Notable Cadets

For 150 years, PMC taught students to be academically disciplined and instilled in them the qualities of leadership. Two brothers, Hugh and Joe McCaffery, learned these lessons well and were superior leaders at a time when the nation needed them.

Hugh McCaffrey ‘24 started in the PMC Prep School and then entered the college. During his time at PMC he was a multi-sport athlete, football, basketball and baseball, and was admired by his classmates for his energy and leadership. As the quarterback of the football team, McCaffrey was considered by many, including Col. Frank Hyatt, to be “slightly” better than Reds Pollock ’34. In 1924, he received his Degree in Civil Engineering from PMC and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserves. McCaffery then entered law school at Notre Dame University. While there, he joined the swim team, became the team’s captain, set collegiate records in the 100-meter freestyle, and qualified for the Olympics swim team. After earning his law degree, his interest in flying took him in a different direction.

McCaffery was a gifted pilot. Before joining the Army Air Corps in 1930, he graduated from the School of Aviation at Essington, PA. He then joined the Army Air Corps and completed flying school at Randolph Field in Texas. Thereafter, he received specialized training in pursuit, observation and bombardment in a variety of airplanes. Upon completing his training, he was assigned to the 31st Bombardment Squadron. In 1939, he was an instructor at the Air Navigation School at Hickam Field in Hawaii. In 1940, he was put in charge of the squadron.

Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Secretary of War Stimson ordered Major General Herbert A. Dargue, an aviation pioneer and commanding officer of the First Air Force, and his staff, including Major McCaffery, to investigate the lack of preparedness at Pearl Harbor and to take command of the Army units in Hawaii. On December 12, 1941, while flying a Douglas B-18 enroute to Hamilton Field in California, McCaffrey encountered a snow storm as he approached the Sierra Nevada Mountains and subsequently went missing. An exhaustive search was conducted. It wasn’t until May, 1942, that a search party led by Norman Clyde, a well-known mountaineer with experience in the Sierra Nevada, found the aircraft and bodies, covered by five feet of snow.

On the evening of October 14, 1949, the Corps of Cadets gathered in the Armory to hear Bill Stern, ’30 noted sports broadcaster. During his 15-minute, coast-to-coast broadcast that evening, Stern paid tribute to Hugh and Joe McCaffery, who had been killed in action. Any death in war is tragic. For PMC, the loss of the McCaffery boys was very personal and underscored the sacrifice PMC has made while serving our country.

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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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Percival G. Lowe was born in 1863 in Leavenworth, Kansas. He completed his education in the local schools and entered PMC in 1880. He graduated from PMC in 1883 as an honor student, “First Captain” of the Corps of Cadets and received a C.E. (Civil Engineering) degree. Lowe returned to Leavenworth and for the next two years was employed as an assistant city engineer. In 1885 he enlisted in the 18th U.S. Infantry. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Company B in 1889 and graduated from the infantry and cavalry school in 1895.

He was sent to Fort Bliss, Texas, in 1896 and placed in command of the Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts. Under his leadership, the Scouts had played a pivotal role in ending violations of U.S. neutrality laws by Mexican revolutionaries and bandits in Texas, including the killing of Mangas de Agua, described as the most desperate of all the bandits.

Alaska-expedition

In 1898, Secretary of War Russell Alger ordered three military expeditions to explore Alaska. Captain William R. Abercrombie, U.S. Army, commanded the second expedition. Upon his arrival, Abercrombie divided his party into two groups. The first was to make reconnaissance surveys of the Prince William Sound and the second, led by Lowe, was to navigate and chart the overland trail from Valdez to the Yukon River. Perhaps the most noteworthy event of Lowe’s expedition occurred when Abercrombie named the Lowe River after him, reportedly because of his endurance and scouting abilities.

In the spring of 1899, Lowe was promoted to Captain, given command of L Company in the 25th Infantry. and deployed to the Philippines. Lowe’s reputation as an Indian fighter and navigator was well-known when he arrived in the Philippines. As a result, General Henry W. Lawton assigned Lowe to be his chief of scouts. With the help of his friend from the Abercrombie Exploration of Alaska, Lieutenant Joseph C. Castern, 4th Infantry, Lowe pulled together a core group of enlisted men and Tagalog scouts. Henceforth they were known as “Lowe’s Scouts.“ With the need for more forces to garrison and patrol the territory, the number of Lowe Scouts increased. Within a year, over 100 Ilocano recruits were raised and “Lowe’s Scouts” grew to 250 soldiers. In addition, this unit became an integral part of the growing intelligence network of native spies and informants.

