 
A Forgotten First National Championship: The 1914 Army Football Team

By Mike Belter

Published by Mike Belter at Smashwords

Copyright 2016 Mike Belter

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Table of Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Prologue: Who Was on the 1914 Team?

The Foundation of Army Football

Chapter 1: Kickoff versus Stevens: October 3, 1914

Chapter 2: Preparation: 1890-1910

Chapter 3: 1911 Army Football Season

Chapter 4: 1912 Army Football Season

Chapter 5: 1913 Army Football Season

Chapter 6: Preseason: December 1913 – August 1914

Chapter 7: Preseason: September 1 – October 2, 1914

The 1914 Football Season

Chapter 8: Rutgers: October 3-10, 1914

Chapter 9: Colgate: October 10-17, 1914

Chapter 10: Holy Cross: October 17-24, 1914

Chapter 11: Villanova: October 24-31, 1914

Chapter 12: Notre Dame: October 31 – November 7, 1914

Chapter 13: Maine: November 7-14, 1914

Chapter 14: Springfield: November 14-21, 1914

Chapter 15: Navy Week: November 21-28, 1914

Chapter 16: The Navy Game: November 28, 1914

Chapter 17: Post-Season: November 28, 1914 – January 16, 1915

Chapter 18: The 1914 National College Football Championship

The Careers of the 1914 Football Men

Chapter 19: Army Blue: January 1915 – March 1917

Chapter 20: The Great War: April 1917 – December 1918

Chapter 21: Between the Wars: November 1918 – November 1941

Chapter 22: World War II: December 1941 – December 1945

Chapter 23: Post War and Retirement: January 1946 – October 2010

The Database

Appendix 1: 1914 Army Football Team, Season, and Game Information

Appendix 2: Career Football Information on the 1914 Football Men

Appendix 3: Biographical Information on the 1914 Football Men and Families

Appendix 4: 1914 College Football Season Information

Appendix 5: Literary Works

Appendix 6: Biography

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to three members of the 1914 Army Football Team. The first is Charles "Schlitz" Calvert Benedict, who lost his first wife and step-son to a tragic automobile accident less than two years after marrying, and then lost his own life in an aviation accident eight years later, leaving his second wife with three children. His two sons grew up without a father, and both graduated from West Point, and one was killed in World War II.

The second was Frank "Maggie" D. McGee, the only 1914 football man killed in action. He was the first of the football men to be under fire along the Mexican border and he fought with Pershing. He was severely wounded in World War I, fought for four years to stay in the Army, then when retired for disability took his two horses and rode from Georgia to South Dakota. He then made his way to the Philippines, where he bought a plantation and lived there for almost twenty years until the Japanese invaded. Rather than surrender, he took to the hills, and operated as a guerrilla leader for 42 months, loved and respected by his Philippine troops, until killed by a sniper eight days before the cease fire. His story struck a raw nerve with me. And I never found out what his middle name was.

And finally, Alexander Mathias Weyand, an All-American at football and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, team captain of the 1915 Army football squad, and noted sports historian, author of six books, including ones on lacrosse, basketball, and the Olympics. I read all three of his football books before I went to research files at West Point, and then I got to explore his scrapbooks, large collections of his five years at West Point. Yes, he was a fellow turned back Cadet, so he and I are kindred spirits. And his spirit pushed me to write and finish this book about his friends.

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Introduction

I saw my first Army football game in person on September 22, 1973 when the University of Tennessee came to Michie Stadium. I was a newly minted plebe at the time, and my Cadet Company A-2 was assigned to be Stadium Guards at the game, all decked out in a white over gray, a short-sleeved white shirt with gray trousers, and a white parade belt around our waists. I was assigned a section in the East Stands with the visiting fans. Army played hard, with Jim Barclay kicking a 25-yard field goal early in the first quarter to take the lead (I do not recall if us plebes had to run down to the end zone and do pushups after a score), and moved inside the visitors' thirty yard line three or four times during the first half. The tenth-ranked Volunteers then scored 13 straight points to take a 13-3 halftime lead.

Early in the third quarter, Barclay kicked a longer field goal, but this just seemed to make our visitors angry with them barely beating us, 13-6. After the Volunteers scored a touchdown and field goal, I saw my first Army touchdown as Bob Simons went over from the one to make it 23-12 (two accounts of the game says it was Simmons, while another account said it was Fink). Tennessee then threw a touchdown pass, but our quarterback, Kingsley Fink responded by throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Barry Armstrong to make it 30-18. The Vols scored on a long touchdown pass to end the game 37-18. It was an exciting game, and Fink set an Army passing record of 316 yards. I was hooked on Army football.

I do remember during that afternoon that the Tennessee fans were cheering whenever their team did well as one would expect, but they also were cheering for the Army players too. I remember vaguely one fan telling me that some West Point General had been Tennessee's head football coach for many years, leading them to several undefeated seasons and national championships. I had never heard of the guy, as it seemed to me at the time that all Army Football history had started with Davis and Blanchard winning three national championships during World War II. We never saw any film prior to head coach Red Blaik's time on Army Football, though there were plaques in the Cadet Gym speaking of much earlier accomplishments.

The University of California came to Michie the next weekend, and that game was not much fun to this young Cadet, losing in a rout 51-6. During the next week, I found out that I had "earned" too many demerits and had to walk the area on Friday and Saturday afternoon, the only time I was an area bird until my senior year at West Point. That weekend, Army had an away game against Georgia Tech, and the radio broadcast boomed through Central Area as we walked that Saturday afternoon.

Army was leading 3-0 at halftime and we were dominating the game, including a fumble recovery by A-2's own Jim Cisek in the second quarter, and the Cadet Guards told us area birds that we would get off the area early if Army won. The Yellow Jackets scored after a long drive in the third quarter, but then Jim Ward caught a touchdown pass from Fink for a 10-7 lead. It was unbearable listening and marching the area as Georgia Tech moved slowly down the field, 75 yards in twelve plays, early in the fourth quarter. Army got the ball back three times, but two interceptions by Fink broke our hearts as Georgia Tech won, 14-10.

The next weekend was another away game, this time in Happy Valley against #7 Penn State University, in which Army was soundly defeated, 54-3. The next game was against #8 and eventual national champion, the University of Notre Dame. I did not know that at the time, but it was and still is the only time Notre Dame has played at Michie Stadium. From 1913 through 1922, Notre Dame had come to West Point and played on The Plain. After that, most games were at neutral sites, with four at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.

Army went up 3-0 in our traditional opening field goal, and that was it, as the Fighting Irish scored 62 straight points. The only thing I recall about that game was that our Cadet Company was again assigned to be Stadium Guards, this time in Dress Gray with parade belts. I was in a section with a lot of older fans, who I quickly figured out were graduates of West Point with the youngest being in their sixties. They asked me a couple questions about what it was like being a plebe, and I heard a number of comments that the Corps has. A few of them claimed that they had played in the first games against Notre Dame on The Plain. I just thought they were pulling my leg or making up stories. And I turned down their offers of a drink from one of their thermos bottles, just because I did not want to go back to walking the area. It was a lost opportunity to hear first-hand accounts about football when they played.

Well the 1973 Army Football season was one for the record books, as we lost all ten games, including 51-0 against Navy, the first multi-game season where Army failed to win a game. Not a great year to be a plebe at West Point. They fired our head football coach, and we ran the wishbone the next season. I finally saw my first Army victory, a 14-7 win over Lafayette. I went to away games at Duke and Notre Dame, and we lost again to Navy. We did beat Air Force 17-16 on a last minute field goal by one of my classmates. We won only three games in 1974.

Army scored 98 points in winning its first two games in 1975, but then won no others, including losses to Air Force and Navy. Up to that point, I had seen five wins in 32 games, but I did get to go to the Stanford and Air Force away games. I got turned back in January 1976 and then went home for five months.

The 1976 season was much better, with a 5-6 record. We almost pulled out a home game against North Carolina, losing 34-32, as my classmate Leamon Hall threw 55 passes for 385 yards in that game. A high school classmate of mine from Appomattox was a starting lineman for the Tar Heels. We beat Air Force again, but lost to the Midshipmen for the fourth straight time.

The 1977 season was much, much better, seven wins including clipping the Falcons 31-6 in Colorado Springs, and beating Navy 17-14 in freezing temperatures. I went crazy and bet five bathrobes for that final game during my senior year. We had hoped that Army would be selected for the new Independence Bowl, but nothing came of that. I gave four bathrobes to family friends as Christmas presents, but I still have my Navy bathrobe that I won, and our class welcomed the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy back to West Point. That huge trophy was there when I came to West Point, and it was there when I left.

Yes I was an Army fan for life, and attended anytime the Cadets play away games in any sport near where I live. Even showed up outside the ROTC Building early one morning when Army Rifle competed. My family and I really enjoyed the first Army bowl game, the Cherry Bowl, in the old Pontiac Silverdome in 1984, surrounded by all those Michigan State fans, with the Cadets winning 10-6. I was unable to attend the 1985 and 1988 Army bowl games, but was in Shreveport for the 1996 Independence Bowl. Army almost tied the game in the final minutes against Auburn after being down 32-7. And my daughter and I drove down to Dallas for the 2010 Armed Forces Bowl as Army upset Southern Methodist (SMU) 16-14.

In the late 1970s, it was not until Monday that I would see the results from Saturday's football game in the European Stars and Stripes. During the 1980s, I would go to the city library to read newspaper stories and box scores of the last weekend's Army football game. I began collecting these accounts. With the advent of the internet, I was able to search old newspapers. I was able to find a newspaper account for almost every Army Football game, many with box scores. I also began writing short stories about Army football history in 2006 for an Army Football fans' website.

In researching a story around 2010, I found the Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book, and on page 73 there was a section on National Poll Rankings and Champions over the years, going back to 1869. I discovered that some folks felt that the 1914 Army Football team was considered one out of three teams named retroactive national champions. This perked my interest, as I recalled sitting in Michie Stadium a few years before and seeing only the three years (1944, 1945, and 1946) marked as national champions. A few years before, Navy began to publicize their national championship in 1926, a year that Army and Navy battled to a 21-21 tie at Soldier Field in Chicago. I began to wonder why Army itself did not recognize its own national championship in 1914, as well as the one in 1916.

This led to me writing two short articles, one describing the 1914 season, game by game, and the other discussing how various polls had retroactively selected Army, Illinois, and Texas as national champions for that season. These articles did not attract much attention, but the idea did stay with me.

In 2011, I bought and read Carlisle vs. Army: Jim Thorpe, Dwight Eisenhower, Pop Warner, and the Forgotten Story of Football's Greatest Battle by Lars Anderson and loved the story, especially his description of that famous football game during the 1912 season. Later in the year, I read cover to cover over a long weekend When Saturday Mattered Most: The Last Golden Season of Army Football by Mark Beech, about the 1958 Army football season. In early 2012, I picked up The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football by John J. Miller, about the events leading up to the 1905 football crisis. These three books made me think again about the 1914 team. But I was busy with other things.

The 2012 Army-Navy game, where Army came so close in beating the Midshipmen for the first time since 2001, gave me high hopes that Army was starting to turn the corner, and the 2013 team would get over the hump, win, and go bowling. Unfortunately, the 2013 season ended in a 34-7 decisive defeat by Navy. To me, it was almost a final straw, after forty years of following the highs and mostly lows of Army Football. How it would be so nice to live in one of those alternate universes where Army never lost its football fortunes. Army fired its 2013 head football coach, and the new head coach created hope for all us Army fans.

So sometime in the late spring of 2014, I pulled out those old articles about the 1914 season, revised them a little, and tried to get them published on an Army sports website, but there again was little interest – as everyone seemed focused on the new coach, how he would change Army Football, what new players would come in, and the prospects for the new season. I watched the upcoming promotions for the 2014 home football season at Michie Stadium, expecting that West Point would put on a celebration of its first undefeated and untied football season. I saw nothing, and was disappointed. By this time, I had begun anew researching this team. And looking at their Cullum records of their career, I became more and more impressed by the players and coaches of the 1914 team. So during the 2014 season, I began researching them more thoroughly, and this continued on throughout 2015, and started writing their story late in the year.

So hopefully what you have in your hands is a book about 83 men, some great, most very good men, and a few who fell a little short, who served their country with about 2,190 years in the Army or Air Force in three major wars, who led civilian companies and colleges, and were contributors to college football as coaches. As leaders in military, civilian, and athletic pursuits, they influenced thousands of young men of the next generation. And hopefully, they will shortly be recognized in Michie Stadium as Army's first college football national championship.

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Prologue: Who was on the 1914 Team?

One of the most perplexing issues I dealt with was determining who played on the 1914 Army Football team. For a modern team, all one would have to do is go to the college's athletic website and find the team roster. For most teams since the 1950's, you could obtain a copy of their football season guide to find who played on the team. Finding which of about 600 Cadets in the autumn of 1914 who were members of the football team has proven to be challenging.

It was much easier to determine who was on the coaching staff. In those days, football coaches and assistants were active duty Army Officers. Army football records record Charlie Daly as the head coach, and his long-time assistant for all but one season was Ernest Graves. We know due to the Cullum records of each USMA graduate that both of these men were assigned to other Army posts and were placed on a detached duty status to coach the football team each season (today we would call that temporary duty or TDY). Daly arrived during the first week of September, while Graves joined the staff on the 29th.

The USMA Register for 1915 records that Thomas Hammond, Phillip Hayes, Daniel Pullen, Cuthbert Stearns, Joseph Stilwell, and Daniel Sultan were members of the USMA staff and faculty, and their names appear as members of the 1914 football coaching staff in a season ending article by The New York Times on December 1st. Hammond had recently transferred to West Point in late August from the Mexican border. In addition, Sultan was a member of college football's Rules Committee as well as the academy's official Football Representative and member of the Army Athletic Council. Two other officers, Herman Glade and Rodney Smith, were also on the USMA staff and faculty; and other information tells us that they assisted the coaching staffs.

The New York Times announced on September 3rd that Harry Tuthill, trainer for the Detroit Tigers baseball team, had again arrived for another season to be the "physical director" for the football team. The New York Times article for November 2nd announced the arrival of Charles Thompson in a detached duty status to assist Graves, Sultan, and Pullen in coaching the linesmen.

I have included Clyde Selleck, an Instructor in the Department of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Geology, who was head coach for the Cullum Hall team, and Cadet Eisenhower, his assistant. In future years, the Cullum Hall team would be all plebes, because they were ineligible to play intercollegiate football from the mid-1930s until 1973. The 1914 Cullum Hall team consisted of an unknown number of Cadets from all four classes who did not make the Army Football team. Cullum Hall played area college freshmen squads and preparatory schools. Some Cullum Hall squad members would eventually make the Army Football team. Graduate biographies in each year's Howitzer reflect that at least 29 members of the 1914 Army Football team played in on the Cullum Hall team sometime during their Cadet career. The Cullum Hall players also served as a scrimmage opponents for Daly's team during the season.

Cadet Dwight Eisenhower was an Army football team player, but was not on the 1914 team in his senior or First Classman season. Eisenhower played halfback in five games during the 1912 season, but injured his knee in the game against Tufts, and did not play in the final two games against Syracuse or Navy. He did play in enough games to letter, and he was recognized as one of the best running backs in the East. He attempted to make the 1913 team, but it was clear to the coaching staff his playing days were over. During both the 1913 and 1914 seasons, he was a valuable assistant to Selleck for the Cullum Hall team. It should be noted that Eisenhower in his Howitzer biography and in other sources was also a Cheer Leader during the 1914 season. For these reasons, I included Lieutenant Selleck and Cadet Eisenhower as members of the 1914 coaching staff.

That wrapped up the Army coaching staff for the 1914 season, though there were about a dozen Army Officers on the USMA staff and faculty who had played football when they were Cadets, and they may have assisted Daly and Graves in some manner.

Back to my research in determining which Cadets were members of the 1914 Army Football team. The 1915 Howitzer describes how over 200 Cadets turned out for the season's first practice, and the best sixty were selected for the team. Due to season-ending injuries, academics, and/or area (disciplinary) tours, several members of the Cullum Hall team were likely promoted during the season. The 1915 Howitzer also has a picture of the team, showing 28 Cadets, including two who were the Cadet Manager and his Assistant.

Army football records list 24 Cadets as having lettered in football, while the 1915 Howitzer lists 25 Cadets, with three names being different on the two lists. A review of The New York Times articles of each of the nine games provides a listing of 41 Cadets who actually played in one or more games that season. A request was then made to the USMA Directorate of Intercollegiate Athletics for a roster of the team. They were unable to find a roster, and the best information they had was a description of each game contained in James S. Edson's The Black Knights of West Point, which lists every participant in every Army Football game from 1890 through the 1953 season. There was a picture of the 1914 team, identical to the 1915 Howitzer picture, but with each player identified. Edson also has a listing of lettermen, but it was by class and not season. From these sources, I now had a listing of 43 players plus the two Cadet Managers.

I next turned to the 1915 and 1916 Howitzers (courtesy of the online digital collections of the USMA Library), as each graduate of the USMA Classes of 1915 and 1916 would list under his picture which sports and other activities, including being area birds (more on that later) in his graduate biography. Seven more Cadets listed themselves as members of the 1914 Army Football team, though there are no records of them having played in a single game that season and they were not on my listing of 43 Cadets. In this review, only one Cadet (Thomas Larkin) did not list himself as a member of the 1914 team, but since there are records that he played in seven games, he remained on the roster.

The online USMA digital collections did not contain a copy of the 1917 Howitzer. Since the Classes of 1917 and 1918 had graduated early in April and August 1917, respectively, due to the wartime needs of the Army, I really did not know if they had produced a Howitzer or not. I did send an email inquiry to the USMA Library seeing if there was one, and received a reply that they did not have one. I did review the graduates of the Classes of June and November 1918 in their respective Howitzers, just in case there were any other Cadets turned back into these classes like Elmer Oliphant, but found no additional members of the football team.

Since I was well short of the sixty Cadets described as initially being on the football team, I felt that those missing came from the yearlings (sophomores) and plebes of the two classes without a Howitzer graduate biography to research. I then reviewed both newspaper articles and Edson's book for Cadets who played either on the 1913, 1915, or 1916 teams. From this research, I identified eight more Cadets who were likely members of the 1914 squad, primarily because they started or played lots of games in 1915 or 1916. This brought the roster to 58 Cadets on the 1914 Army Football team, plus the two Cadet Managers.

After reviewing Tim Cohane's Gridiron Grenadiers, I found that Head Coach Daly was not satisfied with the performance of his quarterbacks on the 1915 Army Football team, and he went to the head baseball coach, Sammy Strang, to find someone who could fulfill the quarterback role. Strang recommended Charlie Gerhardt for the football team. Gerhardt substituted at quarterback for two games before starting against Springfield and Navy, leading Army to a win in both games. Based upon that information, Gerhardt probably was not a member of the 1914 Army Football team. At about the same time, I found two separate references to a 1917 Howitzer in graduate obituaries. So I did a Google search, and a 2007 sale on EBay popped up.

A little more searching found a 1917-1918 Howitzer in the University of Michigan online archives that contained graduate biographies of both the April and August 1917 classes. I reviewed all 290 graduates, and identified ten additional Cadets who claimed membership on the 1914 Army Football team, though there was no record of them playing in a single game that season. I also found five Cadets I had already listed on the team's roster as not claiming to be on the 1914 team (John Cole, Charles Gerhardt, Ernest Harmon, George Hirsch, and Edwin House). Since there was no record in either newspaper articles or Edson's book of them playing during the season, I dropped them from the roster.

In my research of USMA Library archives in June 2015, I found in Alexander Weyand's scrapbook a picture showing 50 players on the 1914 team, and this identified three more yearlings or plebes who never graduated. Another non-graduate was identified when I read descriptions of Army practices from newspaper accounts.

I did find in Weyand's scrapbook a couple examples of what we called the Corps Squad Rosters while I attended West Point in the 1970s. These are listing of the official roster for each athletic team, in Weyand's case, because he was team captain of the 1915 Army Football team – so I suspect that USMA kept careful records of who was on the 1914 football team, especially as Cadets lost eligibility due to poor academics or conduct during the season, and these rosters told tactical officers who was released to football practice and who remained for military drill in the afternoons. Unfortunately, I could not find any of these records in my visit to the USMA Library.

The roster stands at 67 players, two Cadet Managers, and fourteen coaches. Information on these 83 individuals is included in detail in the Appendices and described elsewhere in this book.

One graduate missing from this roster is Matthew Ridgway, who was Cadet Manager for the 1916 Army Football team and was the Assistant Cadet Manager during the 1915 season. During my time as a Cadet, each year the Cadet Manager had a large staff of assistant Cadet Managers from all four classes. I do not know what the practice was during the 1914 season. Ridgway himself is quoted in a 1985 Assembly article that "I only had one assistant" during the 1916 season. So I concluded that Ridgway should not be listed on the 1914 roster. By the way, I do list Charles Mahoney as a player on the 1914 team, though he would have been Cadet Manager for the 1917 season, had he not graduated early in August 1917 (and was likely Ridgway's assistant in 1916).

There are a number of graduates who played for the Cullum Hall team in 1914, but may never have made it on any Army Football team. The varsity team scrimmaged scrubs at least once a week during the season. Some of those scrubs likely included Cullum Hall players, so these Cadets deserve some recognition for their efforts that partly contributed to the 1914 team being undefeated. So let me list them based upon them self-reporting in their graduate biography or newspaper accounts of their games:

First Classmen (seniors): Edwin Lyon, Metcalf Reed, Jo Reaney, Samuel Smith, and John Wogan.

Second Classmen (juniors): Benjamin Beverley, Latham Brundred, Charles Duncan, Pettus Hemphill, Harrison Herman, Paul Kane, Craigie Krayenbuhl, Robert McBride, Spencer Merrell, Maurice Miller, George Newgarden, Thomas Peyton, Royland Shugg, Robert Walsh, William Woodward, Ludson Worsham, and Benjamin Yancey.

Yearlings (sophomores): Milton Halsey, Ernest Harmon, and John Stewart.

Plebes (freshmen): unable to identify anyone.

I do believe I may missing a few individuals who served on the scrubs or were brought up from Cullum Hall, who failed to list this accomplishment in their Howitzer graduate biography, or did not graduate from West Point. Anyone missing from the team roster is unintentional.

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The Foundation of Army Football

Chapter 1: Kickoff versus Stevens: October 3, 1914

The Head Linesman, George Beavers, signaled to the Referee that it was now three o'clock and time to start the game. The Stevens' eleven was lined up on its forty-yard line, and its captain, C.C. Stretch, signaled they were ready to kick-off. Walter Okeson, the Referee from Lehigh, received a ready signal from West Point's captain, Vernon "Vern" Prichard, and gave the football to the kicker. Stevens kicked the ball off, and thus began Army's twenty-fifth football season on The Plain at West Point.

West Point was lined up with most of the men between their thirty and midfield, with Vern Prichard the farthest back around the ten yard line ready to receive. He fielded the ball at the twenty, and ran it back straight down the middle, eluding his first man, for fifteen yards, but plebe (freshman) Edward "Tim" Timberlake missed blocking the second man, and Prichard was stopped at the Army forty.

First Classman (senior) Prichard was starting his eighth game at quarterback, while his halfbacks were classmates Charles "Schlitz" Benedict on his left and Paul "P.A." Hodgson to the right, and behind Prichard was plebe Elmer "Ollie" Oliphant at fullback, a three-year letterman while playing for Purdue. Vern barked out the first signal, which caused Second Classman (junior) and four year starter at right guard, Alexander "Babe" Weyand, to shift to the left side between tackle William "Bruce" Butler and end William "Dizie" Britton, moving Army into an unbalanced line left. Vern called the next number, telling everyone what play was being called. At right end was senior All-American Louis "Louie" Merillat, ready to sprint down the field, knowing it was not a pass play, but hoping he would bait two or three Stevens' defenders into chasing him.

Prichard hollered the next number over the crowd noise, and center yearling (sophomore) John "Cap" McEwan knew on what count to snap the ball. He was one of the few centers in the East who hiked the ball in a spiral pass back to the quarterback, taught to him by his line coach, Ernest "Pot" Graves. There was a two second pause, and the snap was safely in Vern's hands before the defenders on the line even reacted. Weyand, Butler, and left guard Timberlake got low and provided interference for the left side of Stevens' line. McEwan stepped back, and moved quickly left, going around end, with right guard Laurence "Cowboy" Meacham trying to tie up three linemen. Britton, looking for someone to block, eyed the end but missed seeing the Stevens's defensive quarterback and halfback cutting back, though McEwan blocked one but missed the other. Oliphant moved quickly right in a decoy move, hoping his reputation would cause defenders to follow. Benedict was moving left to provide blocking to his fellow halfback, and Vern flipped the ball to Hodgson going left around end. Hodgson made it three yards short of the fifty before he was stopped. Second down.

West Point lined up quickly, so quick that two defenders were still on the ground. Vern shouted out the number, and Hodgson shifted behind his classmate about seven yards behind the scrimmage line. Prichard shouted two numbers, and moved to his right. McEwan immediately hiked the ball directly to P.A., who surprised the crowd and most of the Stevens defenders by immediately punting the ball.

Sitting on the bench, because no one was allowed in 1914 to walk and coach from the sidelines, was head coach Charlie Daly and he briefly smiled. He always wanted to capitalize on his opponent's mistakes, and he hoped the surprise kick on second down might be recovered deep near the goal line. Hodgson's punt landed near the fifteen, and the ball rolled towards its target. Merillat slowed down around the thirty to gage where the ball was going to go and looked like he was going to catch up to the ball, but the Stevens' halfback Hersloff pushed Louie in the back and he fell to the field. Hersloff landed on the ball at the Stevens four yard line.

It took about a minute before all the players got to line of scrimmage, there being no play clock. Stevens hiked the ball with the center turning and lobbing it directly to Hersloff. He went left off-tackle for a yard. A second play went into the line for no gain. Todd, Stevens' left halfback took the next pitch off tackle to the right, but Timberlake tackled him and Butler finished the job for no gain. Stevens took about a minute to figure out what they were going to do, and then called a quick shift into a punt formation. Ollie and Vern were flying backwards at the shift and the punt went over their heads to land around the center line and roll back towards them. Oliphant decided to land on the ball and was tackled immediately by the fast Stevens' tackle Stretch.

Army started in an unbalanced line left, and Prichard pitched the ball again to Hodgson. P.A. saw a hole open between Butler and Timberlake, and dove for four yards. Prichard lined them up initially in a balanced line, then shifted to unbalanced left. His two numbers caused Louie to smile, and McEwan to almost immediately hike it to Vern. Merillat sped down the field along the sideline, with Cap McEwan almost ahead of him. Daly knew what the play was before the call by his field general, as he taught his quarterbacks to always take a shot at goal when near their end zone. Prichard's lob was deep, and just missed Merillat's outstretched hands. The ball hit the ground and rolled out of bounds near the ten.

Back in 1914, the rules said that an incomplete pass that went out of bounds, whether or not touched by attacker or defender, was a turnover. Walter Camp led the Rules Committee, and he inserted several rules that paid a high price for failure to complete forward passes, in order to discourage passing. The actual ball weighed the same as a modern one used in college, but was almost a quarter of an inch wider and less pointed at the ends. The 1914 ball was just slightly smaller than a modern size 5 rugby ball.

Stevens got the ball at the ten. Stevens had no gain on back to back left and right line plunges. Hersloff made a yard on a right tackle rush. Again, Stevens shifted to punt formation, but this time Babe Weyand was ready, beating his man and partly blocking the kick. The ball bounced around, and Weyand followed and recovered the ball on the Stevens twelve yard line.

Army could smell blood. Vern pitched to Hodgson who made four years through the left tackle. Schlitz Benedict got his first carry for three yards through the right guard. P.A. ran left again through tackle and a first down to the Stevens three yard line. The yearling Butler jumped the count and the Head Linesman's horn blew (no penalty flags in 1914) as the play went to Ollie running off tackle to the right into the end zone. Army was offside and penalized five yards, the referee placing the ball on the eight yard line. Prichard pitched it to Hodgson, who ran off-tackle for six yards. On the next play, Schlitz went through the right guard across the goal line, and downed it for a touchdown.

While Stevens' defenders stood on the goal line in the end zone, Prichard squatted about ten yards back in front of the goal line from at the spot where Schlitz downed the ball for the touchdown, paralleling the sidelines, much like modern day Rugby does for a goal after try. Vern held the bottom of the ball in his one palm, about six inches above the field, and with his other hand he put two fingers on the upper point. Schlitz Benedict lined up to kick the football over the cross bar between the uprights. In 1914, the goal post sat on the goal line in the middle of the field. The Stevens players could not move until it was kicked. The angle was not bad, and Benedict's goal from touchdown went over the cross bar. Army 7, Stevens 0.

Cap McEwan kicked off from Army's forty, and Merillat's deadly tackle caused Stevens' player to immediately fumble at his twenty. The ball was in and out of several players, and Timberlake recovered it at the thirty five. Prichard had told Merillat after the prior incompletion pass that he would get the ball to him for another pass attempt, much like they had done against the Navy in 1913, first an incomplete pass and then a completed forward pass ran in by Merillat for a touchdown.

Vern signaled for a medium pass, which he zipped to Louie who was standing at the 15 yard line, and he ran it in across the goal lined and was about to run towards the middle of the field when he was tackled, downing the ball for a touchdown about ten yards from the sideline. So the ball was placed about twenty yards back from the spot parallel with the sidelines, a terrible angle for the goal from touchdown.

But in 1914, the rules allowed for the scoring team to do what was called a "punt-out," so Hodgson picked up the ball and punted to Benedict, who called a fair catch and caught it almost in front of the goal post. The Stevens defenders could only stand there on the goal line and watch until the ball was kicked. The ball was held above the ground by Vern, and Schlitz kicked his second goal from touchdown. Army 14, Stevens 0.

Another thing different in 1914 was, after scoring a touchdown or field goal, the team scored upon could choose which team kicked off. Stevens decided to kick off to Army, hoping that the Cadets would make a mistake deep in their end zone. Their man kicked off from their forty, and this time the wind caused the ball to sail over Oliphant's and Prichard's heads. It went into the end zone, a live ball. Ollie got to it five yards deep, and ran straight down the center of the field for 25 yards before he was stopped.

Now Daly always counseled his players "do not hold onto the ball too long near your own goal line, kick on first or second down, thereby gaining the maximum protection for your kicker." Following this guideline to the letter, Prichard called a quick punt, and Hodgson boomed it down the field. Stevens recovered it on their twenty yard line. They tried an off tackle rush for no gain as the whistle blew ending the first quarter, with Army leading, 14-0. The 1914 rules had four quarters of fifteen minutes apiece, but the team captains could agree on a shorter length before the game. Stevens and Army had agreed to play only eight minute quarters.

Daly decided to substitute the entire first team, allowing his coaches to provide guidance on the bench to the first string. As said before, no one was allowed to walk up and down the sidelines, and coaches did not provide plays or other instructions to the players on the field during the game in 1914. The first string linemen sat together in the middle of the bench, and Pot Graves, plus assistant coaches Daniel "Dan" Sultan and Daniel "Red" Pullen talked with their players. Prichard likely sat down next to Daly to his left, with the backfield standing or sitting within hearing distance, as Daly was always coaching and watching every detail of play. Assistant coaches Thomas "Tom" Hammond and Cuthbert "Tups" Sterns were coaching the ends.

Leland "Romeo" Hobbs was now the Army quarterback, a First Classman but a rookie field general, as he started at halfback and fullback most games over the last two seasons. But he could pass, and Daly felt his play calling was adequate to be Prichard's backup. Senior James "Jimmy" Van Fleet and Second Classman (junior) Hugh "Mike" Mitchell were now in at halfback, both playing in their first football game, but having impressed the coaches in the pre-season. Elbert "Louie" Ford, who lettered as a plebe in 1913, would be behind Hobbs at fullback. Plebe James "Ham" Kelly was at left end, while junior Robert "Bob" Neyland on the right end, both also playing in their first game for Army. A rather untested attack force, but Daly saw a lot of promise in them during the September practices.

What comforted Daly was that Pot felt that any of the second string linemen could start for the first team. Senior Omar "Brad" Bradley was at left guard, with veterans Joseph "Red" O'Hare at tackle and John "Snoop" Goodman at center. Plebe Karl Engeldinger was at right tackle and senior and veteran Thomas "Tom" Larkin at guard. None had started in 1913, but Tom and Red had played in seven games while Snoop had six.

But before they could go on offense, the second string had to first prove it could continue to stop Stevens. On second down, Stevens went right tackle again for no gain. Pot Graves smiled from the bench. Expecting a plunge to the left, the line overplayed but did stop the line plunge to the right after four yards. Fourth down, and West Point expected a punt. Stevens did not surprise, and lined the punt to past midfield. Ford tried to pick up the bouncing ball, fumbled it, but then fell on it around the Army 45.

In an unbalanced right, Van Fleet went two yards through right tackle. Staying in unbalance right, Hobbs faked a pitch to Jimmy and gave the ball to Ford, and Louie went four yards off of right tackle. Hobbs called a pass play, and threw it past a streaking Bob Neyland. Ford punted to the twenty, and Neyland immediately dropped the man in his tracks with a clean tackle. Stevens lost two yards, then gained it back. Stopped dead for no gain on third down, Stevens punted to Romeo standing on the fifty, who made a beautiful run down the field to the Stevens 15.

Ford ran right for four yards, then left for two yards. Goodman was shaken, and yearling George "Daddy" Weems came in at center. Louie went left again, but failed to gain any more yardage. Sitting at the nine yard line, Hobbs called a quick pass to Ham Kelly that went incomplete in the end zone, and Stevens got the ball on a touchback at its twenty. Stevens gained one yard to the right, no gain on an end around, faked a punt for no gain, and then punted. Mike Mitchell fell on the ball at the Army forty five.

Louie Ford gained five yards around right end. Mitchell went right for two more. Hobbs threw a pass towards Kelly that Stevens' Hrinkus almost intercepted. Ford punted and Stevens recovered on its ten. Stevens went right tackle and then left tackle for no gains. A left end rush was snuffed for no gain. The center Hill snapped it over Anderson's head, but the quarterback was tackled in the end zone for a safety. Merillat was credited with the tackle in newspaper and Edson's accounts, but since Neyland had substituted for him in the second quarter, it was probably Bob who made the tackle for a safety. Army 16, Stevens 0. Army kicked off, with Stevens returning it to their twenty. Two rushes to the right went for no gain, and the whistle blew for halftime.

Daly decided to put the first string back in at the beginning of the third quarter, with Goodman returning to the game at center to work with Prichard, and resting McEwan. I am sure the second string backfield and ends got an earful from their position coaches. Pot was probably happy with his line on defense, but also felt they could do more in opening holes.

Schlitz Benedict kicked off to the 15 yard line, and Stevens returned it to their 32. They ran to the right trying to get to the end, losing a yard. Another end around to the right was stopped with no gain. On third down, Stevens punted to the Army 20, with Prichard receiving it and using his blockers to run along the right sidelines for 80 yards for a touchdown under the goal post. It would be the fifth longest punt return for a touchdown in college football during the 1914 season. Benedict kicked the goal from touchdown. Army 23, Stevens 0.

Stevens kicked off, and Ollie fielded it at the 17 and ran to the Army 43. Oliphant ran left for no gain. Hodgson quick punted on second down and Stevens recovered it on their seven. Senior Hubert "Doodle" Harmon was then substituted for Prichard. Stevens lost two yards around left end, then lost three yards on a fake kick. On third down, Stevens punted barely over the line of scrimmage to Hodgson, who signaled fair catch, but fumbled it. West Point recovered the fumble at the Stevens twenty.

Harmon who was now the field general and quarterback, handed the ball off to Hodgson for a four yard gain off of left tackle. Oliphant gained four through the left guard, then another eight at left guard for a first down. Sensing a weak spot at the goal line defense, Ollie again went off left guard to the three yard line. He plunged for the touchdown by going through the right guard. Benedict's goal kick was no good. Army 29, Stevens 0.

Daly substituted junior William "Bill" Hoge for end Merillat, junior halfback William "Bill" Coffin for Hodgson, and plebe Lawrence "Biff" Jones in for yearling Cowboy Meacham at right guard. Stevens elected to kick off. Doodle received it at the Army 25, and returned it ten yards. Schlitz gained a yard to the left, and Ollie rushed left for eight yards. Bill Coffin quick punted out of bounds at Stevens' 35 yard line.

Stevens rushed twice for no gain. They completed a forward pass to the left end for no gain. On fourth down, Stevens punted to Harmon on the Army 35, who ran it back to the Stevens 21. John "Tubby" Confer came in for tackle Butler. Doodle, called Army's quarterback mite by Hodgson, passed over center incomplete. Bill Coffin then busted through left tackle for twelve yards and a first down. Ollie gained two to the right. Coffin made the final eight yards off right tackle for the touchdown. Benedict failed on another goal from touchdown. Army 35, Stevens 0 at the end of the third period. Army was ahead of its 34-0 result in 1913's game.

The second string again was substituted in at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Hobbs received the kickoff at the Army 25, and returned it to the Stevens' 47 yard line. Mitchell gained two yards to the left. Ford made a wide run around left end to the 22. Army was penalized 15 yards for improper use of hands in the line. In 1914, offensive players could not extend their arms or hands to block, though defensive players could use their hands, and even hit the faces of offensive players. Players were taught to keep their arms and hands close to their chest and techniques to protect their faces and necks.

From the 37 yard line, Hobbs lobbed a forward pass to Van Fleet, and Jimmy ran it to the 27 for a first down. Stevens knocked down the next forward pass at their 15. Hobbs found Neyland at the three yard line and Bob made a beautiful catch and scored. Ford kicked the goal from touchdown. Army 42, Stevens 0.

Stevens kicked off to Kelly on the Army 40, who returned it to midfield. Ralph Sasse substituted in for Kelly. Ford carried the ball around left end for twenty yards for a first down. Mitchell gained five yards off of left tackle. A rush to the right was fumbled by Army, and Stevens recovered it around their thirty. On the next play, Bob Neyland blocked an attempted forward pass, recovered it, and ran it twenty yards into the end zone for a touchdown. Ford kicked the goal from touchdown. Army 49, Stevens 0.

Stevens kicked off to Red O'Hare who was tackled on the Army 35. Plebe Dave Schlenker substituted in for Red at guard and junior Fay Prickett came in for Neyland. Neyland was known for his bruising tackles and blocks on kickoffs, but often paid a high price. It was said that Bob rarely left an Army game conscious.

Ford gained five yards around right end. Mitchell ran two yards to the right. Ford gained another five yards around right end to midfield for a first down. The whistle blew ending the game. Stevens was unable to make any headway with their line-bucking tactics, and in the end did not have a single first down. C.C. Stretch at left tackle and halfbacks Todd and Sigurd Hersloff were Stephens' best players.

Army used the forward pass frequently and effectively. The first string made huge gains and stopping the Stevens attack short. Army played 31 men during the contest. Benedict was a bulwark on defense. Hodgson's punting was better than ever. Oliphant and Van Fleet were new to the fans, and filled them with expectations of great things to come. Substitutes went in and played as fast and furious as the first string, adding fuel to the cheers and shouts of the battalion of Cadets who watched the game.

The teams shook hands after the game, and Captain Prichard got with his counterpart to explain that opponents were invited to supper at 6:30 and to a hop, Cadet slang for a dance, that evening. I suspect that Stevens, being from New Jersey, went over to Cullum Hall, got dressed, and headed for the southbound ferry or train. The West Pointers headed to the gym to clean up, with the coaches walking around talking to all that had played. The coaches then departed for the Officers' Mess, to discuss the game in detail.

Stevens would play the Hoboken Stevens High School the next Wednesday, winning 18-6, before losing a close game on the following Saturday at Johns Hopkins, 13-16. They hosted Union College the next weekend and lost 6-13. They would then be blown out in the next four out of five games, obtaining only a scoreless tie with Delaware, before ending their season losing 83-0 to Rutgers, finishing 1-7-1 in the third and last season for head coach Myron Fuller.

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Chapter 2: Preparation: 1890 - 1910

The idea of a football team playing other colleges was just a dream in early 1890 among a handful of Cadets. Alexander Weyand identified in the October 1955 edition of the Assembly that football may have been played at West Point since its founding, as the first graduate, Joseph Swift, wrote in his memoirs "the afternoons of the day were various occupied in some brief military exercises but more in field sports."

Weyand discovered that another graduate, Samuel Heintzelman, wrote in his diary on November 5, 1825, "the Cadets played foot-ball today" and that Superintendent Rene DeRussy issued an order in January 1838 that included "the Superintendent has no objection to Cadets playing at football." While the game of football at that time was a crude form of kicking game, it eventually evolved to the American version by 1880, with colleges, high schools, and other groups organizing and playing each other in weekly games. But not West Point.

Captain Michael Reagor, Class of 1982, identified in a January 1993 Assembly article that West Point lagged behind Yale, Harvard, Amherst, and other institutions of higher education in physical education until 1885, when West Point hired its first professional physical education instructor, Herman Koehler. Prior to Koehler's hiring, physical training only occurred in military training and manual labor, though during Superintendent Alden Partridge's brief tenure, Cadets received physical training in fencing, swimming, skating, hiking, marching, and rowing, as Partridge was one of the early American administrators and educators who recognized and advocated the concept of "a sound mind in a sound body." These efforts regressed with Superintendent Sylvanus Thayer's emphasis on academics.

Over the next six years, the United States Military Academy (USMA) would devote more resources and attention to physical training than any other leading university in America, thanks to Koehler's efforts, and this would continue during the 38-year tenure of the tenth Master of the Sword. He quickly introduced turnverein gymnastics, a style of mass calisthenics and exercises appropriate to USMA, plus height/weight measurements and strength tests. Fencing and swimming courses were added to the academy's courses. In 1892, the War Department published its first manual on physical training. And a world class gymnasium was completed in August 1892.

Interest in organized athletics grew during the 1880s. Several Cadets, including future Chief of Staff Peyton March and future Chief of Infantry Charles Farnsworth may have been factors. March had played football and been an outstanding player at Lafayette College. Farnsworth, Class of 1887, would become the first graduate to become a head football coach at North Dakota in 1895. While Koehler emphasized the need for competitiveness in physical training and proposed to expand athletics with intramural sports and to the intercollegiate level, he met resistance from the Academic Board. Koehler did get permission for the Cadets to organize and play baseball against three clubs in the spring of 1890 at West Point.

It took tactical and tactful planning on the part of a junior named Dennis Michie; first persuading his father, who was the senior academic department head and de facto leader of the faculty at West Point; and a strategic challenge to the United States Naval Academy, to achieve the first game against Navy. On November 29, 1890, at the southeast corner of The Plain at West Point, Army played its first intercollegiate football game against Navy, and a competitive and respectful rivalry was born.

What many have forgotten was that game sprang from yearlings in the Class of 1891 forming a football team in 1888, though they could not get the senior or junior classes interested, and it was not considered proper to engage the plebes in competitive sports. The one man on post who had previously played football, Michie, was only a lowly plebe. But the next year, he organized his class into a football team. And with two class teams, it was inevitable that they would meet. On Thanksgiving Day 1889, the two teams played to a scoreless tie.

Michie convinced the Midshipman manager of the Navy football team, William McGrann, to make the challenge to West Point, and in a close vote by the Academic Board, USMA accepted it. There were only three Cadets who knew anything about football, and the faculty and staff provided little support in allowing any time to prepare for the Navy game. One of about sixteen Cadets who made up the team was yearling Edward J. Timberlake, a running back whose son Tim would start the 1914 game against Stevens as a plebe. The elder Timberlake was one of Army's stars in the 1890 game, but Navy, having played intercollegiate football since 1879, was more experienced and better prepared than Army, and won 24-0, even though they had arrived at West Point late Friday night at almost midnight.

After the game, Naval Officers stationed in New York City were so elated in the Navy's victory that they subjected their Army Officer friends to a lot of kidding. This led to the local Army Officers to form their own football team and challenge the Navy. On December 6, 1890, these Army Officers beat the Navy Officers, 4-0. Since this was considered by many a continuation of the undergraduate game, a rubber game was played on December 20th, with the Army Officers winning again, 12-0. It was too cold to continue playing outside, so the Navy Officers suggested renting Madison Square Garden and staging an indoor game. The Army Officers were quite happy to rest on their laurels, according to John Palmer, Class of 1892, in an article in the January 1943 edition of the Assembly.

The game sparked the rivalry with Navy, not just in football, but in baseball too, starting in 1901. And had West Point won that first football game, the Academy officials might not have been so willing to allow the Cadets a second game in Annapolis. If nothing else, the loss in the first game in 1890 was enough to gain the needed support to allow the 1891 team to leave the West Point grounds for the rematch.

The loss also sparked the need for West Point to better prepare for the Navy game. Officers argued the need to schedule several initial games before facing Navy. Six games against varying opponents were scheduled for the 1891 season, culminating with the final game at Annapolis.

As luck would have it, a recently graduated Yale football player began teaching at a private school in Newburgh, a few miles north of West Point. Dennis Michie was able to persuade former halfback Harry Williams to come down to West Point a couple afternoons each week to provide instruction and training of the Cadet team. This would pay off. Meanwhile, the Cadet Manager, William Anderson, got a friend to attend all the Navy games and report what he saw. The concept of scouting opponents had begun.

Army's first game of the 1891 season was against Fordham on The Plain, then known as St. John's College. Four minutes after its start, senior Peter Davidson, who had not played in the 1890 Navy game, had scored a touchdown, and Michie kicked the goal from touchdown, allowing West Point to lead 6-0. Before halftime, Timberlake took a long run around end to the one yard line, and then scored a touchdown. Fordham scored a second half touchdown, but no more. West Point won 10-6 for its first victory.

West Point played the Princeton Reserves to a 12-12 tie the next weekend, with Army deep in their opponent's territory when the game ended. In the next game, Army came from behind, scoring only in the second half, to beat Stevens Institute 14-12. Rutgers soundly defeated West Point 27-6. In the final preparatory game, Army defeated the Schuylkill Navy team by a score of twelve to nothing, with several players unable to play due to injuries.

There was only so much money to send the Army football team to Annapolis. It came down that either head coach Williams or the Cadet Manager Anderson, would have to miss the trip. Anderson stayed at West Point. Williams was grateful the team invited him to travel to Annapolis. Harry Williams never received any payment for coaching the Cadets, but the team took up a collection at Christmas and presented him with a dresser set to thank him for his contributions.

On November 28, 1891, Navy kicked off to Army to open the first game at Annapolis. Timberlake gained five yards on the first play. Several running backs drove the team down the field for their first touchdown. After Navy tied the score, Army was able to go ahead for good. Army scored twice before Navy scored again, making it 18-10. Then Navy was able to score, closing it to 18-16. The Midshipmen would not score again. Army would score three straight times, ending the game after a Michie pass to Timberlake for a touchdown, winning the game 32-16.

Meanwhile, the battalion of Cadets were back at West Point awaiting word of the game. Johnnie Woodward, a substitute, was tasked with sending a telegram after every score. He sent the first one to report the 6-0 score, then the tie, and then a third telegram to report the 10-6 halftime score. But Woodward got too excited and forgot to send any more telegrams. Dusk came and the Corps marched to supper at the Mess Hall, without any word of the game. Someone found an afternoon newspaper, which claimed that Navy had won. The Cadets were breaking ranks after supper formation when the Cadet Quartermaster ran into the area with the telegram containing the final score.

The Cadets ran through the Sally Port to the north part of The Plain to a staged bonfire, and danced and sang for about an hour celebrating the victory. When the fire died down, the Cadets assembled in front of the Superintendent's house, and then went to each house of Professor's row. At some houses, no one answered, perhaps the occupants celebrating at the Officers' Mess the Army victory. Professor Michie was at home and gave a pleasant speech. Then tattoo sounded and the Cadets retired to their barracks.

After two seasons, it was apparent at USMA that money needed to be raised to support the football team. West Point graduates created the Army Officers' Athletic Association in November 1892, the forerunner of the Army Athletic Association (AAA). The AAA was later granted the authority from the USMA Superintendent to organize all athletics at West Point.

Harry Williams was not available for coaching for the 1892 season, and USMA persuaded the Department of War to delay Second Lieutenant Michie's reporting to his new regiment in order for him to coach. Army tied Wesleyan, then won three straight against Stevens, Trinity, and Princeton Reserves. All games were played on The Plain, though Army official records show the Trinity game at Newburgh because that was where The New York Times sports reporter filed his story, while he was waiting for his train.

An undefeated Army was favored against Navy, and the Midshipmen traveled to West Point for the game on November 26, 1892 before 5,000 fans standing around a gridiron marked in chalk on The Plain. The first half was scoreless. Army moved down to Navy's ten yard line thanks to a fifteen yard run by Timberlake, but lost it on downs. Army again was moving thanks to a 25 yard Timberlake run, but it lost the ball for being offside. Navy's response was to score, but West Point moved the ball down to the Midshipmen ten, and three plays later Timberlake scored, making it 6-4 in favor of Navy. Navy would later make the final touchdown, winning the game 12-4.

During the Columbia Exposition in Chicago in August 1893, an ad hoc group of recent graduates and Cadets visiting or on furlough leave played a night football game illuminated by electric arc lights against a team from the Chicago Athletic Association. West Point lost 14-0. It was during the Exposition that newly minted First Captain Casper Conrad, Class of 1894, went off-limits during the visit. He was subsequently court-martialed and dismissed from USMA. He was later readmitted and graduated with the Class of 1895.

The 1893 season for Army was a long one, with it ending with a 4-6 loss at Annapolis when West Point missed the goal from touchdown late in the final period. Highlights of the season included the first games against Lafayette (36-0), Lehigh (0-18), Yale (0-28), and Princeton (4-36), with the season's record being 4-5 under recent Yale graduate Laurie Bliss.

The 1893 Navy game was a tough one on the field, and fistfights broke out with the fans. More famous was what happened a few days after the Navy game, as a general and admiral renewed their arguments at the Army & Navy Club in Washington. It was unclear if a duel was actually fought or the identities of the two belligerents.

As press reports continued to tell of bad behavior by fans of both teams, reformers in Washington demanded that future Army-Navy games be cancelled. Some further argued that service academy football should be permanently suspended. A special cabinet meeting was held by President Cleveland in February 1894, which resulted in a stormy discussion lasting several hours. Afterwards, both the Secretary of War, Daniel Lamont, and the Secretary of the Navy, Hilary Herbert, issued a directive to their respective academies restricting them to playing all football games on their home field, causing an original Catch 22 before that term was even created.

The 1894 through 1898 seasons were ones played with no Navy game. Still, in each season, graduates, Cadets, and some faculty would lobby the Secretaries to lift the restriction of not playing Navy. There was some success and hopes were raised that the Army-Navy game would be restored, only to be ultimately dashed at the end.

Army was coached by former Yale halfback and Lehigh head coach Harmon Graves for both the 1894 and 1895 seasons, followed by recent Cornell graduate George Dyer during 1896. During the 1894 season, West Point beat Amherst, lost to Brown, bombed Massachusetts Institute of Technology, lost 5-12 to Yale, and beat Union 30-0 for a 3-2-0 season record.

The 1895 Army football team went 5-2-0, beating Trinity, losing 0-4 to Harvard, winning over Tufts and Dartmouth, being swamped by Yale 28-8, before beating Union and Brown. A less successful 1896 season opened with a victory over Tufts, a loss to Princeton, a blowout of Union, another loss to Yale, a tie of Wesleyan, and an 8-6 win over Brown, for a 3-2-1 record.

Prior to the 1897 season, the AAA decided that all football coaches would be graduates, as they felt that only those who have been Cadets would understand the special circumstances of West Point, according to A Brief History of Intercollegiate Football at the United States Military Academy published by AAA and authored by Tom Hammond in 1914. Either the AAA could not find a graduate to be head football coach, or the decision was made a few years later to utilize only graduates. The Master of the Sword, Herman Koehler, a non-graduate, would lead Army football for four seasons from 1897-1900. AAA did implement the graduate coaching policy for the 1901 season, as they appointed former Army All-American quarterback Leon Kromer, USMA Class of 1899.

The 1897 season was Koehler's most successful in terms of a winning, leading Army to 6-1-1 record, with the only loss being 10-0 to Harvard and a 6-6 tie with Yale. The team beat Trinity, Wesleyan, Tufts, Lehigh, Stevens, and Brown, with four victories by thirty or more points. Army finished the 1898 season at 3-2-1, losing to Harvard and Yale, being tied by Princeton, and beating Tufts, Wesleyan, and Lehigh.

In the autumn of 1897, a new Secretary of War, Russell Alger, suggested to the USMA Superintendent Oswald Ernst to resume the Army-Navy game, but Ernst refused to comply. Colonel Albert Mills, assumed his duties as USMA Superintendent in August 1898 and backed Alger's suggestion. Meanwhile, in Annapolis, USMA Superintendent Fred McNair, had his ear bent by his son, who played on the Navy football team. McNair lobbied the Secretary of the Navy, John Long, and gained his support. Their efforts failed in 1898, but started gaining traction the next season. Finally, the head of the University of Pennsylvania offered to host the 1899 Army-Navy game at Franklin Field. President McKinley agreed to resume the game.

The 1899 season was one where Army rarely had an offense. The team opened by beating Tufts 22-0, than would not score a point against Penn State, Harvard, and Princeton. Army beat Dartmouth 6-2, then was blanked by Yale and Columbia. It beat Syracuse 12-6. The football team came into the game with a 3-5 record and beat the favored Midshipmen 17-5.

The first member of the 1914 coaching staff to come to West Point was Henry Glade. He was born in Indiana in 1875 and was appointed to West Point in 1896. While a Cadet, he played all four seasons on the football team as a halfback. He lettered his senior year and was cited for his defensive work in the 1899 Penn State game. He also set a record in the pole climb during the Indoor Meet.

Glade graduated with the Class of 1900, but his graduation leave was curtailed due to the unrest in the Philippine Islands. He reported to Columbus Barracks, Ohio, awaiting transportation overseas with his classmates. Much of the class was transported by way of the Suez Canal, with visits along the way to Gibraltar, Malta, Port Said, and Cairo. Glade then spent a year in mop-up operations with the 6th Infantry in service against the insurgency.

Two members of the 1914 Army coaching staff would enter West Point in the summer of 1900 to join the Class of 1904. Charles Fullington Thompson was born in North Dakota in 1882. Joseph Warren Stilwell was born in Florida in 1883 but raised in New York. Thompson and Stilwell made the football team during the 1902 season. Thompson entered West Point through the normal admission process at the time, scoring high enough on an initial academic and physical examination to gain an appointment, followed by passing the entrance examination in the summer to be admitted.

Stilwell had attended a post-secondary prep school during the 1899-1900 academic year to prepare him for attending his desired college, Yale University. But Stilwell was constantly getting into minor troubles. His father thought he needed discipline, and suggested a fine school on the Hudson River where he could play some tennis. But the regular appointment process to West Point had already passed, so Stilwell's father used his family's political connections to President McKinley to gain an appointment. Stilwell considered his hazing as a New Cadet and plebe as "hell."

Koehler's final season in 1900 was a winning one, with Army finishing 7-3-1, but lost its last game to Navy 11-7. Its other two losses were to Harvard and Yale, plus a tie to Penn State. The Cadets did beat Tufts, Trinity, De La Salle, Williams, Rutgers, Hamilton, and Bucknell. It was also the only season that none of the 1914 Army coaching staff or players either played or coached during the 1896-1932 period.

During the summer of 1901, three members of the 1914 Army coaching staff entered West Points as Cadets. Each of the three would play important roles in the future for Army football, immediately as players, and later as coaches. Each had played college football for three or four years prior to playing for Army, a situation not so unique during this time period. While some universities and colleges had eligibility rules to restrict freshman from playing, or limit the number of years playing college football, each institution was their own law on the matter. For example, during this period, the United States Naval Academy followed a six-year course of study, and considered it perfectly acceptable to play all six years. For West Point, the only law was that of the Academic Board, and if that board considered a Cadet eligible, he could play football.

Thomas West Hammond was born in Oregon in 1881 and enrolled at the University of Oregon in 1897. He made the varsity team for the 1898 season as an end. He shifted to fullback the next season, and was recognized with his letter and as one of the best players on the Pacific Coast. His third season was cut short by injury. By then, Hammond had set his sights on competing for a Cadetship at West Point. Hammond would not make the Army football team until the 1902 season, his yearling year.

Ernest Graves was born in North Carolina in 1880 and enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1897 to become a civil engineer, like his late father who had passed away when he was eight years old. He was a brilliant student, but also enjoyed playing football, and won himself a spot on the varsity team as both halfback and fullback. He would go on to score 131 points, and was a critical part of the Tar Heels undefeated and untied 1898 team. Sometime during his third season he voluntary shifted to the tackle position due to an injured teammate. Pot lettered all four years in football, but he loved baseball more, and played catcher all four years and was captain of the North Carolina 1900 team.

Graves graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1900, spent the summer working for the United States Forestry Service doing survey work in the western Carolinas, then earned a Masters of Arts degree in 1901 from the University of North Carolina. However, he realized that he really wanted to do civil engineering, and the best work available was with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. So he competed for an appointment to West Point in 1901 and entered that summer with the Class of 1905.

Charles Dudley Daly was born in Massachusetts in 1880. He enrolled at Harvard University in the fall of 1897 and played on the freshmen football team. The next year he made the varsity team as their quarterback. During his three seasons, he led Harvard to a 31-1-1 record, only losing to the 1900 Yale team by a score of 28-0 and playing to a 0-0 tie against the 1899 Yale team. Harvard was national champion in 1898 with a record of 11-0-0 under head coach W. Cameron Forbes; and repeated as national champion in 1899 with a 10-0-1 record under head coach Benjamin Dibblee.

Daly was named to numerous All-American teams all three seasons. During the 1900 season playing Carlisle, Daly rushed sixty yards for a touchdown and dropkicked a field goal, aiding Harvard to a 17-5 victory. There was a story of President Teddy Roosevelt, a Harvard man, asking Daly to assist the West Point team one summer while he attended Harvard, which he did.

Whether this was true or not, Daly's major association with West Point was as an opposing quarterback. He led Harvard to three straight victories over Army by scores of 28-0, 18-0, and 29-0. Daly graduated from Harvard University in 1901 with an A.B degree. There are also stories that President Roosevelt had encouraged the young man to pursue a military career. I think Charlie just wanted to play more football, and West Point offered him an opportunity to do so.

Daly's Boston Congressman, John H. Fitzgerald, appointed him to West Point in 1901, and he entered with the Class of 1905. The 150 pound quarterback quickly earned a starting position as a plebe on the Army football team, as did his classmate Pot Graves. It was an awkward transition to USMA for Graves, having been the oldest son at his father's death and being rather independent for almost ten years. Graves found the restrictions and regimentation of West Point strange and difficult. Pot played fullback and halfback initially as a plebe.

West Point won its first two games of the 1901 season handily, 20-0 against Franklin & Marshall and 17-0 over Trinity. Daly faced his former teammates of Harvard, but they prevailed 6-0. Williams was beaten 15-0 the next weekend, then Army upset Yale with a 5-5 tie, and then tied Princeton 6-6. West Point blew out Penn 24-0 to end its preliminary games.

Playing Navy, Daly scored a touchdown on a 100 yard punt return, kicked the goal from touchdown (extra point), and dropkicked a field goal, scoring all eleven points in beating the Midshipmen 11-5. Daly was named to his fourth straight All-American team. In 2008, Sports Illustrated considered who would have won the Heisman Award in the years 1900-1934. Their selection for 1901 was Daly. Needless to say, both Pot and Charlie lettered their plebe year in football. Army's record in 1901 was a respectable 5-1-2.

Dennis Nolan, Class of 1896, was named head football coach for the 1902 season. Herman Glade returned to the States from the Philippine Islands in March 1902 to an assignment as a Tactical Officer at West Point, while also teaching physical education. He would assist in coaching the football team during the 1902-1906 seasons. Navy put pressure on Army about playing Daly, and initially Charlie decided not to play at the beginning of the 1902 season. Graves shifted to tackle his yearling year. Stilwell (quarterback), Hammond (end), and Thompson (guard) made the varsity team.

The 1902 season began with two victories over Tufts and Dickinson. The Cadets lost another tough battle to Harvard 14-6. They swept Williams 28-0, than they tied Yale again, 6-6. Union and Syracuse were dispatched by scores of 56-0 and 46-0.

But the team needed Daly, and he returned to lead the Army to another victory over Navy (22-8) and his fifth All-American selection. During the season, a film was made called Daly of West Point. Daly, Graves, Hammond, Stilwell, and Thompson all lettered. Army finished the 1902 season at 6-1-1.

Before the beginning of the 1903 season, Daly elected to not play again for Army, and became a student coach during the remaining two seasons. Daly coached Stilwell at the quarterback position, and Joe started the first games of the season. Graves, Hammond, and Thompson all continued their outstanding play. Edward King, Class of 1896, was appointed as head football coach for the 1903 season.

Daniel Sultan was born in Mississippi in 1885. He enrolled at the University of Mississippi in 1902, played tackle on the football team, and lettered. He entered West Point during the summer of 1903 with the Class of 1907. He would make the football team as a scrub, playing tackle and center.

The 1903 season started with a setback, as West Point was tied by Colgate, 0-0. Army would play good defense, but its offense had not yet jelled. Games with Tufts and Dickinson were shutouts and victories. Army again played Harvard tough, but lost 5-0. Playing the next week against Yale, West Point lost 17-5. Vermont and Manhattan felt Army's wrath, being swamped by scores of 32-0 and 48-0.

Army hosted a great western team from the University of Chicago on November 14th. Losing by a score of 6-5 with a few minutes left in the game, Stilwell called for a fair catch and fielded a punt. He was fouled on the play. Army was given the chance for a free kick that led to a successful field goal and a 10-6 upset win. Two weekends later, Army swamped Navy 40-5.

Joe Stilwell was more than a football player. The 1904 Howitzer says he "generally gets up at reveille and runs fifteen miles for his appetite." He was credited with introducing basketball at West Point, playing on and coaching the first intercollegiate team. He was captain of the Cross Country team, which he also organized and led. Stilwell also participated in Track. At a meet with Harvard and Yale, Stilwell scored 15 of Army's 18 points.

In addition, Stilwell had a remarkable ability with languages, being fourth in his class in French and fifth in Spanish. Stilwell also once earned two demerits for laughing during drill. He graduated 32nd out of 124 men and was commissioned in the Infantry. He played quarterback on the Army football team for the 1902-1903 seasons and earned two letters. Marty Maher named his All-American, All-West Point Football team in the January 1946 Assembly. He named Joe Stilwell as honorable mention.

Charles "Tompo" Thompson made the Army football team during his junior and senior years at the guard position, and lettered each year. The 1904 Howitzer said that "Thompson was a complete success at guard. He would never give up the task, no matter how hard the opponent was using him. His strong defense helped us out of many a tight hole."

Thompson graduated 79th out of 124 men in his class. He was commissioned in the Infantry, and his first assignment was temporary duty at West Point to assist the Army football team during the 1904 season. He then spent a year with the 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort McDowell, California, before heading with his regiment to a two year assignment in the Philippines.

Graves' play in the 1903 Navy game was described as "Pot was as usual a powerful factor in the success of the Cadet eleven. He was in every play, and his peculiar power of diagnosing the intentions of opponents was apparent throughout the contest." Meanwhile, Charlie Daly was an important part of the 1903 coaching staff, as he was even pictured in the 1904 Howitzer in the days when only the head football coach was only mentioned. Hammond lettered in 1903, while Sultan again played on the scrub team.

For the fourth year in a row, AAA appointed another graduate, Robert Boyers, Class of 1903, as head football coach for the 1904 season. Daly, Glade, and Thompson would assist him in coaching, Daly as a Cadet Coach. In April 1904, West Point signed a three-year agreement with Navy to limit the eligibility of both schools' players. Players would be limited to four years eligibility, and counted in that would be playing on one of forty other institutions considered as the leading positions in the sport of football. North Carolina and Harvard were on the list, but Mississippi and Oregon were not. Interesting, in 1904, Notre Dame made the list. So Daly and Graves could not play against Navy, but Sultan and Thompson could.

Rodney Hamilton Smith was born in New York in 1884, the youngest son of General George Rodney Smith, USMA Class of 1875. He enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in September 1903, earned a B average in all courses, and made the freshman football team. He entered West Point in the summer of 1904 with the Class of 1908. He had a quick grasp of any new subject and spent little time studying. He made the football team as a plebe playing halfback.

Pot Graves was named team captain for the 1904 Army team. Dan Sultan would continue playing with the scrub team. Tom Hammond was named in June 1904 as First Captain of the Corps of Cadets.

Army would shutout Tufts and Dickinson to open the 1904 season. Harvard won by a score of 4-0. West Point would then upset Yale the next weekend 11-6. Pot Graves played "the game of his life" but was injured during the Yale game, and spent a week in the hospital. Graves then resigned his captaincy and became a Cadet Coach the remainder of the season. After beating Williams, the Cadets were beaten 12-6 by Princeton. Army then beat three straight teams, New York University, Syracuse, and Navy by scores of 41-0, 21-5, and 11-0, finishing the season with a 7-2 record.

On Graves, the 1905 Howitzer records "in football he stands high, plays low, slugs hard, and never gets caught. He made an annual habit of eating young Navies until they begged to have him muzzled." Pot also played all four years on the baseball team as catcher and first baseman and was a letterman.

Graves lettered all four football seasons. In 1920, Willard Walp in the Army and Navy Journal rated Graves as the second team tackle all-time for Army. Marty Maher made him honorable mention at tackle on his All-American, All-West Point Football team in the January 1946 Assembly. Graves graduated number two in a class of 114 men and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers.

As a Cadet, Tom Hammond played for West Point during the 1902, 1903, and 1904 seasons at end, lettering each year. He was recognized by sports writers as one of the best overall West Point players of his time, including being selected on two All-American teams. Walp rated Hammond as the second team end all-time for Army. Marty Maher named Hammond as honorable mention at end.

Hammond's early commissioned career was distinguished. He commanded military forces assisting after the San Francisco earthquake and fire in 1905. He published an important article on the General Service Corps in the Army and Navy Journal in 1909, while serving two years in Alaska.

In 1920, Walp rated Daly as the first team quarterback all-time for Army. Marty Maher named Charlie as the quarterback on his All-American, All-West Point Football team in 1946. While Daly was a Cadet, Army beat Navy all four years, then would not win a game until the 6-4 victory in 1908; and would not win again until 1913, while Daly was head football coach. He was the first player named All-American five separate seasons.

Daly graduated 46th out of 114 men in his class and was commissioned into the Field Artillery. Daly and Graves would spent the fall again assisting the football team during the 1905 season, joining Glade as graduate coaches.

Philip Hayes was born in Wisconsin in 1887 and was appointed to West Point from North Dakota in 1905. While a Cadet, he did not have to study much, usually stopping at 9 pm each evening to help his roommate study. He played four seasons on the Army football team in the end position, but never lettered.

Cuthbert Powell Stearns was born in New Jersey in 1885. He grew up in Colorado and was appointed to West Point in the summer of 1905 to join the Class of 1909. Stearns did not make the varsity football team his plebe year, but made the team as an end in his yearling year.

Robert Boyers continued as head football coach for the 1905 season. Army won its first two games against Tufts and Colgate. It would lose four straight games to Virginia Tech, Harvard, Yale, and the Carlisle Indians. West Point rebounded by winning against Trinity and Syracuse. On Thanksgiving Day, the Goats played the Engineers in an intramural football game (unclear if this was the first instance or the tradition had started in a previous year). Playing in the only Army-Navy game at Princeton, the Cadets upset the favored Navy team in a 6-6 tie. Army finished the season 4-4-1. Sultan and Smith lettered that season.

Daly left West Point at the end of the season and reported to his first assignment at Fort Totten, New York. Graves reported for duty with the Corps of Engineers at Fort Leavenworth and then Fort Riley. Charlie Daly resigned his commission in May 1906 and went to work as a bond broker with Stone & Webster initially in New York City and later in Boston.

Daniel Dee Pullen was born in Washington State in 1885. He enrolled at the University of Washington and made the varsity football team. Pullen played tackle for the years 1903-1905 and received letters each season. He applied for an appointment at West Point in 1906, and entered with the Class of 1910, the first Cadet from Alaska.

Stilwell spent his first two years of commissioned service with the 12th Infantry Regiment conducting guerrilla suppression operations in the Philippines. In August 1906, he was assigned as an instructor of the Department of Modern Languages, teaching English, Spanish, and French. Stilwell was a resident graduate coach during the 1906 season, joining Herman Glade. The AAA named Henry Smithers, Class of 1897, as head football coach for the 1906 season. Graves was called back on temporary duty to assist Smithers.

When Pullen came out for the football team as a plebe, coach Pot Graves wanted Daniel to play center, but Pullen insisted that he wanted to only play tackle or guard. Graves held out him of the first game of the 1906 season, which Army won 12-0 over Tufts. After the first game, Smithers was ordered to Cuba by the Department of War and had to resign as the Army head coach. Graves became the head coach for the remainder of the season. West Point won 24-0 over Trinity in Pot's first game, and Pullen continued to sit on the bench.

During the third game, Colgate had driven their attack to the Army three yard, but Dan Sultan was injured at right tackle. Pullen entered the game, stopped three line plunges directly at his position, and Army held. Army tied Colgate 0-0.

Pullen would then start the next four games. He starred against Harvard, and Yale's star center Hockenburger remarked "if the Army team were all Pullens, there'd be no stopping 'em." In the next game against Princeton, Pullen wrenched his knee in the first half. He was out for the final three games of the season, including Navy.

Unfortunately, Army would lose the remaining five games of the season to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Syracuse, and Navy. Daly tried to help his classmate by visiting West Point one or two days a week to offer assistance. Army finished the season 3-5-1. Pullen, Sultan, and Stearns would letter. Dan Pullen was recognized as an All-American that season.

On Thanksgiving Day, two days prior to the 1906 Army-Navy game, Cadets gathered on The Plain to play on class teams. The Class of 1907 beat the Class of 1909, 6-0; while the Class of 1908 won 10-5 over the Class of 1910. The Second and Third Classmen played to a 0-0 tie in the interclass final. There was no information on the results of the annual Goat-Engineer game, except that it was played.

Dan Sultan played tackle and center all four years, lettering during his junior and senior seasons in 1905-1906. Maher named him honorable mention as center on his All-American, All-West Point Football team. He graduated 9th out of 111 men and was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers. Sultan spent a year with Engineer troops at Fort Leavenworth, than reported to the Engineer School at Washington Barracks. He would spend a year at the Engineer School and then have multiple assignments at the school until 1912.

During the fall of 1906, the Academic Board recommended a significant change in USMA's course of study. It had long been concerned with the increased academic load on Cadets, and had lobbied since before the Civil War to move to a five year program. However, this would be expensive, and Congress had balked at this concept. A proposal to extend the program was submitted to the Superintendent to the Department of War, and approved for submission to Congress.

Congress passed legislation in early 1907 to implement the proposal, which would add three months to the course of study. Starting on March 1, 1908, future West Point classes would enter the academy earlier. This would allow the New Cadets to adjust to USMA, provide time for them to learn proper study methods, and prepare them for the entrance examinations in June. The Academic Board also moved Spanish to be taught during the senior year, and moved History and English out of the Department of Modern Languages to their own department.

USMA Superintendent Hugh Scott reported in his Annual Report in August 1908 that the 128 members of the Class of 1912 were admitted on March 2nd. The Commandant described that New Cadets were not molested during the March through June period due to every upperclassman and plebe being too busy in academics and military drills. After the graduation of the Class of 1908, several of the new yearlings decided that the New Cadets needed a proper initiation, a real Beast Barracks experience, and conducted several instances of physical hazing. No Cadet was at USMA when the previous cycle of hazing in the late 1890s was dealt with, and this was a contributing factor. USMA ended up convicting eight Cadets by court-martial of hazing, and dismissing them.

Henry Smithers returned from Cuba and was reappointed as Army head football coach for the 1907 season. He arranged for Graves to return in a temporary duty status as an assistant coach. Stilwell traveled down to Guatemala under an assumed name during the summer to gather topographical information. Stilwell returned to West Point in time to coach the Cadets for the football season. Glade would leave West Point on reassignment that summer, and spend the next two years posted to Montana and another two years in the Philippines. Thompson returned to the States from his assignment to the Philippines and was called back to West Point during the 1907 football season to be an assistant coach on temporary duty.

Daly did not assist West Point in the 1907 season, but spent time coaching the Harvard backfield under head coach Josh Crane. Daly suggested to Crane that Pot Graves come up to Cambridge to provide some coaching to the linemen, and Graves spent the week prior to the Yale game trying to improve the line.

Rod Smith was named team captain for the 1907 season. Stearns, Pullen, and Hayes would also play that season. It was a much better one. Army opened with shutouts against Franklin & Marshall and Trinity before upsetting Yale in a 0-0 tie. West Point would then shutout Rochester and Colgate. It would lose 14-10 against Cornell before beating Tufts and Syracuse. It lost 6-0 to Navy. Smith, Stearns, and Pullen lettered, and Pullen was named All-American.

Rodney Smith lettered his last three years at West Point. Smith also played on the Track and Basketball teams. He graduated 24th in a class of 108 men. He was commissioned into the Coast Artillery Corps, and was first assigned to Fort Adams, Rhode Island, for three years. He then had two short assignments in Texas and Florida before attending the Coast Artillery School at Fort Monroe, graduating in August 1912. He spent a year at Fort Hancock, New Jersey.

Henry Nelly, Class of 1902, was named Army head football coach for the 1908 season. Stilwell and Thompson would be the only members of the 1914 coaching staff to be resident coaches that season. Stilwell was reassigned to the Tactics Department in 1908. During this time, Joe Stilwell coached basketball, track and the second baseball teams.

At Harvard, Daly was the only assistant coach retained by new head coach Percy Haughton for the 1908 season, and he coached quarterbacks and kickers. According to Cohane, Daly taught his quarterbacks two fundamentals – first, do not hold onto the ball too long near your own goal line and kick [punt] on first or second down; and second, when it's the last down inside the opponent's thirty, use a potential scoring play – a shot at a field goal, a forward pass, or a running play that will develop into a long gain if it gets beyond the line of scrimmage. It was coaching at Harvard that Daly developed his saying, "break any rule [guidance] to win the game."

Haughton had also been impressed by Pot Graves' one week of coaching the Crimson linemen, so he made contact with the Department of War to obtain Graves' services, which went unanswered. Haughton then directly contacted the most senior Harvard alumni, President Teddy Roosevelt. The President sent a simple message to his Secretary of War, William Howard Taft (Yale 1878), "I was a Harvard man before I was a politician," and ordered Graves to report for coaching duty. Still, it took several weeks for the Corps of Engineers to release their star Lieutenant, and Graves spent about a month coaching the Harvard line.

Stearns, Pullen, and Hayes would be joined by a junior at guard the 1908 season, Clyde "Pappy" Selleck. Clyde Andrew Selleck was born in Vermont in 1888 and entered USMA with the Class of 1910 in the summer of 1906.

Army opened the 1908 season with shutouts of Tufts and Trinity. This time, Yale beat it 6-0. After a 6-0 win over Colgate, West Point tied Princeton 0-0. It beat Springfield 6-5 and then tied Washington & Jefferson 6-6. It finished its preliminary season by beating Villanova 25-0. At Philadelphia, Army beat Navy 6-4 for its first win since 1904. West Point finished the 1908 season with a record of 6-1-2. Stearns and Pullen lettered, and Pullen was named All-American for the third time.

Stearns played as the starting end on the Army football team; only weighing 151 pounds compared too much heavier opponents. He lettered every season. He also was on the Track team and he loved to ride. He graduated 55th out of 103 men in his class and was commissioned in the Cavalry. He initially served with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and along the Mexican border for his first three years.

Hayes played four seasons on the Army football team in the end position, but never lettered. He was captain of both the Hockey and Track teams. He set the academy record in the 220 yard dash as a plebe at the Indoor Meet. He graduated 40th out of 103 men with the Class of 1909. After graduation, Hayes initially served on border duty in Arizona with the 18th Infantry Regiment, then assignments for four years in Wyoming and Texas.

In March 1909, the first 1914 football player arrived at West Point in the person of New Cadet Ralph Irvine Sasse of Wilmington, Delaware. Sasse was a member of the Class of 1913, was 19 years and 7 months old at the time of admission, and appointed by Congressman Hiram R. Burton from Delaware's 1st and only Congressional District. Sasse would try out for football in the fall, but not make the team. He would then play on the Cullum Hall team that season. He would be found deficient in French at the end of the academic year and turned back to the Class of 1914 to repeat his plebe year.

For the 1909 football season, Harry Nelly was re-appointed as head football coach. Stilwell was the only member of the 1914 coaching staff who coached that season at West Point. Charlie Daly continued to assist Harvard's team. Dan Pullen was named team captain this season.

Army started the 1909 season by beating Tufts and Trinity, then losing 17-0 to Yale. It beat Lehigh 18-0 and was losing 9-0 to Harvard in front of 10,000 fans when Eugene Byrne was injured and the game was suspended. Byrne died the next morning, and West Point canceled its remaining games against Springfield, Villanova, Washington & Jefferson, and Navy. Byrne's death, along with several others in college and high school football games that season, resulted in rules changes restricting the use of mass plays in upcoming seasons. Dan Pullen lettered and was named All-American for his fourth straight season.

Joe Stilwell organized a team of officers at West Point and they played outside organizations in basketball during 1909 and 1910. A Class of 1904 team beat the senior Class of 1910 team in basketball 23-21.

Clyde Selleck played his last two years on the Army football team at guard, but never lettered. He also played on the Polo and Hockey teams. Selleck graduated and was commissioned into the Field Artillery. He spent nine months at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, then 18 months at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. He then attended the School of Fire at Fort Sill.

Pullen was named in 1920 by Walp as the second team tackle all-time for Army. Maher named Pullen as honorable mention. In addition, Dan played on the Polo team and was the Broadsword champion his junior year. Pullen graduated fourth in his class out of 83 men. While commissioned in the Corps of Engineers, he was kept at West Point during the autumn of 1910 to assist the football team.

In March 1910, three more future 1914 football players joined the Corps of Cadets – John Forest Goodman of Waco, Texas, Charles Curtiss Herrick of Sayre, Oklahoma, and Tattnall Daniell Simkins of Albany, Georgia, as members of the Class of 1913. Simkins had played football for a year at Georgia Tech and then three years at the University of Georgia as an end. With a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, he entered the academy at age 20 years and five months.

Goodman and Simkins would try out for the football team in the fall of 1910, but would not make it and likely played on the Cullum Hall squad. At the end of the academic year in June 1911, Goodman was found deficient in both Mathematics and Surveying and discharged. He reapplied, and was re-admitted in late August 1911 to join the Class of 1915. Simkins finished his plebe year ranking 45th out of 133 classmates.

Herrick's stay would last four months when he was found deficient in History in July 1910 and discharged. Years later, he related how he felt he had "made a cold 3.0" (made a perfect score) on the history examination. On the exam, he was asked the question – "name six men of the Reformation and six men of the Renaissance and give their principal works" with the question counting one-third of the test. Herrick complained when he found out he failed.

Colonel Adams, the professor of English and History, told him that he got all the men right and got all the works right. But Herrick had tacked on a sentence placing the men of the Reformation in the Renaissance and vice-versa. Colonel Adams gave Herrick a zero on the question because "there were no such men in the periods mentioned." Herrick worked in a factory for a year and re-applied for admission. The Academic Board approved, and he returned to West Point in July 1911 with the Class of 1915.

Tom Hammond was assigned as an Instructor of Mathematics at West Point in July 1910 and was an assistant coach for the next three seasons. Charlie Daly was appointed in 1910 by Mayor Fitzgerald as the Fire Commissioner for the City of Boston, which he served for almost two years. Daly continued to coach for Harvard's football team.

In July 1910, the USMA Superintendent, Colonel Scott, reported that while there was some inconvenience, the transition to admitting New Cadets in March was working well. Three West Point classes, 1912-1914, had been admitted in March each year. Some academic departments faced some difficulty in the transition, but within a year or two, all of the transition would be accomplished. Colonel Scott then proceeded to argue that USMA needed to move to a five-year program, as the current four years were highly congested, with additional academic needs constantly growing.

On August 31st, Major General Thomas Berry became the 27th USMA Superintendent. During the fall of 1910, Berry was having the staff, faculty, and Academic Board review several major issues that would have a direct effect on the future Cadets who would make up the 1914 Army football team.

Harry Nelly again was head football coach for the 1910 season, and he was assisted by Stilwell, Hammond, and Pullen. All members of the 1914 coaching staff had graduated from West Point. The 1910 season got off to an unexpected start when the first game against the University of Vermont was cancelled due to the Cadets silencing the Officer in Charge and the Corps receiving punishment.

At the previous Saturday supper meal, members of the Class of 1911 were upset by the activities of the Officer in Charge, a Captain Rufus E. Longan, and every Cadet sat in silence and refused to eat. Captain Longan ordered the Cadets to leave the Mess Hall. At breakfast the silence continued and the Corps was ordered to leave again. This time, hungry Cadets grabbed food and stashed it inside their blouses. During this period, the Cadets would march back to the barracks. In this case, an officer ordered them to double time, and much of the food fell out.

The Superintendent ordered the suspension of all Cadet privileges, including the cancelation of the football game, the Saturday hop, and other activities. The evening dress parade was re-introduced and an investigation board formed, interviewing members of the First Class and other Cadets. No Cadets were dismissed, but several received disciplinary tours on the area.

Army opened the 1910 season with three straight victories over Tufts, Yale, and Lehigh. It then lost to Harvard 6-0. West Point would win the next three games over Springfield, Villanova, and Trinity. At Philadelphia, Army lost 3-0 to Navy. West Point's record for the season was 6-2.

At the close of the season, Daniel Pullen left West Point Pullen for technical engineering training, six months at the Panama Canal construction, and three months on Ohio River improvements, before attending the Engineer School for a year. In December, Joe Stilwell ended his four year assignment to West Point and was reassigned to the Philippine Islands for a year.

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Chapter 3: 1911 Army Football Season

The end of the 1910 football season and another loss to Navy greeted the Corps of Cadets with dread, but USMA was changing a little that would directly affect the football team. USMA Superintendent Major General Barry had initiated several reviews during fall 1910 of certain practices. After some discussion, the Academic Board decided to abandon the admission of New Cadets each March, and return to admitting them in June. The War Department then approved this and Congress agreed. The Class of 1915 would now enter in June 1911 and would become the largest ever admitted.

The review of the March admittance process discovered that March was an unseasonable time to admit individuals to West Point. The New Cadets had a few days to be "whipped into military shape" before being subjected to academic instruction. There were also issues related to the orderly course of study. And the data suggested that the three March classes did no better than their predecessors in passing the entrance examinations.

General Barry decided to focus on a long-term problem, as USMA was failing to admit enough Cadets each year. The New West Point proposal of 1903 that led to the replacement of older buildings and the addition of new facilities was nearing completion in 1911. But the admission process had not kept pace, for in September 1910, there were 122 vacancies in the Corps of Cadets, which had an authorized strength of 533.

While Barry could not change the admission process faults except through Congressional legislation, he did offer more opportunities for the Class of 1915 by increasing the candidate examinations from one in January to an additional ones in May and July. This resulted in the admission of 247 New Cadets in the summer of 1911. Still, the Corps had 57 vacancies in August 1911 and 19 Congressional districts did not have a single Cadet at West Point.

General Barry also had two other effects on the football team. One was a decision by the Army Athletic Council, the Association's governing board, to appoint Joseph Beacham, an 1897 graduate of Cornell University, as head football coach for the 1911 season. Beacham had played end for four years, and was Cornell's team captain and head coach during his senior year. Beacham earned a law degree from Cornell in 1897, but never practiced. He enlisted in 1898, and received a Silver Star for gallantry for action in the Philippines and was promoted to First Sergeant. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1899 into the Army. In late 1909, he served at West Point in a temporary duty position assisting the 1909 football team. In April 1910, he was assigned as the assistant Quartermaster for USMA. Beacham's appointment certainly was an exception to Army's policy of hiring graduate officers as head football coaches.

The other effect was to review who Army was playing in football. For a number of seasons, Army had been playing the top eastern football teams, such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. These institutions contained male student populations in the thousands, compared to USMA's average of 445 Cadets during the 1905-1910 period. Including the 1911 season, Army had a 4-11-2 record against schools with male populations greater than 1,000; 3-4-1 with those between 620-1,000 students; 4-0-0 against peer sized institutions; and 23-2-3 with schools smaller than 420 male students. Barry and members of the AAA looked at the data, and decided to reduce the number of larger institutions scheduled.

This review also highlighted a growing inequality between Navy and Army. During the 1900-1905 period, the number of Midshipmen grew from 280 to 881. The average Midshipmen population during the 1905-1911 period was 814, almost double Army's 445. USMA would continue to push Congress to authorize more Cadets, but meanwhile continued to stress that the Academic Board was responsible for determining the eligibility of its football players, not any outside body or the Navy.

