Notable Cadets

After graduating PMC, Richard O’Malley, ’38, entered the Graduate School of Business at Harvard. The approaching war, however, changed his plans and he entered the military in 1940. He became the commander of H Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, one of the oldest and most decorated regiments in the Army, and deployed to England with the 4th Infantry Division.

On D-Day, he saw his first action of the war when the 12th Regiment spearheaded the invasion of the Cherbourg Peninsula. The 12th Infantry landed south of the beaches Uncle Red and Tara Green. Despite being widely dispersed, the Regiment was quickly reassembled, organized and advanced inland. As the 2nd Battalion moved inland, it became engaged in a fierce firefight at Neuville-au-Plain. 

When the Battalion commander became a casualty, O’Malley assumed command and proceeded to the front lines. There he could be heard calling “Up and at “em, 2nd Battalion, follow me!” The next objective of the 2nd Battalion was 2 enemy pillboxes near two stone quarries. O’Malley lead a fierce attack and in conjunction tanks, overcame the enemy. After the capture of the port of Cherbourg on June 26, the 12t Infantry was repositioned to the Sainteny front.

O’Malley’s then became engaged in fierce fighting against Götz von Berlichingen Division’s SS grenadiers, supported by the parachutists of the 6th Regiment. These elite enemy forces were entrenched in the hedgerows of the Normandy countryside. Although wounded twice, Major O’Malley continued to lead the battalion from a frontline position. Only hours before the Battalion was to be relieved on July 16, an enemy sniper shot and killed O’Malley. As the men of the 2nd Battalion learned of his death, they were stunned.

Richard O’Malley was a “ruggedly handsome man with a voice that could crack timber,” whose manner was brisk, decisive and authoritative. His fearless leadership and concern for his troops endeared him to his men who called him “The Iron Major.”” When Major General Raymond Barton, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, learned of the loss of Major O’Malley he was so moved that he ordered the mass firing of three volleys of the 4th Infantry Division artillery and mortars into enemy lines. This was the only time in World War II that this honor was given by the 4th Infantry Division and the only time to this day.”

In 1945, Major O’Malley was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. The citation accompanying the awarded stated:

“After relieving the battalion of another unit, Major O’Malley attacked with his battalion and succeeded in advancing in the face of fierce enemy resistance. Throughout this period, Major O’Malley, although handicapped by a stiff leg resulting from a previous wound, was continuously up forward, directing the attack.

“When his battalion was ordered to take up a defensive position, Major O’Malley continued to remain forward in order to adequately co-ordinate defensive fire. Despite the fact that the enemy front lines were less than 100 yards away, and that his own troops were continually under small arms and artillery fire, he visited each company front personally to check positions.”

Military Honors & Valor

2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division USAFE
Silver Star for for gallantry, initiative and courage displayed in action against an armed enemy.

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Sylvanus Morley may best be known for his Excavations at Chichen Itza, the discovery of the Temple of the Warriors and his study of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. He also is known as Agent No. 53 for his work as a spy for the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) during World War I.

Colonel Benjamin F. Morley, was a professor of chemistry, mathematics and tactics at PMC Although the family had moved to Colorado, the Colonel encouraged his son to study engineering. Morley enrolled at PMC and graduated at the top of his class, receiving a degree in Civil Engineering. He then promptly enrolled at Harvard and began his study of archaeology, his life long passion.

After several years at the Museum-affiliated School of American Archaeology in Santa Fe, Morley was appointed Research Associate for the Carnegie Institute. This permitted him to lead a series of expeditions to Central America.

In March 1917, Morley approached ONI and suggested that specialists, including himself, in Mexico and Central America were willing to become intelligence agents using their professional activities as cover. In April, with only basic instructions from ONI and no training, he was sent to Guatemala City. His mission for ONI was to search for secret German submarine bases; and, build an intelligence network in Central America while conducting an “archeological reconnaissance” for the Carnegie Institute. For the next 2 years, he traveled more than 2,000 miles along the coastline of Latin America. As he traveled through Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, he recruited an extensive network of agents who kept watch on the activities of German nationals.

Morley’s career as a spy ended in 1919. During that time he proved to be a remarkable gatherer of intelligence. Once it became clear that there were no German submarine bases, he provided useful economic and political intelligence.

