Notable Cadets

Charles Frederick Berthold Price was born in Germany of American parents. He and his parents returned to America when Price was six months old. His family settled in Wayne, PA. Price entered PMC in 1898. At PMC, he was a talented musician; particularly in his rendition of “Taps”. In his 2nd Class (Junior) Year, he was appointed Chief Musician, which meant he kept the PMC Bugle Corps in shape. As a First Classman (Senior), he commanded “B” Company as a Cadet Captain. The Porcupine Annual (then the PMC Yearbook) described Price as: “an advocate for the Extermination of Room Inspectors.” It was written that to avoid the “exertion” of making his bed every morning, he “nailed his sheets and blanket to the bed.” He slept on the floor with a spare blanket. Yet, his classmates considered him to be a “good fellow…and a kind officer.”

After graduation, Price was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad and served in the Philadelphia City Cavalry of the Pennsylvania National Guard. In 1906, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and ordered to Annapolis for training. During the Spanish-American War, President Theodore Roosevelt ordered Price and a Marine Expeditionary Force to “protect American lives and property” in Cuba. Price remained there until 1908. He returned to the U.S., but after a few months, he joined the Central American Expeditionary Force. Later deployments included: Panama during the construction of the Panama Canal; Vera Cruz during the Mexican Intervention in 1914; France, shortly before and after the armistice ending WWI; and Nicaragua. 

In 1935, he joined the Fourth Marines at the American Legation in Shanghai, China. Price was promoted to Brigadier General in 1940 and assumed command of the Department of the Pacific in 1941. After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he was promoted to Major General and placed in command of the Second Marine Division. He assumed command of the Defense Force, Samoan Group, in 1942. His assignment was to secure the approaches to Samoa Islands. His efforts in occupying and developing the U.S. presence on the Ellice Islands made the seizure of the Gilbert Islands possible, thereby opening the Central Pacific. For his ability, perseverance and tact he was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal with the Combat “V” for heroism during direct participation in combat operations by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas (CinCPOA), for U.S. and Allied air, land, and sea forces during World War II.

Price returned to the San Diego area in 1944. The following year he retired. He continued to live in the San Diego area until his death in 1954.

Military Honors & Valor

Headquarters, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Pacific
Legion of Merit w/V for heroism during direct participation in the defense of the Samoa Islands during the period of 1942 and 1944.

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Raymond W. Hardenbergh, also a member of PMC’s Class of 1898, left campus prior to Commencement to serve in the Spanish-American War. A Cadet Lieutenant at the time, he enlisted as a private in Company E of the 13th Pennsylvania Infantry, joining the regiment at Camp Hastings. Like his fellow cadets who entered military service, Hardenbergh received his degree in civil engineering.

From the 13th Pennsylvania, Hardenbergh went on to serve with the Army Corps of Engineers in Cuba under Colonel Edgar Jadwin, where he was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the regular army. His military career expanded further as he participated in the Philippine Insurrection. During World War I, he served as brigade adjutant with the 159th Brigade, 80th Division, American Expeditionary Forces.

Hardenbergh is perhaps best remembered not only for his service, but for his connection to “Rags,” the famed war dog and mascot of the 1st Infantry Division. Rags, a mixed-breed terrier discovered in Paris by Sergeant James Donovan, was trained to carry messages between front-line units. During the Meuse-Argonne Campaign, Rags delivered a critical message despite being bombed, gassed, and partially blinded—an act that saved many lives and brought him widespread recognition.

After the war, both Donovan and Rags returned to the United States, where Donovan later died in 1919. Rags remained at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where gas victims were being treated. When Major Hardenbergh arrived at Fort Sheridan the following year, he and his family adopted Rags, providing a home for the decorated war dog.

In 1924, Hardenbergh was transferred to Governor’s Island in New York Harbor, home of the 1st Infantry Division, where Rags became something of a celebrity in Manhattan. Hardenbergh was later transferred to the War Department in 1934. Rags died in 1936 and was buried with full military honors; a monument was erected in his memory at Aspen Hill Memorial Park and Animal Sanctuary in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Colonel Raymond W. Hardenbergh died on February 3, 1949.

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Ezra H. Ripple, Jr., a member of PMC’s Class of 1898, answered the call to service before completing his studies. In May of that year, as the nation mobilized for the Spanish-American War, Ripple—then a Cadet Lieutenant—left campus to enlist as a private in Company D of the 13th Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Like many of his classmates who entered service, he still received his degree in civil engineering.