This review also highlighted some growing problems with Harvard and Yale. Since 1891, Army was required to play all their football games, except for Navy, at West Point. Because they could not play away games, AAA would pay most teams a guarantee to travel to West Point and play Army in football.

Sometime around 1895 or 1897, Harvard asked West Point for car fare to cover their travel from Massachusetts. AAA sent them a check to cover it, but Harvard found out that the AAA had collected money from the Cadets, and returned the check. AAA had no idea how to return the funds to individual Cadets, so they bought a Silver Cup and sent it to Harvard. Since that time, Harvard, and Yale, had never asked for money to play Army. But newer folks at the two institutions questioned why West Point could not come to their home stadiums to play, or would see the growing crowds attend Army-Navy games, and wonder why West Point did not pay guarantees to their team.

For many years, there had been a long and cordial relationship with former Yale coaches, and they provided advice and coaching, without costs. However, the latest generation of Yale coaches were now asking AAA for compensation for their services. This caused concerns among the West Point officers.

Finally, the death of Cadet Eugene Byrne during the 1909 Harvard game and some discourteous conversations afterward between head coaches then and at the 1912 Yale game led some Army Officers to become tired of the patronizing attitudes and expressions and conclude that they did not want any more games with Harvard and Yale.

Tim Cohane certainly did research about the Harvard and Yale game cancellations in preparing his book Gridiron Grenadiers in 1948. He sent letters to many of the individuals involved in AAA or coaching Army football to gain their opinions or share recollections about this issue. Cohane could not find a primary cause for the break-up in relations between the three schools. The last games were in 1910 with Harvard and 1912 with Yale. Army would not play Yale until 1921, and Harvard until 1928.

One of the benefits of having Joseph Beacham as head coach was his willingness to make a few simple changes. For years, Army's football team had struggled without the services of a professional trainer. Teams had stood up well to older, stronger, and better conditioned collegians in the first half only to yield in the second half. Cadets were generally exhausted at halftime.

Henry Tuthill was born in New York in 1870. He grew up in Saginaw, Michigan. He obtained a vast knowledge of athletic training, a specialist in knees and ankles, and had supervised some premier boxers in New York City, including Kid McCoy, Terry McGovern, and Jim Corbett. In 1908, he joined the Detroit Tigers baseball team as their trainer. He became well-known throughout sports for his ability to help injured players return to being able to play. His specialty was reducing sprains in a hurry, something of great value to a football team.

Tuthill came to the attention of Army head coach Joseph Beacham prior to the 1911 football season. Beacham had observed Tuthill's handling of Ty Cobb's legs after various collisions with opposing infielders, and decided he was the right man for the job.

Beacham introduced Tuthill to General Barry after watching the Cadets conduct a parade on The Plain, where the men had done a quarter mile in Full Dress Gray uniform at the double time. The USMA Superintendent questioned whether the team really needed a professional trainer, at an institution where its men were already in such superb physical condition. Harry's answer was atypical of him, "well, I dunno. But if you'll ask these young fellows to run around the block just once more and then ask them to whistle, I think you'll find out."

Tuthill was able to impress Barry and get the job. He would work the Army sidelines and practices for the 1911-1915 seasons while still holding his Detroit job during the baseball season. He was also a favorite of newspapermen, with his gruff manner and grim humor attracted them to him with his tales he could tell of his experiences with many sports stars.

The preseason unofficially started in December 1910 the week after the Navy game. What little free time was available usually started off with five men and a football, and a practice would ensue. Cornell was credited with instituting the idea of spring football practice before the turn of the century, something their new head coach was involved in. But spring practice at West Point was not that organized, typically without any coaches, and usually under the direction of the new team captain, in this case quarterback Robert Hyatt.

On July 14, 1911, the largest group of men up to that date was admitted to West Point, a total of 247 men to join New Cadet Richard Stickney who had showed up on March 1st (he probably did not get the message of the change) With such a large class, a significant number would eventually become members of the 1914 football team – Charles Calvert Benedict, Norman Jay Boots, Thomas James Hanley, Hubert Reilly Harmon, Walter Wood Hess, Leland Stanford Hobbs, Carl Ernest Hocker, Paul Alfred Hodgson, Thomas Bernard Larkin, John Aloysius McDermott, Frank D. McGee, Louis Alfred Merillat, Hugh William Mitchell, Paul Barrows Parker, Henry McElderry Pendleton, Vernon Edwin Prichard, John Ellis Rossell, James Alward Van Fleet, Alexander Mathias Weyand, and Roscoe Barnett Woodruff. Three were sons of USMA graduates – Harmon, Pendleton, and Rossell.

Walter Hess roomed with Charles Herrick during Beast Barracks. Herrick had spent about four months in the Class of 1914, but was discharged for failing history. He was re-admitted, and arrived back at West Point by July 1st. Herrick may have been treated like a recognized plebe, for he called several of the First Classmen by their first names. It wore off a little on Hess, who accidently addressed the King of Beast, Earl Paules, by his nickname "Pred," and received a response "that he better keep that smile off his face."

Of the 1914 men admitted in the summer of 1911 – several had played on other college football teams. These included Hocker (Colorado), Hodgson (Fairmont), Larkin (Gonzaga), Merillat (Armour Institute [Illinois Institute of Technology]), Mitchell (Ohio State), Prichard (Morningside), and Woodruff (Iowa State). Tom Larkin took the entrance examination at the Presidio with about one week's notice and thought that he had not passed it – he had signed up to work on a whaling ship for a year when he saw a discarded newspaper that announced that he had passed.

Omar Nelson Bradley joined his classmates when he was finally admitted on August 1st. I found no reason for the delay, but it was the practice back then to admit men throughout the summer as Cadets. Several other members of the Class of 1915 were admitted that summer that played on the Army football team during the 1911, 1912, and/or 1913 seasons – Richard Gibson, Karl Gorman, Thomas Hearn, Jo Reaney, Richard Stickney, Joseph Swing, and Dwight Eisenhower.

A unique aspect of West Point, summer camp, provided the senior Cadets on the football team the opportunity to turn out the New Cadets to start preliminary practice. As such, a few of the New Cadets started to look promising, such as Alex Weyand, Paul Hodgson, Charles Benedict, and Leland Hobbs. Louis Merillat impressed many because of his speed, telling others he had learned to run so fast "to get away from the tough kids."

Practice began promptly at the beginning of September with eighty Cadets turning out trying to try to make the football team. Beacham was already at West Point and he was joined by Tom Hammond, as well as other resident coaches like Lieutenants Cooper, Zell, Benedict, and Philoon, all veterans of prior seasons; plus new arrivals Lieutenants Gillespie, Westover, and Erwin. Henry Glade would return for his second tour of West Point as a tactical officer near the end of September and assist in coaching or scouting.

September was focused on teaching the fundamentals of the game and trying to fill vacancies at guard, end, and halfback. Veteran players were allowed to do as they pleased during the warm September practices. It was only towards the last week that the first team was put together and practiced in unison. The coaching staff felt that they had a veteran team and were concentrating on filling known gaps and evaluating new players. On September 27th, the University of Pennsylvania announced that the Army-Navy game would be played at Franklin Field on November 25th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving Day.

John Rossell's football career was interrupted all four years by his many tours on the area. But sometimes the son of a military man was able to avoid demerits, such as when he left his rifle bolt in his room, but still went through the motions during the inspection in rank. Other Cadets noticed this, but his tactical officer only paused, thinking something was not quite right, but then turned to the next man in line. Later, he was caught reflecting sunlight using his shaving mirror into the eyes of another officer, and his tactical officer was not amused by the "boyish prank." Rossell would make the football squad his plebe and senior years, but he spent most of those seasons as an area bird.

The day before the Vermont game, two football players were dismissed from West Point. Yearlings Ralph Sasse and Tattnall Simkins were among three yearlings and five plebes who were court-martialed in September for drinking alcohol during summer camp and recommended for dismissal. Back in those days, the court-martial of Cadets had to be approved by the President of the United States, who could agree or could change the punishment.

President Taft commuted the charges for three of the plebes to serving punishment tours on the area for the entire year, but the other four Cadets were discharged on October 6th. Ralph Sasse was originally admitted in March 1909 as part of the Class of 1913, discharged at the end of his plebe year for being deficient in French, and re-admitted in August 1910 as a turnback into the Class of 1914. Sasse and Simkins would be re-admitted to USMA in July 1913 by a special Act of Congress that returned several Cadets to USMA, and both would eventually graduate with the Class of 1916.

A heavy rain preceded the first game with Vermont, and despite playing on a newly sowed field on The Plain, the playing surface turned into a wet and muddy one, making the handling of the football almost impossible. West Point played an open game, but the conditions limited any kind of fast football. Thirty men dressed, and plebe Leland Hobbs started at fullback, being cited in press reports as "dodging through broken fields with a promise of spectacular work by him on dry fields later in the season."

Near the end of the first period, Vermont punted to Army at midfield. Four rushes gained 26 yards and then Army kicked a field goal from placement to make it 3-0. In the third quarter, Vermont punted to Army at midfield but the later field goal was wide. Later, a Vermont player fumbled on his three yard line, Vermont recovered it in the end zone, and was downed for an Army safety. A few plays later, Army attempted another field goal that went wide. A Vermont back was tackled in the end zone for another safety, making the score 7-0.

In the fourth quarter, a drop kick from the Vermont twenty went out of bounds on the Vermont one. Vermont attempted to punt out of danger, but Army blocked the kick and Benny Hoge fell on the football for a touchdown. The goal from touchdown was missed, making it 12-0. The game ended shortly with the Army victory. Besides Hobbs, three other plebes played that day, Vern Prichard at quarterback, left tackle Alex Weyand, and Paul Hodgson at right halfback.

The second game of the season was against Rutgers and played in fair weather. Army recovered a fumble at the Rutgers 35 late in the first period. Four rushing plays moved the ball to the seven yard line when the quarter ended. On the third play of the second quarter, Army scored a touchdown and kicked the goal for touchdown, making it 6-0. Rutgers elected to receive. After Army's kick off, it held Rutgers to little gain.

Rutgers punted it back to Army. Two rushes gained thirty yards. On the next play, Army gained ten but was penalized. A field goal from the Rutgers 40 made the score 9-0. Late in the second quarter, three rushes gained 31 yards to the Rutgers seven as the half ended.

None of the 1914 team members started, but four played and three contributed in some way. They were likely substituted during the second half, after Army had built a 9-0 lead. Alex Weyand substituted in at right tackle, fullback Hodgson, Prichard in at quarterback, and Charles "Schlitz" Benedict substituting in at right halfback.

Hodgson rushed for 27 yards, and Prichard completed three forward passes for another 27 yards. But Army missed a field goal attempt. Hodgson fumbled the ball, which led to two successful forward passes and an unsuccessful field goal attempt by Rutgers. At the end of the third quarter, Army had possession on its seven yard line.

Army tried an onside kick and recovered the football at the thirty. Five rushes, including five yards from Hodgson, gained a total of 51 yards. A drop kicked field goal from the Rutgers 27 made it 12-0. Army returned a punt 25 yards, and gained 17 on the next rush. Benedict made nine, and then he scored a touchdown after a run of 55 yards, the only points earned by a member of the 1914 team during the 1911 season. Army converted the goal from touchdown to make the score 18-0.

After another fumble had given Rutgers the ball on the Army forty, two long runs put it down on the fifteen yard line. Trying a forward pass, Vern Prichard intercepted it to end the attack. Army won 18-0 over Rutgers.

During the practice week before the Yale game, a driving rain on Wednesday turned the field into a small lake. The 1912 Howitzer recalled that it "felt that it would have made a splendid hockey rink. The weekly rain kept the field in treacherous condition at all times so that when the Yale game finally arrived, the team was perfectly at home in a sea of mud." The New York Times report on the Wednesday practice was that "the soldiers seemed to enjoy it as they rolled around in the mud and water trying to keep hold of the slippery pigskin. It looked more like an attempt at water polo than a football practice." Paul Hodgson was still in the hospital and Leland Hobbs had a slight sprain. Schlitz Benedict had been promoted at yesterday's practice to left halfback. The rain would continue to fall until after the Saturday game was over.

On Saturday morning, the field was such a slippery mess that head coach Beacham suggested to the Yale coaching staff that the game be either called off or suspended until Monday. A sponge and bucket squad tried to soak up hundreds of buckets of water off the field. Yale could not stay at West Point until Monday, and was anxious not to lose the game. So both teams agreed to play, to Yale's regret. 5,000 fans braved the conditions of the 14,000 who requested tickets, as there was never a let-up in the rain. After the teams had been on the field for five minutes, only the coaches might have been able to tell one man from another. Army came better prepared for the conditions, as their players had longer spikes on their shoes than Yale did and that may have enabled them to keep on their feet. Contribute that tactic to having trainer Tuthill on the Army staff.

Both teams employed the Minnesota shift in the attack, and except for a fake or two, employed that and punting throughout the game. Yale consistently out kicked Army, but West Point's ends got downfield quickly after punting and took away any advantage that Yale gained. Within three minutes at the start, Army had blocked a punt and recovered the ball at the Yale 22 yard line. On a shift play, Schlitz Benedict then swept through the right wing for fifteen yards and Army scored on the next play. The goal from touchdown was good, making it 6-0. It was the first touchdown that had been made against Yale so far in the season.

During the second period, a short punt gave Yale the ball on the Army 25. Yale threatened but was stopped on the Army 22. Yale attempted a field goal, but Army blocked it and James Gillespie recovered the ball at midfield. He ran it back, slipping in the mud, and was tackled on the Yale two yard line. Yale stopped the next play. On the next play, Army ran the ball over the goal line, but a holding penalty nullified the touchdown. A field goal attempt by West Point was blocked. Another Army field goal was blocked during the third quarter. Yale was unable to sustain any other attack during the game. Yale did not gain a first down in the game.

Alex Weyand started his first game ever at right tackle as did Benedict at left halfback. No other member of the 1914 team got into the game. Army was the more aggressive team, winning its second straight game over Yale, 6-0. Despite the conditions, few fumbles occurred, and there were a few spectacular runs made. The work of Tuthill was clearly evident in the spirit and dash of the men, according to the 1912 Howitzer.

On Wednesday's practice, Paul Hodgson was able to practice after being out for two weeks. He did the punting for the varsity, while Weyand played well at tackle and Prichard quarterbacked the scrub team. On another field, the Cullum Hall team defeated the Stevens Institute reserves, 10-0.

On Saturday during the first period, Army intercepted a forward pass and returned it the Lehigh 12. Army lost ground and then attempted a field goal from the twenty five that missed. Lehigh punted out of danger, and Army returned it seven yards. Two rushes gained twenty. From a punt formation, Army completed a forward pass to the Lehigh four as the period ended. On the first play of the second period, Army scored a touchdown. The goal from touchdown was missed. Army led 5-0 at halftime over Lehigh.

In the third period, Army received a punt and returned it to midfield. Four rushes gained 34 yards. But Lehigh held and Army made a dropped kick field goal for an 8-0 score. Lehigh and Army exchanged punts. The Lehigh punt returner muffed the catch. Benny Hoge recovered the ball at the twenty three and ran it across the goal line. Arnold kicked the goal from touchdown, making it 14-0. After kicking off to Lehigh, they punted back to Army. Robert Hyatt caught the ball at midfield and returned it to the Lehigh 20. Two rushes moved it to the seven. Lehigh tackled the fullback for a loss. Arnold kicked the field goal from placement, upping the score to 17-0.

Lehigh was only able to threaten the Army goal once all game, moving to the Army one yard line until stopped by the West Point defense at the end of the third quarter. An onside kick by Army was recovered by Hoge on the Lehigh 20. After a rush around end for 18, Army was stopped. Geoffrey Keyes kicked a drop kick for a field goal. Army's varsity played a fine game, beating Lehigh 20-0.

Schlitz Benedict earned his second start at right halfback. He was injured during the game and had to leave the field early. Weyand substituted at left tackle, Hobbs in at fullback, and Prichard came in at quarterback.

The next week, West Point was surprised by the strength and skill of the Georgetown team. During the first quarter, Georgetown moved down the field to the Army nine, and West Point was able to block the attempted dropkick to prevent a score. Another attack in the second period led to a missed dropkick field goal on the part of the visitors. Army attempted two drop kicks each in the third and fourth quarter, and tried another goal from placement in the fourth period, without scoring. Army fumbled throughout the game, and was the final score was a 0-0 tie. Alex Weyand started his second game at left tackle and Paul Hodgson substituted in the game at left halfback.

The tie had a positive effect on the West Point team, and the next week Army came out with plenty of speed and scoring ability against Bucknell. Army scored after two minutes in the first period, thanks to Gilbert Cook recovering a blocked punt and returning it 45 yards for a touchdown. Cook also kicked the goal from placement, making the score 6-0. A few plays later, Army drove to the Bucknell two yard line but lost the ball on downs. Bucknell quickly punted short. Cook then dropped kick a goal from the Bucknell 35 yard line, raising the score to 9-0.

Hodgson was able to make some nice runs around end and sent some punts deep over the heads of the opponents. Army was able to score two touchdowns in the second quarter thanks to Bucknell fumbles. The first was due to an onside kick that Franklin Sibert fell on the football in the end zone for a touchdown. Cook kicked the goal from touchdown making the score 15-0. After another Bucknell fumble, Joseph McDonald rushed it 65 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was missed, making the score 20-0.

In the fourth period, Bucknell blocked a punt and recovered it on the Army 45. They were able to use forward passes to move deep into Army territory, moving to the Army six yard line before being held on downs. Keyes punt from the end zone was blocked and he was tackled by Bucknell for a safety, the first score on Army this season. The game ended in a 20-2 Army win. Alex Weyand started at left tackle, Paul Hodgson started at fullback, and Leland Hobbs substituted for Hodgson.

On Wednesday, two inches of slush forced Army to practice in the riding hall. This limited preparations, as the team did not scrimmage on the tanbark. The team just lined up and rehearsed all the plays planned to be run on Saturday. There were several varsity men injured or in hospital.

Alex Weyand started at left tackle and Paul Hodgson started at left halfback versus Colgate. Hodgson's punting gave Army an advantage in field positon. Early in the first period, an Army pass put the ball on the Colgate twenty. Hyatt ran around right end for the touchdown, and Cook kicked the goal from touchdown to make the score 6-0. Colgate responded with their fleet of little backs that tore around the Army flanks, moving to the West Point 15 yard line, and two plays later they scored, the first touchdown scored on Army this season. The halftime score was 6-6.

In the third quarter, a Colgate punt was blocked in the end zone and recovered by Sibert for a touchdown. Cook kicked the goal from placement. The rest of the second half was played mostly in Colgate's territory, and Army missed an attempted drop kick for a field goal. The game ended in an Army 12-6 victory. Army only substituted four players, with Hodgson being substituted out of the game during the second quarter. Schlitz Benedict had not played in the last three games due to injury.

The Army football team entered the Navy week preparations with a mostly senior varsity team preparing to play the Midshipmen on Saturday. Nine of the eleven starters were seniors, and the remaining two were juniors, turned back from the Class of 1912. Had Schlitz Benedict been healthy, he may have made the starting line-up. Most Army coaching staffs tended to play seniors ahead of underclassmen, especially plebes.

The Corps of Cadets waded through mud to the West Point railroad station to give the football team a rousing sendoff on Friday. The team left West Point before 7:30 am on the West Shore train. About fifty Cadets with coaches and trainers traveled with the team, but it did not go to Philadelphia. The team spent Friday night in Wayne to avoid the bustle of the city, then traveled to the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia on Saturday morning. The Corps left West Point at 7:20 am Saturday morning and arrived in Philadelphia about 1:30 pm. Officers and residents of the post arrived on a special train about 25 minutes later. Twenty six Cadets remained at West Point to march afternoon punishment tours.

Yale would be playing at Harvard and the nation's attention would be focused on the two games. Princeton had beaten both Yale and Harvard, but Navy tied them and was undefeated. Army was also undefeated with its victory over Yale and a tie to Georgetown. Press reports assessed each team's strengths and weaknesses as about equal, giving Navy a decided edge in punting and field goal kicking. The 1911 college football season had seen games develop into a kicking [punting] contest with teams of equal strengths.

The official Army records record the Army-Navy game on Friday, November 24th, but the 1912 Howitzer and press reports show the game played on Saturday, the 25th. Navy won the toss and chose to defend the west goal, with a strong wind favoring them. The kickoff was fielded near the Navy twenty and returned five yards. After one line plunge for two yards, Navy punted. Army returned the punt to its 30. Keyes ran around the end on a fake kick formation for ten yards. Another line plunge gained seven. Another run from a fake kick formation around left end moved the ball to midfield. Army was only able to gain a yard, and punted back to Navy's ten, which they returned to the twenty. After one line plunge, Navy punted. Army returned it five yards, but was penalized for interference, and Navy had the ball.

After failing to gain after one play, Navy punted to the Army seven, and West Point punted to the Army forty. A penalty pushed Navy back to midfield. Navy punted, but was called for interference and re-kicked. Army punted the ball back to midfield, and Navy fumbled with West Point recovering it. Three running plays moved the ball to the Navy 25. An Army fumble that it recovered and then a holding call pushed the ball back to the Navy 42 yard line. Army tried an onside kick to Navy's 25 that the Midshipmen recovered. Time was called before Navy could punt, ending the first quarter.

Army substituted both ends at the start of the second period. Navy punted from its 25, and Army returned it ten yards. After a four yard run, West Point kicked an onside kick to the Navy 15 but could not recover the ball. Navy punted, and Army signaled a fair catch on the Navy 45. Two running plays pushed the ball to the Navy 33. Hyatt's drop kick for goal was wide, giving Navy the ball on its 25. Navy and then Army exchanged punts, with Navy was now on its 15. Navy punted out of danger. Army tried another onside kick, but it rolled across the goal line, with the Midshipmen gaining the ball on their 25.

Navy punted, and West Point punted it back to the Navy thirty, where it signaled fair catch, but returned it five yards. Navy was penalized, then Army called for interfering with the center, putting the ball on the Navy 40 in their possession. Navy runs of five, fifteen, and twenty occurred, but the Midshipman fumbled on the last rush. Army recovered it, but the officials awarded the ball to Navy on the Army 35. Two plays moved it five yards but Army stopped the attack. Navy then successfully kicked a goal from placement into the wind for a 3-0 lead.

Army kicked off and Navy returned it ten yards. Navy's punt was partially blocked but recovered by Navy at its 35. Navy punted to midfield, and Army returned it five yards. Army punted to the Navy 25 and tackled the punt returner immediately. Time was called ending the first half, with Navy leading, 3-0.

Army returned its two starting ends back in the game. Army's kickoff was returned to the Navy 45. After one line plunge, Navy punted to the Army twenty and it rolled over the goal line. Army got the ball on its 25, and punted the football to midfield. Navy rushed the ball twice for little gain. Navy punted to the Army 12. Army punted to the Army 45, but Navy fumbled and West Point recovered it on the Army 38. After two runs, Robert Littlejohn, the Army tackle, was shaken up, but trainer Tuthill got him on his feet. Several more runs moved the ball to the Navy 41. Army tried an onside kick, but Navy recovered it on their eleven yard line. Navy and Army exchanged punts, and Navy had the ball again on its 25.

Navy punted to midfield. Army rushed the ball four times and a Navy holding penalty put the ball on the Navy 31. Keyes tried a goal from placement, but the ball went wide and high, and Navy caught it on their ten. Navy elected to make a free kick, and the punt carried to the Army 38 yard line. Army returned the punt 35 yards. Unable to gain, Army prepared for a field goal attempt, but it was blocked and recovered by Navy. The third quarter ended with the ball on the Army 42 yard line.

Navy had the wind in the fourth period and that gave them an advantage in the kicking game. Navy was penalized for holding. Navy and Army exchanged punts, twice. Navy fumbled the punt the second time, with Army recovering. Army punted again. After Navy lost two yards, it punted. It was blocked, and Army recovered it. After a failed rush, Army punted. Navy fumbled and Army recovered. Army and Navy exchanged punts. Army punted back. Navy made an eighteen yard run on a fake kick formation. The Midshipmen then lost two yards and punted.

Army threw an incomplete forward pass and punted. After one line plunge, Navy punted. Louie Merillat was substituted at right end for Army. Two forward passes were tried, one being batted down by Navy and the other dropped by the receiver. Army punted to midfield. Navy rushed twice and was on the Army 48 when time was called, ending the game with a Navy victory, 3-0.

Merillat was the only member of the 1914 football team who played in the 1911 Navy game. A total of 17 men played, seven seniors, four juniors, two yearlings, and one plebe. Louis Merillat and Alex Weyand would earn letters. The team returned to West Point before 4 pm on Sunday afternoon, and were greeted by the battalion of Cadets, the USMA Band, and hundreds of officers and local residents. Harry Tuthill had become a favorite with the Cadets and received a Long Yell. The welcome was quite enthusiastic despite the loss to Navy. The usual custom of electing next season's captain on the train did not occur.

On Tuesday, the USMA Superintendent General Barry's congratulations letter to the Naval Academy was received by USNA Superintendent Captain Gibbons. Captain Gibbons replied and paid tribute to the stubborn battle and stiff defense by the Army team and the Cadets' sportsmanlike way of taking their defeat.

Ten members of the 1914 football team played on the 1911 team. They accounted for nine starts and played in 22 games (Benedict, Hobbs, Hodgson, Merillat, Prichard, and Weyand). Schlitz Benedict was the only one to score a touchdown that season. Those on the team who did not play in a game were Hubert Harmon, Walter Hess, Thomas Larkin, and John Rossell.

Several other members of the 1914 team played on the Cullum Hall team during the 1911 season – Norman Boots, Omar Bradley, John Goodman, Thomas Hanley, Hubert Harmon, Charles Herrick, Carl Hocker, John McDermott, Frank McGee, Hugh Mitchell, Paul Parker, James Van Fleet, and Roscoe Woodruff. In addition, Vern Prichard also played a game or two with Cullum Hall.

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Chapter 4: 1912 Army Football Season

In early December, the juniors on the 1911 football team elected Leland Devore, starting left tackle, to be the captain for the 1912 team. Devore stood almost six-foot, four inches and weighed over 200 pounds. He received selection to several All-Eastern teams. Devore was from West Virginia and also played varsity basketball at West Point.

About five weeks after the 1911 Army-Navy game, several football players were struggling to remain at West Point, as the academic departments determined which Cadets were deficient at the end of the first term. John Goodman was close in plebe Mathematics, but managed to become proficient. However, Paul Parker did not, and on January 9, 1912, he was discharged from USMA. He would be re-admitted in late August and would join the Class of 1916.

On March 12th, the AAA announced the 1912 season. Harvard and Princeton were dropped from the schedule. The big games would be against Yale, Carlisle Indians, Syracuse, and Navy. The AAA was also considering who the next head football coach would be, as Joseph Beacham had departed the USMA staff and faculty for reassignment at the end of 1911. AAA's attention focused on Captain Ernest "Pot" Graves, Class of 1905.

Graves had been called back on temporary duty to assist Head Coach Henry Smithers during the 1906 season. After the first game was played, Smithers was ordered to Cuba, and Pot became the head coach for the remainder of the season. After the season ended, he went to Cuba and spent much of 1907 training the Cuban engineers and mapping the island. He then returned to Washington Barracks (the present Fort McNair) to spend a year at the Engineer School. During the 1907 football season, he spent a week coaching linemen at Harvard and provided assistance to the Army football team.

During the 1908 football season, Harvard head coach Percy Houghton requested assistance from President Roosevelt for Graves to provide coaching to his linemen. After some resistance, Pot spent a few weeks coaching the line. After Harvard had defeated Yale for the first time in almost a decade, he was presented a gold watch for his efforts by the team. He then departed that evening for his next assignment, the Philippine Islands.

Graves spent much of his time constructing the fortifications on Corregidor. In April 1911, he returned to the States and reported first to Fort Sam Houston, then in July to Fort Leavenworth. In October 1911, he was assigned with the Dallas River and Harbor District. On March 2nd, Graves was promoted to Captain in the Corps of Engineers. During the spring, the Army Athletic Council voted and hired Pot to be the head coach for the 1912 football season. The War Department would assign him to West Point on temporary duty during the season.

It was unclear whether Army conducted any spring football practice or not. If any was conducted, the Cadets may have received assistance from resident coaches on the USMA staff and faculty, such as Herman Glade and Tom Hammond, plus some of the 1911 coaching staff members such as Cooper, Zell, Benedict, and Westover.

New Cadets arrived at West Point on June 14, 1912, and they included several members of the 1914 football team – William Hamilton Britton, William Edwin Coffin, James Mitchell Crane, William Morris Hoge, Dean Hudnutt, Robert Reese Neyland, Joseph James O'Hare, Douglas Jenkins Page, James Cuyler Peterman, Fay Brink Prickett, Charles Compton Smith, Joseph Kivas Tully, and Edgar Addison Walker. Two were sons of USMA graduates – Crane and Smith.

During summer camp, the First Classmen conducted reviews of the New Cadets regarding their football talents, especially those that had played at other colleges, such as Britton (Coe), Coffin (North Carolina), Crane (VMI), Hudnutt (Albion), and Neyland (Burleson Junior College, Texas A&M). Fay Prickett had enlisted in the Kansas National Guard at the age of 14, and served four years as his company's bugler.

General Barry was notified during the summer of his reassignment to Governor's Island. Colonel Clarence P. Townsley, Class of 1881, became the 28th Superintendent of the USMA on August 31, 1912. Townsley would serve almost four years at West Point.

AAA had decided that it would only field four varsity teams during the 1913-1914 academic year – football, basketball, ice hockey, and baseball. It suspended the fencing team, even though it had won the inter-collegiate national championship during the last season, as West Point wanted to develop more Cadets using inter-class or intramural competitions.

Pot arrived at West Point on Sunday, September 1st, and planned to start football practice that week. Graves found that the USMA staff and faculty had few men available to assist him in coaching the football team. Most of the 1911 coaching staff had left West Point for reassignment either in December or August, with only three men remaining. Lieutenant Oscar Westover was an instructor in the Department of Drawing, but Graves chose not to keep him as a coach. Pot did choose two men he knew well, his classmate Tom Hammond, and Herman Glade, who was one of his coaches from 1902-1904, then a fellow coach on the 1905-1906 teams.

Daniel Sultan had recently arrived at West Point in late August as an instructor to the Department of Engineering. Graves played with Sultan on the 1904 team and had coached him as a lineman during his next three years. Graves knew that they could not adequately coach the team with just four coaches.

Graves arranged to have three members of the recently graduated Class of 1912 returned to West Point on temporary duty prior to reporting to their new regiment. Archibald Arnold, John Wood, and William Dean arrived at West Point on September 12th for duty with the football team. Arnold had played tackle, Dean substituted at halfback, and Wood was at end during the 1911 Navy game. Each had lettered their last three seasons, with Dean earning four football letters.

Sultan had just spent four years at the Engineer School and probably had a hand in recommending that Daniel Pullen be added to the coaching staff. Pullen had just arrived in early September to attend the Engineering School at Washington Barracks. After one of the shortest stays as a student officer, Pullen reported on temporary duty on September 16th to coach the Army football team for the remainder of the season.

Graves also arranged to have a former Army head football coach return to West Point. Since 1908, Robert Boyers had been serving as Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Riverside Academy in Poughkeepsie, New York. Boyers had lettered four years playing center at Army, and was a consensus All-American for the 1902 season. He graduated in the Class of 1903, and served as an assistant coach during the 1903 season. AAA selected him to be Army's head football coach during the 1904 and 1905 seasons. Boyers arrived October 12th for duty with the football team.

In addition, Graves welcomed the return of Harry Tuthill as trainer. Tuthill was the trainer for the Detroit Tigers baseball club, and had been hired to be the football team trainer during the 1911 season. His excellent work led to his reappointment to that position by the Army Athletic Council.

Tuthill was a favorite of the Cadets. The 1913 Howitzer said "If one thing is greatly essential in the attainment of victories, it is the possession of a good trainer. In Harry Tuthill we have had an invaluable asset. He has served us well and we feel a sincere gratitude for his loyalty and hard work. Because he is a great trainer; because he has improved the spirit among us; and because we like him as a neighbor and a man, we sincerely hope that he will return to us again this fall."

Football practice started on Saturday, September 7th, with "an exceedingly large squad turned out" according to the 1913 Howitzer. The team would practice Wednesday and Saturday afternoons during September. Within a few weeks, the squad was divided between those making the Army football team, and those who would play on the Cullum Hall squad. The yearling members of the 1914 team who made the 1912 squad were Charles Benedict (running back), Jay Boots (running back), Dwight Eisenhower (halfback), Thomas Hanley (end), Charles Herrick (guard), Walter Hess (running back), Leland Hobbs (halfback), Carl Hocker (running back), Paul Hodgson (running back), Thomas Larkin (tackle), Frank McGee (running back), Louis Merillat (end), Vernon Prichard (quarterback), Alex "Babe" Weyand (tackle/guard), and Roscoe Woodruff (running back). Noted football sports writer Grantland Rice claims that Eisenhower name Weyand "Babe" during this season.

The plebe members of the 1914 team who made the 1912 squad were William Britton (end), William Coffin (halfback), and Joseph O'Hare (guard/tackle). 1914 team members who played some time on the Cullum Hall squad this season included Bradley, Goodman, Harmon, Hodgson, Rossell, Van Fleet, Hoge, Hudnutt, Page, Parker, Prickett, Smith, and Joseph Tully.

I suspect that Graves used Herman Glade to provide scouting of the next Army opponent. On Saturday, September 28th, Glade was at Princeton, where he watched the Tigers swamp Stevens 65-0. Starting on Monday, September 30th, football practices expanded to each afternoon Monday through Friday. Graves prepared the team to meet Stevens Institute on Saturday. Late in the week, Pot decided his line-up for the Stevens game, and the 1914 team members who started were Schlitz Benedict (fullback), Leland Hobbs (halfback), Tom Larkin (tackle), Joseph O'Hare (guard), and Vern Prichard (quarterback).

On Saturday, October 5th, Army went out to a 7-0 lead at halftime, than scored three times in the second half for a 27-0 victory. Stevens Institute would finish the year with a record of 1-9-0, winning only over Johns Hopkins. Charles Herrick, Paul Hodgson, and Louis Merillat substituted into the game. Hobbs and Hodgson both scored a touchdown, and Prichard kicked a goal from touchdown, while missing another. Glade was again at Princeton, where he watched the Tigers swamp Rutgers 41-6.

The next Saturday against Rutgers, Graves started Benedict (fullback), Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower (halfback), "Romeo" Hobbs (halfback), "Red" O'Hare (guard), and Prichard (quarterback), making it an all-yearling backfield. Rutgers gave Army a better game than expected. During the first quarter, Rutgers lost 60 yards to offside and fumbling. After an Army interception, Hobbs and Eisenhower alternated rushes down to the Rutgers ten yard line, when Romeo took the ball over goal for a touchdown. During the second period, Benedict and Hobbs carried the ball down deep into Rutgers territory. Prichard then completed his first forward pass for a touchdown. Rutgers moved into Army territory, but was stopped. "Louie" Merillat then came into the game. On the next possession, Army ran the ball down to the Rutgers thirty. Vern then completed a forward pass to Louie, who scored a touchdown. Prichard missed the goal from touchdown. Army led 19-0 at halftime.

Graves substituted second and third team men, including Jay Boots and "P.A." Hodgson, at the beginning of the second half. The Cadets did not have an easy time. Rutgers was able to complete two forward passes and found themselves on the Army ten or three yard line. But Rutgers fumbled and West Point recovered and promptly punted out of danger to stop the threatened score. The game ended in a 19-0 victory. Hobbs and Prichard showed much ability in carrying the ball, and Army executed several forward passes. Rutgers would win their first game of the season the next weekend against Hobart, 16-7. They would finish the season with a 5-4-0 record.

Meanwhile, Herman Glade was in New Haven, Connecticut, watching Yale play their fourth game of the season, and first game ever against Lafayette. Yale had beat Wesleyan 10-3, Holy Cross 7-0, and Syracuse 21-0 during the previous weeks. Lafayette played a plucky game, but Yale still won 16-0. At West Point, Yale had their own scout, Jim Scully, who reported "that the Army had a well-drilled attack and takes advantage of opponent's mistakes."

There was so much concern about the state of the Yale defense that a large coaches' council convened at the Hotel Taft in New Haven that Sunday evening. It included Jack Field, Pa Corbin, Walter Camp, Jack Owsley, and the resident coaches Howe, Scully, McDevitt, and Vaughan. The coaches sent telegrams to Foster Sanford to delay leaving for Europe and to Tom Shevlin to come from Minnesota to provided needed coaching. West Point had beaten Yale the last two seasons, and no American college team had ever won three years in a row against them.

Both teams practiced that week expecting to come out victorious. Yale practiced Friday afternoon in secret, and concentrated on catching and running back punts. They left New Haven at 7 pm Friday, traveling and staying overnight in New York City. The 33 players left the city early Saturday morning by ship up the Hudson River, accompanied by several hundred supporters. Yale expected to score at least two touchdowns. Yale has an adequate but not spectacular quarterback in Cornell, and hopes to counter Army's punting with long returns by Flynn.

Rain fell hard that Saturday morning at West Point, and many thought they would see a repeat of the muddy 1911 contest. The rain stopped shortly around noon, and the field dried quickly before the first players came out. Some players felt the field was a little soft. The sun peaked through the clouds shortly after the opening kickoff. The temperatures were comfortable for the crowd, but a little too warm for the football players. Ten thousand fans filled The Plain to see the Yale game, and several thousand without tickets roamed the reservation. General Barry, former Superintendent, and Rear Admiral Osterhaus, Commander of the Atlantic Fleet, were both in attendance.

Traditionally, Yale and Harvard had always agreed to play shortened quarters against West Point. But the Yale captain did not agree to Devore's request to play ten minute quarters. Graves approached the Yale coaches and made his own request. The Yale coaches turned their backs on Pot. Because of an injury during the practice that week, the Army captain was not able to play in the game. Starters included Benedict (fullback), Charles "Daddy" Herrick (guard), Hobbs (halfback), Tom Larkin (tackle), and Prichard (quarterback).

Yale chose to defend the south goal. Army received the kickoff at 3:05 pm at its fifteen yard line and returned it to the Army 30. Hobbs went ten yards around the left end. Schlitz Benedict failed to gain anything on a line plunge. Romeo went around end gaining two. West Point was called for holding on the next play, and lost fifteen yards. From a punting formation, Prichard went left around the end and made seven yards. On fourth down, Army punted and both ends downed the Yale player immediately on his 35.

Yale's line plunge netted no gain, and they punted out of bounds at the Army 35 yard line. A line plunge gained nothing. On the next play, Yale was called for holding and the ball was moved to the Yale 45 and a first down. Three rushing plays netted five yards, and an attempted dropkicked field goal by Geoffrey Keyes carried only to the twenty where the football was downed.

Yale tried a run around right end, but lost five yards. Standing on its goal line, Yale punted to the Yale 45 yard line. Army rushed twice while gaining only two yards. A forward pass by Prichard was incomplete. An Army punt was caught at the Yale 20 and was tackled immediately by the two Army ends. Yale punted immediately to the Army 40, and tackled the punt returner immediately.

Hobbs gained ten yards and a first down at midfield. Yale held on several rushes, and Army punted to the Yale twenty. The Yale player returned the punt in a spectacular forty yard run to the Army 40, pushing aside a half dozen Cadets in the process. Three rushes pushed to ball to the Army 25 for a first down. Three rushes netted five yards. On fourth down, Yale's field goal attempt was high and just went outside one of the uprights.

From the twenty, Hobbs punted to the Yale 40. The player caught the ball and fell on the ground. But because he was not touched by an Army player, he got up and ran fifteen yards to the Army 45. Three rushes moved it to the 33 and a first down. After a two yard line plunge, Yale completed a clever pass to put the ball on the Army 22 and another first down. A rush around the left gained nothing. Another Yale rush went up the middle to the Army ten yard line and a first down as the first period ended.

The teams switched sides, with Army now defending the south goal. Yale's first rush gained five yards. A line plunge gained two. Philbin went over the goal line for the Yale touchdown. Yale missed the goal after touchdown even though they were directly in front of the goal posts. Yale now led 6-0 in the opening minutes of the second quarter.

Army elected to kickoff. Hobbs kicked off to the Yale 30. Yale failed to gain on several rushes and punted. Army tried to penetrate the Yale defenses, but then had to punt. Yale tried a rush and then punted back to Army from its 35 yard line. The punt landed around the seven and then rolled over the goal line, going a distance of 58 yards in the air. Army got the ball on the twenty, and rushed for ten yards before being called for a hold. From its five, Army punted it to the Army 40. Yale fumbled the catch, and Army recovered the football. Army failed to gain, so Hobbs punted to Flynn, who caught it on his five yard line and returned it to midfield.

Yale gained ten yards and a first down on three rushes, but a holding call on Yale pushed the ball back 15 yards. Yale punted. Army failed to gain and punted back to Yale. Yale fumbled the catch, and it was Army's ball on the Yale 40. A Yale player was hurt and had to leave the field. Army made five yards on its first rush. Prichard tried a forward pass to one of the ends but he failed to catch it. Prichard then threw to the other end incomplete. Keyes tried another dropkicked field goal from the Yale 35. The kick was short, Yale caught the ball on its eight yard line, and was downed immediately. The first half ended before Yale could begin another play, with Yale beating Army, 6-0.

The teams exchanged goals at the beginning of the third quarter, with Yale defending the south goal. Army kicked off, and Yale returned it to its thirty. After failing to gain, Yale punted. Army and Yale exchanged punts. Yale intercepted a Prichard forward pass on the Yale 32. Two rushes netted ten yards and a first down. Another run gained thirteen yards and another first down. Keyes was hurt on the play and Dwight Eisenhower came in for him.

Three rushes moved Yale to the Army 35 and a first down. A great forward pass put the football on the 20 yard line. Three rushes moved it to the seven yard line and a first down. A touchdown seemed a certainty. In three attempts, Yale gained six yards. Yale rushed on fourth down, but the back fumbled it on the one yard line and West Point recovered it. Hobbs punted immediately back to Yale. The punt returner fumbled the catch but then recovered it on the Yale 35. Yale threw an incomplete forward pass out of bounds at midfield, giving Army the football. The third quarter ended shortly with Army gaining a few yards.

Early in the fourth period, Army intercepted a pass on the Army 22. A series of running plays and a completed pass moved it to the Yale twenty. Incomplete passes and a holding call ended the Army threat with only a few minutes left in the game. Several substitutes entered the game for each side in the final minutes. There was an exchange of punts. Army had the ball at midfield when the game ended. Yale beat Army, 6-0. Yale would win seven straight games before being tied by Princeton 6-6 and losing to Harvard 20-0, finishing the season 7-1-1.

Hodgson, Merillat, and O'Hare played in the game as substitutes. The absence of Devore on the left side of the line allowed Yale some success in their line plunging. Yale hurt themselves by fumbling four punt returns and losing three of them to Army. Yale's center, Ketcham, distinguished himself by getting down the field during punts and quickly tackling the Army receiver. Hobbs was cited as doing stellar work in the backfield. Army's defense held Yale to just four first downs.

During the next week, an article in The New York Times said "Eastern football experts are of the opinion that the Army eleven has the best quarterback of the season in Cadet Prichard. He has shown up well in all West Point's games this year. He is an expert dodger, a speedy open field runner, a fine field general and football strategist. Coach Daly says Prichard will be the All-American selection for the position this fall."

Charlie Daly was serving as Boston's fire commissioner since 1910 by day, and each afternoon was assisting Percy Haughton in coaching quarterbacks and the backfield for Harvard. Sometime during the season, Pot Graves arranged for his West Point classmate to come down to West Point one or two days a week to provide coaching to Army's quarterbacks and backfield.

We do not know when this arrangement started, if it occurred before or after the Yale game. Certainly, Harvard would have had an interest in helping any opponent of Yale win, and having Daly come to West Point on Thursday or Friday would have offered Daly the chance to scout Yale too. However, I suspect that the Yale defeat prompted Graves, Daly, and Haughton to implement this arrangement, as Army generated only one meaningful offensive attack all game against Yale, and Prichard's forward passing was not too effective. Whenever it started, it had an impact on Dan Sultan and Tom Hammond, who directly observed the coaching talents of Charlie Daly.

On October 26th, Army met a hard charging Colgate team. Colgate started the season with a 13-7 upset at Cornell. They then lost 13-0 at Amherst but rebounded at home to beat Hobart 12-2. Colgate then beat Trinity 24-7 the weekend before their game with West Point.

Graves decided to start Benedict (fullback), Herrick (guard), Hobbs (halfback), Larkin (tackle), and Prichard (quarterback). Colgate and Army agreed to play ten and twelve minute quarters.

At the beginning of the first period, Colgate's Huntington passed to Riley standing along the left sideline at his forty, and he ran straight down the field before being tackled by Vern Prichard at the Army twelve. Three rushing plays later, Colgate scored a touchdown and then kicked the goal from touchdown to lead 7-0 after three minutes of play.

Army elected to receive the kick off, and the Cadets, led by Keyes and Benedict carrying the ball, moved down the field to the Colgate ten yard line. Two plays later, Leland Hobbs rushed five yards and scored the touchdown, but Keyes missed the goal from touchdown, making the score 7-6 in Colgate's favor. Tom Larkin, starting for still injured team captain Devore at tackle, was hurt early in the game. Plebe Red O'Hare came into the game for Larkin and played well.

In the second period, Prichard completed a thirty yard pass to John Markoe. Rushes by Keyes, Hobbs, and Benedict moved to ball close to the Colgate goal, but Army lost the ball on downs. Later in the quarter, Keyes scored a touchdown after a drive of 22 plays, but missed the goal from touchdown. Army gained the ball at midfield in the waning minutes of the second period, and moved it to the Colgate one yard line. A holding call pushed West Point back fifteen yards when time was called. Army led at halftime, 12-7.

During the fourth quarter, Dwight Eisenhower and Paul Hodgson, roommates, came in the game and did some fine running. Vern Prichard scored a rushing touchdown. Again, the goal from touchdown kick was missed. Army beat Colgate 18-7.

While Colgate did not threaten again after its only score, the game was dominated by hard straight football by both sides, with Prichard and Huntington making several forward passes. Hobbs, Benedict, and Keyes were also cited in press reports. "The game with Colgate proved to be a good, fast, spectacular contest," according to the 1913 Howitzer. Colgate would finish the season three weekends later by beating Syracuse 6-0 and finishing with a 5-2-0 record.

On Thursday, the Army football team received word of two deaths on October 30th. The first involved Yale's star guard Theodore York, who passed away that night due to double pneumonia contracted after the West Point game. York had played the entire game at right guard, but was found to have broken two ribs. An abscess formed during the next week, and he was taken to the college infirmary late the next week and blood poisoning had developed, with pneumonia setting in. He was twenty years old, was playing in his second football season and was a member of the freshman crew squad. He was the first Yale football player to die from injuries in a game since George Watkinson's death in 1885. I am sure that the Army football team paid their respects.

The second death involved the Vice President, James S. Sherman. Sherman had served in the House of Representatives from his New York district for twenty years when William Howard Taft selected him to join his presidential ticket that won the 1908 election. Though in poor health due to a worsening kidney condition, Sherman accepted re-nomination at the Republican Convention in August. His death in his home in Utica, New York, came just days before the 1912 election, one that President Taft came in third to Woodrow Wilson and Teddy Roosevelt. The Secretary of War, Henry Stimson, suspended all duties at USMA and the football game scheduled for Saturday against Holy Cross was cancelled. The Corps of Cadets probably attended Sherman's funeral in Utica.

Idle for two weeks, West Point faced the Carlisle Indians. Carlisle was coached by Glenn "Pop" Warner and entered the game with a 9-0-1 record, the only blemish being at 0-0 tie at Washington & Jefferson. Jim Thorpe was captain and its star player. Lars Anderson wrote an excellent book that described the events leading up to, during, and after the game in Carlisle vs. Army: Jim Thorpe, Dwight Eisenhower, Pop Warner, and the Forgotten Story of Football's Greatest Battle.

Graves' starting line-up included Eisenhower (halfback), Herrick (guard), Hobbs (halfback), and Prichard (quarterback). Both teams were keyed to a high pitch. Carlisle received the opening kickoff in front of 3,000 spectators, and Thorpe, initially fumbling the ball but picking it up, returned it to his 28. Arcasa ran around right end for 15, Thorpe ran around left end for 15, Powell made seven, and Thorpe twenty to the Army fifteen yard line, where he fumbled the ball. Vern Prichard recovered it for Army. After Eisenhower gained five, Army punted back to Carlisle on their thirty.

Carlisle combined runs and passing to move quickly to the Army 22, in spite of being called for holding. Eisenhower made several key tackles during the drive. Carlisle's Powell was put out of the game by the officials during the possession for unnecessary roughness against Charles Herrick and penalized 27 yards. A Carlisle pass was intercepted by Army.

Hobbs ran twenty yards to the Carlisle 16. Two rushes by Keyes and Hobbs moved the ball to the four. Three plays later, Hobbs circled his left end for a touchdown. Prichard's goal from touchdown missed. Army led 6-0. It would be their only points of the game.

In the second quarter, after receiving a punt at the Army 44 yard line, Thorpe returned it 17 yards. Arcasa and Thorpe carried the ball on three plays down to the six. Bergle scored a touchdown by a line plunge and Thorpe kicked the goal from touchdown. Carlisle now led Army 7-6 and that was the score at halftime.

A Hobbs punt to Arcasa to the Carlisle 43 led to a drive to the Army five, where Carlisle lost the ball on downs. Keyes punted from behind his goal line, and Thorpe caught it at midfield. He returned it 25 yards. Several short plunges moved the ball to the Army four. Arcasa scored and Thorpe kicked the extra point, making it Carlisle 14, Army 6. Arcasa received the kickoff and returned it to his thirty. Runs of five to fifteen yards followed, with Arcasa scoring another touchdown and Thorpe converting the goal from touchdown.

During the third quarter, Army captain Devore was put out of the game for roughing Guyon and West Point penalized fifteen yards. And Jim Thorpe was knocked to the ground due an injury to his left shoulder. Thorpe lay prone for a full minute before being helped to a sitting position and received first aid. After several minutes, he rose to his feet and walked back to his position. The crowd gave the man an ovation that was remarkable, since it was dominated by West Point fans. At the end of the third quarter, Carlisle led 21-6.

During the fourth quarter, Thorpe attempted a field goal. Keyes caught the kick on the Army five and punted to midfield on the next play. Carlisle drove down to the Army one yard line, but lost the ball on downs. Bill Coffin attempted to punt Army out of danger, but the kick hit the goal post uprights and went out of bounds at the Army ten yard line, giving the football to Carlisle. It took four line plunges, but Arcasa finally scored. Thorpe's goal from touchdown missed. The game ended after Coffin kicked off, with Carlisle beating Army, 27-6.

Substitutes for the Carlisle game included Benedict, Coffin, Merillat, and O'Hare. Carlisle "demonstrated a most powerful offense imaginable and an invulnerable defense," per the 1913 Howitzer. "Their interference was perfect and the running by Thorpe was by far the most wonderful and spectacular ever seen on our field." Carlisle would lose 34-26 the next weekend at Franklin Field to the University of Pennsylvania, and finish the season 12-1-1 with wins over Army, Brown, Villanova, Pittsburgh, Lehigh, Springfield, and Syracuse.

Tufts arrived at West Point with a 4-3 record, having beaten Amherst, New Hampshire, Bowdoin, and Massachusetts Agricultural, while losing to Maine, Wesleyan, and Springfield. The two team captains decided to play twelve minute quarters. The starting line-up included Eisenhower (halfback), Herrick (guard), Hobbs (halfback), and Prichard (quarterback).

Tufts outplayed Army during the first half of the game, using a shift play which puzzled the West Point defense. Tuft's O'Donnell was able to get through the line and disrupted several Army offensive plays. Early in the first quarter, Prichard muffed catching a Tufts punt, with Tuft's Bennett scooping up the ball on the Army ten and running it in for a touchdown. Tuft missed the goal from touchdown, taking a 6-0 lead.

Army elected to receive the kick off after the touchdown. West Point was in danger deep in their end zone, so Hobbs immediately punted. This time the Tufts player fumbled the long punt, and Army's Markoe recovered it at the Tufts fifteen yard line. On the fourth running play, Vern Prichard went across the goal line for the touchdown. Devore missed an easy goal from touchdown. The score was now Army 6, Tufts 6, and it remained that at halftime.

Army's play improved during the second half. Runs by Hobbs and others made long gains, plus a 35 yard rush by Prichard moved the ball to the Tufts one yard line. Keyes scored the touchdown on a line plunge and Devore missed another easy goal from touchdown. The score was now Army 12, Tufts 6. Nearing the end of the game, Keyes drop kicked a field goal from the Tufts 15. The game ended in an Army victory, 15-6.

Tufts would finish the season at 4-5-0 losing the next weekend 10-0 to Trinity. Eisenhower injured his knee in the game and then re-injured his knee later while vaulting a horse in the Riding Hall. Ike would not play another game for Army. Coffin, Carl Hocker, Merillat, and Alex Weyand came into the game as substitutes. In 1947, Pot Graves wrote Cohane that "before he got hurt and had to quit, Eisenhower was a fine halfback."

Syracuse was the final home game for West Point. They came to the game on November 23rd with a 4-4 record. The highlight of the season was an 18-7 victory over Michigan at home. There other wins were against Hobart, Rochester, and at Lafayette. Syracuse had lost at Yale 21-0, Carlisle 33-0, at Princeton 62-0, and finally to Colgate 7-0 the weekend before the Army game. Because of these defeats, there was an expectation of an easier game for Army. The starting line-up included 1914 team members Benedict (fullback), Hobbs (halfback), Merillat (end), Prichard (quarterback), and Weyand (guard). It was Merillat's and Weyand's first start of the season.

There was no scoring in the first quarter. During the second period, Keyes scored a touchdown, kicked the extra point, and drop kicked a 43 yard field goal, giving Army a 10-0 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, Keyes scored another touchdown and successfully made the goal from touchdown, upping Army's lead to 17-0.

Graves put in substitutes at the beginning of the fourth quarter, including Larkin and Herrick, but kept Babe Weyand in. Army substitutes such as Frank Milburn and Clyde Altman rushed the ball deep into Syracuse's territory, with Altman scoring to make it 23-0. In the final minutes of the game, Thomas Lanphier muffed a Syracuse punt and the ball rolled across the goal line. Syracuse's Farber recovered the football for a touchdown, and Castle kicked the goal from touchdown. The game ended shortly afterward, making the final score Army 23, Syracuse 7.

During the game, Syracuse attempted one field goal from the Army 40. Syracuse also completed a forward pass that went for fifty yards. Weyand played a fine game at guard, and Keyes was the star during the first three periods, scoring seventeen points. Devore and Benedict were cited for playing brilliantly. Castle, Probst, and Farber were Syracuse's stars. "The team's general work was almost faultless, the plays being executed with great speed and precision," said the 1913 Howitzer.

Navy Week preparations began with a strenuous practice on Tuesday with only one regular, John Markoe, on the hospital list. The regulars scrimmaged against the scrubs, with Benedict, Keyes, and Milburn in the backfield, Prichard at quarterback, and Herrick and Weyand at the guard positions. Schlitz Benedict scored one touchdown of two scored by the regulars. Prichard almost gave the scrubs a score, misjudging a punt, and losing the ball. The scrubs missed a field goal. The regulars promptly marched from their twenty-five to the scrubs' ten, from where Keyes then went over the goal line for a touchdown.

Scrimmages occurred on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday morning, the Corps of Cadets and the USMA Band escorted the football team of fifty men down to the train station and gave it a vigorous send-off. Each man on the team was separately cheered, as did the coaches and trainer Harry Tuthill. The team left West Point at 7:30 am on the West Shore Railroad and traveled on that and the Jersey Central Railroad to Philadelphia. Bill Coffin and Dwight Eisenhower were on crutches.

Charles Herrick, who had started four games and played in six at right guard, plus yearlings John McDermott and Richard Stickney, were held back by and missed the morning train with the team. All three were required to take an academic examination that morning in order to determine if they were proficient in their studies. All three passed, and they caught a train leaving around noon from West Point to Philadelphia to rejoin the Army football team.

The Corps of Cadets and the USMA Band left on Saturday morning at 7:15 with members of the Tactics Department and medical corps staff. A second train left five minutes later, containing members of the USMA faculty and staff, plus local residents. Both trains returned around midnight to West Point.

Army was favored to win the Navy game. It had snowed in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving Day, and Franklin Field was soft and muddy. The day was as warm and balmy as a day in September and was in marked contrast from two days before. The Midshipmen marched in first in their eight companies, then the Corps of Cadets entered the stadium. Navy had a new goat, as the former one had recently passed away. The Cadets had outfitted the Army mule with a large blanket reading "Kill the Goat."

Graves started Benedict at left halfback, Hobbs at fullback, Merillat at left end, Prichard at quarterback, and Weyand at left guard. Army won the coin toss and elected to take the west goal with the wind at their backs.

The Navy's Brown kicked off at 2:05 pm to captain Devore at the Army 25, who returned it to the Army forty yard line. From a kick formation, Keyes ran around left end for a twenty yard gain. Benedict then gained nine. Benedict made a line plunge for a yard and a first down. Prichard then called six consecutive line plunges. Keyes made four, Prichard three, Keyes two, and Hobbs a yard and a first down. Benedict then rushed for four yards and Keyes gained a yard. From the Navy 23, Keyes attempted a dropped kick field goal. The officials spent a few minutes in conference after the kick and decided that the field goal had just went wide of the left upright.

From their twenty, Navy gained two and three yards on line plunges. Army was called for holding, and Navy gained five yards and a first down. Navy then punted forty yards down to field to Keyes, who returned it back two yards, and fumbled the ball when tackled. Keyes managed to recover the football. Benedict gained two, Prichard two, and then Hobbs moved the ball five yards, short of the first down. From the Army 40, Hobbs punted the ball over the goal line.

From the Navy twenty, Navy failed to gain anything from scrimmage. However, Army was called for offside and lost five yards and a first down. Navy started making more substantial gains, first of nine yards, then seven. From a kick formation, Navy went around left end for four yards. Navy gained one on a line plunge. The Midshipmen then punted about thirty-five yards, and Keyes returned it ten.

Prichard went around right end for five, Benedict line plunged for two more, and Keyes failed to gain. Hobbs punted fifty-five yards and Merillat immediately tackled the punt returner for no gain at the Navy 18. Navy then line plunged for a gain of four yards, then another plunge for three. Navy punted over Keyes head. Keyes recovered the football and returned it five yards to the Army 25. Hobbs plunged through the line for two yards, and then Benedict made two more. Hobbs then punted forty-five yards and Navy returned it ten. Time was called with the football on the Navy 43 in the Midshipmen's possession with a first down with the score Army 0, Navy 0.

The teams switched goals at the beginning of the second period. Navy lined up in a kick formation, but ran five yards around right end. Another fake punt led to no gain around the right end. Navy punted, but Merillat blocked it and recovered the football. Louie advanced twenty yards before he was tackled from behind. From the Navy 28, Hobbs ran off left tackle through the line but fumbled the ball, and the Midshipmen recovered it at the Navy twelve. Navy punted the ball sixty yards over Keyes head. Prichard seized the bounding football and returned it five yards to the Army 44.

Keyes lost four yards, then Hobbs advanced three. Hobbs then punted forty-five yards to the Navy receiver who was downed immediately at his twenty-four yard line. After Navy failed to gain, they punted 55 yards to Keyes, who was tackled immediately at the Army thirty. Hobbs gained two yards and fumbled, and Purnell, Army's center, recovered the football at the Army 34. Keyes made two yards, and then then he punted forty yards without a return. From the Navy 31, another end around from a fake kick formation resulted in Devore tackling the Navy player for six yard loss. The Navy was called for holding, and lost fifteen more yards. From behind the goal line, Navy punted to Keyes at midfield.

Prichard gained four up the middle, Benedict two through the center, and Hobbs one, and Keyes punted forty yards against a strong wind. The ball rolled down the field for more yards, stopping at the Navy 23. Navy gained five yards around right end. They then lost three around left end. From a kick formation, Navy went around right end for twenty-five yards. Two rushes gained four and three. A forward pass was attempted but not completed. Navy then punted sixty yards and Prichard caught it at the Army 5 for no return.

Two line plunges by Benedict gained three yards. Keyes gained two, but Navy was penalized five yards and Army had a first down. Benedict and Keyes failed to gain on consecutive rushes. Keyes then gained four. Hobbs punted thirty yards, but Navy did not down it immediately in order to kill time. Devore downed it on the Army 40. After a Midshipmen line plunge for no gain and a run around left end for seven, time was called, ending the first half. The score remained Army 0, Navy 0, at halftime.

Milburn came in for Hobbs at right halfback. Devore kicked off sending the ball to the left and out of bounds. He re-kicked from the twenty yard line. Navy returned it fifteen yards to the Navy 38. A run around right end lost six yards. Navy punted and the ball rolled sixty five yards before Prichard fell on it at the Army 15. Three straight line plunges gained nothing. Keyes punted fifty yards and Navy returned it for ten yards to the Army 36. Navy's quarterback was hurt, but he recovered and remained in the game.

Navy lost two on an end run. A line plunge moved the ball two yards, then another end run gained seven. A Navy goal from placement from the Army 35 went wide. Army got the ball on its twenty yard line. Milburn gained one, Keyes six, and Benedict nothing. Keyes punted it forty yards and the football was downed by Merillat at the Navy 41. Navy lost five yards and then punted it forty. Keyes caught the punt at his thirty five and returned it twenty yards. Keyes was shaken up on the play.

Larkin entered the game at left tackle. Keyes made two, Milburn one, and Keyes none. Keyes' punt rolled across the goal line. From its twenty, Navy punted fifty-five yards to Prichard, who returned it for five yards to the Army 38. Keyes went five yards around right end. Keyes punted and it rolled out of bounds on the Navy 27.

Navy punted fifty yards to Prichard, who was immediately tackled at the Army twenty. Keyes and Prichard failed to gain, and then Keyes made four yards. Prichard punted the ball for fifty yards to the Navy 45. Navy gained nothing on a line plunge, then made five yards. From a fake punt formation, Navy gained fifteen yards around left end. A line plunge gained three before the whistle blew. At the end of the third quarter, the score was Army 0, Navy 0.

The fourth quarter began with Navy's ball at the Army 39 with it being second down and seven yards to gain. Navy line plunged for two, then for no gain. Brown tried a goal from placement from the Army 43. It went true but fell short. First down Army from its twenty, Keyes made three. But Army was penalized fifteen yards for holding. Hobbs came in the game for Milburn at fullback. Standing behind his goal, Hobbs punted the football to the Army forty-five yard line.

Navy lost two yards and then gained two on line plunges. Army was again penalized fifteen yards for rough tackling. From a kick formation, Navy gained ten yards. Navy gained four, gained no yards, then lost four yards, but the ball was downed in the center of the field. From the Army 23 with Gilchrist holding the ball with one finger above the ground, Brown successfully kicked a goal from placement. Navy 3, Army 0. The Navy stands went wild with shouting, dancing, and "became a flaming riot of gold flags."

Army decided to kickoff. Devore from his forty kicked it deep to the Navy ten, but the Midshipman returned it to the Navy 25. Hamner Huston tackled a Navy player for a three yard loss. Navy gained five and then punted against the wind that rolled toward the sidelines around the Army twenty. Prichard touched the ball and Navy immediately fell on it. Navy lost three and then gained nothing. On the next play, Navy lost seven yards, but was able to place the ball in the center of the field. From the Army 37, Brown again kicked a goal from placement through the uprights. Navy 6, Army 0.

Army again elected to kickoff. Devore kicked off deep, but Navy returned it to their thirty yard line. From another fake kick formation, Navy gained nine yards. Navy was penalized on the next play fifteen yards for holding. After a line plunge gained five, Navy punted fifty yards to the Army 27. Prichard tried his first forward pass, but it was incomplete. Prichard gained seven on the next play. Prichard wanted to pass, but lost two yards. Hobbs punted seventy yards and Navy returned it five yards to their twenty. Navy lost four yards on the next two plays. The Midshipmen punted forty yards to Prichard at the Army 48.

Prichard passed to Merillat who almost completed it. Bill Hoge came in at left end for Merillat, while James Gillespie substituted in for Markoe at right end. A forward pass by Prichard to Hoge also failed. Keyes then punted thirty yards to the Navy 22. Navy made two short gains before time was called. The final score was Navy 6, Army 0.

The Midshipmen stormed the field celebrating their victory. After celebrating, they then moved to the stands in front of the Corps of Cadets and became silent. The Midshipmen then cheered their defeated foes just as loud as they had cheered against them during the game. The Cadets and the West Point graduates in the stands felt the pangs of defeat and were discouraged by not having beaten Navy since 1908.

The Corps of Cadets were released from the game and were free to visit the Philadelphia establishments until they had to catch their train at midnight. No doubt, the Midshipmen celebrated their victory with much more vigor until they had to return to Annapolis.

The Army football team returned to their hotel for a subdued dinner and other evening activities. Before noon on Sunday, the team was transported to the Philadelphia railroad station for the ride back to West Point. The team arrived at 3:45 pm, and was met by all five hundred members of the Corps of Cadets and the USMA Band to rousing cheers. The stage coach with 1,000 feet of rope was lined up to give the football men a ride up the hill pulled by the Corps, but the team members elected to walk up the hill instead, depressed by their performance on Saturday. Headed by captain Devore, they walked quietly to the barracks.

1914 team members who received letters included yearlings Benedict, Eisenhower, Herrick, Hobbs, Hodgson, Larkin, Merillat, Prichard, and Weyand. The only plebe to letter was O'Hare.

After returning to West Point, Pot Graves released the coaching staff from their duties. Herman Glade and Dan Sultan would remain at West Point. The Class of 1912 graduates Arnold, Dean, and Wood left immediately to report to their first assignments. Robert Boyers left for an assignment to Plattsburg Barracks, while Dan Pullen traveled to Vancouver Barracks. Pot returned to his duty assignment with the Dallas Corps of Engineers.

Tom Hammond would leave his teaching assignment at West Point due to the detached duty rules and travel to the Presidio for his new assignment with the 6th Infantry Regiment, which was in the process of moving to the Mexican Border. Before Hammond left West Point, he recommended that the Army Athletic Council consider a Massachusetts native as the next Army football coach.

"We were beaten by two goals from placement and beaten fairly. We have no excuses to offer, for our team was in perfect condition and the day ideal. To us, victory seemed certain until the last period. Football experts are of the opinion that the game was too conservative on the part of both teams, but this invariably is the case, due to the intense feeling of both Academies and their adherents over the outcome of the game," said the 1913 Howitzer.

The 1913 Howitzer continues, "When the season begins early in the fall we have but one purpose. We play through a long schedule, meeting teams of varying strength. But it is not until the last day of the football season that we gain or lose everything. If we defeat the Navy on that day the season is gloriously successful. If we lose, no matter what may be the record of the past season, it is a disastrous one."

"To the small corps of coaches is entrusted our fate. Theirs is a business proposition – not of a year's duration – but a fight continuous. If they can devise a system whereby our team can win a majority of games from Navy, not this year's game alone or next, but more than half – then that system is the one we are after. And it was upon this system that we launched our last fall. Three months were spent in the essential elements of the game and straight football was played. Then came November 30th."

"Well we didn't win and to us, of 1913, the defeat came as the last of four years of stinging bitterness. But the fight we fought was the right kind and every tribute is due to those who planned it – the coaches. They brought out all there was in the team. We have seen established the new football policy of West Point. Fate was unkind to the first fruits of its adoption and some of our hopes have been blasted accordingly. But let us never give up. It is the system that will win in the long run and we must keep it. Our confidence in future success is due to the unfaltering efforts and unselfish devotion of those who established it. And backed by the loyal support of the Corps it cannot fail us."

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Chapter 5: 1913 Army Football Season

The third straight loss to Navy was a bitter pill for all at West Point to bear in the winter of 1912-1913. After decisively beating the Midshipmen four straight times in the 1901 through 1904 games, Army had only tied (1905) and won (1908) two of the last seven games, and went scoreless in each of its five losses. Something needed to change.

During the 1912 season, assistant coaches Tom Hammond and Dan Sultan noticed the work done by Charlie Daly in assisting his classmate Pot Graves in preparing the backfield for the next game. Charlie was then an assistant coach for Percy Haughton of Harvard, and his head coach allowed him to travel from Boston one or two days a week to West Point to help out the Army team. Tom Hammond stressed to members of the Army Athletic Council his thoughts that Daly ought to be considered for the Army head football coach for the next season, prior to his December reassignment to the Presidio and ultimately to the Mexican border.

Dan Sultan was left to press the issue during meetings of the Army Athletic Council in December and January. One issue that caused hesitation was that Charlie Daly had resigned his commission in May 1906 after having graduated in June 1905 – AAA had established a policy around 1898 that only Army officers could be the head football coach. No doubt, some of the older graduates were less impressed by Daly's lack of service after graduation. There were likely conversations outside the meetings with the old veteran (mostly Yale) coaches that had long provided West Point assistance. The need for a head coach to beat Navy ended up winning the arguments against appointing Daly.

On February 2, 1913, the AAA entered into formal negotiations with Charles Daly to be the Army head football coach, at a salary of $2,500 plus expenses. Included in the negotiations was the requirement that Daly submit an application for re-appointment as a commissioned Army officer. Daly agreed to this requirement and the paperwork was rapidly processed to the War Department. On March 5, during his second day in office, President Woodrow Wilson approved the re-commissioning of Charles Dudley Daly as a First Lieutenant of the Field Artillery Corps. Daly and AAA agreed to a $3,000 salary ($72,000 in 2015) and left in April for training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

The Army Athletic Council also was impressed by Harry Tuthill's work over the last two seasons as Head Trainer. The council inquired in late February of his interest in returning to the team in the fall. Negotiations began in early March with AAA offering Tuthill $250 per month plus board and quarters. By mid-March, a contract for $900 for the season was signed by both parties.

The council also appointed First Lieutenant Dan Sultan as the Assistant Football Representative in mid-February, making him the officer-in-charge of all football operations. Sultan interviewed several yearlings for the position of Assistant Cadet Manager, and appointed Henry Pendleton of Washington, DC to the position in early March.

Dan Sultan began his stewardship of Army football with an urgent need to fill a vacant date of the 1913 schedule. The vacancy had occurred due to the AAA decision to not play Harvard and Yale anymore. He tasked Harold Loomis, the next season's Cadet Manager, to contact teams to ascertain their interest in playing at West Point on November 1st. According to Tim Cohane in Gridiron Grenadiers, Loomis wrote every school in the East. The few colleges with an opening on that date wrote back that they did not want to play Army.

Loomis then consulted the Spaulding's 1912 Football Guide and began writing schools in the Middle West, many of them he had never heard of. Only one school responded positively, Notre Dame. Jesse Harper, their athletic director and head football coach, asked about the guarantee that West Point would pay. Loomis had been authorized to offer up to $600 to the visiting team, having typically paid around $300. Loomis wrote back with this information, and Harper replied asking for $1,000, backed up with a detailed explanation of the estimated travel costs.

Loomis then went to Lieutenant Sultan for advice. Both were described as knowing little about Notre Dame, but were thankful about finding an opponent for the open date. Sultan was shocked by the guarantee amount requested, but agreed to take it to a special meeting of the Army Athletic Council. After a lengthy debate, the request was approved to avoid having an open date on the schedule. And so began the long series of Army-Notre Dame football games.

The stories told by Cohane and others continue a long tradition that West Point scheduled a Notre Dame football team with little knowledge about it. While Loomis was a Cadet from Connecticut and probably knew little about Midwestern football, Sultan and Daly certainly did and had to be aware that Notre Dame had not lost a football game since the middle of the 1910 season, a total of 18 games. Sammy Strang, the West Point baseball coach, scheduled and played Notre Dame on May 24, 1913 and beat them 3-0. Army played its first football game against a Western foe in 1903 against Chicago, with Sultan playing and Daly a Cadet coach.

Back in April 1904, Army and Navy had agreed on a set of eligibility rules, prohibiting individuals who had played on one of the forty leading football schools plus their academy for more than four years - the list included Notre Dame. Ever since the rule changes for the 1906 season, there had been great debates about the passing attacks so prevalent with western colleges. So the facts lead one to believe that Notre Dame was not so much as an unknown element to West Point authorities. Later during the season, Charlie Daly sent Tom Hammond to go out to South Bend and scout them, using some of his scarce funding.

Several members of the football team struggled to pass their classes as they neared the end of the June 1913 academic term. French, Drawing, Drill and yearling Math were kicking John Goodman. Charles Herrick was in the bottom of his class overall and in all classes (he would graduate as goat of the Class of 1915). Alex Weyand was fighting for tenths in Math, Practical Engineering, French, and Drill. Among the plebes, Douglas Page was barely passing his classes. Goodman, Herrick, Hubert Harmon, Charles Smith, and John Rossell were often on the area walking disciplinary tours.

Yearling Alexander Weyand, starting tackle in the 1912 Navy game, was found deficient in French at the end of the academic year and turned back into the Class of 1916. Unlike in modern times, a Cadet turned back immediately became a member of the lower class and repeated all training and classes again. In Weyand's case, he spent his summer of 1913 again as a yearling, and beginning in September, began all yearling classes again. He would improve his grades and class rank in all courses except Military Hygiene.

On June 14, 1913, the New Cadets were admitted to USMA, including the following 1914 football players – Robert Marks Bathurst, Robert Amedee Bringham, John Wesley Confer, Elbert Louis Ford, Joel Grant Holmes, John James McEwan, Laurence Bascum Meacham, Charles Love Mullins, Lyman Lewis Parks, William Francis Redfield, Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf, James Merit Tully, and George Hatton Weems. The next day Charles Aloysius Mahoney was admitted, while Joseph Scranton Tate arrived on August 25th. None of them were sons of USMA graduates.

Like many incoming football men, several of the New Cadets had played at other colleges – Bringham (Nevada), Confer (Washington & Jefferson), Holmes (Lafayette), Mahoney (Boston College), McEwan (Minnesota), Parks (Georgetown KY), Tully (Washington St. Louis), and Weems (Southwestern Presbyterian).

On July 4th, two former Cadets, Ralph Sasse and Tattnall Simkins, were re-admitted by a special Act of Congress, as members of the Class of 1916 (yearlings). Sasse and Simkins were among several yearlings and plebes caught drinking during the summer of 1911, court-martialed, and discharged from West Point in October 1911. A Congressional Hearing had probed the dismissals of several Cadets, and despite the objection of the Superintendent and the Academic Board, passed legislation to re-admit them and others. Both played end on the 1913 team as scrubs, probably reflecting some displeasure among the Army Officers of their return to West Point.

Daly, from afar, and Sultan at West Point, worked during the spring and summer on the composition of the Army football coaching staff. Looking at members of the 1912 coaching staff, Henry Glade and Sultan were on the staff and faculty at West Point. Tom Hammond was now on the Mexican border and a request to the Department of War would make him available during the season. Dan Pullen was conducting a survey of the Willamette Valley and would be assigned to the USMA Department of Practical Military Engineering in August 1913. Tuthill would return as the head trainer.

Pot Graves was willing to return to coaching his beloved linemen and was quite happy to have Charlie taking over as head coach. Graves was appointed head of the Vicksburg, Mississippi River, and Harbor District in late March, and the Corps of Engineers was bulking at releasing him for the football season. Sultan was able to negotiate a compromise with the War Department to have Pot reporting to the coaching staff in October.

Rodney Smith had played halfback with the 1904-1907 teams, lettering his last three years and team captain his senior year. Smith also arrived in August for instructor duty with the Department of Modern Languages, being fluent in French and Spanish. He graduated in 1908 and had several assignments with the Coast Artillery Corps. Joseph Stilwell played quarterback and lettered twice on the 1902-1903 football teams and played basketball, cross country, and track. He returned to West Point in August for his second tour, teaching languages with the Department of English and History.

Phillip Hayes was assigned as an instructor for the Department of English and History in August. Hayes had played four years at end on the 1905-1908 Army teams, but never lettered. He had graduated in 1909 and had served with the 18th Infantry Regiment in assignments on the border in Arizona and in Wyoming and Texas.

Cuthbert Stearns was the starting end and three-year letterman on the 1906-1908 teams. He graduated in 1909 and served with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment on the Mexican border for three years. He also arrived in August to teach Mathematics. Clyde Selleck had played guard on the 1908-1909 teams and also had not lettered. Selleck arrived back at West Point in August for duty with the Department of Chemistry. The artilleryman would join Smith, Stilwell, Stearns, and Hayes on Daly's first coaching staff.

The final member of the 1913 coaching staff was still a Cadet. Dwight Eisenhower, who lettered at halfback during the 1912 season, but injured his knee in the Tufts game, would try out for the football team in September. Despite his desire, he found he could not play with the bum knee, and volunteered to work with Lieutenant Selleck to coach the Cullum Hall team during the 1913 season.

Benjamin "Benny" Hoge, who played left end on the 1911 and 1912 teams, was elected by his classmates as team captain for the 1913 season. On April 15th, Hoge issued a call for candidates for the football team, and a squad of thirty to forty Cadets would turn out each Wednesday and Saturday afternoon after drill near the summer encampment area practicing the fundamentals of football, including punting, place kicking, passing the ball, and short sprints. The Cadets wore an interesting uniform to practice in – gray jerseys, short khaki running trousers, football shoes, and stockings; that were light and served the purpose.

During Beast Barracks, Hoge led efforts to review potential football players from the 187 members of the incoming Class of 1917. This process identified several linemen who would prove critical to the success of the 1913 football campaign, such as Laurence Meacham and John McEwan, plus future contributors John Confer, Joel Holmes, Herbert Schwarzkopf, Lyman Parks, George Weems, and William Butler. Louie Ford at running back, John Mahoney at quarterback, and Robert Bringham at end were also identified as potential stars.

Classes for the fall academic term began on Monday, September 1st. On that day, the Kosciusko statue was unveiled. A former call for candidates was issued that Monday to the Corps of Cadets to turn out after drill on September 3rd. On Wednesday, Lieutenant Sultan conducted the first football practice of the season. 142 out of a total of 613 Cadets showed up for practice, the largest group to ever turn out for football. Sultan and Hoge led the squad in preliminary drills. Harry Tuthill and most of the coaching staff had yet to arrive at West Point.

On September 3rd, the Secretary of the Navy Daniels had announced that joint meetings between each service's Secretary and the two academies athletic associations had agreed to play the 1913 Army-Navy game at the Polo Grounds in New York City on November 29th. There had several months of protracted discussion on the location of the game. Navy desired to play the game at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, while the Army wanted it closer to West Point.

Army forced more discussions when it scheduled a game on November 29th with the Carlisle Indians at West Point in lieu of playing Navy. Both Secretary Daniels and the Secretary of War Garrison used their offices to propel conversations between the two athletic associations and come to an agreement. In addition, the Army and Navy Relief Funds would each receive a minimum of $12,000.

The second football practice of the young season occurred on Saturday, September 6th. It was a hard, two hour long practice consisting of tackling dummies, punting drills, wind sprints, and practicing forward passes. Sultan and Pullen worked with the linemen while Stearns coached the backfield. Tuthill had arrived on Friday as the head trainer. Bob Neyland, the yearling baseball star, was trying out for end.

On Sunday, Charlie Daly arrived at West Point to assume his duties as head football coach of Army. On Monday, he put the big football squad through an hour of strenuous practice. Pre-season practices continued on at least Wednesdays and Saturdays for the next two weeks.

About fifty men were selected for the football team, with the team divided into three (regulars, substitutes, and scrubs) squads. Other men were invited to play on the Cullum Hall team, with the potential to join the football team based upon their abilities, play during games, and injuries to other players. The 1914 football men who spent some time on the 1913 Cullum Hall team included – McDermott, Rossell, Van Fleet, Coffin, Hudnutt, Neyland, Page, Parker, Sasse, Joseph Tully, Walker, and Redfield.

Cullum Hall would play eleven games with local high schools and preparatory schools, and go undefeated. Cullum Hall played the scrubs three times, scoring one touchdown to win, giving up another touchdown in a loss, and playing in a scoreless tie in the final game. The scrubs squad also went undefeated in six games against outside teams, scoring 105 points and giving up only 13.

On Monday, September 22nd, Daly and his coaching staff began daily practices to prepare for Saturday's game against Norwich University. On Wednesday, Norwich opened its season against Holy Cross with someone from the coaching staff at the game scouting. During the game, Norwich's star halfback Belyea was serious injured. The next day, Norwich officials notified West Point that they had cancelled the game on Saturday due to the injury. Daly likely had a heavy workout on Saturday with the scrubs going full-blown against the first-string team.

Monday's football practice was delayed due to the funeral of Major General George Lewis Gillespie. Gillespie, the number two graduate of the Class of 1862 and a Civil War Medal of Honor recipient, had died in Saratoga on Saturday after over forty years of service in the Corps of Engineers. Football practices continued during the week to prepare the team for their game against the Stevens Institute.

On October 4th, Daly's starting line-up included the following 1914 team members – juniors Vern Prichard (quarterback), Charles Benedict (fullback), Paul Hodgson (left halfback), and yearling Alex Weyand (left tackle). Army played nervously during the first half, suffering from offside penalties and fumbles. Stevens put us a stubborn defense during the first two quarters.

Hodgson scored a touchdown through the line on a long run during the first quarter while Schlitz Benedict successfully kicked the goal from touchdown to provide West Point with a 7-0 lead. Stevens had a long run out to midfield but was tackled by team captain Benny Hoge. Prichard tried two forward passes but each was dropped by the receiver. Benedict missed a goal from placement from the 50 yard line. Army led 7-0 at halftime.

Army got its slashing attack going in the third quarter with several long runs and line plunges by Hocker, Hobbs, Hodgson, and Benedict. Benedict scored twice, Hodgson again, and Leland Hobbs another touchdown, with Benedict making four out of five goals from touchdown. The game ended with an Army victory, 34-0.

1914 team substitutes included O'Hare (left guard), Herrick (right guard), Meacham (right tackle), Merillat (right end), Hocker (right halfback), Boots (left halfback), Goodman (center), Hobbs (fullback), Ford (halfback), William Hoge (end), Holmes (guard), Larkin (tackle), and Woodruff (halfback).

Daly started plebes Laurence Meacham (left guard), John McEwan (center), and Louie Ford (fullback), yearling Weyand (right tackle), and juniors Prichard (quarterback), Hodgson (left halfback), and Benedict (right halfback) on October 11th against Rutgers.

West Point started slowly. Forward passes fell incomplete. The first quarter was filled with penalties and fumbles. Benedict kicked a goal from placement from the Rutgers 30 yard line for a 3-0 score. In the second quarter, Hobbs ran 35 yards around the right end for a touchdown, with Woodruff kicking the goal from touchdown. Army led 10-0 at halftime.

Army hammered the line during the third quarter. Two forward passes were completed. Frank McGee scored a touchdown and Benedict converted to make it 17-0. Benedict and Woodruff successfully made field goals from placement. Army led 23-0 going into the final period. In the fourth period, Weldon Doe completed a pass to John Jouett, who then ran it forty yards for a touchdown. The goal from touchdown was missed.

Army's defensive line held up against Rutgers' line plunges, and the opponents never got inside Army's thirty yard line. Hobbs also had a good day punting and open field running. Hocker and Hodgson also made consistent gains on line plunges. Army handily won the game, 29-0. Rutgers would win five of their final six games and finish with a 6-3-0 record.

1914 team substitutes were Merillat (left end), O'Hare (left guard), Herrick (right guard), Confer (right tackle), Larkin (right tackle), McGee (left halfback), Hobbs (left halfback), Woodruff (left halfback), Hocker (fullback), and Boots (fullback).

On Sunday, The New York Times published an article about the USMA Superintendent's opposition to playing intercollegiate football. Colonel C.P. Townsley, USMA Superintendent since late August 1912, questioned if the value of football justifies the injuries received by the men who play it. He cited in his Annual Report the high number of football injuries and days lost in hospital compared to other reasons. He subsequently praised the physical fitness program led by the Master of the Sword, Captain H.J. Koehler, as it turned out graduates able to lead physical training and urged its extension to the entire Army.

Monday's practice consisted of blackboard instruction where Head Coach Charlie Daly pointed out things he did not like during the Rutgers game. There were only a few minor bruises after the two football games. Paul Hodgson went out in the third quarter due to a slight injury. Laurence Meacham was cited for playing a great game at guard. Reports of Colgate's strength were discounted by the coaching staff even though they would come to West Point with a 2-0-1 record with the tie at Cornell. The Army team was confident of the outcome for next Saturday's game.