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Joseph P. McCaffery ’27 attended PMC along with his brother, Hugh McCaffery ’24. Because of his size and older brother, he was known as “Little Joe.” While at PMC, he was recognized as a marksman and the quarterback on the football team. “Babe” Buono ‘26, one of McCaffery’s roommates, stated that, “When it came to courage and transferring that courage to others, Joe had no equal.” After graduation, McCaffery was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserves, but resigned to accept a commission in the Marine Corps Reserves.

After serving at Pearl Harbor, Shanghai, San Diego, and Quantico, McCaffery joined the Marine Raiders. The Raider battalions were a special mission force that were lightly armed and intensely trained to spearhead larger amphibious landings on beaches (thought to be inaccessible); conduct raids requiring surprise and high speed, and operate as guerrilla units for lengthy periods behind enemy lines. When a battalion lost its commander on Guadalcanal, McCaffery assumed command. After leading his troops though a dense jungle to safety, he was immediately promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned to the 1st Marine Raider Regiment. In the Munda-Rendova campaign, he led a 15-mile trek through a swamp and wiped out a Japanese garrison, which had been caught completely by surprise. Next came the landing at Bougainville.

For this operation, McCaffery took over the Second Raider Battalion. The landing encountered a Japanese crossfire, which caused havoc and disorder within the assault waves. McCaffery landed with the first wave of Raiders. As the Marines cleared the beach, they were stopped by machine-gun fire from a well-concealed bunker. While leading the Marines forward, McCaffery was struck four times in the chest. Despite the best efforts of the corpsman and Battalion surgeon, he died.

His fellow soldiers described him as a brilliant officer, kind and loyal friend, and courageous hero. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his superior leadership between November 1942 and January 1943. In May 1944, McCaffery was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for “extraordinary heroism while in command of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion in action against enemy Japanese forces.” In 1945, the USS McCaffery, a navy destroyer, was commissioned in his honor.

Military Honors & Valor

1st Battalion, 8th Marines (Reinforced) 2nd Marine Division, FMF (Pacific)
Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Eighth Marines, Reinforced, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

2nd Raider Battalion, 4th Marines, FMF Pacific
Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in action against enemy Japanese forces during the landing attack in the Cape Torokina Area, Bougainville Island, British

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Thomas Merendino ‘41, often called Tommy, was known as an athlete, scholar and gentleman at PMC. He was a versatile athlete and played football, basketball, and baseball. Yet, it was his smile and good humor that his classmates remembered.

The D-Day mission of the 16th Infantry Regiment was to land on Omaha Beach, the most heavily fortified of the five beaches, reduce the beach defenses, and secure the Beach two hours before dark. As the regiment’s landing craft approached the Beach, they came under intense fire. As the assault wave slowly built up a firing line, Company B, led by Captain Merendino, landed ten minutes after the first assault wave. The scene was described as chaotic and disorganized. As landing craft dropped their ramps, men were killed and wounded as they attempted to get out of the boats. Others were hit as they struggled through the surf or tried to run across the sand weighted down with waterlogged equipment.

Merendino disembarked from the landing craft in the initial assault wave and, with complete disregard for his own safety, organized the men who were struggling in the water and led them through the intense enemy fire to the shore. Upon reaching the shore, he refused to take cover and again organized an assault group for further advance. Fully exposed to the sweeping fire from enemy pillboxes and machine gun nests and a constant target for the snipers on the hill, he personally led the charge up the slope and overran a German stronghold.

General Eisenhower visited the First Division on July 2nd and pinned awards for heroism on twenty-five First Division heroes, including Merendino, who received The Distinguished Service Cross Medal. This was not his first act of valor. During the Oren offensive in Algeria, the (then) Lieutenant Merendino directed the fire of a 105mm self-propelled howitzer on an enemy stronghold. When this failed, he ordered the howitzer to ram the German stronghold. He then dismounted the vehicle and charged the German stronghold and captured 20 Germans. This act of bravery earned him The Silver Star Medal.

Military Honors & Valor

1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, USAFE
Distinguished Service Cross Capt Merendino disembarked from the landing craft in the initial assault wave and with complete disregard for his own safety, hastily organized the men who were struggling in the water and led them through the intense enemy to the shore. Upon reaching the shore, he refused to take cover and again organized an assault group for further advance.

Silver Star for gallantry during the Oran offensive (November 1942), Lieutenant Merendino directed the fire of his self-propelled 105-mm. howitzer upon an enemy stronghold. Observing that this fire failed to dislodge the enemy, Merendino ordered his vehicle to ram the stone wall which the enemy was using as cover. He then dismounted from his vehicle and, with the aid of one man, succeeded in taking twenty prisoners.