Seminol-Negro-Scouts

In October 1899, a plan developed to deal with Filipino revolutionary positions in the Cabanatuan area. American troops were to make a frontal attack at night, with Lowe’s Scouts, commanded by Lt. Castern, supporting the attack on its right flank. The fight was over by noon without any American casualties and the revolutionaries fleeing in disarray. This was the first real fight that included the scouts. During the battle this small force moved quickly and struck the entrenched revolutionaries hard. More importantly they proved their loyalty to the American forces.

The challenge of managing the scouts in the Philippines took a heavy toll on Lowe’s health and he was sent back to the U.S. By 1903, he had retired from military and was confined to the hospital in Colgate, Oklahoma. He died in 1910 at the age of 47.

Percival G. Lowe: Class of 1883 18th Infantry, Seminole Negro-Indian Scouts 
Silver Lifesaving Medal for heroism in rescuing a Seminole Negro-Indian scout from drowning in the Pecos River, near Eagle Nest, Texas.

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Frank “Jake” Jakob entered PMC from Collinswood High School (NJ), where he was a multi-sport athlete. At PMC Jake was a star tackle on the football team and played basketball and track. Jake was also a leader and in his senior year was the Battalion Captain. At Commencement, he was commissioned and joined the Army. After basic training, he was assigned to the 18th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Battalion, First Infantry Division.

After a successful amphibious landing in North Africa in 1942, the Allies focused on seizing Tunisia, the strategic key to the Mediterranean. In March, 1943, the First Infantry Division received orders to move towards El Guettar. The Division was expected to capture the cliffs at Djebel el Ank and to press eastward along the Gumtree Road. After a day of reconnaissance and preparations, an attack was launched on the night of 22-23 March. Company G of the 3rd Battalion was commanded by Frank Jakob, who assumed command after the company commander had been wounded. The company was ordered to capture an insignificant ridge that would become very significant.

After taking the ridge, German snipers on an opposite hill began to pick off the Americans who moved. The men of Company G omit scrambled to dig shallow foxholes as the omit intense fire continued. “We just had to lie there and take it,” Lt. Jakob told the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Germans outnumbered us and “our communications were broken and we couldn’t contact our artillery to return fire.” The next day, the Germans made frequent attacks on the hill in groups of four but were turned back. By the light of the moon on the evening of March 25, 133 of the original 183 Americans burst through the German lines to safety. When morning came, the Americans discovered that the Germans had withdrawn.

After the war, Jakob married and raised family in Collingswood. He worked at Campbell Soup until he retired as a Supervisor. In 1995, he was inducted into the Coolingswood High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He passed away in 1997.

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Irving J. Carr was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in 1875. After attending the public schools, he enrolled at Pennsylvania Military College. While at PMC he played baseball, was awarded the Marksmanship Medal and was an exceptional student.

Carr graduated from PMC with a degree in Civil Engineering and began his Army career. He served as an infantry lieutenant in the 17th Infantry during the Philippine insurrection. During his time in the Philippines, he participated in several battles and engagements against the insurgents at Magalang on the island of Luzon. He was awarded the Silver Star for his gallantry. Carr graduated from the U.S. Army Signal School at Fort Myer in 1908. In 1914, he was assigned to the 2nd Division, IV Corps and Third Army in France as a signal officer. During the Spring Offensive of 1918, Carr participated in the attacks at Aisne-Marne and St. Mihiel and in the Somme-Dieu defensive. During the 1920s, he graduated from the General Staff School and the Army War College. After the war, he served as signal officer of the Western Department and as chief of staff of the Hawaiian Division.

In 1930, Carr was appointed Chief Signal Officer. He took charge of the U.S. Army Signal Corps as the nation plunged into the Great Depression and military preparedness was less important. At the time, Carr commanded a very small Corps, consisting of approximately 270 officers and 2,500 enlisted men. During his command, the Corps introduced the use of the typewriter, FM radio and walkie-talkies were all introduced. By 1934, The Corps provided the Army with the most comprehensive radio net in the world. Message traffic averaged almost 82 million messages per year from 1931 to 1934.