Ripple joined his regiment at Camp Hastings for training. At the time of muster, the 13th Pennsylvania consisted of thirty-six officers and 604 enlisted men. In May, the regiment was ordered to Camp Alger, near Dunn Loring, Virginia, where it became part of the 2nd Army Corps, First Division. The unit remained there until August, when it was ordered back to Pennsylvania’s Camp Meade near Middletown. The war came to an end on August 13, and the 13th Pennsylvania did not see combat.

Following his military service, Ripple worked as a mine surveyor until 1900, when he chose to pursue a career in law. He entered the law department of the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1904. The following year, he was admitted to the Lackawanna bar.

Ripple’s commitment to military service continued well beyond his early enlistment. In 1916, he commanded the 13th Pennsylvania during the Mexican Border Campaign. During World War I, he was drafted into service and assigned to Headquarters, 55th Infantry Brigade, 28th Infantry Division—once again answering the call in a time of national need.

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Frank B. Wood attended public school in Huntley, IL, and completed his studies at the Elgin Academy. He entered Pennsylvania Military College as a member of the Class of 1899. In the summer following the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, Wood was commissioned a First Lieutenant in Company B, 4th Wisconsin Infantry. Prior to reporting to training camp, the regiment was ordered to Oshkosh by Governor Scofield. Its mission was “preserving the peach” by quelling the strike of woodworkers. At the end of July, the Regiment reported to Camp Douglas to prepare for active duty. Despite Wood’s claims that he charged up San Juan Hill with Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, he and the 4th Regiment remained in the United States until the end of the War.

Barney Oldfield

Wood returned to Elgin (IL) and opened an auto garage. He quickly became an auto enthusiast and a member of the Chicago Motor Club. At the time the Crown Point Road Race was the first in the Midwest. Due to financial troubles and unfavorable road conditions along the 232-mile route, the race was forced to change locations. Frank Wood and others formed the Elgin Automobile Club and invited the Chicago Motor Club to consider a 8.5-mile course they planned. Although there were many claims that Barney Oldfield, a famous auto racer participated, the AAA (American Automobile Association) had suspended Oldfield from racing due to his “outlaw” behavior. He did participate in later road races in Elgin.

One of the strangest claims made by Wood was his connection with the Wright Brothers first flight in 1903. In various interviews, including with PMC’s Impact Magazine (Summer, 1969), he recounted meeting Barney Oldfield in Philadelphia and driving to Kitty Hawk where they witnessed the Wright Brothers make three trial flights on December 14. Wood stated, “it was Oldfield who made them possible, by instructing the Wrights how to lengthen their elevator lever so the plane would “get more air.” Stephen Author, in his book The Wright Brothers in North Carolina, wrote that the Wright Brothers only attempted one flight on December 14. Furthermore, witnesses to the trials were recorded on paper and film and Frank Wood and Barney Oldfield were not among them.

In the 1920’s, Wood moved to Panama City, FL where he was affectionately known as the “major.” His love of fast cars remained and he would often be seen driving a racing car. He also learned how to sail, and became the first Commodore of the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club. His first love, however, was aviation, Thanks to his daughter, Betty Wood McNabb who joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in 1953 and flew more than 9,000 hours during her career, Wood accompanied her on several flights. In 1975 he passed away quietly. 

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After his Commencement in 1885, George M. Studebaker returned to Indiana. He joined his father’s wagon and carriage business, the Studebaker Wagon Company, and married Ada Lantz. He also joined the 3rd Regiment of the Indiana National Guard.

Between 1895 and 1898, Cuba and the Philippine Islands revolted against Spain. The Cuban revolt had many supporters among the American people and in response to the popular outcry, President William McKinley sent the Battleship Maine to Havana. Its mission was to provide a naval presence there but on the night of February 5th, the Maine was exploded and sunk. A reluctant McKinley reacted to the public demands and Congress approved the President’s request for a declaration of war on April 10.

The 157th Regiment of Infantry, Indiana National Guard, which was known as the “Studebaker Tigers,” was formed from volunteers from the 3rd Regiment. Studebaker, the youngest colonel in the service of the country at the time, was the commander. Immediately following McKinley’s war message, Colonel Studebaker telegrammed Indiana Governor James Goodrich, offering the services of the regiment.

The 157th Regiment was the first organization of volunteers to be mustered into the Volunteer Service for the Spanish-American War. The regiment reported to Camp George H. Thomas at Chattanooga National Military Park, Chickamauga in Georgia. Due to the slow process of examining and passing the physical exam, the regiment was accepted by the United States Army after some delay. The regiment moved to Port Tampa City (FL) where it remained until it was ordered to return to Indianapolis for muster out of service.

Studebaker returned to work at the Studebaker Wagon Company, which entered the car business in 1902. Two years later, Studebaker brought out its first gasoline automobile—a two-cylinder, 16-horsepower touring car. In 1911, the company purchased the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Co. of Detroit and formed the Studebaker Corp.