Silver Star (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) for gallantry during a fire fight near Nicemi, Sicily (July 1943). During an engagement with enemy forces near Nicemi Sicily in July 1943. Lieutenant Merendino, during a night attack on his position, and without regard for his own safety, demonstrated leadership, devotion to duty, and selfless actions by rescuing wounded occupants of a damaged vehicle in the midst of a large storage area containing high octane gasoline and ammunition. The large ammunition and gasoline supplies, being hit by enemy artillery began to burn and explode, and the men and vehicles trapped in both the area and individual vehicles. The enemy fire grew in intensity and accuracy, as enemy batteries, used the blazing fires to correct and adjust their artillery fires. After aiding the wounded occupants of the vehicle, without the least regard for his personal safety, went to the rescue of his men, who were dispersed in the staging area.. Time and time again he went through the flaming cauldron to carry out burned and wounded men. He continued his rescue efforts with the aid of several of his men until all the casualties and salvageable equipment were removed to safety and the enemy fires were suppressed.

Bronze Star for heroic achievement in Tunisia (March 1943). For heroism in ground combat in Tunisia in March 1943 against an attacking superior-sized enemy force. During a movement to contact a superior enemy force was contracted and immediately began an aggressive counter-attack. Although exposed to heavy direct and indirect fires, Lieutenant Merendino skillfully placed his attached self-propelled howitzers in a strategic position that provided an effective counter-battery fires which were instrumental in breaking the enemy action. The break permitted his unit to withdraw to more favorable terrain and assume a more dominant positioning. Lieutenant Merindino’s valorous actions and quick thinking were key to the minimization of causalities and loss of equipment.

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“Uncle Herb,” as he was called by many of his classmates at PMC, was a tall, black-haired cadet who had earned the respect and admiration of the Corps during his four years at the college. Academically he was an excellent student and played guard on the football team and captained the baseball team. After graduation he joined the Marine Corps. In November 1943, Lt Colonel Amey, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd Marine Regiment, was preparing his troops for the amphibious assault on Tarawa.

USMC-C-Tarawa-p12Tarawa is located in the Gilbert Islands approximately 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii. The island of Betio became the centerpiece of the Japanese fortifications because it was a defensive stronghold. The landings began on November 20 and immediately ran into trouble. After the first three waves of his command, Landing Team 2/2, had departed for the beach, Amey ordered his boat closer to the beach. 

According to Robert Sherrod, a war correspondent with the 2/2, “Somehow Amey flagged down two amtracs and transferred his group into them … Amey’s tractor was forced to halt about 200 yards from the beach by an obstacle of barbed wire on the reef.” Amey looked over the edge of the vehicle and then led his men over the side into water up to their necks. ‘C’mon gang,’ he shouted, ‘they can’t stop us.’ He took about ten steps – and they were the last he ever took.” 

As the sun set on Tarawa, the Second Marine Division occupied a thin strip of land. With courage, sacrifice, and skill, the U. S. Marines had broken Tarawa’s door in, and they were not about to leave.

Military Honors & Valor

2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, FMF Pacific
Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during the action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert islands.

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What drew Carl “Jimmie” Schaubel to PMC in the fall of 1926 was his interest in horses. His classmates soon recognized that his “witticisms and easy-going manner” made his personality a strong attribute. Schaubel was a hard worker in the classroom and played shortstop on the baseball team. At the same time he learned to ride and developed into a fine polo player under the tutelage of Frank Hyatt. Schaubel commented that being a member of the undefeated polo team in 1930 was a highlight of his time as a Cadet. As a polo coach, he was considered to be one of the best in the country.

In 1930 Schaubel was awarded a Bachelor of Economics degree and was asked to remain at PMC as the coach of the polo team and assistant professor of military science and tactics. After spending 10 years in the army reserves, Mr. Schaubel volunteered for active duty in 1940. His first assignment was at PMC in large part due to Frank Hyatt. After a similar assignment at the College of William & Mary, Schaubel was ordered to report to the commanding general of the European Headquarters in London. After the invasion of Normandy, Schaubel traveled through Northern France and Germany as part of an advance team for General Eisenhower’s Staff. After the war, he was sent on a special mission, which included travels throughout the Middle East and all the countries behind the Iron Curtain including Russia. He was then transferred to the Pentagon.

After leaving the Army, Schaubel worked at the Dunlap Printing Company in production and then as sales manager. In 1956 he became president of the company. In 1964, he returned to PMC as a staff vice-president and retired in the 1973.