Carr retired from the Army in 1934 and settled in St. Petersburg, Florida. After a long illness, he died on June 12, 1963. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Silver Star for gallantry in action against insurgent forces at Magalang, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

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Less than a year after James Calvin Hobart Jr. graduated from PMC in 1916, the United States entered World War I, and he was eager to get into the fight.

Rejected a dozen times by various branches of the American military because of poor eyesight, he left home in Cincinnati in 1917 for France. There, on July 9, he joined the American Field Service as one of a growing number of American volunteers assigned to the French Army’s Réserve Mallet transportation unit. Praised by the French as “America’s first belligerents,” the 800-member unit convoyed ammo and materiel from the railheads on the Soissons-Fismes road to the Chemin des Dames on the Western front.

Hobart was placed in Transport Materiel Unit 397 Groupe Hémart. On a typical sortie, he ferried 10,200 pounds of 75 mm artillery rounds through shell-pocked terrain in his five-ton Pierce Arrow truck as French and German pilots dueled in the skies above.
The work was dangerous, and Hobart saw plenty of action.

“I watched what first appeared to be a column of black smoke,” he wrote in a letter home. “I caught one of these columns at its birth. It was a huge fountain of earth which rose, oh, I’d say about forty feet in the air, spread out and came back to earth. I’d counted about forty or fifty of these ‘Jack Johnsons.’ I closed my eyes and listened to the rifle fire; I’d lie on my back and see the Shrapnel bursting around a dozen French planes.”
The 23-year-old attempted to make light of the dangers. “I’m just as happy and safe as if I were at home,” he wrote his family in mid-August 1917. But in the next breath, he added: “God’s will be done. Remember that’s what you pray for and hope for. So, Mother, if anything happens, please take it that way. I intend to come back and would be darned sorry not to, but if He decides otherwise, let’s be glad it’s so.”

That month, Hobart was decorated for his service by the French government in a ceremony that included “one French general, on colonel, one major, one captain and a general of the British Army.”

“We, about thirteen of us, were called to attention…decorated and kissed twice, once on each cheek,” he wrote home. “At this point, a German plane was sighted and we all scuttled off the open field and made for a wood nearby.” Records of the century-old ceremony are elusive and it is not clear what medal Hobart was awarded. AFS drivers received three types of French Army decorations, the Légion d’honneur, the Médaille militaire, and the Croix de Guerre.

After he had served three months with Réserve Mallet, the U.S. Army assumed control of the AFS and Hobart (still disqualified from the military by what he called “these dishpans I have for specs”) joined the American Red Cross as an ambulance driver. “If PMC taught me anything,” he wrote a friend, “it taught me to perform a duty whether pleasant or not. I leave for Italy, December 3, 1917.”

Later, he wrote: “I am driving Ambulance 87. That was my old number at PMC. Funny how that was assigned to me!”

Hobart died in Albuquerque, N.M, at age 76 after serving as an administrative officer in the Atomic Energy Commission.

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John Grant ’65 (A Marine aboard Stars & Stripes)

Like many others before him, when John Grant completed Bordentown Military Institute, he enrolled at PMC. His classmates described him as a “straight up man.” He studied economics, played football and was E Company Commander in his First Class (Senior) year. He graduated in 1965 as a Distinguished Military Student and entered the Marine Corps.

After flight school, he was assigned to the 4th Marine Division. As a Marine, he was involved in a series of battles in Vietnam. One noteworthy campaign was Operation Hastings in 1966. In order to confront the lead forces of a North Vietnamese force advancing across the DMZ, the Marines launched an attack. It was during this time that 2nd Lieutenant Grant responded, organized, and deployed a defense for a forward aid station. This act of gallantry was not isolated. While serving aboard the USS St. Paul, Grant dove into the sea to rescue a drowning sailor that had fallen overboard. Towards the end of his 20-year career, Grant was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro in California. It was while he was at El Toro that he met Dennis Conner, a famed yachtsman and a four-time winner of the America’s Cup. This chance meeting gave Grant an opportunity to follow a new path. Shortly after meeting Conner, Grant was asked to join the Stars & Stripes team. To be a part of the historic America’s Cup Races was an incredible opportunity for Grant. His perspective was that these races were the “holy grail” of yacht racing.

