Garnet and Gray: ReUnion

V12-V5 60th Reunion

In 1943, when the V-12 program was initiated, Union had a much different look than it has today. Navy personnel marched around campus in military order, unlike today's population with its casual dress and demeanor.The V-12 program was created to provide college-trained (a Navy prerequisite) officers for the projected invasion fleets. High school and college students and fleet personnel could qualify by national examination, and the democratic nature of the selection process gave many young men a unique educational opportunity. The partnership between the Navy and 131 American colleges produced 60,000 officers, many of whom were commissioned at age 19 and found themselves immediately challenged, with no peacetime internship, in the art of leadership.

Oblique at first, there came a cordial feeling of solidarity between Naval and civilian students. The president of the College, Dixon Ryan Fox, observed, "The men are intermingled in every activity…and the whole college (now) thinks of itself as a constituent part of the Navy effort." But the transition from civilian to sailor was not without its vicissitudes. Early in July 1943, very shortly after the program started, the V-12 CO, Commander Maurice Horner, chided the unit for a lack of coordination: "The other day, I saw a V-12 coming back to the campus with his hat on the back of his head, eating an ice cream cone. Instead of walking around the chain (stretched across the gate to keep unwanted cars off the campus) he jumped over it; but didn't make it! I could go along, without getting too upset, with his hat not being squared and eating the ice cream cone, and even trying to jump over the chain, but I cannot abide a man who can't clear three feet!"

During this time all of Union's facilities were in full use; the Navy was in command and the officers worked relatively smoothly with faculty and administration. Inexorably, though, "the mutual suspicion and jealousy as between trainees and civilians were not to be overlooked in the summer of 1943," bemoaned President Fox. The Navy program was considerate of college life as far as military needs permitted. There were varsity teams and fraternity membership, if the boys could find time. However, fraternity houses on the campus became dormitories (the Navy called them "ships"). Because they were crowded, the houses showed some wear, but the rent was manna to houses carrying debts. The Kappa Alpha Lodge became the sick bay with a resident physician and nurse. The soda bar, which had been installed in Washburn Hall, became the Scuttlebutt.

From the civilian point of view, V-12 looked like a big break for anyone in it; a college education, room, board, uniforms, medical care, all free; plus $50 a month! Not bad in 1943. But not really free either. The Navy, rightfully, ineluctably got its "pound of flesh" from each trainee-8 a.m. classes, obstacle courses, swimming challenges, five-and-a-half day weeks and lines for chow.

The V-12 program at Union produced four admirals, a commodore, a Marine Corps general, uncounted numbers of captains, commanders, lieutenant commanders, and lesser ranks. Also from Union's V-12 ranks came a Nobel Laureate and a college president, and eight recipients of the College's Alumni Gold Medal for service to their alma mater. What a wealth of continuing history, all to Union's benefit and glory.

Even today V-12 graduates continue to serve the needs of their alma mater. The Union College V-12/V-5 Endowed Scholarship-one of only two such programs in the country-is a living legacy of the V-12 era, which enriches the College and honors its Navy veterans. This group of Union alumni has also taken on the task of honoring those alumni who lost their lives in the Civil War, Korean War, and Vietnam War. They provided the funds to purchase bronze plaques, hanging in Memorial Chapel, to honor these veterans.

Whether as sailors, alumni, or citizens, the V-12 trainees of World War II served their country, the U.S. Navy, and their College with distinction. By all criteria, the V-12 program was a singularly distinctive success. This special group of alumni was bonded together by their patriotism, friendship, and loyalty to Union, and this bond will never be broken.

A 60th ReUnion will be celebrated during ReUnion weekend, May 29–June 1, 2003, during which time the Civil War Memorial plaque will be presented to the College.

Attention!

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Korean War and the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam War, members of the U.S. Navy V12-V5 Units are taking the lead in planning a ReUnion for May 31, 2003, for all alumni who served their country in the armed forces.

If you are a veteran-in those wars or at any time-and are interested in attending, please contact Joe Goldreich '45, C.O. of the V12-V5 alumni unit, at 45 East 20th St., New York, N.Y. 10003, fax 212-979-9281, e-mail JDGconseng@att.net or e-mail Kathy Quinn at quinnk@union.edu.

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