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David Wilson was attracted to PMC by its military education, discipline, and development of leadership skills. He quickly assimilated to life at PMC and was considered to be a model Cadet. He promoted esprit-de-corps and motivation among his classmates. He was commissioned during the Commencement Exercises of 1966.

On 31 January 1968, First Lieutenant David Wilson commanded a supply convoy of mostly 5-ton tractor trailers that was returning to An Khe from Pleiku, RVN. At the foot of the Mang Yang Pass, a superior enemy force, supported with heavy weapons, ambushed the convoy. Many of the vehicles in the convoy had stopped and were subject to intense enemy mortar and small arms fire. At the moment the ambush was triggered, 1LT Wilson’s command vehicle was just forward of the kill zone. Although he was out of danger, he immediately returned to the kill zone and, with complete disregard for his own safety, 1LT Wilson commenced leading his men to safety. Then, while directing the convoy to safety, his jeep sustained a direct hit from a mortar round.

David Wilson was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his outstanding leadership and heroism for saving the lives of many of his men. Six Cadets served as pallbearers and the Commandant’s Staff and others from PMC attended the services. In December of 1968, the Bien Hoa Cantonment Area was dedicated to his memory. During the ceremonies, Brigadier General D.A. Richards, Commanding General of II Field Force Transportation units, stated: “David Wilson knew the meaning of valor…the meaning of caring…the meaning of responsibility, and to me, David Wilson represents the hope for the future!”

Military Honors & Valor

124th Transportation Battalion, 8th Transportation Group, 1st Logistic Command, USARV
Silver Star for his outstanding leadership and heroism while saving the lives of many of his men.

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In 1943, the Army and Navy established the UDTs (Underwater Demolition Teams). These specialized units were the forerunners of the Navy Seals. Each unit was comprised of volunteers who were excellent swimmers. Their training was extensive and exhausting, often consisting of grueling exercises that were conducted in the ocean off Hawaii and the swamps of Florida with the alligators and snakes. They learned to reconnoiter beaches and the waters just offshore, as well as locating reefs, rocks, and shoals that would interfere with landing craft. They also became skillful in the use of explosives to demolish underwater obstacles planted by the enemy.

Military Honors & Valor

UDT 6, Amphibious Forces, US Pacific Fleet
Silver Star for gallantry and intrepidity in the face of enemy sniper, machine gun and mortar fire as he prepared the way for the amphibious landing of combat troops during the invasions of Saipan and Guam Islands.

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It was a rare occasion when PMC encountered John “Jack” Geoghegan. As a cadet he left everyone with the impression of potential greatness.  He entered PMC in 1959 and was described as a young man of “impressive presence and likeable personality.” He was selected as a Mother’s Day Corporal and as a second classman he was appointed Brigade Sergeant Major. As a First Classman, he was selected to be the Brigade Commander. He was also an above-average student and graduated in the top third of his class.

Before reporting to the Army, Geoghegan entered the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a master’s degree in International Relations. Upon completion of the Infantry Officers’ Basic Course he was assigned to the 1st Cavalry (Air Mobile) Division’s 1s Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Colonel Harold G. Moore.

In November 1965, the news of the ferocious and costly Battle of ia Drang Valley began to spread throughout the campus. Soon it was learned that Geoghegan had been killed while tending to a wounded soldier. PMC was shocked and in silent disbelief.

The tributes from those who knew him were endless. General William S. Biddle, Military Affairs Advisor at PMC, may have said it best: “he thus joined in memory Zadoc Aydelotte (Class of 1861) and other gallant sons of PMC who died on the field of battle.”

Military Honors & Valor

1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), USARV
Silver Star for gallantry in action against a numerically superior force of North Vietnam Regulars. 

For a video presentation about the life of “Jack” Geoghegan, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FRscyNjuvU.

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On the recommendation of a PMC alumnus, John Tilelli’s family visited the college. Impressed by the “rigor, discipline of study and environment” of PMC, John Tilelli applied, was accepted and enrolled. His Rook year was difficult, but as he became acclimated to the procedures and the expectations of the academic work, he improved. As a cadet, John quickly became an outstanding example. With some luck and hard work he never walked a tour and graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate. To this day he credits the Corps of Cadets, with its camaraderie and the leadership education, putting him on the path to success.

