craigie volunteered to serve as Professor of Military Science and Tactics without remuneration. Lieutenant Paul Doerr was appointed Assistant Professor of Military Science and Tactics. 1936-A battalion was organized at the new Woodrow Wilson High School. The battalion formed a part of the Fourth Regiment and was instructed by the late Lieu- tenant Joseph Murphy. fSee History , page 541 Nine