Oldest Graduate remarks, West Point Founders Day Dinner
Ft Leavenworth, KS. 1 April 2016.
Col Hersch Chapman, Infantry (ret). Class of 1950.
Fellow Graduates, I bring greetings from the Class of 1950
70 Years ago, we walked up the hill from the train station to the Plain to take on Beast Barracks. We graduated 6 June 1950. 500 of us were commissioned in the Army and we went on a 60 day leave.
Read MoreHere I sit with piles of snow all around. It is the aftermath of more than two days of snowing here in the DC area. We got about 15 inches, but my son Scot in WV had over 40. That should test the straw bale house he and his wife built.
Meanwhile it is time to get some of the Class news out, now that the 65th Reunion is in the history books. Here are a few items that you may have missed.
Read MoreThe AOG recently sent us the following annual report of the Class Memorial Chair.
"On behalf of the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG), I am pleased to present you with the 2013-2014 Annual Report for the S200S Class of 1950 Chair of Advanced Technology Endowment. This report includes narratives on the activities and events supported by this endowment during the 2013-2014 Academic Year. For the 2013-2014 Academic Year, your endowment provided 104,944.88 for West Point."
Read MoreHere is the original article by by Will Coates' widow Nancy that appeared in a 1950 issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine.
To those who never knew Willard Coates but who, with me and his parents, now share the shock of his untimely end in a command post in the bleak hills of Korea, I feel it important that I tell his story, our story... BY NANCY NOLAN COATES as told to JEAN LIBMAN BLOCK
Read MoreCongratulations to Bill DeGraf for receiving the well-deserved Distinguished Graduate Award.
His citation reads:
"William B. DeGraf '50 - First to graduate in the Class of 1950, a class that produced 64 general officers (including 7 four-star generals), Colonel DeGraf (Retired) has been its acknowledged and unchallenged leader for decades. He has led class gift programs, organized class reunions, and served as class scribe for 33 of the past 39 years. His leadership might stem from the fact that he was already a first lieutenant before coming to West Point (battlefield commission during World War II). After graduating he fought in Korea, received a master's in nuclear physics, taught at USMA (Department of Electrical Engineering), and commanded the 1st Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam (earning a third Combat Infantryman Badge during that conflict, a rare feat). After retirement, DeGraf contributions to the Army went even further: As the Assistant Vice President of Science Applications International Corporation, he led the design, development, and activation of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA, which is thought to be the crown jewel of the Army training system."
Chuck Friedlander (Class of 1950) got to experience the American space program of the 1960s in a way that few could. As Chief of the Astronaut Support Office at Kennedy Space Center during the Gemini and early Apollo programs, he worked behind-the-scenes with the astronauts that flew the vehicles and who eventually walked on the Moon. His story, along with some personal, behind-the-scenes remembrances of the space program, were recently featured in the Volume 21 #1 issue of “Quest: The History of Spaceflight."
WELCOME
The 60th Reunion is now history! We had a great turnout: 148 classmates, 16 widows, and 201 family and friends, for a total attendance of 365. Unfortunately quite a number had to cancel at the last minute, including our hard working Win Skelton, who suddenly had surgery on his eye. Quite a number of classmates brought large contingents with them, as you can see from the photo of the Newton and Cody families.
The year is only two months old, but it is off to a busy start.
At the turn of the year Lynn Wood gave Spike an 80th birthday party. That is Spike on the right with Lynn holding the cake. The actor Tom Bosley is on the left next to Norman Gorans, a writer for 60 Minutes. Then it was off to Hawaii for the Woodses.
Read MoreAnother year in which to excel! Hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and that you have a great 2008.
We can start off with a bang. Dick & Ruth Newton's son Dick was nominated in Dec to be a three star and to be DCS Manpower and Personnel for the Air Force. Those of you who were at the 55th Reunion will remember the fine briefing he gave the Class.
Read MoreFinally a rainy day here in VA! A good day to visit with all of you out there.
The Class of '50 here at The Fairfax continues to grow. Joan Scandling Pimentel and her husband Frank '52 will be joining the Singers, Jackleys, and DeGrafs here in 2008. With the housing market poor, many are passing up chances to get large units here until their homes sell.
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