After graduation, he began a career in the Army in a variety of diverse and vital positions. First in Vietnam as a Company Commander in the 18th Engineer Brigade and as the District Senior Advisor to Team 84, Commanding General the 1st Cavalry Division during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and four times in Germany. Tilelli’s staff assignments include the Pentagon, as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, then as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. He concluded his active duty career as Commander in Chief of the United Nations Command, Republic of Korea / U.S. Combined Forces / U.S. Forces Korea. 

For more than 30 years, John Tilelli served his country in the armed forces with integrity and distinction. His combat leadership and management skills have made the U.S. Army an improved organization. This sentiment was echoed on the floor of the House of Representatives in 2000.

Military Honors & Valor

Tilelli is a highly decorated officer, wearing the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge along with decorations. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with “V” Device (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Defense Distinguished Service medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and Palm.

Advisory Team 84, Dinh Tuong Province, USMACV
Bronze Star for heroic action while relieving a unit pinned down by heavy small arms and mortar fire, Major Tilelli, who had positioned himself on top of the command APC, ignored the impact of mortar rounds and hail of small arms surrounding him while directing the assault on the enemy.

Listen to General John Tilelli Jr., USA (Ret) speak on Veterans Day at the Vietnam Memorial Wall. November 11, 2012: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnCnfWCoi2s 

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Vietnam Veteran and PMC alumnus Ken Byerly '68 has authored two books that honor the extraordinary bravery, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of those who served during the Vietnam War. Drawing from personal experience and firsthand accounts, his work shines a light on the heroism of fellow Pennsylvania Military College graduates and veterans, ensuring their stories continue to be remembered for generations to come.

Book Summaries:

Paid in Full: Tales of Bravery & Sacrifice: Step back in time to an era when the nation was torn asunder by conflict, and the unforgiving Vietnam War exacted a toll too heavy for the human spirit to bear. In this compelling narrative, you'll be introduced to eight exceptional graduates of Pennsylvania Military College, men whose stories have defied the test of time.

These remarkable individuals epitomize bravery, heroism, and honor, embodying these values as a way of life, not just empty words. In the pages of this book, you'll encounter their gripping tales, discovering their unwavering commitment to a nation they held dear. Yet, it was in the crucible of Vietnam that their mettle was truly tested.

The heavy price of war took lives prematurely and left dreams unfulfilled, but their legacy endures, a testament to the indomitable spirit. These heroes have left behind more than just memories; they've left families, friends, and a brotherhood bound by experiences that transcend time.

As a Vietnam Veteran and an alumnus of PMC, the author intimately understands that the sacrifices of these eight heroes must never fade into obscurity. It is time to shine a beacon on their courage, valor, and unwavering commitment to comrades, God, and country. Their legacy, and that of the Pennsylvania Military College, remains steadfast, a living tribute to the values that define genuine heroes. Step into their world, and let their stories inspire and enlighten.

Welcome Home: The Lucky Ones: (Co-authored with John Laughlin and Mike Moran) The sound of helicopter blades chopping through the air as they swiftly fly away into the distance, the eerie quietness before the buzzing of bullets zipping past the protective helmets, and the blasts of heavy shelling disturbing the ground. These were the familiar sounds heard once a drop was made leaving American soldiers in unfamiliar terrain to fight and fend off the enemy.

The Vietnam War took place between 1955 and 1975. This war saw the communist government of North Vietnam pitted against South Vietnam and its leading ally, the United States. The war was costly and controversial with more than 3 million people losing their lives including over 58,000 Americans and more than half of the total dead being Vietnamese civilians. The Vietnam War was a long and difficult war that caused casualties, impacted families, and created brave heroes who lived to tell their story today.

"Welcome Home The Lucky Ones" chronicles the tales of four brave American soldiers who served in the Vietnam War only to return home to the United States to find a bitterly divided opposition. Journey through the lives of Ken Byerly, John Laughlin, Mike Moran, and Colonel Steve Raho as they retell their time spent training in the Army and Air Force, leading up to the experiences and hardships they endured on the ground and in the air over Vietnam, to how the war shaped their lives upon their return back home.

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What was daily life like beneath the iconic dome of Old Main? In Beneath the Dome: Stories and Vignettes from Our Time at Pennsylvania Military College, 1954 to 1973, Class of 1972 alumni William Speer, William J. Troy, and James H. Vansciver bring the cadet experience to life through a collection of memories shared by generations of PMC alumni.

Filled with humorous moments, lasting friendships, military traditions, and personal reflections, the book captures the spirit of Pennsylvania Military College from the perspective of those who lived it. More than a history book, it serves as a celebration of the brotherhood, resilience, and shared experiences that continue to unite PMC alumni long after graduation.