On Wednesday, Army devoted some time to forward passing, but the results caused Daly to give up in disgust and return to rushing scrimmages against the scrubs. A forty minute session yielded only one touchdown on a line plunge by Hobbs that followed similar plays by Benedict and Hocker. Hobbs slightly twisted his knee during the practice. Hobbs and Woodruff punted well. Ford and Hodgson were resting. O'Hare returned to scrub tackle and pressured Weyand during the scrimmage.

Friday's practice consisted of a hard, one-hour drill between varsity and scrubs. Hobbs, Hodgson, and Ford were not driven hard due to injuries earlier in the week. Little kicking was practiced due to their limited abilities. Britton, McGee, and Boots were cited as scrubs doing good work. The team was confident of a victory over Colgate, but knew their opponent too well to "look for any 'cinch."

The starting line-up included Meacham (left guard), McEwan (center), Weyand (right tackle), Hodgson (left halfback), Ford (right halfback), and Benedict (fullback). Army found Colgate's defense almost impregnable, with the defenders breaking blocks and quickly tackling runners behind the line of scrimmage. Colgate's left halfback Robinson got around Merillat at end and rushed for a sixty yard touchdown down the right sideline. The punt-out for goal was missed, and Colgate led 6-0 early in the second quarter. Colgate then settled down to playing a safe game.

Prichard made a series of forward passes down to the Colgate ten yard line in the final minutes of the game. A pass into the end zone was dropped, resulting in a turnover and Colgate's ball on the twenty. Colgate immediately punted on the next play to Prichard standing on the Army 35 yard line. Vern ran behind perfect interference (blocking) for 75 yards and a touchdown, with Woodruff kicking the goal from touchdown. The game ended immediately after Prichard's punt return, with an Army victory, 7-6, and Woodruff would later claimed that it made Ripley's "Believe It or Not" because the goal from touchdown was made after the whistle blew ending the game. Colgate would go on to win 16-6 at Yale two weekends later and end the season 6-1-1.

1914 team substitutes included O'Hare (left tackle, left guard), Herrick (left guard, right guard), Larkin (right tackle), Merillat (right end), Prichard (quarterback), Boots (left halfback), Hess (left halfback), Hocker (right halfback), Woodruff (right halfback), Hobbs (fullback), and Confer (tackle).

On Monday, Daly's blackboard discussion in the gym was described as a star chamber. The faults of players in the Colgate game were many and specifically pointed out. The game yielded several injured players, though none were serious. Most could have practiced today, but the field was wet and slippery, and Daly decided not to risk further injuries. The Tufts team was described in the scouting reports as a dangerous opponent and they were undefeated (4-0-0).

By Friday, the team was almost ready for the game. Practice consisted of an hour long scrimmage with the scrubs. The varsity looked a bit ragged at times, but managed to score a touchdown. Due to the weather, the ball was wet and slippery, and the heavy ball caused troubles in the kicking game. Tufts was considered a formidable foe and the coaches stressed to the players about avoiding being over confident in a victory. The game was expected to be a close one.

Daly started Meacham (left guard), McEwan (center), Weyand (right tackle), Prichard (quarterback), Hobbs (left halfback), Benedict (right halfback), and Ford (fullback). The game was played in heavy rain on a muddy field. There was much fumbling by both sides as well as multiple holding and offside penalties. The game was scoreless at the half.

In the third quarter, Army threatened through a series of passes and runs. A forward pass into the end zone turned the ball back over to Tufts on their twenty. A holding call on Tufts forced the ball back to the Tufts two yard line. A Tufts player dropped back to punt, but dropped the hiked ball, picked it up, and was immediately tackled for a safety. Tufts threatened Army's goal line in the fourth quarter by a series of long gains. The ball rested on the Army two yard line when Tufts fumbled and West Point recovered it. Hess and Ford gained ten yards each and the whistle blew ending the game in a close Army victory, 2-0. Tufts would win its final three games and finish with a record of 7-1-0.

Substitutes included O'Hare (left tackle), Herrick (left guard), Schwarzkopf (right guard), Confer (right tackle), Merillat (right end), Hess (left halfback), Boots (right halfback), Woodruff (fullback), Bradley (fullback), Holmes (guard), and Larkin (tackle).

On Sunday, Tom Hammond returned from a scouting trip to South Bend, Indiana. Hammond sat behind the wire fence with spectators watching Notre Dame play Alma. He observed the ball handling and passing of the Notre Dame quarterback Gus Dorais, the line smashing of Ray Eichenlaub, and the overall fast breaking attack employed by the Western team in a 62-0 drubbing. Hammond reported on the fine fullback, the smooth passing by Dorais to a small but aggressive end named Rockne, but was convinced that Army could defend against the running attack. Another story told that head coach Harper had noticed the Army Officer in the crowd and had told Dorais to rely more on rushing and hold back any long passing.

On the following Monday, the Army football team was glad that they were in the gym listening to the coaches go over plays on the blackboard then out practicing on the gridiron. Meacham, Weyand, and team captain Benny Hoge were all banged up, and some rest for a day or two might do them good. Tufts and Colgate had found weaknesses in Army's defensive schemes – and the linemen were receiving tutoring from Harvard's Ham Fish, Michigan's Germany Schulz, and Lieutenant Robert Boyers with McEwan expected to benefit from this additional instruction. Boyers would remain on the coaching staff for the remainder of the season.

Tuesday's practice warmed up with a punting drill, with Hobbs and Hodgson kicking with ends and backs getting down field under them. A signal drill followed that practiced the new plays. Finally, a scrimmage between the varsity and scrubs put into practice a better defense to the line plunges by scrubs Boots and Hess, while enabling Hodgson to score a touchdown on an end around. Benedict was suffering from a sore ankle and sat out. Meacham, Merillat, and Weyand were back practicing. Wednesday's scrimmage was planned to last over an hour.

On Thursday at 5 pm, eighteen or nineteen football players left South Bend on a day coach to Buffalo, arriving at 6 am. They switched to Pullman cars on the leg through Albany, with the regulars getting some sleep in the lower berths while substitutes had the upper ones. The team carried sandwiches made at the campus refectory to shave costs, and only fourteen pairs of cleats. The team arrived at 1:30 pm and Cadet Manager Loomis got them settled in Cullum Hall and gave them access to the field for their final practice.

On Friday, Notre Dame worked out for an hour in a secret practice, though several folks claimed they watched them. Their linemen seem to outweigh Army by at least ten pounds a man. Eichenlaub was booming goals from placement while Dorais, their quarterback, drop kicked goals from inside the thirty five yard line. After their practice, the Army football team took the field in their own secret practice. Daly had the Cadets doing light work practicing the plays they intended to use on Saturday. While all men are back from injuries, not all of them will likely see the field tomorrow. The New York Times predicted that West Point would face "the hardest workout" and "line up against the strongest opposition they have thus far encountered." The Notre Dame team had supper with their hosts in the Cadet Mess Hall that evening, as well as dinner at noon on Saturday.

The line-up for the Notre Dame game on November 1st included Meacham (left guard), McEwan (center), Weyand (right tackle), Merillat (right end), Prichard (quarterback), Hobbs (right halfback), and Hodgson (fullback). Over 5,000 fans lined Cullum Field to watch the first Army-Notre Dame football game. Team captains Benny Hoge and Knute Rockne shook hands at midfield. Notre Dame won the toss and elected to receive. This was unusual, as the practice in the east was the team who won the toss usually elected to kick off.

McEwan kicked off to Dorais, who was promptly tackled by the West Point. Eichenlaub tried a line plunge with little to gain. Another plunge resulted in a lost fumble recovered by Army. Army was penalized for holding. Hodgson and then Benny Hoge punched through the line for little gains. On fourth down, Army was forced to punt. Hodgson's punt went to the Notre Dame five and Dorais returned it to his thirty five. An end around went for five yards, but then quarterback Dorais threw a forward pass past Rockne, who was sprinting in the clear. This forced a Dorais punt, off the side of his foot, to midfield.

Two line plunges by Hodgson and Hobbs made little headway and Hodgson punted short back to Dorais, who was tackled immediately and fumbled the ball. Meacham recovered the football for Army. This was Army's typical method of punting high to take advantage of the winds off the Hudson River, with the line blocking for the punter and the ends racing down the field to greet the punt receiver. Prichard was unsatisfied with the field position and has Hodgson punt back to Notre Dame.

An off tackle play by Finegan gained several yards, and then the big fullback Eichenlaub plunged up the middle for a long gain. Dorais tried another forward pass, but again it was too long. Notre Dame continued its rushing attack until it reached the Army 25 yard line.

During the last several plays, Rockne has been limping badly, and side stepped a Cadet tackle rather than blocking him. On the next play, Dorais threw a long floater over the heads of the Cadets, and Rockne, no longer limping, hauled it in without breaking stride and raced to the Army goal line for a touchdown. Dorais kicked the goal from touchdown to make the score 7-0 in favor of Notre Dame.

Army elected to receive the kick off. Hodgson and Hobbs penetrated the Notre Dame line with plunges. Prichard threw a forward pass to Jouett, who was downed on the Notre Dame 15 yard line. Hodgson and then Hobbs plunged through the line moving the ball closer to the goal line. Hodgson scored a touchdown on the next play, but the goal from touchdown by Woodruff was missed, making the score 7-6 in favor of Notre Dame.

Army kicked off to Notre Dame, and the two teams exchanged punts. Notre Dame fumbled the punt on their next possession and Meacham recovered it at the Notre Dame 35 yard line. Army's backs hammer the line while Prichard was successful on two forward passes. Army was on the Notre Dame three yard line and failed to gain on two line plunges. On the next play, the defenders are called for a hold, putting the football about six inches from the goal line and a first down. Three line plunges are stopped with no gain. On fourth down, Prichard delayed a bit and then followed his center, John McEwan, through the line for a touchdown. Benny Hoge kicked the goal from touchdown, making the score 13-7 in favor of Army.

Army kicked off and Rockne returned it to the Notre Dame 15 yard line. A quarterback sneak yields a five yard gain. Dorais hits Pliska for thirty yards on a forward pass and then passed 35 yards to Rockne. The next pass was for ten yards to Rockne who was tackled at the Army five yard line. Notre Dame has covered 80 yards in four plays. Pliska ran up the middle for a touchdown and Dorais kicked the goal from touchdown, making it 14-13. Army elected to receive the kick off, and Army punted the football back to Notre Dame. Notre Dame was again driving when Prichard jumped high in the air and intercepted a Dorais pass intended for Rockne on the Army twenty. The first half ended with Notre Dame holding a one point lead.

During halftime, Charlie Daly instructed the team to go into an improvised floating defense that had the ends moving wide with the Notre Dame flankers with the backfield drifting back with the pass receivers when they crossed the line of scrimmage. During the third quarter, this was successful in stopping the Notre Dame attack. Dorais attempted a field goal from the 50 yard line, but the kick was wide, with Army gaining possession on its twenty.

Army punted to the Notre Dame 15 yard line. On the next play, McEwan recovered a fumble at the 25. Army was achieving success with its line plunges, and drove down the field to the Notre Dame ten yard line. A holding penalty puts the ball on the two. Hodgson and then Milburn fail to gain. Prichard passed to Merillat standing in the end zone, but Dorais intercepted it at the last second.

During the fourth quarter, Frank Milburn fumbled the football at the Army 35, and Notre Dame recovered it. Two end runs moved the football to the Army 18. Two line plunges gained sixteen yards. Eichenlaub scored over center and Dorais kicked the goal from placement, making it 21-13. On the next Army possession, a Hodgson pass was intercepted by Dorais, who returned it to the Army 43. A Dorais pass for twenty yards, two line bucks for eight and a right end run made nine yards. Dorais threw a six yard touchdown pass to Pliska for a touchdown and Dorais hit the extra point, extending the score to 28-13.

Prichard returned the kickoff to the Army 25. Two passes fell incomplete. Prichard fumbled the snap for a loss of three yards. Another pass failed, but Army was penalized for holding. Notre Dame gained possession on the Army ten yard line. On the second line plunge, Eichenlaub scored his second touchdown. Dorais kicked his fifth extra point, making the score 35-13, and the game ended shortly. Dorais made 14 completions out of 17 attempts for 243 yards. The game was not a complete rout, and the Cadets battled to the end.

Notre Dame left by train to Albany after the game. When the team arrived on Sunday morning in Buffalo, the station manager shuffled them into a room where a lavish breakfast was prepared. It was only after the meal was nearly over when it was discovered that the breakfast was intended for the returning Syracuse football team, which had played Michigan at Ann Arbor the day before. Notre Dame left Buffalo for some sight-seeing at Niagara Falls, and returned on Monday to South Bend. The team would travel to State College to beat Penn State the next weekend, and ended the season defeating the University of Texas in Austin 30-7 for an undefeated 7-0 season.

Substitutes for the Notre Dame game were Goodman (left guard), Britton (right end), Ford (left halfback), Hess (right halfback), Woodruff (right halfback), and Larkin (tackle).

The press generally reacted to Notre Dame's success at West Point as if they had seen a revolutionary method of playing football. Certainly Dorais was able to effectively throw the football on a line to ends and backs that allowed them to immediately catch and run with the ball, while the dominant forward pass in the East was thrown up high with the receiver battling defenders for the ball and usually being immediately tackled, usually causing the pass to be incomplete. Previous Western football teams had using this type of passing attack since the 1906 season. Notre Dame was more successful because it had a big back in Eichenlaub that allowed the team to pass or run depending upon the defensive scheme being played by their opponents.

Later on, the press would assert that Army's success against Navy in its passing attack was largely due to what it learned by playing against Notre Dame's "open game." The pass was a fundamental part of Army's offense, and used when they were within striking distance of the goal line, and used often in every game before and after the Notre Dame outing. No play made in the Navy game was borrowed from the Westerners, all had been developed as part of the season campaign plan developed by September 15th by Head Coach Charlie Daly. The fourth quarter Army passing attack in the Colgate victory clearly demonstrated Army's ability in playing the "open game," occurring two Saturdays before Notre Dame arrived at West Point.

Weyand in The Saga of American Football reported that Prichard began throwing a fast, low-trajectory pass and leading receivers in practice after the Notre Dame game. Daly also lifted some of his restrictions on his quarterback on play calling, and Prichard was allowed to integrate passes with the running attack, but never in his end of the field. Added to Weyand's comments was that Charlie Daly, in the two weeks before a Navy game, would begin diagraming new plays, some of which Pot Graves would dismiss, and some would be tried out on the practice fields, but only a few would be seen against Navy.

My conclusion was that Charlie Daly saw some things that Notre Dame did that he could have Army apply against Navy. Notre Dame's combined running and passing attack, depending upon how the defense was playing, could be used against the Midshipmen. Another lessons learned was probably for Army to have a defense specifically designed to defend against a passing attack, and to rehearse those plays in practice.

Finally, I think this game caused Daly to never make a major in-game adjustment, as one does not see any evidence of this being done again during Daly's career at Army. Daly was adamant that his job was to prepare the men to play, and once the whistle blew, he trusted his field generals and players to play how they had been taught. The 1914 era rules of not allowing coaching from the sidelines play a part in this philosophy, as one sees as soon as coaching was allowed on the sidelines, you find head football coaches making in-game adjustments to their offenses and defenses.

On Monday, the Army team practiced in a light workout after their normal football instruction in the gym. Captain Ernest "Pot" Graves had arrived at West Point in time to see the game with Notre Dame, and his talk focused on correcting the faults that he had observed. The players offered no excuse for their performance and clearly indicated that their opponent deserved to win. Benedict was still on the injured list, but expected to return to practice this week. Military drills that had interfered with October practices were now suspended until the spring, and this will free up at least an hour to practice football practice each day. Graves' arrival to the coaching staff will benefit the linemen as they prepare for the preparatory games before the season ender with Navy.

Tuesday's practice was two hours long in good weather. It ended with a 35 minute scrimmage between the first team and scrubs with the varsity scoring three times with Benny Hoge, Leland Hobbs, and Paul Hodgson carrying the pigskin on plunges through the line and around end. Merillat and Bill Britton are fighting for playing time at right end. Work on forward passing appeared early in the practice, but was not utilized during the scrimmage. A hard scrimmage was planned for Wednesday.

The starters for the game against Albright College included Meacham (left guard), McEwan (center), Weyand (right tackle), Merillat (right end), Prichard (quarterback), Hodgson (right halfback), and Hobbs (fullback). Albright was an aggressive bunch, and the closest it got to the Army goal line was early in the first quarter after Meacham (or Weyand) was thrown out of the game for slugging an opponent. An attempted goal from placement from the Army 45 yard line fell short of the goal posts. Another field goal attempt failed from the fifty yard line.

Army led 41-0 at halftime due to combinations of long runs and forward passes. Hobbs scored four touchdowns, while Hodgson got two. Also scoring was Prichard, Benny Hoge, Bill Hoge (pass reception), Jouett (pass reception), and Bill Britton (pass reception). Hobbs rushed 75 yards for a score in the second quarter. Prichard ran 55 yards for a touchdown. McEwan was successful on five goals from touchdown while Bill Hoge and Millburn kicked one apiece. In the fourth quarter, Woodruff made a field goal from placement. The game ended with Army routing Albright, 77-0.

1914 team substitutes included Britton (left end), Goodman (left guard, center), O'Hare (left guard), Herrick (right guard), Confer (right tackle), Bill Hoge (right end), Hess (right end), Ford (fullback), and Woodruff (fullback).

On November 15th against Villanova, Daly started Meacham (left guard), McEwan (center), Weyand (right tackle), Merillat (right end), Prichard (quarterback), Hodgson (left halfback), and Hobbs (right halfback). Villanova arrived at West Point with a 4-0-1 record, the tie being in its first game against Swarthmore. Army's backs rushed for six touchdowns and passed for two in defeating Villanova 55-0. Merillat caught two forward passes from Prichard for touchdowns. McEwan kicked seven goals from touchdown, making six, while Merillat successfully kicked another. Hobbs scored twice and Hodgson three times. One touchdown was a 65 yard interception return by Hobbs. Woodruff kicked a field goal from the Villanova forty yard line in the second quarter, but it went wide by a slight margin.

Villanova had two chances to score. From the Army 46, a field goal attempt went true, but hit the cross bar and bounced back. After completing a forward pass to the Army five, the Cadets stiffened and forced another field goal attempt. McEwan broke through the line and blocked the kick.

Substitutes were Bill Hoge (left end), Herrick (left guard), Walter Hess (right halfback), Louie Ford (right halfback), Woodruff (fullback), Goodman (guard), Larkin (tackle), O'Hare (guard), and Boots (fullback).

On Tuesday, November 18th, Army practiced for ninety minutes in secret. The regular gridiron was considered too chewed up and a field was laid out north of it, with guards stationed at all approaches in case Navy had scouts nearby. The coaches experimented with several different men in the backfield and along the line. Benedict made an appearance but did not scrimmage, his first since his injury in the Tufts game. He practiced goals from placement. Forward passing was again a disappointment to the coaches.

Thursday's practice lasted for two hours until dark in summer-like temperatures, testing the endurance of the football men. Head Coach Daly inserted himself into the scrimmage to demonstrate the need to for "more speed." The varsity scrimmaged the scrubs for an hour and scored three times. Woodruff kicked a goal from placement from his 35 yard line, and missed another attempt from the same spot. Hodgson and Benedict are still injured and not practicing. Multiple players were tried in the backfield. Britton starred among the ends in catching passes, though the forward passing was still unsatisfactory for the coaches.

The football squad received rather light work on Friday. A signal drill occurred, and the linemen participated in one of Graves' defensive drills. Plays were rehearsed for Saturday's meeting with the Springfield Training School. There was much forward passing attempted. Hobbs practiced his punting due to Hodgson's injury. Benedict practiced kicking, but was doubtful for the game. Ford will be used to replace Benedict and also may be used in the punting game. Springfield was expected to present a hard test for West Point and a low score was predicted. Daly planned to work the first string men enough and then substitute the remainder of the game.

Daly's starting line-up was Meacham (left guard), Weyand (right tackle), Merillat (right end), and Hobbs (right halfback). Springfield entered the game with a 6-1-0 record, its only blemish was a 26-6 loss at Brown. Army opened the game with a drive towards Springfield's goal line. A pass by Doe was intercepted by a Springfield player, but Merillat tackled him in his own end zone for a safety. Army fielded the free kick and drove down the field again, with Hobbs going through the line for a six yard touchdown. Merillat missed the goal from touchdown. Woodruff attempted a goal from placement in the waning minutes of the first quarter, but the kick from the thirty yard line was short. No scoring occurred in the second quarter and the half ended with Army leading 8-0.

During the third quarter, Merillat caught a pass from Doe and ran 35 yards to the Springfield five yard line. Milburn scored on the next play, but the punt-out was dropped, making the score 14-0. On the next series, Springfield used several forward passes to move the football to the Army twenty. An Army holding call pushed the line of scrimmage near the goal line. A fake pass attempt led to an end around run for a touchdown, with the goal from touchdown made. The score was now 14-7 at the end of the third quarter. Army defended and halted a late attempt by Springfield to tie the score. Springfield had tried a wide variety of passes, but Army was able to defend and prevent them from scoring except once. The coaches were fairly satisfied with the efforts of the Army squad. Meacham was injured in the game and his prognosis for the Navy outing was dim.

Substitutes against Springfield were Larkin (left tackle), O'Hare (left guard), Goodman (center), McEwan (center), Britton (right end), Mahoney (quarterback), Ford (right halfback, fullback), Woodruff (fullback), and Hess (back).

Navy Week began on Sunday as both teams prepared for their game on November 29th at the Polo Grounds before an estimated crowd of 42,000. Navy had completed its season undefeated and a record of 7-0, all at home. Bucknell was the only team to score on the Midshipmen in a 70-6 defeat. Navy had defeated Penn State 10-0, a team that Notre Dame beat 14-7 at State College. Neither team had scheduled any of the large Eastern teams, due to their smaller student bodies. Navy had scored 295 points while Army's points scored and given up was 231-48.

Monday's practice consisted of a signal drill with Hodgson and Benedict returning from injury. Hodgson spent most of his time punting under the watchful eye of his head coach. The signal drill was going well until the team began to rehearse the new plays, and from there was much confusion between the players and coaches. Separately, the second string men practiced the same signal drill plays. The scrubs were elsewhere learning Navy plays to prepare for scrimmages over the next two practices.

In Wednesday's edition of The New York Times , it replayed the story from early October about USMA Superintendent Colonel Townsley's desire to bar intercollegiate football at West Point due to the number of injuries the sport was causing. The article repeated the statistics on injuries from the Superintendent's Annual Report. It was unknown why the article was essentially repeated. My conjecture was that Army football fans may have been concerned that the Superintendent's argument had been making traction among a few members of the War Department or the President's inner circle; and felt that making it public again would raise enough voices to counter any decisions to terminate Army football.

The last football practice at West Point occurred on Thursday morning before Thanksgiving dinner. The drill was light after harder scrimmages on Tuesday and Wednesday, and lasted only 25 minutes. On Friday morning at 8:30, a squad of forty men left for New York City on the New York Central railroad with coaches, trainers, and medical personnel.

The Army team arrived at the Hotel Astor at 11 o'clock and were ushered to the eighth floor. Parents, friends, and even Army generals were prohibited from meeting with the football men or entering their floor. Telephones in the rooms were disconnected. The team ate its Friday dinner at the rooftop Belvidere restaurant. Army was transported to the Polo Grounds after 2 pm, and took the field for a final signal drill after Navy had completed its one hour secret practice. Both teams practiced punting and kicking field goals, as the last three games had been decided by the Navy kickers.

Navy sent 33 players to New York. The Midshipmen team was also similarly isolated at the Vanderbilt Hotel. Navy did receive entertainment after supper from a number of colored musicians who played and sang ragtime songs until the team retired to their rooms at 10 pm.

The Corps of Cadets left by train at 11 am from West Point and arrived at High Bridge station around 1 pm. The Cadets then marched to the Polo Grounds. The Brigade of Midshipmen arrived in Jersey City around 11 am, then boarded ferryboats and traveled on the Hudson River to 158th Street, where they marched to the stadium.

Kickoff on Saturday was after 2 pm in the presence of the President, Cabinet Officers, members of Congress, distinguished diplomats, prominent society people, military and naval officers, the student bodies of the two academies, and others among the 42,000 attending. The starting line-up of the 1914 football men was McEwan (center), Weyand (right tackle), Merillat (right end), Prichard (quarterback), and Benedict (fullback).

Navy won the toss and chose to defend the west goal. There was a slight wind coming from the northwest. There was also another advantage, as the east end sloped downward slightly providing an advantage to anyone running from west to east. McEwan kicked off, and Navy returned the ball twenty yards to its 35 yard line. An off tackle run gained eight yards.

With good blocking, William Nicholls ran wide around left end with Prichard tackling him on the Army 23 for a first down. Two rushes off of right tackle gained one and five yards. Two yards were made off right guard. On fourth down, Navy went off left tackle for seven yards to the Army 8 and a first down. A line plunge up the middle gained nothing. Off right guard the Midshipmen made four yards. A center plunge rushed half the distance to the goal line, making it fourth down and two yards to gain. Army stopped a right tackle buck for no gain and Navy lost the ball on downs.

Jouett immediately punted, and Nicholls returned it ten yards to the Army 18. An off right tackle run made three yards. Nicholls dropped back as if to hold for a goal from placement, then ran left and was tackled by Merillat for no gain. A line plunge through the middle failed to gain any yardage. John Brown kicked a goal from placement from the Army 19 through the goal posts. Navy led 3-0.

Army elected to kickoff. McEwan kicked off to Nicholls, who returned it twenty yards to the Navy 35 where he was tackled and fumbled the football. Jouett recovered the ball for Army. Benny Hoge plunged through the middle for a yard, with Navy penalized five yards for being offside. Hoge failed to gain through center and Navy was called offside again, with Army gaining a first down. Benedict rushed off left guard and then Jouett ran off right guard, both failing to gain any yardage. On third down, Prichard dropped back as if to hold it for a placement kick, stood up, and threw a forward pass towards Merillat standing in the end zone. The pass was incomplete and resulted in a turnover for Army.

Navy's has the football on their twenty. Nicholls punted immediately to Prichard, who returned it fifteen yards to the Navy 40. Benedict made one yard off of left guard. Jouett lost two yards on a run towards the left end. Prichard lost eight yards running right. Jouett punted to Nicholls, who was immediately tackled by Markoe on the Navy 15.

Navy gained a yard off left guard and went out of bounds. Weyand and Hamner Huston tackled the Midshipman on a left tackle buck for a loss of two yards. Nicholls punted to Prichard, who was tackled by Brown at midfield. Hoge made five yards off right guard. Prichard dropped back to pass, but found all three receivers covered, and threw the ball incomplete to the ground. Prichard passed over left tackle was incomplete. On fourth down, Jouett punted to Nicholls to his eight yard line, returning it to the Navy 15 where he was tackled by Merillat and Markoe. The whistle blew ending the first quarter with Navy leading Army, 3-0.

Hobbs was substituted for Benedict at fullback. Navy had a first down on its fifteen yard line. Navy made one yard off left tackle. Navy was penalized five yards for being offside. Nicholls juggled a bad snap and Wynne tackled him on the Navy 7 for a big loss. On third down and 18 yards to gain, Nicholls punted deep to Jouett who was downed on the Army 32. Jouett immediately punted back to Navy, and Jones and Markoe tackled the punt returner at the Navy 40.

From a kick formation, Nicholls lost one yard when he slipped making an attempted end run. Nicholls dropped back as if to punt, but fumbled the snap. John Markoe recovered the fumble on the Navy 7 (or Walter Wynne blocked the punt and Weyand recovered it). Hoge plunged through center for no gain. Hobbs made one yard off right guard. Prichard set up to hold for a placement kick, stood up, and then ran left but was tackled for a five yard loss. Woodruff came in to the game for Jouett. On fourth down, Prichard held the ball above the ground and Woodruff kicked the football through the goal posts for a 19 yard field goal. Army now was tied, 3-3.

Hodgson was substituted for Woodruff. Navy elected to kickoff. Brown kicked off to Hodgson (or Prichard) who returned it seven yards and fumbled the ball upon being tackled. Navy recovered the fumble at the Army 22. Navy made three yards off of left guard and then rushed twice for one and four yards off of right guard. On fourth down, Nicholls held the ball above the ground and Brown kicked a goal from placement for a 25 yard field goal, pushing the score to Navy 6, Army 3.

Army elected to kickoff. McEwan kicked off to Nicholls, who returned it forty yards until tackled by Merillat on the Army 40. Navy plunged four yards off right guard, rushed two yards through the middle, and failed to gain through a center line plunge. On fourth down, Brown set up to try a goal from placement with Nicholls holding, but the snap went over Nicholls head. Brown caught the snap and attempted a forward pass to the right end that fell incomplete.

Army had a first down on the Army 34. Hobbs punted immediately to Navy, and Army downed the football at the Navy 40. A line plunge through center gained a yard. A run off right tackle gained seven. On third down, Nicholls prepared to punt. Jones blocked the punt and Weyand recovered it at the Army 45. Hodgson failed to gain anything off of right tackle. P.A. was stopped at the line of scrimmage on his next rush off of right guard. Prichard dropped back to pass, but had to throw the ball incomplete to the ground as all receivers were covered. Hobbs punted on fourth down and Jones tackled the returner on the Navy 17.

A right end run gained three yards. Nicholls punted to Prichard, who returned it 25 yards to the Navy 35. Prichard threw an incomplete pass over center. Prichard passed to Markoe who was tackled on the Navy 20 for a first down. Navy was penalized two yards for trying to take a time out. Prichard dropped back to pass, and found Louie Merillat alone in the end zone for a touchdown. McEwan missed the goal from touchdown. Navy elected to kickoff. Brown kicked off to Hoge, who returned it 15 yards to the Army 24. Time was then called ending the first half. Army led Navy, 9-6.

McEwan kicked off to Nicholls, who returned it ten yards until tackled by Huston on the Navy 20. Nicholls immediately punted to Prichard, who returned it three yards to the Army 33. On the next play, Army was penalized 15 yards for holding. Hoge made three yards off of right guard. Jouett punted out of bounds at the Navy 30. Nicholls punted immediately to Prichard who was downed on the Army 30.

Benedict gained three yards off of left guard and went out of bounds. Faking a punt, Jouett ran two yards around left end. Jouett then punted to Nicholls, who ran it back 38 yards to the Army 42. Navy rushed three yards off of right guard. Nicholls ran twelve yards around left end before being tackled by Jouett on the Army 27. Another left end run resulted in a three yard loss due to Jouett's tackle. Faking a pass, Nicholls ran eight yards, with McEwan stopping the run. Navy was then penalized five yards for being offside. On fourth down, Brown kicked a goal from placement from the Army 28, tying the game, 9-9.

Army elected to kickoff. McEwan kicked to Nicholls, who returned it 23 yards to the Navy 35, tackled by Markoe. Nicholls punted to Benedict who was tackled on the Army 35. Jouett punted immediately to Nicholls, who was downed at the Navy 20 by Merillat. Nicholls immediately punted to Prichard who was downed at the Navy 47.

On first down, Jouett failed to gain any yards off right guard. Benedict made two yards through center. Prichard passed to left end Markoe, who went out of bounds on the Navy 41. On fourth down, a left end run lost 13 yards, giving possession to Navy. Nicholls immediately punted to Prichard who was downed on the Army 38. On first down, Jouett failed to gain on a line plunge, and appeared to fumble the ball. A Navy player picked up the ball and ran it back for a touchdown, but the officials called the play back as they said the Army runner was down. Jouett punted to Harrison, who was downed by Jones at the Navy 35.

Ford came in the game for Benedict. Navy made two yards through center. Nicholls punted to Prichard, who muffed the ball and recovered it on the Army 25. Jouett punted to Nicholls, who was tackled at the Navy 40 by Wynne. From a kick formation, Navy lost one yard on a left end run. Nicholls then punted to Ford, who returned it five yards to the Army 30. Prichard failed to gain off of right guard. Jouett punted to Nicholls, who fair caught the football at the Navy 40. Nicholls immediately punted it back to Prichard, who returned it ten yards to the Army 38.

Prichard's pass over center was incomplete. Navy was then penalized five yards for being offside. Hoge failed to gain any yardage off of left guard. Merillat ran around left end and down the field for a 65 yard gain before he was tackled from behind and downed on the Navy 2. Hoge gained a yard off of right tackle. Hoge went over the right guard and across the goal line, downing it for a touchdown. Prichard punted out to Jouett, who called a fair catch and caught the football. McEwan kicked the goal from touchdown. Army now led 16-9. Navy elected to kickoff. Brown kicked to Hoge, who returned it 14 yards to the Army 31 on the last play of the third quarter.

Hobbs substituted Ford, while Goodman relieved McEwan at the beginning of the fourth period. Hoge gained one yard off of right guard. Jouett punted to Nicholls who was downed by Weyand at the Navy 33. A run off of right tackle gained four yards. Two yards were made through center. A line plunge off of right tackle gained nothing. Nicholls punt was low to Hobbs (or Merillat) who caught it on the run and returned it 45 yards to the Navy 20.

On first down, Hobbs gained eight yards off of right tackle. Army was penalized two yards for taking a time out. Hoge gained two yards through center. Jouett received the snap from Goodman, and pitched it to Prichard, who immediately threw a forward pass to Merillat in the end zone who downed it for a touchdown. Prichard punted out to Jouett, who fair caught the ball but stepped on the goal line, losing the chance for a goal from touchdown. Army now led, 22-9.

Ralph Mitchell now relieved Nicholls at quarterback for Navy. Navy elected to receive the kickoff. McEwan kicked to Mitchell, who returned it for 30 yards to the Army 47. Mitchell then gained five yards off of left tackle. Weyand tackled Mitchell for a two yard loss. Navy attempted a forward pass to their left end, but Jouett was penalized 15 yards for interference. On first down, Markoe dropped Mitchell for a one yard loss on a right end run. Mitchell gained three yards through center. Mitchell then threw a forward pass that Hobbs intercepted, returning it five yards to the Army 35.

On first down, Hobbs failed to gain off of right tackle. Jouett punted to Mitchell, who fumbled. Navy recovered the ball on its 32. Navy gained one yard around right end. A forward pass over center fell incomplete. A line plunge over center failed to gain. On fourth down, Alexander punted to Jouett, who muffed the ball. Navy recovered the ball on the Army 25.

McEwan returned to the game and relieved Goodman. Markoe broke up a forward pass attempt on first down. Navy threw a forward pass to its receiver in the end zone, who failed to catch it. Navy lost the football due to a turnover. Army has a first down on its twenty. Hobbs made five yards over center. Hoge gained two up the middle. On third down, Jouett punted to Mitchell, who returned it nine yards and was tackled by Hoge at the Army 48.

Jones stopped a line plunge for no gain. Navy's forward pass was intercepted by Prichard at the Army 37. Both Hobbs and Jouett failed to gain any yardage on two runs off right guard. Prichard ran twelve yards around left end for a first down. Navy was penalized 15 yards for holding. Jouett gained two yards off of right guard. Hobbs failed to gain off of right tackle. It was third down with eight yards to gain on the Navy 34 when the whistle blew ending the game. Army beat Navy, 22-9.

The Corps of Cadets rushed the field, then followed the USMA Band in an informal march around the field twice. With the Cadets surrounding the field, a huge West Point flag of black, gold, and gray silk was planted in the middle. At a given word, the Cadets rushed the colors as the rain began falling harder with the sky getting darker. The Cadets then formed up in front of the seated Midshipmen and cheered for the Navy football team. The celebration continued for some time before the Cadets started their march back to the train station.

The Corps of Cadets returned to West Point Saturday immediately after the game. After arriving Saturday evening, the Cadets were ordered to turn in all contraband, such as cigarettes or food. They then were allowed to attend the Cadet Hop until 10:30 pm. At the mandatory service in the Cadet Chapel on Sunday morning, someone changed the signs announcing the hymns to read "A 22, N 9."

The Army football team returned to West Point on Sunday at Noon. They were met at the train station by 600 Cadets, the USMA Band, and members of the post and local community. An Army mule had the Navy Goat (maybe not the official one) strapped to its back, bound with a sailor's knot twisted in a way to say "22." The football men were loaded on the ancient stage coach, and the Corps of Cadets hauled it up the hill to The Plain with the USMA Band leading the possession. Cheers were made to members of the team, coaching staff, and the trainers. Speeches and songs were done at dinner in the Cadet Mess.

The juniors on the football team had elected Vern Prichard as the team captain for the 1914 football team. Kelton, in writing to his future wife in early December about his classmate, correctly predicted that "he will make a mighty good one, for he has the confidence of every man on the team. He will take us to another victory, I feel sure."

A few days after the game, newspaper accounts accused Michigan head football coach Fielding Yost of providing coaching to the Army team in the last week of practice before the Navy game. Yost countered that he only spent a few days at West Point this year, arriving on Tuesday afternoon and leaving Wednesday evening, visiting old friends including Charlie Daly and Pot Graves.

Yost admitted he did assist coaching Army football during the 1908 season, but had no part in any coaching during the 1913 season. He pointed out that the success of Army football could be contributed solely to its coaching staff and that changes and the introduction of new plays in the last week before a championship game work at the disadvantage of the team's play. In 1947, Prichard confirmed in a letter to Cohane that he received no coaching from Yost before the Navy game.

Roscoe Woodruff wrote his parents after the game and said, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." He remarked about his field goal in the second quarter that "scoring the first points in four years was a critical moment of the game." A week later, he wrote that it was "strange to be free on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday after inspections" and "was expecting to see the film of the game."

The next Saturday, the football men receiving letters gathered at Cullum Hall for a photograph. The Assistant Cadet Manager, Henry Pendleton, handed out black sweater coats that served as Army letter jackets at the time. The 1913 Football team lettermen of the 1914 team included juniors Benedict, Goodman, Herrick, Hess, Hobbs, Hodgson, Larkin, Merillat, Prichard, and Woodruff; yearlings O'Hare and Weyand; and plebes Ford, McEwan, and Meacham.

On an almost daily basis, letters were read at the dinner meal in the Cadet Mess Hall from General Berry, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy, General Leonard Wood, and others. Cadet Kelton wrote his parents "the Superintendent is hearing he will never do away with football at West Point." Many in the press called Merillat the "Forward Pass King."

Weyand felt that the 1913 Army-Navy game did more to popularize passing then the Army-Notre Dame game. The 1913 Navy team was considered one of the strongest teams in the country, and with Army's attack being witnessed by President Wilson and 42,000 fans at the Polo Grounds, including many football coaches and sports writers, word spread fast across the football establishment.

During the month of December, individuals on the football team received recognition for their performance during the 1913 season. These included:

Louie Merillat – first-team All-American (Walter Camp, International News Service, Trenton Evening News, Parke Davis, and Newark Sunday); All-Eastern (Frederick Daly, New York Press, New York World, New York Tribune, Robert Boyers, New York Sun, and Yale News)

Alex Weyand – second-team All-American (Walter Camp and International News Service); All-Eastern (New York World and Robert Boyers)

Vern Prichard – second-team All-American (Harper's Weekly); All-Eastern (New York World, New York Tribune, and Robert Boyers)

During the football season, a total of 24 Cadets were admitted to hospital, and 18 more were excused from duties but not admitted. Ten injuries were considered so severe that they would cause lifetime problems. The 42 football injuries in the 1913 season compare to 85, 41, 66, and 61 during the 1909-1912 seasons. There were 157 days lost to classes due to football players being hospitalized. Football represented 76% of all injuries hospitalized and 29% overall, consistent with the last four seasons.

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Chapter 6: Preseason: December 1913 – August 1914

As the Cadets returned to class on Monday morning with all the good feelings of a victory over Navy, Lieutenant Dan Sultan's thoughts drifted to tonight's meeting of the Army Athletic Council while he watched the Cadets in his section work engineering problems on the blackboard. What city and stadium would host the next Army-Navy football game? And how much of his time would be spent with his Navy counterparts in trying to come to a meeting of the minds?

We do know that on the evening of December 1, 1913, the council met to discuss the location for the 1914 football game. After re-appointing Strang Nicklin as Army baseball coach and appointing Lieutenant Stilwell as basketball coach, the council spent its remaining time discussing the merits for having the game at the Polo Grounds venue in 1914 against other alternatives that the Navy officials might proposed. All eyes turned to Lieutenant Sultan, the Assistant Football Representative, to be responsible for initiating talks with his Navy counterpart.

On Saturday morning, the plebes started a series of lectures from outside university professors. In some ways, it was better than actually having to go to class, but the risk of falling asleep and being awaken to demerits might be too much for some who had spent much of Friday night into Saturday morning cleaning their room, rifle, and polishing shoes. Professor Arlo Bates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology lectured that morning on "The Value of Literature." That afternoon in the gym, the Army basketball team won its first game of the season against Rensselaer Tech, 23-18.

The next Saturday saw Yale Professor Arthur T. Hadley lecture the plebes on the "Study of History." Army basketball lost to Fordham, 22-18. And the upperclassmen were told that they had to return from Christmas Leave on December 31st because the Army required all of its units to have an end-of-year muster for accountability. That Sunday evening, junior Edwin Kelton wrote his parents in answer to their questions about the next Navy football game "the only thing to prevent us from playing is a deadlock to the place where to play."

On Friday, December 19th, plebe William P.C. Perry suddenly resigned from West Point, maybe because he could not take another Saturday morning lecture. The record was not clear why he resigned so near the end of the first academic term. His classmates did attend another lecture the next day, this by Smith College Professor Charles D. Hazen on "Notable Figures of the French Revolution." Yale beat Army in basketball 40-32 that afternoon, but everyone proficient was able to go to the Cadet Hop for a couple hours that evening.

Sunday's The New York Times had two opposing articles about where the 1914 Army-Navy game should be played. In one article clearly making the paper a classic homer – it pointed out that the Polo Grounds was able to seat 42,000 "with the slightest inconvenience and received positive reviews by all" and that Franklin Field in Philadelphia "is considered a remote choice as it cannot handle the number of fans that both institutions attract." The expectation is that the New York Baseball Club would be inviting the two teams back to New York. Another article described how a group of Washington, DC civic organizations had decided that raising money to host a football game in the nation's capital was too much for private organizations, and that they would seek support in Congress to build a stadium in the city to host athletic and other events.

AAA bought twelve copies of Herbert Reed's book Football for Public and Player for usage by coaches and the team the next week. Yale announced that it would play Notre Dame on October 17th.

On Tuesday, the first academic term came to an end. Some academic departments conducted end of term examinations for every Cadet enrolled, while others only re-tested those deficient. For example, the French department had 141 yearlings enrolled, and had to re-examine 16 Cadets. 13 Cadets passed, and the remaining three were conditioned to be retested in February.

The Mathematics department decided that daily testing was not nearly enough, so all 141 yearlings and 185 plebes had end of term examinations, and seven yearlings and six plebes were found deficient on the exams. One of the yearlings was football player James Peterman.

The Spanish department examined all 176 members of the Second Class and found everyone proficient. In Philosophy, juniors Hugh Mitchell and Charles Herrick were declared deficient in the Mechanics phase and would be re-examined during the next week. Herrick passed his re-examination, while Mitchell was conditioned until late March.

After completing and passing any exams, upperclassmen could then leave West Point for a short Christmas leave. For those stuck at West Point, either because they were plebes, were academically deficient, or had not asked or qualified for leave, there was a Christmas Eve Hop, a Christmas dinner in the Cadet Mess Hall on Thursday, and any re-examinations ended on Friday. Meanwhile, West Point discharged two yearlings for deficiency in conduct, as they had earned too many demerits since July. For those staying at West Point, there were Cadet Hops on Saturday and Monday nights to 11 pm.

Almost everyone got back to West Point on time to stand muster on December 31st. According to Kelton, it lasted four minutes. At least they had the New Year's Eve Hop to attend that evening from 8:15 pm to midnight. New Year's Day was barely above freezing, but no snow, and the dinner in the Cadet Mess Hall was dreadful. As if to brighten everyone's day, the Corps of Cadets started their second academic term on Friday, January 2nd.

Saturday there was no visiting professor to lecture the plebes that morning. I am sure Plebe Mathematics was an able substitute. Basketball lost to Manhattan 21-18 and Hockey lost 5-0 to Massachusetts Agricultural, the future UMass Amherst. There was no official Cadet Hop that evening.

Sunday, it snowed almost a foot, and many a Cadet spent the day "gloriously coasting down" any hill they could find, especially "the long hill to the train station," according to Kelton. It snowed another two inches Sunday night, and it appears that much of the post was closed, but probably the Cadets had classes on Monday. Two sledding accidents happened, one with an officer and his wife, with him breaking his leg in five places; the other much more serious, where members of the USMA Band sleighed down a steep hill in Highland Falls and hit a telephone pole head-on, killing one person immediately and another two days later, and injuring two others.

The next four days were cold but no snow. By Friday, the high was in the mid-forties. Sad news was received of the death of Simon Bolivar Buckner, USMA Class of 1844, former soldier and Governor of Kentucky, and the last Lieutenant General of the Confederate States Army to pass away.

The Academic Board had decided on the fates of several deficient Cadets. No seniors were found. Of the juniors, one was discharged for failing both Philosophy and Chemistry and two were turned back. The yearlings lost a total of four discharged and three others (including Peterman) were immediately turned back. Of the plebes, all 14 were discharged. Of the Cadets who were turned back, they all immediately joined the lower classes, repeating the second term classes from last year again.

Hockey beat Cornell on Friday 1-0. Cornell returned the favor in basketball winning 34-25 on Saturday. Edwin Kelton tells us that "the games are not much entertaining." In between, the plebes returned to the Saturday morning lecture, this time enjoying Harvard Professor George Baker on Shakespeare. There was a Cadet Hop that evening.

The Army Athletic Council had a meeting on January 13th. They appointed junior Henry Pendleton as Cadet Manager and yearling James Crane as his assistant; they approved the amount of guarantees to be paid of all opponents for the 1914 season – Stevens ($75), Rutgers ($125), Colgate ($400), Holy Cross ($400), Villanova ($200), Notre Dame ($1,000), Maine ($500), and Springfield ($425); and they appointed Lieutenant Philip Mathews as the new Secretary/Treasurer.

Again, much of the meeting turned to discussing the location of the Army-Navy football game. They reviewed what little information they had received from the weekend semi-annual meeting of the Navy Athletic Association (NAA) in Annapolis. It seems that NAA had discussed at length the same issue, had acknowledged their praise of the game at the Polo Grounds, but took no action on the matter, being more concerned about taking steps to appoint a new head football coach for the coming season. The council members left the meeting with temperatures below five degrees and high winds blowing from the north.

The last two weeks of January continued the cold weather with occasional snow and sleet. The basketball team lost to Union, Swarthmore, and Syracuse while hockey lost to the New York National Guard's 7th Regiment and Princeton and beat Stone School. The new East Academic building was completed and faculty began to occupy it and use the new chemical laboratory, what would eventually be named Bartlett Hall.

The Commandant of Cadets, Major Fred Sladen, left West Point for reassignment, without a replacement immediately being named. Due to the sudden and unexpected departure, the Corps was full of rumors, as it was unclear why Sladen left. The plebes continued their Saturday lectures, from Yale Professor Albert Keller on "Colonization" and Columbia Professor J.H. Robinson on the "Lesson of History."

On January 23rd, Yale athletic officials sent letters to both academies offering the Yale Bowl for the 1914 Army-Navy football game. Army officials were contacted and expressed interest, but felt that Navy would not be interested in traveling so far that the Brigade of Midshipman would be gone from Annapolis more than a day.

On Sunday, February 1st, after being dismissed from inspection in ranks, about one-third of the Corps of Cadets sprinted across The Plain to the Hotel to sign up for a room for the Easter Hop weekend for their drags. Most found that the available rooms had already been taken by Cadets who snuck over to the Hotel after breakfast. Paul Hodgson wrote his parents that those Cadets should be investigated by the Vigilance Committee (what the Honor Committee was then called).

In early February, the University of Pennsylvania released its 1914 football schedule. It was announced that Navy would be traveling to Philadelphia's Franklin Field for an away game. This would be the first time Navy had played a football game away from Annapolis except to play Army at West Point. Back in 1894, the Secretaries of War and the Navy had issued orders that the two academies would play all opponents in athletics at home. This was subsequently modified in 1899 to allow for each academy to play the other at neutral or home/away locations.

The plebes continued their lecture series in February, listening to Yale's Allen Johnson on "the Irish Question," New York University's Brian Hooker on "The Value of Poetry," Yale's Henry Beers on "Milton," Yale's B.B. Reed on "The Cavalier Poets," Princeton's Robert Root on "Sheridan," and Yale's John C. Adams on "Wordsworth and the Romantic Movement."

In hockey, Army lost to Dartmouth and Amherst and finished with a 2-5 record. In basketball, Army beat New York University, St John College, Pratt Institute, and Saint Lawrence, finishing with a 5-7 record under Lieutenant Stilwell. Army won an indoor polo match against Durland's Riding Academy on February 12th.

According to Kelton, there was "cold weather for a month with a foot of snow on The Plain throughout." The U.S. Weather Bureau data backs him up, snowing nine days more than an inch in February. On Saturday, February 7th, a steam pipe burst at the Cadet Chapel, causing $769 in damage to the organ. Eight inches hit on February 14th, but the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club visited West Point and put on concerts throughout the weekend. On that same day, the Department of War announced the name of the new Commandant, Captain Morton F. Smith.

The annual 100th Night show, entitled this year "No Dream," was conducted on Saturday, February 21st at the expense of the tactical officers. Most weekends had hops and organ recitals. On Monday, February 23rd, the post was closed down for Washington's Birthday, and the Cadets did not have class. Monday evening there was a big Cadet Hop, with a "big mob attending" despite the fact that the Cadets had classes the next morning. On the 28th, two motion pictures were shown on post.

Daniel Sultan was promoted to Captain at the end of February. Sultan received word that the Convention Bureau of the Merchants' Association of New York City had petitioned the Secretaries of War and the Navy to have the 1914 Army-Navy football game in New York, providing them with information on the benefits and addressing concerns raised in the press.

Two days later, Philadelphia businessmen countered these claims and provided data on the advantages of having the game in Philly. They were able to gain support from the USNA Superintendent, Captain Fullam, but he also pointed out that it was each academy's athletic association that has to make these decisions. A follow-up article a few days later had the Philadelphian businessmen proposing to build a new stadium at League Island if Franklin Field or the two baseball stadiums could not be expanded.

Meanwhile, it continued to snow during the first week of March. Paul Hodgson wrote his parents that a foot and a half fell on Saturday and Sunday. Woodruff said that the snow caused over $1,000 damage to the glass and steel roof of the Riding Hall. The plebes no longer had lectures from near famous professors on Saturday morning, but they did begin Drill through the end of May. The Indoor Meet was held on Saturday, March 14th, with Carl Hocker winning the standing broad jump and shot, Bill Hoge winning the vault, Alex Weyand winning the heavyweight wrestling title, and Bob Neyland winning the heavyweight boxing title.

West Point graduate George Beavers advocated in the press the need to select the Polo Grounds for the game, citing the superior street car system in New York compared to Philadelphia. At the Founder's Day Dinner at the Hotel Astor on Monday night, the West Point graduates united in a resolution that read "that New York City is the ideal and logical place for the game. We express ourselves and pledge ourselves to use all our efforts in that behalf." That evening, graduate Edward Holden, USMA Head Librarian, suddenly died. His funeral, attended by the Corps of Cadets, was that Friday.

Tuesday was a better day. Riding classes for the Second and Third Classes ended for the academic year. And outside West Point, it was St Patrick's Day, and Dr. Thomas H. Curtin invented green beer at the Schnorrer Club of Morrisania in the Bronx. On Wednesday, Captain Sultan announced the official 1914 football schedule to the press. It also sleeted all day.

On Saturday night, the Cadets enjoyed a rather good Hop. But it then started to snow, and the first baseball game against Bucknell on Sunday, March 22nd was canceled due to snow. Captain Smith arrived at West Point to become the Commandant that day. By Tuesday, Paul Hodgson said The Plain had the dirtiest, sickest snow on it. On the next Sunday, the major league New York Giants beat the Cadets 7-2 in a baseball exhibition on a very rainy weekend.

On March 31st, Army and Navy officers met in a long conference that ran past midnight. The positions were clear, as Army wanted the Polo Grounds and Navy wanted Philadelphia, and the only agreement was that Philadelphia could not handle a crowd of 45,000 that New York could. The groups agreed to look at alternatives.

Princeton's new Palmer Stadium was selected as Navy's alternate choice and Captain Sultan and his Navy counterpart were sent to Princeton to discuss this option. There were railroad problems for the 1906 Army-Navy game at Princeton game, but Navy felt that the Pennsylvania Railroad had addressed these issues. They found that there would be a lack of hotel accommodations in Princeton plus the railroad problems still existed, so support for Princeton disappeared.

Hugh Mitchell, who was conditioned in Philosophy in December, failed his re-examination on March 31st. Meanwhile, the Mathematics Department examined all 136 members of the Third Class and found four yearlings deficient. On April 1st, around 2 am, the Corps of Cadets turned out for reveille formation, as a few Cadets had "borrowed" the Hell Cats drum.

April began with showers, especially on weekends. Army baseball finally opened its season to a 7-2 loss to Dickinson College. A new indoor pistol range opened on Sunday under the gym. The new Commandant received his lasting nickname from the Cadets, "Willi Pickles." And on Monday, the Academic Board announced that junior Hugh Mitchell would be turned back due to deficiency in Philosophy. Unlike most turn backed Cadets, Mitchell was granted leave of absence without pay and allowances immediately until August instead of having to join his new yearling classmates. Baseball beat Cornell in the rain on Wednesday, 6-4.

Word was received on Saturday in what became to be known as the Tampico Affair. On Thursday April 9th, nine U.S. sailors landed at the Mexican port to pick up fuel when they were captured by Mexican troops. This led to efforts by the U.S. Navy to protect American citizens and other interests over the next couple weeks amid calls for war with Mexico in Congress and in the press.

Also on Saturday, the baseball game against Lafayette was cancelled due to rain. It stopped raining before and during the Easter Hop, but as the hop ended at midnight, it began to rain hard and everyone leaving got drenched. On Monday, the Academic Board discharged four yearlings for failing Mathematics. Army beat Colgate 8-0 on Wednesday. That evening, the plebes received a lecture from Clayton Hamilton of New York City on "The Contemporary Drama." It then snowed five inches that night. The high on Thursday was 35, and there was frost on The Plain Friday morning, but the temperatures rose to 64 degrees.

Because the two athletic associations were at an impasse, the service Secretaries started to get involved in early April. They called together the two sides to Washington in a meeting at the Navy Department on Friday, April 17th. A compromise was suggested by the two service Secretaries, where each academy could choose and alternate sites each year, with Navy choosing in 1914 and Army in 1915, and alternating from there. However, Navy was now favoring Washington, despite the lack of hotel accommodations and no stadium.

On Saturday, Vern Prichard organized the first of Wednesday and Saturday spring football practices until June. Fifty men turned out for practice, which started with some light work by punting, passing, and running. It was unclear whether any of the assistant football coaches that were on the USMA staff and faculty (Glade, Hayes, Pullen, Selleck, Smith, Stearns, Stilwell, or Sultan) assisted the Cadets in these practices.

Harvard beat Army baseball 15-3, with no rain and a high of 75 degrees. A girls school arrived by ferry to put on a minstrel show for the Cadets, and then an informal hop occurred with the Cadets fighting for the young ladies' attentions. It was a warm Sunday, and talk of war with Mexico dominated both meals. Rumors were flying that the senior Class of 1914 would be graduating early.

On Monday, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for permission to use force in Mexico. Meanwhile, the Colorado Army National Guard attacked a tent colony of 1,200 striking coal miners in Ludlow, Colorado, killing 24. On Tuesday, U.S. Naval forces attempted to enforce an arms embargo against Mexico by preventing a German cargo steamer from unloading arms in the port of Veracruz. By the end of the day, 3.200 sailors and marines had landed in the port city. Wednesday, the baseball game against Lehigh was cancelled due to rain, but Prichard had football practice.

On Saturday, April 25th, it rained much of the morning before clearing in the afternoon, allowing Army to beat Tufts 11-10 in baseball. Prichard had another football practice session. However, the Cadets were preoccupied with talk of war with Mexico, as Mexico had ended diplomatic relations with the United States on Thursday. The discussions continued during the Cadet Hop that evening. That day, President Wilson was persuaded by the ABC Powers (Argentine, Brazil, and Chile) to accept mediation in the conflict with Mexico. Still, rumors that the seniors would soon graduate persisted.

The next week it rained almost every day, even on Wednesday when Army beat Bucknell 15-7 in baseball and the football team had practice. On Friday, the plebes got out of classroom work and were on to The Plain learning to conduct Surveying, and being graded every day for their efforts. They would have Survey practical training every all-morning on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while attending all morning Mathematics classes on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. That Saturday, it did not rain. The football team practiced and Army baseball beat Georgetown 3-2.

It was confirmation day on Sunday, and Paul Hodgson wrote his parents that only three Cadets were confirmed. The visiting Bishop attending the service expressed his disgust during his sermon as to how few Cadets were confirmed. Hodgson also told his parents that the Cadets were issued a new uniform for the summer, white blouses and white caps.

On Monday, the seniors left West Point for a two- or three-day visit to Gettysburg, leaving the Class of 1915 in charge. A severe thunderstorm hit Tuesday night, but the next day was clear and warm. Baseball beat Penn State 7-2 and the football men practiced. The new USMA Surgeon arrived, as the former one who had supported the Superintendent's calls to abolish football retired.

It rained a little on Saturday, and Notre Dame beat the baseball team 9-3. Prichard had the football team practice in the afternoon. The Cadet Hop had lots of female visitors from neighboring colleges. Congress passed legislation to establish Mother's Day, and President Wilson's daughter Eleanor was married in the White House. On Sunday, the Class of 1915 left to visit Watervliet Arsenal. The juniors left in charge "gummed up" things according to Roscoe Woodruff; and the new Commandant relieved a Company Commander who went on the visit due to actions by his underclassmen.

On Monday, May 11th, the Cadets began to have regimental drill every afternoon. But it rained on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, frustrating the new Commandant. Still, the baseball team beat Fordham and the football men practiced on Wednesday. On Friday, President Wilson sent Army Colonel Edward House to Europe to persuade the major powers to reduce their armies and navies.

It did not rain on Saturday. A working girls association from New York City sailed up the Hudson and arrived around noon to visit West Point. They toured the sites, attended the baseball game, which Army lost to Vermont 8-3, watched football practice, and then attended an orchestra concert that evening. Rumors that a few women received marriage proposals from First Classmen, with wedding slots at the Cadet Chapel after graduation, could not be confirmed.

Members of the USMA Board of Visitors arrived at West Point for their annual visit. Starting on Tuesday, temperatures shot up into the high 80s, reaching 90 on Friday and Saturday. During the Tuesday regimental drill, with every Cadet in the formation dripping with sweat, the Board closely watched in the shade with iced refreshments. A Cadet in Woodruff's company, after noticing a very fat fellow from the Board, remarked during the parade "I'd be perfectly willing to go around The Plain four times if that elephant would only do it once." Prichard cancelled football practice on Wednesday but they did practice on Saturday in the heat. The Cadet Hop that evening was not well attended.

After eight mornings of Surveying, the Academic Board decided to discharge two plebes who were so deficient that they could not earn enough tenths in the remaining six classes. The Second Classmen heard that their class would be going to Panama in June 1915 to represent the United States in the opening ceremonies of the newly constructed Panama Canal, then steam to San Francisco for graduation ceremonies. The Panama Canal opened for business in August 1914.

In the later weeks of May, NAA began negotiations with the Washington professional baseball club on using their park for the 1914 Army-Navy football game. NAA also named Lieutenant Jonas Ingram as their head football coach for the 1914 season, subject to approval from the Naval Department, as Ingram was on duty with the Atlantic Fleet in Mexican waters. This was never approved, and Lieutenant Douglas Howard remained the head football coach for another season.

The last week of May had temperatures in the 90s, reaching a high of 97 on May 25th and 27th before falling into the 80s. It rained on Wednesday and the baseball game with Union College was cancelled. On Friday, the baseball team left to travel to Annapolis. Saturday was a federal holiday, Decoration Day, but the Cadets still had classes that morning. It was raining that afternoon at West Point, and the Cadets gathered in the gym and watched a big play-o-graph scoreboard that illustrated telegraphed play by play action from Annapolis. Army beat the Midshipmen 8-2. There was a big holiday hop, but few attended.

During the month of May, every Cadet was required to undergo a complete medical examination. Nine Cadets were identified whose vision was now less than the 20/40 admission and graduation standard. Three seniors were waived, but the other six underclassmen were conditioned and were subject to discharge if their vision did not improve. The Superintendent said in his next Annual Report that 17% of the Corps of Cadets were authorized to wear glasses, a condition he feared would hurt their effectiveness as Army Officers.

On Wednesday, June 3rd, Army beat Syracuse in baseball, 6-0. Thursday was the last day of classes, and a Cadet Hop was held that evening in a thunderstorm. On Friday, the Philosophy Department declared Charles Herrick and John Goodman deficient in Astronomy, and would require them to be re-examined in the coming days. Saturday, the baseball team beat the 7th Regiment of the New York National Guard, 12-4. This ended their season with a record of 10-5. Prior to the game, the 7th Regiment conducted a military review for the Corps of Cadets, one of the rare times the Cadets watched someone else do a parade.

The annual Outdoor Meet was also conducted that afternoon. Football men won the following – Louie Merillat (100 yard dash), Carl Hocker (discus, shot), Fay Prickett (220 yard dash), Roscoe Woodruff (hammer), and Paul Hodgson (running broad jump). There was a Cadet Hop that evening, and the Army Athletic Council met that night to discuss the location of the 1914 football game.

On Sunday, there was a Graduation Service for the First Classmen at the Cadet Chapel, and the sermon ran twenty minutes long, according to Woodruff. Woodruff also said there was a band concert at the hotel, though Cadets complained about it being cold over the last few days. The lows that weekend were 56, 54, and 59 degrees. Annual examinations were being conducted, and there was usually a Cadet Hop every evening. The last scheduled spring football practice occurred on Wednesday, June 10th. On Thursday, Goodman and Herrick received word that they had passed their re-examination. Every yearling passed French and all juniors passed Spanish. The Mathematics Department found six yearlings and eleven plebes deficient.

On Thursday, there was a Graduation Hop until 1 am on Friday. The annual reunion of graduates attracted 215 Alumni from forty classes back to the Class of 1847, the most since the 1902 reunion. The Graduation Ceremony began at 10 am on Friday, June 12th with temperatures in the nineties. The Honorable Lindley M. Garrison, Secretary of War, gave the graduation address to the 107 members of the Class of 1914 who then were commissioned as Second Lieutenants. That afternoon, the new seniors had a hard scrimmage against the new juniors and yearlings.

On Saturday morning, the new First and Third Classmen moved from barracks to The Plain for their respective Summer Camps. The new Second Classmen departed on Summer Furlough and would return in late August. An informal hop from 8-10 pm occurred that evening. Several yearlings went off post to Fort Montgomery for other reasons. The Commandant ultimately gave walking tours to 26 yearlings, and the First Classmen lost their summer camp privileges for failing to control the underclassmen.

On Sunday, Roscoe Woodruff was named First Captain and A Company Commander; and Carl Hocker was named King of Beast, commander of Beast Barracks responsible for training the New Cadets. Vern Prichard became the battalion Sergeant Major, Tom Larkin was C Company Commander; Carl Hocker was F Company Commander, Jay Boots was E Company First Sergeant, Leland Hobbs B Company Lieutenant, and Henry Pendleton F Company Lieutenant. McGee, Hodgson, Bradley, Eisenhower, and Benedict were named Cadet Sergeants. The remaining seniors were Cadet Privates.

Temperatures dropped to highs in the seventies that week. About 200 men arrived at West Point for Admittance Day on Monday, and 174 were immediately accepted into the Class of 1918. There was a one hour concert that evening for the upperclassmen, as New Cadets learned to shine shoes. Concerts would alternate with hops during most of summer camp, which generally consisted of military training all morning for the seniors and yearlings, with the afternoon available for boating, tennis, or other pursuits. The New Cadets and their detail of selected First Classmen conducted separate training.

Arriving at West Point as New Cadets were future 1914 football players Theodore Earl Buechler, William McClaskey Chapman, Wallace Duncan Collins, Karl Engeldinger, William Richard Fleming, Lawrence McCeney Jones, James Patrick Kelly, John Thornton Knight, Emil Krause, Elmer Quillen Oliphant, Royal Harry Place, David Charles George Schlenker, Edward Wrenne Timberlake, Jared Irwin Wood, and Andrew Jackson Wynne. Timberlake was the great-great-grandson of President Andrew Jackson. Chapman, Knight, Tate, and Timberlake were sons of USMA graduates with Chapman also being the grandson of William Chapman, Class of 1831.

On Tuesday, the Academic Board announced its decisions on deficient Cadets. One member of the Class of 1915 was turned back. Five members of the Class of 1916 were also turned back for deficiency in yearling Mathematics, while four more were discharged.

Major E.J. Timberlake and his family arrived at West Point on Saturday, June 20th to take over the position as USMA Quartermaster. His predecessor, Major Clayton, had left West Point in late April, and his assistant, Captain Watson, had been performing the quartermaster duties during the interim. Timberlake played in the first three Army-Navy football games in 1890-1892 and graduated with the Class of 1893. Major Timberlake was the only member of the USMA staff and faculty with a son playing football during the 1914 season.

Paul Hodgson wrote his parents that the Commandant thinks the First Classmen are doing well after the first week of Beast Barracks. Of course, some seniors are detailed to Beast, while others "had the good fortune of those who were not detailed over New Cadets." Hodgson described the Class of 1915's treatment over the New Cadets as "much gentle treatment" and "our system is better" in referring to previous senior Classes regarding Beast Barracks. He also described how one New Cadet, who had had difficulty in keeping his feet at a 45 degree angle when standing attention, took this to extreme. On the Saturday morning inspection, all of his shoes and boots in his closet were at a precise 45 degree angle.

On Tuesday, June 23rd, five U.S. Senators arrived at West Point as part of the Board of Visitors tour. Like the prior one with the members of the House of Representatives, the temperatures spiked up to mid-nineties during the visit, then fell back into eighties after they departed. On Friday evenings, the camp concert occurred outside of the Superintendent's Quarters.

On Sunday, an interesting thing occurred. Several ferries offered a special price to ride up the Hudson and tour West Point, and several thousand tourists landed at the docks just before noon. They walked up the hill and right into the Cadet's summer camps, ignoring repeated requests by Cadet guards to stop. Also on that day, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the upperclassmen would have an informal football practice. Several of the New Cadets would receive reviews, especially those having college football experience, such as Buechler (Grand Island), Engeldinger (Iowa), Fleming (Wisconsin), Oliphant (Purdue), Place (Beloit), Schlenker (Miami of Ohio), and Wynne (Marion and Auburn). Elmer Oliphant had played and lettered three seasons in football, scoring a total of 135 points with 43 in one game, earning a total of twelve letters in football, basketball, track, and baseball, as well as graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

The Academic Board on June 29th announced its decision with plebes in the Class of 1917 that had failed classes. Four were discharged for deficiency in both Mathematics and Surveying, while another Cadet was turned back to the Class of 1918 and joined them in Beast Barracks. Seven were discharged for failing plebe Mathematics, including football player Robert Bringham. Bringham would be re-admitted in late August.

As we end June with half of the Cadets in Summer Camp, the New Cadets in Beast, and the new Second Classmen on Summer Furlough, the USMA Superintendent was required to release a report at the end of each fiscal year describing the operations and situation at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and making recommendations to the President and Congress in areas of his concern. Here are a few interesting items from the Annual Report:

(1) The USMA Staff and Faculty totaled 134 personnel, of whom 110 were Army Officers. There were about 700 enlisted soldiers assigned to various detachments and companies. Wives and family members totaled about 400, with 162 children enrolled in the post school, grades 1-8.

(2) There were 613 Cadets in September 1913. At the end of June 1914, there were 661 Cadets. Changes were due to graduation (107), discharged for academics (40), discharged for conduct (2), resigned (6), turned back (13), and other reasons (5).

(3) The plans and funding authorized in 1903 to enlarge USMA capacity and improve buildings and grounds had now been largely completed. However, there were needs to build more officer quarters, improve the West Academic Building (now Pershing Barracks), and replace the laundry, hotel, and school buildings. Due to the lack of officer quarters, eight married officers and their wives were assigned to the bachelor officer building during the last academic term, while bachelor officers had to move into Cullum Hall.

(4) The Commandant reported on a few changes he had made since arriving in March. Except for summer training, he eliminated Third Classmen from holding Cadet Corporal rank, reserving this only for Second Classmen. He introduced a new white blouse and white cap uniform for summer wear, instead of having Cadets wear the Full Dress Gray Coat. He also added field training to Friday and Saturday mornings, as in previous summers the Cadets essentially had free time.

(5) The Commandant also reported that there had been 18 offenses against New Cadets or Fourth Classmen occurring in the fiscal year. All were investigated. Two Cadets were discharged and another was suspended. The remainder received disciplinary tours (hours walking the area).

(6) The Master of the Sword, Captain Koehler, reported that USMA now trains all First Classmen in how to instruct physical training and saber for enlisted men. Cadets received physical training in gymnastics, fencing, boxing, wrestling, and swimming and do voluntary exercises during release from quarters.

(7) The West Point Cemetery had 29 internments. The Corps of Cadets escorted the funeral processions of 13 retired or active duty officers or graduates.

(8) The AAA reported that it spent $18,592 in the fiscal year. The categories of this expense were Coaches ($3,277), Guarantees ($2,950), Trainers ($1,075), Officials ($911), Equipment ($3,519), Laundry/Mess ($3,643), Football Field & Stands ($454), Army-Navy Game ($2,000), and Miscellaneous ($763).

(9) The Superintendent recommended a change in the method used to admit men to West Point. Because each Cadetship was tied to a State or Congressional vacancy, and the member of Congress who appoints them controls the method of selection, dozens of able eligible men each year have no access due to where they live, and dozens of clearly ineligible men are appointed who cannot pass the academic or medical examinations. He proposed a competitive examination be conducted for all youths across the country, and that selection be made by each member of Congress based upon the individual performance on these tests.

(10) The Superintendent also requested that the expiring 1910 law be re-authorized by Congress; otherwise, the number of authorized Cadetships would fall from 720-745 to 571, about 150 below USMA's capacity. At this time, only 44% of all Army Officers are graduates. With a Corps of Cadets of about 700, this would lead to an average graduation class of 130, which would support almost all the needs of the Army.

(11) The Superintendent also recommended that USMA instructors be exempt from the 1912 detached service law and be allowed to serve four full years at West Point. The detached service law required that Army Officers must return to their regiments within three years. He desired to select top USMA graduates for service as instructors between their third and eighth year of commissioned service.

(12) The Commandant recommended that all New Cadets report on the same day. For the Class of 1917 in the summer of 1913, 156 reported on June 14th, while 37 were admitted on other dates in June, July, and August.

(13) The Commandant also requested that Cadets be trained in golf and tennis. This would require Congressional action.

(14) The Master of the Sword recommended that the War Department require physical training of all enlisted soldiers.

Efforts continued by Navy to find a place to play the 1914 football game. On June 29th, U.S. Senator Claude A. Swanson of Virginia introduced a resolution to authorize usage of the Army polo field in Washington as a site for the Army-Navy football game.

On July 1st, 26 more men were admitted to the Class of 1918. Four additional men had been admitted between June 17 and 22. Another nine men would be admitted in July and six in August. In all, there were a total of 219 men admitted to this class. There were 766 candidates for this class, with 255 men determined to be qualified. On July 2nd, the first New Cadet, Emerald C. Robbins, resigned from West Point. Two more New Cadets would resign during the third week of July, and no more would leave before the beginning of the academic year on September 1st.

The USMA Band woke up the Cadets early on Saturday morning, July 4th. The Cadets joined in an informal parade around the encampment, naked. Later in the day, the Cadets lined up in formation for the 48 gun salute for Independence Day. The football men on the Beast Barracks detail had a screening of the New Cadets to identify potential candidates. A two hour informal Cadet Hop ended the day. Meanwhile, near Vienna, the late Archduke and his wife were buried.

First Captain Woodruff had dinner with the Commandant at the Officer's Club. The Commandant told him about plans to expand the Corps from six to eight companies, with two battalions, in September. This never happened.

On July 9th, the War Department issued General Order No. 55, which dismissed First Classman Albert B. Mason as part of a Court-Martial sentence. According to Woodruff, Mason was caught cheating in an academic section and the Vigilance Committee found him guilty. Mason appealed and a Court-Martial found him guilty. Mason served in the Royal Air Force in World War I and became an attorney in California.

On Friday, July 10th, the Russian Minister to Serbia, Nicholas Hartwig, died suddenly while visiting the Austro-Hungarian Legation in Belgrade. Three days later, there were rumors in the press that a Serbian military force had attacked the Legation. Tensions between Serbia and Austria-Hungry remained high.

Sunday, the Corps of Cadets escorted the coffin of retired Brigadier General Garrett Lydecker, the number one graduate in the Class of 1864, to his burial site at the West Point cemetery. On Tuesday, Mexican President Victoriano Huerta resigned and left for Veracruz. Huerta shortly left Mexico for Europe, with about two million pesos.

An Army inspector general, Lieutenant Colonel David C. Shanks, arrived on July 15th for the annual inspection of USMA. On Saturday, he required an inspection in ranks of all Cadets present in Full Dress Gray uniforms for several hours. He also inspected the camp baths and latrines and observed military training during the week. Shanks would recommend in his report the need to expand physical training to the rest of the Army.

Shanks also inspected the field artillery detachment, and found it lacking in equipment and personnel for the duties it was required to support. He found that the laundry, hotel, and school building needed replacement. On the school house, he found that due to overcrowding, the 3rd and 4th graders had to be taught in makeshift classrooms in the basement of the Cadet Chapel during the last school year. Shanks also reported on several issues regarding the unsatisfactory state of buildings and roads throughout the post.

Shanks recommended the building of a hockey rink and tennis courts near the gym. He also found the USMA Band inadequately staffed. A review of dental operations revealed that most New Cadets entering required significant dental work, and that the War Department had not established the number of teeth that candidates had to have, and recommended the establishment of dental entrance standards.

By the middle of July, a medical corpsman noticed that in the first month of Beast Barracks there had been a large number of New Cadets reporting on sick call with chafed and blistered feet, abrasions, corns, and related conditions. An inspection was then made of every New Cadet's feet and shoes, including taking measurements. The review found that 31% of all New Cadets had conditions due to badly fitting shoes. All but one New Cadet were wearing shoes that were as much as two sizes too big or too small. Five New Cadets had shoes that were more than two inches shorter than their feet.

It was discovered that when shoes were issued, a new employee at the Cadet Store was assigned to pull the shoes from bins marked with the shoe size after the man at the counter hollered out the shoe size. This new employee had recently immigrated to the United States and did not understand English. He would pull shoes from any bin and hand them to the man at the counter, who issued them to each New Cadet. After about half the New Cadets were issued shoes, the new employee was relieved of his duties to go to lunch, and another employee took over. The medical staff also found that no one measured the feet of any New Cadets, and instituted new procedures to ensure that New Cadets would get properly fitted shoes in the future.

On Wednesday, July 23rd, Austria-Hungary sent an ultimatum to Serbia. The response from Serbia was considered unsatisfactory by the empire. Two days later, the Hungarians arrested the Chief of Staff of the Serbian Chief of Staff, who was visiting Budapest. Radomir Putnik was later released and allowed to return to Serbia. Austro-Hungarian forces began mobilizing in secret.

Later that evening, the Army Athletic Council met again to discuss the 1914 Army-Navy game. Sultan reported that Navy was trying to find a facility in Washington to host the game. Captain Sultan also reported that he had obtained the services of Charlie Daly and Tom Hammond to serve as coaches in the coming season. Finally, Major Timberlake was appointed as a member of the council.

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28th. Netherlands declared its neutrality, and Russian secretly began mobilizing it forces. British and French naval forces failed to prevent German warships from reaching the Dardanelles. In America, the foxtrot was first danced at the New Amsterdam Roof Garden in New York City. A day later, the first intercontinental telephone call was made between New York and San Francisco.

Austro-Hungarian warships bombarded Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, on July 30th. French troops withdrew ten kilometers from the German border to avoid accidental conflicts. General John French was appointed Commander of the British Expeditionary Forces. The next day, a French antimilitarist socialist leader, Jean Jaures, was assassinated by a nationalist in Paris. Germany warned Russia to stop mobilizing, but the Czar ordered a full mobilization instead.

Friday night, July 31st, fifteen First Classmen are arrested for sneaking out of camp. Early Saturday morning, a portion of the artillery stable burned down. The Commandant told First Captain Woodruff that he thinks the incidents are related. The fire caused over $21,000 damage. All 118 horses survived, but the post hay supply was lost. On Sunday night, there was an attempt to show two movies in the rain that ended in burning out the projector.

On Saturday, August 1st, Germany declared war on Russia. France and Germany completed secret mobilizations of their military forces. Italy declared its neutrality. The New York Stock Exchange closed due to the war in Europe, and would not reopen until late November. On Sunday, Britain completed its mobilization. German forces attacked Longwy and Joncherey along the French border and invaded Luxembourg. Germany formerly declared war on France on Monday.

Over the next few days, German forces violated Belgium's neutrality, causing the United Kingdom to declare war on Germany. Germany invaded Belgium, trying to outflank the French Army. German forces shot Belgium priests, burned down the village of Battice, and besieged the fortress of Liege. German naval forces bombarded French Algerian ports and laid mines off of England.

The United States declared its neutrality on August 4th, followed the next day by Cuba, Uruguay, Mexico, and Argentina. Australian forces fired on the German steamer SS Pfalz south of Melbourne, while a Royal Navy light cruiser sunk a German minelayer. Montenegro declared war on Austria-Hungary. The Ottoman Empire closed the Dardanelles. German zeppelins dropped bombs on Liege, killing nine civilians.

Meanwhile, the first seaworthy ship passed through the Panama Canal and the first electric traffic light was installed in Cleveland. About ten members of the Class of 1914 were on graduation leave in Europe, with most reporting to the American Embassy in Paris. They were detailed to become official military observers in the fighting between the Germans and British/French forces.

Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia while Serbia declared war on Germany. British and German light cruisers engaged in the West Indies, while another Royal Navy light cruiser struck mines with much loss of life off the English coast. First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson died of Bright's disease at the age of 54.

A visitor to West Point on the weekend of August 7-9 found the Cadets enjoying a concert at the front of the Superintendent's Quarters on Friday evening, some field training the next morning, football men practicing in the afternoon sun, a Cadet Hop that night, and the only talk of war being one with Mexico, with little interest in what was going on in Europe or elsewhere.

On the same weekend, the British Expeditionary Forces arrived in France and are immediately engaged with the allied French Army against German forces in the Battle of the Frontiers. French forces counterattacked the Germans in an attempt to recover the province of Alsace. British and German cruisers engaged off of Greece. German colonial forces executed Martin-Paul Samba for treason. The Royal Navy light cruiser Birmingham rammed and sunk the German submarine U-15 off of Fair Isle. British and French forces invaded the western African German colony of Togoland.

During the week of August 10th, the Germans blunted French counterattacks in Mulhouse. In the Battle of the Silver Helmets, the German cavalry attacked on horse, but Belgium defenders blunted the attack. France and Britain declared war on Austria-Hungary. The French attacked German positions around Lorraine. German aerial bombing destroyed the Belgium town of Dinant. The U.S. Secretary of State, William Jennings Bryan, declared in a letter to J.P. Morgan that any loans to any of the belligerents would violate American neutrality.

Meanwhile, the First Classmen left West Point on Monday for a sixty mile hike and returned on Saturday morning. The route of the march was to Peekskill, Lake Mohansic, Amawalk Reservoir, Lake Mohopac, Oscawana Lake, and Garrison. The Third Classmen were left in charge of the New Cadets.

On Sunday, the First Classmen moved to Fort Wright, on Fisher's Island. Activities included morning drill in coast artillery, followed by dinner, and then swimming and baseball in the afternoon. Cadet Kelton said "it is like a summer vacation." The Panama Canal was officially inaugurated with the passage of the SS Ancon.

In Europe, the battle of Cer began between Austro-Hungarian and Serbian forces. The Germans finally captured the fortresses of Liege, Belgium. Two German warships reached Constantinople and are transferred to the Ottoman Navy. Lithuania surrendered to German forces. The Russian Army entered East Prussia and was counter-attacked by the Germans. The Belgium Army withdrew to Antwerp.

President Wilson issued a Proclamation of Neutrality. The German fleet bombed the English coast. Germany executed 150 Belgium civilians by firing squad. The Serbs defeated Austro-Hungarian forces in Cer and drove them out of Serbia. The Germans executed 211 more Belgian civilians and 50 French civilians in Nomeny. The Germans occupied Brussels. The battles of Morhange, Sarrebourg, Charleroi, Rossignol, and the Ardennes occurred along the western front. Two French Generals were killed, both brigade commanders, with a third general officer wounded and captured.

During this same week, Navy announced that negotiations on the site of the game had been abandoned. The next day, the Philadelphia Athletics baseball team offered Shibe Park as the site for the football game and would engage architects to bring the seating to 42,000. The New York Giants baseball team countered this proposal by offering the Polo Grounds.

Army officials were quoted as tired of the annual haggling on the location of the game, and felt they had offered an adequate solution by allowing each academy the right to choose in alternate years. However, the Navy had not found an adequate site in Washington, and Franklin Field was considered too small. The article predicted that the service Secretaries will have to make the decision.

At West Point, the Superintendent announced changes to the Academic Board, due to routine officer re-assignments, on Saturday, August 22nd. Major Walter Bethel would take over the Department of Law from Major Edward Kreger, while Major Meriwether Walker took over the Department of Practical Military Engineering from Captain Gilbert Youngberg. The First Classmen returned from Fort Wright on Sunday. A minstrel show was held that evening.

The battle of Krasnik began when the Austro-Hungarian First Army attacked the Russian Fourth Army. Austro-Hungarian forces also attacked Russian troops in Eastern Galicia. British troops tried to defend against the German attack at Mons, leading to their defeat and an orderly retreat. Russian and German forces began the battle of Tannenberg. The Germans won the battle of the Ardennes when they successfully counterattacked. The Germans executed 612 civilians in Dinant Belgium, including a three-week old baby.

Japan declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary. The Allies began retreating to the River Marne due to the British and French defeats at Mons and Charlero. The Germans began besieging the Mortagne fortress. The Austro-Hungarians army defeated Russian forces at Krasnik. German zeppelins bombed Antwerp, killing ten civilians. A Royal Navy cruiser forced a German cruiser to be scuttled off of Spanish Sahara. British and French forces conquered German Togoland. A commanding general of a French division died of wounds received in action.

Meanwhile, the Cadets enjoyed a camp concert on Monday, a cabaret and Cadet Hop on Tuesday evening, and a Wild West Show on Wednesday. Lieutenant Tom Hammond arrived on Wednesday with the assignment to coach the ends during the football season. Head Coach Charlie Daly was on his way from Texas and would report to West Point by September 1st. On Friday, August 28th, the Cadets returned to barracks, the Second Classmen returned from Summer Furlough, and football players Hugh Mitchell and Robert Bringham returned to West Point as turned back Cadets and joined their new classmates.

During the summer, the Army Athletic Council met to confirm with the Master of the Sword, Major Herman Koehler, what sports would be sponsored at USMA during the upcoming 1914-1915 academic year. Football, basketball, ice hockey, and baseball would all be inter-collegiate sports, with all except hockey being eligible for a letter. The situation with polo was less certain, but there would be attempts to schedule some matches at West Point with local clubs, as few colleges had teams.

Tennis, polo, broadsword, and golf would have several competitions within the post. The Indoor and Outdoor Meets would include track & field, gymnastics, boxing, wrestling, golf, and tennis competitions between the four Cadet classes. Letters would be given to any Cadet setting a USMA record in a track & field event. There was no information if the council considered making lacrosse or fencing inter-collegiate sports, as Army fielded teams last in 1910 and 1912, respectively, in these sports.

In Europe, French cavalry screened withdrawing British forces under attack in the battle of Le Cateau. British and Japanese forces attacked the German controlled port of Tsingtao in China. In the first significant naval action against the German Navy, the Royal Navy won the Battle of Heligoland Bight in the southeastern North Sea. Russian General Machagovsky was killed in the battle of Tannenberg. Austro-Hungarian forces collapsed when counterattacked by the Russians in the battle of Gnila Lipa. The first German plane bombed Paris, killing two. New Zealand forces occupied German Samoa. Russian General Samsonov committed suicide after his Second Army was surrounded by the Germans in East Prussia.