This challenging competition began in England in 1851, when the Royal Yacht Squadron challenged the New York Yacht Club. The New York Yacht Club won the race and was presented with the 100 Guineas Cup, an award commemorating Queen Victoria’s Jubilee year. The New York Yacht Club renamed the trophy “The America’s Cup,” after its winning yacht. For the next 132 years, American yachts successfully defended the America’s Cup. This changed in 1983, when the Australian challenger won. By 1987, Dennis Conner had organized and built a new yacht which went on to defeat an Australian defender. Grant’s role on the team was that of a “winch grinder.” Although he was the senior member of the crew, his emotional and physical leadership quickly caught the attention and respect of his teammates. They affectionately called him “Rambo.” Just prior to the start of the America’s Cup in 1987, Grant was sidelined by a broken foot. The next year he was part of the team that defended the America’s Cup from a New Zealand challenge.

Bronze Star w/Valor for heroism during Operation Hastings. After the Battalion had been attacked by a North Vietnamese Army regiment, 2nd Lt. Grant organized and deployed a defense for a forward aid station under enemy attack. Despite being exposed to constant enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire, Lt. Grant continued to provide security for aid the station, allowing the corpsmen to treat the wounded. In an attempt to evacuate the wounded while the clashes with the NVA continued, Lt. Grant used a flashlight to guide the helicopters to a safe landing. Later that night, he took command of the Company and led them on a four-hour march through enemy territory to a safe location.

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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.”

Silver Star for For gallantry in action against Spanish forces at Santiago, Cuba on 1 July 1898.

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Russell Kelso Carter, born in 1849, was in Pennsylvania Military Academy’s first graduating class in 1867 and was awarded a degree in civil engineering. In a long and varied career, Carter was an ordained Methodist minister, practicing physician and prolific author.

He also was the first president of the college alumni association. Widener University’s R. Kelso Carter Award–given each year to a U.S. citizen (other than a graduate of PMC or Widener) who “in the opinion of the Alumni Association, has through acts and accomplishments brought honor to the college” — is named in his honor.

As a student, Carter was a star athlete-said to be “one of the cleverest of the early pitchers” on the school’s first baseball team (formed in 1866) and an expert gymnast excelling in routines with a pair of 20-pound Indian clubs.

After graduation, he remained at PMA as a mathematics instructor and later also taught military tactics, chemistry and natural and experimental philosophy. In 1872, he was the college adjutant.

After the 1873 commencement exercises, graduates met at the Continental Hotel in Philadelphia to form an alumni association so that “the friendships of former years might be preserved, the more agreeable memories cherished, and a spirit of union and good fellowship fostered.” Captain Carter, as he was known, was elected its first president.

Ill health forced him to move to California for three years, but he returned in 1876 to resume duties as professor of mathematics and tactics instructor.

In 1881, after the retirement of Col. George Patton, who organized PMA’s engineering program in 1864, Carter was made Professor of Engineering. He immediately set out to improve the civil engineering program and introduced practical aspects to the program, new textbooks for mathematics and expanded the survey program. But in the summer of 1887, he again became ill and was forced to resign from the faculty of PMA. He moved to New Jersey to recover.

Faced with recurring health issues, Carter, who grew up in a religious home, explored faith healing and in 1887 was given a license to preach as a Methodist minister and garnered a reputation as a prominent evangelist. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, he wrote numerous books about faith healing, Christianity and science and at least four novels. He also wrote the words and music to scores of hymns, including “Standing on the Promises,” which was contained in the 1885 hymnal, Songs of Perfect Love, edited PMA music professor John R. Sweeny.

During the summer of 1892 Carter returned to California while his family remained in Maryland. A short time later, he filed for divorce from his wife. After successful medical treatment of tuberculosis (“consumption”), he distanced himself from faith healing, returned to Baltimore, studied medicine and became a physician. He practiced in the Baltimore area until his death in 1928. His obituary noted that he had been the last surviving alumnus of PMA.

The hymn, is still sung, as you can hear in this modern rendition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVeHDun_oEQ&t=10s

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Born in New Jersey, Edwin Howell enrolled in the Class of 1890 after attending a year at Alfred University in New York. Howell was an exceptional student, earning top academic honors each year and was a Cadet Lieutenant and aide to Charles Hyatt in his senior year. As a Cadet, Howell was the editor of The Reveille, an early PMC newspaper. He graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering and joined the Pennsylvania & Northwestern Railroad. He then returned to Chester to “read law.” In 1896, he was admitted to the Delaware County Bar and maintained law offices in Chester for the next 50 years. In 1927, he joined the PMC Board of Trustees and served as the solicitor and became secretary.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, PMC faced serious financial challenges. The business model was flawed and despite being recognized as a non-profit by the federal government in 1936, state and local taxes were an enormous burden. Howell focused his energies on solving these problems. His plan included a reorganization of the business model, significant belt tightening along with fund raising, lowering faculty salaries and increasing enrollment.