By preserving these firsthand accounts, the authors have created a lasting tribute to the people, traditions, and moments that shaped life at PMC—and ensured those stories will continue to inspire future generations.

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Wilfred “Casey” Farrell was a member of the basketball team and a determined student while attending PMPS (1932-35). He graduated from PMC in 1939. Best known for his unselfishness, leadership, and carefree outlook, he was a standout during his seven years as a resident of Old Main. After graduation, Farrell entered the Army and was assigned to the 26th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Blue Spaders. The 26th was a part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the First Infantry Division.

In 1942, the 26th Infantry led America’s first amphibious assault in North Africa near Oran in Algeria. In January 1943, Harold Boyle, a renowned war correspondent traveling with the Army, wrote that, in a pre-dawn assault, the Americans charged up a slippery slope of 1,000 feet with fixed bayonets and seized the heights. Farrell led his unit, a heavy weapons company, in advance of this attack. In February, in an effort to locate machine gun nests that had kept his unit pinned down on a hillside, he and another officer voluntarily went beyond their own lines. Many Americans, including Farrell, were subsequently cut off and taken prisoner when the Germans launched a counter attack. For his gallantry in action during the battle, Farrell was awarded the Silver Star Medal, which was presented, to his father at Fort DuPont.

According to Farrell, he was first taken to Tunis and then to a camp in Naples, Italy. Two weeks later, Farrell was moved to a camp in Austria. After three months in Austrian camp, he was shipped to Oflag (Offizierslager) 64, a prisoner of war camp for American officers in Poland. The camp was built around a Polish boys’ school in Szubin to detain the 150 officers captured in the North Africa Campaign. As the war continued, the size of the camp rose to 1,471 men. The “Kriegies” (short for Kriegsgefangenen: prisoners of war) made the best of their situation by organizing sports events, musical and theatrical performances and escape plans. Farrell wrote to his parents that he was studying French and German as well as reading some good books. In January 1945, the Russians liberated the camp and Farrell was returned to the United States. It was reported in the PMC News (June, 1945) that Farrell felt the Polish people “treated us wonderfully” and were of great assistance once the prisoners were liberated.

Military Honors & Valor

1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division USAFE
Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry when he and First Lieutenant Johnson voluntarily pushed forward under heavy enemy fire beyond his own lines in an attempt to locate a better emplacement for his units machine-guns.

Prisoner of War After being captured during the above-mentioned mission, Captain Farrell was taken to Oflag (Offizierslager) 64, a prisoner of war camp for American officers in Poland.

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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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When World War I broke out, Edmund “Ned” Cook, ex-cadet, Class of 1906, felt it was his patriotic duty to fight for the Allies. He traveled to England and enlisted. He became a member of the 4th Battalion of the British Grenadier Guards, the oldest and most famed infantry regiment in England.

The regiment was in France and a major part of the Allies offensive in 1917. Ordered to attack just before dawn on August 10, Cook went “over the top” dodging from shell hole to shell hole. German machine guns fired an unrelenting barrage on them on the Grenadiers. “Ned” Cook was struck and went down, wounded in the abdomen and legs. Refusing care during the attack, Cook told his comrades to “carry on, you fellows.”

Stretcher-bearers following the attack picked up the injured man who had refused the aid of his brother Grenadiers. They carried him to the rear where he died a few days later at Casualty Clearing Station Number 62.

“Ned” Cook was the first PMC casualty of the war. Sometime later, his wife wrote to Colonel Hyatt that Cook was an honor to PMC’s “teachings and guidance and you may be proud of your good soldier.”

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Rich Mulhern arrived at PMC from Long Island, but was born in Brooklyn. His classmates described him as a great friend with a tough demeanor and a sense of humor. When he arrived at PMC in the fall of 1967 he was assigned to Echo Company. He became a Corporal, Cadet Sergeant and Cadet Captain. He was also a member of the Battery Robinett and the Ranger Platoon. After graduation he pursued a career in the Army. He served in Germany, the U.S. Embassy in Jordan, and in various positions in the Pentagon.

In 1991 Operation Provide Comfort, which provided humanitarian aid to over one million Kurdish Refugees in northern Iraq, was begun. For the next 1,000 days, the Air Force flew over the area and airdropped food, clothing, tents, blankets, medicine). To further stop Saddam from killing the Kurds, a northern No-Fly Zone was placed north of the 36th parallel. Any Iraqi aircraft would be shot down in the No-Fly Zone. The No-Fly Zone was patrolled and kept “clean” by the USAF with fighters (F-15s) being supported by command and control aircraft (AWACS).