On Saturday, August 29th, the Commandant announced new privileges for Cadets. They would be allowed to ride off-post along designated routes on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, though they may not dismount except in emergencies. There was a big parade on Sunday accepting the New Cadets into the Corps. On Monday, the Commandant relieved three First Classman Company Commanders, including football player Tom Larkin. No reason was specifically given by First Captain Woodruff. Larkin would regain his stripes sometime in the spring and graduate as a Cadet Lieutenant.

Yale football officials again contacted Army and Navy officials about hosting the 1914 game at the Yale Bowl. Yale stated that construction of the new stadium was rapid and would be completed on time, with the first game against Harvard on November 21st. The stadium would seat 72,000, largest in the nation.

The following Second Classmen were named by the Commandant as Cadet Corporals during the first detail – Ralph Sasse, Alex Weyand, Bill Hoge, Bill Coffin, Dean Hudnutt, William Britton, Bob Neyland, and Hugh Mitchell.

The first classes would begin on Tuesday, September 1st. The first football practice of the pre-season would be on Wednesday. The Corps of Cadets numbered 663 men, a "monster size" according to First Captain Woodruff.

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Chapter 7: Preseason: September 1 – October 2, 1914

The coaching staff gathered in their office in the gym on Tuesday, September 1st to plan the 1914 football season. Charlie Daly, head coach for the 1913 season, looked across the table at the men who would guide the team. Most, like Graves, Sultan, Hammond, Stearns, Glade, Pullen, Smith, Hayes, Selleck, and Stilwell, were part of the coaching staff that led to an 8-1 record and a victory over Navy last season. Joe Stilwell would have just got back from Spain where he spent his summer in Spanish language training with the Spanish Army. Lieutenant Boyers would not be joining them. Lieutenant Charles Thompson would arrive in early November after returning from the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the Corps of Cadets were in classes from 7:55 am until 12:30 pm, a break for dinner at 12:45 pm, then classes from 1:45 – 3:45 pm with supper at 6:30 pm. Studying would follow until taps and lights out at 11 pm. The coaching staff would only be able to practice on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons during the first four weeks of September, from 4-6 pm, then on September 28th, the practices would expand to Monday thru Friday. Exceptions to holding practice would be a military funeral for a retired graduate or a military review for a visiting dignitary.

Daly reminded all that a Cadet needed to be proficient in every class to be able to practice, much less play on Saturdays. And in most classes, the Cadets were graded almost every day. So by the time the first game on October 3rd came around against the Stevens Institute, there would be handful of Cadets not allowed to practice or play due to academics. And any Cadets who earned more than 29 demerits since July 1st would not practice either, as they would be required to walk the area on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons for any excess demerits if they held no Cadet rank. Those who were officers or sergeants would sit confinement on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Charlie Daly approached the 1914 season with substantial experience. First, he was the starting quarterback for three Harvard and two Army teams during the 1898-1902 seasons. He led the five teams to an overall 42-3-3 record, with his only losses to Yale and Harvard (twice) with ties against Yale (twice) and Princeton.

Back then and in 1914, the quarterback called all the offensive plays for the team with the only assistance from the coaches coming at the end of each quarter. The quarterback was truly the coach on the field for the team during this era. All plans and tactics for the game were planned by his coaches and rehearsed in countless practices before stepping on the field to face a given opponent.

This experience provided Daly with the background to make many a quarterback great or better than could be expected, as demonstrated by Daly's student coaching during Army's 1903-1904 seasons, and his assistant coaching with Army and then Harvard.

Second, Daly as a player, student coach, and assistant coach, was influenced by some of the leading football philosophies at Yale and Harvard. Army's football coaches were mentored by veteran Yale coaches, while Daly spent the 1908-1912 seasons as an assistant under Harvard head coach Percy Houghton.

Houghton's system got the most out of his players with a focus on discipline, harmony, and teamwork. This system of very organized plays started with the introduction of the unbalanced line, with four men on one side of the center and two on the other; the interchangeability of the backs in running, passing, punting, or kicking; the usage of fake handoffs and kicks; ends being strong enough to handle the opposing tackle; blocking assignments for each position once a runner gets through the line; and ultimately, winning football games. Combine this with a revolutionary concept that "no player should be permitted to play himself into a state of absolute exhaustion," and that "there is no disgrace in being removed from a game so as to prevent serious injury."

A third major factor was that Daly designated each member of the coaching staff as a designated position coach. This was also a hallmark of the Haughton system. Most of the graduate coaches had played the position they coached. Daly also had one of the leading experts on the play of linemen in Pot Graves, and this allowed Daly to work more closely with the backfield men and on the development of plays. The split of the coaching staff for the 1914 season appeared to be:

Offense/Defense \- Daly, Graves, Thompson

Backfield \- Daly (All, QB), Smith (HB/FB)

Linemen \- Graves (All), Sultan/Thompson (G), Pullen (T), Hammond/Stearns (E)

Scrubs \- Stilwell/Hayes/Thompson (All), Selleck/Eisenhower (Cullum)

Scouting \- Hayes (Navy), Thompson/Glade/Smith (next opponents)

Trainer \- Tuthill (All)

Finally, Daly had one full season under his belt as a head football coach. He would ensure that at least one assistant coach was dispatched from West Point each weekend to scout a future opponent. I suspect that Herman Glade and Rod Smith were his scouts for upcoming games. We know that Phil Hayes scouted each and every Navy game. Daly probably had other Army officers or Harvard friends scouting too. Daly also directly saw the season-long toil on physical fitness the games had upon the Cadets, and planned to limit his regulars by maximizing substitutions. This and other lessons learned put Daly at an advantage in achieving his ultimate mission, beat Navy.

A Daly-led football team had several tendencies, led by three coaching principles – simplicity, individual excellence by easy drill, and under training. These included:

(1) He stressed security in his tactics. A team in its own half almost always punted on third down. Behind its twenty yard line, it was likely that the punt might come on first and certainly by second down. Daly would stress with his quarterbacks, "do not hold onto the ball too long near your own goal line, punt on first or second down, there by gaining the maximum protection for your punter."

(2) Because of his focus on ensuring every player knew what they would do on every play; they rehearsed it first at by walking, then trotting, and then at full-speed, over and over again until everyone got it right. There were few plays in the playbook and plays tended to be slower-starting then some of Army's opponents using open football or passing attacks. Neyland said that Daly rarely had more than 28 plays, but each had been rehearsed about 500 times before introducing them into a game.

(3) Line plunges usually started from an unbalanced line, with one of the two tackles being on point, and the other tackle and guard in echelon behind, and the ball carrier following the wedge made by the threesome, literally plowing a furrow through the opposition.

(4) The normal defensive line-up was a seven-man line, the ends fully responsible for the outside, and the backfield in a shallow diamond with the fullback directly behind center. During the game, once the line had established supremacy of this forward wall, the center John McEwan would step back and become a rover with the fullback behind the six-man line.

(5) Daly insisted his players conform to his established tactics. For example, he insisted that ball carriers hug the ball snug to their sides, braced in the crook of the elbow. Daly did not take kindly to rebels, like Elmer Oliphant, who insisted on running with the ball with two hands out in front, shifting the ball from side to side as he avoided tacklers.

(6) Daly trained his quarterbacks to take a shot at scoring when inside the opponent's thirty yard line, either with a forward pass or a running play designed to go all the way if it crossed the line of scrimmage.

(7) Daly's tactics were geared to play it safe early in the game and let the opponent make the mistakes. It also tried to not tax his starters too much in each game, and as the season went, driving them to the limit in one mid-season game, and maintaining their fitness to face Navy.

(8) Daly would always go over the last game played in intense detail, outlying each play on the blackboard, and discussing what could have been done differently to make it successful. This provided every player with information on how to execute the play in a future game or practice.

(9) He believed that the game belonged to the team, and his work with the quarterbacks was done when the game started, though he could influence it a little by making substitutions. Vern Prichard said that he never received any information from Daly during a game, but that Daly had confidence in his quarterback on the field to sense the situation and direct the team to the best advantage.

A series of maxims by Charlie Daly were often written on the blackboard and read off to the players:

(1) Carry the fight to the opponent and keep it there all afternoon.

(2) Play for and make the breaks; and one comes your way, score.

(3) The team that makes the fewer mistakes wins.

(4) Press the kicking game. It is here games are won or lost.

(5) Break any rule to win the game.

The final maxim might cause alarm to some. It did not mean either foul or illegal playing during a game. To Daly, who taught his players to follow the rehearsed play and punt early while deep in their end zone, he expected his players to notice things about what their opponent was doing or not doing, and for his field general to know when to make exceptions. This maxim would be highlighted during the 1914 Navy game when Prichard called the same rushing play to the same part of the defensive line that Navy had weaken to support their passing defenses, over and over again, daring the Midshipmen to stop it.

Finally, Daly could clearly link football to the purposes of West Point. Edwards, in Football Days, described Daly as saying "football within the limitations of the rules and sportsmanship is a war game. Either by force or by deception it advances through the opposition to the goal line, which might be considered the capital of the enemy." In 1921, Daly opened his book, American Football, with the lines "a remarkable similarity exists between war and football."

The classes required for graduation from West Point were not much different from what one would find at the time being required of a student at Yale or Princeton Universities. What was different was the amount of time spent in classwork and the daily grading of each Cadet's individual performance. Around this time, the Academic Board was starting to change its old practice of requiring the Cadet to study before class and demonstrate proficiency; to an updated method of a Cadet studying before class, the instructor spending the first part of class highlighting important aspects and answering questions, and then the Cadets being tested. This method eventually became the standard approach. The other major difference between West Point and the Yale or Princeton was that there was one set of courses and everyone took them.

Here are the subjects that each class at West Point took in September 1914:

First Class (seniors)

Civil & Military Engineering  
Law or Hippology/Riding  
Ordnance/Gunnery or Spanish  
Gymnasium

Second Class (juniors)

Chemistry  
Philosophy  
Riding or Gymnasium  
Drawing/Hygiene or Spanish

Third Class (yearlings or sophomores)

French  
Mathematics  
Drawing or Hygiene  
Drill/Riding or Gymnasium

Fourth Class (plebes or freshmen)

Mathematics  
Gymnasium  
English  
History

On Wednesday, the first football practice of the season occurred. It was hot and sweaty with a high temperature of 94 degrees. Over 200 Cadets turned out, though Captain Sultan only recorded 148 in his annual report. Thursday, Harry Tuthill arrived at West Point to become the team trainer.

Philadelphia officials claimed they received a telegraph from West Point that Army football officials were yielding to Navy's "Philadelphia or nowhere" ultimatum and that the game would be played at the Shibe Park baseball stadium. Army officials responded the next day denying that they had selected Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the New York Merchants' Association wrote the two service secretaries about having the game there, offering to guarantee each service's relief society $12,000.

During the week, a German cavalry division at Nery attacked a British cavalry brigade dismounted, with the brigade counterattacking and defeating the division. Austro-Hungarian forces won the battle of Komarow and captured 20,000 of Russia's best soldiers. The German 6th Army attacked near Nancy against the defenses of the French Second Army. The French and British counterattacked with seven armies in the battle of the Marne. A British cruiser was sunk by the German submarine U-21 off the Firth of Forth off Scotland. Two armies of Austria-Hungary attacked Serbian forces across the Drina River.

West Point officials announced that former President Taft would be giving a series of lectures to the First Class' Law classes in the Constitution. It was decided that plebes would Drill every Saturday morning instead of taking gymnasium classes. Paul Hodgson complained in a letter to his parents that First Class academics continued to be all spec and dump, rather than anyone learning anything. Roscoe Woodruff's letter said he and his classmates had no respect for the Engineering Department, calling them a "pack of thieves" in trying to fail Cadets. On the Labor Day federal holiday, the Corps of Cadets had class.

After the third football practice, Charlie Daly cut the football squad to sixty men. In a memorandum to the Corps of Cadets on September 10th, Daly recommended "that all men dropped from the football squad join the Cullum Hall squad. He had made cuts early due to the large number trying out and that keeping the squad large would be detrimental to the team. The Cullum Hall squad, with Hoge, Jouett, Keyes, and Milburn as examples, has a history of developing men for the first squad. The squad is where football is played for its own sake, without restrictions of severe thinking." The Cullum Hall squad would be coached by Lieutenant Selleck and Cadet Eisenhower.

After two weeks of classes, Fourth Classman Charles C. McCall resigned. Fourth Classmen Hugh J. Smith resigned four days later. The first Cadet Hop of the academic year occurred on Saturday evening. It was well attended, according to Woodruff.

During this week, the Germans began an offensive all across the Eastern Front against the Russians. A Russian aircraft rammed an Austro-Hungarian reconnaissance aircraft, causing both to crash and killing all aboard. British Private Thomas Highgate became the first British soldier executed for desertion during the war. The Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade became the first fully mechanized unit in the British Army. Australian forces invaded New Britain and New Guinea, defeating German forces. The battle of the Marne ended in an Allied victory on the Western Front, the Allies had stopped the German advance to Paris. Troops from South Africa began invading German South-West Africa (Namibia). HMS Oceanic, the sister ship of the Titanic, sank off of Scotland after running aground.

The two service Secretaries sent a joint note to each athletic association suggesting a plan to settle the siting controversy. Each had a meeting with their association on Wednesday, September 16th.

With temperatures reaching 86 degrees, Daly held the first scrimmage between varsity and scrubs on Saturday. Practice was hot and broiling according to Woodruff. Daly also made a commendatory comment to Paul Hodgson on his play, something that he rarely did. The seniors were impressed by the play of plebes Timberlake and Oliphant. Charlie Daly told the team at the end of practice that he "expects to outplay every team we play."

On Sunday, football men Weyand, O'Hare, Prichard, Benedict, Oliphant, Meacham, and others began to teach Sunday School to the post children. The Commandant granted the seniors the privilege of having the First Class Club open each evening and on weekends.

In a press report from Annapolis, the Naval Academy had decided that former back John P. Dalton and All-American guard John H. Brown would be joining head football coach Doug Howard on the coaching staff. A call was made for Midshipmen to come out to the first practice on September 23rd.

Regarding the war, German General von Hindenburg was named commanding general of the Eastern Front. The Germans won a naval victory in the battle of Zanzibar. German forces also bombarded the port of Papeete in Tahiti. A German submarine attacked Madras on the southeastern coast of India. Another submarine sunk three Royal Navy cruisers in the North Sea, killing 1,400 sailors.

The Navy had its first football practice of the season, ten days before the opening game with Georgetown. The late start was due to the fact that the Naval Academy did not start classes until October 1st. The coaches plan to have several practices a day until then. Howard gave the team a serious talk on the work of the season. The practice was not long as the sun was hot. Robert Ghormley and Jack Cates joined the Navy coaching staff.

The next day in Annapolis was much cooler, and the pace of practice continued. There was no regular scrimmage, only drills in tackling and punting. On Saturday, Army's varsity beat the scrubs, 12-3. During the play, Timberlake recovered a fumble, Benedict kicked a field goal, Weyand blocked a punt for a safety, and McEwan recovered a fumble that Hodgson scored a touchdown on the next play. The training table opened that Saturday at the Cadet Mess Hall.

Several Midshipmen visited West Point on Saturday. One of them borrowed a Cadet uniform, watched the football practice, and then snuck into the Cadet Mess Hall for supper. Due to excess demerits, Paul Hodgson had to sit confinement in his room on Saturday nights the next two weekends. Hodgson also reported that USMA had turned the heat on in the barracks.

Several of the future Army football opponents opened the season on September 26th. Holy Cross lost to Colby, 17-0. Colgate routed Ohio Wesleyan, 40-0. Springfield did the same to Worchester Tech, 39-0. Maine lost to Yale, 20-0. The Ellis played a wide-open offensive game, using many sensational forward passes behind a deceptive formation. Yale had no problem defeating Maine, with all scoring in the first half. Maine had only two first downs, but stopped Yale on the one yard line late in the game. At Princeton, Rutgers lost to the Tigers, 12-0.

Hygiene lectures were given during the week by Pennsylvania professor A.C. Abbott on "Transmissible Diseases," by Colonel Valery Harvard on "Sanitary Lessons of the Russo-Japanese War," and by retired Brigadier General Alfred A. Woodhull on "Sanitation as a Military Factor."

On Monday, September 28th, football practices started occurring on Monday through Friday. Captain Ernest "Pot" Graves arrived at West Point on Tuesday and began coaching linemen. Woodruff got an infection that day and was hospitalized for a week. The Mayor of Baltimore communicated through his Congressman to the Secretary of War that Army should consider playing its football game at Homewood Field at Johns Hopkins University. Secretary Garrison told him he would forward the information to the two athletic associations.

Daly wanted his graduate coaches to be able to report at the beginning of September, but because this required permission from the War Department and the release of the officer by his unit, it was typical that some members of the coaching staff to report at later dates to West Point. Daly would continue throughout his first tenure to advocate for the fullest support, something he was able to achieve when he returned as head coach in 1919.

The arrival of Pot Graves to the coaching staff united two dissimilar coaching personalities that worked well together. It was what Sultan and Hammond saw demonstrated when Daly would visit one or two days a week during the 1912 football season. Tim Cohane described that "if Daly would occasionally become volatile, Graves was always down to earth. If Daly would diagram a new and daring formation on the blackboard, he'd always ask Pot what he thought. If Graves didn't think much of it, he would tell Daly that it was not worth a damn."

Daly and Graves had strong and close relationships with many in the coaching ranks. They firmly believed in power football. Their two major plays during the 1913 season were the straight-ahead buck and the slant off tackle, with three men blocking ahead of the running back. Back in 1912, Graves pointed to a steam roller on a road under construction, and Cohane says Pot said "there is my idea of football."

Daly and Graves did not believe in over using the forward pass. In the 1914 season, Army had five forward pass plays from three formations (open, closed, and kicking), compared to a total of 21 rushing plays. The debate about the role of passing was much discussed in the coaching ranks during this time, and sometimes simplified as differences between the established Eastern teams and Western ones. But even in the east, there were pass happy teams and well as ones who rarely threw one.

Army was more towards the middle ground in using the forward pass to quickly move downfield or score. Based upon the descriptions of many games in the 1913 and 1914 seasons, Army tended to throw about ten to fifteen passes a game, with less than a handful complete. A major reason for this was that defenders were allowed to interfere with a receiver prior to the pass being thrown and while it was in the air. Another factor inhibiting passes was the Walter Camp-led rules of losing possession for incomplete passes going out of bounds or into the end zone. Finally, very few men could throw the much thicker football in a spiral, as most passes were lobs.

Graves believed in teaching linemen how to play rather than yelling out them. He was ahead of his time as a technician and theorist. But he was no gentleman regarding the need for his linemen to practice. "I want to see blood," was something he often said, and Graves got it drilling linemen to fight through the scrubs blocks. Weyand said that McEwan described Graves' philosophy as "a supreme exponent of designed butchery."

Graves would issue a booklet to each lineman that described each individual drill, how they would be tested, and how they would be expected to work together as an entire line. For his coaches, Graves provided more detailed guidance, such as how the drills contributed to the overall plays, usage of dummy drills, defensive stunts, and other items of his coaching philosophy that would be published by him as The Line Man's Bible in 1921.

The two service Secretaries announced in the final week of September that the two athletic associations appeared to be deadlocked. They had proposed on September 16th that the two enter into a ten year agreement to allow each side to alternatively pick the location, with Navy choosing in 1914. Both sides were in favor of this, but Navy could not find a suitable location in Washington. NAA then changed its mind to signing a ten year agreement, and only wanted the game in Philadelphia in 1914. AAA would only agree to this if it was part of a ten year agreement, where each side could choose the location.

Concerning the war, the Western Front was stabilizing to trench warfare. There were attempts by each side to outflank the other side, which ultimately failed. German and Austro-Hungarian forces attacked the Russians in the battle of Warsaw.

After Thursday's October 1st practice, Daly and Graves sat down and decided the starting line-up and the reserves for the Stevens game. Practice had gone well during the month of September, though Pot was surely not satisfied with the linemen play, but his arriving late at West Point was the major cause for that.

Five men had started against Navy last season – senior Charles Benedict (halfback), yearling John McEwan (center), senior Louie Merillat (end), senior Vern Prichard (quarterback), and junior Alex Weyand (tackle). Senior Paul Hodgson (halfback), was a substitute against Navy but had earned a starting position due to his good work in September. Yearling Laurence Meacham (guard) would have started and played against Navy, but was injured. Two others had had a good month of practice to earn the right to start, junior Bruce Butler (tackle) and yearling William Britton (end). Two plebes, Edward Timberlake (guard) and Elmer Oliphant (fullback) had earned starting positions.

Daly had decided before the game to substitute in his entire second string at the beginning of the second quarter. Four of the linemen were veterans – junior Joseph O'Hare (tackle), and seniors Omar Bradley (guard), Tom Larkin (guard), and John Goodman (center). Plebe Karl Engeldinger had impressed Daly and would be in at right tackle. Likewise, plebe James Kelly and junior Bob Neyland were untested at end, but showed promise. Halfbacks senior Jim Van Fleet and junior Mike Mitchell would also play in their first Army football game, but Daly felt that veteran yearling Louie Ford (fullback) would probably be called on later in the game. Senior Leland Hobbs, who was switched from running back to quarterback to provide Prichard with an able backup, would lead the second string.

The third string line would consist of junior Ralph Sasse (end), junior Fay Prickett (end), yearling John Confer (tackle), plebe Lawrence Jones (guard), plebe David Schlenker (guard), and yearling George Weems (center). Running backs would be juniors William Coffin and junior Bill Hoge. Quarterback was senior Hubert Harman.

Missing from the line-ups were three men who would play in the second game, and were likely ineligible due to academics or conduct – senior Charles Herrick (guard), junior Paul Parker (tackle), and junior Joseph Tully (end). Senior Roscoe Woodruff, who had made three of the team's five successful field goals last season, was hospitalized in late September due to an infection, and it would be several weeks before he recovered.

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The 1914 Football Season

Chapter 8: Rutgers: October 3-10, 1914

The Army coaches on Saturday left the team's locker room in the Cadet Gymnasium and walked over to the Officers' Mess to discuss their observations of the game with Stevens over drinks and then supper. Records do not show what exactly they discussed or how long these after game sessions lasted, but it can be deduced that they went on for several hours, as Charlie Daly "went over each game that had been played in considerable detail, studying charts and pointing out where different types of plays or the use of other personnel might have been more successful," as Vern Prichard recalled in a letter to Tim Cohane in 1947.

Probably after about nine or ten that evening, several of the coaches, like Hammond, Stearns, or Stilwell wanted to go home to their quarters on post to see their wives or young children, as Daly remarked one year in his annual football report that coaches ought to be bachelors or bachelors during the season. Daly, who married his beloved Beatrice in 1912, likely was living in the bachelor building next to Cullum Hall, with his wife at her parents in Boston. Pot Graves was a confirmed bachelor at the time, and these two, with the single officers Dan Sultan and Dan Pullen, probably talked late into the night. Absent was certainly Philip Hayes, who scouted every Navy game, who was probably on a train from Annapolis as his fellow coaches sat down for dinner. Also absent may have been Herman Glade and Rod Smith, who likely also served as scouts for future Army opponents. Both were married and living on post, with Smith having a young daughter.

There was no information of what the coaches decided on needing to be improved that Saturday evening or on Sunday or tasks that needed to be concentrated on during the four or five practices that they would hold during the next week. Based upon the lack of scoring in the second quarter by the second string, I am sure that Daly and Graves focused on changes in plays or personnel. We do know that no changes occurred in the personnel starting against Rutgers, this game being the only time during the season that Army started the same eleven players in consecutive games.

Shifting to the Cadets, I imagine that the team celebrated their decisive victory over Stevens during supper at their training table in the Cadet Mess Hall. With 31 Cadets playing, over half the squad, everyone was happy and some a little sore. They were missing Hobbs, at the hospital getting treated for his leg, and perhaps Merillat and Oliphant too. There was no planned hop at Cullum Hall that Saturday evening, but with visitors coming to the game, the Cadets likely entertained guests on post and then returned to the barracks with boodle to celebrate with their company mates. A few Cadets with stripes sat room confinement that night for being over in demerits. The seniors with privileges may have gone to the First Class Club that the Commandant re-opened due to the splendid performance of the Class of 1915 during summer camp.

Sunday awoke the Cadets to a day with highs in the upper seventies and clear weather. After breakfast, room inspections, mandatory chapel service, and dinner, most of the Cadets had privileges to escort visitors. It was likely that most of the Army football team attended an afternoon speech by the former captain of the 1911 Yale football team, Arthur Howe, speaking about whether they were or were not quitters. For those following the European War, they may have noticed in the papers that a Canadian force of 25,000 men departed for England to join the war effort. Some of the seniors by now had heard that their classmate Clyde Altman had been transferred to New Mexico for observation and treatment due to pulmonary tuberculosis. Altman, the Corps Adjutant, would not graduate from USMA but was commissioned during World War I and lived to the age of seventy.

Daly and Graves by Sunday evening had read accounts of each of their future opponents. Notre Dame had won big over Alma, 56-0, while Maine handled Boston College 27-6. Navy had won 13-0 over Georgetown, with Phil Hayes providing the details, as the newspaper reports were not complementary of the Midshipmen's efforts. Massachusetts, then called Mass Agricultural, beat future opponent Holy Cross 14-0, while Villanova beat Swarthmore 6-0. Harvard had handled the open football of Springfield Training School to a tune of 44-0, bringing smiles to both coaches, though they were probably shocked that both teams had thrown a total of 31 forward passes. Colgate had beaten Cornell 7-3, and this was considered an upset at the time; while Rutgers had thrashed Rensselaer Tech 32-0 in a whirlwind game with lots of passing.

There are records that Phil Hayes scouted every Navy game and then returned to West Point and provided the coaching staff with details each Sunday. Based upon the account of Tom Hammond scouting one Notre Dame game back in 1913, with Coach Harper knowing that an Army scout was present and not throwing any forward pass plays all during that game, I believe that by the 1914 season, Charlie Daly had decided that no detail about any opponent was unimportant, and implemented a process to scout every opponent in every game. I believe he used Glades and Smith, and perhaps some of the other eleven former Army football players on post, or other officers stationed near an opponent, to scout each and every game. Given Daly's and Graves' substantive ties in the coaching community, Harvard football alumni, and some of the older and friendly Yale coaches, and with Dan Sultan, as member of the Rules Committee, probably using his contacts, Daly likely used several scouts at the same game to provide different perspectives about the opponent. Some of this scouting probably also came from the coaches of the teams played by Army's future opponents.

So the coaches were likely very busy digesting everything about Rutgers, spending an hour or so listening to Hayes' report about Navy, with Daly and Graves digesting the Saturday's observations into tasks to be accomplished in each practice during the week. The practices were likely to focus on getting better in executing passes, working the lineman to open up more holes for the running attack, and primarily dedicating men to defend against the expected Rutgers passing attack without sacrificing shutting down their line plunges.

While practices in September only happened on Wednesday and Saturday, the football team had been approved by the Commandant to hold practices each afternoon during the week, starting after 3:45 and running up to dinner formation at 6:25 pm, with an occasional parade cutting in their practice time on Wednesdays. No information about the practices made the newspapers, so we know little about their content.

We know from senior Edwin Kelton's observations that most Cadets followed events in Mexico, but rarely concerned themselves with events in Europe. But every Cadet followed the continuing saga of where the Navy game would be played, if it was going to be played. On Tuesday, the newspapers were filled with headlines of Navy's receipt of a proposal from the Army Athletic Council for a three game deal, with 1914 and 1915 in Philadelphia and 1916 in New York City. Later dispatches from Secretary of War Garrison denied that anyone had submitted a proposal and he released a telegram from the USMA Superintendent Townsley denying this, that also included the text of the joint Secretaries' ten year proposal made earlier in the year for the academies to alternate locations, with Navy choosing the location of the 1914 game. This fell apart when Navy could not find a suitable location in Washington, DC.

This false newspaper report caused both the Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of War to hold a meeting together on Tuesday and for them to issue a joint ultimatum to both Army and Navy to agree to the ten year plan they had proposed, or there would not be any game. This was answered by the USNA Superintendent on Thursday and published in newspapers the next day, saying he agreed with his athletic association's not supporting the ten year plan. He also objected to any game in New York, proposing some other alternative locations like Philadelphia or having alternating home games without the visitor's battalion attending, similar to how the Army-Navy baseball games were staged. A response was published on Saturday from Army officers in New York and officers from both services of the Army and Navy Club in Washington for Navy to reconsider its position. Meanwhile, the hopes of a Navy game dimmed.

Meanwhile, life went on at West Point, the Cadets got up at 5:30 am, had breakfast, spent all morning in classes, had dinner, then attended two classes in the afternoon, and for the yearlings, drill instruction started every Wednesday afternoon in October at 3:45 pm, which probably meant that the sophomores on the football squad did not get to practice until nearly 5 pm.

Daly began Monday practice with a blackboard discussion of how the team did during the Stevens game, identifying areas for improvement for the team and individuals. On most Monday practices, the first string was excused from any hard scrimmages, just doing a light workout.

Tuesday, the yearlings celebrated as their Hygiene course ended, with everyone being proficient. Later in the day, the battalion found out a plebe named Paris Shoaff, brother of Frederick, a former member of the senior class, had resigned and left for home. And at riding class for the First Classmen, Thomas Taylor was "policed" from his mount and suffered a concussion. The weather all week continued with highs in the mid-70s and lows down to mid-50s, with no rain. Kelton reports that his classmate Taylor on Friday was "still in the same crazy state, so he is OK." Friday football practice was likely a signal drill, where the first string rehearsed every play in different situations.

The Cullum Hall team played East Orange High School, from Essex, New Jersey, sometime this week, probably Wednesday or Friday afternoon. Spalding listed the game on Saturday in its 1914 Football Schedules, but due to academics and military formations, there does not seem to be enough time to fit in a game before the varsity one. If it did happen on Saturday, it was likely right after dinner starting around 1:30 pm. Regardless of when the game occurred, the reported result was a 14-9 loss for the Cullum Hall squad and their Coaches Selleck and Eisenhower.

We do not know when Rutgers arrived at West Point, but it was likely in the middle of Saturday morning if not near noon, taking a Hudson River ferry north from New Jersey. By this time, the Cadets, including every member of the football team, had been up since 5:30 am, some getting up much earlier to clean their rooms and equipment. All Cadets on Saturday went to breakfast, then at 7:30 all marched off to classes. Classes ended around 11 am, with the Cadets hurrying back to the barracks to stand room inspection from their company's tactical officer, then either an inspection in ranks or a military review followed. Visitors to West Point usually arrived in mid-morning, and watched the Cadets at either an inspection or parade, or both, then settled down to picnic lunches, West Point's early tailgaters. The Cadets ate dinner in the Cadet Mess Hall, probably with the Rutgers players eating with the Army football team, as was the customer of the time. The football team left dinner for the gym to be taped up by the trainers, while Rutgers changed clothes at Cullum Hall awaiting the start of the game at 3 pm.

Prior to their victory over Rensselaer, Rutgers had traveled to Princeton on September 28th to open its season against the Tigers. The heavy, well-conditioned team put on a sterling defense and held Princeton to only a drop kick field goal in the first half, set up by two forward passes. In the third quarter, Princeton blocked a kick for a safety, and then five minutes later threw two passes to score its only touchdown. Princeton threatened to score in the fourth period, but lost the ball on two turnovers. The Tigers won 12-0.

In the Rensselaer game, Rutgers was led by the passing of Wainwright Twing and receiving of Robert Nash, with Howard Talman and Elmer Bracher making many gains on end running. Rutgers won 32-0, with all scoring occurring in the first three periods. Rutgers came to West Point "with a big newspaper reputation" and self-confident, with a prediction of a 24 to 0 victory reported in at least one newspaper. They were led by second year head coach George Sanford, a former Yale football player. Sanford previously led Columbia and Virginia teams for four seasons, and he would coach Rutgers through the 1923 season and be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Sanford and Daly had a discussion about the rules to be played before the game. Sanford was not pleased with the outcome, and stalked angrily across the field. According to Cohane, he then stopped, turned, and shouted at Daly, "It doesn't make a damned bit of difference what rules we play! You haven't got a stinking chance to win," followed by some off-colored language. Daly, who never swore, was flushed.

Daly gathered around the team and told them, "today, of all days, I want you to go out and carry the fight to the opponent and keep it there all afternoon! All afternoon, do you hear? That – that person who coaches Rutgers! He said we haven't a – haven't a – haven't a Chinaman's Chawnce! Mind you, not a Chinaman's Chance!"

Daly elected to start the same individuals who started against Stevens, with Oliphant and Benedict switching to halfback and fullback positions, ends Britton and Merillat, tackles Butler and Weyand, guards Timberlake and Meacham, center McEwan, halfback Hodgson, and quarterback and captain Prichard. Pritchard and the Rutgers captain, John Toohey, agreed to play ten minute quarters instead of the regulation 15 minutes. The temperature was around 78 degrees and sunny.

Cap McEwan kicked off from the Army forty and Rutgers caught it at their 17 and returned it to the thirty. On first down, Rutgers punted deep, with Prichard recovering it and running out of bounds at Army's thirty yard line. West Point lined up in a punt formation, and Hodgson flipped the ball to Benedict who ran through the right guard for no gain, but Rutgers was offside and penalized five yards. Oliphant bulled over center for two yards, with half the Rutgers squad trying to tackle him, and Army was penalized five yards for the runner crawling with the ball. Oliphant had a habit of not being stopped unless four or more opponents held him. However, the rules of the day did not allow a runner to continue to crawl after the Referee blew his whistle signaling that the play was dead. Ollie tried another center plunge for three yards. On fourth down, Hodgson punted and Rutgers recovered it at their 47.

Rutgers rushed two times around left end, first for no gain and then for two yards. On third down, they tried the right end and gained two yards. They punted to Prichard, and Vern received it on his seven and ran it back to the twenty yard line. In their second possession, Oliphant bulled up the middle for five yards. On second down, Army fumbled the ball but recovered it. Hodgson rushed behind an unbalanced line around the right end to the thirty and a first down. Hodgson gained nothing around the left end; then Prichard rushed around the right end for five yards. Hodgson rushed around right end for two but failed to make the first down. P.A. then punted, lining it to the Rutgers thirty where it was fumbled but immediately recovered. Rutgers immediately punted on first down, with the ball going out of bounds at the Army twenty.

Merillat was hurt on the last play, and plebe Ham Kelly took his place. Ollie Oliphant took the ball around the right end for 13 yards and a first down, but hurt his ankle on the play. Mike Mitchell substituted for Oliphant. Hodgson plunged off left tackle for three yards; then Mitchell bull rushed up the middle for two. Hodgson swung around left end for three yards to the Army 41 as the whistle ended the first quarter. Army 0, Rutgers 0.

Beginning the second quarter, it was Army ball but it was fourth down with two yards to gain. Hodgson punted deep and Rutgers recovered the ball on their twenty. Rather than punting, they rushed around left end for ten yards and a first down. Two successive center plunges gain nothing. Rutgers passed to the left end for ten yards and another first down. A plunge off left tackle gained two. A forward pass was then intercepted by Hodgson at the Rutgers forty yard line.

Mike Mitchell rushed off right tackle for five yards. Prichard threw an incomplete pass to Kelly running deep. On third down, Vern faked a pass and ran twenty yards to the Rutgers 15 yard line. Mitchell went up the middle for four; then Benedict plunge behind the center for three yards. Hodgson only gained one yard around the right end. Benedict tried a placekick goal from around the twelve yard line, with Vern likely holding, but the field goal fell short.

At this point, Daly put in the entire second string, ends Hoge and Joseph Tully, tackles Paul "Seminole" Parker and Larkin, guards Charles "Daddy" Herrick and O'Hare, center Goodman, fullback Ford, halfback Coffin, and quarterback Hobbs, with Mitchell staying in the game as halfback.

From their twenty, Rutgers tried a run around right end for no gain. A center plunge gained nothing. An off tackle to the right gained only three yards. On fourth down, Rutgers punted to Hobbs, who broke his leg when tackled at the Army 45 yard line. Doodle Harmon came in as quarterback. Mitchell rushed off tackle to the right for five yards. Coffin tried the left end for no gain, but the horn blew as Rutgers was offside. After the five yard penalty and first down, Ford tried to run up the middle for no gain, fumbled the ball, but Goodman recovered the ball. A poor hike from Goodman was mishandled by Doodle, but Harmon recovered the ball on his 35. Ford went back to punt, but faked the kick and rushed around the line as the whistle blew. He was tackled and stopped on the Rutgers 47 yard line as the first half ended. Army 0, Rutgers 0.

The coaches had fifteen minutes to prepare the squad for the second half. Daly decided to put the first string in, minus the injured Merillat and Oliphant. Vern Prichard received the kickoff on his twelve and ran it back to the Army 32. Mitchell rushed up the middle for one yard. Hodgson quick punted to the Rutgers twenty where their fullback Elmer Bracher fumbled the ball and Britton recovered it.

Hodgson plunged to the right for two. Schlitz Benedict went around the left end for two yards. McEwan and Meacham opened a wide hole that Hodgson rushed up the middle almost to the goal line, but the ball was batted out of his hands and rolled across the goal line. Schlitz Benedict recovered the fumble for a touchdown. Schlitz missed the goal from touchdown. Army 6, Rutgers 0.

Rutgers elected to kickoff. Vern Prichard received it on his twelve and ran it back to the twenty five. Hodgson quick punted the ball almost 90 yards for a touchback. Rutgers started its possession on its twenty. An off tackle plunge to the left netted one yard. The play was repeated for eight yards. A plunge to the right netted four yards and a first down on their 33. A forward pass was intercepted by McEwan on the Rutgers 38.

Prichard fumbled the ball, but recovered it and rushed for three yards. A forward pass thrown to Kelly was incomplete. A third down rush around left end, probably a pass play with no one open, resulted in Prichard losing a yard. Hodgson punted short with Rutgers recovering the ball on their 15. They tried an end around to the right, gaining about a yard. On second down, halfback Howard Talman punted deep and the ball rolled out of bounds at the Army 22 yard line.

Hodgson rushed up the middle for a yard. Prichard threw an incomplete pass in Kelly's direction. On third down, Prichard threw deep, but the pass was intercepted on the Rutgers ten yard line and returned to their 20. Rutgers went two yards off tackle to the left. They tried an end around to the right for three yards. Their third down play was an incomplete pass, but West Point was called for tripping and penalized 15 yards. Rutgers now had a first down on their 40. On a delayed pass, they gained six yards up the middle. However, two straight center plunges produced no gains. The referee, J.A. Evans of Williams, blew the whistle ending the third quarter. Army 6, Rutgers 0.

From the Rutgers 46 yard line on fourth down, they punted deep to nearly the end zone, and Vern Prichard returned it diagonally across the field to his 24. Hodgson went left around the end for one yard. From the punt formation, Hodgson flipped the ball to Benedict, but his center plunge gained nothing. Again from the punt formation, Hodgson saw the field clear out as Rutgers players moved back to cover the expected kick, and he took off, gaining blocks from McEwan, Timberlake, and Britton, described in The New York Times as "behind beautiful interference." Seventy five yards later (or 80 by several accounts), P.A. scored a touchdown near midfield. Benedict kicked the goal from touchdown. Army 13, Rutgers 0.

Snoop Goodman substituted for center McEwan while Louie Ford took Benedict's place before the kickoff. Rutgers kicked off directly to Hodgson, who fielded it at his seven and was tackled at the 32. A winded Hodgson came off the field with Bill Coffin taking his place, while Red O'Hare substituted in at right guard for Timberlake. Ford tried a center plunge for no gain, twice. On third down, Army was penalized five yards for being offside. Coffin punted on fourth down, and Goodman immediately tackled Howard Talman at his thirty. Rutgers lined up in a punt formation, but their halfback Robert Nash rushed up the middle for two yards. Then Rutgers tried a forward pass, with the receiver being tackled on the Rutgers 45 for a first down.

Daddy Herrick substituted for Meacham at left guard. Fay Prickett came in for Kelly. Rutgers tried two forward passes, but each was incomplete. On third down, Rutgers was penalized 15 yards for holding. Seminole Parker relieved Butler at left tackle. Rutgers punted, and Prichard fielded it at his 25 and ran the ball back to the Rutgers 41. Ford rushed two yards up the middle. Prichard's pass was intercepted on the Rutgers 37.

Mitchell returned the favor by intercepting a Rutgers pass at midfield and running it back to their twenty. Van Fleet took Mitchell's place. Coffin rushed up the middle for eight yards. Ford went through left tackle for a yard. Coffin gained the other yard through left tackle and a first down. The ball was on the Rutgers ten yard line when the whistle blew ending the game (Hodgson wrote his parents that it was on the two at the end, but the play by play says otherwise).

Edson described the Rutgers win as "a hard fought game with both lines playing a strong defensive game" while The New York Times called it "one of the stiffest games ever staged on The Plain." Rutgers players Toohey, Alfred Garrett, Talman, Nash, and Twing were their stars. Wainwright Twing, their right guard, threw nine forward passes towards Harry Rockafeller and Talman, completing three, and being intercepted three times. Prichard threw five passes, none complete, with two intercepted.

While normally the Cadets would shake hands with their opponents after the game, Woodruff tells us that with three men hurt (Merillat, Oliphant, and Hobbs with a broken leg), he felt "Rutgers intentionally played with unnecessary roughness" and this reflected some bitterness by the Army players. I doubt if Prichard extended courtesies to captain John Toohey for his team to attend supper at the Cadet Mess and come to the Cadet Hop at Cullum Hall at 8:15 pm.

The Cadets likely walked over to the gymnasium celebrating their second victory with fans and friends, while Rutgers lost for the second time and went to Cullum Hall to change and catch their ferry back to New Jersey. If there had been game balls given, it would have been to line coach Pots Graves, who the 1915 Howitzer said after this game, "he was slowly but surely developing a set of forwards which we decline to believe were excelled by any in the country. The result of this game gave us more confidence with which to face the Colgate team that had come so near trouncing us the year before."

Rutgers would leave West Point with a 1-2-0 record, but would not lose again until their final game in New York City against Washington & Jefferson, 13-20. They would beat Muhlenberg and Tufts. Howard Talman would successfully dropkick a 40 yard field goal against Muhlenberg, then make a thirty yarder against Tufts. Rutgers would then tie powerful Syracuse, 14-14. It would blow out Stevens, with Ralph Todd rushing for a sixty yard touchdown, and then handily defeat New York University, finishing 5-3-1 for the season.

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Chapter 9: Colgate: October 10-17, 1914

The Cadets trotted off Cullum Field on The Plain victorious over Rutgers. They washed and changed into Dress Gray uniforms and went as a group to the Cadet Mess Hall, purposely missing the supper formation of the battalion of Cadets. Walking into the Mess Hall, they received clapping and yelling from the Corps, and Cadets Eisenhower and McGuire led everyone in a couple cheers. I am sure any officers present were disturbed by this display of lack of discipline, and the First Captain Woody Woodruff directed the new Corps Adjutant, Donald Davison, to call everyone to attention, and gave them "Take seats!" to resume eating. The football team took their seats at their training tables and dug in, being very hungry.

Across The Plain, the coaching staff certainly had a celebratory drink before Daly ended it by returning everyone back to the business at hand. Around the table, each coach provided their observations on plays and players. No doubt, Dan Sultan took a note to provide a written report on the three officials regarding the rough play by Rutgers allowed by them, likely they would not officiate a West Point game again. A report was received from the Cadet Hospital that senior Leland Hobbs was probably lost for the season due to his broken leg. After the married officers left for their quarters, Daly, Graves, Sultan, and Pullen likely engaged in a discussion of whether or not last week's strenuous practices had fatigued the Cadets, and the pro's and con's of how hard the practice for Colgate should be.

After supper, the football team left in small groups, walking back to their barracks, some to get ready for the Cadet Hop at 8:15 pm, some to study, and some to just go to sleep early. Woodruff certainly led any football players to the hop, trying to decide which of several "Femmes" he might catch a dance with. The hop lasted until 10:30, giving the Cadets about thirty minutes before taps to get back to barracks for the night.

Sunday was like any other Sunday at West Point in those days. Cadets awoke to the sound of the Hell Cats beating the reveille drums, then breakfast formation and a meal, followed by a room inspection for some companies, and then mandatory chapel service. After dinner, the Cadets were released from barracks for the afternoon, except for a few seniors and juniors with stripes who had to serve confinement in their rooms due to being over the limit of 29 demerits for the six month period. Interesting, the Area Birds, those without rank and stripes who walked the area each Wednesday and Saturday afternoon, were usually allowed a little freedom on Sunday afternoon. West Point has its rules, and some of them made no sense at all.

For many of the coaching staff, they were heavy into planning for the next week, plus listening to their scouts' reports on Colgate and Navy. No doubt Daly and Graves, being at West Point for only one thing, football coaching, read and discussed all scouting reports on all future opponents. We are not privy to what those all said, but the weekend's results were interesting. Springfield had whacked Holy Cross 25-0. Maine likewise blew past Vermont 20-0. Colgate had beat Massachusetts 25-0. Now all three of those games in 2015 would be considered low scoring with the winner having a great defense, but in 1914 those games were blowouts.

Notre Dame won 103-0 over Rose-Hulman, so that team led by Head Coach Jessie Harper had now scored 159 points in two games. But Notre Dame would be facing Yale at New Haven next weekend, and that test would allow a better gauge of how strong a team it was this year. Stevens almost beat Johns Hopkins, but lost 13-16. Villanova did not play on Saturday.

Pittsburgh brought a seasoned team to Annapolis to face Navy. Pitt was faster and a more finished team, using smooth passing and clever interference to defeat the Midshipmen 13-6. Pitt scored first early in the game, but Navy tied it in the third quarter, both touchdowns by forward passes. Navy's teamwork was not fully developed and the backs fumbled often. Pittsburgh blocked a punt and ran it back twenty yards for a touchdown late in the game, with Navy having little time to respond. Phil Hayes provided more details on the plays and individual players.

Daly and Graves ultimately decided on the approach for practice, probably one over Pot's recommendations to practice hard in order to play well on Saturday. They may have then relaxed that Sunday by discussing Harvard's two point win over little Washington & Jefferson and how Princeton, Yale, and Dartmouth were all tested, Penn being tied, and only Cornell winning easily. The rest of the coaching staff also had their day jobs, teaching classes to Cadets, so they had to spend some time preparing for their work week.

The few officers on post worried about the European War heard on Sunday how the German forces had captured Antwerp and were counter attacking the British and French around Lille, which they shortly captured. They would hear in a few days that the Germans were cutting roads and railways to Verdun on Sunday.

More likely, what little attention on foreign affairs was focused on the opening Saturday of the Convention of Aguascalientes, a meeting of the Mexican revolutionary factions and the effects it might have on the current leader of Mexico, Vensutiano Carranza. The convention would run to November 10th with Ortiz being elected President of Mexico for twenty days, with Zapata and Villa then leading an army into Mexico City on December 6th, forcing Carranza to retreat to Veracruz.

Daly held football practice on Monday, using the blackboard to discuss each play of the Rutgers game and any failing of play calling or players. Position coaches then spent the remaining time with their Cadets, with the first string only stretching out.

On Tuesday's practice, the second and third string had a 15 minute scrimmage against each other, without either scoring. Besides Hobbs, Oliphant and Merillat were injured and watched with the rest of the first string. Harmon was the field general calling the plays for the second string, with Mitchell, Ford, and Coffin playing in the backfield, with Van Fleet alternating with his teammates. Hodgson practiced his punting. Pot Graves ran practice, with Daly being absent. At Annapolis, Navy endured a hard practice. At supper that night, the Cadets heard that the Boston Braves had beaten the Philadelphia A's in the fourth game of the World Series, the first four game sweep in the championship series ever.

Daly returned to run practice on Wednesday, and with the weather cooler with a high of 65, scrimmaged the second and third strings for one long hour. The first string watched from the sidelines, then ran a signal drill while Benedict, McEwan, and Woodruff practiced field goal kicking from placement. Cadets in the stands practiced cheers and songs with the USMA Band.

The cooler weather continued, and at Thursday's practice, the varsity went through a light scrimmage against the scrubs, with many substitutes going in during the practice for the varsity. Daddy Weems started at center, but his poor hiking led to yearling Lyman "Parson" Parks being tried, as McEwan was nursing an injury and Goodman was in the hospital after yesterday's practice. Ford joined the backfield for the injured Oliphant, while Coffin and Mitchell exchanged with Benedict and Hodgson several times. The highlight of the scrimmage was a forty yard rush to the scrubs 15 yard line by Ford, but Benedict missed the field goal attempt. Senior Tom Hanley and junior Bill Hoge had turns at end during practice. Senior John McDermott, often walking the area or off the team for academics, substituted for Harmon at quarterback, as did yearling Charles "Moon" Mullins, normally an end.

On Friday, those who received The New York Times read its prediction for the Colgate game, "Army is scheduled for a trying hour or more at West Point tomorrow, for in playing Colgate the Cadets are called upon to face one of the strongest of the smaller college elevens of the East. Last season Colgate lost the game because of a failure to kick a goal following a touchdown. This autumn, the upstate team has defeated Cornell 7-3 and swamped Ohio Wesleyan and Massachusetts. Against Rutgers last Saturday, the Army's superior physical condition was the basis for a 13-0 victory."

We have no details on Friday's practice, but it typically was a light one, with the varsity practicing a signal drill on all planned plays and the coaches providing last minute position coaching. On Friday, some on the team read in The New York Times about the Thursday practice for Navy, with their coaches concentrating on position instruction while their Superintendent, W.F. Fullam, watched. At this point, the Army football players had heard nothing new about the Navy game, and many had written home the last two Sundays their disappointment of the game being cancelled. And they also found out that Navy was not playing a home game this weekend.

For the first time, an athletic team left the Naval Academy for a game with an opponent other than Army. At 5 pm, the football team, with the battalion of Midshipmen lining the road to the gate, walked off the grounds to the railroad station headed for what they thought was their remaining major game of the season with the University of Pennsylvania, given that the team was not going to play Army this season. The team would play at Franklin Field on Saturday afternoon, then stay overnight in Philadelphia until mid-morning on Sunday and travel by train back to Annapolis.

Dan Sultan was at Annapolis and watched the Navy football team waddle down the road. He wished West Point would allow its football team to play games at an opponent's field, as he knew that Harvard would tell each and every opponent other than Princeton and Yale to take a hike to play Army. He turned around after the Midshipmen football team passed, and walked back into the building with his Naval Athletic Association hosts to continue working on a compromise agreement. Many long hours later, an agreement was hammered out and agreed to between both athletic councils, and Sultan went to the USNA telegraph office to send a message to his Superintendent.

Cadets and Officers at West Point woke up to a normal and busy Saturday morning, classes, inspections, formations, and then the 3 pm game with Colgate. But there was no parade or review, as it rained lightly all day. I have no idea if the plebes chanted to Odin back in 1914, but if they did, their prayers were answered on this Saturday, as they got out of inspection in ranks and a parade, disappointing some visitors, but not any Cadet.

The State, War, and Navy Building, now the Old Executive Office Building, in Washington, was busy that Saturday morning, at least in the respective Secretaries offices. Telegraphs had been exchanged with the heads of each athletic association and with each Superintendent, confirming that everyone was in agreement. The Secretary of the Navy Daniels, accompanied by Secretary of War Garrison met with Captain Dan Sultan and his naval counterpart in Daniel's office at 9:30 am to personally receive their word of honor that this agreement was acceptable to everyone and all would abide by it, as Daniels was going to catch a train at 10 am to Philadelphia to see the Navy-Penn game. Daniels and Garrison both approved the press release, and then invited Sultan to be his guest at the first away Navy game with an opponent other than Army. An aide went to the naval signals office to telegraph the news to the world, as well as a waiting group of officers at the West Point headquarters building.

An aide brought the telegraph to Superintendent Townsley's office. He read it, and then asked for Charlie Daly and Pot Graves to report immediately to him, as well as the Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Smith. About thirty minutes later, all three were handled the message and each smiled. A short discussion ensued as to when the announcement would be communicated to the Cadets, at dinner or at supper. Graves said that since this was a press release to the newspapers, it would be likely some newspaperman would spill it prior to the game to individuals in the stands or players on the sideline. Smith informed the Superintendent and the coaches that he would have the Corps Adjutant announce the agreement at the dinner meal in the Mess Hall. Daly and Graves left for the Officers Mess to have dinner with the Colgate coaches, and told everyone present of the announcement.

The battalion of Cadets had their noon time meal formation in a light rain, in about 65 degrees and Dress Gray uniform. They marched to the Mess Hall and stood at their seats awaiting the Adjutant's order to take seats. Instead, the Corps Adjutant, Donald Davison, was given the telegraph by the Commandant about five minutes before the dinner formation, and told to read it as an order before the Cadets sat down for dinner, so he had spent that time re-organizing the press release information into an order format.

"Attention to Orders. By order of the Secretary of the Navy, the honorable Josephus Daniels of the state of North Carolina, and confirmed by the Secretary of War, the honorable Lindley Miller Garrison of the great state of New Jersey," the Illinois native began, "announce an agreement of both the respective Army and Navy Athletic Councils and each academies' Superintendent, that the Army football team will play Navy each of the next five years, with the 1915 and 1917 games in New York City while the games in 1916 and 1918 will be played in Philadelphia," said Davison as he paused for effect. "Thanks to the influence of Army and Navy officers on their respective athletic associations, the 1914 Army football game with the damn Midshipmen will be played on November 28th at 3 pm in Philadelphia, probably at Franklin Field. By order of the United States Department of the Navy and small boats. Take seats!!!" As the cheers and shouting reached them, Davison whispered to the Commandant, "Sir, I think I earned about five demerits and probably some confinement tours for that announcement." Smith nodded in agreement, but no one ever wrote it down so none were ever awarded.

The Corps was alive with shouting for several minutes before Eisenhower started his table out singing the 1914 version of "On, Brave Old Army Team," then called "The Army Team," with the remaining Cadets quickly joining in:

The Army team's the pride and dream  
Of every heart in gray,  
The Army line you'll ever find  
A terror in the fray;  
And when this team is fighting  
For the Black and Gray and Gold,  
We're always near with song and cheer  
And this is the thing we're told:—  
The Army team  
(Whistle)  
Rah Rah Rah (Boom)  
On, brave old Army team.  
On to the fray;  
Fight on to victory,  
For that's the fearless Army way.

Ike's table started another cheer to the tune of "Tipperary," singing the first four lines before the Officer in Charge walked up to their table and gave the future President a look and the singing stopped.

When you see that old veteran Army Team,  
Come bounding o'er the ropes,  
And settle right down to a winning game,  
That smears the Navy's hopes,

Davison realized that no one had actually taken seats, so he called the Corps to attention again, the noise and shouting immediately stopped, and there was silence in the Mess Hall. "Let's beat Colgate in football this afternoon. Now, take seats!!" The Cadets sat down at their tables and began to enjoy their dinner. The Colgate football team was intermingled with their hosts at the training tables, and realized that they had a fight on their hands this afternoon.

Both teams left the Mess Hall together but quickly parted, West Point players going to the gymnasium to get taped up while the Colgate team walked over to Cullum Hall to change. Both teams came out to the field about 2:30 to loosen up. Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Dan Sultan found Phil Hayes in the stands at Franklin Field, and quickly told him that they would be back here on the last Saturday in November to play these Midshipmen. Sultan then returned to the Secretary's box, as he did not want to reveal to the Navy about the scout sitting in civilian clothes sitting quietly in the stands that came and watched every game, very carefully.

As previously mentioned, Colgate opened its second season under Head Coach Laurence Bankart with a 40-0 thrashing of Ohio Wesleyan at home, with Stanley Robins returning a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. Then on the road, they upset Cornell 7-3. Back at home last Saturday, they had swamped Massachusetts Agricultural College 25-0. Colgate came to West Point confident that could upset another eastern power.

With the loss of Louie Merillat and Ollie Oliphant to injuries, Daly had to adjust the line-up by putting in Ham Kelly at right end and Mike Mitchell at right halfback. Schlitz Benedict would start his second game in a row at Fullback. On the left side was Dizie Britton at end, Bruce Butler at tackle, and Cowboy Meacham at guard. Cap McEwan anchored the center. On the right was Kelly, Babe Weyand at tackle, and Tim Timberlake at guard. P.A. Hodgson would be at left halfback, while Vern Prichard would be captain and quarterback, and call all the plays. Prior to the start of the game, Prichard and the Colgate captain, Earl Abell, had agreed to play ten minute quarters.

A Bell kicked off to the Army. Actually, Colgate's right tackle Earl Abell kicked off from the forty to Vern, who returned it his 22. Prichard called a fullback off tackle to the left, and Schlitz made two yards. On second down in punt formation, Hodgson punted it deep to quarterback Oscar Anderson, who gathered up the ball on his ten and was tackled on the Colgate 25. Colgate fullback Wallace Swarthout dived to center for no gain. The right halfback Belford West went around left end for a yard, but Army was penalized for being offside for five yards, and Colgate awarded a first down on its 30. Anderson fumbled the snap, and McEwan recovered the ball in mid-air. Cap was rumbling towards the end zone when he was tackled just short of the goal line on the one yard line.

Hodgson dived up the middle for no gain. Prichard called the same play, and P.A. made two feet, yes two feet. The Army line dug in, and the third time was the charm as Hodgson plunged behind McEwan for a touchdown. Schlitz Benedict kicked the goal from touchdown. Army 7, Colgate 0.

Colgate decided to have West Point kick off. Cap McEwan kicked off to the 15, and Anderson advanced it back to his 25. But Army was offside on the kickoff, and must re-kick from its own 35. McEwan kicked again, not as deep, and Oscar Anderson returned it to his forty. McEwan hurt his shoulder on the play, and Snoop Goodman came in for him.

Swarthout rushed through left tackle for five yards, but Colgate was called for being offside, and lost five yards. On second down, as they did not repeat the down in 1914, West tried to run off tackle to the right, for no gain. Belford West rushed again, trying a cross buck for five yards before fumbling the ball, but Earl Abell recovered it. On fourth down, Abell punted to Prichard, who downed it on the Army twenty yard line.

Hodgson tried to run around the left end, but lost five yards on a busted play. P.A. punted the ball on second down. Anderson received it on his 25 and had a great punt return to the Army 46. Swarthout plunged through center for a yard. West made no gain off right tackle. Wallace Swarthout threw a forward pass to Oscar Anderson for 15 yards to the Army 30 for a first down. Back in 1914, teams often used their best passer, regardless of the man's position. Last week, it was the Rutgers right guard Twing who threw all nine passes. This week, Colgate has their fullback throwing passes, at least for the first one.

Swarthout gained ten yards around left end for a first down. Belford West tried the same play, gaining six. Byron Warren, the left halfback, gained nine yards through the middle against Goodman for a first down. The ball was now on the Army five yard line. Wallace Swarthout was stopped for no gain. West gained three yards off tackle to the left. Swarthout gained only one yard through the middle. Fourth down, ball on the Army one, Anderson or Swarthout, threw a pretty touchdown pass to one of the ends, Charles Stewart or Lawrence Sparfeld, as there are conflicting accounts of who passed to whom. Joseph Brooks, the left tackle, kicked the goal from touchdown. West Point had given up its first points of the season. The Referee, Allen Whiting of Cornell, blew his whistle ending the first quarter. Army 7, Colgate 7.

Benedict kicked off to Oscar Anderson, who returned it from his 15 to the forty yard line. West Point was having trouble covering kicks and punts today, with Merillat out. Warren gained two yards up the middle. Belford West went off tackle to the right for a yard. West gained ten yards off right tackle for a first down to the Army 47. On a fluke run, Colgate has no gain, but Army was penalized five yards for being offside. On first down, Wallace Swarthout gained five yards through center. Spencer substituted for Warren at left half halfback. On third down, West Point was again called for being offside. It was Colgate ball on the Army 32 yard line.

On first down, Swarthout gained nothing running up the middle. He tried to run off tackle to the right and made two yards. Anderson threw a forward pass, but Colgate was penalized 15 yards for an illegal pass. On fourth down, Abell tried to punt, but was thrown for a big loss. Army took over on the Colgate 37 yard line.

Hodgson tried to go through the left tackle for no gain. He gained one yard around left end. Schlitz Benedict gained two yards up the middle. Red O'Hare substituted in for Timberlake. On fourth down, Hodgson punted to the Colgate 25, but they returned it ten yards. West gained five yards through right guard to his 40. Swarthout gained a yard up the middle. Wallace Swarthout plunged five yards off right tackle, and a first down. Belford West gained another five yards off tackle. Swarthout rushed up the middle for a yard, but Colgate was penalized 15 yards for holding. Ball was now on the Colgate 36, third down. Colgate attempted a pass, incomplete, but Army was penalized for being offside.

Daddy Herrick came in for Meacham. Colgate's first down run to the left was stopped for no gain. Swarthout gained two up the middle. Swarthout rushed another five through center. Ball was now at the Colgate 48, but it was fourth down. Earl Abell punted to Prichard at the five, who returned it back to the Army 30. Time was running out in the second quarter. Prichard lost five yards running toward the right end. Prichard threw a pass, but Wallace Swarthout intercepted in on the Army 40 with no return. The first half ends with the score being Army 7, Colgate 7.

"Colgate outplayed us during the first half, they were fast, well-trained, using good formations," Hodgson wrote to his parents that Sunday. The position coaches used their 15 minutes of halftime to try to fix some things. McEwan, Meacham, and Timberlake were slightly injured and would not return. Graves was working hard with the linemen to change techniques to both open up holes for the backs but also avoid being pushed back by the heavier Colgate line. Daly was quietly counseling his quarterback and field general, offering some suggestions that might open up the game. No one was in a panic, yet, but the second half could go fast and it could get away from Army.

Benedict kicked off deep to the Colgate ten, but again Colgate had a good return run back to their forty. Anderson kept the ball, and made five yards around the right end. Swarthout plunged three yards up the middle. West gained three yards over left tackle for a first down. Colgate rushed for four yards around the right end, but they were penalized five yards for being offside. It was now second down, on the Colgate 46. Oscar Anderson delayed and plunged up the middle for five yards. Anderson tried a pass to West, but he gained nothing. On fourth down, Abell punted to Prichard, who fielded it on the ten yard line and returned it back to his 36. Prichard gave the ball to Hodgson, who tried to get around the left end without making any gain.

Daly decided to substitute all his backs but his quarterback. Bill Coffin went in for Hodgson, Jimmy Van Fleet was in for Benedict, and Louie Ford substituted for Mitchell. On second down, Coffin made one yard up the middle. Coffin tried to go over left tackle, but gained nothing, but Colgate was offside and this gave Army a first down by penalty.

First down, with the ball on the Army 42, Ford plunged one yard up the middle on his first carry. Coffin gained two off left tackle, then Ford made another two yards. On fourth down, Coffin punted to Anderson, who fair caught the ball on his 25 yard line. Wallace Swarthout gained five yards around left end. Belford West was stopped on a center plunge. On third down, Earl Abell punted to Prichard on his 36, and he returned the ball six yards.

Ford now went five yards through center. Coffin plunged up the middle for two. Coffin burst through the center for six yards and the first down. West Point was now on the Colgate 45 yard line. Ford plunged off tackle for three. Coffin gained eight yards over tackle and a first down, but Army was again penalized for being offside. First down on the Colgate 47. Prichard rushed around right end for four yards. Ford gained a yard up the middle. Prichard passed to Kelly and he gained nine yards and a first down. Ball was on the Colgate 33. Coffin gained a yard off left tackle as the whistle blew, ending the third quarter with the score tied, Army 7, Colgate 7.

Hodgson came in for Coffin, while Benedict substituted for Van Fleet. Ford remained in the game. A fresh Hodgson whipped around the left end for 25 yards. From the Colgate 7, P.A. rushed in for a touchdown. Schlitz kicked the goal from touchdown. Army 14, Colgate 7.

Colgate substituted Walter Spencer for West. Benedict kicked off to Oscar Anderson at his five, and he returned it to the 34. Spencer plunged off tackle for four yards. He rushed up the middle for three. Swarthout gained two through center. On fourth down, Colgate was stopped and lost the ball on downs. First down, Army, on the Colgate 43.

Ford gained a yard through the middle. Hodgson plunged for one yard off tackle. Prichard's pass was intercepted by Spencer on the Colgate 25. Anderson fumbled the snap, and Bruce Butler recovered it on the twelve. Benedict was stopped at the line. Ford gained a yard, but was shaken up on the play. Mike Mitchell returned to the game for Ford. Colgate was called for offside on the previous play, so Army has a first down outside the six. Mitchell gained a yard through center. Hodgson rushed four yards off left tackle. Mitchell busted through the right guard for a touchdown. Benedict kicked the goal from touchdown. Army 21, Colgate 7.

Colgate substituted Henry Flanagan for Stanley Robinson at halfback. Tom Larkin replaced Butler at left tackle and Coffin substituted for Hodgson. Colgate decided to have Army kickoff. Schlitz kicked off to Flanagan at his five, and he returned it to his 25. The fresh halfback rushed six yards around the end. Swarthout does not gain anything on a fake punt. Colgate tried a triple pass, Anderson to Swarthout, Swarthout to Flanagan, and Flanagan to Sparfeld, but gained nothing. On fourth down, Abell punted to Prichard, who fair caught it on the fifty yard line.

From a regular formation, Coffin quick kicked, but Colgate was called offside and penalized five yards. Seminole Parker relieved Babe Weyand at right tackle. On first down, Vern Prichard rushed five yards around the left end. Mitchell fumbled on the next play, and Wallace Swarthout recovered the ball. Colgate has the ball on its forty. Joseph Tully came in for Dizie Britton, with Carl Hocker in for Kelly.

Henry Flanagan tried a cross buck for ten yards, but the Head Linesman, Albert Tyler of Princeton, measured it and it was just short of the first down. Swarthout threw a pass that Prichard intercepted on the Army thirty yard line, and Vern returned it back to Colgate's twenty five. Mitchell plunged five yards up the middle. Coffin gained nothing off left tackle. Prichard threw a pass incomplete near the goal line. The whistle blew and the game ends. Army was on the Colgate twenty. Army 21, Colgate 7.

West Point took advantage of the several Colgate mistakes, as McEwan fell on one fumble on the Colgate one yard line in the first quarter and Butler recovered another in the fourth, both leading to touchdowns. Old fashioned line plunging combined with several key passes were highlights of Colgate's attack. Army's physical condition eventually took a toll on the Colgate defenders, as West Point was constantly battering the line thorough out the game. Colgate had its moment when it went 55 yards down the field in the middle of the first quarter to tie the game.

Swarthout and Sparfeld were clearly the stand outs for Colgate. Hodgson, Prichard and Benedict starred for Army, with Coffin's and Ford's performance leading many fans to wonder if those two should be on the first string.

The players on the two teams shook hands at the end. The Cadets gladly hosted the Colgate football team at supper in the Mess Hall. No hop was scheduled for that Saturday evening, but I am sure there was some tall tales and jokes told at a long meal as everyone ate their fill at the training tables.

Colgate would leave West Point with their first defeat of the season, but went on to blow out Vermont the next Saturday, then be swamped by Yale. After beating Rochester, they ended their season with a tie at Syracuse, finishing the season at 5-2-1.

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Chapter 10: Holy Cross: October 17-24, 1914

The Army football coaches left the team's locker room after the Colgate game and walked across The Plain to the Officer's Mess for drinks and supper. The discussion that night returned to whether the varsity needed to rest during the week versus Pot's insistence that hard practices produced a team ready to play on Saturday from start to finish. Well happy for the win, the coaches realized that if not for the recovery of two key Colgate fumbles deep in their territory, the game could have easily been a loss, at best a tie. The coaches were generally dissatisfied with the play of the seasoned linemen and the fumbling by the backs. The inability to field forward passes also added to their heartburn. The meeting broke up with the general agreement to work the men hard this week, and looking for players who were ready to step up and execute.

The West Point garrison woke up Sunday to a heavy fog with temperatures in the upper 50s rising to 65 by midday. Daly and Graves were reviewing the results of football games and early scouting reports that afternoon when Sultan and Hayes returned from the Navy game in Philadelphia. They could not believe what Dan Sultan had to tell them of what happened after that game.

Dan Sultan watched as Penn upset Navy 16-13 from the Secretary of the Navy's box at Franklin Field, but was an accidental witness to an event that he still could not believe had happen. After the game, Secretary Daniels invited him to dinner with several Congressmen, and recommended that he stay overnight in Philadelphia instead of trying to catch a late train to New York. So they were driven by horse-drawn carriage to one of the best restaurants, and were enjoying several wide-ranging conversations about Mexico, the European War, and what the United States military should be doing to prepare for contingencies. The two Congressmen had just left when a slightly angry looking man walked into the restaurant and up to their table. Sultan recognized him immediately as the new head of the Naval Athletic Council, a Navy Captain that he had spoken to only briefly while in Annapolis a few days before, and a man who did not remember him to be West Point's football representative, as perhaps he would have chosen to speak to the Secretary in private.

The Navy Captain spoke rapidly and bluntly, explaining that despite the work done to hammer out the five year agreement, discussions by council members afterward had led to them to reconsider their position. He was now telling the most senior member of his service that the council was now rejecting the agreement, because they had found the telegrammed conditions that they had received mid-day today from West Point to be totally unacceptable, and handed a copy of the telegram to the Secretary. Daniels sat shocked by the Captain's announcement and made no objections to him. Sultan watched this interaction, expecting the Secretary to put the Captain in his place, since the American military ultimately took orders from its highest civilian authorities. The Captain quickly took his leave and left the dinner.

Secretary Daniels quickly apologized for the intrusion, and called his aide to tell him to go to Washington to prepare and issue a press release tomorrow announcing that the Army game was now called off. Sultan was astonished by the turn of events, but more puzzled by why the Secretary had not ordered the Navy Captain and his council to support his and the Secretary of War's decisions to have the game played.

While they were talking, Sultan interrupted and asked the Secretary if he could take a look at the telegram that caused all the problems. Captain Sultan quickly scanned it, and realized that the telegram was an early proposal that West Point had sent on Tuesday to Annapolis, in attempting to reopen negotiations on the game's location. It contained a proposal that got them talking again, but it was far from the proposal agreed to between the athletic associations late Friday night. Somehow, the message had been resent again to the Naval Academy on Saturday and had caused distrust and anger among the Navy officers.

He then interrupted again and explained this carefully to Daniels, and suggested that he accompany the Secretary's aide to Washington, where he would meet as soon as he could with the Secretary of War and get Garrison to send a corrected message. Daniels agreed with this course of action. Sultan and the aide then left for the railroad station, and that was where they ran into Phil Hayes, waiting for the train to leave for New York City. Sultan decided that he needed help, and told Hayes to come with him to Washington.

On the train, Sultan and Hayes reviewed a copy of the Tuesday telegram and the five year agreement, and wrote a draft of a proposed telegram to be issued by the Secretary of War to the Naval Academy. Arriving around midnight at the War Department headquarters, the Officer on Duty advised them to meet with the Secretary at his home prior to him leaving for church on Sunday morning. Sultan prepared a telegram informing the Superintendent of the late breaking events, and requested that it be delivered at reveille to Colonel Townsley's quarters. Townsley read the telegram that morning, and immediately scribbled a short message to proceed with the plan to request Garrison issue a new proposal, essentially the same one agreed to in Annapolis late on Friday, with the only addition an incentive to the Naval Academy that West Point would pay for Navy's extra costs for traveling to games in New York City.

Sultan received the confirmation telegram from his Superintendent, had a copy made, and Hayes and him then took a carriage to Garrison's home. Secretary Garrison could not believe what had happened, and sat at his desk reviewing the draft message to Navy. He made a few minor changes, suggesting that Navy try to find a larger venue in Philadelphia that offered more seating, adding a few sentences apologizing for the mistaken telegram on Saturday and the misunderstanding, and strongly requested that the Naval Athletic Council reconsider and agree to the five game proposal. Garrison gave the telegram to his aide for transmission, and Sultan and Hayes left for Union Station to catch trains back to West Point.

Daly shook his head, and muttered something that the Navy better finally agree to have a game with Army this week, or he was going to propose to the Superintendent that we first offer to play Harvard, and if they do not want a game on November 28th, we then ask Yale. One of them will gladly play us at the Polo Grounds in New York City. A tired Sultan laughed at the suggestion, and then excused himself to go find the Superintendent and brief him of the morning's events with the Secretary of War.

Hayes then sat down with the coaches and provided his weekly briefing on the play of the Midshipmen. Navy was slightly favored over Penn. Franklin Field had received two days of rain and the field was very wet, but the game was played fast and cleanly by both teams. Both teams had some spectacular forward passes, brilliant runs, and good punting. Navy completed a 35 yard pass in the first quarter that led to their only touchdown, missing the goal from touchdown. Penn kicked a 33 yard goal from placement before the end of the first quarter, a very long kick for 1914.

In the second quarter, Penn moved deep into Midshipmen territory by way of a long pass, then dropped kicked another goal to tie the game. No one was able to able to take advantage of the other for most of the second half. Late in the fourth, Navy attempted a long pass from their 25. It was intercepted and returned sixty yards for a touchdown. After the kickoff, Navy had less than a minute to play with the ball deep near their goal line as the game ended.

Daly and Graves digested what Hayes further told them about the plays and the efforts of the Navy players. The also reviewed results and scouting reports on future opponents, as Villanova beat Catholic 7-0, Maine blew away Norwich 64-0, and Springfield lost to Williams 17-13 after Springfield was up 13-3 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Williams used long passes and runs around end to quickly score two touchdowns.

Prior to Sultan and Hayes arriving, Daly and Graves had reviewed and discussed all the details about Notre Dame's loss against Yale in New Haven, 28-0. Notre Dame began the game with a great rushing attack that gained five first downs that Yale just stopped, then Yale got the ball and played Canadian football, using double and triple passes that Notre Dame could not stop. After Yale scored several times, Notre Dame switched their attack to the air, moving quickly down the field in the last minute of the second quarter, but running out of time on the Yale three yard line.

Notre Dame resumed its air attack in the third quarter, throwing eight passes but only completing two, with Yale either intercepting or interfering with the receiver. Their scouts reported that Notre Dame had played poor defense throughout the game.

The press reports also described Harvard's tough victory over Tufts, but Daly knew that Head Coach Haughton had planned to play only the second and third string. The New York Times also called "Army's clean-cut victory over the Colgate team did not add to Navy's joy."

Daly decided to walk over to the Cadet Barracks prior to supper formation and let Prichard know about Navy undermining the agreement and to have him inform the rest of the team, so they would not be surprised when they read the papers on Monday morning. He also told Prichard to specifically tell the varsity to be ready for a hard practice all through the week, including Monday's. Prichard did both, though the reaction was disbelief from the first string players.

Monday's afternoon practice, played in mid-sixties temperatures and high humidity with the sky clouding up, was indeed as hard as promised. The scrubs were ready and relished improving the pecking order, breaking through the line and playing havoc with the varsity plays. The varsity was not helped by the absent from the scrimmage of McEwan, Weyand, and Oliphant, all being injured and only watching. Scrubs O'Hare, Hanley, and Herrick were quite effective. Years later, Hanley reported that Daly "was mad at me for some reason" and he never got to play in a single game his senior season.

A tired football team headed after practice to the training tables, nursing a few new bruises. It also did not help that a thunderstorm hit West Point just before taps, and many of the players could not fall asleep due to the lightning and thunder.

A tired battalion of Cadets were confused by newspaper accounts on Tuesday of the Navy game again being called off, but word spread from the football team that this was not the final word. We know not much of the details of Tuesday football practice, except that Benedict was hurt slightly. On Wednesday, the Cadets read about the mistaken telegram and that West Point and the Secretary of War had offered an improved proposal to play the football games that the Navy had accepted, and that the 1914 game would be played in Philadelphia on November 28th.

Wednesday's football practice was three hours long, in relatively hot temperatures for October, a high of 75. The varsity and scrubs scrimmaged for one solid hour to a standstill. Herrick was now at varsity guard, with Timberlake on the scrubs, and this caused both to excel. Benedict returned from injury and played hard. Weems was in at center when he was hurt, and Goodman and then Parks stepped in. Hanley and Hoge both played in Merillat's end position, with Tom Larkin filling in for the still injured Weyand. Larkin received some praise from his coach for his work. Meanwhile, Cadets in the stands practiced cheers and yells with the USMA Band.

Thursday's newspapers announced that the final arrangements had been made between the academies and the University of Pennsylvania for the game and they had allocated 11,500 tickets each to Army and Navy, with the remaining 8,000 to be sold to the public for the benefit of each service's relief society.

Thursday's practice was about five degrees cooler, and started with a signal drill and then the varsity scrimmaged the scrubs for over an hour. McEwan and Merillat were still out, though Merillat did participate in the signal drill. Oliphant, Hodgson, and Benedict made up the varsity backfield with Prichard, and scored two touchdowns. Passing was ineffective and poor, and Daly ordered the team to "rush the ball" indicating his disgust with the way the team's passing attack was going.

Friday the battalion of Cadets received word on the distribution of tickets for the Navy football game, with First Classmen getting four tickets, Second Classmen three, and yearlings and plebes getting two tickets apiece. The AAA also announced the allocation of tickets to officers, Congressmen, supporters, and coaches, and if tickets were available, to civilians. Others could purchase tickets through the University of Pennsylvania. Also on Friday, plebe Claude Hill of West Virginia was granted a leave of absence without pay until August 1915. Hill did return to West Point and joined the Class of 1919, but then resigned in January 1916.

The Holy Cross team arrived at West Point in the early afternoon on Friday. They walked around the post and then their coaches conducted a light practice on one of the other fields at about the same time Army was practicing. Prichard walked over to their field and talked with the Walter Mullen, the Holy Cross captain, inviting the team to eat supper, as well as breakfast and dinner on Saturday, with the West Point football team, as was their custom at the time. Holy Cross accepted. It was not known if Daly extended a similar request to the Holy Cross coaches.

The football practice on Friday was long but light, with a signal drill rehearsing all plays and a short drill covering kickoffs and punts, both receiving and kicking. Benedict and Woodruff practiced place kicking, while Hodgson punted. Daly talked with newspapermen after practice, indicating that he may need to start a combination of second and third string men due to all the injuries, and that he hoped to win on Saturday, but the outlook was not encouraging. He sounded like some of his modern counterparts.

The football team settled into their barracks after supper, studying for Saturday's classes, and maybe catching up on the news in the papers during the week. Some of them read about Navy's practice on Thursday, as it sounded like the Midshipmen were literally replacing their entire football team and coaches due to injuries and poor playing, and the lack of experience of many on the coaching staff. Reports on the war in Europe were confusing, each day with accounts of German and French, British, and Belgium forces attacking, counter attacking, and trying to outflank each other around Ypres.

The Corps woke up Saturday to a day that would see a high of 67 and a low of 43, with no rain. Most of them expected an easy game against Holy Cross, but those close to the football team knew of the injuries and were worried. Visitors who had arrived midmorning were treated to an inspection in ranks and a parade, before settling down with picnic lunches. The Cadet football team was gracious hosts for their opponents at dinner, commenting that the food was not normally this edible or in such large portions, when they had no guests. The teams left the Mess Hall and headed to their respective "locker rooms" in the gymnasium and Cullum Hall.

Holy Cross (0-3-0) was led by head coach Luke Kelly in his first of four seasons. They had opened the season at home by losing 17-0 to Colby, followed by a 14-0 defeat by Massachusetts Agricultural. Two Saturdays ago, they suffered a 25-0 blowout by Springfield Training School.

Players on the two teams walked over to Cullum Field a little past two o'clock and began loosening up. Prichard and Mullen approached the Referee, Thomas Thorpe of Columbia, and the Head Linesman, Albert Tyler of Princeton, about their united desire to play ten minute quarters. Joined by the Umpire, Louis Vail of Penn, the officials spoke to both captains of their desire to have a clean game without unnecessary roughness or foul play. Sultan had previously spoken to the officials about West Point's desire to not repeat the rough play of the Rutgers game.

Daly's line-up was a mixture of first, second, and third string. He was happy to see Louie Merillat healthy enough to play. Babe Weyand was not going to miss a game, though he had dealt with minor injuries this week at practice. McEwan would not start or play due to his. The line from left to right was Joseph "Tooley" Tully at end, Butler at tackle, Daddy Herrick at guard, center Snoop Goodman, guard Meacham, Weyand at tackle and Merillat at end. In the backfield, Daly would start Doodle Harmon at quarterback, Mike Mitchell on the left and Hodgson at right halfback and Schlitz Benedict at fullback.

At 3 pm, Benedict kicked off short to Barney Lee at his 35, who returned it five yards. Lee, the right halfback, gained two yards around the left end. The Holy Cross quarterback, Mark Devlin, fumbled the snap, several players scrambled to grab the ball, and finally Merillat, often called a "ball hog" by Graves, recovered the football at the fifty.

Schlitz was stopped for no gain off right guard, but Holy Cross was penalized five yards for offside and Army gained a first down. Holy Cross was again called for being offside before the ball was snapped. P.A. Hodgson went around right end for seven yards to the Holy Cross 33. Hodgson plunged five yards off of right tackle for a first down. Mitchell rushed up the middle for two. Hodgson dove two yards through the right tackle, but Army was called for holding, and penalized fifteen yards back to the Holy Cross 47. On third down, Harmon's pass to Merillat was incomplete. Doodle attempted another pass over the middle, and Holy Cross received the ball on downs. They promptly fumbled the ball in the backfield, and West Point recovered it on the Holy Cross 34.

P.A. rushed right for five yards off tackle. On second down, Holy Cross was again called for being offside before the snap. Benedict plunged two yards off right tackle. Hodgson broke through left tackle for 15 yards and a first down to the Holy Cross 7. Schlitz bulled for four more off of right guard. Hodgson was stopped at the line going off right tackle. Mitchell only gained a yard against the right guard. On the two yard line, Hodgson failed to gain through the right tackle, and Holy Cross again received the ball on downs at their three.

Deep behind his goal line, Devlin punted to Harmon standing on the Holy Cross 45, and Doodle returned the ball to the thirty. Holy Cross was called for holding prior to the punt, but Army refused to have the penalty assessed, taking the result of the punt return. Army set up for a goal from placement, and the holder flipped the ball to Hodgson, who lost six yards. The whistle blew and the first quarter was over, with the ball on the Holy Cross 36 and second down for West Point, and the game scoreless.

Hodgson lost another yard going right. Coffin substituted for P.A. Harmon threw a forward pass that was caught by Merillat and Devlin at the Holy Cross three yard line, but the official awarded possession to Holy Cross. The halfback Barney Lee was stopped for no gain trying to rush around the right end. Mark Devlin punted on second down to Doodle at the forty, who was tackled immediately.

Benedict gained nothing off right guard. Harmon's two passes were incomplete. Coffin punted to the twenty, where Devlin fumbled it and the Cadets recovering it. Bill Coffin went four yards through right tackle. Mitchell plunged to the right for four. Mike was stopped up the middle for no gain. Army lined up for a goal from placement at the Holy Cross twelve, but Goodman's snap was fumbled. Benedict picked up the ball and rushed around the right end. After a measurement, West Point was short of the first down, and Holy Cross received possession of the ball on its 25. Sophomore Charles "Pat" Mahoney replaced Harmon at quarterback.

Lee lost two yards around right end. The other halfback, McCartney, lost another two off left tackle. Mark Devlin fumbled the snap and Coffin recovered it on the Holy Cross 23. Bill Coffin rushed five yards off right tackle. Mitchell went left for four. Mike lost a yard trying the right end. Benedict's goal kick from placement was low, hitting the goal post, and bounded back into the field. Holy Cross got the ball on its twenty.

Devlin lost two yards around left end. Their fullback, Joseph Cain, lost eleven trying to go around the right end. Mark Devlin punted to Mahoney standing on the Army 47, and he was tackled for no gain. Coffin quick kicked on first down, the punt rolling to the five before Holy Cross returned it to its ten yard line. Cain gained two yards off right guard. McCartney was stopped for no gain going around the right end. Barney Lee lost two yards around left end. The whistle blew with the ball dead on the Holy Cross ten, ending the first half, with the game scoreless. Holy Cross' light line had stood up to Army's first half attack.

The coaches were far from happy at halftime, as Army had not been able to get the ball across the goal line and the field goal kicking had been poorly executed. Daly decided to have Vern Prichard come in for Mahoney, and Hodgson substituted for Coffin.

Devlin kicked off for Holy Cross and Benedict received it at his twelve. Schlitz returned the ball to the 47. Mike Mitchell gained two off of right guard. Hodgson rushed around right end for 13 yards and a first down. The ball was now at the Holy Cross 38. Mitchell made three through the right guard. Hodgson tried the right tackle, and rushed for nine yards and another first down. Mitchell pounded the left guard for two. Prichard called the same play, and Mike gained two, but Holy Cross was called offside.