In 1952, Frank Hyatt, who had been ill for many years, retired. Edwin Howell was appointed interim President and head of the Search Committee. During his Presidency, Howell maintained his law practice in Chester and Vice-President Stanton von Grabill ‘35 oversaw the daily operation of the College. During this time, Howell began the preparations for the Middle States Evaluation, strengthened the Day Cadet program, made financial aid more evenly distributed, developed a more efficient budgeting process for the College and began a policy of competitive bidding on purchases.

After General Edward E. MacMorland was selected as the new President of PMC, Howell continued on the Board of Trustees until his death in 1954. Expansion of the Corps of Cadets was one of General MacMorland’s priorities. To accomplish this goal, new facilities were required, including a new dormitory. MacMorland recommended that the College name the new dormitory, which was dedicated in 1958, after Edwin A. Howell:

Over the years, he was a tower of strength to the College. He served the College faithfully and well for many, many years as secretary and president of the Board and, for a brief period, as President of the College.

Among the many lasting contributions the Howell family made to PMC was the establishment of the Hyatt Endowed Scholarship and significant support for the Wolfgram Library.

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George Bjotvedt arrived at PMC in the fall of 1947. The transformation to cadet #224 began when the college tailor fitted him for his uniform. That year freshmen were assigned to Old Main where a cadre of senior cadets enforced the rules and regulations. By his junior year, cadet life was “second nature,” and he realized the structure was preparing him for the future. He was a Distinguished Military Student and upon graduation received a regular army commission. Like many of his classmates he would be asked to perform as a leader of men in combat during the Korean War.

When he arrived in Korea, he was transported to the 65th Puerto Rican Regiment. There he was assigned to A Company of the first battalion. Bjotvedt soon found himself conducting the bulk of ambush patrols for the battalion. At first the men of the 65th Puerto Rican Regiment suffered numerous casualties while patrolling in “No-Man’s Land.” To make these dangerous assignments more manageable, a scout dog and handler were assigned to each patrol.

German Shepherds were used because of their temperament, size, and toughness. Bjotvedt described these dogs as being able to “detect hidden enemy far in advance of the patrol’s ability to see, hear or smell the enemy.” When a scout dog sensed the enemy he would alert the patrol, “much like a bird dog’s rigid stance.” Each night a patrol, following a predetermined route and position, would advance into “No-Man’s Land” escorted by a scout dog. The patrol would advance in single file with the scout dog clearing the way. The patrol relied on the dog’s night vision and keen hearing throughout the patrol.

Many thankful soldiers will remember the outstanding service of the scout dogs.

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Jesse Roberts came to PMC from Upper Darby High and spent a term in the Pennsylvania Military Prep School. He then transitioned to PMC. He was gregarious, played football, and was part of the Cavalry Squad while at PMC. His keen sense of humor and love of a good practical jokes resulted in his intimate acquaintance with the “Delinquent Guard”, later known as “Walking (penalty) Tours”. After graduation, Roberts worked for the Roberts Filter Manufacturing Company, which his family had started in 1896. Jesse later returned to PMC as the Adjutant in 1941 and continued in that role until he was called to active duty in January 1942. After completing Tank Destroyer School, he was assigned to the 702nd Tank Destroyer Battalion (the “Seven O Deuce”).

The “Seven O Duce” landed on Omaha Beach in mid-June and entered the line in early July. The battalion became part of the 2d Armored Division. In November, Roberts joined the “Seven O Duce” as Platoon Leader, second platoon of Company A.

In response to the German counter attack in the Ardennes, the VII Corps, under the command of Field Marshall Montgomery, was tasked with halting the advance. As the battle intensified, the 2d Armored Division was ordered to seize Buissonville, Belgium, where German tanks had been reported. Company A moved toward Buissonville and attacked the 2d Panzer Division and elements of the 116th Panzer Divisions as they were preparing to move north. After encountering and destroying several German tanks, Roberts positioned his troops on an exposed ridge, where they battled the enemy that were hidden in the woods. During this encounter, the Germans lost two Panther tanks, two 88 mm anti-tank guns, one Self-Propelled 75 mm gun, one armored car, one personnel carrier and eight trucks. In early January 1945, Roberts lead an attack against two German Panther tanks near La Wate, Belgium. During the firefight, a German round struck Roberts’ gun crew, killing two men and wounding Roberts. He extinguished the fire in the vehicle and evacuated three wounded men. Despite refusing medical assistance for burns to his hands and face, he returned to his unit. Later in January he was injured twice and eventually evacuated to a field hospital. It was determined that Roberts had suffered fractured ribs and remained hospitalized. For his actions, Field Marshall Montgomery awarded Roberts The British Military Cross Medal.