In April 1994 two Blackhawk helicopters, carrying Colonel Jerry Thompson and his replacement, Colonel Richard Mulhern, 71, the incoming Commander of the No-Fly Zone, along with 24 others, the group took off from Turkey for an orientation tour of the area. Despite being granted permission to enter the No-Fly Zone, the two helicopters were mistakenly identified as Soviet style helicopters used by the Iraqi army by two Air Force jets patrolling the area with a C5-A providing air traffic control. From a distance of 4 nautical miles, both Air Force jets fired on the helicopters. Both Black Hawk helicopters were instantly destroyed. All twenty-six people on board perished.

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In 1861, Henry Clay Robinett, like others before him, Robinett distinguished himself by the defense of “Battery Robinett,” a Union artillery battery, during the Battle of Corinth in Mississippi. Unlike many who returned to civilian life after the Civil War, Robinett pursued a career in the regular Army. 

That career, however, was marred by ever increasingly erratic behavior that ended in his suicide just three years after the war while still on active duty – the result of complex psychological problems that still manifest themselves in our military today.

The PMC “Battery Robinett,” was named in Robinett’s honor. During each football game, the Battery fires its cannon.

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William John Wolfgram ’43 was born in Wisconsin in 1922. He attended the local Shorewood schools and then graduated from Northwestern Military and Naval Academy (now St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy). He excelled academically and enrolled at Harvard University. Wolfgram left Harvard and enrolled at Pennsylvania Military College as a Cadet during the second semester of the 1941-42 school year, in response to the outbreak of WWII. He continued his studies in engineering and earned a War Diploma in May, 1943. At graduation he received the Alumni Association Medal for maintaining the highest academic average.

After his commissioning as a 2nd Lt., Wolfgram was assigned to Company L of the 87th Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 10th Mountain Division (Alpine), at Camp Hale in Colorado. The Division’s training at the 9,200-foot-high Camp Hale honed the skills of its soldiers to fight and survive under the most brutal mountain conditions. The men of the 87th experienced not only skiing, but snow-shoeing, snow fighting, and trail breaking on a toboggan. In January, 1945, the 87th left Newport News, VA for Italy, aboard the USS West Point. The division entered combat on January 28, 1945 in the North Apennine Mountains of Italy.

By early March, the 87th found itself racing along the German front line located along a ridge known as Mt. Della Vedetta. During an attack, the first platoon of Company L, under the command of Wolfgram, became pinned down by heavy machine gun fire from a farmhouse. Eventually, the platoon overcame the resistance and captured several prisoners. Wolfgram was awarded the Bronze Star “For heroic achievement in action.” The Executive Officer, 1st Lt. Wilbur S. Sheets, and a friend of Wolfgram, described him as a “brilliant unit commander” and that his men had “nothing but admiration for him.”

Company L captured Mt. Croce and on the morning of April 16th was ordered to continue the attack along the 4,000 yard Riva Ridge the morning of April 16th. As the platoon began its assault, it came under heavy fire and continuous mortar barrage. Wolfgram successfully had his men withdraw, only to once again encounter German machine gun fire. Wolfgram was seriously wounded and the platoon was cut down to nineteen men. Wolfgram died shortly thereafter.

Edith and Frank Wolfgram established a living memorial to their son Lt. William J. Wolfgram. He had been a lover of English books and his parents donated his personal collection the William J. Wolfgram English Reference Library or simply the Wolfgram Collection, to the planned Memorial Library erected in 1948. In addition, the center court of the library was dedicated to Wolfgram. The family continued their support and played an active role in building the current library, also named in his memory.

Learn More About the Wolfgram Library

Military Honors & Valor

3rd Battalion, 87th Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Fifth Army, USAFE
Bronze Star w/Valor: For heroism during an assault of an enemy held mountain peak near Mt. Della Vedetta, Italy in 1945. 2nd Lieutenant Wolfgram commanded the lead platoon of L Company and remained with the most forward units. They moved forward so aggressively and rapidly in the face of withering enemy fire, that no resistance was able to serious delay this advance. During the attack, Wolfgram continually inspired his men and risked his life on numerous occasions as he coordinated and directed his men.