Army has a first down on the 19. Benedict rushed eleven yards through the left guard for another first down. P.A. gained four off right tackle. Mitchell plunged for three yards through the left guard. From the five, Mike was stopped for no gain against the right guard. On fourth down, Hodgson busted through the left tackle for a touchdown. Schlitz kicked the goal from touchdown. Midway through the third quarter, the score was now Army 7, Holy Cross 0.

Devlin kicked off, and Mitchell was pushed out of bounds at the Army 17. On first down, Hodgson immediately punted deep. The ball rolled out of bounds at the Holy Cross ten and was placed on the twenty by the officials. Mark Devlin lost a yard trying to go around the right end. McCartney tried to go around the left end, but lost twelve yards. However, West Point was penalized 15 yards for tackling outside. Holy Cross has a first down on its 34 yard line.

Joseph Cain gained nothing on a sweep around right end. Lee lost two around left end. Holy Cross tried a pass to right end Eugene Donovan, but he cannot catch it. Devlin punted the ball on fourth down, and it rolled out of bounds at the Army 25. Vern Prichard rushed around right end for five yards. Merillat fumbled the ball on an end around play, but Tooley Tully recovered it for no loss. Jimmy Van Fleet substituted for Benedict. Vern threw a pass to Tully to the Army 36 for a first down. A deep pass over the middle was intercepted at the Holy Cross 34 by McCarthy. Edgar "Dixie" Walker came in for Mitchell.

Mark Devlin rushed for no gain through left guard. Holy Cross completed a pass over center for eight. A pass to Donovan was incomplete. The third quarter ended with Holy Cross having the ball on its 42 yard line with a fourth down, and the score Army 7, Holy Cross 0. Dizie Britton came in for Merillat, while Coffin substituted for Hodgson. Devlin punted to Coffin on his twenty, and he returned it five yards.

Dixie Walker rushed for the first time this season for four yards through left guard. Coffin went right off tackle for three. Walker gained four and a first down running through the right guard. Coffin rushed another seven off right tackle. Van Fleet tried the left for no gain. From the Army 43, Vern Prichard tried a pass to Britton, but it was broken up. Coffin punted deep to Mark Devlin, who fielded it at his five and was downed at his two yard line.

On first down on his two, Devlin punted to Prichard standing on the Holy Cross 45. Vern returned it to the 22, but Holy Cross' Eugene Donovan was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness in tackling Prichard and the ball was now on the seven. Coffin rushed two yards through right tackle. Jimmy made three yards off the left tackle. Prichard's pass went over the goal line incomplete, giving his opponent a touchback and the ball on the twenty.

Barney Lee gained two yards around left end. A pass to Donovan was intercepted by Walker at the Holy Cross 27. Prichard's pass to Britton was incomplete. Van Fleet made seven through the left guard. Coffin was stopped for no gain off right tackle. Prichard's fourth down pass to Britton was intercepted by Mark Devlin. Holy Cross has the ball on its 16.

Lee lost a yard rushing around left end. Holy Cross completed a pass to Eugene Donovan to its 37 and a first down. A pass over center was knocked down. Another pass to Donovan was incomplete. Devlin wanted to pass, but gained two around the right end. On fourth down, Mark Devlin punted to Prichard standing on the Army 35, and Vern returned it to the Holy Cross 39 yard line.

Prichard swept right for fifteen yards and a first down. Van Fleet gained two to the short side on the right. Coffin busted through right tackle for seven. Prichard's pass to Britton was caught near the side lines at the eight yard line. Herrick was hurt on the play, and Red O'Hare came in at left guard. Coffin was stopped off left tackle. Van Fleet rushed off left tackle for five. Jimmy rushed three yards through the right guard for his first touchdown of the season. Coffin kicked the goal from touchdown. The score was now Army 14, Holy Cross 0.

Daly puts in several substitutes, Timberlake for Meacham, Parker in for Butler, Larkin for Weyand, Hocker in for Tully, and Harmon for Prichard. The Holy Cross center E.F. Brawley kicked off to Timberlake at his 35, and Tim returned it back for a ten yard gain. Coffin rushed for no gain off right tackle. The whistle then blew, ending the game. Army won, 14-0.

Woodruff's letter to his parents on Sunday clearly stated "Holy Cross beat us 14-0, we were the rotten team today." Hodgson's letter agreed, saying "it was a discouraging game, our attack went badly."

Holy Cross and West Point shook hands after the tough game and then left the field. Holy Cross decided to stay overnight at West Point for supper and to take up their hosts' offer to attend the Cadet Hop that evening at 8:15. Woodruff reported that the hop was very crowded and everyone had a good time.

Donovan, Devlin, and left tackle Hagerty were cited in the game accounts as Holy Cross' stars. Weyand, Hodgson, and Merillat played well for West Point.

Holy Cross had lost its fourth straight game, all being shutouts. It would get a field goal against Cornell the next Saturday, but still lose 48-3. At neutral Manchester, New Hampshire, it played to a scoreless tie against the Carlisle Indians. Head Coach Luke Kelly's team ended the season with two consecutive victories over Boston College and Vermont, ending its season at 2-5-1.

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Chapter 11: Villanova: October 24-31, 1914

The coaches left the gymnasium greatly disappointed that their football team had not been able to break through the Holy Cross defenses except for two line plunges. They felt the Cadets could have easily scored two to four more touchdowns had they played better as a team. The other issue was the inability to really put together an effective passing attack. On the plus side, Army certainly demonstrated its defensive capability in shutting down its opponent's running game.

On Saturday night as the coaches discussed their observations on the Holy Cross game, Daly was probably starting to focus on the Notre Dame game in two weeks, rather than next week's outing with Villanova. The scouting reports about the Pennsylvania school did not describe a strong team, so he would start to focus on the next opponent instead. Pot Graves knew his classmate and friend well, and anticipated that copies of new and exciting plays would be printed over the next day, with his beloved linemen having to now memorize more things.

Sunday's weather was a carbon copy of Saturday, another beautiful day at West Point. Results and scouting reports of opponents poured in, and there were really no surprises. Maine had beaten up on Bates College 37-0 while Springfield blasted Norwich 54-0. Notre Dame had recovered from its first loss in four seasons at Yale by traveling to Sioux Falls and swamping South Dakota 33-0. Daly would be up most of the night going over every detail known about Notre Dame. Villanova had lost 3-14 to a good Lafayette team, and nothing in the scouting reports raised any significant concerns among the coaching staff.

Daly read the newspaper reports on Navy's game with Western Reserve, in which they finally got their act together, 48-0. Navy's success was due to facing a rather light team and breaking through its line for some long runs, coupled with several long passes. Hayes highlighted that the Midshipmen used a number of substitutes and kept a fast pace throughout. He did point out to Daly that the Western team was rather successful in making short passes against the Navy defense, a potential vulnerability that might be exploited. Like any blow-out, there was not much new here, except a high concern that Army was not able to duplicate this scoring in its own game with Holy Cross. The New York Times said that "Army was very slow in getting started and its attack lacked the "punch" which is it supposed to possess."

Daly and Graves paused their planning by discussing the latest results from the big eastern schools. Yale was a victim to open play by Washington & Jefferson, 7-13. Harvard narrowly escaped defeat by Penn State, being tied 13-13. Princeton won though outrushed by Dartmouth, 16-12. Penn used its passing attack with good effort against Carlisle, 7-0. In other games, their close friend Fielding Yost's Michigan team lost to Syracuse 6-20.

Monday was a carbon copy of Sunday's weather, and came with it injuries to Prichard, Weyand, McEwan, Merillat, Hodgson, and Oliphant that would keep them out of practice. Still, Daly and Graves had the varsity scrimmage the scrubs, with Woodruff kicking a field goal and Walker of the scrubs scoring a ten yard touchdown. The position coaches were walking everyone through the new plays to be tried against Villanova in preparation for the Notre Dame game.

On Tuesday, the Cadets had frost at the breakfast formation and were tied up in a parade until 5 pm, so practice was less than an hour. The varsity again scrimmaged with the scrubs for twenty minutes, with mostly sharp play by all. The injured ran through short signal drills. Coffin displayed his fine punting and running during the workout. Tully and Britton were the featured ends. The team was focusing more on Notre Dame then Villanova.

At Annapolis, Navy now had two former Yale players coaching the team. A high wind caused the kicking drills to be lively, and no man was assured their position in the starting line-up.

On Wednesday, frost again greeted the breakfast formation, and the high was 52 degrees. That afternoon, Cullum Hall defeated Yonkers High School 83-7 with quite a crowd of fellow Cadets standing around the gridiron and cheering their friends, while the varsity practiced on another field. Word also came from the Amateur Athletic Union that Navy and West Point students could now fully participate in AAU sporting events. Newspapers also reported that both Navy and Army would have few tickets available to civilians for their game, as the number of tickets for each academy went down from 17,000 in 1913 to 11,700 this year, due to changing from the Polo Grounds in New York to Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

For Thursday, it got a little bit warmer, but practice was interrupted by a military drill for about an hour. It featured a twenty minute scrimmage with most of the first string resting on the sidelines. Bill Hoge was drawing attention from the coaches due to his good work in the scrub backfield. Benedict, Woodruff, and Timberlake practiced field goal kicking. Benedict and Van Fleet had been battling all season for playing time. Daly was concerned that Schlitz was missing too many tackles in practice, according to Britton, and Van Fleet would earn the starting job against Villanova.

Friday was much like Thursday's weather, except that strong winds appeared in the late afternoon. At practice, the varsity spent much of their time defending against Villanova's expected forward passes. Coffin and Hodgson were punting with and into the gale force winds with linemen running down the field to recover the ball or tackle the punt returner. A long signal drill finished the practice.

The yearlings finished their fall drill classes on Friday, and would start the riding course next week. A light rain fell that night as the Cadets studied for Saturday classes. Villanova arrived too late for the West Pointers to host them at supper, but the Mess Hall staff did serve the Pennsylvanians a hot meal before they retired to Cullum Hall for the night. Cadets caught up on their newspapers, with lots of naval action occurring during the week. The British super-dreadnought battleship Audacious was sunk off of northwest Ireland by a mine. A German light cruiser sunk a Russian cruiser and a French destroyer in Malaysia. Ottoman warships shelled several Russian Black Sea ports. Meanwhile, the assassin of Archduke Ferdinand was given twenty years in prison as he was under twenty years of age and could not be sentenced to death.

Fans arrived from New York and Philadelphia that morning at West Point, and were treated to an inspection in ranks and a military review. The Villanova football team likely did not wake up in time to eat breakfast at the Cadet Mess Hall, but were invited by Prichard to attend dinner with the Army team after the parade. The opponent players were stunned that the Army men had to do everything any other Cadet did, plus practice and play football.

Prichard and the Villanova captain, Frank Prendergast, met with the officials before the start of the game, and agreed to play a twelve minute first quarter with the remaining quarters being of ten minutes each. Daly's line-up consisted of Merillat at left end, the tackle Butler, Herrick at guard, Goodman in the center, Meacham at guard, the right tackle Weyand, and Kelly at end. The backfield was Prichard at quarterback, halfbacks Hodgson and Van Fleet, and Hoge at fullback.

There was no play by play found for this game. The game was played in clear weather with a high of 70 degrees, the warmest weather of the week. Army scored at will and battered the big Villanova team into submission, scoring six touchdowns for a final score of 41-0. Villanova only made two first downs and were in Army territory only once during the game. Army used a combination of old line plunges and new open football passing throughout the game.

Army opened the game against the big and powerful Villanova linemen with a battering attack from its running backs. Line plunges ripped great openings in the visitors' line. It took only five minutes before Hodgson scored the first touchdown, with Merillat kicking the goal from touchdown. Van Fleet scored the next touchdown, with Hodgson kicking the goal from touchdown. Hodgson scored another touchdown before the end of the first quarter. He was shaken up, and Bill Coffin took his place and kicked the goal from touchdown. At the end of the first quarter, the score was Army 21, Villanova 0.

Daly replaced the entire line-up except Coffin at the beginning of the second quarter. It consisted of Tully (left end), Larkin (left tackle), O'Hare (left guard), Omar Bradley (center), Timberlake (right guard), Parker (right guard), Tattnall "Possum" Simkins (right end), first captain Roscoe "Woody" Woodruff (right halfback), Place (fullback), and Harmon (quarterback). Harry "Dutch" Place scored a touchdown with Woodruff kicking the goal from touchdown. Fay Prickett relieved Tully at end and Pat Mahoney came in at quarterback for Harmon. At halftime, the score was Army 28, Villanova 0.

Most of the starting line-up returned for the third quarter, Prichard, Butler, Herrick, Goodman, Meacham, Weyand, Kelly, and Hoge. Tully came back at left end, Walter "Dutch" Hess was in at right halfback, and Carl Hocker in a left halfback. During the quarter, Benedict replaced Hess, and then Dutch Place replaced Schlitz. Prichard moved the team 65 yards with four cleverly executed completed passes. One pass caught by Kelly gained thirty yards, while a second to Tully in the end zone was good for 25 yards and a touchdown. The goal from touchdown was missed. At the end of the third quarter, it was Army 34, Villanova 0.

The line-up starting the fourth quarter for West Point was Ralph Sasse (left end), Larkin (left tackle), O'Hare (left guard), plebe Bill Chapman (center), Timberlake (right guard), Parker (right tackle), Dean Hudnutt (right end), Benedict (right halfback), Place (left halfback), Hoge (fullback), and Doodle Harmon at quarterback. Senior John McDermott came in during the middle of the quarter to relieve Harmon.

During the fourth quarter, Villanova was able to connect on three passes to give them their only first downs of the game and moved them near West Point's goal line. In the waning minutes of the game, Benedict intercepted a pass from fullback Frank Prendergast on the Army ten, and galloped ninety yards for a touchdown, while the whole Villanova team gave chase. Schlitz outraced them all, with margin to spare. This was the longest interception return for touchdown made by a college player during the season. Benedict also kicked the goal from touchdown, making it Army 41, Villanova 0.

Villanova suffered two critical injuries in the game. Their quarterback, Charles McGucken, was helped from the field with a badly injured knee, while Anthony Hanlon, at right end, suffered a broken collarbone. McGucken would play for Villanova for the next three seasons. Villanova only had a limited number of substitutes, only playing 15 men, and some of them limped across The Plain after the game. West Point played thirty men during the game.

During the game, Cadets in the stands sang new songs intended for the Navy game and enjoyed how their football team displayed a greater variety of play than at any time this season. The crowd roared every time a back broke through the line.

Army hosted Villanova at supper and at breakfast on Sunday morning. There was no scheduled Cadet Hop that evening, but some of the seniors brought Villanova football players to the First Class Club.

Villanova left West Point with a 2-2-0 record. They would beat Ursinus 7-0 on the road the next Saturday, then lose 0-10 at Lehigh before playing to a scoreless tie with Muhlenberg. The team finished with a 7-6 victory at Fordham, ending their first season at 4-3-1 under Head Coach Frank "Dutch" Sommer.

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Chapter 12: Notre Dame: October 31 – November 7, 1914

The coaches were probably satisfied by the play of their football team against Villanova. It certainly gave them an opportunity to see several men play for the first time this season, such as plebe Bill Chapman at center, senior halfback Dutch Hess, junior Dean Hudnutt at end, senior quarterback John McDermott, plebe Dutch Place in the backfield, junior end Possum Simkins, and first captain Woody Woodruff at halfback and kicking. Except for Woodruff, it would be their only game experience this season, but academics or conduct may have been factors in keeping them from playing in the coming weeks then athletic abilities.

The focus on Saturday evening and Sunday was Notre Dame, as playing against a strong team was believed by Daly a benefit to the football team in their preparations to beat Navy. For Daly, his coaching staff, and many of the players, they clearly were motivated by last year's defeat. Villanova provide the opportunity to try out new plays and players, and provided the template for this week's practices.

Future College Football Hall of Famer Jesse Harper was leading Notre Dame in his second season. Notre Dame beat Haskell 21-7 at home, and their midget quarterback Alfred "Dutch" Bergman returned three punts for touchdowns, with two going seventy-five yards apiece. Bergman had also returned a kickoff eighty yards for a touchdown in their game against Rose-Hulman. Daly and Graves would have to find ways to counter this threat. Regarding other future opponents, Maine lost to Colby 14-0 and Springfield Training School bombed Middlebury 27-7.

Navy edged North Carolina State, 16-14, that was then called North Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical College. State made better use of forward passing and completed a large percentage of them. The visitors to Annapolis scored first in the second quarter by busting off tackle for sixty yards for a touchdown. Harrison of Navy scored to tie the game before halftime. In the third quarter, Navy got a safety, and after several long runs, Harrison scored another touchdown, making it 16-7. Nearing the end of the game, State played more open football with combinations of passes and runs to score on an eighty yard possession to move the score closer. Daly would be thinking up ways to exploit this Navy weakness.

Regarding the major eastern powers, Harvard defended well against Michigan's line plunges to win 7-0; Yale got revenge in a big way over Colgate, 49-7; Princeton's attack was weak and resulted in a 7-7 tie with Williams; Cornell lived up to its promise in thumping Holy Cross 48-3; Penn did the same against Swarthmore, 40-6; and Dartmouth blanked Amherst 32-0.

On Monday, there began some scheduled academic changes that affected the Second and Third Classmen. For the juniors, they would now start alternating gymnasium and riding starting at 3:45 pm, except Wednesday and Saturday. The yearlings would now alternate Riding with Drawing during afternoon classes, and then have Gymnasium starting at 3:45 pm, except on Wednesdays or Saturdays. It was unclear whether or not the juniors and yearlings attended the 3:45 instruction and then practice, or whether they were excused and went to practice at 3:45. I suspect that they were in class rather than practice.

Monday's practice was light, consisting of the normal blackboard talk by Daly followed by a sharp signal drill designed to work out the kinks and bruises from the last game. Only a few of the varsity were at practice. Lieutenant Charles Thompson arrived at West Point that day to assist Pot Graves, Pullen, and Sultan in coaching the line. Thompson had recently returned from the Philippines with the 13th Infantry Regiment.

It was a little cooler on Tuesday, but no precipitation. Those on post keeping up with the European War read accounts of the first British naval defeat in the war off the coast of Chile. The German von Spree's cruiser squadron had defeated a Royal Navy squadron, resulting in the loss of two ships and the death of its commander, Rear Admiral Christopher Cradock. Meanwhile, the maneuver phase on the western front was ending due to the arrival of Indian troops from Southwest Asia. The Royal Navy began a naval blockade of Germany, causing much concern among the neutral United States, while the Austrians occupied Belgrade. On Sunday, Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire, and promptly attacked their forces in eastern Turkey. On Tuesday, a British force from Kenya made an amphibious assault into German East Africa, while Montenegro declared war on the Ottoman Empire. The European War was now expanding to a global one.

The football team had one of their stiffest workouts of the season on Tuesday. Daly worked the team through a 45 minute scrimmage that stressed defending forward pass formations. Oliphant was back at practice from injury, but playing in the scrub backfield and not playing very well. Bradley was the varsity center, with Weems substituting for him. Merillat's play was brilliant, making several "deadly" tackles.

The weather on Wednesday warmed up to reach 70 degrees. The varsity played hard for over an hour against the scrub team, scoring three touchdowns. The coaching staff kept calling for "more pep" all during the scrimmage. Three scrub players, Schlenker, Parks, and O'Hare, were almost successful in nearly stopping Hoge from getting across the goal line. McEwan was practicing for the first time in weeks. Coach Thompson was providing special coaching for Herrick and Timberlake to improve their linemen techniques. Daly inspired the team by putting himself in several times, exhibiting some real quarterback play and reminding spectators of his Cadet days. Cadets were in the stands rooting with much spirit accompanied by the USMA Band.

Thursday the weather was as warm as Wednesday, and there was another 45 minute scrimmage between the varsity and scrubs. Bob Neyland returned to practice. McEwan was in only a few minutes when an old injury began to trouble him, with Omar Bradley taking his place. The varsity scored one touchdown and fumbled the ball often. Daly claimed to newspapermen that the team "was pretty rotten, there had been lots of injuries this season, though spread around to a number of men, and that he had not started the same players in consecutive games. He did expect to start Hoge in the backfield for the Notre Dame game, as Oliphant has a bad ankle and had not played in the last three games."

Late in the day, the plebe class heard that they had lost their seventh classmate, as William H. Nierderluecke of Missouri had resigned. In the war, a naval battle off of Tanzania (East German Africa) began between British and German naval forces, while German colonial forces defended and defeated the British land attack, which was then considered a disaster for His Majesty's forces. Britain annexed Cyprus, which it controlled until 1960, and France and the United Kingdom declared war on the Ottoman Empire.

Friday opened a little cooler, with a high of 62 and a low of 40. The Notre Dame football team arrived at noon at the West Shore Depot and walked up the hill to barracks area. They arrived just in time to watch the dinner formation by the battalion of Cadets. Vern Prichard slipped away from the formation to greet the visitors and invited them to dinner in the Cadet Mess Hall. The team stood along the road as the battalion of Cadets marched by them, and Vern then led the Hoosiers to the front door. It was at this point that the team stopped at the entrance, not entering the Mess Hall.

Notre Dame's captain that year was Keith "Deak" Jones, and he quickly told Prichard that last year, they accidently choose the rear door and trooped into the dining room through the kitchen, and had decided that they would continue the tradition. Vern shook his shoulders, and said he would meet them inside, and turned as the Notre Dame team walked around to the back of the building.

As soon as the Notre Dame team walked through the doors of the kitchen into the dining room, they saw a Cadet jump up on a table and lead the crowd in a rousing welcome to the visitors. Prichard directed them to the Army football team's training tables, and for the rest of the meal, both teams were serenaded with Notre Dame's songs and yells that had been rehearsed earlier in the week. West Point also was keen on traditions too.

Both of these traditions were repeated each year at West Point, until the 1923 game was played at Brooklyn's Ebbets Field. Well almost every year. In 1916, Jimmy Phelan said "that he was good enough to walk through anybody's front door, and when he insisted that, the team went with him." Notre Dame lost to Army in 1916, and returned to their tradition of coming in the back door when they played and won in 1917.

Army's final practice for the week consisted of a driving signal drill and kicking practice. The coaching staff spread information to the newspapermen that Oliphant and Meacham were not healthy enough to play on Saturday, though they did. The New York Times said that "Army wants to win, to redeem itself from last year's lacing at the hands of the Hoosiers, and will uncover everything if necessary to land the game." The Times forecasted that the game "will not furnish the sensation of last season because the western team's tactics are now known and the eleven is not as strong as last season." The only problem with the prediction was that the copy editor did not catch a mistake in the article, as they identified that Army was playing Villanova instead of Notre Dame.

Notre Dame worked out right after dinner, while the Cadets were in classes. Coach Harper drove the team in an hour-long signal drill. He told newspapermen that they had left star halfback Sam Finegan back at South Bend due to injury, and Ray Eichenlaub, the fullback who had given the Cadets much trouble in the 1913 outing, was still suffering from a pre-season leg injury and would not start the game. Ralph "Slim" Lathrop would start at tackle, but he was not in top form.

One tradition that was started this year, if not in 1913, was that both coaching staffs got together on Friday evening at the Officers' Mess for dinner and fellowship, called "mellow" and "relaxed" by Beach and Moore. The annual game had yet to reach the "big business" status in future years, and in this atmosphere it built the mutual respect and relationships among the coaches that would continue for many decades.

The weather that Saturday would be a perfect autumn day, with a high of 57 after a low in the early morning of 36 degrees. The weather would be clear, and a strong favoring wind. Like any Saturday, the Cadets woke up to the reveille drums at 5:30 am, went to formation and breakfast, then off to classes until about 11 am, where they returned to barracks to stand for room inspection, and then conducted a military review or parade, to the cheers of all the fans. It was doubtful that any of the Notre Dame team joined the Cadets at breakfast, but they were in full force for dinner, and the teams ate together in the Cadet Mess Hall. Then the two teams departed, one off to change at Cullum Hall, the other to the gymnasium to get taped up by the trainers.

Notre Dame arrived at West Point with a 4-1 record. They had badly beaten Alma 56-0 and Rose-Hulman 103-0 at South Bend to open the season. Then they traveled to New Haven and ran into an inspired Yale team, losing for the first time in four seasons, 0-28. Notre Dame then traveled to Sioux Falls and beat South Dakota 33-0, and returned home to beat the Haskell Indians 21-7 the previous weekend.

Unfortunately, I could not find a play by play description of the game. I have found summarizes of the game provided by newspapers, Edson's, and the 1915 Howitzer; with the most detailed summary contained in Beach's and Moore's (B&M) description of the each Army-Notre Dame game from 1913 through 1947. There are differences in each account, sometimes giving credit to different players. A combination of all these sources provides us with the best description of the 1914 game.

Daly entered his sixth different line-up for the sixth game, consisting of Neyland (left end), Butler (left tackle), Herrick (left guard), Goodman (center), O'Hare (right guard), Weyand (right tackle), Merillat (right end), Hodgson (left halfback), Hoge (right halfback), Benedict (fullback), and Prichard (quarterback and captain).

Harper's line-up included Mal Elward (left end), Deak Jones (captain and left tackle), Emmett Keefe (left guard), Fremont Fitzgerald (center), Charlie Bachman (right guard), Ralph Lathrop (right tackle), Harry Baujan (right end), Dutch Bergman (quarterback), Joe Pliska (left halfback), Stan Cofall (right halfback), and Eddie Duggan (fullback).

Prichard and Jones approached the officials and told them that they agreed to play twelve minute quarters. About 6,000 spectators exceeded the capacity of the temporary stands of the section of The Plain that was called Cullum Field, recognizing that Notre Dame brought an explosive, maybe unknown quality, to any football game. At the worse, it matched two good teams meeting in an East versus West match, and in 1914, this was a rare event. Referee Louis Hinkey of Yale, assisted by Umpire Louis Vail of Penn and Head Linesman Fred Leuhring of Chicago University (but working at Princeton), blew the whistle to start the game.

Stan Cofall kicked off deep to the Army two, aided by the wind, and Hodgson or Prichard gathered the ball and returned it up field, being stopped at the ten yard line. A line plunge by Hodgson netted nothing. Paul Hodgson punted into the wind to Bergman, standing on his twenty. The ball landed around the 35, and Bergman had to run up quickly to try gain possession of the bouncing ball. He was hit high and low at full speed by ends Neyland and Merillat, causing Dutch to fumble. The football rolled back towards the goal line, and Goodman or Neyland recovered it on the Notre Dame 15.

It was unclear what happened over the next two plays. B&M described how Vern Prichard completed two consecutive short pass plays to Benedict to the twelve and ten. This would be consistent with Daly's playbook that a quarterback take a shot at scoring by passing, but Prichard would more than likely try to pass to ends Merillat or Neyland rather than target a running back on back to back plays, and would throw much closer to the goal line.

More than likely, Hodgson, Hoge or Benedict made five yards in two line plunges, especially since B&M described that the Notre Dame guards and tackles were hit flat on their backs by the West Point line, more consistent with Army's old fashioned play. On third down from the Notre Dame ten, Prichard signaled, Goodman snapped it back, and the field general handed off to Hodgson, who plunged through right tackle and scored standing up and then downed the ball. Benedict kicked the goal from touchdown. In five plays, without letting Notre Dame have a single offensive play, Army led 7-0.

Notre Dame decided to have West Point to kick off, and Benedict's kickoff put the ball deep into their territory. A see-saw battle now began. Eddie Duggan tried a line plunge and gained nothing. Two more runs netted no progress. Cofall punted the ball back to Army. West Point's line plunges were stopped by the Notre Dame line, with Hodgson punting deep. Notre Dame was losing field position in each exchange of possession, even though it had the wind at its back.

Notre Dame had the ball around its 25 with a fourth down. Stan Cofall punted it just past mid-field and Schlitz Benedict downed it on the Army 45. Two line plunges gained little. On third down, Hodgson quick kicked a punt deep, and Bergman caught it at his five and was immediately tackled.

Bergman can choose to immediately and safely punt out of this hole, or elect to try to run and improve the field position. Since his punts were not traveling far even with a gusty wind at his back, and Joe Pliska had been close to breaking through the line, Dutch decided to try to push it out away from his goal line. A pass was attempted by the center Fremont Fitzgerald to Pliska, who caught it but was dropped for a loss. Cofall went around the end for a short gain. A line plunge gained nothing.

Cofall was standing behind his goal line lined up to punt on fourth down. Bill Butler and Louie Merillat converged on the punter and they blocked the kick. The ball rolled along the one yard line and multiple players tried to fall on it. Merillat dived into the scrum and ended up with the ball in his possession, inside the end zone, scoring a touchdown. Benedict kicked the goal from touchdown. Army now led Notre Dame 14-0.

Benedict kicked off to Notre Dame, and Army downed their kick returner around the Notre Dame twenty five. After one line plunge for a yard, the referee blew the whistle ending the first quarter. Daly decided to put in several substitutes. Daly replaced the whole backfield except for his quarterback. Ollie Oliphant came in for Benedict, Coffin substituted for Hodgson, while Ford was in for Hoge. McEwan came in to relieve Goodman at center, while Meacham replaced Herrick. Kelly came in at end for Neyland.

Cofall, with the wind at his face, punted on second down. Prichard recovered the punt and returned it to his twenty. Oliphant rushed twice and gained a total of six yards, and was hard for the Notre Dame to tackle, usually taking more than three players to stop him. On third down, Coffin punted it back to Notre Dame. Joe Pliska made a first down on a 35 yard run. But West Point then held its ground against the opponent's line plunges, and Cofall punted it back to Army. Omar Bradley came in at center for Cap McEwan, who reinjured his shoulder. Army did not gain much on its line plunge by Ford, so Coffin punted on second down back to Notre Dame around their 35.

The Hoosiers started to move the ball. Line plunges by Pliska and Duggan gained some yards. Cofall made some longer gains going around the end. Pliska gained 15 yards. Bergman went out for a pass from Eddie Duggan, and gained ten yards before being knocked out of bounds. Notre Dame had the ball on the Army 25. Dutch Bergman moved around behind his line trying to find an open receiver, and then threw a long pass, but Prichard intercepted it as the second period ends. Army 14, Notre Dame 0.

Daly sent in Herrick for Meacham and Goodman for Bradley at the beginning of the third quarter. Tully substituted for Kelly at left end. Daly decided to keep Coffin, Oliphant, and Ford in as the running backs.

Oliphant's kickoff into the wind was returned to the Army 45 by Cofall. Duggan, Cofall, and Pliska begun to rush off tackle and around the ends and moved the football down the field. Eddie Duggan rushed for 30 yards and was stopped finally at the Army 18. A pass from Bergman to Duggan was stopped at the Army one yard line. Bergman called for a line plunge up the middle, handed the ball to Stan Cofall, who plunged low into the line for a touchdown. Cofall also kicked the goal from touchdown. The score was now Army 14, Notre Dame 7 in the middle of the third quarter.

Cofall kicked off to West Point, but after two pass attempts, Coffin punted deep. Stan punted it back in the shadow of his goal post. Army tried three runs, but was unable to make a first down. Coffin punted it deep, and it was returned back to the Notre Dame twenty yard line. A run and a pass moved the ball for a first down around the 35.

Bergman attempted another pass to end Harry Baujan, but Louie Ford intercepted it and returned the ball to the Notre Dame 30. Baujan was hurt, and Rupe Mills came in at right end. Prichard handed the ball off to Ford, who gained six on a line plunge, and had his jersey ripped off his back. Benedict had to come in for Ford. Oliphant gained nothing up the middle. Ollie rushed around end for twelve yards for a first down to the Notre Dame 12. The whistle blew ending the third quarter with Army leading 14-7.

Daly sent Bob Neyland in for Tully at left end, Tim Timberlake for left guard Herrick, Jake Holmes at right guard for the exhausted O'Hare, Hodgson in for Coffin, and Bradley to relieve Goodman at center. Army had a first down at the Notre Dame twelve yard line.

Benedict burst up the middle for ten and another first down. Roscoe Woodruff came in for Benedict, who may have been injured. Prichard handed the ball to Hodgson, who scored his second touchdown of the game. Woodruff's goal from touchdown was wide. The score was now Army 20, Notre Dame 7.

Woodruff kicked off deep for West Point, and after a couple pass attempts, Notre Dame was forced to punt into the wind. Army recovered the punt at the Notre Dame 28. In two rushes, Oliphant gained 16 yards and a first down. Oliphant then passed to Merillat in front of Bergman, and Dutch tackled Louie on the two for a first down. Head Coach Harper sent fullback Ray "Ike" Eichenlaub into the game to boost his defense. Ike limped to the line of scrimmage to defend against West Point.

Oliphant went up the middle for no gain. Hodgson's run off right guard gained nothing. Woodruff lost two yards on a line plunge. A fourth down run by Hodgson cannot break through the line. The New York Times called it the "prettiest defensive stand of the game." Notre Dame's line held and gained possession on downs.

Bergman tried three pass plays into the wind without any success. Cofall punted from behind his goal, and Oliphant called a fair catch at the Notre Dame 30. Ollie told the officials that West Point was going to try a free kick from this position, per the 1914 rules. The officials confirmed to the Notre Dame team that Army has an option to try a free kick and that they can only stand by and watch. Oliphant sat the ball in his palm several inches above the ground, as the ball was not allowed to touch the ground, and used his finger of his other hand at the tip to hold it upward. Woodruff's kick missed wide by a few inches.

Notre Dame now had the ball on its 35 and tried a couple pass attempts, then the referee blew the whistle signaling that the game over. The final score was Army 20, Notre Dame 7.

Hodgson, Butler, and Neyland were the stars for Army. Joe Pliska, end Rupe Mills, and Stan Cofall starred for Notre Dame. Knute Rockne said later that Merillat was "one of the best ends he ever saw."

The West Point and Notre Dame teams met on the field and shook hands. It was not recorded whether the team from South Bend left the academy immediately by train, as they did in 1913, or whether they stayed the night, being hosted at supper by their opponents and attending the Cadet Hop at 8:15 pm. I assume the latter, as Woodruff said "it was a very large crowd" that night.

I would hope also that the coach's fellowship continued for a second evening at the Officers' Mess. It would certainly disrupt Daly's detailed planning, but after winning an important mid-season game and facing a weak team the next weekend, it probably was an evening to talk football and not worry about the next game.

Notre Dame would leave West Point with a 4-2 record. It would blast the Carlisle Indians 48-6 the next Saturday in Chicago before 12,000 at Comiskey Park, then a win 20-0 at Syracuse on Thanksgiving Day, ending their season at 6-2-0. The team scored 288 points and allowed 61 during 1914. Stan Cofall dropkicked a fifty yard field goal against Carlisle, tying the longest made during the season in college football. Dutch Bergman returned a recovered fumble fifty yards for a touchdown against Carlisle, while Joe Pliska rushed sixty yards from scrimmage for a touchdown in the same game.

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Chapter 13: Maine: November 7-14, 1914

The coaching staff had to be fairly satisfied by the performance of their football team against Notre Dame. I am sure that they were disappointed again in the squad's inability to make those last yards when close to the opponent's goal line, but the opposing team gets a vote in the process, and Notre Dame saved some face by holding the score to just three touchdowns. Before leaving the locker room, Daly told Hodgson that "he had played well," a comment not typical of the Head Coach.

No doubt, members of the football team and the rest of the Corps of Cadets celebrated their win over Notre Dame that night either individually, with friends, or in dancing at a very crowded Cadet Hop. Woodruff wrote his parents that it was "sweet revenge on Notre Dame" while lamenting that his field goal attempt missed by inches.

Sunday, the Cadets and officers woke up to another cold start in the mid-thirties, but the high was only 39 degrees that day, failing to reach the near sixty degrees temperature that occurred at yesterday's football game. The coaching staff began (or concluded) their assessment of the team's performance. The scouting reports on Springfield showed a much stronger team with a good passing and running attack and decent blocking. Springfield beat a weak Amherst team 14-0.

The coaching staff prepared for this week's practice against a possibly weaker opponent in Maine. Maine swamped Bowdoin at home 27-0. Maine had shown an ability to score a lot of points, 222, while only giving up forty. Led by Head Coach Eddie Cochems, the Maine football team primarily played open football by throwing a dozen or more passes a game. Cochems was considered by some "the father of the forward pass" for his work in 1906 while coaching St. Louis University to an 11-0 record by building an offense around the pass that led the nation in scoring with 407 points.

Phil Hayes arrived back from Annapolis, and the coaches listened carefully to his analysis of the Navy's latest success in beating Fordham 21-0. Their opponent came in playing open football based upon the Canadian style of using double and triple passes very similar to what Yale was attempting this season. Unfortunately, Fordham's poor handling of the ball led to many errors. Navy scored all three touchdowns in the first half, and then tried rather long passes without success during the remainder of the game. Hayes pointed out the problem was that their receivers were muffing the catch, as Blodgett passed the ball accurately. Hayes also reported on a number of new men playing for Navy, including Miles, a fast quarterback responsible for all three scores. Pot Graves could see Daly mentally working on all the new plays to counter Navy.

Daly and Graves did spend a little time reviewing results of the major eastern teams. Harvard had played brilliantly and outclassed Princeton 20-0. Yale's showing against Brown was a disappointment in their inability to defend against the forward pass, but winning 14-6, even though most of the Yale coaching staff was at Harvard's game. Cornell made a fine showing against a powerful Franklin & Marshall team, beating them 26-3. Dartmouth ran up the score on Tufts, 68-0. Michigan played well, beating Penn 34-3. Rutgers tied Syracuse 14-14, Lehigh upset Penn State, and Washington & Jefferson showed that their victory over Yale and close call with Harvard was no accident, beating Pitt 13-10.

One issue that would affect the football team for the rest of the season was that several men were now deficient in their studies and would be required to attend additional instruction (AI) in lieu of attending practice each day. In some cases, the deficiency was considered so severe that the Cadet would be involuntary taken off the squad. Records do not precisely document which players were involved, as grading for most courses was daily so the standing of an individual could vary day by day.

An analysis of who either no longer were mentioned in practice news reports or stopped playing on Saturdays, combined with the June 1915 academic standing of every player in every course, or those who would be found deficient in January 1915, gives us an indication that the following players either had to attend AI in lieu of practice or were removed from the squad around this time:

Seniors – Boots, Goodman, Harmon, Herrick, Hess, McDermott, McGee, Rossell, and Van Fleet.

Juniors – Coffin, O'Hare, Page, Parker, Simkins, Smith, and Weyand.

Yearlings – Confer, Mahoney, Meacham, Mullins, Peterman, Redfield, and Weems.

Plebes – Bringham, Chapman, Engeldinger, Kelly, Place, Wood, and Wynne.

Another issue that also limited Cadets playing football was that the Commandant required Cadets that earned thirty or more demerits during the six month period of July through December 1914, to either sit confinement (if they were either officers, sergeants, or corporals) or walk the area. From Hodgson's letters, we know he had to sit confinement Saturday evenings during the early part of the football season, as he was a Cadet Sergeant at the time. Based upon personal biographies reviewed at the USMA Library, many of them spent the season as Area Birds, walking tours each Wednesday and Saturday afternoon, and thus were not available to play football. This likely included the following:

Seniors – Boots, Hanley, Hess, McDermott, McGee, and Rossell.

Juniors – Hudnutt, Neyland, Parker, Prickett, Sasse, and Smith.

Yearlings – Confer, Mahoney, Schwarzkopf, Tate, and James Tully.

Academics and conduct began to limit the coaching staff regarding the availability of players, as well as the normal major and minor injuries to multiple players. The USMA Surgeon reported in June 1915 that the 1914 football season saw 36 injuries compared to 28 during the 1913 season. There were 221 hospital days lost compare to last season's 57. Three of the 36 injuries were for fractures and they accounted for 107 days lost. Thirteen men who started 53 games had at least 16 of these 36 injuries.

The head trainer, Tuthill, reported on Monday that everyone came out of the game with Notre Dame fairly well, with the exception of Cap McEwan with a severe shoulder injury. The coaches would be watching the scrubs and Cullum Hall squad carefully for anyone who ought to be promoted.

Army had practice on Monday in temperatures reaching fifty degrees, windy, with clouds growing with the expectation of rain later that evening. The blackboard talk covering the Notre Dame game's errors was followed by position drills with the respective coaches. Some light scrimmages occurred with the introduction of new plays and defensive work. A fast signal drill concluded the two hour workout. Tuthill only allowed McEwan to jog and pass the ball. Mike Mitchell was tried out as an end, while Merillat and Prichard only did some light work.

A howling wind picked up that evening, as some Cadets read in their newspapers that British and Japanese forces had captured the German controlled port of Tsingtao in China over the weekend. Meanwhile, an Australian cruiser sunk a German one near Sumatra in the northeast Indian Ocean and Russian forces began a siege of Przemysl that lasted 133 days.

Tuesday was a little cooler, with temperatures below freezing at the breakfast formation. Lieutenant Charles Meyer, Secretary-Treasurer of the Army Athletic Association, sent out 11,500 tickets for the Army-Navy game in registered mail. The Secretary of War personally delivered tickets to President Wilson, who had attended last year's game, and he indicated to Garrison that he planned to attend.

The football team scrimmaged for fifty minutes with the scrubs trying a bewildering mixture of plays mimicking Maine's attack. The varsity provided stiff opposition, not allowing the scrubs to score. Norman "Willie" Boots made an unusual appearance on the practice field from his usual home as the leader of the Area Birds. Boots and Dixie Walker made some good gains for the scrub backfield. Bradley and Goodman practiced at center today for the injured McEwan. Kelly, Tully, and Neyland played end, with Merillat missing from practice.

Wednesday opened a little warmer, with a high in the fifties and only a sprinkle of rain during the day. The coaches made some changes in the varsity line-up, with plebe Karl Engeldinger in at center and Oliphant at quarterback. Ollie got the plays away in a whirlwind fashion. Hoge, Coffin, and Benedict made up the varsity backfield, until Hoge was injured. Hoge would not play in any of the final games. Mitchell replaced Hoge.

Mike Mitchell scored a touchdown for the varsity in a line smash after a series of plays begun on the scrub 35 yard line. The coaches lost another player to the riding hall, as Louie Merillat suffered a thigh bruise injury during cavalry drill. McEwan worked out a little, replaced by Goodman. Plebes Bob Bringham and Bill Fleming at both end positions played well. Prichard was not present, and was undergoing minor surgery. Hodgson was resting his ankle injured in the Notre Dame game, and would not play in the next two games. During the football squad's practice, Cullum Hall beat the Stevens Institute scrubs 41-0, on their field.

At Annapolis, the Navy coaches conducted a prolonged practice and drilled the team on attacking and defending. Many long forward passes were tried again and again, with the scrubs attempting the same. The Midshipmen in the stands appeared satisfied with the team's progress.

Thursday's weather was about the same as Wednesday's. The varsity had few present and able, with McEwan's shoulder and leg bruise, Merillat's painful thigh bruise, Hodgson's lame ankle, Oliphant's old knee wrench, and Prichard's tonsillitis contributed to this. The coaches decided to take the team for a hike into the hills back of Fort Putnam and Crow's Nest Mountain. Headed by Tuthill, the team was gone for two hours and looked refreshed after their exhilarating walk.

The high temperature was 48 and low 30 on Friday. AAA and NAA announced the officials for their football game – William Langford of Trinity as the referee, the umpire would be Al Sharpe of Yale, and the head linesman named was Carl Marshall of Harvard. Meanwhile, those reading about the Great War found that the British forces were attacking Basra in southern Mesopotamia (in modern day Iraq) and the Germans launched a major counter attack on the Russian forces in Silesia.

The University of Maine's football team arrived at West Point on Friday morning and were hosted for dinner at the Cadet Mess Hall. While the Cadets were in afternoon class, the Maine squad had a secret drill. They were a husky looking lot that appeared quite confident of putting up a stiff fight. They had left Orono on Thursday afternoon. However, they were not the same team that had played most of the season, as several of her best men had remained behind due to injury. Only fourteen men traveled to West Point.

A mixed line-up conducted a stiff signal drill at Army's practice later that afternoon. Tom Hammond mentioned to newsmen present "that the chance of victory does not look bright unless some varsity men are back on Saturday." Hammond was in charge, as Daly, Graves, and some other coaches were traveling to Annapolis to watch the Navy play.

On Saturday, West Point woke to chilly temperatures that eventually warmed up in the afternoon to a high of 58. It rained 1.4 inches that day, but no report on the football game even mentions this. As typical of a Saturday at West Point in the fall, the Cadets rose to the reveille drums at 5:30 am, marched and ate breakfast, and were off to class by 7:30 before any Maine footballer likely woke up. About 11 am, a room inspection by each company's tactical officer occurred, and depending upon when the rain fell, either the gathering visitors watched an inspection in ranks and a quick parade, or sat and ate their picnic lunches in disappointment.

In Head Coach Cochems' first and only season, the Maine football team arrived at West Point with a 6-2 record. They had opened against Fort McKinley High School with a big 46-2 victory before heading to New Haven and losing to Yale, 20-0. They then won four in a row, against Boston College (27-6), at Vermont (20-0), back home by swamping Norwich (64-0), and Bates (37-0). They lost at rival Colby 0-14 before blasting Bowdoin 27-0. Charles Ruffner had made a 35 yard dropkicked field goal in the game against Norwich, while in the same game George Kirk rushed ninety yards from scrimmage for a touchdown, tied for the longest run during the 1914 college football season. The match at West Point would be their last game of the season.

With Daly, Graves, Hayes, and other coaches at Navy, Lieutenant Hammond's line-up that day was Tully (left end), Parker (left tackle), plebe Lawrence "Biff" Jones (left guard), McEwan (center), Herrick (right guard), Larkin (right tackle), Kelly (right end), Oliphant (quarterback), Mitchell (left halfback), Van Fleet (right halfback), and Coffin (fullback). It was the first start of the season for Coffin, Larkin, Parker, Tully, and Van Fleet, and the first college football start ever for future coach Biff Jones.

No play by play for this game was found. The Maine captain, David Baker, met with his West Point counterpart to discuss the pending game and told the officials that they would play ten minute quarters in the first and third quarters, then twelve minutes each in other periods. It was unclear who the Army captain was for the game, as The New York Times reported that Cadet Prichard served as Head Linesman, though Army records show it being H.F. Plumber of Cornell.

During the first period, Army drove to Maine's one yard line and was stopped on downs. On the next possession, Oliphant tried and missed a 35 yard field goal. Harmon was substituted to play quarterback, Oliphant moved to the halfback position, with Coffin going to the sidelines. In the next possession, Army was stopped again close to the Maine goal line. At the end of the first period, it was Army 0, Maine 0.

Hammond then substituted Walker in for Mitchell. In the second quarter, Army drove again and was stopped close to the goal line. On the next possession, Ollie drove off tackle from the five and scored a touchdown. Oliphant kicked the goal from touchdown. Late in the period, West Point was stopped again at the one yard again by a great defensive stand by Maine. At halftime, the score was Army 7, Maine 0.

Hammond put some substitutes in at the beginning of the second half. Timberlake came in for Jones, Goodman for McEwan, Holmes in for Herrick, Coffin returning for Harmon, Prickett in for Kelly, Mitchell returning for Walker, and Weyand for Larkin. Ollie Oliphant returned to the quarterback position and resumed calling the plays. During one of Army's possessions, Oliphant threw a thirty yard pass to Joseph Tully for a touchdown, with Ollie kicking the goal from touchdown. Plebe Bob Bringham came in to replace an injured Tully and played the only time this season. Harmon replaced Oliphant at quarterback to give Ollie a rest. The score beginning the final quarter was Army 14, Maine 0.

Hammond substituted Britton for Bringham, McEwan in for Goodman, Boots in for Mitchell, and Oliphant in for Coffin at the start of the final period. With only 14 men, Maine tired out in the fourth period. Norman Jay "Willie" Boots played in his first game of the season and "celebrated his little vacation from Restricted Limits by playing a fine game in the backfield" according to the 1915 Howitzer account of the game.

Oliphant caught a punt on the Army 30, and aided by McEwan's downfield blocking, ran seventy yards through the entire Maine team for a touchdown. He again kicked the goal from touchdown. A few plays later, from a fake punt formation, Ollie went around left end and followed McEwan's blocking down the field for another seventy yard touchdown. Oliphant kicked his fourth goal from touchdown. Army's goal was never threatened during the game. The game ended with the score, Army 28, Maine 0.

The teams shook each other's hands at the end of the game. Oliphant and McEwan were the stars of the game. It was unclear whether Maine stayed for a meal with their hosts, or left West Point immediately after the game for the long trip back to Orono. There was a Red Cross Benefit that evening for the Cadets, and sometime during the day, it rained more than an inch.

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Chapter 14: Springfield: November 14-21, 1914

The Army football team was quite happy with their performance against the University of Maine. Given the long journey back home, I suspect that the Maine team left West Point after the game. But it was quite possible that they stayed overnight, were hosted by the Cadets at supper in the Mess Hall, and then invited to the Red Cross Benefit that evening.

It would have been more interesting if Lieutenant Tom Hammond and the remaining coaching staff had invited Maine's coach Eddie Cochems to the Officers' Mess that Saturday night. Daly, Graves, and other coaches were traveling from Annapolis that evening after scouting Navy's game with Colby, and they would have missed out on the conversations with Cochems. But just imagine the discussions that the West Point coaches might have had with him concerning the role of forward passing in the game of college football or the differences between eastern and western football.

But Cochems and his fourteen football players were likely long gone from West Point before the arrival on Sunday of Charlie Daly, Pot Graves, Phil Hayes, and whoever else accompanied them to Annapolis. It was a slightly warmer day then Saturday, and it rained almost an inch. No doubt, Daly had absorbed any new information on Navy by just being at the game, and the train and/or ferry ride home with Pot had stimulated new plays, new line-up considerations, and new concerns, especially about a Midshipman sophomore named Rollin V.A. Failing.

At Annapolis, Navy started the game kicking a goal from placement in the first quarter, and looked on its way to an easy victory. Colby used brilliant backfield running to then score three touchdowns in the first half, and led the Navy 21-10 at halftime. However, Colby could not maintain this fast pace in the second half, and substitutes like Failing, who scored two touchdowns in the third quarter and one in the final period, took the punch out their opponents. Navy was able to win 31-21.

Meanwhile, at Springfield, the home team easily defeated Massachusetts Agricultural 17-3, with John Miller kicking a 41 yard dropkick field goal and Arthur Scharbinger returning an interception 35 yards for a touchdown. Springfield Training School, as it was called in 1914, was led by long-time Head Coach James McCurdy, who developed passing spread formations and conducted much research into physical education and sports medicine.

Springfield opened the season with a 39-0 smacking of Worchester, but then mystified Harvard during the first period with the spreading of their formation across the total width of the field. This allowed Springfield to play the entire period in the Crimson territory, but fumbles cost Springfield opportunities to score and enabled Harvard to score instead. Springfield lost 44-0.

They then swamped Holy Cross 25-0 the next weekend. Springfield was leading 13-3 over Williams in the second half, before the individual play of C.A. Toolan led Williams to a comeback victory over Springfield 17-13. Springfield then won four straight over Norwich, at Middlebury, Amherst, and Massachusetts to a record of 6-2-0. This game with West Point would be the final one of their season.

Regarding the results of the major eastern football teams last Saturday, at home the Princeton Tigers were able to attack the Yale defense in the final quarter, with the visitors holding on to a 19-14 win. Harvard rested its varsity and settled for a 0-0 tie with visiting Brown. Dartmouth surprised everyone by its overwhelming defeat of Penn, 41-0. Cornell defeated Michigan decisively 28-13. Next week was Harvard at Yale in the new Yale Bowl.

Daly, Graves, Hammond, Thompson, and the other coaches decided their tactics for this week's practices, with plans to introduce and perfect the new offensive plays to be used in Philadelphia while forcing the varsity to defend Navy's offensive formations.

Monday was a repeat of Sunday, this time with the rain topping an inch. Practice was initially dummy drills, then a signal drill followed by a long punting drill, with Hodgson doing some fine punting. All the varsity men practiced except for the injured Hoge. Rehearsal of the new plays commenced, with some having trouble absorbing the new thrillers. Everyone expected Springfield to be a tough opponent. Meanwhile, the scrub team was receiving special instruction on the formations, plays, and tactics used by the Navy team. This latter development was absence from the press reports on the practice and probably occurred at another location.

The Navy coaches at Monday's practice concentrated on a blackboard talk by Coach Howard analyzing the Colby game followed by a discussion by coaches Hall and Brown on their observations of watching Army play Maine. Only the regulars and promising subs attended practice, as the remainder of the team was at military drill. Then the players rehearsed attack and defense formations. The coaches appeared satisfied with the team's progress.

Tuesday, the high dropped down to 51 and it was 30 at reveille, but for the first time in three days, there was no rain. Practice was long, as the scrubs came out in Navy formations for a forty minute scrimmage, with the varsity having trouble diagnosing the scrubs attack. When the varsity went on offense, Oliphant scored a touchdown. Weyand watched practice from the sideline, and McEwan hurt his shoulder again. The practice was on a new field laid out near the hotel, and it was conducted entirely in secret. However, The New York Times published all these details the next day.

At Annapolis, the coaches told the players that the Navy line-up would be based upon their practice this week. Scrimmages were not as fierce to avoid any injuries, but they were spirited. Practice focused on long forward passes. For all but a couple positions, two or more men were fighting for playing time.

On Wednesday, the high temperature was only 37, a drop from Tuesday, with the low being 24. No precipitation though. Practice was two hours long, with another stiff scrimmage between the varsity and the scrub Navy squad. Oliphant relieved Prichard at quarterback midway, and Ollie drove the team down the field for ten minutes. Prichard returned and Oliphant shifted to halfback. McEwan was working with the dummies, while Goodman was in the middle of the rough work. Leland Hobbs, who broke his leg during the Rutgers game, surprised the coaches by limbering up along the sidelines, but the coaches would not let him enter the scrimmage. This practice was on the new field near the hotel, and again, no one was allowed to watch it, but the newspapers reported on it the next day.

But there was hollering and shouting that could be heard from the regular field, and most of the battalion of Cadets and the USMA Band were in the stands watching the Cullum Hall squad play their major rival, the New York Military Academy (NYMA), a preparatory academy just north of West Point. The game started at 4 pm and the weather was cold, brisk, and still. By the middle of the fourth quarter, no one had scored, and the sun was setting behind Fort Putnam. It looked like the game would be scoreless.

With a few minutes left in the final period, Cullum got the ball back on the NYMA 40 yard line. A line buck failed to gain anything. NYMA smashed an attempted run around end. On third down, a forward pass attempt was incomplete. Captain and senior John Wogan called for his classmate Metcalf Reed to come in and try a goal from placement. But Reed was no longer standing on the sidelines.

A red-haired young man seemed to come out of the stands and stepped up into Wogan's face and said "I know your trouble. I'll take your kicker's place." First Classman Jo "Spec" Reaney stepped up and kicked a perfect 45 yard field goal straight between the goal posts. Before Cullum could kick off, the referee whistled the game over, with Cullum Hall winning 3-0. Cheers and roars came from the Cadets in the stands, and the squad who played for the love of the game carried Wogan and Reaney off the field in celebration.

The story and the ending remark "it takes darkness to bring out the stars" was described in the 1915 Howitzer. Too bad Daly did not know about Reaney's kicking ability, as none of the Army kickers were ever successful in making a field goal during a game that season.

Temperatures remained the same on Thursday, very cold, and four inches of snow had fell by midafternoon. The football squad practiced in the riding hall, to the relief of the Second Classmen who usually had class there at 3:45 pm. Practice lasted two hours and speed was slackened due to the tanbark on the floor. The varsity worked on defending against the Navy formations. McEwan felt better and practiced the entire time. Neyland, Kelly, and Britton were competing for the end position opposite Merillat.

Navy had a mirror practice on Thursday, with the scrubs employing Army formations. The coaches still had not decided on the whether to employ their heavy backfield men, or the lighter and faster runners. Mills seemed to be favored at quarterback at this point. The coaches expected to not extend the varsity in the game this Saturday with Ursinus.

Six more inches fell that night and into Friday morning. Early that morning, Coach Selleck telegraphed the New York University coaches to not have their scrubs try to make the trip up to West Point. His assistant Eisenhower spread the word at dinner that the Cullum Hall game with the NYU scrubs had been cancelled. He also had the Cadet Adjutant announce a special formation for the battalion at 5 pm out on The Plain. All Cadets attending football practice or AI were excused from attending, and riding drill was cancelled again for the Second Classmen. Over 300 Cadets reported at 5 pm, were armed with snow shovels and brooms, and directed by the post grounds keepers to clear the snow off the football field and stands.

The football practice was again in the riding hall. The varsity practiced running a few special plays that would be tried out against Springfield. There was also a forty minute signal drill that was fast and the new thrillers (plays) were run off smoothly. The coaches were planning to use a lot of substitutes tomorrow, as they expected the going to be heavy and they did not want to risk any injuries this close to the Navy game.

At Annapolis, during the noontime meal there were announcements that the Midshipmen would have special liberty into town beginning at 4 pm. Football practice was moved up to start at 2:30, allowing the team to miss their last afternoon class. The varsity practiced formations, kicking, some passing, and signals. Coaches at Navy had the same game plan as their West Point peers, to use the regulars long enough to get them in stride, and have the scrubs used for the remainder of the game.

Earlier in the week, Charlie Daly and perhaps Pot Graves may have been planning to go to New Haven on Saturday to see the Harvard game at the new Yale Bowl. With four inches falling Thursday, and six inches later that night, and New Haven getting about a foot of snow, travel to Connecticut probably would have been very difficult. The weather was clear from Friday afternoon on, so perhaps one of them traveled to see the Big Game.

Sleet was falling for breakfast formation that Saturday morning, and it remained cold but no more snow fell. This was the last Saturday the plebes had Saturday morning drill classes until March. Woodruff wrote his parents that Sunday evening that there were pools of ice standing on the field and the ground was frozen two inches thick. The 1915 Howitzer says that the field was covered with snow, slush, and mud. The two football teams quickly turned that into a very muddy field, and after a few plays, one could barely tell one player from another.

Due to the weather on Friday, Springfield arrived at West Point around noon on Saturday and was hosted by the Cadets at dinner. The teams then departed to prepare for the game. No play by play description of the game survives. Prichard and the Springfield captain, Walter Bell, agreed to play twelve minute quarters and informed the referee, Fred Crolius of Dartmouth. William Roper of Princeton was the umpire and the head linesman was Joseph Pendleton of Bowdoin.

Army's line-up consisted of Neyland (left end), Butler (left tackle), O'Hare (left guard), Goodman (center), Herrick (right guard), Weyand (right tackle), Britton (right end), Oliphant (quarterback), Benedict (left halfback), Coffin (right halfback), and Van Fleet (fullback). Thirty players suited up for the game.

After several Army possessions, Daly sent in Prichard at quarterback and moved Oliphant to halfback, with Coffin going to the bench. On the next possession, Vern Prichard threw a long pass to Bob Neyland to the Springfield ten yard line. A moment later, Jimmy Van Fleet smashed his way across the goal line for Army's first touchdown of the game. Benedict missed the goal from touchdown. The score was now Army 6, Springfield 0 and remained that way at the end of the first period.

Daly decided he would now put in many of his second string. He substituted Kelly in for Neyland, Larkin for Butler, Timberlake in for O'Hare, Bradley in for Goodman, Meacham in for Herrick, Merillat for Britton, and Ford in for Benedict at the beginning of the second quarter, keeping Prichard, Oliphant, Van Fleet, and Weyand in the game. The regulars on the sidelines kept nice and warm wrapped in big blankets. Oliphant was injured in the second quarter and was replaced by Mike Mitchell. Neither team made any headway. At the end of the first half, Army led Springfield 6-0.

Daly substituted at the beginning of the third quarter Prickett for Kelly, Parker in for Larkin, Jones for Timberlake, Goodman and Herrick returned at center and right guard, Butler in for Weyand, Britton for Merillat, Benedict returned for Ford, Coffin in for Mitchell, and Harmon for Prichard. During this period, Seminole Parker blocked a punt, with Fay Prickett recovering the football on the Springfield twenty. Three plays later, Bill Coffin punched the ball over for a touchdown. Schlitz Benedict kicked the goal from touchdown, making the score Army 13, Springfield 0 at the end of the third quarter.

Daly put Holmes in for Herrick, Bringham for Britton, Walker in for Van Fleet, Boots for Coffin, Ford in for Benedict, and maybe Tully in for Prickett at the beginning of the fourth quarter. McEwan was credited with playing, but it was probably just an error. During the final period, as Army was threatening, fullback Arthur Scharbinger intercepted Doodle Harmon's pass on the Springfield twenty and ran it back 80 yards for a touchdown. This play tied as the longest interception return for a touchdown during the 1914 college football season. The goal from touchdown was missed, making the score Army 13, Springfield 6. This threw a scare into the Army camp for the remainder of the game. With all players slipping and sliding all over the field, the referee finally blew the whistle ending the game.

The game was hard fought and played cleanly. Springfield gave West Point the hardest sort of contest. Both teams passed frequently, though not very successfully. Van Fleet, Coffin, Prickett, and Neyland were the Army stars. Van Fleet played strong defensively and ran hard. Springfield's stars were quarterback John Miller, Arthur Scharbinger, and halfback Thomas Shea. The teams shook hands after the game, and Prichard invited them to supper and the Cadet Hop that evening.

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Chapter 15: Navy Week: November 21-28, 1914

Daly's Saturday evening after-game discussions at the Officers' Mess focused each of the coaches on their thoughts of what actions needed to be done to improve the team this week. While Daly and Graves would wait for Phil Hayes' latest scouting report on Navy, after watching the Midshipmen play Colby the week before, there was probably little that would change regarding their capabilities, tendencies, and abilities, or how they would attack them.

The Cadets that Saturday evening likely attended the Cadet Hop, possibly accompanied by the Springfield football team members. A few may not have, deciding that their need to either rest or study was much more important.

The Sunday morning breakfast formation brought cold and brisk weather in the mid-twenties, but no snow. The battalion of Cadets marched to chapel and those with privileges spent the afternoon with friends, relatives, or other Cadets. It did warm up a little above freezing in the afternoon, and someone walked over to the football field and found it a swamp-like surface, soft during day and freezing at night, and reported their concerns that might cause the Army team problems as they prepare for Navy that week.

No doubt, Daly and Graves spent their Sunday reading newspaper articles about and discussing The Game. Harvard had blew away Yale 36-0 at the new Yale Bowl in front of 68,500 fans on Saturday. The Harvard team was described as operating as a perfect team, with each man contributing their part at the right time in almost every play. It did not play mechanically as in previous games, but played with football intuition and abilities. On defense, it was able to quickly respond to Yale's trick passing plays while its line prevented the Blue from success on line plunges. The ends played well defending against passes and getting quickly down field for punts. The combination of plays called by the two Harvard quarterbacks allowed them to vary the attack between runs and passes. The records show how Daly would have desired a mid-season game against Harvard, if nothing more than to challenge the Cadets to be their very best; or in Daly's mind, to really determine which team was the best one. Alas, no game ever occurred, so it will always be up for speculation which team was better that season.

Soon, Lieutenant Philip Hayes made it back from Annapolis, and provided the coaches with his report on the Navy game with Ursinus. Navy decided to not use their first-string team, except for a few individuals on the line. Daly would have heard that Failing had injured his ankle, how Vail had scored four touchdowns as the reserve quarterback, and how the halfback Culbert had scored once and played well. The final score was 33-2.

To summarize the Navy season, the Midshipmen had played eight games and won six of them. With only nine days of practice, they kicked off the season at home against Georgetown, who had practiced for five weeks. In a line plunging game, Navy had more speed with Harry Harrison and Rollo Failing, and won 13-0.

The next weekend, Navy faced a seasoned Pittsburgh team that blocked well and had a smooth passing attack. While Billy Alexander and Swede Overesch played well, Pitt was able to win on a blocked punt that was returned twenty yards for a touchdown, 13-6.

Playing away from Annapolis for the first time against an opponent other than Army, Navy scored a touchdown in the opening minutes following a long forward pass, then gave up two field goals to Pennsylvania. Late in the tied game, a sixty yard interception return caused Navy to lose its second game, 13-6.

Navy had an easy time against Western Reserve, scoring often in a 48-0 blowout. In an evenly matched game against North Carolina Agricultural & Mechanical College (the future North Carolina State Wolfpack), Navy traded scores but came out ahead 16-14. Fordham came down to Annapolis to show off their Canadian style of open play, but their mishandling of the football cost them an opportunity to score. Navy won 18-0. Colby was the next opponent, and led at halftime 21-10. Failing saved the day during the second half by scoring three touchdowns, and the Midshipmen won 31-21.

Charlie Daly included a copy of Hayes' final report on the Navy football team in his end of season report, citing it as clearly showing the value of a regular scout in attending all games of an opponent during the season. Hayes provided a number of critical observations about Navy:

(1) The coaching staff was employing the same offensive and defensive system used over the last three seasons.

(2) The team consisted of a number of men with above ordinary abilities, several of which would have stood out on any football team.

(3) The linemen were heavy, stocky, and tended to charge low into the line.

(4) The backs were heavy, rangy, and generally slow.

(5) The coaches could not decide what players should be in what positions throughout the season and whether to play a heavy, slow backfield or a lighter, faster one. As an example, in one game Navy played its lighter backfield, and played a faster brand of football that positively affected the entire team. Navy players like Craig, Mitchell, Alexander, Culbert, and Miles were fast.

(6) The centers generally played well throughout the season.

(7) The guard play was mediocre and a team weakness.

(8) The tackles were average, with one much weaker than the other. They generally played with poor technique, blindly charging with no purpose into the line.

(9) The ends were another area of weakness. Overesch, who played very well in the 1913 Army-Navy game, tended to line up very close to the tackle and generally just circled around the line during the play. The other players tried at left end usually played poorly, and because they did not run routes or provide interference for runs, were boxed out of plays by opponents.

(10) Navy had two excellent choices for quarterback, each with their own skills. Mitchell was the superior field general, using good judgement in his call of plays. Miles was the superior in his ability to run and pass. Hayes remarked that the coaches could not often decide during the season which one to play. Based upon the belief that one would play the best eleven men, he felt that the Navy coaches should have had both men on the field at the same time.

(11) The heavy backfield consisted of Blodgett, Failing, and Harrison.

(12) The light backfield consisted of Craig, Culbert, Mitchell, and Alexander.

(13) Gyp Blodgett, weighing about 190 pounds, was a good punter typically kicking for fifty yards, played better when the team was winning, and had a weak ankle.

(14) Rollo Failing hit the line quickly and hard, ran well, and excelled in delayed passes and going off tackle.

(15) Harry Harrison was heavy set, excellent on defense, and the backbone to Navy's defensive play.

(16) Craig and Miles were the most dangerous runners, as they could change direction and had the ability to run outside or wiggle between linemen. Craig tended to run from punt formations, while Miles would run from the quarterback position or passing formations.

(17) On the defense, Hayes felt the coaches were very much unsettled throughout the season of who to play and what position to play them in. The linemen tended to charge low and just throw themselves to the ground, and play very close together. The ends were always close to their tackles. They played their center very close to the line, and he would move in a bewildering circle along the line during plays. The tackles, who were allowed to use their arms and hands, kept swinging them every play with no effect. The backs played closed to the line unless they felt that the opponent was going to pass.

(18) On the offense, the players were effective in providing interference (blocking), generally able to knock opponents off their feet. The normal running play consisted of five men lining up to block in front of one of the backfield men.

(19) The punt (or kick) formation consisted of four men blocking, with guards running down the field and the backfield men standing together, but Blodgett always punted.

(20) The principal attack plays used by Navy were a quarterback run from either formation; an off tackle play from the normal formation; and a forward pass from either formation.

(21) Navy would try a cross-buck play when near an opponent's goal line.

(22) They used a balanced line almost exclusively.

(23) Hayes declared that the passing attack was in the experimental stage. Several of the players passed well, but had a hard time judging distance. Passer and ends were not aligned, as the passer would throw for 35 yards but the ends stopped running after going twenty. From the normal formation, the quarterback would run in one direction, stop, and then throw to the other side of the field. From a kick formation, the throw was always to the either end. Navy would occasionally try a short pass over center. Navy's main problem was that receivers had a hard time catching the football.

(23) Navy's passing defense was poor. They lined up in the same positions almost every play, never varying the depth even when the opponent was clearly going to pass. Opponents had much success in making short passes over the middle or to the ends, as Navy did not defend them close after the ball was hiked. Opponents in kick formations had much success throwing long passes against Navy. At no time did a Navy defender ever try to block or knock down a pass by jumping.

(24) Blodgett was their best kicker. He would stand ten yards back from scrimmage to punt. When he was being hurried, his punts were always poor. Navy tended to provide poor protection blocking on punts. Rather than blocking to protect the punter, the linemen would charge down the field, always staying in the middle of the field. Opponents would block punts several times during a game.

(25) When an opponent punted, the two ends would drop back from the line five yards, and would never interfere with the opposing ends as they went down field. They would not move until after the ball was punted, as if they were expecting the opponent to fake a punt and try a pass instead.

(26) Navy never tried a dropkick during a game.

(27) Navy did pass or run from a punt formation a couple times a game.

(28) During the last few games, Navy had tried unsuccessfully to execute rugby or Canadian style lateral passes.

Monday came, and it was as cold with temperatures at or below freezing most of the day, solving the swampy field by turning it into a gridiron hard as flint. The practice started off with a thirty minute punting drill with linemen going down the field to cover the kicks. The varsity then conducted a signal drill while rehearsing the new formations. The practice was long and the pace stiff, but no real hard scrimmaging occurred.

On Tuesday, the weather was the same. Orders were posted on the details for the Philadelphia trip. The coaches decided that the regular playing field was unusable, and moved practice to the north field near the hotel. The players divided up into three teams, and initially conducted signal drills. Then each team took a turn scrimmaging against the other two. The practice concluded with a long session with blocking and tackling dummies that someone had dug out of the snow.

Newspapers were filled with word from Mexico, as Carranza's troops had taken over Veracruz when the American troops had completed their withdrawal from the town. Over in Europe, the Germans had bombed from air the Belgium city of Ypres, causing lots of destruction. In the Middle East, British and Indian troops had over run the Ottoman defenders in Basra, in southern Mesopotamia, captured the city, and secured the oil fields and refineries in the area.

On Wednesday morning, Cadets and Officers were entertained by The New York Times report on Navy's football practice. It seems that their coaching staff was very concerned with finding the right individuals to fill positions on their line. The right side of the line was particularly vulnerable, as the players were around 160-170 pounds, compared to heavier men on the left side. Daly and Graves must have noticed this little fact, or the newspaper had just confirmed something they already knew.

Wednesday was also a little warmer, with a high of fifty degrees. Players were divided into four teams, with scrimmages interrupted as coaches worked with individual men on their techniques. Bill Coffin was working in the varsity backfield, while Harmon and Oliphant took turns at quarterback. Even varsity players like Benedict and Ford were playing on the scrub team. The practice was short but hard, and there was little evidence of any over confidence by the team or under estimating Navy's strengths. It was confirmed that the "classroom slaughter" would prevent Wynne, Engeldinger, Page, and Place from attending the game with the football team. Meanwhile in the stands, Cadets McGuire and Eisenhower had organized a noisy demonstration and rally.

In Annapolis, Navy practiced in secret as there were reports that West Point had spies watching their last two practices. They had two hours of hard drills and scrimmaging. The line-up against Army was announced to the players, and the press reported that the team was surprised by the selection of three men over others, with Bates getting the nod at fullback over the more experienced Harry Harrison; Skeeter Mitchell starting at quarterback over Miles, and the heavier Failing at right halfback over the quicker Craig and Culbert.

Wednesday night was the Thanksgiving Hop for the Cadets, and many likely attended as there would not be classes on the Thanksgiving holiday. Meanwhile, at Lloyds, a group of Cadets met and deliberated the line-ups for the football games to be played on Thursday. A special issue of The Gridiron, a Cadet humorous newspaper, was published to announce the upcoming activities, including a special menu for Thanksgiving, an advertisement to teach the latest dances, coffee house prices for drinks after the games, and other odds and ends.

Thursday morning the battalion of Cadets would turn out on The Plain with temperatures in the low fifties to watch the play of their classmates and company mates during three football games – the Runts versus the Flankers, the Goats versus Engineers, and the Bucks versus the Makes.

In 1914, Cadets were assigned to the six companies on the basis of height, with the shorter men in runt companies while taller men were in flanker companies. Cadets in the same class attended the same courses, with each class divided up into multiple 15 man sections, ranked by their academic standing in the course. The men in the top sections were commonly called Engineers or worse, unprintable names. The men in the bottom sections wore the honorable name Goats. And those who were Cadet officers, sergeants, or corporals were Makes, while those without stripes on their dress gray were Bucks or clean sleeved.

There was no record of the results of the three Cadet football games, "but all brands of football were played and touchdowns made all over the field," and no one seemed to know who won any contest, or if anyone really kept score. The battalion celebrated the holiday at the Thanksgiving Day meal in the Cadet Mess Hall around noon. Football practice that afternoon consisted of a long walk in the woods.

The Cadets awoke to the Hell Cats reveille drums in warmer weather on Friday morning and marched to breakfast. The football team would leave shortly before 8 am on the West Shore Railroad with fifty players, the two managers, coaches, trainers, and the hospital corps detail. The battalion of Cadets was allowed to miss some classes and escorted the team down the hill to the station, cheering and singing along the way.

At nearly the same time in Annapolis, an informal but hearty send-off occurred. The naval regiment escorted the team as they walked from Bancroft Hall to the Maryland Avenue gate. The football team, plus 14 coaches, trainers, and corpsmen, then continued walking to the Bladen Street Station to catch their train to Philadelphia. Only three Midshipmen had started in the Army game in 1913, Overesch, Perry, and Failing.

The West Point football team's train arrived around 11:30 am at the Philadelphia Reading Station; and then they were taken to the Bellevue Hotel. They had dinner on the roof of the hotel shortly after noon. At another Philadelphia railroad station, the Navy team arrived about 11:30 am, and they were taken to the Hotel Walton.

Army left the hotel after dinner, and the team was bussed to Franklin Field to practice. During a secret practice, Daly conducted a signal drill with the varsity practicing forward passing and a few new plays. Army left the field and returned to its hotel around 3 pm on buses. Navy then arrived with 36 players divided into three teams, spent an hour reviewing plays, and then returned to its hotel. West Point had dinner around 6:30 pm on the rooftop restaurant. The team gathered together at 9 pm and went for an hour long walk, and retired to their rooms at 10 pm.

Because the football season was usually ended by the Harvard versus Yale game the weekend before, several newspapers and magazines began to name their All-American teams. Vanity Fair named Louis Merillat at first team All-American at end. Frank Menke in the International News Service selected Alex Weyand second team All-American and Merillat third team. Monty in The Fort Wayne Daily News named Merillat and John McEwan as both second team All-Americans.

Newspaper reports on the wars around the globe indicated that the Germans had been prevented from reaching Calais and Dunkirk, thus ending the so-called "Race to the Sea." From this point on, the Western Front would stabilize into trench warfare. There were some concerns raised about the Germans bombing Ypres' civilian population. The British battleship Bulwark had exploded at Sheerness Harbour in England on Thursday morning, killing hundreds of sailors. It was later determined in a court of inquiry that the explosion was likely caused by the accidental overheating of cordite charges causing ammunition to explode. The accident killed 738 sailors out of a crew of 750. Meanwhile, the New York Stock Exchange, closed since August due to the war in Europe, reopened for bond trading on Saturday morning.

The Saturday morning newspapers were filled with reports about the pending Army-Navy game and those attending. West Point was considered the favorite to win, which was not a good omen as the team favored had lost in the last ten games. Navy had been favored in 1913, and lost. In 1911, Army entered the game undefeated and favored, and had lost. The Midshipmen were counting on all of this and trusting that history would repeat itself. Unlike previous games, a number of foreign ambassadors and their guests would not be attending due to the war.

Both teams had played hard schedules, but Navy's defense was considered weaker than Army's. Navy had the heavier team, outweighing the Army line, 185 pounds to 180; and the backfield, 180 to 166. After days of summer weather in Philadelphia, the high was predicted to be in the upper forties, cloudy, with rain forecasted with colder weather in the afternoon. It would not get colder and no rain fell that day. It may have been cloudy that day, it certainly turned out that way for Navy.

The Army football team had breakfast on the hotel's roof at 7:30 am. Players were free until about 10:30 am, when they reported to the trainers for taping. Dinner was served on the roof at 11:45 am, and the team left the hotel by busses for Franklin Field at 12:30 pm.

Back at West Point, the battalion of Cadets left on a special train at 7:15 am, accompanied by members of the Tactical Department, the USMA Band, and the hospital corps men. Another train, containing the officers on the post, their families, and local residents, would leave at 8:30 am. The trains would arrive at 11 am and 12:30 pm respectively, with the Cadets having dinner upon arrival in Philadelphia.

From Annapolis, the larger naval regiment left at 9 am on two trains, one with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad carrying the First and Second Battalions, while the Pennsylvania Railroad train carried the Third and Fourth Battalions. They were arriving in Philadelphia much later than usual, because the Midshipmen were served lunch on the two trains.

The Midshipmen were the first to enter Franklin Field, to the cheers of the early spectators. After taking their seats, they sang a parody on the popular son "Tipperary" that included "It's a long way to the Army's goal, but the Navy's right there." They broke into their "Up Anchor" cheer when Midshipman Henry Graham came into the stadium leading the Navy mascot, a new goat, with the intent to bring them better luck than the 1913 game. Press reports claimed that there had never been as noisy an Army-Navy game as this one, as the Midshipmen came prepared to drown out the Army yelling and singing. Throughout the game, there was rarely a moment when the ear-splitting demonstration let up.

As the battalion of Cadets began to march onto the field, the Midshipmen greeted the Corps with a rousing "Four N" yell, followed by a "Four N" yell and three Pennsylvania's. Then the Midshipmen removed their overcoats, as it was a warm day.

As the fans started moving towards Franklin Field, the prices of tickets in the hands of speculators dropped from $15 to $4 (in today's prices, from $350 to $100). Ninety-eight ticket brokers (someone actually counted them?) then began to besiege fans and refused to take "no" for an answer. Most of the available tickets were in the end zone stands back of the goal posts. Detectives and some Army Officers were buying tickets in order to determine if they had come from the free tickets given out by AAA or NAA to their fans or were part of the allotment sold by the University of Pennsylvania. Army officials had advised the officers to pay no more than $15 for a ticket and to purchase as many as they could. I am sure that this led to several interesting conversations the next week between those improperly selling their tickets and their commanding officers.

The New York Times reported that there was a "great display of feminine finery, the gaudy colors of the pennants, the abundance of golden chrysanthemums, all made a picture of one of unusual attractiveness and animation." The remainder of the 30,000 fans found their seats in the stadium.

The Secretary of War was in Box 24, the USMA Superintendent in Box 23, and Pennsylvania Governor John Tener in Box 26. President Wilson was unable to attend, and it was unclear if anyone sat in his boxes, 22 on the Army side and 69 on the Navy side.

Scattered in the 102 boxes were the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Interior, Agriculture, and Labor, the Postmaster General, many United States Senators and Congressmen, prominent businessmen and politicians, the Governor of Maryland, Mayor Mitchel of New York City, a few foreign diplomats, and numerous Generals, Admirals, and other senior officers. Across from Secretary Garrison was the Secretary of the Navy Daniels in Box 67, sitting next to the Vice President.

The two football teams came out onto the field, and began warming up. The 1915 Howitzer reported that it seemed that the Cadets had no sooner settled down into their seats that the referee blew the whistle to start the game.

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Chapter 16: The Navy Game: November 28, 1914

Daly's starting line-up for Army was junior Robert "Bob" Neyland (left end), yearling William "Bruce" Butler (left tackle), junior Joseph "Red" O'Hare (left guard), yearling John "Cap" McEwan (center), yearling Laurence "Cowboy" Meacham (right guard), junior Alexander "Babe" Weyand (right tackle), senior Louis "Louie" Merillat (right end), senior Paul "P.A." Hodgson (left halfback), senior James "Jimmy" Van Fleet (right halfback), junior William "Bill" Coffin (fullback), and senior and captain Vernon "Vern" Prichard (quarterback).

Howard's line-up for Navy consisted of senior and captain Harvey "Swede" Overesch (left end), senior Edwin "Scrappy" McCoach (left tackle), plebe Earle "Luke" Mills (left guard), senior Benjamin "Ben" Perry (center), junior Richard "Dick" Jones (right guard), senior Louis "Looeye" DeRoode (right tackle), sophomore Thomas "Tom" Harrison (right end), sophomore Harry "Gyp" Blodgett (left halfback), sophomore Rollin "Rollo" Failing (right halfback), senior Richard "Rafe" Bates (fullback), and senior Ralph "Skeeter" Mitchell (quarterback).

The officials were referee William Langford of Trinity, Albert Sharpe of Yale as umpire, Carl Marshall of Harvard as head linesman, and field judge Fred Murphy of Brown. The two captains, Overesch and Prichard, agreed to play the regular 15 minute quarters and informed the officials. Swede Overesch won the toss and chose the east goal, considered by Navy as their lucky goal. Vern Prichard elected to kick off.

The official weather for Philadelphia has a high of only 47 degrees, but press reports said it was as "as fair as an August day" and "the warm weather was a big strain on the players, and before the end of the game many of the men were pretty well exhausted." At West Point, the high was 59 degrees. The wind was light, slightly favoring the team defending the east goal.

First Quarter:

Army lined up on its forty yard line; with the Navy team standing from their forty-five all the way back to Gyp Blodgett behind the Navy ten. Referee Langford received signals from both captains that the teams were ready to start. He signaled the Army kicker to begin the game at 2:15 pm. Cap McEwan kicked off to Blodgett (or Failing) standing at his five yard line, who returned it 15 yards, with the fastest West Point players, Merillat, McEwan, and Neyland likely tackling him.

Skeeter Marshall called out the signals for Navy, and they went into their normal running formation. Marshall received the pass from Perry, and handed off the ball to Bates. Rafe Bates ran behind the blocks of Jones and DeRoode off right guard. Butler and O'Hare were initially pushed back, but reinforcements from McEwan and Meacham limited the gain to three yards. Marshall signaled the next play, trying the other side of the line. Skeeter handed the football to Rollo Failing running behind the blocking of McCoach and Mills. Weyand and Meacham tackled the halfback after he made two yards.

Navy followed the philosophy of most eastern football teams, if there was not initial success on first or second down when deep in their end zone, punt when the opponent may be uncertain whether one was kicking, running, or passing. Marshall barked out the signal putting Navy into punt formation, and Blodgett received the direct snap from Ben Perry. On third down at the Navy 25, Blodgett punted, with the football rolling out of bounds on the Army 30.

Army surprised the Midshipmen defenders by lining up in a punt formation. Cap McEwan direct snapped to Paul Hodgson, who then rushed forty yards around the left end for a first down to the Navy 30. The Corps of Cadets went wild with excitement and the noise was deafening. Vern Prichard signaled his team into a left heavy formation, with Babe Weyand moving over besides Bruce Butler. McEwan snapped to Prichard, who handed it to Van Fleet who went right behind the blocking of Cowboy Meacham. Jimmy plunged over Mills and was tackled by McCoach after making two yards. Vern kept West Point in its heavy left formation, and gave the ball to P.A., who followed left behind the blocking of Weyand, Butler, and O'Hare for a pair going through DeRoode and Tom Harrison.

Army remained in the heavy left formation, and having received the snap, Vern faked a handoff to Paul Hodgson who plunged into the line, with half the Navy team defending. Prichard took a couple steps back, looked to his right in the direction of Louie Merillat, turned, and tossed a pass left to Bob Neyland. Neyland completed the pass despite the efforts of Harrison and Failing and Army has a first down on the Navy 15.

The Army field general moved West Point into a balanced lined, but McEwan snapped the football early. Prichard fumbled the snap, but recovered the football and tried a line plunge up the middle for no gain after being tackled by Ben Perry. From a heavy left formation, Vern handed the ball to his fullback Bill Coffin who followed Weyand and Butler. Coffin rushed for two yards off left tackle but was stopped by Jones and DeRoode.

Prichard decided to call almost the same play, but faked a handoff to Coffin and handed the football to Paul Hodgson, who followed Coffin as he plunged into the left side of the line. P.A. was stopped for four yards by DeRoode and Jones. On fourth down with four yards to gain, Prichard caught the snap, kneeled down, and held the football a few inches above the ground at the Navy 15 with his other hand holding the ball upright. Coffin's goal from placement missed. Navy had the ball on their twenty. The Midshipmen in the stands were now louder than their opponents, celebrating their good luck.

Failing was stopped for no gain going up the middle by McEwan, Meacham, and O'Hare. Blodgett gained nothing off of left tackle against Babe Weyand. On third down, Blodgett punted to Prichard, who was downed on the Army 40 yard line by Ralph Mitchell. Daly's coaching philosophy was to force his opponents to make the mistakes, so Prichard signaled for a punt by Hodgson. Hodgson punted immediately to Rollo Failing standing on his twenty, and he returned it ten yards.