Like many families, the Roberts family connection to PMC continued. He was the President of the Alumni Association and later the PMC Parents Association. In addition, both sons of Roberts were members of the Corps of Cadets and graduated from PMC.

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Russ Freas came to PMC from Glen-Nor High School, in Glenolden, where he was described as one of the “pluckiest” football players of his time and he was selected to the All-Delaware County and Chester team. While playing football at PMC, he became an outstanding Guard. As a Cadet, he was described as having great energy and determination. After Commencement, he joined the Army and was eventually assigned to the 423rd Infantry Regiment.

A week before the start of the Battle of the Bulge, the 106th Infantry Division was sent in to relieve the 2nd Infantry Division near Schonberg, Germany. The Germans began their assault at dawn on December 16th and the 106th stared directly down the barrels of the Second SS Panzer Division.

The German attack on the town of Bleialf that morning gave the Germans control of the lower two thirds of the town. The arrival of more than two hundred reinforcements, including the Service Company, which had been re-organized as a rifle company and commanded by Freas, halted the German advance. These reinforcements were then ordered to counterattack. Freas personally led his men into many of the town’s buildings. He was credited with personally capturing numerous German prisoners. By mid-afternoon, Freas and the other reinforcements had reoccupied the entire town, except for the houses around the train station.

After three days of arduous combat, two regiments of the 106th Division, the 422nd and the 423rd, were surrounded. While both regiments continued to fight, supplies of ammunition and food ran low. On December 18, the regiments counter-attached in hopes of breaking through the German lines. This bold action was blocked by the sheer weight of German numbers. Both regiments surrendered.

The Germans marched 985 captured men of the 106th for four days until they reached Stalag XIIA near Limburg, Germany. The Americans never entered the camp, but were packed into boxcars, 60 men to a boxcar, and transported to Stalag 9-B, considered to be one of the worst POW camps in Germany. During the trip to Stalag 9-B, eight men attempted to escape and were killed by an exploding land mine. The German sergeant-in-charge was enraged and began shooting. Although the sergeant knew that every boxcar was densely packed, he fired a round through the door of a car, killing an American soldier.

In 1946, Freas was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal for his gallantry.

Silver Star for his heroic actions while leading an attack on the German held town of Bleialf at the start of the Battle of the Bulge.

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Walter “Fet” Fetterly arrived in 1922 and spent two years at Pennsylvania Military Prep School before starting PMC and graduating in 1929. He was not an outstanding athlete, but was known more as on organizer of military and social events. Fetterly was, however, an outstanding rifleman and Captain of the Rifle Team during his senior year. This team went undefeated and Fetterly led them to PMC’s first Eastern Championship and the Hearst Trophy.

Fetterly joined the Army and was assigned to the 114th Infantry Regiment. In February 1945, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for “meritorious achievement … in the face of determined resistance from strongly fortified enemy positions, in addition to the hazards of extensive minefields along the axis of advance, the Second Battalion, under Lt. Colonel Fetterly’s direction, was able to secure its assigned objective. When heavy casualties were sustained and one company had lost all its officers, Fetterly quickly reorganized his battalion, assigning duties to new leaders and changing the plan of attack to meet the situation on the ground, and led his battalion in the assault which resulted in the capture of Bellevue and Brandelfingerhoff Farms.”

In April 1945, the end of the war was close at hand. The difficult and dangerous mission Lt. Colonel Fetterly received may have surprised him. He was to command a Task Force, consisting of the 2nd Battalion, 114th Regiment, 44th Infantry Division reinforced with light tanks and armored cars from 106th Cavalry Group, and Company C from the 776th Tank Destroyer Battalion equipped with M36 “Slugger” Tank Destroyer. The mission of the Task Force was to break through German lines and drive 60 kilometers (37 miles) through enemy held territory to liberate POWs at Stalag IX-B, in Bad Orb. The Task Force was to proceed with all deliberate speed avoiding contact with the enemy. With elements of the 106th Cavalry in the lead, the attack started well. On occasion, the Task Force experienced occasional resistance, but they were not slowed down and they rejoined the Cavalry in Bad Orb. On April 2, Fetterly and the Task Force liberated 6,000 Allied soldiers, of which 3,364 were American. What they found was shocking.