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When “B” Company Commander Thomas Anderson graduated from PMC in 1942, he was considered to be a no nonsense Cadet and a “True Leader.” He had a commanding voice, a squared-away military appearance and was an expert at handling those Cadets around him. During his four years, he was awarded the Dunlap Memorial Rifle Trophy and the Oliver Revolver Medal for his marksmanship. His amiable manner also kept him busy with several social pursuits, including the 3rd Class (Sophomore) and 2nd Class (Junior) Dance Committees and the Sabre and Sash (Yearbook).

Anderson was assigned to the 26th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed “The Blue Spaders”, 1st Infantry Division. He focused on preparing for the amphibious invasion of North Africa. First Lieutenant Anderson and his unit landed on the beaches west of Oran, in northwest Africa. The inexperienced American troops encountered stubborn enemy resistance. Anderson’s unit came under constant and effective machine-gun and small-arms fire. Anderson was awarded The Silver Star Medal for his leadership and bravery in leading his men to the successful completion of their mission.

Moving inland, the 1st Infantry Division took up defensive positions in the Kasserine Pass, a wide gap in the Atlas Mountains. Elements of Rommel’s Afrika Korps launched a counter-attack against the 1st Infantry in order to regain control of Tunisia. During the German assault, Anderson led a machine gun squad in the destruction of a well-concealed sniper nest. For his outstanding leadership and tactical skill, Anderson was awarded The Oak Leaf Cluster to The Silver Star Medal (Second Award).

On D-Day, the 26th Regiment landed on Omaha Beach. After landing on “Fox Green Beach,” Anderson, now a Captain and the Commanding Officer of A Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, was ordered to take the high ground west and southwest of the Port-en-Bessin, to include Mount Cauvin. Although little is recorded about this engagement, Anderson was awarded The 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to The Silver Star Medal (Third Award).

During the Korean War, in late May 1951, the 7th Infantry Regiment launched a counter-attack to a Chinese advancement. The goal was to capture key hills and passes near Soksa-ri, Korea, and push the enemy back. During the siege, the 3rd Battalion became critically short of water, rations, and ammunition. Anderson responded to the regimental commander’s request for supplies. Despite being under constant small arms fire from the Chinese and avoiding jagged mountaintops, he piloted an unarmed aircraft four times. Each time he accurately dropped the supplies the 3rd Battalion urgently needed. By the end of May, the enemy offensive had been crushed. Anderson was The 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster to The Silver Star Medal (Fourth Award) for his “Unwavering Gallantry.”

Few men are awarded multiples of The Silver Star Medal, the Nation’s Third-Highest Combat Award (Decoration) for Gallantry. Anderson was one of them.

Military Honors & Valor

1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division USAFE
Silver Star for gallantry in action while leading his force against an enemy force which subjected his force to constant machine-gun and small-arms fire before being overtaken.

Silver Star (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) for gallantry in action while serving in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations.

Silver Star (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)  for gallantry in action while serving in the European Theater of Operations.

Aviation Section, 7th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, Eighth Army, USAFFE
Silver Star (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)  for his gallantry while engaged in a struggle to seize a strategic mountain pass near Sangori, Korea, became critically short of water, rations, and ammunition.

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The Tumbelston family had a long association with PMC. Dr. Robert T. Tumbelston, ’07 was a graduate and the President of the Alumni Association. His two sons followed in his footsteps and attended PMC. William “Blackie” Tumbelston started as a rook in the Prep School and rose to be Cadet Captain of B Company in his First Class (Senior) year. His classmates considered him to be one of the most accomplished members of the Class of 1937 and for his “fearless determination” and leadership abilities also admired him. After graduation, he joined a Marine reserve battalion in Philadelphia.

Tumbelston was the Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion of the 27th Marines when they landed on Iwo Jima. He assumed command when Lieutenant Colonel Justin Duryea was wounded while taking Hill 326A. After making a thorough Leader’s Reconnaissance of the forward positions of the battalion, Tumbelston launched an attack on the heavily defended Japanese position that had halted the battalion’s advance. Leading from the front, as he was taught at PMC, he was wounded. The bullet struck him in the left arm, but after receiving treatment and refusing evacuation, he returned to the front. After the battle, Tumbelston was evacuated. In the five days he commanded the battalion, the forward attacks destroyed Japanese opposition. For his actions he was awarded the Silver Star Medal.

The battle to secure Iwo Jima witnessed the toughest combat of World War II. The courage and heroism of the Marines, however, inspired a war-weary nation and helped to propel it to final victory.

Military Honors & Valor

1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division FMF Pacific
Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against Japanese forces on Iwo Jima.

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