Failing rushed through his left tackle behind most of his line pushing back Weyand and Meacham. Rollo was tackled by Van Fleet and Prichard after gaining nine yards. The noise in the stadium made it hard for Navy to hear Mitchell's signals. Rafe Bates gained a yard for the first down off of left guard as Babe stopped him cold. On first down, Gyp Blodgett plunged off right guard for a yard, stopped by Bruce Butler and Bob Neyland. Perry's snap was high to Mitchell, and the quarterback fumbled the ball. Navy recovered the football for no gain. Blodgett punted again to Prichard, who fair caught it on the Army 25 yard line.

Prichard moved West Point into a heavy left formation and flipped the ball to Paul Hodgson, who gained one yard around the left end before being stopped by Failing. Prichard signaled a line plunge. Van Fleet was stopped for no gain off left guard by DeRoode. Prichard knew it was better to punt on third down than fourth, to avoid a mistake, and signaled a punt formation. Coffin punted the ball to Mitchell who was downed on the Navy 40 yard line by Neyland and Merillat tackles. Blodgett rushed for one yard off right tackle. On another errant snap from Perry, Navy recovered the fumble on its twenty yard line. On third down, Blodgett punted to Prichard, who was tackled by Mitchell on the Army 49.

Prichard decided to punt immediately, but he choose to use Hodgson rather than Bill Coffin this time. From the heavy left formation, Hodgson punted it deep. The ball hit a Navy player on his twenty who was lining up to provide blocking for the punt return. Several players scrambled trying to recover the football, and Navy gained possession on their five. Butler was badly hurt and had to be carried off the field, and Paul "Seminole" Parker came in for him at left tackle.

Gyp was standing behind his goal line in a kicking formation. Perry's snap was high to Blodgett, who then tried to punt the football. Merillat and Parker rushed the punter. Merillat was credited for the block in the press reports, but Parker was given official credit in Army's play by play. Blodgett fell on the ball in his end zone with Merillat tackling him for a safety. The score was Army 2, Navy 0 while the Army stands conduct a wild demonstration, with their great "Charge" yell with bugles rolling across the gridiron to the Navy stands.

From their twenty, Gyp Blodgett punted the football, but Bill Coffin fumbled the catch and Navy recovered the football on the Army 42. Midshipmen cheers were now louder than Cadets'. Bates rushed up the middle for no gain, stopped by O'Hare and Meacham. Harrison (or Failing) caught a pass on the Army 36 for a first down. Failing went around right end and lost three yards by Merillat avoiding a block by Swede Overesch and tackling Rollo.

Mitchell moved Navy into a heavy left formation, a very unusual formation for Navy. Bates gained back the three yards through the left guard. A forward pass was intercepted by Weyand, but both teams were called for being offside. Navy maintained possession on the Army 36. On fourth down, Blodgett attempted a goal from placement. The field goal attempt was true, but a little short. Army now had the ball on its twenty five.

Prichard called a play with a delayed snap, and Navy was penalized five yards for being offside. On first down, Prichard had Army in kick formation, but signaled for McEwan to directly snap to him and not Hodgson. Prichard followed his backfield to the left, and went around left end for 14 yards before being tackled by Failing. But Army was called for being offside and the ball was placed on the Army 20. Van Fleet gained nothing off left guard. Prichard gained two yards up the middle. Coffin punted to Mitchell standing on the Navy 35 yard line, who returned it to the 42. The whistle blew, and at the end of the first quarter, the score was Army 2, Navy 0.

Second Quarter:

The teams traded goals, with Army now defending the east goal. Charlie Daly decided to keep the same men in the game, as does Navy's head coach Doug Howard. Navy decided to punt deep into Army territory, rather than attacking. On the opening play in the period, Blodgett punted to Prichard, who fair caught it on the Army 35. Prichard decided to punt the ball back to Navy, hoping for them to make a mistake. Lining up in a punt formation, McEwan direct snapped the football to Coffin, who quickly punted it to Mitchell, who fumbled the catch. The ball rolls around and Louie Merillat recovered it on the Navy 20. The crowd noise rose, as Cadets cheered their team to a score, while Midshipmen in the stands yelled for their team to stop the Army again.

The West Pointers were ready to attack the Midshipmen defense, and Vern will follow his head coach's guidance to go for a scoring play when deep in an opponent's territory. He called the signals for a pass play, and McEwan snapped the ball back into his hands. Prichard took a couple steps back, spotted his receiver, and threw a beautiful forward pass to Merillat standing in the end zone. Louie caught it for a touchdown and downed it near the sidelines.

Because the goal from touchdown would be at a bad angle and long, Prichard punted-out to Jimmy Van Fleet who called for a fair catch around the Navy 15 yard line, while the Navy team stood lined up along the goal line. Army had a free kick in front of the goal posts, while the Midshipmen watched. Bill Coffin missed the goal from touchdown, though McEwan was blamed in press reports. The score was now Army 8, Navy 0, and the Corps of Cadets was shouting and bugling from the stands.

The scored upon team had the option of selecting which team will kick off, and Skeeter Mitchell decided to continue to play for a mistake deep in Army territory. Gyp Blodgett kicked off to Van Fleet standing on his twelve, and Jimmy returned it to the Army 17. Prichard decided to punt and called for a kick formation. McEwan direct snapped to Coffin, who punted it again to Mitchell. Skeeter again fumbled the catch, with the ball hog Merillat recovered the fumble on the Navy 36.

Lieutenant Howard had probably enough of Skeeter Mitchell at this point, and the head coach substituted junior Arthur "Turo" Miles for Mitchell at quarterback, the smallest Midshipman at 152 pounds. Prichard signaled into the heavy left formation and saw the Midshipmen responding to Weyand's shift to the left. He called for a run to the right, and handed the football to Paul Hodgson who made two yards off tackle thanks to McEwan's and Meacham's push of Mills and McCoach.

About this time, Prichard began to stand directly behind McEwan, who would hike the ball to Vern, who then stood there holding the ball with his linemen blocking any penetration by the Midshipmen, the backs protecting him from anyone from the flanks, and the ends running downfield. After maybe five or ten seconds, Prichard would then burst out, run backwards, wheel, and throw the ball to his receivers. This tactic, put in by Daly just for the Navy game, puzzled the defenders, drew in the ends and coaxed up the backs, according to Herbert Reed.

During the play, Prichard noticed that Swede Overesch was not closely following Merillat running down to the goal line. Again from the heavy left formation, Vern faked a handoff to one of the backs, stepped back, and threw a 33 yard pass to Merillat, who caught it on the Navy one for a first down. The crowd noise was deafening. Prichard spoke to his backs directly to ensure that they knew the play, and handed off the snap quickly to Hodgson, who plunged through the line following McEwan and Meacham off right tackle for a touchdown. McEwan missed the goal from touchdown. Army now led Navy 14-0 and the Midshipmen in the stands were stunned by the quick turn of events.

Daly decided to begin to give his men a break, part of his philosophy to not overextend his players, as tired players tend to make mistakes. He substituted John "Snoop" Goodman in for McEwan. Junior Carlyle "Nevvy" Craig came in for Failing. Miles decided to have Army kick off. Coffin kicked off to Gyp Blodgett standing on his ten yard line, and he returned it to the Navy 31. William "Dizie" Britton substituted in for Neyland.

Craig rushed around left end for eight yards before being stopped by Louie Merillat. Turo Miles moved his team into a heavy right formation, with McCoach between DeRoode and Harrison. Rafe Bates plunged off the right guard and gained two yards before Parker and Goodman could tackle him. Navy had a first down at its 41.

Miles was stopped by Dizie Britton for no gain going right. On the next play, Miles flipped the ball to Nevvy Craig who was greeted by Van Fleet after gaining one yard around the left end. Navy was facing a third down and nine yards to gain, and Miles decided to punt. Blodgett punted short and the ball rolled out of bounds at the Army 43. Prichard decided to punt back the ball quickly from a regular formation. Snoop Goodman directly snapped the ball to the fullback Coffin, who kicked the ball to a quickly retreating Miles. Turo was able to land on the football at his fourteen before Merillat and Britton downed him.

Miles gained four yards galloping around the right end as Harrison blocked Britton before Prichard and Hodgson stopped Turo. Miles decided to call the same play, but have a halfback carry it. Perry snapped it to Miles, who handed it off to Nevvy Craig. Van Fleet shot the gap and dragged Craig down for a seven yard loss trying to run around the left end. With Navy at third down and thirteen yards to gain on the Navy ten, Miles called for a punt. Blodgett punted the ball to Prichard, and Vern fair caught it at midfield.

Prichard decided to attack this time. He called for a pass play, but he threw it incomplete when none of his receivers were open. Because of the crowd noise interfering with his signals, the next play was busted. Prichard tried to run right and was tackled for no gain. Vern chose to let his opponent make the next mistake, and called for a punt by Paul Hodgson. P.A. punted the ball deep, but it rolled over the goal line for a touchback. Navy had the ball on its 20.

Miles decided to attack rather than punt back to the Army. Gyp Blodgett lost five yards going left as Weyand beat ineffective blocking when McCoach shifted to the right. Meacham was replaced by Charles "Daddy" Herrick. Miles tried to run right, but Merillat met him for no gain, deciding that Navy will not be throwing much to Overesch. Facing a third and fifteen, Miles elected to punt again. Blodgett punted to Prichard standing at midfield, and Vern gained five yards.

Vern decided to attack again with the pass, and thought that Britton was open. Prichard's pass was intercepted by Nevvy Craig at the Navy 28 yard line. Perry's snap went over the quarterback's head, but Miles recovered the football on the Navy four yard line to avoid the turnover. With prospects of running the ball dim, Miles decided to punt on second down. Blodgett punted to Prichard, who was tackled immediately by Swede Overesch. But Navy was penalized half the distance to the goal for unnecessary roughness, and Army was given the ball on the Navy two. The officials ordered the Midshipmen center Ben Perry out of the game for tripping on the play, and senior Finney "Bascom" Smith came into the game at center. Charles "Schlitz" Benedict substituted in for a tired Coffin.

Franklin Field was alive with noise, and Prichard's signals were drowned out by the cheers and yells. Goodman's snap was to Prichard, who handed off the football to Paul Hodgson, who was not expecting it. Hodgson fumbled the ball, and Craig recovered it on Navy's one yard line. There was great rejoicing in the Navy stands as this prevented Army from scoring an easy touchdown.

Still the noise was affecting Navy as much as Army. Miles decided that the only safe play was a punt. From a kicking formation, Blodgett immediately punted the ball back to Prichard, who fair caught it on the Navy 37. Army decided to take a free kick with the Navy men required to stand back ten yards and could not move until the ball was kicked. Prichard held the bottom of the football a few inches above the ground, and with his other hand's finger kept the ball upward. Schlitz Benedict's goal from placement fell short of the mark. Army had made no field goals all season, and will not today. Navy had the ball on its twenty. Navy cheers were louder than their opponents.

Craig went nine yards around left end before Benedict and Van Fleet pulled him down. Bates plunged off right guard for no gain, thanks to Red O'Hare beating Jones. Gyp Blodgett was at the bottom of the pile and injured on the play, and had to be assisted off the field, to loud Midshipmen cries from the stands. Senior Frederick "Cully" Culbert came in for Gyp at left halfback. Rafe Bates was able to gain a yard off left guard for a first down.

Craig lost five yards going right as Merillat and Van Fleet tackled him. It was second down on the Navy 25 yard line when the referee blew the whistle ending the first half. Army led Navy 14-0. It could have been much worse for Navy. Army had the football twice inside the Navy five without scoring and a third time only resulted in a safety.

During halftime, each of the stands traded cheers and barked chants and parodies across the field, while officers in the boxes visited each other and renewed friendships, talking about the old times and telling many tall tales.

Third Quarter:

Army continued to defend the east goal. Daly substituted Meacham for Herrick, Neyland in for Britton, and McEwan for Goodman. McEwan kicked off to Miles standing at his fifteen, and he returned it to the Navy 26. From a punt formation, Miles jammed through right tackle for four yards. Craig went four yards off right tackle before Benedict stopped him. Bates only made a yard off right tackle on third down as Parker held his ground. Cully Culbert punted to Prichard on his fifteen, who returned it to the Army 22.

Prichard decided to try a line plunge to the right to test the Navy line. Hodgson made two yards off of right tackle and a good Culbert tackle. Prichard elected to punt on second down. Hodgson punted short to Miles standing on his forty, who was only able to return it only five yards thanks to Merillat's tackle.

Army was penalized 15 yards on the next play for holding in the line. Navy had the ball on the Army 40 and a first down. Miles decided to change tactics and open up Navy's attack. A thirty yard pass was thrown by Miles to a wide-open Tom Harrison. Harrison had no Army defender near him and a clear route to the Army goal line. However, he appeared over anxious, and after catching the ball immediately fumbled it. Prichard pounced on the football. The officials called the pass incomplete.

Miles gained eight yards over the right tackle before being stopped by Benedict. Bates got through the left guard for three yards and a first down. Craig gained nothing against the left guard on the next play. Miles made nine yards through right tackle and was stopped by Neyland. The Navy stands erupted to loud cheers. A Navy bugler began to play "Reveille." Bates made a first down by going two yards off right guard before being tackled by Benedict and Hodgson. Bates was severely injured, and was replaced by senior Homer "Harry" Harrison at fullback. Omar Bradley came in for McEwan at center, as Cap may have injured his shoulder.

The Navy stands were producing the most noise of the game now. Navy now had a first down on the Army 18. Miles decided to try the left end, and hoped Overesch can block Merillat. Other Navy buglers began to join the first in playing "Reveille." Craig lost a yard going left, thanks to Van Fleet shooting through the line and Merillat making a decisive tackle.

Miles called a pass play, and stepped back after receiving the snap from Bascom Smith. Tom Harrison was unable to catch Miles' pass on second down. The first Army bugler was heard playing "Taps." Miles thought Harrison could beat the West Point defenders, so he called another pass play. The incomplete forward pass went over the goal line, resulting in a touchback and Army's football on its twenty. More Army buglers began to play Taps, overwhelming the Navy buglers playing "Reveille." There was a note of triumph on one side; maybe a note of desperation on the other, perhaps.

Vern Prichard would normally punt the football back to the opponent while deep in his own territory. But he has seen how Turo Miles had energized the Navy team since the beginning of the third quarter, and did not want to give the football back into the other quarterback's hands. Vern remembered something Charlie Daly told him about a perceived weakness in the Navy line. Prichard had deduced that since Navy would keep four or five players away from the line of scrimmage to defend against the pass play by weakening the center; old fashioned line plunges might be successful on this warm afternoon against the tiring Midshipmen linemen.

Prichard signaled Weyand to shift to the left with all efforts to break through the left guard position. Benedict rushed left one yard through the Navy's guard Dick Jones. Prichard can see this as a point of weakness, and called for the same play. Handing off to Benedict again, Schlitz followed Bradley, O'Hare, and Parker pounding against Jones for two more yards. Prichard had not seen the Midshipmen responding to this attack, so he signaled the same play again. Bradley snapped the ball to Vern, who handed it to Benedict. Schlitz gained seven yards off the left guard for a first down before being stopped by Craig.

Prichard decided to focus on the same point of attack, but with a different back. Hodgson then made nine yards through the left guard. Red O'Hare looked like he was having fun. Prichard called the same play, this time giving the football to Benedict, who gained three yards again off the left guard for another Army first down. Prichard was thinking about changing up the play, but Navy jumped offside and was penalized five yards, resulting in West Point being awarded a first down.

The football was now on the Army 47. Prichard decided to call the same play for the seventh straight time. He handed the ball off to Hodgson, and Paul gained a yard against the left guard. Staying in the heavy left formation, Prichard signaled a different but similar play, handing the ball to Benedict following Meacham and Bradley blowing a massive hole through the right guard Luke Mills for eight yards before Culbert stopped Schlitz. Prichard called a signal putting Louie Merillat in the backfield, and he flipped the ball to Merillat running around the right end for five yards, but Army was called for being offside. The football was on the Navy 44 and it was third down again.

The field general decided to not get fancy and go back to what was working well. He signaled the left guard plunge play again, and handed off to Schlitz, who drove four yards through Jones for a first down. Prichard signaled Bradley for a line plunge up the middle, and Benedict again got the football, rushing up the middle for four yards. Returning to their bread and butter play, Vern handed off to Hodgson who gained two against the left guard. Sensing that Navy was finally getting wiser to what West Point was doing, Prichard decided to fake a plunge by Hodgson but give the ball to Schlitz. Benedict gained three yards off right guard, but failed to get the first down.

Fourth down and the football was on the Navy 31, with the line to gain at the thirty. Vern Prichard refused to call a field goal attempt, as they had not made one all season long except in practice. Staying in the heavy left formation, Prichard handed the ball to Benedict, who went through the left guard for seven yards until stopped by Craig and Culbert. It was now first down Army at the Navy 24 yard line. The crowd noise had now grown to a fever pitch and Benedict was being called the "Submarine" by his Cadet fans.

Navy moved McCoach over to his right to defend against the constant line plunges. Prichard faked to Benedict going toward the left guard, and then he flipped the football to Paul Hodgson. P.A. went off right tackle for five yards before Harry Harrison stopped him. Prichard returned to his favorite play, this time giving the ball to Van Fleet, who made four yards through the left guard. Bradley held the ball a second longer before snapping it, and Navy was called for being offside.

Army had the ball on the Navy 10 and it was first down. It was more difficult for the West Pointers to hear their captain's signals. This drive began on the Army twenty and had consisted of 17 consecutive running plays, almost all of them old fashioned line bucking football. At this point, Navy substituted right halfback William "Billy" Alexander for Craig while Blodgett returned to the field replacing Culbert. The Navy stands were almost hoarse yelling "Fight, Fight, Fight!!!" The Midshipmen on the field were bruised and battered, limping to get into position for the next play.

Paul Hodgson went four yards off the right tackle. Schlitz made two through the left guard, putting the football on the Navy four yard line. On the twentieth play of the possession, Prichard called a line plunge at the same point of attack as he did fifteen times before, following Red O'Hare at the left guard position. Hodgson went through the line and carried the football across the goal line.

Before Paul Hodgson could down it in the end zone, a Navy tackler hit him and knocked the ball out of his hands. Navy recovered the football for a touchback and gained possession on its twenty due to the turnover. The eighty yard drive was all for naught from a scoring prospective, but the drive took up the valuable game time that Navy needed to attack the Cadets. The drive also put to bed the Navy claim that "the Army can only beat the Navy at football by playing basketball."

With their punting and passing ineffective, Miles decided to pound the ball out of their territory. Harry Harrison followed Luke Mills through the left guard for four yards. Billy Alexander lost a yard going right when tackled by Merillat. Gyp Blodgett made a first down by going seven yards off of left tackle. Turo Miles gained three yards against the left tackle. The whistle blew ending the third quarter, with the score being Army 14, Navy 0.

Fourth Quarter:

Goodman came in for Bradley at the beginning of the fourth period. Several Navy players were exhausted due to the warm weather. Navy substituted senior Homer "Juke" Graf for Mills, junior Robert "Dunc" Kennedy for McCoach at left tackle, senior George "Dutch" Kriner replaced Smith at center, right tackle sophomore Clarence "Cap" Ward substituted in for DeRoode, and junior Henry Broadfoot came in for Harry Harrison at fullback. The plebe Luke Mills had wrenched his knee sometime during the third period and would never play football again for Navy.

Army was now defending the west goal. The football was on the Navy 33. It was second down with the line to gain being the forty. During the brief intermission, head coach Howard told Miles to go to the passing attack. From a normal formation, Miles faked a handoff to one of his backs, stepped back, and lofted a pass to Tom Harrison, who cannot complete it. Miles signaled another pass play, but it was incomplete over the middle. On fourth down, Blodgett punted the ball to Benedict who downed it on the Army 32. Prichard signaled the team into a kick formation, and Snoop Goodman snapped the ball directly to Hodgson. Paul's short punt dropped down to Miles who downed it on his 45 yard line.

An innovation during the season was the introduction by Yale and several teams of Canadian football plays involving one or two lateral passes to open up receivers down field to catch a forward pass. For the most part, these were considered by many as trick plays, intended to surprise an opponent. Miles decided to call Navy's trick play. Turo lateraled to Gyp Blodgett, who took a few steps and lateraled to Tom Harrison, who planned to throw downfield to Swede Overesch. Unfortunately for Navy, Bob Neyland had followed Harrison and was there to tackle the Navy end upon the receipt of the lateral. Harrison lost six yards.

Miles tried to go off right tackle, but Parker and O'Hare were ready and Turo lost four yards. On third down, Miles figured that Army would not expect a repeat of their trick play. Miles lateraled to Blodgett, who lateralled to Harrison, who stepped back to prepare to throw a pass to Overesch. But Benedict was standing beside Swede, and Tom Harrison hesitated, right into the arms of Louie Merillat, and he lost nine yards. On fourth down from the Navy 26, Gyp Blodgett punted to Prichard, who downed the football on the Army 45 yard line.

Prichard intended to run the clock out by again calling line plunges. He signaled Army into a heavy left formation, and then handed the ball to Van Fleet who ran four yards off of left guard. Prichard handed the ball again to Hodgson, who busted through the right tackle and the open field. It looked like Paul would score and atone for his two fumbles, and the cheers of the Cadets started to build. But after 26 yards, Billy Alexander caught him from behind and threw him to the ground, followed by half of the Navy team piling on Hodgson.

On first down at the Navy 25, Schlitz Benedict gained four off the left guard. Vern noted that Navy did not cover his receivers on the last play, crowding the line to try to stop the line plunges. He decided to call a pass play from the heavy left formation. Stepping back, Prichard threw a 17 yard pass to Neyland, who was downed on the five (though press reports credit Merillat). The Corps of Cadets were horse, but very, very loud.

On first down, Benedict made two yards through the right guard. Prichard called the left guard play again, and Schlitz followed Red O'Hare for two yards. Goodman snapped the ball on a quick count, and Vern Prichard went up the middle and into the pile along the goal line. The pile swayed forwarded and then backward, and then forward again. Once the whistle blew and the pile unraveled, they found Vern had got the football over a few inches past the goal line for a touchdown (though press reports claim it was Benedict). Benedict missed the goal from touchdown. Army now led twenty to nothing over Navy. The Army stands were going wild.

Miles elected to kick off, hoping for the Army mistake that would allow the Midshipmen to score. Culbert came into the game for an exhausted Blodgett. Head Coach Howard put in his final substitutes. Herbert "Hoib" Jones substituted for Graf at left guard; McCoach returned and replaced Kennedy at left tackle; and senior Isaac "Cocky" Schloosbach replaced Ward at right tackle.

Cully Culbert kicked off to Van Fleet standing on his ten, and Jimmy returned it to the Army 32, causing the fans to jump up and down and scream. Vern pitched to Hodgson, who went around the left end for twelve yards and a first down. Prichard passed 16 yards to Louie Merillat to the Navy 40 yard line. On first down, P.A. gained two yards around right end. Prichard threw an incomplete pass on the next play in Merillat's direction. Benedict made three yards through the left guard. On fourth down, Prichard's incomplete pass gave Navy the ball on their thirty five.

Miles' pass over the center was incomplete. Miles then galloped five yards around the right end. Tom Harrison was unable to catch the pass from Miles on third down. Culbert punted to Prichard who was downed on the Army 16. Hodgson immediately punted the ball back to Navy, with Alexander being downed on the Army 48 yard line.

Miles pass to Harrison was incomplete. Goodman intercepted a Miles pass on the Army forty and returned it five yards. Hodgson gained nothing off right tackle. Army then fumbled the ball and Navy recovered it on the Army 40. Miles pass to Harrison was incomplete. Elbert "Bill" Ford came in for Hodgson. Turo Miles made four yards around the right end. Miles then threw a forward pass out of bounds, giving Army possession on its twelve yard line.

Benedict ran four yards off left guard. Van Fleet made two through the right tackle. On third down, Bill Ford punted the ball to Alexander standing on his forty, and he returned it ten yards to midfield. Harrison was unable to catch the forward pass from Miles. On the next play, Navy was penalized ten yards for interfering on a forward pass. Tom Harrison caught a Miles pass and was downed on the Navy 49 and a first down.

Navy will die fighting, and there was no let-up in their spirit. Miles punched through left tackle for nine yards. He gained three around the right end. Thomas "Tom" Larkin came in for Parker. On first down, Culbert threw a forward pass over center to Harrison standing on the Army 29, who caught it for another first down. Then, Army was called for offside and penalized five yards. Miles passed incomplete to Overesch on first down. Billy Alexander went four yards around left end. Navy had the football on the Army 20 and it was third down. The referee blew the whistle ending the game as it was nearing dusk. The final score was Army 20, Navy 0.

For Navy, honors go to several men – Craig for his "weasel-like running," Bates and Harrison for their good defensive play, Culbert for splendid punting, Miles for his all-around game, and Swede Overesch for playing his last game in perfect style.

"According to the score, it was all Army's way; but it wasn't. Those Navy men were throwing themselves into every play with flinching or halting, with every particle of strength that they could muster. They were facing a cleverer combination, and they did their best to overcome the handicap by putting up the fiercest struggle we have ever seen," said the 1915 Lucky Bag, which continued, "Are we weakening in our resolve to beat the Army? Is the Service game becoming a matter of less intense feeling? Last year we were damn well licked. Are we going to stay licked? No!!"

In their yearbook, the 1915 Lucky Bag published a poem that appeared in The Log on December 4, 1914:

"Once more you were victors, you Pointers,  
With a team that was finished and good;  
We haven't a kick on the finish,  
We fought you the best that we could.  
You defeated us fairly, you Pointers,  
You fought us like soldiers and men;  
But we'll fight you once more to the finish  
When Navy meets Army again!"

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Chapter 17: Post-Season: November 28, 1914 – January 16, 1915

The final possession of the Midshipmen's 1914 season ended on the Army twenty yard line when the referee blew the whistle ending the game. With more than 30,000 people looking on in Franklin Field, the West Pointers beat their respected opponents to a 20 to nothing score. The Corps of Cadets and their supporters immediately went into a spasm of delight.

On the football field, the Army and Navy players individually shook each other's hands, and exchanged greetings on a hard, fought game. Likewise, members of the two coaching staffs met on the field, with Charlie Daly shaking hands with his Navy counterpart, Doug Howard. It would be Howard's last game as head coach for the Midshipmen after four seasons and a record of 25-7-4, with two wins over the Army, but none in the last two seasons.

The Cadets in the stands, still wearing their long gray coats (the Midshipmen had taken their overcoats off before the game, as the weather was described "as fair as an August day"), rushed the gridiron to perform their time-honored custom of "Rushing the Colors." The Corps lined up into a hollow square, over 600 strong including its football team, along each sideline and across the field along each twenty yard line marker. They were not alone on the field, as girls with their waving pennants of blue and gold, or black and gold and gray, had also come out on the field, making it look alive with splashes of yellow and green in the gathering dusk.

A Cadet carried the huge silk flag of black and gold and gray to the center of the field, waving it amid the loud blasts of bugles and cheers of the Cadets and fans. Then a signal was given, and the bugles sounded a stirring "Charge," and every Cadet moved in mass rushing towards the flag in a surging frenzy around it, jumping and shouting at the top of their voices celebrating their victory over the Navy. Watching from the stands, only a person that has witnessed an Army-Navy football game can appreciate the unutterable confusion, the incessant noise, the riotous happiness that reigned over Franklin Field.

Next, the USMA Band had formed up in the end zone, and began to march to the center of the field and the Corps. By this time, the sun had set behind the stadium stands, but most of the crowd remained, including the naval regiment of Midshipmen. As the band approached the center, it then turned towards the Army sideline, and one by one, every Cadet began to follow their band as it marched around the sides of the gridiron. But the men in gray were not marching, but weaving back and forth as they followed their beloved band, looking like a snake. The USMA Band began playing a favorite tune, "It's a Long Way to Tipperary," and the Corps of Cadets joined in singing from the field.

As the USMA Band and the Cadets following in the snake dance came in front of the Midshipmen in the stands, they gathered until each group faced the other. A command was made to the Cadets, and they snapped to attention in silence. Not to gloat, not to sneer, not to make fun of their vanquished opponents. Half of the Cadets present had seen their opponent's being great in victory. Today, the entire Corps witnessed an opponent even greater in defeat. The Cadets were then given the command to present arms, and saluted the Midshipmen. The naval regiment, stood up in attention from the stands, returned the salute. Combined, they made a final cheer, as told in the 1915 Howitzer:

"And as they stood there with the vast throng crowding through the exits, and the setting sun casting a last lingering ray on the flag floating above their stands, we saluted with a last cheer and our hearts swelled with pride and admiration as we realized that when duty called us to some greater struggle than this, these were the men with whom we would be fighting shoulder to shoulder and that we could say with them:"

"The Army and Navy forever,  
Three Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue"

Charlie Daly and Pot Graves had only used 19 men to play against Navy. That was two less than had played against Colgate or Maine, and they had played 22 against Notre Dame and Holy Cross, compared to a 31 playing against Stevens and Villanova. Given Daly's passion to not overtax or overextend the men, it was remarkable that he chose in the Navy game to spot substitute, instead of his usual approach to substitute the second string in mass at the beginning of the second quarter. Still, there was some talent on the bench and substituting to get fresher men into the game might have generated more success and more scoring.

Some of the ten seniors that did not see the field for the Navy game – Boots, McGee, Hanley, Hess, Hocker, Rossell, and McDermott may have been unable or ineligible to play. Leland Hobbs was probably not fully recovered from his broken leg. But seniors Harmon and Woodruff sat on the bench, and probably did deserve to make an appearance, if only in the last few minutes of the final period. Doodle Harmon had already appeared in six games, and would letter for the season. But Woody Woodruff, First Captain, and a good practice kicker, had only played in two games.

There were probably six underclassmen that had earned strong consideration to play in the Navy game. Junior Joseph Tully, injured in the Maine game, may have not been able to play. Plebe Ham Kelly may have been a victim of academic ineligibility. Plebe Tim Timberlake had been an early season starter, but was behind Meacham, Herrick, and O'Hare at guard by the end of the season. Junior Mike Mitchell was a proven running back. All four had played in six or more games, and would letter. Perhaps Charlie Daly felt that they would have an opportunity or two in the future to play in an Army-Navy game.

For two other underclassmen, playing against Navy would have made them eligible for a letter. Junior Bill Hoge had contributed as a running back during the season, but there were some indications of him being injured during Navy week preparations.

The other underclassman was plebe Ollie Oliphant, who had played in five games, and scored three touchdowns against Maine. Ollie was certainly ready to play. Perhaps it was Daly's bias towards western football that kept the three-year letterman from Purdue from playing. Perhaps it was Ollie's tendency to improvise rather than to run the play called. Weyand in Football Immortals described Oliphant as sitting on the bench during the Navy game with tears rolling down his cheeks. Weyand offered his own explanations – perhaps it was for some unknown disciplinary reasons; Ollie's cockiness annoyed older players, especially Prichard; Oliphant had been involved in several grandstand tricks that Daly did not approve of; in the opinion of some players, Ollie was not a team player; and finally, Daly when asked, simply said "Oliphant was not needed."

But I think it came down to two things. One, it was because he was a plebe, and Daly remembered when a plebe called Charlie scored every point against Navy in 1901, and what a burden that was over the next three and a half years. Two, after the 1915 Army-Navy game, Weyand says that Daly told Oliphant, "Ollie, you're a great player, and I'm a poor coach for not recognizing it sooner." Oliphant replied, "Aw, that's all right, Lieutenant." Oliphant was clearly frustrated during his first season at West Point, but he never complained, but worked hard trying to do what Daly expected of him. Over the next three seasons, two under Daly, Oliphant would become an All-American.

Many felt that had Oliphant played in the 1914 Army-Navy game, the score would have doubled. But in 1914, Daly had sufficient firepower in his backfield and bulk in his line that he did not need the two First Classmen and six underclassmen who could have played.

For the Cadets, with the end of the game around 5:30 pm, they were free until shortly before 9 pm, when their train would leave Philadelphia. No doubt, many of them found themselves celebrating over dinner at many local restaurants. The Midshipmen, however, were leaving Philadelphia an hour earlier, so they had much less liberty.

As for the Army football team, they were bussed from Franklin Field back to the Bellevue Hotel. They would remain overnight and depart from Reading Station just before noon on Sunday. Paul Hodgson told his parents that he went to dinner at the hotel, than saw a show (Pair of Sixes), had a luncheon, then attended a party with teammates in their rooms until 4 am. Few players got up early enough to have breakfast that morning in the hotel.

The football team arrived at West Point just before 4 pm, in temperatures in the upper forties, and received a rousing welcome from the Cadet battalion, augmented by a thousand persons from the post and vicinity. They were loaded on an ancient stage coach, and Cadets pulled the coach up the hill, following the USMA Band playing songs and cheers. At the Cadet Barracks, a rally was held, with football songs being sung, with each player, coach, and trainer being individually cheered, and the team showed off their prize possession – the blue and gold blanket worn by the Navy goat. It was announced that Alexander Weyand had been elected team captain for the 1915 season. The rally ended with a speech by Vern Prichard.

That Sunday evening, a lighted transparency depicting a prancing Army mule, a downcast Navy goat, and the figures "20 to 0" was hung from the Thayer Monument on The Plain. Sunday evening was the period when most Cadets wrote letters to their parents and others. Paul Hodgson told his parents that "Daly said I played well. I had lost two touchdown attempts to fumbles, and there is no excuse for that. I had a good start with that forty yard run. Leo Leary, a Harvard end coach, told me that he never saw a faster back running around the end." Roscoe Woodruff wrote his parents "Navy was a rotten team, it should have been 40-0, and we should have played Harvard."

Lieutenant Thomas Hammond left West Point later on Sunday, beginning his travels that would take him back to his regiment, the 24th Infantry, stationed at Camp John Hay in the Philippine Islands. On Monday morning, Lieutenant Charles Daly would depart, traveling to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, to rejoin the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment.

Before leaving, Daly was interviewed by The New York Times , and said, "The Army football team, as a whole, was considered by its coaches as the best ever turned out at West Point. We are unwilling to admit that there was any team in the country that could beat it. Its excellence was due entirely to the efficiency of the group of position coaches, who worked so faithfully for its success."

On an article summarizing the 1914 season, The New York Times reported on Monday that "Washington & Jefferson is one of the top teams, having only suffered defeat by Harvard; Rutgers had its best season ever; Princeton and Yale disappointments and Penn had a humiliating season; Harvard impressively beat Princeton and Yale, but was never spectacular; and Army was never in danger this season of defeat, and the team heaps great praise on head coach Daly, who taught them the Haughton system with a stiff defense, and showed more talent of the new football than Harvard. Prichard of Army deserves much credit both as a performer and field general." In 1947, Pot Graves said, "as a selector of plays, Prichard was supreme, he also was a superb passer."

On Monday, life for the Cadets returned to the normal. They woke up to reveille at 5:30 am, marched to the Cadet Mess Hall for breakfast, then marched to their first classes at 7:30. The weather was fair for the last day of November, a high of 50 and a low of 39 degrees, with no precipitation. That afternoon, practice began for varsity basketball, with Jacob Devers, USMA Class of 1909, as head coach and First Classman and senior Frederic Boye as team captain. Later that day, a plebe, Frank McCorkle, resigned and left West Point, returning to his home in Nebraska. McCorkle had originally been admitted to USMA in 1911 with the current seniors, the Class of 1915. He had been court-martialed and discharged in November 1911 for going to Highland Falls and drinking. He had been readmitted by an Act of Congress to West Point in July 1914.

On Tuesday, Captain Ernest Graves and Lieutenant Charles Thompson left West Point to rejoin their regiments. They likely traveled together back to Texas. Pot rejoined the Corps of Engineers at the Dallas River and Harbor District, while Thompson returned to the 16th Infantry Regiment stationed at Fort Bliss Texas.

During the week, news from Mexico indicated that Carranza had left Mexico City on Monday for Veracruz, and the next day that Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata had promptly occupied Mexico City. The Austro-Hungarian forces had captured Belgrade, as the Serbian forces had decided to abandon their capital in favor of counter attacking along the front. Meanwhile, the Austrian 4th Army had attacked the Russian Third Army in the Battle of Limanova; Indian and British troops had continued their attack of Ottoman forces in southern Mesopotamia; and Dutch soldiers had shot and killed eight interned Belgium soldiers.

The football team continued to receive recognition. E.B. Moss of the Associated Press named John McEwan to his All-Eastern team. James Sinnot of the New York Herald and New York Evening Mail names Louis Merillat All-American. On Thursday, Colonel Townsley, USMA Superintendent, received a letter from the Secretary of War, Lindley Garrison, extending to the officers and student body "his heartiest congratulations on the recent victory of the Cadets over the Midshipmen. It gives me much pleasure to do this, not only account of the personal interest which I feel in the academy but particularly because I was fortunate enough to witness the brilliant exhibition they gave. They met a worthy foe and rendered the best kind of an account of themselves. The game itself was a fine exhibition of sportsmanship, and it was an inspiring sight, indeed, to see such universal good feeling exhibited where there is such an intense rivalry."

The Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, announced that the USNA Superintendent, Captain Fullam, had issued a regimental order complimenting the Midshipmen upon their "fine appearance and exemplary conduct in Philadelphia, and upon their loyal support of a plucky team that upheld the traditions of the Naval Academy by battling to the last minute of play on Franklin Field." He noted that not a single Midshipman was found to use alcohol while on liberty in Philadelphia.

Sleet greeted the Cadets on Saturday, their first weekend in nine weeks without a football game. The Fourth Class would start receiving English and History lectures each Saturday morning from noted individuals, such as President Hadley of Yale University, on the Study of History; Professor Henry A. Beers of Yale University, on Shakespeare's Contemporaries in the Drama; Professor Allen Johnston of Yale University, on the Question of Home Rule for Ireland; Professor George H. Nettleton of Yale University, on Sheridan the Dramatist; Professor John C. Adams of Yale University, on The Age of Johnson; Professor James H. Robinson of Columbia University, on The Balkan Wars; and Professor Edward B. Reed of Yale University, on Burns and his Poetry. After waking up from the long lecture and having a hearty dinner, the plebes would cheer Army to its first basketball victory of the season, beating Fordham 34-15.

During the following week, more individual recognitions were received. Mack Whalen of the New York Globe named John McEwan, Louis Merillat, and Vernon Prichard to his All-American team. Walter Eckersall in the Chicago Tribune named Louis Merillat and John McEwan first team All-Americans and Joseph O'Hare to the second team. Philadelphia businessmen announced plans to build a big stadium that can stage national and international outdoor events, with the proposal seating between 75 and 100 thousand fans. It would not be until 1921, when Philadelphia was awarded the world's fair for 1926, that the city would begin building the eventual Municipal Stadium. NAA announced that Lieutenant Jonas Ingram would become their new head football coach for the 1915 season.

During the first full week of December, it snowed from Monday to Wednesday and temperatures never got above forty until Sunday, with lows down to the middle twenties. Yearling Chaille Evans of New York, originally a member of the Class of 1916, was granted a leave of absence due to disability. Evans would be discharged for the disability in October 1915. On Thursday, Harvard officials publicized their desire to schedule West Point in football for the 1915 season, though Army would not play Harvard until the 1928 season. Army beat Saint Lawrence in basketball, 23-10 on Saturday. The Cadets had a scheduled hop that evening while Woodruff complained to his parents that "the weather has turned very cold."

Army football letters were awarded during early December. Seniors receiving letters included Benedict, Bradley, Goodman, Harmon, Herrick, Hodgson, Larkin, Merillat, Prichard, and Van Fleet. Juniors who lettered were Britton, Coffin, Mitchell, Neyland, O'Hare, Parker, and Tully. Butler, Ford, McEwan, and Meacham were the four yearlings who received letters. Kelly and Timberlake were the only plebes who lettered.

That same week, the Battle of Lodz ended inconclusively the Silesian Offense for the Russians as well as the German advance on Warsaw. The Italians declared their neutrality. During the Battle of the Falklands, the forces of Vice Admiral von Sprees were defeated by the British Navy with four German ships and 2,200 sailors lost, including the admiral and his two sons. British and Indian forces captured Qurna in southern Mesopotamia. The French government returned to Paris. And when the New York Stock Exchange returned to full trading that Saturday, it experienced the largest one-day drop in the history of the Dow Jones Industrial Average that day.

During the second week of December, Army football players received individual recognitions from many sportswriters, publications, and other organizations. These included:

Louis Merillat – All-American (Dick Jemison of Atlanta Constitution, Fred Walker of Pittsburgh Gazette-Times, Joseph Norton of Newark Evening Star, Outing magazine, Parke Davis, Baltimore News, Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, Tom Thorp of New York Evening Journal, Walter Camp of Collier's Weekly 2nd team, and William Hunt of Newark Sunday Call).

John McEwan – All-American (Alexander Wilson of Yale, Charles Parker of Boston Post, George Henger of St Louis Times, Harry Salsinger of Detroit Evening News, James Long of Pittsburgh Sun, and Walter Camp of Collier's Weekly 1st team).

Vernon Prichard – All-American (Fred Walker of Pittsburgh Gazette-Times, George Henger of St Louis Times, Outing magazine, and William Hunt of Newark Sunday Call).

Laurence Meacham – All American (Walter Camp of Collier's Weekly, 3rd team).

Alexander Weyand – All American (Walter Camp of Collier's Weekly, 3rd team).

John McEwan – All-Eastern (Boston American, Daniel Sultan of Army, Joseph Vila of New York Evening Sun, Laurence Bankhart of Colgate, Lawrence Perry of New York Evening Sun, P.W. London of Dartmouth, S.B. Hunt of Newark Evening News, Wilbur Wood of St Louis Republic, and William Hanna of New York Sun).

Louis Merillat – All-Eastern (Donald Herring of Daily Princetonian, Daniel Sultan of Army, Herbert of New York Tribune, Joseph Vila of New York Evening Sun, Lawrence Perry of New York Evening Sun, Robert Kenefick of Syracuse Herald, Sanford Hunt of Newark Evening News, and the Princeton Alumni Weekly).

Vernon Prichard – All-Eastern (Donald Herring of Daily Princetonian, D.I. Sultan of Army, Lawrence Perry of New York Evening Sun, Sanford Hunt of Newark Evening News, William Hanna of New York Sun, and the Princeton Alumni Weekly).

Laurence Meacham – All-Eastern (Howard Pearson of Detroit Journal).

On Tuesday, December 15th, temperatures dropped, with a high in the middle twenties and lows between ten and fifteen degrees through Friday. There was no snow or other precipitation. Woodruff wrote to his parents that the battalion of Cadets participated in a military funeral for Major General George Davis, Class of 1871, on Friday. Army beat Georgetown 20-3 in basketball on Saturday. It snowed a little on Saturday.

Concerning the World War, Austro-Hungarian forces stopped the advances of the Russian Third Army on Krakow, Poland, and the Russian Eighth Army into the Hungarian plains; the Germans shelled three towns along the northeastern English coast, killing 137 civilians; the Austrians abandoned Belgrade and left Serbia; French forces began the Battle of Artois to break the stalemate on the Western front, followed by the Battle of Givenchy by French, British, and Indian forces, on the theory that Germany had pulled forces from the Western Front and moved them east; Egypt becomes a British protectorate; and Ottoman forces expelled Jews from Tel Aviv.

Classes ended on Wednesday, December 23rd, good news to many Cadets, and bad for some. Those Cadets proficient in their studies and not having restricted privileges could leave post for a Christmas holiday period until the New Year. Some Cadets would visit friends or go home with other Cadets in the northeast area; a few adventurous souls would travel by train to Chicago in the hopes of a few days back home. Of course, the plebes would all remain at West Point. Meanwhile, a few Cadets, including football players, were fighting to stay at West Point.

Some academic departments ended the first term with an examination of all Cadets in the course, while other departments relied on the daily recitations and periodic reviews to determine whether a Cadet was proficient or not. For example, the Mathematics department conducted a final examination for 162 yearlings and 204 plebes, with five yearlings and 23 plebes failing the examination. The Civil and Military Engineering course for the First Classmen ended the first term without a final examination, and daily grading and periodic tests determined that three seniors were deficient. All Cadets determined deficient were ineligible for Christmas leave and would be reexamined over the next week.

On Christmas Eve, it sleeted a little and the Cadets attended the Hop that evening. Cadets at West Point had Christmas dinner at the Cadet Mess Hall on Friday. On Saturday night, the temperature dropped down to minus four degrees, but no snow fell. By Monday, the high was up to 33 degrees with a low of eight. The low was only twenty degrees on Tuesday, but an inch of snow fell on the Cadet Hop that evening. A plebe resigned that day, Louis Adelman of Iowa, probably due to academics. On Thursday, the New Year's Eve Hop was held at Cullum Hall and it was a very good one according to Woodruff. The hop ended at 10:30 pm, and "Taps" was at 11 pm with lights out. I'm sure some Cadets were awake and celebrating when the New Year came in.

Regarding the war, Ottoman forces attacked Russian positions in the Caucasia; Australian and New Zealand forces arrived in Cairo, Egypt; the Germans conducted an air raid on Christmas Eve over Dover, England, resulting in minimal damage; British aircraft retaliated the next day with an air attack on the German port of Cuxhaven, with little damage done; and in some sectors of the Western Front, an unofficial Christmas truce occurred between German and British forces with troops exchanging gifts, singing songs, and playing football, not the American kind, but soccer.

It was unclear when the Cadets had to return to West Point from Christmas leave. The previous year, they had to return by December 31st to muster for a few minutes. It appears that this was very unpopular with the Cadets. So sometime between Thursday, December 31st and Sunday, January 2nd, they had to be back at West Point. Over the weekend, the Cadets prepared to start the second term of academics.

The Cadets celebrated the New Year with a dinner at the Cadet Mess Hall. Unfortunately, the dinner was cut short due to a military funeral, as Brigadier General Robert Henry Hall, Class of 1860, had passed away on the 29th in Chicago. On Saturday, Army basketball lost its first game of the season to Penn, 17-23. And the Army hockey squad, under Lieutenant Frank Purdon as head coach, opened its season on January 2nd with a loss to Massachusetts Agricultural College by a score of 7-1.

The second academic term began classes on Monday, January 4th. Everyone marched to classes that morning, including over forty Cadets awaiting the decisions of the Academic Board. Classes were interrupted on Friday for the military funeral of 2nd Lieutenant George McClellan Chase, Class of 1912, who had died, at aged 25, two days before Christmas at Letterman Military Hospital in San Francisco due to illness. On Saturday, Union College beat West Point in basketball 21-12, and it was too warm for hockey.

First Captain Woodruff was informed on Monday, January 11th, that 34 Cadets would be discharged or suspended during the week, including two of his classmates. The Commandant of Cadets had decided to remove two Company Commanders and several other Cadet officers for "neglect of duty." During the week, the names of the Cadets found deficient by the Academic Board came to light.

They included three football players. Senior John "Scoop" Goodman, letterman and reserve center, had been found deficient in Spanish, turned back to the Class of 1916, and suspended with pay and allowances until August 1915. Plebe Karl Engeldinger and yearling James Peterman, were discharged for deficiency in Mathematics. In addition to the football players, another senior, four Second Classmen, six yearlings, and 20 plebes left USMA on Saturday, January 16th.

Another plebe's fate was still to be determined, football player James "Ham" Kelly. He was not discharged in the January "Great Exodus" as Edwin Kelton recalled it, and it was not clear what delayed the Academic Board determination of his separation. During this time period, it appeared that USMA made a lot of efforts to keep Cadets, especially after their plebe year. However, Kelly was finally determined deficient in Mathematics, and discharged on February 16th. Engeldinger and Kelly would be re-admitted to West Point in August and be turned back into the Class of 1919.

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Chapter 18: The 1914 National College Football Championship

Today's college football fans are used to having the season end with the naming of one (or two) football teams as the national champion. Thanks to the introduction of the Bowl Coalition (1992), Bowl Alliance (1995), Bowl Championship Series (1998), and the College Football Playoff in 2014, major college football now has a championship game where the winning team is awarded with the national championship. Prior to 1992, the major college football national champion was selected from national polls, either before or after the annual bowl games.

There was no process in place in 1914 to select a national college football champion, despite having hundreds of colleges having football teams. It is not clear which teams should be considered major ones, equivalent to today's FBS level. Actually, there are some questions of which teams actually played college football that year, regardless of whether they should be considered major ones or not.

For example, the 2005 ESPN College Football Encyclopedia lists 83 major teams for the 1914 season, primarily many of the current FBS teams plus seven members of the Ivy League (Columbia had no team that season).

The James Howell Power Ratings website lists 84 major teams in 1914 including teams like Colgate, Lehigh, and Carlisle, but does not list many teams in the West. Howell also misses teams such as Fordham, Furman, Holy Cross, and Richmond that college football historians might consider as being a major one during this era.

The 1915 edition of Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide provides much information on football teams, but it was missing results on many western and southern teams, and some teams listed are high schools or preparatory schools.

Using the initial listing of teams from ESPN and Howell, plus college teams listed in the 1915 edition of Spalding and information on each team's results contained in Howell, ESPN, and online in the College Football Data Warehouse (CFDBW) website, and a little research on some teams to determine if they were from a college or not, I was able to identify about 566 football teams that played for institutions providing a college curriculum at that time.

The 566 college teams played football games against each other, against 257 high schools or preparatory schools, and against 138 other organizations, such as athletic clubs, military units, college alumni, college all-stars, businesses or companies, counties or towns, business or training schools, and seminaries, which did not in 1914 offer a college-level education. Included in the other team category were college junior varsity, sophomore, or freshmen football teams.

Some colleges played one to a handful of games, others played up to sixteen (Carlisle Indians), with the average team playing six games in the 1914 season. Records for some teams do not identify the date or location of a given game played, and some of the references have different scores between the participants, but few results are disputed.

Based upon game by game results for each of the 566 college teams compiled from information from Howell, ESPN, Spalding, and CFBDW, there were 41 teams with no losses, 128 with one loss, 112 with two, and 96 teams with three defeats. It would be too complicated to try to rank or analyze all those teams as to their merits of being the national champion, so only the 41 undefeated teams were considered.

There were a total of 160 teams that played four or less games during the season. Thirteen of those teams were undefeated, and one can safely argue that these teams played too few games to merit any serious consideration. This leaves 28 teams unbeaten that had played five or more games during the 1914 season.

Of the 28 teams, nine played two or more games against high school, preparatory schools, or other teams. An example of this would be the highly regarded University of Washington, with a season record of 6-0-1, but they won three games against a high school and two athletic clubs. Including only teams that had played no more than one non-college opponent reduces our population down to 19 undefeated college teams. These teams include those with one or two ties, since the philosophy back in 1914 was not to be beaten and ties were considered an acceptable outcome.

A Rating Percentage Index, or RPI, was calculated for all 566 college teams, based upon the formula weighting the team winning percentage at 25%, 50% for opponent's winning percentage, and 25% for opponent's opponents winning percentage. The team's win is excluded from the opponent's winning percentage. Ties count as 0.5 in the winning percentage. Games against high school, preparatory schools, or other teams do not count in the winning percentages.

The 19 undefeated teams, their records, and ranked by their RPI are:

Illinois - 7-0-0 0.756

Harvard (MA) - 7-0-2 0.751

Nebraska - 7-0-1 0.729

Texas - 8-0-0 0.727

Army (NY) - 9-0-0 0.711

Missouri S&T/Rolla - 10-0-0 0.687

Colorado Mines - 5-0-1 0.685

Tennessee - 9-0-0 0.683

Auburn (AL) - 8-0-1 0.679

Washington & Lee (VA) - 9-0-0 0.676

Ouachita (AR) - 8-0-1 0.674

Montana - 7-0-1 0.669

Western Michigan - 6-0-0 0.653

Wisconsin-Whitewater - 6-0-0 0.645

Friends (KS) - 9-0-0 0.612

Ellsworth (IA) - 7-0-0 0.607

Union (NY) - 8-0-0 0.584

Allegheny (PA) - 6-0-1 0.565

Eastern Illinois- 6-0-1 0.558

During the 1914 college football season, there were no activities at the national level to rank college football teams or select a champion. A few newspapers at the end of the season might promote a successful team at a regional level, but there was no team at the time recognized as the national college football champion. The 1915 edition of Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide was probably the most comprehensive source of what the sports writers' felt about the performance of many teams at the time. Here are some quotes from the multiple articles in Spalding:

Allegheny (6-0-1) – "the Pennsylvanian college must be given a high ranking among the minor colleges; it went through the season undefeated for the first time in its history; and it would rank among the top teams in the Middle States section."

Auburn (8-0-1) – then called the Alabama Polytechnic Institute; "had not been defeated and played sterling foot ball; maintained its usual excellence; was ranked second in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) by Harris G. Cope; did not meet Tennessee during the season; defeated the Carlisle Indians 7-0 in the post-season; had only been defeated once by a SIAA opponent in the last five seasons; enjoyed the distinction of not being scored upon this season while meeting the strongest teams in the SIAA;" and Parke Davis selected Auburn as the best team in the South section.

Colorado Mines (5-0-1) – nothing on the 1914 season mentioned, only listed in Spalding as a college team.

Eastern Illinois (6-0-1) – then known as Eastern Illinois Normal School; and not mentioned in Spalding.

Ellsworth (7-0-0) – Parke Davis mentioned that the college from Iowa was one of only seven undefeated, untied teams.

Friends (9-0-0) – Parke Davis mentioned that the university from Kansas was one of only seven undefeated, untied teams.

Harvard (7-0-2) – "a team of marvelous proficiency and an all-around perfection in every point of the game; it will be found that it offered fully as much of advanced foot ball as has been seen on any field for years; [against Penn State] who made an excellent showing and thought they might win, Harvard breathed a sigh of relief on leaving the field with a 13-13 tie; [against Washington & Lee] it was apparently beaten, but Harvard finally pulled the game out of the fire by a score of 10-9; Harvard-Brown was a tie, neither side was able to score;" and Parke Davis selected Harvard as the best team in the East section.

Illinois (7-0-0) – "carried off the undisputed conference championship in the West for the first time ever; played the most consistent game of any team of the season, as will be seen by the scores against her three main rivals – Minnesota 21-6, Chicago 21-7, and Wisconsin 24-9; it is hard to conceive of aggregation better versed in all departments than the Orange and Blue; they were proficient in meeting any attack and, on the other hand, had the necessary punch to drive the ball over the line for a score if needed; generally speaking, Illinois was the class of the conference, and is entitled to equal recognition with Nebraska and Notre Dame for the Western championship; Michigan did not lose a Western game, but it is doubtful if the Wolverines could have won from Illinois;" and Parke Davis selected Illinois as the best team in the Middle West section.

Missouri S&T/Rolla (10-0-0) – then called the Missouri School of Mines; "scored the most points in the 1914 season by a college team (568) and beat Osteopaths 150-0 for the highest game score; beat Pittsburgh Normal 104-0 for the sixth highest game score;" and Parke Davis mentioned that it was one of only seven undefeated, untied teams.

Montana (7-0-1) – nothing on the 1914 season mentioned, only listed in Spalding as a college team.

Nebraska (7-0-1) – "the undisputed champions west of the Mississippi; they went through the entire season without meeting defeat; were a mighty strong aggregation both on offense and defense; heavy and fast, they would have been a worthy foe to any team they might have met; their decisive defeat of the Michigan "Aggies" [Michigan State] was one game in which they showed their ability to contend with any team for the championship;" Parke Davis selected Nebraska as the best team in the Missouri Valley section.

Ouachita (8-0-1) – nothing on the 1914 season mentioned, only listed in Spalding as a college team from Arkansas.

Tennessee (9-0-0) – "had not been defeated and played sterling foot ball; is generally regarded as having had the best team in the SIAA; was ranked first in the SIAA by Harris G. Cope; did not meet with Alabama Polytechnic Institute [Auburn] which was also undefeated but tied; the men played consistent ball all season; team work and spirit won, for the team really did not possess a player that outshone the others;" and Parke Davis selected Tennessee as the best team in the Middle Atlantic section and that it was one of only seven undefeated, untied teams.

Texas (8-0-0) – "has maintained its leadership and has a good team;" and Parke Davis selected Texas as the best team in the Southeast section and that it was one of only seven undefeated, untied teams.

Union (8-0-0) – "if the New York college were to be considered a Middle States college, it would deserve special mention, as it won all the games played and the championship of its league; enjoyed the splendid success of winning all eight of its games played in 1914; in connection with a defense, which was steady and versatile, the team presented an offense which increased in power as the season advanced; during the first half of the season, games were won through forward passing, but the last four games found the team relying on straight foot ball with the passing game always on hand to vary the attack;" and Parke Davis mentioned that it was one of only seven undefeated, untied teams.

Washington & Lee (9-0-0) – "had a strong team, but its schedule did not have many representative Southern teams; was throughout victorious; had one of its best seasons; would have as good a title to the championship of the South Atlantic section as the University of Virginia; had lost only one game each in the 1912 and 1913 seasons; was scored upon only twice; the Generals possibly would have won more recognition from the Northern critics had they played teams that were better known, but they defeated everyone in their own section and claimed the championship; called a "point a minute" team;" Parke Davis selected Washington & Lee as one of the two best teams in the South Atlantic section but did not mention it was undefeated and untied; and Davis also reported it had the eighth highest game score, 103-0 against Rose Poly.

Western Michigan (6-0-0) – then called the Western State Normal School or Kalamazoo; nothing on the 1914 season mentioned, only listed in Spalding as a college team.

Wisconsin-Whitewater (6-0-0) - then called the Whitewater Normal School; not mentioned in Spalding.

Army (9-0-0) – "the eleven were much stronger in the forward line; [against Navy] the all-around work was superior; [against Colgate] played a close game;" and Parke Davis mentioned that it was one of only seven undefeated, untied teams.

Other teams that Parke Davis named as the best team in their foot ball section were Ohio State (5-2-0) for the Ohio section, Virginia (8-1-0) for the South Atlantic section, Washington (6-0-1) for the Pacific Northwest section, and Oklahoma (9-1-1) for the Southwest section. Some of the other writers supported one of these teams in their articles.

Elsewhere in Spalding, George W. Orton felt that Washington & Jefferson (10-1-0) ranked as high as Harvard, with their only loss being 10-9 against Harvard, plus beating Yale, Pitt, and Rutgers. No other writer lobbied for any other team as champion for their section.

An article, "Gridiron Stars of 1914," by A.B. in the magazine Outing, named Harvard and Illinois as the champions of the East and West. In the East, Army and Cornell (8-2-0) are mentioned as the next top teams. Cornell was described as well balanced with a backfield that was more than good. Minnesota (6-1-0) was considered the runner-up in the West behind Illinois. The article did recognize Nebraska as the champion west of the Mississippi River. Other teams are mentioned, but only in recognizing having a successful season, not as a champion.

Alex Weyand wrote in 1926 in American Football, his analysis of many of the undefeated teams from the 1914 season. These include:

"Although the Army team was the only one of the larger teams to win all games, the majority of the critics favored Harvard for the championship;

the Army was never extended to win from Navy, Notre Dame, Rutgers, and Colgate;

Illinois was undisputed champion of the Western Conference for the first time in history; games were won from Minnesota, Chicago, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana, Northwestern, and Christian Brothers of St. Louis;

in the Missouri Valley, Nebraska kept a place among the leading teams of the nation; games were won from Kansas, Ames [Iowa State], Iowa, Michigan 'Aggies' [Michigan State], and Kansas 'Aggies' [Kansas State];

in the southwest, Texas won all games played, including those with Haskell, Oklahoma, and Rice;

Missouri Mines won all eight games played, scoring 560 points against zero; Mines beat Missouri, Washington of St. Louis, Arkansas, St. Louis, and American Osteopaths;

in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Mines won the championship defeating Colorado; Colorado College did tie Mines;

Tennessee won all games, including Vanderbilt, Sewanee, Alabama, Kentucky State, and Clemson;

Auburn was tied by Georgia, but conquered Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Mississippi A&M [Mississippi State], Clemson, Florida, and Carlisle;

in the South Atlantic states, Washington & Lee had high-power scoring machine of 313 points; W&L was undefeated and downed Georgetown, Virginia 'Poly' [Virginia Tech], North Carolina State, West Virginia, and Swarthmore;

Ouachita defeated Arkansas and won state championship;

Montana was unbeaten, tied Idaho and vanquished Washington State and Montana State;

In Michigan, Kalamazoo [Western Michigan] did well;

In Kansas, Friends went through the season all victorious;

Ellsworth won all games in Hawkeye Conference;

Union won all games, including those with Wesleyan, New York University, and Rensselaer 'Poly'; and

in western Pennsylvania, Allegheny was undefeated."

No comment made on Wisconsin-Whitewater by Weyand.

Weyand's The Saga of American Football, written in 1955, writing about the 1914 football season, called Harvard "the perfect machine," but noted it had been tied by Penn State and Brown. Illinois "won its conference championship" and Texas was "considered particularly strong." Weyand made no mention of Army, perhaps trying to be appear more objective than he needed to be. In that book, Weyand made no attempt to name season national champions.

There had been prior attempts to try to rank college football teams. The first contemporaneous poll to include teams from across the country and select a national college football champion occurred in 1901 by Caspar Whitney. During the same time period, Charles Patterson did an eastern poll (1900-1903) while the New York Sun operated one for two years (1901-1902). Whitney's polls ran until 1912.

During the 1920s and 1930s, several mathematical systems were developed to select college football national champions, beginning with Frank Dickinson in 1926. After such national rankings became popular in 1927, Knute Rockne asked Dickinson to review the 1924 and 1925 seasons, and Dickinson's calculations determined Notre Dame (1924) and Dartmouth (1925) as national college football champions. A flood of rankings and championship selections followed, some of which tried to go back to the first games in 1869.

Parke H. Davis, a former player, coach, official, and football historian, who wrote an early history of the game (Football – The American Intercollegiate Game) in 1911 and "Fifty Years of Intercollegiate Football" in the 1926 edition of Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide, was perhaps "a bit irritated by the flood of experts on the scene," according to Sports Illustrated reporter Dan Jenkins in 1967. Parke decided to set all the records straight in the 1933 edition of Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide by picking national college football champions for every season from 1869 to 1933, and included statistics from the 1873 season onward.

Parke's work continued for the next season prior to his death, and the editions were updated under his byline until 1937. By this time, the Associated Press decided to begin weekly polling during the 1936 season using newspaper reporters throughout the nation, and this started the very familiar selection of national college football champions by polls prior to 1992. Over the years, other polls and rankings by sports groups and historians have occurred. A repeat of the 1920-1930's surge of mathematical models occurred in the 1980-1990's during the dawn of the personal computer and internet age. Many of these efforts not only ranked teams during and after the current season, but some went backwards to name national champions in prior seasons.

Sometime before 1988, the NCAA committee responsible for major college football records began an effort to collect these selections of national champions. This committee established a standard called National Champion Major Selectors as "the criteria for being included in this historical list of poll selectors is that the poll be national in scope, either through distribution in newspaper, television, radio and/or computer online. The list includes both former selectors, who were instrumental in the sport of college football, and selectors presently among the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) selectors" (from the Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book).

If you go to the NCAA.com website under Football Statistics, you can find the latest Football Subdivision Records booklet. It lists three teams – Army, Illinois, and Texas as being national college football champions by several recognized Major Selectors. The NCAA recognizes five major selectors for the 1914 season:

(1) In 1933, Parke Davis did research and named the national championship teams from 1869 through the 1932 seasons. This became the first instance of a retroactive listing of national champions. Parke Davis was the only major selector of the research type recognized by the NCAA. For the 1914 season, Parke Davis named both Army and Illinois.

(2) In 1936, Paul H. Helms, a Los Angeles sportsman and philanthropist, founded the Helms Athletic Foundation to put together a panel of experts to select national champion teams and make All-American team selections in a number of college sports. The panel would meet and then vote for teams and individuals. In 1941, Bill Schroeder, the managing director of the Foundation, led an effort to retroactively poll and select national college football champions back to the 1883 season. The Helms selection for 1914 was Army.

(3) Deke Houlgate, a well-known Los Angeles sports reporter, writer, and historian, developed a mathematical ranking system in the 1930s. In 1945, he published a thesaurus that listed retroactive national college football champions back to the 1885 season. The Houlgate System named Army as the 1914 national champion.

(4) In 1970, Richard Billingsley, a college football fan from Oklahoma, developed a mathematically based power rating system. In 1977, Billingsley applied his system retroactively back to the 1869 season. For the 1914 season, the Billingsley Report selected Texas. In 2002, Billingsley revised his retroactive listing to exclude margin of victory from the model, and determined that Illinois was the 1914 national champion.

(5) Mike Riter established the National Championship Foundation (NCF) in 1980, and in 1981 it published a retroactive listing of national champions based on polling. The NCF selected Army for the 1914 season.

There were no other major selectors recognized by the NCAA that had retroactive selections for the 1914 season.

The CFBDW began in 2000 to collect and research information on college football and national championship selections under the College Football Researchers Association. From its research, it has compiled a list of Recognized National Champions for each season, with some years including multiple teams. CFBDW lists both Army and Illinois as the Recognized National Champions for the 1914 season. On its website, CFBDW states it feels that the Helms and NCF selections are the most acceptable for seasons prior to 1919, including the 1914 season (both of whom selected Army).

CFBDW identified major (NCAA recognized) and minor selectors who selected one of six teams for the 1914 football season:

Army (9-0-0) – 4 Major Selectors and 9 minor selectors

Illinois (7-0-0) – 1 Major Selector and 9 minor selectors

Texas (8-0-0) – 1 Major Selector

Harvard (7-0-2) – 5 minor selectors

Tennessee (9-0-0) – 2 minor selectors

Auburn (8-0-1) – 1 minor selector

Howell or ESPN did not rank the teams or name a national champion for the 1914 season. Howell provided only power ratings, ranking Auburn followed by Washington & Jefferson and Harvard as the top three teams. Of the undefeated, untied teams, Howell ranked Tennessee (#5), Army (#7), Texas (#8), Washington & Lee (#9), and Illinois (#12). Howell ranked Yale (7-2-0) as #4, Pitt (8-1-0) as #6, North Carolina (10-1-0) as #9, and Virginia as #10.

ESPN lists Illinois winning the Western Conference, Nebraska being the champion of the Missouri Valley Conference, Colorado Mines winning the Rocky Mountain Conference, and then listing the remaining teams under Independents. ESPN states under their Illinois entry, "The 1914 Fighting Illini are revered for sharing the national championship with Army and Texas after going 7-0 and outscoring opponents 224-22."

The NCAA leaves it up to each individual school whether or not they claim or recognize a national championship in college football for years prior to the 1936 Associated Poll. Most of the national championship teams recognized by the NCAA are claimed by their individual schools. For example, Illinois recognizes its selection in 1914, though Army and Texas do not.

Another example, Navy uses its selection by Houlgate and William Boand (another major selector) to claim its 1926 national college football championship, even though most major selectors in that season picked Alabama or Stanford, while other major selectors choose Lafayette or Michigan.

For the 1910-1916 seasons, individual schools recognize their national champions by each major selector, except those underlined:

(1) Parke Davis \- none (1910); Princeton (1911); Harvard (1912); Chicago (1913); Harvard (1913); Army (1914); Illinois (1914); Cornell (1915); Pitt (1915); Army (1916); and Pitt (1916).

(2) Helms Athletic Foundation \- Harvard (1910); Princeton (1911); Harvard (1912); Harvard (1913); Army (1914); Cornell (1915); and Pitt (1916).

(3) Houlgate System \- Harvard (1910); Princeton (1911); Harvard (1912); Harvard (1913); Army (1914); Cornell (1915); and Pitt (1916).

(4a) Billingsley Report MOV \- Harvard (1910); Princeton (1911); Harvard (1912); Auburn (1913); Texas (1914); Oklahoma (1915); and Pitt (1916).

(4b) Billingsley Report \- Harvard (1910); Minnesota (1911); Harvard (1912); Chicago (1913); Illinois (1914); Minnesota (1915); and Georgia Tech (1916).

(5) National Championship Foundation \- Harvard (1910); Pitt (1910); Penn State (1911); Princeton (1911); Harvard (1912); Penn State (1912); Harvard (1913); Army (1914); Cornell (1915); and Pitt (1916).

Likewise, most schools claim their team's national championship for those made by NCAA major selectors for the 1920-1935 seasons.

Clearly, there is substantial evidence that the 1914 Army football team should become the first national college football championship team claimed for Army; and this team be so recognized in Michie Stadium. Here are my major arguments:

(1) The NCAA recognizes Army as the 1914 national champion, with Illinois and Texas.

(2) The NCAA determined major selectors, and four out of the five selectors who retroactively selected national champions for the 1914 season selected Army.

(3) Almost all of the schools recognized by these five major selectors have chosen to recognize their team as national champion for that season.

(4) ESPN in its massive college football encyclopedia recognizes Army, with Illinois and Texas, as the national college football champion for the 1914 season.

(5) The quality of the 1914 Army Football Team is demonstrated as six players were recognized that year as All-Americans.

(6) In addition, with six players or coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame, with this group of players and coaches achieving much recognition and achievements in military, civilian, and other areas, such as coaching, puts this team on the same level as the 1944, 1945, and 1946 Army teams as National College Football Champions.

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The Careers of the 1914 Football Men

Chapter 19: Army Blue: January 1915 – March 1917

The "January Exodus" had claimed 34 Cadets, but the remaining 617 Cadets soldiered on with classes five and a half days a week, mandatory drill, and occasional athletic contests and military funerals. The First Class, or seniors, now numbered 164 out of an original 267 who had entered in the summer of 1911 plus 10 turned back from prior classes, now could almost see the "light at the end of the tunnel" and graduation.

During the 1914-1915 academic year, Army only had four intercollegiate sports – football, basketball, ice hockey, and baseball. Polo, broadsword, golf, and tennis were played against on-post groups or area military or athletic clubs. There were several sports that the Cadets competed, either individually or by class, within the Corps, such as wrestling, boxing, fencing, gymnastics, and track and field. The 1914 football team members were heavily involved in all of these sports.

Leland Hobbs and Ollie Oliphant lettered on the 1914-1915 basketball team that went 11-2 that season under head coach Jacob Devers and team captain Frederic Boye. The football men who played basketball sometime during their time at West Point included Hodgson, Boots, Larkin, Merillat, Goodman, Mitchell, Prickett, Sasse, Britton, Weyand, Butler, Schwarzkopf, Tate Krause, Chapman, and Buechler. The team played all games at the West Point gymnasium on Saturday afternoons and won all seven games in January through early March.

The 1915 Army Hockey team went 1-4 under head coach First Lieutenant Frank Purdon. None of the football men lettered, but Harmon, Hocker, Mitchell, Sasse, Smith, Weyand, and Mullins played on the team. All games were played on outdoor rinks on The Plain, and several games were cancelled due to warm weather.

A highlight of the gloom period was the Indoor Meet on March 13, 1915, which was about halfway through the second academic term. There were competitions between the classes, primarily in indoor track and field, with each class having a number of champions competing. In June, the Outdoor Meet annually occurred. Almost all the football men participated in these Meets. Those who lettered were Woodruff, Hocker, Hodgson, and Oliphant.

Individual competitions occurred in wrestling, fencing, and boxing, though it was unclear if these were part of the Indoor Meet or not. Football men involved in wrestling included McGee, Simkins, Weyand, Weems, Chapman, Place, and Parks. The boxers were Weyand, Neyland, Parker, Schwarzkopf, Mahoney, Oliphant, Bringham, Timberlake, and Jones. Bob Neyland was the best boxer of the bunch, and Oliphant was proud that he could remain standing for all three rounds against him. Neyland also won the national collegiate boxing championship during his time at West Point. Those who fenced or broadsword were Hocker, Hodgson, Hoge, Weyand, and Mullins. In the spring, there were a few polo matches that included Goodman, Larkin, Sasse, Smith, Joe Tully, Schwarzkopf, and Meacham.

There were many football men who played baseball. Lettering were Prichard, Merillat, Bradley, Hobbs, Britton, Neyland, Coffin, Mitchell, Oliphant, Bringham, Schlenker, and Place. Also playing on the baseball team but never lettering were Goodman, Hodgson, Benedict, McEwan, Ford, Tate, Fleming, and Timberlake. The team opened its season on March 31, 1915, with head coach Sammy Strang with Louie Merillat as team captain and beat New York University, 15-0. All games were played at West Point, including the annual one with Navy. On May 29th, Army beat the Midshipmen 6-5. One highlight of the season was that Bob Neyland pitched and won 17 consecutive games during the season. The team closed the season with a 6-1 victory over Catholic University and a record of 18-3.

Other interesting things that occurred at West Point prior to the Class of 1915's graduation were – (January 25th) the quartermaster stable burned down, causing $7,000 damage; (February 20th) the 100th Night Show "The Grand Strategy;" (February-April) cases of influenza began to appear among the Cadets, with a total of 63 over the next two months; (March 13th) all Cadets conditioned in January were re-examined and found proficient; (March 16th) the Head Librarian of the USMA Library, Edward Singleton Holden, Class of 1870, died and was buried two days later; (April 3rd) baseball game cancelled due to blizzard, but the Easter Hop went on; (April 15th) another baseball game cancelled due to snow; (May 2nd) First Class visit Gettysburg battlefield; (June 10th) the new Cadet Chapel was dedicated; and (June 11th) during Graduation Week, 250 Alumni attended the annual reunion representing Classes back to 1847.

Regarding Army football, several events happened in the early half of 1915. Plebe James Patrick Kelly was discharged for deficiency in mathematics and left USMA. James Crane was appointed Cadet Manager for the 1915 team, with Matthew Ridgway his Assistant. In early April, football coaches First Lieutenants Rodney Smith and Joe Stilwell left the faculty for other assignments, though Stilwell would return to West Point later that year. In early June, USMA formerly requested the Adjutant General have First Lieutenant Charlie Daly report to West Point by September 1st as head football coach.

The War in Europe and beyond continued, though from letters from Cadets, there was more talk about Mexico then there ever was about Europe. Highlights include – (January 2nd) the Russians began an offensive in the Carpathians that continues until April; (January 19th) Germans conduct the first Zeppelin raid on Great Britain; (January 31st) first use of chemical weapons by the Germans at Bolimow; (February 3rd) the Ottomans fail to capture the Suez Canal; (February 4th) the Germans began unrestricted submarine warfare against merchant vessels; (February 22nd) the Russian X Army was defeated at Masurian Lakes; (April 22nd) first use of poison gas by Germans near Ypres; (April 24th) Italy secretly joins the war with the Allies; (May 7th) the passenger ship RMS Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat, with the deaths of 1,198 passengers and crew, including 128 Americans; (May 12th) German South-Africa was occupied by South African troops; and (June 1st) the Russian Great Retreat from Poland and Galicia began.

On June 4th, the academic term ended. The Mathematics Department found nine yearlings and twelve plebes deficient. The great scare came from the Law course, which found 18 First Classmen deficient in elementary, constitutional, military, or international law. The members of the Class of 1915, the largest one ever to enter USMA, had spent their four years at West Point seeing many classmates being discharged or forced to resign. Many felt that some of those who left had not been treated fairly by the USMA staff and faculty. To many members of the class, this was a final attempt to further reduce the Class down to what the officers felt was an appropriate number. The 18 First Classmen were re-examined, and everyone was found proficient.

The entire class, all 164 men who started the second term, were able to graduate on June 12, 1915. It was the largest class ever graduating USMA. Leland Hobbs was awarded a saber as the top athlete in the class. Charles "Daddy" Herrick was the last man in the class to graduate, or Class Goat, after walking off tours on the area during June Week. Herrick was told "it does not matter in the Army where you stand." He said years later "I can't say that it ever helps."

The new Second Lieutenants left West Point on leave for ninety days before reporting to their regiments and first assignments. Twenty football men graduated. They entered a much different Army then most of us are used to, one that numbered around 100,000 men with less than 6,000 officers. Most were on small outposts in the western and southwestern portions of the United States. The overseas presence was in the Philippines, Hawaii, Panama Canal Zone and then at scattered diplomatic posts. The Corps of Engineers were involved in military and national engineering work, while the Coast Artillery units were on the alert for any German or British activities near our seaports. There were reported to be about fifty five aircraft in the Army at two airfields, of which General Pershing called fifty one obsolete and four obsolescent. Mexico was on most of the leadership's minds, with very little thought about the war in Europe.

Kelton tells us that Engineers attracted the highest ranking members of each West Point class, probably some of the most interesting assignments, and the ability to be promoted to First Lieutenant in two years, quite ahead of all other branches. The Coast Artillery Corpswas considered the most stable and family-oriented of the branches, with most assignments near or at major cities. Only the Engineers and Field Artillery appeared to offer any initial schooling, with the remaining branches having their new Lieutenants reporting to their new regiments for "on the job" training.

In those days, most West Point graduates did not immediately get married, and many Army Officers waited until they found a wife with means or they made Captain after ten or fifteen years. The 1910 and 1916 pay tables show that a Second Lieutenant made only $141.67 a month, or $1,700 a year (about $40,000 in 2015). Family housing varied greatly, sometimes officer quarters was a row of tents in a border outpost.

However, four of the football men did get married in 1915. Walt Hess was probably the first to be married, on June 29th to Betty. Louie Merillat married Ethel on August 4th and Jim Van Fleet married Helen on Christmas Day. We do not know when Charles Benedict married Peggy D'Bois from his hometown in 1915, and he adopted her son as his own. Merillat created a bit of a stir in Chicago in late November 1915 when he was sued by Miss Helen Van Ness for breach of promise, breaking off their engagement, and marrying another woman. Merillat hired famous attorney Clarence Darrow to defend him of the charges and they appear to have been resolved or dropped after that.

Some of the recent graduates did not immediately report to initial assignments. Tom Hanley participated in training and competition for the National Rifle Matches until December.

At West Point, 20 Cadets were discharged for deficiency in academics in July 1915, including plebe football player Jared Wood in Mathematics. Yearling quarterback Charles Mahoney was turned back to the Class of 1918 for failing Mathematics. In late August, football men John Goodman, James Kelly, and Karl Engeldinger were re-admitted to USMA. Kelly would resign on October 19th, while Engeldinger resigned after the football season in December. Wood enlisted in the Georgia National Guard in November.

During the Galveston hurricane in August 1915, Captain Ernest Graves led his engineer company out of neck-deep waters in the middle of the night to safety. Everyone, including the horses, were saved from the flooding, and Pot found his three dogs laying on his bunk when they returned to their barracks.

Frank McGee became the first player to see action against Mexican bandits at Ojo de Agua in mid-October 1915. Leland Hobbs was involved in a skirmish with Mexican forces at Nogales in late November. That fall, John McDermott was in Douglas, Arizona, when a prisoner escaped and ran across the border. McDermott fired his pistol three times before the man stopped and was captured, in Mexican territory. McDermott reported that he was almost court-martialed "for invading a foreign country, with firearms." John Rossell had his own problems after capturing some Mexicans trying to smuggle guns across the border near El Paso, fighting a jurisdictional battle with customs agents trying to take credit.

Significant activities in the Great War include (August) the occupation of Warsaw by the Germans and the British launching their last and unsuccessful attempt to seize the Gallipoli peninsula; (September) the Germans suspend unrestricted submarine warfare under pressure from the United States and the Russian Tsar takes command of his armies; (October) Germany, Austro-Hungary, and Bulgaria invade Serbia and French, Italian, and British troops open a Balkan Front; (late November) the Serbian Army collapses and was evacuated by the Italian and French Navies; and (December) Douglas Haig replaces John French as commanding general of the British Expeditionary Forces.

Charlie Daly returned to West Point on temporary duty. He organized his coaching staff for the 1915 football season to include Graves, Sultan, Thompson, Pullen, Hayes, Stilwell, Tuthill, Selleck, and Stearns, members of his 1914 staff. He would not have the services of Glade, Smith, and Hammond, so he added three more coaches – Benny Hoge, Walter Wynne, and Henry Franke. Franke would command a field artillery battery that fired the first American shot of Great War.

Football practice began on September 1st with 75 Cadets trying out, with 41 having played on the 1914 team. First Lieutenant Daly would not arrive from the Mexican border until September 9th, so Captain Sultan took charge of the initial practices. Intense heat cancelled several practices. Junior Bruce Butler was lost for the season due to academics, while John Confer's knee injury last season ended his playing days. Army had good talent in the running backs, ends, and linemen, but lacked experience at quarterback. A number of men were tried out at that position.

The season started out on the wrong foot. Army was only able to tie Holy Cross, 14-14, in the last quarter. The Cadets were unable to stop their opponent's air play. They were miserable in their own passing attack, as nine passes were thrown and none completed. Neyland was injured in the game. Fumbles, penalties, and poor punting added to this.

Army beat Gettysburg 22-0 the next Saturday as Oliphant scored on a blocked punt and kicked a field goal for the only scoring in the first half. Mike Mitchell returned an interception fifty yards for a touchdown in the third. Oliphant caught a 45 yard pass from Murrill in the final period and dragged three tacklers across the goal line.

A missed 45 yard field goal attempt inches short by Oliphant was as close as Army came to scoring against Colgate, who's heavy and aggressive squad took advantage of the Cadets' mistakes in beating them 13-0.

Army was able to beat Georgetown 10-0 despite only completing three forward passes and having forty yards of penalties. Mike Mitchell was knocked out of the game. In the second period, Oliphant scored a touchdown. He kicked a field goal from placement in the final period. Several key players were now hurt, lost for the season or would be limited in their playing time.

About this time, Daly went to the Army baseball head coach, Sammy Strang, to see if there was anyone with quarterback potential. Strang recommended junior Charlie Gerhardt. Daly started working with him during practices to aid his play calling and passing abilities.

Daly and Graves decided to go scout Navy the next Saturday, and it was unclear who was in charge for the Villanova game. Villanova, using double and triple passes, was able to beat Army 16-13. Ford scored a touchdown in the second quarter, but Villanova used short and long passing to score twice to lead 13-7 at halftime. Army opened the third period with a scoring drive, but missed the extra point. It looked like the game would end in a tie until the Villanova quarterback dropped kicked a field goal in the closing minutes for the win. After this loss, Daly began to introduce Gerhardt at quarterback into the varsity scrimmages, preparing him for the Navy game.

Assistant coach First Lieutenant Charles Thompson was reassigned to Cornell University as a military instructor the Wednesday before the Notre Dame game. Daly was not ready for Gerhardt to play his first game against Notre Dame. Ford and Neyland were injured early in the first period and left the game. The game was scoreless in the fourth quarter when Oliphant tried a field goal from the forty yard line, it struck the crossbar and bounced back into the field. Notre Dame was able drive down to midfield and Bergman threw a completed pass to the Army thirty, which Covall ran in for the winning score, beating Army 7-0.

Army won handily against Maine, 24-0, with Oliphant scoring the first 17 points, including a fifty yard run from scrimmage. The visitors failed to gain a single first down by rushing. Gerhardt finally substituted into the game, and threw a touchdown pass to Prickett in the fourth quarter.

Daly started Gerhardt against Springfield, and he led Army to an opening field goal by Oliphant and a touchdown by Ford in the opening half. Springfield scored on a forty yard run in the third period. Coffin scored on a line plunge after McEwan recovered a fumble on their forty yard line. Army won 17-7 despite Springfield's passing attack.

Army played Navy at the Polo Grounds on November 27, 1915 on a slippery field and occasional fog and drizzle. After Navy muffed a punt that was recovered by Redfield, Oliphant scored the first touchdown behind an unbalanced line in the first quarter. On the opening drive after halftime, McEwan intercepted a pass and returned it to Navy 23 and was knocked unconscious. On the next play, Oliphant took the handoff and weaved his way through the Midshipmen for a touchdown.

Neyland was knocked out of the game after kicking off and tackling the kick returner. Oliphant's twenty yard field goal attempt was blocked and he was intercepted twice in the second half. Pot Graves send Joel Holmes in to relieve O'Hare, but Weyand had him substitute for Meacham. It was the only time that a Cadet overruled Graves in his coaching career. Weyand left the game so that his classmate Paul Parker could earn his letter. O'Hare played the entire sixty minutes. Oliphant carried six Midshipmen over a twenty yard distance as the game ended, with Army dominating 14-0 over Navy. Army finished its season with a 5-3-1 record.

After the game, a very thick fog came down from the river, and fans could not find their automobiles. Fights erupted as some folks got into the wrong vehicle or pedestrians were almost hit by cars leaving. Army was not able to have its mule attend the game as they found out that their train at Garrison did not have a railcar large enough for it. An artificial mule was built on the train.

In late November, Army officials announced that First Lieutenant Charlie Daly would not return as head football school as his regiment was moving to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in December. A newspaper published an article that Daly would resign from the Army and become the head football coach at Harvard University. Oliphant, Weyand, and McEwan were named to several All-American teams. In late December, Army appointed Second Lieutenant Philip Hayes as its football representative, succeeding Captain Dan Sultan. Despite being offered a contract for the 1916 Army football season, Harry Tuthill decided to become the trainer for the University of Michigan football team.