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As the 8th Cavalry Regiment began its push southward of Manila, Japanese resistance blocked its progress. Troop E, commanded by CPT William Dudley, was given the assignment to clear the area, starting with Gilmore Street. On Gilmore, a determined and tenacious Japanese force, consisting of machine guns and sniper fire, defended the area. Dudley was continually in the lead and exposed to the withering enemy fire. Throughout the daylong battle, Dudley remained in the forefront of the Troop reassuring his men and exploiting every gain before the enemy could reorganize. His leadership, personal courage, and heroism were directly responsible for the success of his and the regiment’s mission.

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Burt Mustin, the son of Sadie and William Mustin of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, matriculated at Pennsylvania Military College in 1899 and, by his senior year, he was the Cadet Lieutenant of “D” Company, the catcher as well as the first baseman of the P.M.C. baseball team, the goalie of the PMC hockey team, and a talented vocalist with the PMC chorale-group. When the Merit List (Honor Roll) was announced in 1903, his 88.7 academic average placed him sixth in his class. He later recalled that he was a quick learner, especially with a staff-officer on-duty in each corridor who could “…pop in….” to his room at any moment to ensure that his nose was buried in his books.

His classmate, Charles Spinney, kept dozens of photographs of young ladies that he knew in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, on the wall of his room and one day, while viewing ‘Spinney’s Gallery,’ Mustin remarked, “There’s the prettiest girl in the room.” Mustin later traveled to Memphis where he met and married Robina Woods, to whom he referred as his darling ‘Bine,’ in 1915.

His career at his father’s brokerage firm ended before it began due to an economic collapse and, for the next 25 years, Mustin was a car salesman. With the advent of World War II, automobile-production was halted in the United States. For a time he was a salesman for hearing aids. At age 60, Mustin and his wife moved to the warmer-climate of Tucson, Arizona, because of her failing-health. There he resumed his passion for acting by performing in an assortment of roles at local theaters.

In 1951, Mustin was performing in a cameo role as “Willie,” the janitor, in Detective Story starring Kirk Douglas at the Sombrero Theater in Phoenix, Arizona. One night, William Wyler, a noted director, attended the play and was very impressed with Mustin’s performance as “Willie.” Wyler cast Mustin as “Willie” in Detective Story, together with fellow actor Kirk Douglas in the lead-role. Throughout his theatrical career, which spanned more than four decades, Mustin became a well known character actor who was noted for his dependability and versatility. Mustin appeared in more than 150 films and more than 400 television-productions, including roles as “Jud Crowley,” the barber shop patron, on The Andy Griffith Show, as “Gus,” the fireman, on Leave It To Beaver and as “The World’s Oldest Cat-Burglar” on Dragnet. He was a semi-frequent guest-star on the Dragnet television-series, both in the 1950’s and 1960’s, because he was a personal-friend of Jack Webb, the creator, director and producer of Dragnet. Mustin honored his alma mater by reprising his original (1951) film role as “Willie,” the janitor, in the theatre pmc student production of Detective Story in February 1970. Mustin’s campus visit was arranged by Cadet John E. N. Blair ’70, theatre pmc General Manager, who presented Mustin with a theatre pmc plaque and gray cadet-sweater following thunderous applause at the conclusion of the Opening Night performance of Detective Story, which was attended by numerous local dignitaries, including President and Mrs. Clarence R. Moll.

Throughout his entire life, Burt Mustin ’03 never swerved from his love of and loyalty to the PMC Corps of Cadets. Possibly, that ‘view’ was best expressed by General of the Army Douglas MacArthur who, during his final visit to his alma mater, the United States Military Academy, told the West Point Corps of Cadets, “As I cross the ‘River,’ my final-thoughts will be of The Corps, The Corps and The Corps. I bid you farewell!” It could be surmised that Burt Mustin had similar thoughts when he died on 28 January 1977.

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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 retuned 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.