Studebaker returned to work at the Studebaker Wagon Company, which entered the car business in 1902. Two years later, Studebaker brought out its first gasoline automobile—a two-cylinder, 16-horsepower touring car. In 1911, the company purchased the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Co. of Detroit and formed the Studebaker Corp.

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The parents of John W. Loveland were descendants of English gentry and were successful merchants in the Scranton, PA, area. After completing his early education, he entered Pennsylvania Military College, from which he was graduated in 1887 as a Civil Engineer. He continued his studies as a Post-Graduate at Yale University in 1888, and afterward attended Columbia Law School. He then studied in the offices of well-known New York patent lawyers. Loveland was admitted to the New York Bar in 1891 and the United States Supreme Court in 1892. He then opened the firm Loveland & Billings and earned an enviable reputation as a patent lawyer.

At the start of the Spanish-American War, President McKinley mustered in 3 regiments of volunteer cavalry (known as the Rough Riders). Shortly thereafter Loveland enlisted in Troop A, U.S. Volunteer Cavalry. In late July Troop A embarked for Puerto Rico and arrived at Port Ponce on August 6th. Due to the difficult accommodations and poor food many soldiers fell ill while waiting for orders to advance. Loveland was among those stricken ill. Upon his return from Puerto Rico, Loveland resumed his practice and in 1901, joined the New Jersey National Guard. He was promoted rapidly and by 1912 was the Adjutant of the 5th Infantry.

Loveland had always been a loyal and active member of the PMC Alumni Association. In 1887 he was elected President of the Eastern Alumni Association and served in that role continuously until 1907. During his tenure, Loveland oversaw the building of the Alumni Lodge, an on-campus home for alumni where they could hold their annual banquet and enjoy “song, story, reminiscence, good cheer, wit, humor, refreshment and rejuvenation.” He also accomplished the unification of the Eastern and Western Divisions of the Alumni Association.

He was re-elected to that office during the years 1919-1924. The Hollow Square, a tradition of Commencement Ceremonies for the next half century, was organized by Loveland.

Loveland died in Washington, D.C. in 1944. He was buried in Forty Fort Cemetery in Pennsylvania.

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Conrad, a decorated career Army officer who served in the Mexican border wars, the Spanish-American War, the Chinese Relief Expedition, the Philippines Insurrection and World War I—and as a professor of Military Science and Tactics at PMC–has the distinction of not only graduating from PMC, but also from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1892).

Born in West Virginia, in 1868, he was the son of Col. Joseph Conrad, who commanded a Union brigade during the Atlanta campaign in the Civil War and “carried in his head a bullet intended for General Phil Sheridan…when he interposed his person for protection of his Chief,” according a 1955 USMA alumni bulletin.

At Pennsylvania Military Academy, Conrad was one of the youngest and most brilliant members of his class. After graduation, he passed the entrance exam for USMA, where his experiences in Chester “enabled him to fit comfortably into the pattern of cadet life at West Point,” the alumni bulletin, written after his death in 1955, reported. After graduation from the Academy, Conrad, an avid horseman, was assigned to the 3rd U.S. Cavalry Regiment. While stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he was commended for his conduct in the field during the Garza Revolution on the Mexican border.

During the Spanish-American War, the 3rd Cavalry was one of five cavalry units assigned to the crucial assault on San Juan Heights. Three troopers in the regiment were killed and 52 wounded in the action, including 2nd Lt. Conrad, who was shot in the ankle. Conrad was also one of five troopers in the battle awarded a Silver for distinguished gallantry.

After three tours of duty in the Philippines and participation in the Chinese Relief Expedition at the end of the Boxer Rebellion, Conrad, by then a captain, served as Professor of Military Science and Tactics at PMC from 1902-1905. He took a special interest in the Cavalry Squad and was regarded by students as “firm and strict, yet always just, kindly and an ‘all-around good fellow.’” He returned to the college in 1924 to receive the Bachelor of Military Science degree, awarded to honor graduates who served in the military in time of war.

Conrad commanded the 38th Field Artillery during World War I and until it was demobilized in 1919. After that, he served with the Adjutant General’s Department in Washington, D.C. When he retired in 1932, he and his wife, the former Jean Hoskins, settled in Washington.

After his death in 1955, his plebe-year roommate at West Point remembered him as “as fine and loveable a character as ever was.” 

Military Honors & Valor

3rd Squadron, Troop K, 3rd Cavalry Regiment
Silver Star for For gallantry in action against Spanish forces at Santiago, Cuba on 1 July 1898.

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