In January, Leland Hobbs married Lucy. On Valentine's Day, Dwight Eisenhower married Mamie. In April, Charles Herrick married Mary. Sometime in 1916, Dan Sultan married Florence, who had been born at West Point. Hobbs' honeymoon was cut short, for in March he was responsible for the Mexican Troop Train, conveying General Calles and 1,000 Mexicans from Nogales to Douglas, Arizona. During 1916, Charles Benedict earned his pilot wings.

On March 9, 1916, Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa's forces attacked Columbus, New Mexico and nearby Camp Furlong, killing ten civilians and eight soldiers, and wounding eight. The raiders burned and looted the town and returned to Mexico. Villa's forces suffered over sixty killed and dozens wounded due to heavy machine gun fire from the defending soldiers.

On March 14th, General Pershing organized a Punitive Expedition into Mexico. A number of football men participated in this operation, including Graves, Boots, Bradley, Hocker, Larkin, McGee, Prichard, Rossell, Hobbs, and Van Fleet. In September, Graves and Prichard were called back to West Point for three months of temporary duty, and returned to Mexico in December 2016. Vern Prichard married Charlotte in early September. During the Christmas holidays, Omar Bradley married Mary. Carl Hocker married Ellen sometime in 1916.

Second Lieutenant Bill Boots captured General Gutierrez, one of Villa's commanders. Boots was leading a troop of the 10th Cavalry (Negro) Regiment that followed a report that bandits were at a nearby ranch. Boots went around the rear of a house when a man sprang up and started to run from him through the cornfield to the river. Boots reported that he took an occasional shot at the man running, that one shot finally grazed the man's scalp, and he was able to catch up with him. He found that Gutierrez was carrying several bolts of silk that he had took from the raid of Columbus.

Captain Graves was supervising the engineering efforts for the Expedition. He found a Model T that he used to get around to supervise various road building and other construction. That automobile seemed to work much better than the ones the Army had, and Graves was able to salvage parts here and there. His engineers built a dirt road 250 miles long to allow the troops to be re-supplied, and kept it repaired.

In the spring of 1916, USMA began intercollegiate tennis and track teams. The 1914 football men Smith, Tate, and McEwan played on the tennis team. Prickett and Oliphant ran track. On May 19th, the statute to George Washington was unveiled.

During the first half of 1916, the following were highlights of the Great War – (January) the Gallipoli Campaign ends in an Allied defeat and an Ottoman victory, Montenegro capitulates to the Austro-Hungarian invasion, and Britain starts conscription; (March) German resumed unrestricted submarine warfare; (April) the Easter Rising by Irish rebels occurs and there was a gas attack in Hulluch; and (May) Germany suspends the unrestricted submarine warfare and the Battle of Jutland between the British and German Navies began.

Karl Engeldinger, who left USMA in December 1915, was able to graduate from the University of Iowa in May 1916. He participated in the university's Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC). James Kelly, who resigned in October 1915, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery in July 1916 in the National Guard. Engeldinger would be commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry in November.

In early June 1916 at the end of the academic term, Second Lieutenant Clyde Selleck and First Lieutenant Cuthbert Stearns left their USMA faculty assignments for reassignment. Captain Daniel Sultan left USMA in July, traveling to the Philippines. Sultan would be placed in charge of construction and maintenance of fortifications on Corregidor, Caballo, and Grande Islands, until October 1917. Sultan would serve with former coach Captain Rodney Smith in the Philippines.

The 125 members of the Class of 1916, including the 18 football men from the 1914 team, were graduated on June 13th. Well, 124 men graduated on that date. It took until June 29th for their classmate Bartlett James to graduate, and maybe he had to walk tours off the area or attended the first summer school. John Goodman married Zita within days of graduating. Dean Hudnutt married Theresa and Mike Mitchell married Ellen sometime in 1916.

Bill Hoge wanted to branch into the Corps of Engineers, but did not think he was high enough in the class to get one of the slots. So Hoge ordered all his uniforms with Cavalry stripes and insignia. Hoge still selected Engineers as a dare, and was surprised when he got his choice.

Edgar Addison Walker, was concerned that his uncle (his mother's brother) had no sons to pass his name on. So Walker submitted paperwork in April to the War Department to officially change his name. So one day before graduation, Walker officially became Frederick Walker Bonfils. His classmates continued to his death to call him Dixie or Walker though.

After they graduated in June 1916, six football members' first assignments (Crane, Hudnutt, Mitchell, Parker, Prickett, and Weyand) took them to regiments participating in the Punitive Expedition in Mexico, which lasted until February 1917. Alexander Weyand married Marie in September, though he was immediately deployed to Mexico.

After 1916's graduation, football man Louie Ford was named First Captain of the Corps of Cadets by the Commandant. A few days later, Ollie Oliphant was turned back to the Class of 1919 because he was deficient in Mathematics. A strange occurrence that probably could only occur at West Point, since Ollie had earned a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in 1914. On July 1, 1916, Colonel John Biddle succeeded Colonel Townsley as USMA Superintendent.

At the end of July, USMA put into effect a quarantine due to the prevalence of poliomyelitis in the surrounding communities. No case of paralysis ever developed at West Point. During the quarantine, admittance to West Point was by a special permit for those on urgent business. Automobiles are held up at the gate, no ferries are allowed to land, and passengers getting off trains were turned back at the railroad station unless they had permits. The quarantine lasted until October 13th, and Army football played its first two games without the public watching.

Highlights of the Great War during the latter half of 1916 were (July) Arabs capture Mecca; (August) Romania enters the war on the Allied side but its Army was defeated in a few weeks and von Hindenburg becomes the German Chief of Staff; (September) the British use armored tanks for the first time in history; (November) Francis Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, dies and was succeeded by Charles I, the Battle of the Somme ends with enormous casualties and no winner, and Prunaru Charge occurs where the Romanian cavalry desperately charged into enemy lines to no avail; and (December) David Lloyd George becomes the British Prime Minister, Robert Nivelle replaces Joseph Joffre as Commander-in-Chief of the French Army, and Grigori Rasputin, Russia's éminence grise, was assassinated.

Bill Britton graduated and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on June 13th. On July 1st, he was promoted to First Lieutenant. Yes, promotions were very fast in the Corps of Engineers. Britton was assigned to Fort Shafter, Hawaii, for his first engineering assignment. He spent October and November as head coach of the University of Hawaii's football team, leading them to a 3-2-1 record. First Lieutenant Dwight Eisenhower was an assistant football coach for St Louis College, now called St Mary's University, in Texas.

The first practice of the 1916 football season occurred on September 2nd, with 254 Cadets turning out, with the Corps being about 760 men. First Lieutenant Hayes was in charge, assisted by Pullen, Wood, Franke, Keyes, and Englehart. Sam Strang, the Army baseball coach, served as the trainer during the season. Charlie Daly, Pot Graves, Louis Merillat, Joe Stilwell, and Vern Prichard arrived a few days later.

Army got off to a slow start, beating Lebanon Valley, 3-0. Plebe Gene Vidal kicked a field goal in the second quarter after missing one in the first. Vidal did throw a touchdown pass but the receiver had a one-foot over the end line. Vidal and Oliphant were the leading ground gainers.

On the next Saturday, Army beat Washington & Lee, 14-7. Steve Place scored a rushing touchdown in the first period, then the opponents used two pass completions and four running plays to tie the game during the second quarter. The visitors threatened during the third with their passing attack, but Army's defense held. Vidal and Place led a rushing attack in the fourth that allowed Gerhardt to score from a yard out. Oliphant kicked both extra points.

Army beat Holy Cross, 17-0, in front of many fans as the quarantine was lifted. Place scored a touchdown in the first period while Oliphant kicked a 20 yard field goal and scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter. Holy Cross only threatened late in the first period, but it quickly ended when they threw an incomplete pass into the end zone at the beginning of the second quarter. Army had a scoring opportunity in the third, but an incomplete pass from the Holy Cross 15 went over the goal line.

Daly started his second string against Tufts, and they built a 19-0 lead by halftime. Love Mullins caught two touchdown passes in the first quarter. Oliphant scored on the opening possession in the third, and two plays later rushed 65 yards for another touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Oliphant threw a long touchdown pass, rushed fifty yards for a score, and returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown. He also kicked four extra points. The final score was 53-0.

Army kept its scoring machine going in revenging the defeat last season against Villanova, winning 69-7. Oliphant scored six touchdowns and nine extra points. McEwan played one of his best games in breaking up pass plays. Daly played mostly substitutes beginning in the second quarter after the score reached 28-7.

In front of the biggest crowd of the season at West Point, Army beat Notre Dame 30-10. The Cadets passing plays overwhelmed their opponents. Notre Dame opened the scoring in the first period with a 48 yard dropped kick field goal. Army missed a field goal attempt at the end of the first quarter. After a Notre Dame fumble, Oliphant kicked a field goal. McEwan was injured and left the game. Vidal kicked a 52 yard field goal to make the score 6-3 at halftime.

Notre Dame scored to take the lead at 10-6, after receiving the second half kickoff. Oliphant and Gerhardt completed back to back passes to Vidal for the score, making it 13-10. Gerhardt hit Oliphant for a touchdown pass, then Oliphant completed a touchdown pass to Vidal and Ollie kicked a field goal in the fourth quarter.

With reserves starting, Army beat Maine, 17-3, in its poorest game of the season. With the score 7-0, the varsity entered the game in the third period and allowed the visitors to drive from its ten to the Army 30 before fumbling. Oliphant, Vidal, and Place then led a rushing possession that ended when Ollie scored a touchdown. Vidal kicked a 48 yard field goal on the next possession. Maine scored a field goal in the waning moments when a penalty put the ball on the Army 20.

On November 7th, the voters re-elected President Woodrow Wilson. Regarding the war, Wilson ran on a platform that "he kept us out of war" and beat his opponent, Supreme Court Justice Charles Hughes, who downplayed the war issue but wanted to pursue mobilization and readiness to prepare for war. The election was both close in popular vote and in the Electoral College, and reflected the opinion of most people for the United States to remain neutral.

Army beat Springfield, 17-2. The varsity started, and Vidal kicked a field goal in the first period. Oliphant had a touchdown in the second. Bob Bringham scored a touchdown in the second half. A fumbled snap led to a tackle in the end zone for a safety for Springfield's only score in the final period.

Army took 56 players to New York City for the Navy game. The Corps of Cadets marched on the field first, with each Cadet carrying a black and gray flag with ARMY in gold letters. 1,300 Midshipmen marched on next. It was a clear day with a bitter northeast wind that bit through spectators heavily clad with blankets and greatcoats.

Army beat Navy, 15-7, before 45,000 fans at the Polo Grounds. Oliphant received the opening kickoff and returned it 87 yards to the Navy 6, and scored a touchdown two plays later, but missed by inches the extra point. A few minutes later Oliphant kicked a field goal from the Navy 21. Army drove down the field until stopped short and Vidal's drop kick was blocked. The first quarter ended with the ball in Army's possession on the Navy 41.

Army drove down the field to the Navy 16. Oliphant prepared to kick another field goal. It was a fake, as Gerhardt got up and passed the ball to Vidal on the one yard line. Vidal was tackled by two Midshipmen and fell backwards across the goal line for a touchdown. Oliphant missed the extra point. Navy drove downfield but was stopped on an incomplete fourth down pass on the Army 12. The first half ended with Army leading, 15-0.

Navy scored at the start of the second half when they blocked a Vidal punt and ran it back 26 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. Navy threatened four times but was stopped by Army's defense. After the last stop, Oliphant rushed for 37 yards to the Navy 44, where Vidal missed a 50 yard drop kick when the whistle blew. Army ended the season with a 9-0 record.

The football team returned to West Point at noon Sunday, and the Cadets pulled them up the hill on the ancient stage coach. Cheers and songs were heard, and speeches made by the players. Biff Jones was named team captain for the 1917 team, with Charles Mahoney named Cadet Manager. Elmer "Ollie" Oliphant and John McEwan were named to numerous All-American teams.

None of the non-resident coaches returned with the team, as Captain Daly had to sail for San Francisco and eventually to Hawaii, and Captain Graves and First Lieutenants Merillat and Prichard had to immediately return to Mexico or the border.

Charlie Daly was quoted in the newspapers as saying "the Army coaches believe that the 1916 Army team could defeat any team in the country. The 1916 team was as effective as the Army team of 1914, and its exceptionally high-grade personnel rates it with the strongest teams in the history of the game. Except for one period in the final game it was never pressed. Only those really expert in the game of football can appreciate properly the great power of this year's Army team."

During the winter and spring 1917, Army competed in intercollegiate swimming and handball. The 1914 football men on the swimming team were Schwarzkopf, Collins, and Chapman. Schwarzkopf also played on the handball team.

Sometime in early 1917, Bob Neyland, who graduated in June 1916, was offered a contract for $3,500 by the New York Giants to play professional baseball. That would have been worth $65,000 today. First Lieutenant Neyland was with the 1st Engineer Regiment in Brownsville, Texas, and continued to serve as an Army Officer.

John Rossell married Betty in early January 1917. Fay Prickett married Betty in March. Sometime during 1917 Bill Coffin married Mary, Tom Hanley married Cecelia, and Douglas Page married Alma.

On January 9th, USMA announced the 1917 Army football schedule - Holy Cross (29 Sep), Penn (6 Oct), West Virginia (13 Oct), Springfield (20 Oct), Villanova (27 Oct), Notre Dame (3 Nov), Maine (10 Nov), Bowdoin (17 Nov), and Navy (24 Nov). Three months later, many colleges cancelled their entire season schedule, including Army.

In late 1916, Germany was making plans to try to win the war in 1917. They assumed that they would quickly defeat Russia, and that would free up troops for the Western Front against British and French forces. The British, French, and Russian forces were heavily purchasing steel, ammunition, and other products from the United States, something that Germany could not do as the Royal Navy's blockade was very effective.

So Germany concluded that renewing unrestricted submarine warfare against merchant vessels would be a two-edge sword – it would weaken the Allied forces but it would further push the United States to enter the Great War. President Wilson had forced Germany to back-off its submarine warfare twice before. Germany's military analyzed that because of the small size of the United States Army, it would take much time for it to mobilize, time that the Germans could use to win the Western Front. They decided to also try to tie down American forces with a war with Mexico, which would also slow the export of arms.

On January 11, 1917, the German foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmermann, issued a coded telegram to the German ambassador of Mexico, Heinrich von Eckardt. The telegram explained that Germany would resume unrestricted submarine warfare on February 1st. If the United States appeared certain to enter the war, Eckardt was to secretly approach the Mexican government with an offer of alliance, to provide generous financial support, and to support Mexico's conquest of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Since the British has cut Germany's access to diplomatic cables, the telegram was delivered to the American Embassy in Berlin, and transmitted to the German Embassy in Washington via Copenhagen and London on January 16th, where it was resent to Mexico by commercial telegraph. Eckardt then secretly approached the Mexican government.

What no one knew at the time was that the British could intercept and read the diplomatic mail, and they had previously captured the German cipher used. The British partially deciphered the telegram the next day. The British realized that the telegram, if revealed to the Americans and believed to be genuine, would sway public opinion against Germany. But it would also reveal that the British were reading the American diplomatic mail and had the capability to decipher German codes.

The British Codebreaking Chief waited three weeks, until after Germany announced the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare on February 1st, an act that led the United States to break diplomatic relations with Germany. The Chief recommended to the Foreign Office not to release the telegram to the cousins. However, the value of releasing the telegraph was too great, so the British decided to develop a cover story to protect their sources.

The British were able to obtain a copy of the telegram from the Mexico City telegraph office. They would point out to the Americans that they could obtain a copy of it from the Washington branch of the telegraph office to verify that it was real. They risked that the Germans would figure out that their cipher was compromised, but it was a risk that the British would take to get the United States into the war. The British would give the Americans the cipher so that they could decode it themselves.

On February 19th, the telegram was shown to Edward Bell, American secretary at the London embassy, who thought it had to be false, but was later convinced it was real, and gave a copy to the Ambassador, Walter Page. Page met with British Foreign Minister Arthur Balfour on February 23rd, and was given the cipher text, the message in German, and the English translation. Page then reported this to President Wilson.

Meanwhile, President Venustiano Carranza had his military advisors analyze and assess a war with the United States. They concluded that Mexico's military was greatly inferior to the Americans, even with lots of German financial support. Mexico would have to purchase arms from Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, which would further strain their relationships with these three countries who had spent considerable time and effort maintaining the peace between Mexico and the United States. Finally, the idea of occupying the three states with a large English-speaking population and access to firearms did not appeal to the Mexicans. It appears that the Mexicans did not communicate that they were not interested in the German offer to either Germany or the United States.

American public sentiment prior to the release of the telegram was more anti-Mexican than anti-German, with portions of the population anti-British. Some elites had proposed entering the war with the Allies, while a pacifist faction countered this. Even efforts to double the Army had failed, though efforts to expand the Navy to be able to counter the Royal Navy in the mid-1920s were approved. No real efforts had been made to mobilize the forces or expand industrial capability. The 1916 presidential election was seen by many as a popular vote to stay neutral.

The President was reluctant to release the telegram's information. If it were believed to be true, it might inflame the American public against both Mexico and Germany, as well as endanger emigrants from these countries. Others not wanting to go to war would claim it as an elaborate forgery, staged by British intelligence to get the Americans into the war. But two American cargo ships had been sunk that month, and shipping companies were beginning to hold their ships in port. The submarine warfare could potentially stop the export of arms, and hurt the American economy. On February 28th, the President released the text of the telegram to the press.

A firestorm ensued. Initial calls that questioned the truth of the telegram were squashed when Zimmermann told an American reporter in Berlin "I cannot deny it, it is true." Wilson asked Congress to arm merchant ships, but the Senate blocked the proposal. Previous German efforts to encourage war with Mexico were highlighted. The loss of the RMS Lusitania in 1915 and Germany's treatment of Belgium and French civilians in occupied territories were revisited. A sense of national self-interest and American nationalism had been growing over the years.

However, the decision by the Germans to try to sink every ship on the high seas was probably the straw that broke America's neutrality. Five more American merchant ships were sunk in March and that enraged the American public. The British had lost 49 merchant ships in the 29 months of war prior to February. Great Britain lost 105 in February and 147 in March, a total of 25% of its shipping capability. In the early days of April, President Wilson decided to go to Congress with a request to declare war.

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Chapter 20: The Great War: April 1917 – December 1918

The American involvement in The Great War (also called the First World War or World War I), began when Congress declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. Four days before, President Woodrow Wilson spoke to a special joint session and asked Congress to do this, stating that "we have no selfish ends to serve" for doing so, but the war would "make the world safe for democracy." He said that America had a moral responsibility to enter the war and that the future of the world would be determined on the battlefield, with American self-interest demanding a voice. It would be a "war to end war." The American public responded to Wilson's call, and its elected representatives did too.

The War Department decided to immediately graduate the Class of 1917 on April 20th and have them report to their regimental assignments. Thirteen members of the 1914 football team graduated – Bathurst, Butler, Confer, Ford, Holmes, McEwan, Meacham, Mullins, Parks, Redfield, Schwarzkopf, Tate, and Weems. Upon their graduation, the Class of 1918 became the senior class at West Point, and John Knight was named First Captain.

Bruce Butler married Helen on graduation day. Joe Tate married Alice and John Confer married Ellen a few days later. Also getting married in April were Tom Larkin to Mary, Paul Parker to Nancy, and Joe Tully to Fannie. Larkin had met his future wife at the 1915 Easter Hop. In May, former Cadet Andrew Wynne graduated from Auburn University. He would be commissioned in August in the Cavalry branch and serve in France.

On April 9th, Tom Hanley became the first football man to transfer to the Aviation section of the Signal Corps. He was followed by Charles Benedict, Hulbert Harmon, Bill Boots, John Rossell, Mike Mitchell, and Cuthbert Stearns in the coming months. They had earned their wings as pilots at the growing number of training schools. Bill Boots claimed he was one of the first forty officers to get wings. John Rossell was an instructor at stateside aviation units and pioneered the usage of radio telephone in airplanes.

Shortly after the declaration of war, a number of collegiate institutions announced that they were canceling sports for the duration of the war. USMA shortly announced that it had canceled the remaining baseball games and all of the 1917 football season.

I suspect that several pending marriage dates were moved up. In May, marriages of Bill Hoge to Nettie, John McEwan to Lettie, Louie Ford to Grace, and Roscoe Woodruff to Alice, occurred. In June, Lyman "Parson" Parks married Elizabeth, a talented violinist.

It appears that Major Ernest Graves was the first of the football men to sail for France on May 28, 1917. Pot served as the Assistant to the Chief Engineer of what would become the American Expeditionary Force or AEF, commanded by General John Pershing. He was followed by Captain John McDermott on June 2nd, recently graduated First Lieutenant Bill Redfield on June 10th, and First Lieutenant Ralph Sasse on June 14th.

The first American combat battalions arrived on June 25th, and probably surprised the Germans who expected it would take the United States over a year for the first troops to get to Europe. Still, only 14,000 American troops were in France by the end of June. By the end of 1917, there were four American divisions deployed in a training area near Verdun. Many would follow them, as the United States built up quickly to send 10,000 soldiers a day to the Western Front by mid-1918. The United States deployed over a million men between May 1917 and summer 1918 to France, and about half of them saw combat.

The former coaches would serve in the senior staffs of the AEF and Divisions or command brigades or regiments. The former football players would be quickly promoted to lead companies, with some of them ultimately commanding battalions as Lieutenant Colonels. Everyone who graduated from USMA, and at least four out of the six non-graduates, served as Army Officers in The Great War. Of the football men, 52 served in France or Russia, three in other overseas locations, and the remaining 28 men served in the United States at training schools or commanding units being trained prior to shipping them to France. See Appendix 3 for details on their service.

Of the two non-graduates, the 1930 Census records show that Jim Peterman, who was discharged in June 1915 for failing Mathematics, served in the military during The Great War. I could not find any detailed information of his service. Harry Tuthill, who was a trainer in 1917 for the professional baseball team in Detroit and for the University of Michigan's football team, served in a civilian position under former Master of the Sword Herman Koehler, who led the War Department's physical training efforts during the war. This effort established the "daily dozen" morning exercise program.

A sidebar to the physical training program was the creation of service football teams in both the Army and Navy at stateside posts and units. Congress introduced the draft in 1917, and about 2.8 million men were conscripted. The Army quickly saw that the men were visiting local hangouts in the evening and the number of sexually transmitted diseases was increasing. The War Department conducted a quick study that recommended sports to occupy the men's leisure time.

Since the Navy had hired Walter Camp to lead their efforts, Camp choose football and quickly had base athletic directors forming teams, scheduling, and playing games, even one against Harvard. The Army favored boxing, a sport considered more connected to soldier's skills, but the post and unit athletic directors, which may have included several of the 1914 football men, organized football teams too. These service teams played each other and some college teams during 1917 and 1918. College teams avoided the service football teams in the fall 1918 season because they were so talented. The Navy and War Departments prevented teams from each service playing the other, as there was fear that injuries would occur if sailors or marines played soldiers.

On May 9th, the Commandant of Cadets announced in the Cadet Mess Hall that the Class of 1918 would graduate on August 30th. Thirteen football men graduated that day – Bringham, Buechler, Chapman, Collins, Fleming, Jones, Knight, Krause, Mahoney, Place, Schlenker, Timberlake, and Kivas Tully. This would leave only one member of the 1914 football team at West Point, Ollie Oliphant, who would graduate in June 1918.

As for the situation on the Western Front, the Nivelle offensive in April and May 1917 was a failure and resulted in mutinies in 54 divisions and 20,000 desertions in the French forces. The British put strong pressure on their front, but their attacks in June (Messines Ridge), July (Ypres), and November (Cambrai) failed in obtaining their main objective to capture German submarine bases. In July, naval forces in the North Atlantic re-introduced the convoy system for merchant vessels, and this greatly reduced the ships lost to German submarines.

The French and British commanders expected the American troops to act as individual replacements in their units. General Pershing insisted that the AEF would fight as their own units, though a few small units were integrated with Allied forces. For example, three American engineer regiments (11th, 12th, and 14th) were doing construction behind the British lines at Cambrai, but were called up into the front and became the first AEF units to meet the enemy.

In early September, USMA decided that it would organize a football team and play a set of nine games for the 1917 season. Captain Geoffrey Keyes, Class of 1913, was named head coach. Joe Tully and Jim Crane served as resident assistant coaches. Over 150 Cadets turned out to the first practice on Saturday, September 8th. The first game scheduled against Middlebury College was cancelled when the visitors declined to come to West Point. In October, Army won all four games against Carnegie Tech (28-0), Virginia Military Institute (34-0), Tufts (26-3), and Villanova (21-7). Oliphant scored nine touchdowns in those four games.

In August, Wallace Collins married Ada the day after his graduation. Ada would graduate from Vassar in 1919. Two new USMA graduates married in September, Bill Fleming to Elizabeth and Tim Timberlake to Mary. Also, Harry Pendleton married Anna Belle on September 7th. In October, Captain Dan Sultan left the Philippines for reassignment to the General Staff in Washington. On the way, he took a month's leave to tour China and Japan.

Army lost their football game against Notre Dame, 7-2 on a slippery, muddy field, on November 3rd, due to the efforts of the George "The Gipper" Gipp. Army blocked a Gipp punt in the first period for a safety. Notre Dame scored during a long seventy yard drive in the third and fourth periods. Oliphant returned the kickoff and then rushed on almost every play until Army was at the Notre Dame 19. Then Hugh Murrill threw a pass into the end zone that was intercepted by Gipp, ending Army's final hopes to win. It was announced at the game that Army would not play Navy at the end of the 1917 season.

Army won its next two against Carlisle Indians (28-0) and Lebanon Valley (50-0). On the same day that Army was defeating Lebanon Valley, Major Charles Benedict, commander of the Chanute Airfield in Illinois and Captain Conrad Berens, Chanute's hospital commander, and their families were enjoying the day at a neighboring country club. Returning home late in the afternoon, Benedict, who was driving his automobile, did not notice an on-coming interurban train, and it slammed into his vehicle at a crossing. Benedict's wife, Peggy DuBois (age 26), his step-son Frederick (age 5), and Beren's wife were killed instantly, with Benedict and Berens both injured and knocked unconscious. His wife and step-son were buried in her hometown in Vancouver, Washington while he remained hospitalized for several weeks. Benedict recovered and shipped out to France in mid-January.

In the final game of the season, Oliphant had scored a touchdown and extra point late in the third period against Boston College to put Army up 7-0. Boston College blocked an Army punt and returned it 25 yards for a score to tie it. Army had a sustained drive in the final minutes, with Oliphant scoring, but West Point was called for holding on the scoring play. The Boston College head coach vigorously protested the call to the referee for some unknown reason, resulting in a 15 yard penalty against Boston College and Army ball on the Boston College two. Oliphant scored his final touchdown to win the game, 13-7. Army ended the 1917 season with a 7-1-0 record.

Ollie Oliphant ended his college football career scoring 125 points that season. He was named First-team All-American by several selectors. He would earn a total of 11 athletic letters at West Point, three each in football and basketball, one in track, and four in baseball, in addition to earning twelve letters at Purdue (three each in each sport). He scored a total of 340 points at Army in football, and 135 at Purdue.

Major Cuthbert Stearns left Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in late October for reassignment to a rather unique posting, the Spruce Production Division in Portland, Oregon. He would serve as Adjutant, Chief of Staff, and then Commander of this organization until the end of 1919, responsible for obtaining spruce and other wood products needed in the production of military aircraft for the war efforts. For his efforts, Lieutenant Colonel Cuthbert Powell Sterns earned the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) in April 1919 for being able to manage the production using 150,000 civilian lumbermen and 500 individual lumber mills in the northwestern United States. The DSM is the service's third highest award.

On December 7th, the United States Congress declared war on Austria-Hungary. For some unknown reason, the United States never declared war on any other of the Central Power nations besides Germany.

Kivas Tully married Emily on Christmas Day 1917, with John Knight marrying Mary and Bob Bringham marrying Margaret in December. In 1918 there were several marriages, with Bill Chapman to Toodles, Jake Holmes to Marguerite, James Kelly to Catherine, and Love Mullins to Ada. On graduation day, Elmer Oliphant married Bobbie. On a sad note, Mary and Omar Bradley lost their infant son on March 13th.

Major Joe Stilwell arrived in France in mid-January 1918 and immediately served short monthly tours with the British 58th Division, 17th French Corps, and AEF General Staff before becoming the G-2, or Intelligence Officer, for the United States II Corps and then IV Corps. United States units were still not heavily involved on the front, and activities were limited.

Another Corps G-2 was questioning Stilwell's activity reports and being highly annoying. During a lull in the action, Stilwell reported that IV Corps had captured the renowned German poison gas expert Ottom Schmeerkaese. The report was read by Generals Pershing and Marshall and they immediately alerted other AEF units. The AEF G-2 was Stilwell's fellow coach Major Charles Thompson, who quickly realized the report was a joke, as the last name "Schmeerkaese" meant "smelly cheese" in German and Stilwell was well-known for his language skills and practical jokes. No such person was actually captured as the report was done to annoy the other Corps G-2. Nothing was ever said or done to Stilwell.

On January 20th, Captain Alexander Weyand's unit was engaged by Mexican troops near El Paso, Texas, that resulted in U.S. casualties. Weyand was serving as Provost Marshall for the El Paso Military District. On March 28th, First Lieutenant Joe Tate's troop with the 8th Cavalry Regiment had an engagement at Pilares, Mexico.

Meanwhile, Major Charles Benedict had arrived in France, and was immediately tasked to organize the AEF aviation training for recently minted Army pilots. McDermott joined Benedict in that training. Major Dan Pullen arrived in France in February. Pullen would serve initially with British and French tank units before commanding American armored battalions. Captain Bruce Butler took command of the first American Balloon Company.

During early 1918, Leland Hobbs was offered by Connie Mack, John McGraw, and other managers to leave the service and play professional baseball. Captain Hobbs decided to continue his service as Aide-de-Camp to the commanding general of the Presidio. He escorted Belgium troops from San Francisco to Fort Totten, New York, and then moved to Camp Meade, Maryland, to train his battalion of the 63rd Infantry Regiment to deploy to France in September.

In early March, the Germans and Russians signed the Brest-Litovsk peace treaty, which ended Russia's involvement in The Great War. Germany was now free to move troops to the Western Front. By March 21st, the Spring Offensive, Operation Michael, began its attack on mostly British forces, with Paris being bombarded two days later. On the 25th, the Germans engaged American units, about 2,200 men in the 69th Infantry Regiment, three engineer regiments, and three aero squadrons. The first phase of the German offensive failed to achieve its strategic objectives of destruction of the British forces, disruption of Allied lateral communicational, and capture of Amiens. The next phase in April against the British also failed. 500 Americans were involved in this defensive operation.

The next phase of the German offensive on May 27th quickly opened up a deep salient near Chateau-Thierry, about forty miles from Paris. The 3rd Division of the AEF foiled German efforts to secure a firm bridgehead across the Marne at Chateau-Thierry. The 2nd Division, with a Marine Corps brigade, defended the road to Paris and successfully counter-attacked at Belleau Wood on June 6th. About 27,500 American troops were involved. On June 24th, First Lieutenant Charles Mahoney was injured in a motor vehicle accident at Dannes-Camiers, France. Mahoney was sent to the Red Cross Hospital in London and remained hospitalized until September.

On July 1st, Major George Hatton Weems earned the Silver Star Medal (SSM) for gallantry in action while serving with the Machine Gun Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division, in action at Vaux and by his brilliant leadership. The SSM is the nation's third highest military decoration for valor.

On July 2nd, Major George Hatton Weems earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for extraordinary heroism in action at Vaux. In command of a Machine Gun Company, he personally took charge of his advanced positions and manned captured enemy machine guns on an exposed flank of the battalion. Exposing himself to enemy fire in order to direct fire of his guns, he succeed in breaking down the counter attack of the enemy on the exposed flank. The DSC is the nation's second highest military decoration for valor, given for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.

On July 15th, the Germans began their last offensive in the war by attacking east of Rheims. 85,000 American troops from the 3rd, 26th, 28th, and 42nd Divisions and supporting units were involved. It was here that the 30th and 38th Infantry Regiments gained their motto "Rock of the Marne." Within two days, the initiative passed to the Allied forces.

On July 15th, First Lieutenant James Patrick Kelly, a former Cadet, earned the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 18th Field Artillery, 3rd Division, near Chateau-Thierry, France. During the bombardment preceding the enemy attack across the Marne, the position of Battery B, 18th Field Artillery, was subjected to heavy artillery fire for a period of four hours. All communications were destroyed and the ammunition dump destroyed by hostile fire. Throughout the enemy bombardment, Kelly kept his battery in action, exposing himself to concentrated enemy artillery fire in order to replenish his ammunition supply, and delivered an effective fire on the enemy.

On July 16th, Captain John Forest Goodman earned the Silver Star Medal, for gallantry in action while serving with the 103rd Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, in France. Unfortunately, I could not find any details of his valorous efforts.

On July 18th, the American 1st and 2nd Divisions, as part of the French XX Corps, launched the main attack at the northwest base of the Marne salient near Soissons. Before the two divisions were relieved on the 19th and 22nd, they advanced about seven miles, made the salient untenable, and captured about 6,000 prisoners with about 10,000 American casualties. At the same time, the American 3rd, 4th, 28th, and 42nd Divisions under the French Sixth Army advanced from the southwest towards the Vesle River.

On July 20th, First Lieutenant Robert Amedee Bringham earned the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action while serving with the 58th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, in France. Unfortunately, I could not find any details of his valorous efforts, except that Bringham earned the Purple Heart Award (PH) for wounds received in this action against the enemy.

On July 20th, First Lieutenant James Patrick Kelly earned the Purple Heart Award for wounds received in action. He was badly burned and gassed. These wounds may have contributed to his early death in 1921. On July 30th, he received a battlefield promotion to Captain.

On July 22nd, Captain John Forest Goodman earned the Purple Heart Award for wounds received in action. He also was captured by German forces and became a Prisoner of War (POW). He was released on December 10th. He was the only 1914 football man who was a POW during The Great War.

On July 23rd, Captain Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf earned the Purple Heart Award for wounds received in action while with the 76th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Division. He was gassed with mustard gas, which affected his lungs and made him susceptible to respiratory illnesses for the remainder of his life.

On July 30th, Captain Jared Irwin Wood, a former Cadet, earned the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action. Wood distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, in action near Sergy, France, and by his brilliant leadership. Wood also earned the Purple Heart Award for wounds received in this action against the enemy.

On August 1st, Major Frank D. McGee earned the Purple Heart Award for head wounds received in action at Fismes with the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division. He was hospitalized at Mars and Vichy until late November. These wounds would eventually lead to his early retirement due to disability.

By August 6th, the offensive to reduce the Marne salient was over. The eight American divisions that spearheaded the attack demonstrated their offensive capability and inspired new confidence along the Western Front. About 275,000 American troops took part. At the end of the offensive, the entire French Sixth Army front was held by the American I and III Corps. This success allowed Pershing to form the American First Army.

The Somme offensive kicked off on August 8th by the British Fourth Army, with the American 33rd and 80th Divisions, with the objective to flatten the Amiens salient. Spearheading the attack were about 600 British tanks. Over 16,000 Germans were captured and their forces fell back to the 1915 Hindenburg Line.

On August 11th, Captain Bill Chapman became Aide-de-Camp to Major General William S. Graves, commanding general of the American 8th Division. This division departed on August 14th from San Francisco and arrived at Vladivostok, Russia, on September 2nd. The AEF Siberia's objective was to secure American supplies and equipment and aid the 50,000 troops of the Czechoslovakian Legions to evacuate from Russia via the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The AEF Siberia operated and guarded major portions of the railway. General Graves refused the requests of British, French, and Japanese commanders to provide forces to fight Bolshevik forces. About 8,000 American troops participated out of a total of 100,000 Allied personnel. The Americans left Siberia by April 1, 1920. Captain Chapman was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government.

On August 18th, the Buffalo Soldiers of the American 92nd and 93rd Divisions, under French command, kicked off the Oise-Aisne offensive, which carried those forces to the Belgium border until the Armistice.

On August 19th, the American II Corps, consisting of the 27th and 30th Divisions, and under the command of the Army Group headed by King Albert of Belgium, helped wipe out the Lys salient. By October 20th, these forces had captured Bruges and Ostend and were on the Dutch border.

On August 22nd, the American 32nd Division under the French Tenth Army spearheaded the attack of the main line. The division captured Juvigny on August 30th. Meanwhile, the American III Corps, consisting of the 28th and 77th Divisions, under the French Sixth Army, pursued retiring German forces.

On September 12th, the American First Army commenced a three-prong attack on the Saint Mihiel salient against about ten German divisions. Forces totaled about 650,000 with 550,000 American personnel of the I Corps (2nd, 5th, 78th, 82nd, and 90th Divisions), IV Corps (1st, 3rd, 42nd, and 89th Divisions), V Corps (4th and 26th Divisions and the 15th French Colonial Division), French II Colonial Corps (three French Colonial Divisions), and Army Reserve (35th, 80th, and 90th Divisions). The offensive continued until the Armistice. During the offensive, Colonel Billy Mitchell commanded the largest air operation of the war, 1,500 aircraft from American, British, French, Portuguese, and Italian units. The air operations completed all objectives in the first two days.

On September 12th, First Lieutenant John Thornton Knight, Jr. earned the Distinguished Service Cross, for extraordinary heroism in action during the Saint Mihiel offensive, with the 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Division. Although seriously wounded, Knight refused to be evacuated and continued to exercise active command of his battery during the attack. Knight also earned the Purple Heart Award for wounds received in this action against the enemy. On September 18th, Knight was wounded again and earned his second Purple Heart Award. His head wound resulted in a lifetime loss of hearing.

On September 19th, Major Charles Fullington Thompson earned the Distinguished Service Medal, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services as assistant G-2 of the First American Army. Thompson aided in its organization by his skill and sound judgement by participating in preparations and operations against enemy positions in the Saint Mihiel salient.

On September 24th, Bill Chapman's brother, Captain Henry H. Chapman, was killed in action near Bellicourt, France. Henry Chapman was a member of the USMA Class of April 1917 and was 24 years old. Chapman was killed leading his company in a charge with the British in Flanders. He had just returned to the front after suffering a shell concussion in early August. Chapman left a wife and infant daughter.

After moving over 600,000 Americans from the Saint Mihiel sector into the Argonne sector while some 200,000 French troops moved out; the American First Army, attacked with three corps side by side on September 26th with I Corps (28th, 35th, 77th, and 92nd Divisions), III Corps (3rd, 4th, 33rd, and 80th Divisions), and V Corps (32nd, 37th, 79th, and 91st Divisions) into the southern Meuse-Argonne sector. By October 3rd, the Army had seized the first two German defensive lines and stalled at the third line.

On September 26th, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Dee Pullen earned the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism near Bois-de-Cuisy, France. Pullen displayed conspicuous gallantry and leadership in directing a tank attack on the enemy location, with the 306th Brigade, Tank Corps. He then rallied a force of disorganized infantry, leading it forward in the face of violent machine gun fire, and occupying the ground which had been taken by the tanks.

The Departments of War and Navy tried to discourage colleges from playing football during the 1918 season, but public outcry and arguments to provide entertainment to the public caused them to relax their directives. USMA officials scheduled a slate of games that included Bowdoin, Boston College, Carlisle Indians, West Virginia, Tufts, Notre Dame, Lebanon Valley, Maine, and Navy.

AAA appointed Major Mike Mitchell, who was recently assigned as an USMA instructor, as Army head football coach for the 1918 season. He would be assisted by fellow instructors Majors Jim Crane and Joe Tully. Major Douglas Page was also an instructor and may have provided some coaching. In late September, the War Department had West Point cancel the scheduled games. Mitchell was able to schedule, play, and beat a service team, Mitchel Field, 20-0, on September 28th, before the football team was disbanded.

In late September, the Somme offensive continued when the American II Corps, consisting of the 27th and 30th Divisions alternating in the line, leading the British Fourth Army in breaking through the Hindenburg Line and advancing to the Oise-Somme Canal by October 19th. The II Corps sustained about 12,000 casualties in 26 days of combat.

On October 4th, the American First Army, with veteran divisions replacing inexperienced ones, attacked the third defensive line. American gains were limited as the Germans committed their reserves. By October 31st, the German forces had been cleared from the Argonne.

On October 5th, Major Louis Alfred Merillat, Jr. earned the Purple Heart Award for wounds received in action at Avocourt, France, with the 38th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division. He was severely wounded by airplane bombs and machine gun fire. He was left for dead on the battlefield, and awoke when he felt someone trying to pull off his boots. He protested, and was taken to a hospital.

On October 11th, Captain Alexander Mathias Weyand earned the Purple Heart Award for wounds received in action, with the 34th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division. This injury caused an impairment in his hearing. On October 14th, Captain Jared Irwin Wood earned his second Purple Heart Award for wounds received in action. His unit was gassed by German forces.

On October 13th, John Rossell's brother, Captain Daves Rossell, died of wounds received during the Meuse-Argonne offensive near Verdun. He was a graduate of the USMA Class of April 1917 and was 23 years old.

Germany announced on October 20th that was was suspending its unrestricted submarine warfare in the North Atlantic. A few days later, mutinies occurred on several battleships of the German High Seas Fleet, or Hochseeflotte. The American 332nd Infantry Regiment of about 1,200 men was sent to the Italian Front in July to boost morale. On October 24th, this force participated in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto against the opposing Austro-Hungarian troops.

On October 29th, Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Smith began a series of special missions from Tours, France, to Brest and unknown European locations, back to Washington and New York City. I can only speculate that these may have involved a German peace initiative. Smith earned the Purple Heart Award for wounds received in action during The Great War.

On October 31st, the American 37th and 91st Divisions, under the command of the French Army of Belgium, attacked to drive across the Scheldt southwest of Ghent. These attacks continued until the Armistice. On November 1st, the American First Army attacked the German fourth defensive line, with the V Corps advancing almost six miles on the first day.

On November 1st, Captain Alexander Mathis Weyand earned the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action at Hill 310, France, and brilliant leadership of his battalion. Captain Carl Ernest Hocker earned the Purple Heart Award for wounds received in action during The Great War.

On November 4th, Major William Morris Hoge, Jr. earned the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Brieulles-sur-Meuse, France, with the 7th Engineer Regiment, 5th Division. After personally and voluntarily reconnoitering the site of a pontoon bridge over the Meuse in daylight and under direct shell fire, Hoge commanded the movement of a train of heavy wagons, under enemy observation, to this location. He then supervised the construction of the bridge and the successful crossing of the supply train.

On November 4th, Major James Alward Van Fleet earned the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action as commanding officer, 17th Machine-Gun Battalion, 6th Division, in France. Van Fleet earned the Purple Heart Award for wounds received in action during the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

III Corps crossed the Meuse on November 4th while V Corps captured the heights opposite Sedan on November 7th. American forces were advancing towards Briery, Metz, and Montmedy when the Armistice ended combat on November 11th. During the 47-day Meuse-Argonne offensive, the American First Army, with 1.2 million personnel, had about 120,000 casualties and captured 25,000 prisoners.

Major William Morris Hoge, Jr. earned the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action while serving with 7th Engineers, 5th Division, during either the Saint Mihiel or Meuse-Argonne offensives.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas West Hammond earned the Distinguished Service Medal during The Great War while a member of the General Staff of the United States Army and as Secretary of the General Staff for the AEF. In the early days of the war, his judgment and ability were applied to the solution of intricate problems concerning the distribution of the draft. Hammond rendered meritorious served in France both as a line and a staff officer.

On November 6th, while commander of the 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, Hammond led his regiment in a 33 mile march in fifty hours, after which they fought a battle against German defenders. The regiment then advanced two miles against organized defenses, hauling 37 mm guns and heavy machine guns. During this action, the regiment never stopped to be fed.

On November 7th, Major Bill Boots flew an aircraft on a non-stop flight from Mount Clemons, Michigan, to Yonkers, New York. Boots was awarded the Medal of Merit from the Aero Club of America.

On November 10th, Major Paul Barrows Parker earned the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action while serving with the 56th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division, in action at Preny, France, and by his brilliant leadership.

Major Thomas Bernard Larkin earned the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action while serving with the AEF in France. No information was found on this award.

Colonel Ernest Graves earned the Distinguished Service Medal for his conspicuously meritorious manner and untiring zeal in providing engineering and construction services to the AEF as Assistant to the Chief Engineer.

Lieutenant Colonel Dwight David Eisenhower earned the Distinguished Service Medal, while commanding officer of the Tank Corps Training Center at Camp Colt, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services in a duty of great responsibility. Eisenhower displayed unusual zeal, foresight, and marked administrative ability in the organization, training, and preparation for overseas service of the technical troops of the Tank Corps. During his time with the Tank Corps, he also coached their football team for two seasons.

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Warren Stilwell earned the Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious & distinguished services, as G-2, IV Corps, during the Saint Mihiel offensive and later during the Woevre operations. Stilwell displayed military attainments of a high order, with great energy & zeal, pursued developments of the enemy activities on the Corps front, and secured invaluable information for the planning of operations.

Colonel Daniel Isom Sultan earned the Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services for formulating policies covering commissioned personnel and handling complex questions of grave importance to the War Department and the entire Army.

Of the 52 football men who had served on the Western Front, five earned the nation's second highest award for valor – the Distinguished Service Cross. Nine earned the Silver Star Medal, the nation's third highest award for valor. Twelve officers were wounded and earned the Purple Heart Award, and two of them were wounded twice. One was a Prisoner of War with the Germans. In addition, seven men, including some in stateside duties, earned the Distinguished Service Medal, the nation's third highest military decoration.

At 5 am local time on November 11, 1918 in France, Germany signed the Armistice of Compiègne. Fighting on the Western Front ended at 11 am.

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Chapter 21: Between the Wars: November 1918 – November 1941

The Great War had greatly disrupted the operations of the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. Early graduations led to a situation on November 2, 1918, that the only Cadets present were the Fourth Class, who had been admitted in June 1918, and plans for over 300 men to be admitted in November.

It started with the War Department decision after the Congressional declaration of war to graduate the Class of 1917 about six weeks early. In May, the War Department decided to graduate on August 30, 1917 the Class of 1918 almost ten months early. The War Department then decided on changing the USMA course of instruction from four to three years, graduating the Class of 1919 in June 1918.

But the need for junior officers for the expanding United States Army entering combat operations on the Western Front continued. After the entry of new Cadets in June 1918, the Corps of Cadets in September consisted of only three classes totaling 940. On October 3rd, the War Department ordered USMA to graduate the Second and Third Classes, numbering 227 and 284 men, on November 1, 1918. These men had been admitted in the summers of 1916 and 1917, respectively. For the men who had entered in June 1918, they were scheduled to graduate after two years in June 1920, while the new Cadets entering in November 1918 would graduate in June 1921, after 32 months.

The Armistice on November 11th caused the War Department to reconsider what their plans for USMA were. Meanwhile, West Point was admitting hundreds of new Cadets. Of the 284 graduates of the Third Class graduated on November 1, 1918, they were to return to West Point in December 1918 and be student officers until a June 1919 graduation. The status of the other classes was less certain. Complicating matters was a large number of resignations and academic difficulties among the Cadets who remained during December 1918 – June 1919 period.

Army Chief of Staff General Peyton March decided to appoint Brigadier General Douglas MacArthur as Superintendent of USMA, effective June 12, 1919, to conduct reforms. MacArthur served as Superintendent until June 1922. In his annual report on June 30, 1920, MacArthur thoroughly described the many reforms he was pursuing at West Point, involving academics, discipline, athletics, and other areas.

As part of these reforms, First Lieutenant Ollie Oliphant was assigned to the staff and faculty and established the intramural program. This required every Cadet to participate in athletics during their time, in either intercollegiate contests or against over Cadets. Navy quickly copied this program and other universities adopted it, including Notre Dame.

The men admitted in June 1918 would continue to graduation in June 1920. The men admitted in November 1918 would now graduate in June 1922 after a four year course, with some allowed by law to graduate in 1921. Those admitted in the summer of 1919 would mostly graduate in 1923, though some could graduate after three years in 1922. USMA returned to the four year course of instruction for all men entering the summer of 1920 and beyond.

Meanwhile, on the Western Front, the American Third Army was given a new mission on November 15, 1918 to occupy central Germany, with Major General Joseph Dickman commanding. About 230,000 men were assigned in three Corps (III, IV, and VII) consisting of nine veteran Divisions, and after marching across the Rhine, it occupied headquarters in Coblenz by mid-December, encountering no hostile acts.

The American forces in January 1919 continued to train and be prepared for any contingencies, including resumption of hostilities. Military schools were created, quartermaster depots organized, and divisions began departing for the United States in April 1919. In July, the Third Army was disbanded and the occupation forces came under the command of the American Forces in Germany. A separate peace by the United States and Germany was signed in August 1921, and the Americans left in January 1923. During the time of the Occupation, several 1914 football men served in Germany, some with their wives and families, including Tim Timberlake, Joe Tate, Bill Fleming, Teddy Buechler, Herbert Schwarzkopf, Alexander Weyand, and Wallace Collins.

Tom Larkin and Dean Hudnutt participated in the AEF Rifle, Musketry & Pistol Competition in April and May 1919. Lieutenant Colonel John McDermott was placed in charge of the Inter-Allied Games. This sporting event involved over 1,500 athletics from the military forces of 18 countries in 19 sports during June and July 1919. Captain Bill Redfield was one of McDermott's assistants. Dean Hudnutt participated in shooting events in the Inter-Allied Games. Captain Phillip Hayes became the executive officer of the AAA at West Point in September 1919.

The United States Army of 1914 was 200,000 strong, of which half was in the reserves and guard. During The Great War, it expanded to 4.4 million soldiers (some sources say over six million). After the Armistice, the Army quickly demobilized. Congress authorized in 1920 an active force of 296,000 with a National Guard of 486,000 men, but each year's appropriation never supported more than half of these numbers. With the reduction in forces, officers returned to their former ranks before the war, with most of the 1914 football men again becoming First Lieutenants or Captains.

For some of the football men, they considered their prospects in the peacetime Army as dim, with promotions likely to take many years. This was especially the case for the men who spent their time during the war in stateside training activities, such as future military leaders like Bradley and Eisenhower. Some would resign in the coming years, but many would stay in the Army.

Life in the peacetime Army usually offered a combination of duty with troops or being on commander's staffs followed by an assignment being trained or training others, progressing slowly in rank and achieving more responsible positions. Overseas duty included occupation duty in Germany; posts in the Philippines, China, the Panama Canal Zone, and Hawaii; military attaches at diplomatic postings; and training in Latin American countries. In addition, there were occasional opportunities to be on the faculty and staff at West Point, training with reserve or guard units, assignments as military sciences instructors at colleges, or other special assignments.

The Army established a career officer educational program, starting with branch basic and advanced courses, Command & General Staff Course (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for senior Captains or Majors, and finishing with the Army War College (AWC) at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, for Lieutenant Colonels. In addition, the logistical branches created the Army Industrial College as a CGSC-alternative, plus selected Army Officers could attend the Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island.

Many a football man attended his branch's advanced officer course, which taught young Captains how to command and train a peacetime company, yet many had commanded companies and battalions in combat during The Great War. Others found that their assignments offered them the opportunity to coach sports, especially football.

During 1919, here are some highlights of their activities: (1) Lieutenant Colonel Rod Smith was again assigned to USMA as the Assistant Quartermaster. Others joining the faculty and staff included Captains Charles Thompson, Charlie Daly, Phillip Hayes, Vern Prichard, John McEwan, Bob Bathurst, Dean Hudnutt, Parson Parks, and Kivas Tully; and First Lieutenants Ollie Oliphant, Laurence Meacham, and Biff Jones. I think the new Superintendent wanted former star football players at West Point;

(2) Colonel Charles Thompson was in Paris during the first part of 1919 working with the American Relief Administration, providing aid to southeastern Europe. First Lieutenant Emil Krause was with the American-Polish Relief Expedition during its anti-typhus campaign; (3) Colonel Tom Hammond was in Washington, becoming the liaison officer with the House Military Affairs Committee; (4) Majors Douglas Page, Charles Mullins, Omar Bradley, and Bill Hoge; and First Lieutenant Bob Bringham, were assigned as military sciences instructors to Nevada-Reno, Illinois, South Dakota State, VMI, and New York University respectively;

(5) Captain Joe Stilwell was at the University of California learning Chinese ; (6) Lieutenant Colonel Dwight Eisenhower was with the Trans-Continental Motor Truck Train from July until September, an attempt by the Army to drive across America; (7) Lieutenant Colonel Charles Benedict participated in the Army Trans-Continental Air Race in October, but was forced out due to mechanical problems; (8) Lieutenant Colonel Paul Parker was commanding a reinforced battalion that was on race riot duty in Omaha, Nebraska and strike duty in Pittsburg, Kansas;

(9) John Rossell was the first football man to resign from the Army in October 1919. Laurence Meacham soon resigned in December, as did James Peterman. Meacham immediately acquired a controlling interest in the Steel and Tin Products Company, a manufacturer of containers for the Maryland seafood industry, and became its President; (10) First Lieutenant Bob Bringham retired from the Army due to disability at the end of the year. Bringham had earned a Silver Star Medal during The Great War and was wounded in action.

(11) Ellen and Hugh Mitchell lost their infant child to death; and (12) Marriages included Jack Wynne to Mary, Frederick Bonfils to Marion, Laurence Meacham to Adele, Charles Smith to Consuelo, widower Charles Benedict to Dorothy, Dan Pullen to Olivia, Jim Crane to Anne, and Red O'Hare to Bobbie, a Vassar graduate who he met at a Cadet Hop. Benedict had met his future wife as she ran the Red Cross canteen in Issoudun, France during the Great War.

Captain Charlie Daly was again asked to be the head football coach at Army. During the 1919 season, Daly was joined by the following 1914 football men – Pot Graves, Bob Neyland, Vern Prichard, Bill Hoge, Joe Tully, Rod Smith, Biff Jones, John McEwan, Louie Merillat, Laurence Meacham, and Ollie Oliphant as assistant coaches.

Daly and Graves were surprised and disappointed in the quality of the Cadets who turned out for the football team in September 1919. Despite this, the 1919 Army football team went 6-3-0 under Charlie Daly's leadership. The three losses included Syracuse (3-7), Notre Dame (9-12), and Daly's first loss to Navy as a player or head coach, 0-6.

Some of the highlights concerning the football men in 1920 were: (1) Parson Parks' wife, the former Elizabeth Sabina Wilbur, died on February 20th; (2) Marion and Frederick Bonfils lost their three-day old son, Frederick, at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington; (3) Captain Alexander Weyand lost to Martti Nieminen of Finland in the Bronze Medal match in Greco-Roman Wrestling during the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium;

(4) Ollie Oliphant played in the backfield for the Rochester Jeffersons of the early NFL, appearing in one game; (5) Colonel Ernest Graves wrote the pamphlet "Construction in War," that Army engineers received training on between the wars; (6) Assigned to West Point were Captains Leland Hobbs, Frederick Bonfils, Red O'Hare, and Omar Bradley; (7) Captain Jake Holmes graduated with a degree from the University of Minnesota; (8) Captains Charles Benedict, Bill Boots, Bruce Butler, Tom Hanley, and Hubert Harmon transferred to the Air Service; (9) Major Jim Van Fleet and Captain James Kelly were assigned as military sciences instructors to Kansas State and Missouri, respectively;

(10) First Lieutenant Bill Fleming was convicted by Court-Martial of the 96th Article of War, in that he visited Wiesbaden without having secured a written pass from the provost marshal. He was not convicted of a charge that he engaged in an exhibition dance with a woman under such circumstances as to bring discredit upon the military service. He received an admonishment from the Court-Martial panel;

(11) Resigning from the Army were Jack Knight, Cuthbert Stearns, Jared Wood, Herbert Schwarzkopf, Bill Coffin, Bill Britton, Parson Parks, Bill Redfield, Kivas Tully, and Karl Engeldinger. Stearns must have had second thoughts and returned to active duty five months later. Captains Tully and Schwarzkopf joined the reserves or guard;

(12) Harry Tuthill announced his retirement as trainer for the Detroit Tigers professional baseball team after twelve seasons; and (13) Marriages included James Peterman with Neva, Bob Bathurst to Majorie, and Ralph Sasse to Katherine.

Major Daly's assistant coaches for the 1920 football season were Pot Graves, Mike Mitchell, Bill Hoge, Tom Hammond, Bob Neyland, Rod Smith, Biff Jones, John McEwan, Red O'Hare, Joe Tully, and Vern Prichard. The 1920 Army team had a record of 7-2-0, with the two losses coming from Notre Dame (17-27) and Navy (0-7). Captain Biff Jones was also the Army wrestling coach while First Lieutenant Oliphant was head coach of the Field & Track team during 1921 and 1922.

On September 9, 1921, Captain James Patrick Kelly died on active duty of an undisclosed cause at Columbia, Missouri. Kelly was a military sciences instructor at the University of Missouri, the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest medal for valor, and was wounded in The Great War. He was 29 years of age and the first member of the 1914 football team to pass away. He was a former Cadet, a member of the Classes of 1918 and 1919. Kelly was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was survived by his wife, the former Catherine M McDonough, and two young boys.

Activities of the football men in 1921 included: (1) Ollie Oliphant played for the Buffalo All-Americans of the early NFL. He started ten games; was selected All-Pro; and led the league in scoring (47 points), field goals, and touchdown passes thrown (seven). It was the last season he played professional football; (2) Captain Jim Van Fleet was assigned to the University of Florida as a military sciences instructor. He also was an assistant football coach for the Gators during the 1921-1922 seasons; (3) Charlie Daly made a proposal that led to the establishment of the American Football Coaches Association in 1922. Daly was its first president;

(4) Major Ernest Graves retired from the Army due to deafness in March. He began to work with civilian engineering firms. Pot also published The Line Man's Bible, which was a handbook used by many coaches at the time; (5) Captain Bob Neyland graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He was next assigned to West Point as aide-de-camp to the Superintendent;

(6) Major Tom Larkin was assigned as an assistant military attaché in Tokyo for two years. His most harrowing experience in Japan was while a guest of the Hokkaido Governor at Sapporo's leading hotel, he was invited to take a bath. Larkin stepped into the small pool, six Japanese girls also got in. He was embarrassed, though not the girls; (7) Majors John McDermott and Carl Hocker, and Captain Charles Mahoney received assignments to West Point. Major Hubert Harmon became a military aide at the White House. McDermott authored "Scouting and Patrolling," an Infantry training book used for a number of years by the Army;

(8) Major Charles Herrick, Captain Louie Ford, and First Lieutenant Bob Bringham became military sciences instructors at City Colleges of New York, Yale, and Staunton Military Academy, respectively; (9) Herbert Schwarzkopf organized the New Jersey State Police and was appointed its first chief by the governor. Kivas Tully began working for the Pullman Company, and would be responsible for designing new types of sleeper passenger railroad cars; and (10) Marriages that year included Dave Schlenker to Ethel, Biff Jones to Elizabeth, and Ted Buechler to Mary.

The 1921 coaching staff under Charlie Dally was Pot Graves, Biff Jones, John McEwan, Joe Tully, Red O'Hare, Vern Prichard, Bill Hoge, and Bob Neyland. The 1921 football team went 6-4-0 with losses to New Hampshire (7-10), at Yale (7-14), Notre Dame (0-28), and Navy (0-7).

Highlights for 1922 included: (1) Ollie Oliphant resigned from the Army and became the Athletic Director at Union College in Schenectady, New York; (2) Captain Alexander Weyand served as head football coach for the II Corps team. Captain George Weems was head football coach of the Infantry School team in 1922 and 1923. Weems' team played against Tennessee, Auburn, Mississippi, and Tulane and won the Inter-Service Championship of the South when they beat the Marine Corps team from Paris Island;

(3) Major Charles Benedict served as an assistant military attaché in London. First Lieutenant Ted Buechler and Captain Charles Benedict were assigned to West Point; (4) Major Rod Smith graduated from the NWC. Lieutenant Colonel Herman Glade graduated from the CGSC, and was a distinguished graduate; (5) Majors Frederick Bonfils and Bill Hoge, and Captain John Confer graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, all with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Bonfils was the top man in his class;

(6) Major John McDermott led Cadets on night maneuvers during the summer camp. A senior officer accused him in the fall that his actions were unsafe and could have caused fatalities, as they "should have carried and used lanterns while patrolling." An investigation followed, and McDermott decided to leave the Army in November;

(7) Major Frank McGee was retired with disability due to wounds received in The Great War with a silver plate in his head. McGee had spent several years fighting his discharge. He left his Georgia post with several horses he owned, and rode back to South Dakota. Throughout his life, his speech was slurred and he suffered from excruciating headaches. His memory sometimes played tricks on him, as he did not recognize Tom Hanley when they met in Manila a few years later;

(8) Louie Merillat, Bill Boots, Steve Place, Wallace Collins, Charles Herrick, Charles Mahoney, and John Confer resigned from the Army. Major Herrick would continue to serve in the reserves; (9) Jack Knight began working for companies that constructed large movie palaces around the nation. Wallace Collins became president of Cal-American Petroleum Corporation; and (10) Wallace Collins and his wife Ada divorced with three children. Collins then married Ruth. The widower Parsons Parker married Flora, who worked for the Red Cross in France during The Great War.

Daly's assistant coaches for the 1922 football season were Vern Prichard, Biff Jones, John McEwan, Bob Neyland, Red O'Hare, and Charles Benedict. The 1922 Army football team had an undefeated record (8-0-2) in Daly's last season. The team tied at Yale (7-7) and against Notre Dame (0-0). After three years of Midshipmen victories, the Cadets beat Navy 17-14 at Franklin Field. Daly's overall record as Army head football coach was 58-13-3 (0.804) in eight seasons.

On September 22, 1923, Major Daniel Dee Pullen died on active duty of a brain tumor at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington. Pullen was the District Engineer at Norfolk, Virginia, and a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest medal for valor, during The Great War. He was 38 years old and was buried at Arlington. Pullen was survived by his wife, the former Olivia Blake, and one daughter. He was the first coach from the 1914 football team to pass away.

Other 1923 highlights of the football men: (1) Lieutenant Colonel Herman Glade and Major Tom Hammond graduated from the AWC. Majors Cuthbert Stearns and Daniel Sultan, and Captain Ralph Sasse graduated from the CGSC. Sultan was the Honor Graduate while Sasse was a distinguished graduate;

(2) Major Cuthbert Stearns, Captains Paul Parker and Ralph Sasse, and First Lieutenant Dave Schlenker were assigned to West Point; (3) First Lieutenant Bill Chapman and Captain George Weems became military sciences instructors at California and Davidson, respectively. Weems would become the wrestling coach during his tenure, earning an honorary "D" and remained a star polo player throughout the 1920s;

(4) John McDermott joined the United States Dairy Products Corporation as a vice-president and helped build it into the second largest dairy company in the nation; (5) Norman Boots introduced the first self-locking nut used in airplanes, and made millions; (6) Frank McGee had left America to find his fortune in the Far East. He met five other adventurers in Manila, who then bought a large boat to get into the shipping business. The boat sank in a typhoon, and they were all shipwrecked at a Philippine plantation for six months, awaiting transportation. McGee decided to stay and became the Manager at the Kumassie Plantation on Mindanao Island; and

(7) Marriages by John McDermott to Dorothy, Ernest Graves to Lucy, Bob Neyland to Peggy, and Karl Engeldinger to Viva. Graves, a confirmed bachelor while in the Army, had decided that he had to become wealthy first before he sought a spouse. He then met the widow Lucy Birnie Horgan and was hooked.

Captain John McEwan became the Army head football coach beginning with the 1923 season. His assistants for the 1923 season included the following 1914 football men – Red O'Hare, Charles Benedict, Biff Jones, Ralph Sasse, Paul Parker, and Bob Neyland. McEwan led Army to a 6-2-1 record, with losses to Notre Dame at Ebbets Field (0-13) and at Yale (10-31) and a scoreless tie with Navy in the Polo Grounds. On October 6th, McEwan's team beat Van Fleet's Florida team, 20-0.

Significant events that happened to the football men in 1924 were: (1) John Confer's wife, the former Ellen May Kuby, died in childbirth on September 12th in Minnesota. She was 30 years old. Their unnamed son died at birth; (2) Major Leland Hobbs coached the all Army-Hawaiian Department football team. Major Dwight Eisenhower was head coach of the III Corps area football team. Major Jimmy Van Fleet completed his two seasons as head football coach for the University of Florida. His overall record was 12-3-4;

(3) Captain Vern Prichard was assigned as a military sciences instructor at Yale University. He was an assistant football coach for five seasons. Prichard was awarded a letter by the team for leading them to a victory over Harvard; (4) Ollie Oliphant was appointed a coach for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) track team to prepare track stars for the 1924 Olympics; (5) Captain Joe Tate was a member of the United States Army Polo team for the next four years;

(6) Majors Charlie Daly, Rod Smith, and Phillip Hayes graduated from the CGSC. Hayes was a distinguished graduate; (7) Captain Mike Mitchell earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Yale University; (8) Major Cuthbert Stearns became the Master of the Sword at West Point. He served in that position for three years. First Lieutenant Bill Fleming was assigned to USMA to instruct History and English. Captain Fay Prickett was a military sciences instructor at Princeton University; (9) Parson Parks joined the reserves as a Captain in the Field Artillery; and

(10) Marriages included Tattnall Simkins to Margaret, Emil Krause to school teacher Edna, and Jared Wood to Rachel, who was a civilian working for the Army in the Philippines or China in 1921.

McEwan continued to have Jones, Sasse, Parker, and Neyland among his assistant football coaches for the 1924 season. The Army football team was 5-1-2, the only loss being against Notre Dame at the Polo Grounds (7-13) and two ties – at Yale (7-7) and Columbia (14-14). Army beat Navy, 12-0, at Municipal Stadium in Baltimore. On November 8th, Van Fleet's Florida team lost to Army at Michie Stadium, 14-7.

On May 7, 1925, Major Charles Calvert Benedict was killed while on active duty in an aircraft crash at Langley Field, Virginia. He was 34 years old and was buried either at West Point or Cold Springs Cemetery, New York. Benedict was in France during The Great War training pilots. He was practicing an aerial attack on a captive balloon target when his airplane crashed. Benedict was survived by his wife, the former Dorothy Potter, and three children.

Highlights of 1925 included: (1) Louie Merillat played end during the football season for the Canton Bulldogs of the NFL. The team's record was 8-4-1, 4-4-0 in NFL games. It was the only season Merillat played professional football; (2) Major Charlie Daly was assigned as a military sciences instructor and became an assistant football coach at Harvard during the season;

(3) Captain Bob Neyland became a military sciences instruction at the University of Tennessee and was an assistant football coach. Years later, he said, "I tried to get myself an ROTC job where I could do a little football coaching and experiment and see whether or not there was any sense to what I had dreamed up. That's actually how I got interested in it, and just like anything else you get your teeth into, you don't seem to be able to let go." His starting salary was $750. Bucknell University head coach Charley Moran, who had played at Tennessee and coached Neyland at Texas A&M, recommended him for the assistant job. He filled in one game for head coach M.B. Banks, who was sick, and the Vols won 12-7 over Georgia. Newspapers proclaimed it the biggest upset of the year in the South. Banks left that December for the head coaching job at Knoxville Central High School, and Neyland was promoted to be the head coach;

(4) Major Charles Thompson graduated from the CGSC. Thompson was a distinguished graduate. Major Tom Hanley graduated from the Army Industrial College; (5) Major Jim Crane and Captain Love Mullins were assigned to West Point. Major Hubert Harmon was again assigned as a military aide to the White House;

(6) Frederick Bonfils resigned from the Army and took a job as Business & General Manager for The Denver Post, where he remained until retiring in 1951. John McEwan also resigned from the Army as a Captain; and (7) Bill Britton married Ellen, Charles Mahoney married Helen, and Paul Hodgson married Anne, whom he met when both were traveling back from the Far East on the Army transport Thomas.

For the 1925 season, McEwan had Parker, Sasse, and Jones as some of his assistants. The Army team was 7-2-0, with its two losses at Yale (7-28) and against Columbia at the Polo Grounds (7-21). Army beat Navy, 10-3, at the Polo Grounds. McEwan's three season record as Army head football coach was 18-5-3 (0.750).

On July 11, 1925, Captain Joel Grant Holmes earned the Soldier's Medal for heroism during explosions at the Lake Denmark Naval Ammunition Depot, near Dover, New Jersey. He entered the burning area at 6:30 am to search for First Lieutenant George Bott; who was in the powder factory when it exploded the preceding afternoon. Holmes conducted the search in close proximity to burning magazines and was exposed to frequent explosions of large-caliber shells and small-arms ammunition. He located Bott's body and with great difficulty succeeded in removing it from the wreckage. The Soldier's Medal is the highest honor a soldier can receive for an act of valor not involving combat with an armed enemy.

In 1926, the football men had the following happen: (1) Captain Bob Neyland, still an active duty Army Officer, became the head football coach at the University of Tennessee. Dean Nathan W. Dougherty hired him, and told Neyland to "even the score with Vanderbilt." Neyland would have five undefeated seasons, including winning streaks of 33 and 28 games;

(2) John McEwan became the Professor of Physical Education and head football coach at Oregon University. In his four seasons, his teams had a 20-13-2 record, including going 9-2-0 and 7-3-0 in 1928-1929;

(3) Bill Britton would become head basketball and track coach at Tennessee, as well as being an assistant to his classmate, Bob Neyland, coaching ends. Another classmate, Paul Parker, would also become an assistant football coach for the Vols after resigning from the Army. Parker coached the line and halfbacks and also served in the Army Reserve;

(4) Louie Merillat was busy organizing a professional basketball team in Canton, Ohio, thinking that a new sports league would flourish; (5) Captain Alexander Weyand published the first of his six sports books, American Football: Its History and Development; (6) Captain Red O'Hare was a member of Tacna-Arica Plebiscite Commission that settled the dispute between Peru and Chile; (7) Majors Dan Sultan and Charles Thompson graduated from the AWC;

(8) Majors Dwight Eisenhower, Harry Pendleton, and Joe Stilwell, and Captain Joe Tully graduated from the CGSC. Eisenhower was the Honor Graduate, while Pendleton was a distinguished graduate. Stilwell would then become the battalion commander for the 15th Infantry Regiment in Tientsin, China. Eisenhower would go to Fort Benning, Georgia, commanding an infantry battalion and coaching the post football team;

(9) Major Charles Smith became the commanding officer of the Colored Cavalry Detachment at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; (10) Parson Parks resigned from the reserves and organized the Union County Park Police in New Jersey and become their Chief until 1941; (11) Frank McGee bought and managed the Lauayon Plantation on Mindanao Island in the Philippines and lived there until World War II. Every few years he would return to the United States to have his silver plate in his head adjusted. He would purchase a car and road map, and travel around the states looking up classmates; (12) Ollie Oliphant came to work for the Metropolitan Insurance Company, where he would work until retiring in 1957; and (13) Jim Crane and the former Anne E. Keith divorced. They had no children.

First Lieutenant Biff Jones was appointed head football coach at West Point for the 1926 season. He would be promoted to Captain in August. Ralph Sasse was an assistant during the four seasons he coached, with Tim Timberlake assisting from 1927-1929. The 1926 team's record was 7-1-1, losing to Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium (0-7) and battling to an epic tie with national champion Navy, 21-21, at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Some significant events in 1927 for the football men include: (1) Major Jimmy Van Fleet was the head football coach for the United States Army team at Fort Benning, Georgia, for the next two seasons; (2) Major Hubert Harmon became an assistant military attaché for air in London; (3) Colonel Ernest Graves returned to active duty with the Corps of Engineers to work on Mississippi Flood Control; (4) Major Tom Larkin graduated from the Army Industrial College. Majors Carl Hocker, Dean Hudnutt, Clyde Selleck, and Roscoe Woodruff graduated from the CGSC. Woodruff was the Honor Graduate; (5) Captain Tim Timberlake began his assignment at West Point. Captain Ted Buechler began his assignment as a military sciences instructor to Yale University;

(6) John McDermott became President of the United States Dairy Products Corporation. He would serve in that position until 1933, amass quite a fortune, but losing control of the company and his financial holdings; and (7) Hubert Harmon married Rosa-Maye while Steve Place married Eva.

The 1927 team went 9-1-0, beating Notre Dame (18-0), losing at Yale (6-10), and beating Navy at the Polo Grounds (14-9). Jones did Army a great service when he brought civilian Earl "Red" Blaik back to West Point as an assistant coach in 1927. Blaik worked for three years under Jones and would return years later to lift the Cadets to their highest success.

On November 11, 1928, John Wesley Confer, Jr. died due to angina pectoris at Watertown, Massachusetts. He was 35 years old and was buried at Forest Hills Cemetery, Massachusetts. Confer was a mechanical engineer with Stone & Webster at the time of his death. He served in southwest posts along the Mexican border during The Great War. Confer was survived by his second wife, the former Dorothy May Rankin, and his son from his late wife, the former Ellen May Kuby.

Highlights of 1928 included: (1) Wallace Collins' ex-wife, the former Ada Marcella Watrous, died on March 6th. She jumped from the eighth floor of a department store in Los Angeles in an apparent suicide. The Collins had three children together. A Wisconsin family buried her in their family plot as she was penniless;

(2) Majors Dwight Eisenhower and Rod Smith graduated from the AWC; (3) Major Bill Hoge and Captain George Weems graduated from the CGSC; (4) Captains Joe Tate and George Weems were assigned to USMA. Colonel Ernest Graves became President of the Mississippi River Commission and would serve until 1952; (5) Bob Bringham was released from reserve duty, having served with the ROTC at Staunton Military Academy since 1921;

(6) Charles Mahoney became a NBC radio announcer for college football games during the next two seasons; (7) Tom Hanley was recognized as a one of The Early Birds of Aviation, 598 aviators who piloted a glider, gas balloon, or airplane, prior to December 17, 1916; and (8) John Confer married Dorothy and Bill Redfield married Louise.

The 1928 Army football team's record was 8-2-0, with losses to Notre Dame (6-12) and Stanford (0-26), both games played at Yankee Stadium. The 1929 team went 6-4-1, with a tie at Harvard (20-20), losses at Yale (13-21), at Illinois (7-17), Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium (0-7), and post-season at Stanford (13-34). Due to a dispute on eligibility, Army did not play Navy in the 1928-1929 seasons. Biff Jones overall record as Army head football coach was 30-8-2 (0.775).

Highlights of 1929 included: (1) Lieutenant Colonel Paul Parker and Majors Omar Bradley, Tom Larkin, Red O'Hare, and Charles Smith graduated from the CGSC. O'Hare would then become the Military Attaché in Havana, Cuba. At the end of his tour in 1933, O'Hare was awarded the Order of Military Merit by Cuba for having contributed to the ties of friendship between the two countries; (2) Major Hubert Harmon was assigned to West Point. Captain Jack Knight began serving in the Illinois National Guard;

(3) Lieutenant Colonel Dan Sultan was the commander of United States Army troops in Nicaragua and headed the Nicaragua Canal Survey, for the next two years. Colonel Ernest Graves was appointed to the Interoceanic Canal Board by the President; (4) Colonel Herman Glade retired with a disability. Five months later he would return to active duty with a Junior ROTC program; (5) Bob Bringham became Governor of the National Military Home in Bath, New York. This was a predecessor organization of the Veterans Administration;

(6) John Rossell worked for Sikorsky Aviation Corporation and Kivas Tully worked for Curtiss Wright Flying Service; (7) Marriages that occurred included Jim Crane with Anne Mitchell, Louis Merillat to Claire, Bill Boots to Louise, and Herbert Schwarzkopf to Ruth. Boots was now General Manager of the Roosevelt Flying Field in New York and had flown a party of eight to the wedding in Chicago. Ruth was a registered nurse who had taken care of Schwarzkopf as he recovered from wounds in The Great War; (8) Louie and Ethel Merillat divorced during the decade. So did Tim and Mary Timberlake. The Merillat's had two daughters, while the Timberlake's had three sons; and (9) Tom Hammond's son, Thomas W Hammond Jr., graduated from USMA with the Class of 1929. His son would achieve the rank of Colonel.

The roaring twenties ended with four of the 83 football men dead, three retired from the Army with disabilities, five being civilians serving in the reserves, 17 others in civilian life, with 54 still on active duty with the United States Army.

Major Ralph Sasse would have Tim Timberlake serve as one of his assistant coaches in the 1930 season. That team's record was 9-1-1, with the loss being against Notre Dame at Soldier Field in Chicago (6-7) and the tie being at Yale (7-7). Army beat Navy, 6-0, at Yankee Stadium.

Activities of the football men during 1930 included: (1) John McEwan became head football coach at the College of the Holy Cross. McEwan's overall record for the 1930-1933 seasons was 21-5-1, with each season having a winning record;

(2) Major Phillip Hayes graduated from the AWC. Majors Tom Hanley, Walt Hess, and Fay Prickett graduated from the CGSC; (3) Captain Emil Krause and Major Harry Pendleton began assignments as Professors of Military Science at Minnesota and Culver Military Academy, respectively; and (4) Tim Timberlake married Dorothy.

The 1931 Army football team went 8-2-1. Its two losses were against Harvard (13-14) and at Pittsburgh (0-26), with the tie at Yale (6-6). Army beat Notre Dame (12-0) and Navy (17-7) at Yankee Stadium.

On May 13, 1931, Major James Mitchell Crane died on active duty due to peritonitis from acute appendicitis at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was 37 years old and was buried at Fort Leavenworth's cemetery. Crane served as a Mathematics instructor at West Point during most of The Great War. He was survived by his second wife, the former Anne Mitchell, and two children. Crane was awarded his CGSC diploma at the June graduation exercises by his classmates.

In July 1931, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Dee Sultan earned his second Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished serves while commander of Army troops in Nicaragua. He conducted the investigation of the interoceanic canal route, maintained high morale among his troops under condition of unusual hardship and difficulty, and had the tact and diplomacy in handling problems by maintaining cordial relations with our allies. Following the March 1931 earthquake, Sultan had his forces conduct prompt relief work that invoked the appreciation and gratitude of the afflicted people of Nicaragua.

The 1931 significant activities of the football men included: (1) Paul Parker became the Director of Athletics at the University of Tennessee, and served until 1936; (2) Captain Biff Jones was assigned to West Point and became the Assistant Graduate Manager of Athletics; (3) Majors Charlie Daly and Cuthbert Stearns graduated from the AWC. Majors John Goodman and Vern Prichard graduated from the CGSC; (4) Major Joe Tully became the Professor of Military Science at Norwich University;

(5) Captain Bill Fleming was relieved of his company command with the 14th Infantry Regiment on June 20th in the Canal Zone. On November 11th, Fleming was found guilty of the 95th Article of War (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman) at a General Court-Martial and dismissed from the service the next day; (6) Fleming, his wife, and two children left the Canal Zone on November 14th on the Army transport Chateau Thierry and arrived in New York City on November 20th; and (7) Charlie Daly's son, Charles J. Daly, played football at West Point during his plebe year.

Bob Neyland used Graves' book, The Line Man's Bible, in coaching the Volunteers. Bob Neyland's teams started staying in tourist motels instead of hotels when on the road, because one of his teams could not get an elevator to stop for their floor and was almost late for a game. Sometime during the early 1930s, Bob Neyland established his Seven Maxims of Football, which are:

(1) The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.

(2) Play for and make the breaks and when one comes your way – Score.

(3) If at first the game - or the breaks - go against you, don't let up... put on more steam.

(4) Protect our kickers, our Quarterback, our lead and our ball game.

(5) Ball, oskie, cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle... for this is the Winning Edge.

(6) Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.

(7) Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes.

The 1932 highlights of the football men included: (1) Captain Biff Jones was assigned as the Professor of Military Science at the Louisiana State University (LSU) and became the head football coach for three seasons. Jones overall record was 20-5-6;

(2) Major Roscoe Woodruff graduated from the AWC. Captain Louie Ford graduated from the Army Industrial College. Majors Paul Hodgson and Bob Bathurst graduated from the CGSC. Woodruff was then assigned to West Point; (3) On March 1st, Herbert Schwarzkopf, as Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, was responsible for investigating the Lindbergh baby kidnapping. Though Schwarzkopf was often criticized, as Lindberg tried to control the investigation, he introduced the use of criminal profiling to identify the kidnapper;

(4) George Weems organized the G.H. Weems Educational Fund to aid deserving men and women students who are unable to finance their college education. The Fund was still in operation in 2013 providing scholarships to Tennessee boys and girls; (5) Love and Ida Mullins divorced. They had no children; (6) Tom Hammond's son, Chester Hammond, graduated from USMA with the Class of 1932. His son would achieve the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; and (7) Charlie Daly's son, John H. Daly, played football at West Point all four seasons. He played in five games at quarterback during his junior season, though he did not score.

The 1932 team was 8-2-0, with losses against Pittsburgh (13-18) and Notre Dame (0-21). It beat Navy at Franklin Field, 20-0, in Sasse's final game as head coach. His overall record at Army was 25-5-2 (0.813) over three seasons. He was the last of the 1914 football men to coach at Army.

In the 1933, the significant activities among the football men were: (1) John McEwan was head football coach for the NFL Brooklyn Dodgers. In three seasons, McEwan's professional football record was 9-11-1. His team finished second in the league in 1933. His overall college record at Army, Oregon, and Holy Cross was 59-23-6;

(2) Louisiana State, with head football coach Biff Jones, met Tennessee, with head football coach Bob Neyland and his assistants Paul Parker and Bob Britton, during the 1933 season. LSU won 7-0, the first shutout loss for the Volunteers in 77 games;

(3) Major Fay Prickett graduated from the AWC. Captain Ted Buechler and Major Louie Ford graduated from the CGSC. Ford then commanded a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in Oregon; (4) Major Tom Larkin supervised the construction of the Fort Peck Dam in eastern Montana, the largest earth-fill dam in the world; (5) Colonel Charlie Daly retired from the Army with a physical disability; (6) Love Mullins married Jane; and (7) Joe Stilwell's son, Joseph W. Stilwell graduated from USMA with the Class of 1933. His son would obtain the rank of Brigadier General.

On December 7, 1934, Colonel Herman Glade died suddenly after a brief illness at Burlingame, California. He was 59 years old and was buried at Arlington with General MacArthur as one of his pallbearers. Glade spent much of The Great War in the Canal Zone and was commanding the 45th Infantry Regiment awaiting embarkation at Camp Dix, New Jersey, when the Armistice was signed. He was survived by his wife of 22 years, the former Lillian Huntington Hills, and one step-son.

Highlights of 1934 were: (1) Brigadier General Rod Smith became the commander of the first United States Military Mission to Brazil. He established the Brazilian Army Training Center for Seacoast and Antiaircraft Artillery and was commended in person by President Roosevelt on his return. Smith received Brazil's Order of Military Merit and the National Order of the Southern Cross for his services;

(2) Majors Omar Bradley, Ralph Sasse, and George Weems graduated from the AWC. Bradley was then assigned to West Point; (3) Majors Leland Hobbs and Love Mullins graduated from the CGSC; (4) Colonel Charles Thompson was assigned as the Professor of Military Science at Oregon State;

(5) Colonel Tom Hammond retired from the Army. He was immediately appointed the New York City Commissioner of Sanitation. During the next two years, his time was marked by saving tens of millions of dollars, improving efficiency, and establishing high morale for the unit; and (6) Bill and Louise Boots were divorced. They had four children.

On January 31, 1935, Henry Nathan Tuthill died at Detroit, Michigan. He was 64 years old and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Saginaw, Michigan. He served in the War Department during the Great War organizing the Army's physical fitness program. After serving as trainer for the Detroit Tigers baseball team and football trainer for Army and Michigan, he spent time as a boxing trainer and official. Tuthill was survived by his wife, Mary, and his son.

On February 20, 1935, Major Jared Irwin Wood died on active duty of an undisclosed illness at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington. He was 41 years old, stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried at Arlington. Wood earned the Silver Star Medal and two Purple Heart Awards during The Great War. He was survived by his wife, the former Rachel Bayard Forbush, and his son.