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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At the end of his sophomore year, “Joe” LoPrete transferred to PMC from Fordham University. A Brooklynite, his smile and infectious humor made him many friends. Although he was a star on the track team and the rifle range, his passion for lifting weights in his room and cars were well known. Six days after graduation, LoPrete joined the Marine Corps and was assigned to the 24th Marine Regiment.

Three U.S. marine divisions landed on the island of Iwo Jima in February 1945. The island was of strategic importance to the U.S. and the Japanese were determined to defend it. From an elaborate network of caves, dugouts, tunnels and underground installations the Japanese troops fought to the death.

LoPrete led an Assault and Demolition Platoon. After some initial success, a bunker held up the advance of the 2nd Battalion. As the platoon advanced, two men beside him were killed. He was resolute and led the platoon forward, eventually destroying the bunker. As the battalion advanced, it suffered countless casualties. To help fill a void, LoPrete was given command of a rifle platoon. Shortly thereafter, a pocket of Japanese held up the Battalion again. Their position was well fortified and they were inflicting severe casualties among the Marines. LoPrete realized that a quick advance was necessary to avoid further losses. He led his men forward against the Japanese and annihilated them.

LoPrete was awarded The Silver Star Medal by Brigadier General Franklin Hart, former commander of the 24th Marine Regiment, for his “Leadership, Courage and Devotion to Duty.” It was later reported that one Marine said in response to a question about LoPrete’s leadership that he would go “anywhere he leads me.”

After the war, Major LoPrete served as an instructor at the Marine Training School in Quantico, VA. In 1967, he became the commander of the 3rd Marines. In late 1967, the 3rd Marines conducted Operation Lancaster, designed to protect the western flank of the 9th Marines. The area of operations included Camp Carroll, an important artillery position and the base of operations; the Rockpile, a strategic outcropping that gave the Marines a view of five major valleys; and, Ca Lu an outpost, located along Highway 9, that provided an early warning of enemy infiltration. The following year the 3d Marines were assigned to protect the Quang Tri base from enemy attack.

After serving in the Marine Corps for 31 years, Colonel LoPrete retired in 1973.

Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Leader of an Assault and Demolitions Platoon of the Second Battalion on Iwo Jima.

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Emanuel (Manie, pronounced “Manny”) Sacks was a life long supporter and friend of PMC. His association with the school began in the 1918, when he enrolled in the Pennsylvania Military Preparatory School (PMPS). In 1920, he became a Cadet at PMC, Class of 1924. While at PMC he played football and became friendly with Hugh McCaffery ’24. He left PMC and began working at WCAU in Philadelphia. An avid supporter of PMC football, he arranged for WCAU to broadcast some PMC football games and military exercises. In June of 1955, this giant of the entertainment industry became a member of the PMC Board of Trustees. He had always taken an active interest in the school and its activities and this continued.

During his career at Columbia Records, RCA Victor and NBC Sacks gave encouragement and confidence to many artists. Although he kept out of the public eye, he worked closely with Jack Benny, George Burns, Edgar Bergen, Harry James, Dinah Shore and many others. In 1942, Sacks helped Frank Sinatra start his solo career. An appreciative Sinatra said during a 1959 CBS television tribute to Sacks that “There’s a little bit of Manie in everything good that has ever happened to me … Whenever I was in trouble and needed help, I yelled for Manie.” Despite Sacks’ reputation for his warm and charming personality, he was a tough bargainer according to RCA President David Sarnoff.

Sacks learned that he had leukemia when he was 52 years old, but only told his family and Sinatra. Upon learning of Sacks death, then Vice-President Moll, stated, “The College was deeply shocked to learn about his death, expressed the sentiments of the entire faculty, administration and student body of PMC. Manie Sacks, had made his mark in life as a top figure in the entertainment world, and we are going to miss a very influential friend.”

Watch Part 1 of Some of Manie’s Friends, a TV special which was broadcast in 1959: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZySHvhlwY. Perry Como, Dinah Shore, Eddie Fisher, Jane Wyman, Frank Sinatra and others are featured in the show.

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Robert R. Stewart
Class of 1968
6th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, USARV

Bronze Star w/Valor for heroism while serving as a platoon leader during a night combat operation against a numerically superior enemy force. 1LT Stewart exposed himself to heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire upon contacting an entrenched enemy force, enabling him to direct the actions of his men and orchestrate the delivery of indirect fire and gunships. The effect of sound maneuver and well placed fires routed the enemy force and inflicted heavy casualties. 1LT Stewart’s actions were instrumental to the successful outcome of this engagement.

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