PMC Classes of the 1920s
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Notable Cadets of the 1920s
Theodore Hyatt Cowee ’20
Among the first collegiate aviation programsIn 1919, just 16 years after the Wright brothers’ first flight, PMC became one of the first U.S. colleges to include aviation in its curriculum. Lt. Cowee ’20, grandson of founder Theodore Hyatt, led the program—training 20 cadets through flight and ground instruction on a nearby field, launching PMC into the early age of aviation.
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Walter D. Fetterly, ’29
Led Daring Mission to Liberate POWsFetterly, an expert marksman and battalion commander, earned the Bronze Star for leadership in fierce combat. In April 1945, he led a fast‑moving task force 37 miles through enemy territory to liberate Stalag IX‑B, freeing 6,000 Allied POWs from brutal conditions.
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Hugh F. McCaffery, Jr. ’24
Pilot and Leader Lost in WWIIA standout athlete and leader at PMC, McCaffery became a skilled Army Air Corps pilot and instructor. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was tasked with a critical mission but was lost in a crash in 1941—his sacrifice deeply felt by the PMC community.
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Joseph P. McCaffery '27
Marine Raider and Navy Cross RecipientA leader in the elite Marine Raiders during World War II, Joseph McCaffery ’27 commanded assault landings across the Pacific. Mortally wounded at Bougainville while leading from the front, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. The USS McCaffery was later commissioned in his honor.
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Manie Sacks, ’24
Influential Force Behind America’s StarsA lifelong friend of PMC, Manie Sacks ’24 became one of the most powerful figures in entertainment, guiding legends like Frank Sinatra and Jack Benny. A loyal supporter of the college, he credited PMC with shaping his character and remained a dedicated advocate throughout his life.
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Karl Wettengel ’21
Early voices of the PMC experienceWhile still a cadet, Wettengel captured the spirit of PMC through poetry. His work reflects the enduring traditions and shared identity that defined cadet life.
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