Significant activities of 1935 were: (1) Major Ralph Sasse would become the Professor of Military Science and head football coach at Mississippi State University. Sasse's overall record in three seasons was 20-11-2, including a loss to Duquesne University in the 1937 Orange Bowl;

(2) On November 2nd, Sasse's Mississippi State football team beat Army, 13-7, at Michie Stadium. Future USMA Superintendent Gar Davidson, Class of 1927, was the Army head football coach that season;

(3) Captain Biff Jones was hired as head football coach at the University of Oklahoma. His overall record was 9-6-3 in two seasons. Jones also served as the Professor of Military Science at Oklahoma; (4) Bill Britton became head football coach at the University of Tennessee, while Major Bob Neyland was assigned to duty in Panama. Britton went 4-5-0 during the 1935 season;

(5) Lieutenant Colonel Clyde Selleck, and Majors Leland Hobbs, Carl Hocker, and Charles Smith graduated from the AWC. Majors Bill Butler and Hubert Harmon graduated from CGSC, with Butler as a distinguished graduate. Major Jake Holmes graduated from the Army Industrial College. Major Tattnall Simkins became the Professor of Military Science at the University of Michigan;

(6) Colonel Joe Stilwell became the Military Attaché for China and Siam for the next four years. Major Bill Hoge, while stationed with the 14th Engineer Battalion in the Philippines, led the construction of roads and bridges on Bataan, which was then mostly impassable jungle; (7) Bob Brigham was appointed Manager of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Sawtelle, California; and (8) Charlie Daly's son, Charles J. Daly, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1935. His son would obtain the rank of Colonel.

On September 2, 1936, Colonel Thomas West Hammond died of heart failure in New York City. He was 55 years old and was buried at West Point and then Arlington. Hammond had recently assumed the position in May as Commissioner of Water, Gas, and Electricity for New York City. He earned the Distinguished Service Medal during The Great War with service in France. Hammond was survived by his wife, the former Carmelita Yost, and two sons.

Other significant events for the football men in 1936 were: (1) Bob Neyland retired as a Major from the Army and became the Athletic Director at the University of Tennessee. He returned from a one year assignment in the Canal Zone to be the head football coach. Bill Britton, who filled in for Neyland during the 1935 season, again became an assistant football coach;

(2) Paul Parker became the Athletic Director at Mississippi State University, and would serve in that position until 1938; (3) On August 6th, Dean Hudnutt shot in the first round of the 25 meter rapid fire pistol match during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. 28 out of 53 competitors shot perfect scores, but not Hudnutt, which ended his competition. Hudnutt served as the Captain of the United States Olympic Pistol Team;

(4) Lieutenant Colonel Tom Larkin graduated from Gonzaga University with a Doctor of Science. Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hodgson graduated from the AWC. Major Mike Mitchell and Captain Tim Timberlake graduated from the CGSC; (5) Lieutenant Colonel Doug Page became the Professor of Military Science at Ohio State. Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Butler earned his pilot's wings;

(6) The marriage between Ruth and Wallace Collins ended in divorce. They had one daughter, and Collins had three children with his first wife Ada. Collins then married Martha Sap in Florida; and (7) Charlie Daly's son, John H. Daly, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1936. His son would earn the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart Award, being badly wounded in the Korean War, and achieved the rank of Brigadier General.

Highlights of 1937 were: (1) Sometime in 1937, the spouse of Frederick Bonfils, the former Marion De Witt, passed away;

(2) Major Biff Jones retired from the Army in May and became the Director of Athletics and head football coach at the University of Nebraska. His record there was 37-41-4 over five seasons;

(3) Major Ralph Sasse, head football coach at Mississippi State, suddenly resigned as the head coach after finishing the 1937 season. This stunned students and players. Sasse was following doctor's orders due to a sudden nervous breakdown. Sasse's head coaching records were 25-5-2 at Army and 20-11-2 at Mississippi State, for an overall career record of 45-15-4 in six seasons;

(4) Colonel Daniel Sultan served as Vice Chairman for the President's Inauguration. Major Tim Timberlake was the Military Attaché at Havana, Cuba, for two years; (5) Lieutenant Colonel Fay Prickett was assigned to West Point and became commander of the Field Artillery detachment. Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Bonfils became the commander of the 120th Observation Squadron of the Colorado National Guard; (6) Lieutenant Colonel Charles Smith retired from the Army due to disability;

(7) In March, a warrant was issued in Los Angeles for Wallace Collins, charging him with grand theft and violation of the state corporate securities act. The warrant claimed that he had absconded from $30,000 to $40,000 in bonds from a client;

(8) Wallace and Martha Collins ended their short marriage in divorce. Majorie and Bob Bathurst were also divorced. In April, Wallace Collins then married Helen, 18 years old, in Key West, Florida, under the alias "John Dennis Richards;" and (9) Joe Tate's son, Joseph S. Tate, Jr., played plebe football at West Point.

1938 highlights of the football men were: (1) Bob Neyland's Tennessee football team was named 1938 National and Southeastern Conference (SEC) champions. The Vols defeated Oklahoma, 17-0, in the 1939 Orange Bowl, finishing with an 11-0-0 record;

(2) Lieutenant Colonel Bill Hoge became District Engineer at Omaha, Nebraska. He was responsible for the early planning and development of large dams on the Missouri River; (3) Lieutenant Colonels Hubert Harmon and Tom Larkin graduated from the AWC; (4) Lieutenant Colonel Joe Tully was assigned to West Point. Majors Jake Holmes and Tim Timberlake became the Professors of Military Science at Stanford and Illinois, respectively;

(5) Bill Boots became President of the Western Hemisphere Trading Corp and Boots Aircraft Nut Corp. Jack Knight became President of the Safety Milk Bottle Corporation. Bill Redfield became President of The Hill Brothers Company, until he sold it to Nabisco in 1953;

(6) Marriages ended in divorce for two couples – Mary and Charles Herrick and Dorothy and John McDermott. In October, Charles Herrick married Cupie; (7) Bob Bringham's son, Robert M. Bringham, played plebe football at West Point. His son also played his senior year, but did not letter; (8) Joe Tate's son, Frederic H.S. Tate, played football all four years at West Point. In his junior year, he started one game at fullback and played in five other games, kicking two extra points. He played in four games during his senior season at end. He was the only son of a 1914 football team player or coach who lettered at Army in football.

On January 21, 1939, Wallace Duncan Collins died of a heart attack in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was 44 years old and was buried at Royal Palm South Cemetery, Florida. Collins had served in France during The Great War. He was survived by his wife, Helen, and a three-month old daughter. He was also survived by the three children of his late first wife, his second wife and their daughter, and his third wife.

At the time of his sudden death, Collins was living in St. Petersburg as John "Jack" Dennis Richards, from Columbus, Ohio. He was a popular golfer, fisherman, shuffleboard player, and sportsman. As Richards, he wrote for periodicals under the names J.D. Richards and Bruce Wallace, though few manuscripts were accepted. It was thought that he created the Richards alias using the names of his three children from his first wife. He was known to be a West Point graduate, as he wore his class ring, and sometimes spoke about his service in France during the war.

Within three weeks of his death, the FBI and the Los Angeles Sheriff's office identified Richards as Collins from his fingerprints. Collins had disappeared from California in 1937 after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with stealing securities at his brokerage firm. In Florida, he lived modestly but always had money for his activities.

After an extensive search over nine months, no significant financial assets were ever found. It appears that Collins went to New York City and hid any money there, left his three older children with his sister in Kansas, and then went to Florida where he met and married Helen, moving several times within the state. Letters appearing to be written by Collins during the period said that he was being blackmailed for something and that he stole the securities to pay off the blackmailer. He said in the letters that he planned to pay it all back. He also discussed how he tried to cover his tracks while on the run and had considered suicide several times.

On November 8, 1939, John Ellis Rossell died suddenly of a fatal heart attack at New Brighton, New York. He was 46 years old and was buried at West Point. Rossell was a trained aviator and spent his time during The Great War training pilots in the United States. He was the Treasurer at the firm Newton-Frier at the time of his death. Rossell was survived by his wife, the former Cora "Betty" Galloway Mebane, and his three children.

Other highlights of 1939 for the football men were: (1) Bill Fleming's wife, the former Elizabeth J Early, died before the 1940 Census, as he was listed as a widower;

(2) Bob Neyland's 1939 Tennessee football team was named the SEC Champion, finishing with a 10-1 record and #2 ranking. It was the last college team to hold every regular season opponent scoreless. Between the 1938-1939 seasons, Tennessee held 17 opponents scoreless for 71 quarters, a NCAA record. The Vols lost to #3 Southern California, 14-0, in the 1940 Rose Bowl;

(3) On October 28th, Biff Jones' #10 ranked Nebraska football team beat Kansas State, 25-0, in Manhattan, Kansas. It was the second college football game and first homecoming game televised;

(4) Brigadier General Joe Stilwell became the commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division; (5) Lieutenant Colonel Red O'Hare was in charge of Army troops responsible for security at the World's Fair in New York City; (6) Colonel George Weems was the commander of the United States military mission to Haiti until 1941. He also was Director of Haiti's military academy and received the Haiti's Honneur et Merite award; (7) Major Love Mullins graduated from the AWC. Lieutenant Colonel Tom Larkin graduated from the NWC. Larkin then went to the Canal Zone and was responsible for the construction of the Third Locks; (8) Mullins was the founder of the Nicaraguan military academy. Nicaragua awarded him the Medalla de Merito de la Primera Class, their highest medal of achievement, and he has appeared on two Nicaraguan stamps;

(9) Congress passed a Special Act to "give proper recognition to the distinguished services of Colonel Ernest Graves." The act enabled him to receive retirement pay based on his rank and length of service when he finally retired. Graves remained on active duty until 1952; (10) Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Schwarzkopf was recalled to active duty;

John McDermott was involved with Inter-Coast Petroleum Corporation, an oil producing firm. He was responsible for many innovations in oil production; (11) Marriages ended in divorce for Dorothy and Tim Timberlake and with Alice and Joe Tate; and (12) Marriages occurred during the year with John McDermott to Vesta and with Tim Timberlake to Alice.

Highlights of 1940 were: (1) Bob Neyland's Tennessee football team was named National and SEC Champions for the 1940 season. The team went 11-1-0, losing to Boston College, 13-19, in the 1941 Sugar Bowl;

(2) Major General Charles Thompson became the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. Major General Joe Stilwell became the commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division; (3) Lieutenant Colonels John Goodman, Dean Hudnutt, and Vern Prichard graduated from the AWC. Lieutenant Colonel Leland Hobbs graduated from the NWC. Hudnutt became the Professor of Military Science at Yale University;

(4) Lieutenant Colonel Bill Hoge, while at the Fort Belvoir Engineer Center, built the first obstacle course for military and physical fitness training. After General George Marshall saw the course, he ordered similar courses for all Army training camps; (5) Lieutenant Colonel Charles Herrick was recalled to active duty. He became the commander of the Buffalo Military District during World War II; (6) Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Sasse retired from the Army. He became the Athletic Director at the Pennsylvania Military College;

(7) Bob Bathurst married Jane by 1940. Joe Tate married Marilyn; and (8) Charles Benedict's son, Charles C. Benedict, played football at West Point during his plebe and yearling years.

Highlights of 1941 prior to December were: (1) Biff Jones' #7 Nebraska team played in its first bowl game, the 1941 Rose Bowl, losing to undefeated #2 Stanford, 13-21. The team finished with an 8-2-0 record, with its other loss to top-ranked Minnesota;

(2) The 1941 football season would be the last one for Biff Jones. He would finish his head coaching career with an overall record of 87-33-15, with stops at Army for four seasons (30-8-2), three seasons at Louisiana State (20-5-6), at Oklahoma for two (9-6-3), and five seasons at Nebraska (28-14-4);

(3) Major Generals Charles Thompson and Joe Stilwell became the commanding generals of I and III Corps, respectively; (4) Brigadier General Dan Sultan became the commanding general of the Hawaiian Division. Major General Sultan then became commanding general of the 38th Infantry Division at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Brigadier General Clyde Selleck became the commanding general of the 71st Infantry Division in the Philippines; (5) Lieutenant Colonels Bill Chapman and Jimmy Van Fleet graduated from the CGSC. Chapman was then sent on a special mission by the War Department to observe the Battle of Britain;

(6) Majors Bob Neyland and Parson Parks were recalled to active duty. So were Colonels Kivas Tully and Paul Parker. Neyland would coach an Army College All-Star team against three NFL teams in twelve days, winning two of the games; (7) Lieutenant Colonel Tom Hanley graduated from St. Vincent's College, earning a Doctorate; (8) Frank McGee began sending intelligence reports of activities of Japanese on the Mindanao Island of the Philippines. Many Japanese had immigrated during the 1920s and 1930s to the town of Davao. McGee predicted that it was a matter of "when" and not "if" the Japanese would invade the Philippines;

(9) The sons of Bill Hoge, John Rossell, Joe Tate, and Roscoe Woodruff – William M. Hoge, Jr., John E. Rossell, Joseph S. Tate, Jr., and Roscoe B. Woodruff, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1941 in June. Woodruff's son earned the rank of Colonel, the others rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; (10) Bob Bathurst's step-son, George G. Ball, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in February; and (11) Dwight Eisenhower's son, John S. Eisenhower, played football during his plebe and yearling years at West Point.

At the eve of the entry of the United States into World War II, the status of the 1914 football players and coaches was eleven dead, seven retired from the Army, 16 civilians (as six had been recalled to active duty in 1939-1941), and 49 men on active duty in the Army.

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Chapter 22: World War II: December 1941 – December 1945

Tom Brokaw calls the men and women who grew up in the United States during the Great Depression and fought in World War II or kept the home front productive the "Greatest Generation." Ernest Hemmingway referred to the generation who came of age during World War I as the "Lost Generation." In the United States, the "Lost Generation" became defined as those born between 1883 and 1900, and it included all of the 1914 Army football team players and coaches, except for Graves, Daly, and Thompson (born in 1880, 1880, and 1882, respectively).

I would rather not call the 1914 football men the "Lost Generation," but the Old Men, who served as the vanguard, with their contemporaries, in leadership and on senior staffs for the United States Army that rapidly expanded from about 100,000 men in 1939 to ultimately 8.3 million soldiers in 1945. The passing of the Selective Training and Service Act of September 1940 authorized a peacetime draft, registering 21 through 35 year olds, that was expanded to 18 to 45 after Pearl Harbor. On Pearl Harbor Day, the youngest of the Old Men was 46 (Bill Chapman) while the oldest was 58 (Joe Stilwell).

Out of the 83 football men, there were 72 alive when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. 49 were Army Officers on active duty, while seven were retired and 16 were civilians. Six of the 49 men had returned to active duty during 1939-1941. During World War II, 61 Old Men served on active duty as Army Officers, with 41 serving in the European and/or Pacific theaters of war and four others serving in other overseas assignments. 19 of the men had either retired or were civilians prior to 1939, and of these men, all over 45 years of age, volunteered to serve in another war. Three men died or were killed during the war.

Four Old Men earned the nation's second highest honor for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross, a total of six times. Ten men earned the third highest honor for valor, the Silver Star Medal, a total of 17 times. One earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and 25 men earned 35 Bronze Star Medals (BSM), both awards earned for either heroism or extraordinary achievement.

Nineteen men earned thirty Distinguished Service Medals (DSM), 35 men earned forty seven Legion of Merit (LM) awards, plus some earning the Bronze Star Medals (BSM), all for outstanding performance in the war. Eight men earned 16 Purple Heart Awards for wounds in combat with an armed enemy, including one man killed in action. One man was a Prisoner of War (POW) and another man earned the Soldier's Medal for heroism in a non-combat situation.

The 19 Old Men who returned to active duty during World War II included Schwarzkopf, Herrick, Neyland, Parks, Kivas Tully, Parker, Merillat, Hodgson, Boots, McGee, Jones, Mahoney, Knight, McEwan, Sasse, Meacham, Britton, Place, and Rod Smith.

Lieutenant Colonel Bob Bathurst was commanding the 90th Field Artillery Battalion in Oahu when the Japanese struck Hawaii on December 7th. He would be promoted to Colonel four days later.

Louie Merillat was rumored to be serving in the French Foreign Legion or with French forces in combat against the Germans, but left and enlisted into the United States Army after Pearl Harbor. Merillat was quickly commissioned and promoted to Colonel. Merillat commanded the Miami Beach service base in Florida until 1947.

While the Army Air Forces (AAF) were technically part of the Army, they operated in World War II independently as a separate service. The Old Men that served in the AAF included Schlenker, Boots, Hanley, Britton, Mitchell, Butler, Harmon, and Mahoney.

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hodgson was retired for disability due to severe arthritis on December 31, 1941. The next day, he returned to active duty as executive officer for Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Hodgson would serve in this position until 1945 and earn the LM for his service.

Brigadier General Clyde Selleck was commanding general of the 71st Infantry Division in the Philippines, arriving there on November 18, 1941. The Japanese invaded the Philippines, and his division was responsible for defending the Layac Line in early January 1942. He was probably the first of the Old Men to be in combat. His unit was forced to retreat down to the Corregidor Islands, where Colonel Selleck was captured in April 1942 and was forced on the Bataan Death March. It was not until sometime in 1943 before the Army and his family knew he had survived and was a Prisoner of War in a camp in Formosa.

Frank McGee, a retired Army Officer living as a civilian and plantation manager on Mindanao Island in the Philippines, joined the Mindanao guerrillas after the Japanese invasion. Colonel Wendell Fertig organized the guerrilla forces on the island that looked at the few American officers as leaders. This force conducted operations for more than two years until General MacArthur's forces invaded, keeping several Japanese divisions from being utilized elsewhere in the war. McGee aided Fertig by persuading an influential Philippine leader to unite into one unified guerrilla command.

McGee was asked by several Philippine leaders to become the commanding officer of the 106th Division. He was officially returned to active duty in the United States Army, initially as a Major in 1942, but then promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in February 1943. McGee would earn two LM and two BSM for his service.

Lieutenant Colonel Tattnall Simkins retired at the end of January 1942. At the same time, Lieutenant General Joe Stilwell became the commanding general of the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations while Major Biff Jones became the Graduate Manager of Athletics until 1948.

In February 1942, Major General Omar Bradley became commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division while Brigadier General Bruce Butler became commanding general of the 11th Air Force. Brigadier General Bill Hoge was assigned as commanding general responsible for the building of the Alaska Military Highway. Hoge would complete his assignment, and in September 1942, earned the DSM for constructing 1,030 miles of road in seven months, something that civilian engineers said could not be done.

Major General Dan Sultan became commanding general of the VIII Corps at Camp Hood, Texas in March 1942 and earned the LM for his service. Colonel Alexander Weyand arrived in England and became the provost marshal for the Army forces in April. Weyand would not be allowed to serve in combat units due to his hearing loss. In May, Colonel Tom Larkin would join Weyand in England on staff, before becoming the commanding general of the Mediterranean Base. Brigadier General Larkin would earn two DSM and the LM for his service.

Colonel Joe Tate would graduate from the CGSC. Civilian Frederick Bonfils began operating a series of flying schools in Oklahoma under contract with the Army Air Forces. Colonel Walter Hess became the commanding officer of the 36 Field Artillery Brigade that would fight in Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. Hess would earn two LM and two BSM for his service.

On August 28, 1942, Lieutenant General Joseph Warren Stilwell, earned the Distinguished Service Cross, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous bravery in action while in command of the Chinese Forces in Burma during the Spring of 1942. His presence and personal example in an exposed position on the front lines of a Chinese division on April 23rd. inspired the unit to a renewed effort which resulted in the capture of Taunggyi.

While at this position, Stilwell was exposed to concentrated rifle, machine gun, and mortar fire which inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese troops in the immediate vicinity. On April 28th, while visiting the entire front of two Chinese divisions, he spent considerable time with one of them and, while on the ground, directed the readjustment of the forces. During the entire campaign he personally directed operations in positions which were subjected to continuous enemy aerial strafing and frequent air bombardment, with utter disregard for his own personal safety.

On May 29th, the sons of Bringham, Hanley, and Tate, respectively Robert M. Bringham, Thomas J. Hanley, Jr., and Frederic H.S. Tate, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1942. Bringham's and Hanley's sons would achieve the rank of Colonel, while Tate would become a Captain. During the 1942 season, the sons of Eisenhower and Jones, John S. Eisenhower and Lawrence M. Jones, Jr., played on the Army football team.

Major General Roscoe Woodruff became the commanding general of the 77th Infantry Division at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, in June 1942 and earned the BSM during this command. In July, Major General Dwight Eisenhower was named the commanding general of the European Theater of Operations. Eisenhower earned the DSM and the LM for his service. Colonel Louie Ford and Major Laurence Meacham arrived in England to join Eisenhower's staff. Meacham became part of the group planning for Operation Torch in North Africa.

Colonel Herbert Schwarzkopf became chief of the military mission in Iran and began organizing the national military police. Brigadier General Charles Mullins became the commanding general of Combat Command, 11th Armored Division. Colonel Emil Krause was detailed to be an Inspector General. Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Sasse began training stateside armored units in July and would earn the LM for his service.

On July 12, 1942, the widow of Herman Glade, Lillian Huntington Hills Colwell, died at Puyallup, Washington. She was 65 years old and was buried with her late husband in Arlington.

In September, Major General Leland Hobbs became the commanding general of the 30th Infantry Division. He would lead his division in five major campaigns in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany and earn the DSM and three BSM for his service and earn the nickname "the work horse of the Western Front." Major General Vern Prichard became the commanding general of the 14th Armored Division at Fort Chafee, Arkansas. Brigadier General Bill Hoge became the commanding general of the 8th Armored Division. Colonel Bill Chapman became the S-3 for the Infantry Replacement Training Center at Camp Roberts, California and earned the LM for his service.

In October, Major General Charles Thompson became the commanding general of the Islands Command in the Fiji Islands. Thompson would earn the DSM for his service. Colonel Tim Timberlake became the commanding general of the Military District of Washington's anti-aircraft artillery command. Timberlake would form the first all-women combat arms unit in American military history, Battery X of the 1st Battalion, 89th Coast Artillery Regiment in early 1943.

In November 1942, Brigadier General Bill Hoge became the commanding general of the Combat Command B of the 9th Armored Division. Major General Hubert Harmon became the commanding general of the 6th Air Force in the Canal Zone and earned the LM for his service.

The late Wallace Collins' son, John W. Collins, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in December 1942. The late Charles Benedict's son, Charles C. Benedict, graduated from USMA in the Class of January 1943. He graduated number three in his class and would achieve the rank of Captain during the war.

Major General Omar Bradley became the commanding general of the 28th Infantry Division in February 1943. Colonel Louie Ford became the Chief of Staff for the North African Theater of Operations and earned two LM during the war. Civilian John McDermott wrote a series of poems that are provided in Appendix 5. McDermott also painted in oils and made figurines using plasticine. In April 1943, Major General Roscoe Woodruff became the commanding general of VII and XIX Corps in England. Woodruff earned the DSM during this command.

Colonel Mike Mitchell began serving in the Southwestern Pacific with Army Air Force units in May, initially in Australia and then in New Guinea. Mitchell would earn the LM and the BSM during his service. Colonel Paul Parker was serving at Guadalcanal as the Island Engineer. Colonel Joel Holmes joined the European Command's ordnance staff in England and later in France, earning the LM and the BSM for his service. Major General Omar Bradley became the commanding general of II Corps, that then conducted operations in northern Tunisia and then in Sicily. Bradley earned the DSM and the LM during this command.

In May 1943, Major General Omar Nelson Bradley earned the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy. Bradley's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

In June 1943, Brigadier General Tim Timberlake became the commanding general for the 49th AAA Command in Europe. He would be one of the first general officers on the Normandy beachhead on D-Day a year later. He would command this unit until early 1946, and it would assume control of Paris air defenses in August 1944, held the line during the Battle of the Bulge in December, protected the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, and later shot down German 202 jet fighters and V-1 buzz bombs heading to England. Timberlake would earn the LM and the BSM for his service.

Colonel Alexander Weyand returned to the states to be the commanding officer of the Prisoner of War Camp in Ogden, Utah. In July 1943, Colonel Charles Herrick commanded Army forces in South America in Natal, Brazil. In August, Colonel Cuthbert Stearns arrived in England to serve as the Civil Affairs officer in the European Command. He would establish procedures for operating post-war military governments and provide training to hundreds of officers. Stearns would be promoted to Brigadier General and earn the LM and the BSM for his service. Brigadier General Fay Prickett would become the commanding general of the 75th Infantry Division. He would lead the unit into France, Belgium, Holland, and then Germany until early 1945. Prickett would earn two LM and the BSM for his service.

During the 1943 football season, the sons of Benedict, Jones, and Joe Tully, Calvert P. Benedict, Lawrence M. Jones, Jr., and Robert B. Tully, would play football as plebes or yearlings at West Point.

Colonel Red O'Hare began serving as the G-1 for the First Army in England. Colonel Bob Bathurst in September 1943 became the Chief of Staff of the Western Defense Command at the Presidio, California, and earned the LM for his service. Classmates of Colonel Clyde Selleck heard that the family had received their first letter from him in August, written in January. He was in a POW Camp hospital recovering from a bout of malaria. Another letter arrived a month letter saying he was out of hospital and recovering by reading most of the books in the camp.

In October 1943, Colonel Jack Knight became the District Engineer in Wilmington, North Carolina. Major Steve Place began training troops at Camp Custer, Michigan. Major General Bruce Butler became the deputy Commander-in-Chief of Allied Air Forces Europe, and earned two LM for his service. Brigadier General Ted Buechler arrived in England as the commanding general of XVIII Corps Artillery. Buechler would lead the unit into campaigns into Germany and earn the LM for his service. Lieutenant General Omar Bradley became the commanding general of the First Army.

On October 11, 1943, Colonel Dean Hudnutt died after a long illness at New Haven, Connecticut. He was 52 years old and was buried at West Point. Hudnutt was the Professor of Military Science at Yale University at the time of his death. He was survived by his spouse, the former Therese Bradley. The couple had been married for about 28 years and had three daughters. He had served in France during World War I as an artillery instructor. He was a member and Captain of the 1936 Olympics pistol team.

Major General Dan Sultan became the deputy commanding general for the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations and commanding general of the Chinese Armies in India. Sultan would earn the DSM and the BSM during his command. Major General Hubert Harmon became the deputy and then the commanding general of the 13th Air Force, fighting in Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. Harmon would earn the DSM and DFC during this command. Brigadier General Philip Hayes became the commanding general of the 3rd Services Command in the United States. Hayes would earn the DSM and the LM during his command.

Brigadier General Tom Larkin became the commanding general of the European Theater's Services of Supply and would earn the DSM and the BSM for his service. Colonel Emil Krause arrived in the Southwestern Pacific as the Inspector General for XIV Corps. Colonel Kivas Tully arrived in Europe and would organize the Military Railway Service in France later in 1944. Tully would earn the DSM, the LM, and the BSM for his service.

Brigadier General Love Mullins became the commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division in December 1943. He would lead his division in the Battle of Balete Pass in the Philippines during May 1945 and later into the occupation of Japan. Mullins would later earn the DSM, the BSM, and an Air Medal during his command.

On December 23, 1943, Joe Tate's son, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph S. Tate Jr., was reported missing in action after an air mission over Osnabruck, Germany. His son was 25 years old. On September 9, 1945, the younger Tate was declared dead. He earned a Silver Star Medal, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Purple Heart Awards, and five Air Medals. He was a member of the USMA Class of 1941.

In a letter received several months later, Colonel Clyde Selleck described Christmas 1943 at his POW Camp. On Christmas Eve, there was an assembly after lunch where the Camp Commandant gave out made-up gifts to all, with Selleck receiving a third of a melon. Carols were sung that night, and the POWs went to bed one hour later than normal. On Christmas Day, there was a nice chapel service and they had pork in rice for dinner and duck soup for supper. All shared cigarettes, bread, candy, tea, or coffee of their own making. After supper there were skits, games, songs, and late taps. The camp received gifts and cards and he had received a short wave message a few weeks ago from his family.

Sometime during 1994, Harry Tuthill's widow, Mary, died at the age of 67. She was buried with her husband in Michigan.

Major General Roscoe Woodruff returned to the states to become the commanding general of the 84th Infantry Division at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, which was in training. Colonels Harry Pendleton and Doug Page arrived in England to join the European Command. Pendleton became the commandant of the American Schools Center and later served in the Civil Affairs staff in France and Germany, earning the LM for his service. Colonel Page commanded the 9th Infantry Division Artillery and earned two LM and three BSM for his service.

On March 23, 1944, Charles Smith's son, Charles C. Smith, Jr., was killed in an aircraft collision near Gila Bend, Arizona. His son was an Aviation Cadet in pilot training and was flying an AT-6B aircraft. He was 21 years old at the time of his death.

Major General Bruce Butler became the commanding general of the 6th Army Air Forces Eastern Training Command at Maxwell Field, Alabama. Butler took over from Hanley, who earned the DSM and the LM during his command. Major General Tom Hanley became the commanding general of Air Services in the China-Burma-India Theater of War and earned the LM and an Air Medal for his service. Major General Hubert Harmon returned to the states and become the commanding general of the Air Force Personnel Command. Harmon would earn the DSM for his service.

During June 1944, Colonel Jack Knight would travel to Brazil to become the Chief Engineer for South America. He earned the LM for his service. Colonel Bob Neyland, after earning two LM as the Division Engineer in Norfolk, Virginia, arrived in Kunming, China, to join the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. Neyland would spend his time split between China and Calcutta, India, be promoted to Brigadier General, and earn the DSM and the LM for his service.

Brigadier General George Weems was at Fort Benning, Georgia, when he received a letter from a 13-year old boy asking how he could "get ready" for the Army. Weems wrote the young lad back, saying "stay in school, there'll always be an Army." Colonel Bill Chapman was commanding the 306 Infantry Regiment in Hawaii, and earned the BSM for his service.

On June 6, 1944, the sons of Daly, Eisenhower, Graves, and Joe Tully, Robert C. Daly, John S. Eisenhower, Ernest Graves, Jr., and Larkin S. Tully, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1944. These sons would later achieve the ranks of Colonel, Brigadier General, Lieutenant General, and Colonel, respectively. On that same day, Colonel Alexander Weyand took over as the commander of the disciplinary barracks in Missoula, Montana.

A number of Old Men converged at some beaches in northern France on June 6th. General Dwight Eisenhower was in charge and would earn the DSM for his service. Colonel Laurence Meacham was one of his key planners for Operation Overlord. Lieutenant General Omar Bradley was the commanding general of the First Army with more than 70,000 men that led the attack. Colonel Jimmy Van Fleet led the 8th Infantry Regiment as the first unit to land on Utah Beach. Two hours before that, Colonel Joe Tully led his 4th Cavalry Group onto the Îles Saint-Marcouf Islands, finding the islands unoccupied but heavily booby-trapped, and then came ashore at Utah Beach.

Brigadier General Bill Hoge was the commander of the Provisional Engineer Special Brigade Group that came ashore on Omaha Beach and was responsible for assisting assault troops ashore. Hoge was in charge of the beachhead until July and was wounded and earned the Purple Heart Award. Brigadier General Tim Timberlake's 49th AAA Regiment came ashore at Omaha Beach and immediately provided air defense. Major General Leland Hobbs, the commanding general of the 30th Infantry Division, landed at Omaha Beach on June 11th and then secured the Vire-et-Taute Canal.

On June 8, 1944, Colonel James Alward Van Fleet earned the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action against enemy forces. In the initial landing and assault, he quickly organized his troops and pushed them rapidly across the beach in an orderly and determined manner, brushing aside resistance and thereby greatly expediting the early establishment of the division beachhead. Van Fleet was always well forward and went up to check his battalions. His superior leadership and personal example of courage aided in clearing the beach with a minimum of casualties and substantially contributed to the rapid advance of the division's D-Day objective.

On June 7th, while the enemy was using observed fire to vigorously shell the highways and avenues of approach in the vicinity of his unit, Van Fleet displayed cool leadership and skill in maintaining order under severely trying conditions, and did so encourage and inspire confidence in all members of the combat team that they followed his example and advanced with no hesitation, and with minimum losses of both men and equipment. This was at a critical time when a failure to procure advanced positions would have endangered the success of the operation. On the morning of June 8th, with disregard for his personal safety, he captured an enemy guard and procured important information from him which aided the regiment in successfully advancing against the enemy's strongly entrenched successive positions.

Major General Charles Thompson became the deputy commanding general of the Second Army, which was responsible for stateside training units. During World War II, it trained eleven corps, 55 divisions, 2,000 other units, and over one million soldiers for combat deployment. Brigadier General Bob Bathurst became the Chief of Staff for the Alaska Department and earned the LM for his service.

In July, Colonel James Alward Van Fleet earned his second Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as the commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. He also was wounded in action, and earned his second Purple Heart Award. Colonel Van Fleet also earned the BSM during this period.

Also in July 1944, Colonel Paul Barrows Parker was seriously wounded in his right arm, while in the South Pacific commanding an engineer regiment and probably earned the Purple Heart Award. Parker earned the LM and the BSM while in the theater.

Colonel Van Fleet became the commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division in July and earned his first star on August 1st. On July 17th, Major General Vern Prichard took command of the 1st Armored Division, while it was fighting in central Italy. Prichard would be responsible for cutting off the German Army Group from retreating out of northern Italy. Prichard would earn the DSM for his service. Colonel Carl Hocker would retire at the end of July 1944 due to disability.

On August 1st, Lieutenant General Omar Bradley became the commanding general of the Twelfth Army Group. Bradley earned the DSM, the Navy DSM, the LM, and the BSM during this command. Colonel Red O'Hare became the G-1 for the Twelfth Army Group in August 1944. O'Hare would be promoted to Brigadier General in November and would earn the DSM, the LM, and two BSM for his service. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mahoney became provost marshal for the 2nd Air Force in Colorado Springs.

In August 1944, Major General Leland Stanford Hobbs earned the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as the commanding general of the 30th Infantry Division in combat.

Major General Phillip Hayes was ordered by the President on August 3rd to take charge of the Philadelphia Transportation Company, the city's public transit operator. Hayes led troops to temporary operate the cars and proceeded to negotiate with strikers, finally ordering them back to work with severe penalties if they did not comply. The strike was caused in protest to the city hiring eight black employees and resulted in the loss of over four million work hours to war plants alone. Hayes' prompt action reduced the effects on the wartime efforts and may have prevented similar strikes around the country.

In September 1944, Brigadier General James Alward Van Fleet earned his third Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as the commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division. Van Fleet also was wounded and earned his third Purple Heart Award. He also earned the LM and two BSM during this command.

Major General Charles Thompson became the commanding general of the Military District of Washington until mid-1945. Thompson would earn the DSM for his service. Major General Bruce Butler became the commanding general of 6th Air Force. Brigadier General Jimmy Van Fleet became the commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division.

Colonel John Goodman became the commanding officer of the 364th Infantry Regiment in Alaska, was promoted to Brigadier General, and earned the LM for his service. Colonel Paul Parker retired from the Army with disability due to his seriously wounded arm. Joe Tully's son, Robert B. Tully, played on the Army football team during the 1944 season.

On September 22, 1944, Joe Tate's son, Captain Frederic H.S. Tate, was killed in action on an air mission near Vigneulles, France. His son was 25 years old and a member of the USMA Class of 1942. Tate earned five Air Medals and a Purple Heart Award.

On the same day, the USS Narwal, a submarine tasked by MacArthur to deliver supplies to Philippine guerrillas, met with Lieutenant Colonel Frank McGee and delivered several tons of supplies off the Pangay River. The submarine then picked up several West Pointers who had been Prisoners of War on a Japanese ship recently sunk by allied aircraft.

In October 1944, General Joe Stilwell returned from the Far East and became the commanding general of Army Ground Forces. Brigadier General Van Fleet became the commanding general of the 90th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Lyman Parks became the commanding officer of Fort Hancock, Maryland.

Colonel Charles Herrick was released from active duty. Herrick became the Manager of the Veterans Hospital in Oakland, California. Brigadier General Bill Hoge rejoined the 9th Armored Division as the commander of the Combat Command and would earn the DSM and the LM for his service. Colonel Joe Tate arrived in Europe, commanding the 411 Field Artillery Group, and earning the BSM for his service.

On October 20, 1944, Cuthbert Stearn's son, First Lieutenant Cuthbert P. Stearns, Jr., was killed in action at Solers-Melun, France. His son was killed by a German boob-trap while scouting a site for a forward headquarters when a Teller mine exploded under his jeep. He was 24 years old and earned the Purple Heart Award.

In November 1944, Brigadier General George Hatton Weems earned his second Distinguished Service Cross for heroism. No description of his act of valor was found, but we know that Weems was on a special mission from Fort Benning to the European Theater of War during this time period.

Major General Roscoe Woodruff became the commanding general of the 24th Infantry Division in the Philippines. Woodruff would earn the DSM, the BSM, and two Air Medals during this command. Colonel Joe Tully became the assistant division commander of the 90th Infantry Division. Colonel Rodney Smith retired from the Army at the end of November 1944, though he returned to active duty during the next month.

In December 1944, Brigadier General Edward Wrenne Timberlake earned the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as the commanding officer, 49th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade. Timberlake also earned the Purple Heart Award for wounds received in combat. Dwight David Eisenhower was promoted to the rank of General of the Army.

In December 1944, Brigadier General William Morris Hoge, Jr. earned his second Distinguished Service Cross for superior judgment and tactical leadership displayed by him throughout the operation at St. Vith, for the discipline and combat efficiency of his command, and for turning back the best panzer equipped divisions. During the Battle of the Budge, Hoge's 9th Armored Division, with the 7th Armored Division, held off German attacks at St. Vith until December 24th.

On December 21, 1944, the late Charles Benedict's son, Captain Charles C. Benedict, was killed in action on an air mission over Mukden, China. His son was 23 years old and a member of the USMA Class of January 1943. The son earned two Air Medals and a Purple Heart Award.

On December 22, 1944, Major General James Alward Van Fleet earned his second Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations while the commanding general of the 90th Infantry Division in action against enemy forces during 6 – 22 December in the Saar River operations. Van Fleet personally directed laying and maintaining a smoke screen, which in spite of shifting winds, unpredictable weather, and fierce enemy action, completely concealed all crossing movements from the enemy.

In January 1945, Colonel Joseph Merit Tully earned the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy as assistant division commander, 90th Infantry Division.

On January 20, 1945, the submarine USS Nautilus met Lieutenant Colonel Frank McGee in Linao Bay and delivered 45 tons of supplies to the Philippine guerrillas. It was the last re-supply mission done by a several submarines under orders from General MacArthur.

Also in January 1945, Major General Roscoe Barnett Woodruff earned the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as the commanding general of the 24th Infantry Division.

On January 9, 1945, Major General James Alward Van Fleet earned his third Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations in action against enemy forces in military operations in Luxembourg. Near Nothum, he visited all elements participating in the attack, fearlessly exposing himself to heavy enemy artillery, mortar, and rocket fire, and inspiring the men by his cool demeanor and conspicuous bravery. With utter disregard for his own safety Van Fleet remained with the forward units until he was assured of the success of the mission. During this command, Van Fleet also earned the DSM and the LM for his service.

On January 13th, Major General Charles Mullins, the commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division, led his forces across the beach at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines. They then attacked retreating Japanese forces under General Yamashita up Highway Number Five in some of fiercest jungle fighting in the Luzon campaign. The division served the longest continuous contact with the enemy without relief in the war in the Pacific, a total of 165 days.

Major General Van Fleet became the commanding general of the XXIII Corps in February 1945. Brigadier General Fay Pricket became the deputy commanding general of XXI Corps. Lieutenant Colonel John McEwan was released from active duty and retired with disability. On February 25th, Colonel Emil Krause, the XIV Corps Inspector General, began on an investigation pursuant to numerous alleged atrocities by members of the Japanese Imperial Forces as reported from various sources.

On February 26, 1945, Hubert Harmon's brother, Lieutenant General Millard F. Harmon, Jr., was killed when his aircraft was lost at sea in the Pacific Ocean in route to Hawaii from Guam. His brother was 57 years old and a member of the USMA Class of 1912. Harmon's brother was the commanding general of Army Air Forces in the Pacific Ocean Area at the time of his death.

On March 7, 1945, Major General William Morris Hoge, Jr. earned his second Silver Star Medal for gallantry in connection with military operations against opposing armed force. His unit captured the Ludendorff Railroad Bridge over Rhine River at Remagen, Germany. This established a firm bridgehead over the eastern shore of the river and let Allied forces to continue their drive eastward.

On March 19th, Colonel Emil Krause was severely injured in a traffic accident in Manilla, Philippines. He was evacuated to a hospital ship. Lieutenant Colonel R. Graham Bosworth, XIV Corps assistant Inspector General, concluded the investigation and completed the report on April 9th on Japanese war crimes as most of the interviews were completed by Colonel Krause before his accident.

On March 31, 1945, Colonel Emil Krause died of injuries received in an automobile accident while on active duty on a hospital ship in Manilla Bay, Philippines. He was 52 years old and was buried in the Philippines. Krause had served in stateside training units for deployment during World War I and later served in the subsequent occupation of Germany. He was survived by his spouse of 21 years, the former Edna De Witt, and his daughter.

Major General Jimmy Van Fleet became the commanding general of III Corps and earned the DSM for his service. Colonel Laurence Meacham was released from active duty in March 1945, earning the LM and the BSM during his service. Major General Bill Hoge became the commanding general of the 4th Armored Division in May and would later earn the BSM for his service. Major General Fay Prickett became the commanding general of the 10th Armored Division.

On April 28, 1945, Major General Vernon Edwin Prichard earned seven Purple Heart Awards. He was wounded by enemy fire on seven separate instances during the morning, afternoon, and evening, but continued his duties as the commanding general of the 1st Armored Division during operations in Italy.

On May 31, 1945, Jack Knight's son, Private First Class Samuel Knight, was killed in action at Okinawa, serving in the United States Marine Corps. His son earned the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart Award and was buried in Okinawa.

On May 31, 1945, Major General Charles Love Mullins, Jr. earned the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as the commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division.

In May 1945, Major General William Morris Hoge, Jr. earned his third Silver Star Medal for gallantry in connection with military operations against opposing armed force as the commanding general of the 4th Armored Division.

In May 1945, Major General Leland Stanford Hobbs earned his second Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as the commanding general of the 30th Infantry Division in France and Germany.

In May 1945, Brigadier General Joseph Merit Tully earned his second Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy as the assistant division commander, 90th Infantry Division, in France and Germany. Tully earned the DSM, the LM, and the BSM during his command.

In June 1945, Lieutenant Colonel Frank D. McGee earned the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving with the 106th Philippine Division (Mindanao Guerrillas) operating with the 24th Infantry Division in the Philippine Islands. The 24th was led by his classmate, Roscoe Woodruff. McGee was also wounded during this action and earned the Purple Heart Award. McGee would take over the command of the 107th Division when its commander was evacuated to Australia.

In June 1945, Major General Roscoe Barnett Woodruff earned his second Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as the commanding general of the 24th Infantry Division in the Philippines.

In May, Colonel Bill Britton earned the BSM for his service in France as base commander for the Central Air Depot. General Joe Stilwell became the commanding general of Tenth Army, which was to lead the invasion of Japan. Stilwell earned the DSM and the LM for his service.

On June 5th, the sons of Hoge, Jones, and Larkin, George F. Hoge, Lawrence M. Jones, Jr., and Harrison Larkin, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1945. The sons would achieve the rank of Colonel, Major General, and First Lieutenant, respectively. Jack Knight's son, Richard H. Knight, graduated on June 7th from the United States Naval Academy.

Lieutenant General Dan Sultan became the Inspector General of the United States Army in July 1945. Brigadier General Ted Buechler was assigned to head a war crimes commission in Germany. Brigadier General George Weems was sent in August on a special mission to the Philippines until November. He would earn his second Silver Star Medal during this mission,

On August 7, 1945, Lieutenant Colonel Frank D. McGee was killed in action at Davao, Philippines. He was shot in the thigh by an enemy sniper that severed his femoral artery. McGee was 56 years old and was buried in the Philippines. He was never married. McGee earned his second Silver Star Award and second Purple Heart Award. During World War I, he was wounded in action in France and was later retired for disability due to his wounds. He was buried on a hill near Taloma Beach near Davao. He died eight days before the ceasefire went into effect in the Philippines.

Classmates Woodruff, Peabody, and Ritchel described McGee as a "gallant solder" and "one of the heroes, an officer needed badly in the closing days of the war in that faraway area with few real friends about and few relatives anywhere. He did a good job and we can be proud of him." Roscoe Woodruff wrote about his classmate, "Maggie's halting speech and sluggish-looking actions may have some to look down on him or think him incapable, but not one squawk from him about inadequate tools for the job. He led a small group [about 4,000 in the 106th Division and 2,500 in the 107th Division] of Philippine officers and enlisted men who seemed to admire and respect him a lot."

On August 20, 1945, Colonel Clyde Andrew Selleck was released from his Prisoner of War camp and earned the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received while captive.

On August 30, 1945, Colonel Douglas Jenkins Page earned the Soldier's Medal for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving as the commanding officer, Division Artillery, 9th Infantry Division, in Germany.

In August 1945, Major General Roscoe Barnett Woodruff earned his third Silver Star Medal while he was the commanding general of the 24th Infantry Division in the Philippines. He also was wounded and earned the Purple Heart Award.

General Omar Bradley became the Administrator of Veterans Affairs in August 1945. Major General Fay Prickett became the commanding general of the 4th Armored Division in September during occupation duty in Germany. Brigadier General Tom Larkin became the commanding general of the 2nd Services Command in October. Brigadier General Joe Tully became the assistant division commander of the 94th Infantry Division in Czechoslovakia.

In November 1945, Major General Roscoe Woodruff became the commanding general of I and X Corps while in occupation duty in Japan. Major General Charles Thompson was retired from the Army with disability. Brigadier General Joe Tully became the commanding general of the 80th Infantry Division. Tully would earn the DSM, the LM, and the BSM for his service. Colonel Ralph Sasse was released from active duty at the end of December.

On November 28th, Brigadier George Weems and five others safely parachuted from an Army transport plane before it crashed near Walhalla, South Carolina. Weems suffered a bruised shoulder and ankle. The plane was flying from Bolling Field in Washington to Fort Benning, Georgia, when it crashed with all personnel surviving. In December, Brigadier General Weems was assigned to be the Chief American Military Representative for the Allied Control Commission in Hungary.

At the end of 1945, there were 69 out of the 83 football men alive. Of the 61 Old Men who had served as Army Officers in World War II, three had died, five had retired, and three had left active duty. There remained 50 Old Men still on active duty as Army Officers, some of whom would leave the service in the next few years. Nineteen others were either retired, most with a disability, or civilians, some of whom may have been with the reserves or guard.

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Chapter 23: Post-War and Retirement: January 1946 – October 2010

The New Year's Eve celebrations at the end of 1945 were probably greeted by the sixty-nine living members of the 1914 football team as one of celebration to have survived World War II and of hope for continued peace. But the glimmers of the Cold War, a term introduced in an October 1945 article by George Orwell, were beginning to dawn on some of them and would affect them in their remaining years.

During 1946, several of the Old Men retired, most with a disability. They included Bruce Butler, Cuthbert Stearns, Bill Chapman, Phillip Hayes, Paul Hodgson, John Goodman, and Alexander Weyand. Others were technically released from active duty, but with active and reserve time, probably qualified for retired pay, such as Kivas Tully, Bill Britton, Rod Smith, Bob Neyland, Steve Place, and Paul Parker. This still left 37 Old Men on active duty as Army Officers.

Colonel Louie Ford earned the Distinguished Service Medal for his work from 1944 to 1946 as the Chief of the Maintenance Division in the Ordnance Corps office. Ford would in July 1946 become the Chief of the Ordnance Division in the European Command for the next two years. Colonel Herbert Schwarzkopf earned the Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptionally meritorious services as the Chief of the Military Mission to Iran. Major General James Van Fleet earned the Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptionally meritorious service as the commanding general of III Corps.

Major General Tom Larkin became The Quartermaster General in February 1946. During his three years, he would launch a program for returning American servicemen and civilians who died overseas and buried there, home to be buried in America. This program directly brought home the bodies of Old Men Emil Krause and Frank McGee, plus sons Cuthbert Stearns, Jr., Samuel Knight, Charles Benedict, and many others.

Major General Jimmy Van Fleet became the commanding general of the 2nd Service Command, and then the deputy commanding general of First Army. Major General Leland Hobbs became the commanding general of III Corps and then 2nd Armored Division. Major General Tom Hanley become the commanding general of 11th Air Force. Colonel Pat Mahoney became the provost marshal for the Army Occupation of Japan.

Major General Fay Prickett was president of the Military Tribunal sitting at Dachau trying Germans for the atrocities they had committed at the Mauthausen concentration camp. Brigadier General Walter Hess became the Chief of the American Military Mission in the Soviet Zone of Germany. Brigadier General George Weems, in his role as Chief Military Representative on the Allied Control Commission for Hungary, protested Soviet orders to the Hungarian government to disband Catholic youth organizations. Colonel Tim Timberlake was interviewed by Time Life reporter Jim Atwater about his innovative ROTC operations.

On June 4th, the sons of Charles Benedict, Paul Parker, and Joe Tully, Calvert P. Benedict, William C. Parker, and Robert B. Tully, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1946. Young Benedict would become a Major General, while young Parker and Tully would become Colonels. Kivas Tully returned to work with the Pullman Company. Frederick Bonfils founded Monarch Airlines, from which he pioneered all-weather services. Monarch would merge in 1950 with Arizona and Challenger Airlines to form Frontier Airlines. Bob Neyland returned to being the Athletic Director of the University of Tennessee, and more importantly, its head football coach.

On October 12, 1946, General Joseph Warren Stilwell died on active duty from stomach cancer, at San Francisco. He was 63 years old and was buried at West Point. Stillwell served in both World War I and II, earning the Distinguished Service Cross, two Distinguished Service Medals, and numerous other recognitions and was the commanding general of Sixth Army at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife, the former Winifred Alison Smith, and they had been married for six days short of 36 years and had three daughters and two sons.

On January 14, 1947, Lieutenant General Daniel Isom Sultan died on active duty from an acute heart condition at Washington. He was 61 years old and was buried at West Point. Sultan earned four Distinguished Service Medals during his career spanning the two World Wars and was credited with recommending the hiring of Charlie Daly as head football coach for the 1913 season. He was serving at The Inspector General of the Army at the time of his death. Sultan was survived by his wife, the former Florence Braden Mitchell, who he had been married for thirty years, having two daughters. In October 1948, the United States Navy named a transport ship, the USNS General Daniel L. Sultan, in his honor.

On March 6, 1947, retired Colonel John Forest Goodman died after a short illness at Bridgton, Maine. He was 55 years old and was buried at Arlington. Goodman earned the Silver Star Medal and Purple Heart Award during World War I and was a Prisoner of War for five months. During World War II, he was promoted to Brigadier General and served in Alaska. Goodman was survived by his wife, the former Zita M. Zint, whom he was married for almost 31 years, and two sons.

During 1947, two Old Men, – Clyde Selleck and Jack Wynne retired from the Army, while Louis Merillat, Jack Knight and Parson Parks were released from active duty. Bob Bathurst's step-son and the son of Joe Tate, Henry P. Ball and Daniel L. Tate II, respectively, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1947. Young Ball would become a Colonel, while young Tate would not be commissioned due to a disability.

Several of the Old Men transferred to the United States Air Force upon its formation, such as Hubert Harmon, Mike Mitchell, and Dave Schlenker. Lieutenant General Harmon would become the Air Force Representative to the United Nations. John McEwan became the assistant director of safety for the New York City Rapid Transit agency. Bob Bringham became the assistant athletic director at Harvard.

Brigadier General George Hatton Weems earned the Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptionally meritorious service in Hungary. He would then become the provost marshal for the European Command in 1947.

Colonel Fay Prickett became the commander of the Pennsylvania Military District of the Second Army in early 1948. In July, he became the Deputy Inspector General of the Army. Roscoe Woodruff became the deputy commanding general of the First Army. Major General Love Mullins became the commanding general of the Second Army at Fort Meade, Maryland. Colonel Doug Page became the senior instructor of the Organized Reserve for the State of Louisiana. Colonel Joe Tully became the Chief of Staff of the 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis. Major General Bill Hoge became the commanding general of American forces in Trieste. Lieutenant General Jim Van Fleet was sent to Greece by President Truman to train their Army to fight communist forces. General Omar Bradley became the Army Chief of Staff.

General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower retired from the Army and became the President of Columbia University in New York City. Eisenhower earned his fourth Distinguished Service Medal and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the latter for his service as Commander-in-Chief during the North African campaign. Also retiring in 1947 were Colonel Biff Jones, Colonel Ralph Sasse, and Brigadier General Bob Neyland.

In March 1948, Steve Place was reported missing by his relatives. He had left Marinette, Wisconsin, in mid-February by train to Chicago, returning to the veterans' hospital where he had been hospitalized for eight months due to occasional lapses of memory or amnesia. Place had divorced his wife, Eva, sometime in the 1940s. There were several weeks of newspaper reports about his being missing, and I assume that he was then found.

On April 26, 1948, Louis Alfred Merillat, Jr. died after a year-long illness in Chicago. He was 55 years old and was buried at Arlington. He was wounded in World War I and served as a Colonel stateside during World War II. He was survived by his wife, the former Claire E. Schwanke, who he had been married for nineteen years. He was also survived by his first wife, the former Ethel Edgarda Wynne, and their two daughters.

The sons of Teddy Buechler and Jimmy Van Fleet, Theodore B. Buechler and James A. Van Fleet, Jr. graduated from USMA in the Class of 1948. The younger Buechler would become a Colonel while the younger Van Fleet was promoted to Captain.

On November 19, 1948, Harry Pendleton's spouse, the former Anna Belle Palm Hilgartner, died of cancer in Texas. She was 54 years old. They had been married 31 years and had one daughter. On January 7, 1949, Ralph Sasse's spouse, the former Katherine Ringold Nichols, died. She was 53 years old and they had been married for 29 years, with one daughter. On June 20, 1949, Louie Ford's wife, the former Grace Horney, died at the age of fifty-five years. They had been married for over thirty-two years and had two daughters.

Major General Roscoe Woodruff became the commanding general of First Army. Major General Leland Hobbs became the commanding general of IX Corps. Lieutenant General Tom Larkin became the G-4 on the Army Staff. Brigadier General Red O'Hare became the Military Attaché in Paris. In August 1949, Major General Louie Ford became the Chief of the Ordnance Corps. Major General Love Mullins would become the Chairman of the Brazil – U.S. Military Committee. General Omar Bradley became the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mike Mitchell's son, Hugh W. Mitchell, Jr. graduated from USMA in the Class of 1949. The younger Mitchell would become a Colonel.

On July 10, 1949, Major General Vernon Edwin Prichard was killed on active duty in a boating accident on the Potomac River near Washington. He was 57 years old, died of a concussion when the small yacht's engine exploded, and was buried at West Point. Prichard was the Army Chief of Public Information at the time of his death. He served with the Punitive Expedition into Mexico, in France during World War I, and as the 1st Armored Division commanding general in Italy during World War II. Prichard earned the Distinguished Service Medal and seven Purple Heart Awards. He was survived by his wife, the former Charlotte Gibbs Blesse, whom he was married for almost thirty-three years, and a daughter. In 1952, Dwight Eisenhower painted a portrait of Prichard and gave it to Charlotte, who hung it over the fireplace mantel.

On November 25, 1949, retired Major General Phillip Hayes died after suffering a stroke two weeks before in Washington. He was 62 years old and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in North Dakota. Hayes served in both World War I and II and earned the Distinguished Service Medal and other awards. He was never married, but was survived by his mother and twin sister. Hayes was quoted from his obituary, saying "war is nothing less than a football game with practically the entire world as a playing field. All of us are just a team; without teamwork, we cannot win."

Bill Chapman became the Mayor of Pacific Grove, California, where Charlie Daly and his wife had retired to. Ralph Sasse in October 1949 married Ella. At the end of 1949, there were only 63 out of 83 football men alive. Twenty-six were still on active duty in the Army or Air Force. 37 were retired or civilians.

On April 28, 1950, Tom Larkin's son, First Lieutenant Harrison L. Larkin, was killed on active duty in an airplane crash near Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. He was 25 years old and a member of the USMA Class of 1945. The younger Larkin was piloting an F-84 jet plane when it crashed.

Lieutenant General James Van Fleet became the commanding general of Second Army at Fort Meade, Maryland. Brigadier General Bob Bathurst became the commanding general of Army forces in the Antilles. Major General Leland Hobbs became the chief of the Military Assistance Group in the Philippines. Colonel Mike Mitchell and Brigadier General Tim Timberlake retired from the service. Omar Bradley was promoted to General of the Army on September 22, 1950.

The invasion of South Korea by the North Korean Army caused the 2nd Infantry Division to deploy from Fort Lewis, Washington, to Korea with its Chief of Staff, Colonel Joe Tully in July and August, the first unit to reach Korea directly from the United States. Tully would be in Korea until February 1951.

Laurence Meacham became a gentleman farmer in Harford County, Maryland and achieved considerable success in raising Hereford cattle. The widower, Frederick Bonfils, married Lois in 1950.

The 1950 Tennessee Volunteer football team was named National Champion after beating #2 Texas, 20-14, in the Cotton Bowl on January 1, 1951. The Vols, under head coach Bob Neyland, went 11-1 during the season, beating SEC Champion Kentucky, 7-0, and only losing to Mississippi State, 7-0, in their second game.

Colonels Joe Tate, Parson Parks, and Charles Herrick, and Brigadier Generals George Weems and Joe Tully retired from the service in 1951. Tate would graduate later in the year with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Columbia University. Major General Roscoe Woodruff would become the commanding general of XV Corps. Major General Leland Hobbs become the deputy commanding general of the First Army and was honored in his hometown of Jersey City in December in a major celebration. General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower became the Supreme Allied Commander for the European Command in April 1951. Weyand's son, Alexander M. Weyand, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1951. Rodney Smith became the deputy director of the New York Civil Defense Commission.

General James Van Fleet became the commanding general of Eighth Army in combat during the Korean War in April 1951, replacing General Matthew Ridgway who replaced General MacArthur as United Nations commander. Lieutenant General Bill Hoge took over command of the IX Corps in combat after the prior commanding general was in a helicopter crash and died a few hours later of a heart attack. Hoge would earn his third Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptionally meritorious service as the commanding general of IX Corps. Hoge said in April 1951, "you read all about the Marines and how superb they are, but the Army divisions are just as good in every respect except propaganda." Colonel Doug Page may have also served in the Korean War.

On November 3rd, Charles Dudley Daily was selected by the College Football Hall of Fame by the National Football Foundation as an All-American player for Harvard and Army and as head football coach at Army, plus a founder of the American Football Coaches Association.

In December, the 1951 Tennessee Volunteers football team were named undisputed National Champion and co-SEC Champion with a 10-0 regular season record. It would be head coach Bob Neyland's ninth undefeated regular season in his career. The Vol's lost to #3 Maryland, 13-28, in the Sugar Bowl on January 1st.

On January 28, 1952, Louie Merillat's widow, the former Claire E. Schwanke, died. She was 49 years old. On April 4, 1952, the son of James Van Fleet, Captain James A. Van Fleet, Jr., was declared missing in action after the crash of his B-26B bomber. He was on a night intruder mission near Haeju, Korea, when his aircraft crashed. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart Award, and was a member of the USMA Class of 1948.

In April, Joel Holmes married Josephine. Holmes had previously divorced his first wife, the former Marguerite Jackson. Clyde Selleck' son, Clyde A. Selleck, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1952, ranking as the seventh graduate. The younger Selleck would achieve the rank of Colonel. During the 1952 football season, Schwarzkopf's son, Norman Schwarzkopf, played plebe football at West Point.

Lieutenant General Bill Hoge became the commanding general of Fourth Army at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Kivas Tully organized a new section of the Central Intelligence Agency. General James Van Fleet was credited with establishing infantry, artillery, and small-unit officer courses for the Korean Army. He also established the Korean military academy and war college, and is referred to as "The Father of the Korean Army."

Colonel Ernest Graves retired from active duty as a Brigadier General on February 29th. At the time, he was the oldest Army Officer on active duty. Colonel Douglas Page, Brigadier Generals Walter Hess and Joel Holmes, Major General Tom Hanley, Lieutenant General Tom Larkin, and General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower all retired from the service in 1952. Hanley would become president of Norwich University and serve until 1965. Eisenhower earned his fifth Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptionally meritorious service during the 1950-1952 period. Eisenhower would win election as the 34th President of the United States in November.

In December 1952, Bob Neyland retired as head football coach at Tennessee. He would continue as Athletic Director. His overall record was 173-31-12, including 109 shutouts, four National Championships, seven SEC Championships, and nine undefeated regular seasons. Neyland was known as a defensive genius and innovator, being credited with the first to use sideline telephones, reviewing game films of opponents, and wearing lightweight pads and tear-away jerseys. He designed Tennessee's football stadium and oversaw its expansion from 3,200 to 51,000 seats with plans to expand it beyond 100,000. Neyland coached 21 Vols to first-team All-American honors, with eleven being named to the College Football Hall of Fame. At one time, more than 175 of his former players were active head coaches in the United States and Canada.

Cohane tells us that Neyland lived a philosophy of carpe diem or "seize the day." His favorite quotation was from the Sanskrit – "Look to the day – for it is life – the very life of life. In its brief counsel lie all the verities and realities of your existence! The bliss of growth, the glory of action, the splendor of beauty. For yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day. Such is the salutation of the dawn."

On June 9, 1953, retired Brigadier General Ernest Graves died of complications from his prior heart attack at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington. He was 73 years old and was buried at Arlington. Graves earned a Distinguished Service Medal for his efforts in France during World War I and long served between the wars and during World War II and Korea in the service of the Corps of Engineers with the Mississippi River Commission. He died on his 30th wedding anniversary, and was survived by his wife, the former Lucy Gunn Birnie, and one son.

General James Van Fleet, Lieutenant General Hubert Harmon, Major Generals Charles Mullins, Leland Hobbs, Roscoe Woodruff, Fay Prickett, and Louie Ford, Brigadier Generals Joseph O'Hare, Bob Bathurst, and Ted Buechler, and Colonels Harry Pendleton and Dave Schlenker all retired from the service in 1953. Harmon retired twice, at the end of February and June, before being recalled back to active duty on March 1st and November 8th. Van Fleet earned his fourth Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptionally meritorious services in combat.

On August 13, 1953, William Edwin Coffin, Jr. died due to coronary disease and a sudden heart attack at Montauk, New York. He was 59 years old and was buried at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in New York. Coffin fought at Saint Mihiel and in the Argonne-Meuse offensive during World War I and earned the rank of Major. He left the Army and became President of the Empire Carpet Corporation in 1931, and was serving as their Chairman at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife, the former Mary Rose Thornham, whom they had been married for 36 years, and they had three daughters.

General of the Army Omar Bradley stepped down on August 15th as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and earned his fourth Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptionally meritorious services as the Chairman.

Three days later, Bob Neyland was honored at a testimonial dinner to honor his retirement as head football coach. Future Hall of Famer Bear Bryant, who had never defeated a Neyland-led team, was said to have uttered during the dinner, "thank God the old guy finally quit." Neyland concluded his speech with the words of his former boss, General MacArthur, saying they applied to every campus where football is played, "there on the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds which on other days will yield the fruits of victory."

General Bill Hoge became the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army Europe. Herbert Schwarzkopf returned to Iran as part of a Central Intelligence Agency plot to convince Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to take power as Shah. Van Fleet became Chairman of the American-Korean Foundation. Elmer "Ollie" Oliphant was named to the College Football Hall of Fame by the Helms Foundation. Carl Hocker began his efforts to establish Eisenhower's birthplace in Denison, Texas, as a National Shrine. The son of Bob Bringham, John L.B. Bringham, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1953. The younger Bringham would achieve the rank of Colonel.

On June 15, 1954, retired Major General Charles Fullington Thompson died in Washington. He was 71 years old and was buried at Arlington. Thompson served in both World Wars and earned three Distinguished Service Medals for extraordinary meritorious service. He was survived by his wife of 45 years, the former Laura Jenks, and two daughters.

In August 1954, Lieutenant General Hubert Harmon became the first Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy. The grandson of Cuthbert Stearns, Paul C. Hutton II, played football during plebe, yearling, and senior seasons at West Point. Lawrence "Biff" Jones was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach by The National Football Foundation.

On October 15, 1954, retired Colonel Ralph Irvine Sasse died after a long illness in Lewis, Delaware. He was 65 years old and was buried at Arlington. Sasse served with tank units in World War I and trained them during World War II. He served as head football coach at both Army and Mississippi State with an overall record of 45-15-4 in six seasons. He was survived by his second wife, the former Ela L. Robertson, and one daughter from his late first wife, Katherine.

General Bill Hoge retired from the Army in January 1955. He was the last member of his USMA Class of 1916 on active duty. Bob Bringham's son, Peter, entered West Point during the summer, but never graduated. Tom Larkin became the director of the Mutual Weapons Development Program, a Defense Department with European allies, until 1960.

On April 6, 1955, retired Colonel James Kivas Tully died after a long illness in Washington. He was 62 years old and was buried at Arlington. Tully served in France in both World Wars, earning the Distinguished Service Medal for organizing the Military Railway Service in the latter war. He spent many years with the Pullman Company and helped organized the Central Intelligence Agency. Tully was survived by his wife, the former Emily Hobart Longwell Cale, whom he was married for 37 years and had two children.

On July 3rd, Charles Thompson's widow, the former Laura Jenks, died. He passed away less than 13 months prior to her death. She was 68 years old. In September 1955, Parsons Parks had a heart attack but survived.

Alexander Weyand published his second football book, Saga of American Football, in 1955. The book was described as a succinct and fast-paced history that depicts the game's origins, its early stars and teams, the geographic expansion of football, and the changes in the rules.

On October 7, 1955, retired Colonel Paul Alfred Hodgson died due to complications with arthritis in San Francisco. He was 63 years old and was buried at Golden Gate Cemetery. Hodgson served stateside during World War I and II. He was survived by his wife of thirty years, the former Anne M. Davis.

In December 1955, Elmer Oliphant was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame by The National Football Foundation as a player. He won letters at Purdue and Army in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was named to three straight All-American teams while a Cadet. While playing for Purdue, he broke his ankle but returned to the field to successfully kick a field goal to beat Illinois. He once scored 45 points in a game at West Point and accounted for 125 points one season.

On March 10, 1956, retired Brigadier General Rodney Hamilton Smith died of a heart attack. He was 61 years old and was buried at West Point. Smith served in the Philippines and France during World War I and was wounded in action. Between the wars, his expertise in anti-aircraft artillery led him to form training schools for the Brazilian Army. He trained stateside units during World War II. Smith was survived by his wife of 44 years, the former Helen Florence Rogers, and two daughters.

In June, Schwarzkopf's son, Norman Schwarzkopf, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1956. The younger Schwarzkopf would be promoted to General and lead the coalition efforts in Desert Storm liberating Kuwait. The widower Louie Ford married Helen in June. At the end of July, Lieutenant General Hubert Harmon retired for the third time after being asked by his classmate, President Eisenhower, to establish the United States Air Force Academy. Harmon earned his third Distinguished Service Medal for his efforts. Colonel Pat Mahoney was released from active duty and became a civilian at the headquarters of the Far Eastern Air Forces in Japan.

In late 1956, Robert Neyland was selected for the College Football Hall of Fame by The National Football Foundation as the head football coach at the University of Tennessee for 21 seasons and a winning percentage of 0.829. He played football at Texas A&M before attending West Point, and he was a much better baseball player, including throwing the first no-hitter in 1914.

On February 22, 1957, retired Lieutenant General Hubert Reilly Harmon died due to lung cancer in San Antonio, Texas. He was 64 years old and was buried at the United States Air Force Academy cemetery. Harmon served on active duty for 41 years, first training aviators in France during World War I. He fought in the Pacific during World War II and earned two Distinguished Service Medals. He helped found the USAFA and was its first Superintendent, earning his third Distinguished Service Medal. He was survived by his wife, the former Rose-Maye Kendrick, of thirty years and they had two children.

Three days later, on February 25th, retired Brigadier General George Hatton Weems died after ten days of hospitalization for an unknown illness at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was 65 years old and was buried at Arlington. Weems earned the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star Medal for heroism in action during World War I in France. He earned these same awards in World War II and later served as the military representative in Hungary after the war, earning the Distinguished Service Medal. Weems was never married, but did establish an education fund in 1932 that still provides scholarships to Tennessee boys and girls to go to college.

Harmon's son, Kendrick Harmon, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1957 in June, with Steve Place's son, Stephen B. Place. The young Harmon became a First Lieutenant while the younger Place would become a Colonel. They would be the last sons of the 1914 football men to graduate from USMA.

During 1957, Herbert Schwarzkopf retired as a Major General after commanding the 78th Infantry Division in the Army Reserves. Bill Hoge became the Chairman of the Board for the Interlake Iron Company in Cleveland. Tattnall Simkins became a District Manager for the Paul Smith Construction Company.

On November 4, 1957, the widow of Dan Sultan, the former Florence Braden Mitchell, passed away. She was 71 years old. On November 10th, John McDermott suffered a severe stroke that paralyzed his right side and took his speech away. In time, he was able to walk again, but lost the use of his right hand, right arm, and ability to speak.

On May 21, 1958, Frederick Walker Bonfils died of a liver ailment in Denver. He was 63 years old, had been ill since March, and was buried at West Point. Bonfils was known as Edgar "Dixie" Addison Walker as a Cadet, but changed his name to honor his uncle the day before graduation. Bonfils served with combat engineer units in France during World War I, then left the Army in 1925 to work for The Denver Post as its Business and General Manager. He continued to serve in aviation reserve and guard units, and operated civilian contract flying schools in Oklahoma for the Army Air Force during World War II. He was survived by his second wife, the former Lois Thelma Fisher, and had three children from his late wife, the former Marion De Witt.

Omar Bradley, who never technically left active duty as a General of the Army, became the Chairman of the Board for Bulova Watch Company until 1973. Cuthbert Stearns' grandson, Paul C. Hutton II, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1958, the first grandson of the 1914 football men to do so.

On November 25, 1958, retired Major General Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf died of complications from lung cancer at West Orange, New Jersey. He was 63 years old and was buried at West Point. Schwarzkopf served in France during World War I and was gassed, earning the Purple Heart Award, but leaving him with a lifetime of respiratory problems. He organized the New Jersey State Police and investigated the Lindberg kidnapping. Schwarzkopf served during World War II in Iran training military and police units and fighting Soviet influence. He was survived by his wife of almost thirty years, the former Ruth Alice Bowman, and one son.

On February 4, 1959, retired Colonel Charles Aloysius Mahoney died of heart complications at Tachikawa Air Force Base, Tokyo, Japan. He was 66 years old and was buried at Saint Augustine cemetery in Massachusetts. Mahoney had served in France during World War I and then resigned from the Army in 1922. He served in various reserve and active duty units in World War II and during the Cold War, retiring in 1956. He was working for the Air Force at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife, the former Helen Raphael Forbes, whom he was married for 34 years and they had one daughter.

On February 12, 1959, retired Colonel Charles Dudley Daly died of a heart attack in Pacific Grove, California. He was 78 years old and was buried at West Point. Daly served in World War I and retired for disability in 1933. He was an All-American football player at both Harvard and Army at quarterback, and served as Army's head football coach for eight seasons. Daly was survived by his wife of 47 years, the former Beatrice "Bess" M. Jordan, and three sons and two daughters.

In 1959, Charles Mullins was honored by Nicaragua issuing a stamp commemorating the 20th anniversary of the founding of their military academy. The stamp showed President Roosevelt, Nicaraguan President Somoza, and Mullins. Cuthbert Stearns' grandson, Cuthbert P. Hutton, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1959.

On July 10, 1959, the spouse of Bill Hoge, the former Nettie Fredendall, died after a long illness. She was 65 years old and they had been married for 42 years, with two sons, and had been childhood sweethearts. On September 27th, the ex-wife of Joe Tate, the former Alice Maud Sargeant, died at 64 years old. They had been married for 22 years and had three sons and one daughter, two of whom were killed in action during World War II.

At the end of 1959, there were 50 out of 83 of the football men alive. In the last decade, 13 Old Men had died, and everyone but Omar Bradley had retired or been released from active duty. At this point, a dozen were still active in business or busy running other organizations. But for most, they and their wives were retired.

A review of Class Notes from the Association of Graduates' Assembly describe the many activities many of the Old Men and their ladies participated in during the late 1950s through the 1970s – visiting children, some stationed in Germany, Panama, or Japan; traveling on cruise ships with friends; attending Army football games at Michie Stadium or the annual Army-Navy football games, mostly in Philadelphia; visiting foreign locations in the Far East, Australia, and Europe; monthly luncheons and dinners in Washington or several of the other hotspots where many retired, such as southern California, Florida, San Antonio, San Francisco, and New York City; playing leisure sporting activities like tennis, golf, sailing, boating, camping, fishing, or hunting; and driving across the country, stopping and visiting friends and relatives.

Others were feeling the pain of their disabilities, and this was often reflected in their inability to travel to mini-reunions, football games, or other events. Many fought through short and long hospitalizations. Often the death of a spouse led to a surge of traveling by the widower or widow. Some had summer or winter homes. Some spent half the year driving around and stopping in, sometimes unannounced, to see their old buddies. Only one admitted to using space A, a method of cheap air travel using excess space on United States Air Force and Navy planes. For the most part, the Old Men and their wives had earned a nice, comfortable retirement and were enjoying their golden years.

At this point, I am going to dispense with reporting on the individual deaths of the Old Men and their ladies, as this information is contained in the Appendix 3 if you are interested. I will instead concentrate on the still interesting activities and achievements that occurred in their remaining lives, though I may include a few sad things. One thing I will note is that about one eighth of the couples died within 18 months of each other.

In May 1960, Bob Bringham was honored at a testimonial dinner for his 25 years of service to the Veterans Administration. He was quoted as saying "after this, I can now cut my suspenders, and go straight up." Bringham retired at the end of August from the facility in Sawtelle, California. During his tenure, he battled city officials over rackets that preyed upon veterans, and forced them to clean up gambling and prostitution operations in the neighborhood of the hospital.

Both Charlie Daly's and Joe Stilwell's grandsons, Robert G. Totten and Joseph W. Stilwell II, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1960. The administration building at the Air Force Academy was named Harmon Hall. Tom Larkin received the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his work with European allies in developing weapon systems. Alexander Weyand published The Cavalcade of Basketball, a history of the sport. Around this time, Bill Boots married 26-year old Liesbeth De Boer, a Dutch citizen.

Dwight Eisenhower finally retired after serving as President of the United States for eight years. In May 1961, USMA honored Eisenhower with the Sylvanus Thayer Award. Bill Boots endowed the N. Jay Boots Award that was given to the outstanding senior athlete at the United States Air Force Academy.

Widower Mike Mitchell married Miriam Allen in 1961. She was 71-years old and a former concert pianist who had accompanied many famous violinists. General James Van Fleet was called back to active duty by President Kennedy to survey National Guard and Special Forces units.

On March 1, 1961, neighbors called police upon hearing shots at the home of Ethel and David Schlenker. They found both shot dead in their bedroom, and the coroner determined it was a murder-suicide, as Schlenker thought he had cancer. They were buried together at Arlington.

A classmate of Roscoe Woodruff wrote in the Assembly's Class Notes in May 1962 that "he believes in keeping fit, although 70 years old, he plays tennis twice each week with all the vigor of a youngster. What's more, he hunts, camps, and fishes, even in foul weather. He goes to Colorado each summer with his wife, Alice, with both going trout fishing."

Fay Prickett's and Joe Stilwell's grandsons, Frank D. Miller Jr. and John E. Easterbrook, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1962. Jack Knight helped develop the Cuss III, one of the first floating oil-well drilling platforms for deep water.

John McEwan was selected for the College Football Hall of Fame by The National Football Foundation. On October 20, 1962, Shields-Watkins Field at the University of Tennessee was renamed Neyland Stadium. The university decided to rename its scholarship program the Robert R. Neyland Academic Scholarships that gave $2,000 grants to boys and girls to attend Tennessee.

Joe Tully announced in the Class Notes in early 1963 that he was the "Grand-Dad" of the Class of 1916, with 19 grandchildren. This began a friendly competition among classmates, though it appears that Fay Prickett probably won the grandchild cup. Six months later, Harry Pendleton reported that the Class of 1915 had 42 sons and two grandsons graduate from West Point. Pendleton determined that 11 sons and four sons-in-law were killed in World War II with seven sons and one son-in-law killed in Korea or during the Cold War.

In March 1963, Alexander Weyand received the Hall of Fame Award from the Helms Foundation of Los Angeles for noteworthy contributions to football, having written several books on the sport's history. That same year, Weyand published Football Immortals. Bob Bringham's grandson, Robert M. Bringham, Jr. entered West Point that summer in the Class of 1967, but did not graduate. Within hours of each other, Carl Hocker and Paul Parker, both 71 years old, died of heart attacks, on the last of day of 1963 and first day of 1964.

In August 1964, Gertrude Troth Selleck, 71 years of age and spouse of Clyde Selleck, passed away. Gertrude had an amazing ability to win prizes for puzzles appearing in newspapers and magazines. Over the years, she had won almost every kind of prize offered, from electric and gas ranges, washing machines, television sets, trips to resorts, and four automobiles. This past summer, she had won two Pontiacs.

Biff Jones was selected to the Football Hall of Fame by the Helms Foundation. Several years before, Tom Hanley became a key member of the Committee of 100, whose purpose was the establishment of the Florida Atlantic University, which opened its doors in September 1964. Fay Prickett's grandson, Brink Prickett Miller, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1964.

Before the Army-Navy game in 1964, former President Eisenhower sent the team a telegram – "To Coach Dietzel, the Army team, and the Class of 1965, fifty years ago this date Army met Navy as you will today. We, too, had lost to them 5 out of 6 times and we, too, had to win because it was our last game and it was Navy. The final score, Army 20 – Navy 0 has been the source of undiminished pride to our Class despite the varied paths down which this half-Century has led us. You will always have what you give today – THE MORE YOU WILL GIVE THE MORE YOU WILL KEEP! Every Army man is with you. BEAT NAVY!" Army won, 11-8.

The grandson of Van Fleet, Joseph A. McChristian, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1965. In July, Hodgson's widow, Anne, married retired Brigadier General Ray L. Burnell. Alexander Weyand published The Lacrosse Story, a history of that sport.

On September 18, 1965, the Army football team played at Neyland Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Bill Britton Day. Lieutenant General James Lampert, USMA Superintendent, presented a plaque at halftime to the university's Hall of Fame about the contributions of West Point's Bob Neyland, Bill Britton, and Paul Parker to Tennessee sports. Army lost the game, 21-0.

On July 25, 1966, Stilwell's son, Brigadier General Joseph W. Stilwell was killed on active duty when his plane was lost at sea between Thailand and South Vietnam. He was the commanding general of the JFK Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, at the time of his death and a member of the USMA Class of 1933.

The grandson of Fay Prickett, Lee E. Cage, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1967. Driving to the 1968 Founder Day's Dinner at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Harry Pendleton was in an automobile accident that knocked him unconscious for ten minutes and caused him to get twenty stitches in his tongue and chin. Widower Omar Bradley married Ester Buhler on March 12th. Charles Benedict's grandson, Harrison Lobdell III, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1969. Bill Hoge's grandson, Duncan B. Hoge, entered West Point in the Class of 1973 that summer. The younger Hoge was turned back and did not graduate.

Elmer "Ollie" Oliphant was selected as a member of the Early All-American Team by the Football Writers Association of America in 1969. The selections were made in honor of the 100th anniversary of the first college football game. At the time of the selection, Ollie was the only member of the team alive. General Motors Corporation established the Elmer Q. Oliphant Scholarship in honor of him.

During the 1960s, nineteen Old Men died – Schlenker, O'Hare, Neyland, Butler, Joseph Tully, Tate, Hocker, Parker, Parks, Bathurst, Boots, Hobbs, Meacham, Mitchell, Peterman, Larkin, Hanley, Eisenhower, and Stearns, as well as nine spouses, five widows, and one ex-wife. There were now only 31 Old Men alive.

Retired Brigadier General Dwight Jones, a member of the USMA Class of 1916, attended a Newcomer Society Dinner in San Francisco in November 1970. Sitting next to him at the table was a younger man who reminded him of one of his old classmates. It turned out the man was James Mitchell Crane, Jr., son of Jim Crane, Jones' late classmate. The younger Crane had graduated from Yale University, served as a Captain in the Marine Corps, and was a bank vice-president. Jones said "it is a small world."

Charles Benedict's grandson, Calvert P. Benedict, Jr., graduated from USMA in the Class of 1971. Biff Jones was selected for the University of Nebraska's Football Hall of Fame. Jimmy Van Fleet was inducted into the University of Florida's Athletic Hall of Fame. In January 1972, Omar Bradley was awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Award by the National College Athletic Association (NCAA). Fay Prickett had two grandsons, Jonathan M. Cage and Robert M. Miller, graduate from USMA in the Class of 1972.

On May 7, 1972, Weyand's spouse, the former Marie Mulqueen, was shot and killed in her home in Cornwell, New York. She was 81 years old and they had been married for almost 56 years with four children. Marie was killed when a stray bullet passed through the outside wall and struck her behind the ear. When Weyand came home and found her, he thought she had died of natural causes. Police determined that the bullet had come from a rifle that could have been fired as far as three miles away. A newspaper article in 1974 reported that the killer had still not been found. Weyand self-published a 102-page book about her life that may be found at the USMA Library.

In 1973, Omar Bradley received the Sylvanus Thayer Award from USMA. The grandsons of Daly, Prickett, and Joe Tully, John H. Daly, Jr., Jeremy K. Miller, and Robert B. Tully, Jr., graduated from USMA in the Class of 1973. In 1974, Ernest Graves' grandson, Ralph H. Graves, graduated from USMA as the #1 in his class. Alexander Weyand was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame by The National Football Foundation as a player.

On July 3, 1975, Elmer "Ollie" Quillen Oliphant passed away due to a sudden cardiac ailment. He died on his wife Bobbie's 75th birthday and one week prior to his 82nd. They had been married on his graduation day in August 1918. That year, Oliphant was named to the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.

On January 10, 1977, General of the Army Omar Nelson Bradley received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States, from President Ford. The great-grandson of Charlie Daly and grandson of Clyde Selleck, Clyde A. Selleck III, graduated #3 from USMA in the Class of 1977 (the first great-grandchild of the 1914 football men). The younger Selleck was the third ranking graduate. In 1979, Omar Bradley earned the Defense Distinguished Service Medal for extraordinary meritorious and distinguished to the United States services in positions of great responsibility from 1915 to 1979.

On October 29, 1979, retired General William Morris Hoge, Jr. died at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas at the age of 85. His classmate, Tom Finley said, ""In my opinion, Bill Hoge's service in War and Peace has been unequalled by anyone in the Army, in its diversity, the challenges it posed, and the value to the Service and the Country. He has known so many people and influenced so many lives, both civilian and military. I can say it, and not just as an old and dear friend, that he was the best man I have ever known, the best soldier." Hoge earned two Distinguished Service Crosses and three Silver Star Medals for heroism in action during World War I and II, plus he earned three Distinguished Service Medals, one for combat in Korea.

Eighteen Old Men died during the 1970s – Pendleton, Holms, McEwan, Fleming, McDermott, Engeldinger, Place, Hess, Selleck, Bringham, Herrick, Oliphant, Woodruff, Wynne, Mullins, Page, Charles Smith, and Hoge. Also, there were three spouses, 23 widows, and three ex-wives who passed away. This left only 13 out of 83 of the football men alive on December 31, 1979.

On the evening of February 11th and early hours of February 12, 1980, classmates Edward "Tim" Timberlake and Lawrence "Biff" Jones passed away. In May, Louie Ford was inducted into the Ordnance Hall of Fame at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Charles Herrick's grandson, Michael J. Meese, graduated from USMA in the class of 1981, the last grandson of the 1914 football men.

Bill Britton finally admitted to composing the words to the song "Furlough Moon" while a Cadet and giving it to Mr. Mayer, the organist, who pronounced it "quite good." He asked in Class Notes of the March 1981 edition of the Assembly if anyone had the words, and these were published in a subsequent edition. Those words are a little different than two "Furlough Moon" songs published in Class of 1916's Furlo Book, all three of which are shown in Appendix 5. We do know that at the 1913 100th Night Show, a song entitled "Furlough Moon" was sung, maybe one of these three versions or another one. Ira Gershwin wrote a song "Under the Furlough Moon" that was unused in a musical in 1928.

On December 18, 1982, retired Major General Fay Brink Prickett died of Parkinson's disease in Washington. He and his wife Margaret had 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren at the time of his death, out of the 100 great-grandkids in the Class of 1916. Prickett was quoted as saying "all that I am or ever hope to be I owe to West Point."

In January 1983, the surviving spouse of the first football man to die, James Kelly, passed away. Catherine McDonough Kelly was 88 years old and had never remarried. The Kelly's had two sons together. On January 5, 1984, Van Fleet's wife, the former Helen Hazel Moore, died on a Caribbean cruise ship while celebrating their 68th wedding anniversary with their family. She was 91. Van Fleet's second wife, the former Virginia Skinner-Higgens, passed away in April 1986. She was 67, had worked at the Korean Embassy and was involved in the American-Korean Foundation. In December, Van Fleet donated an electronic scoring-timing system to the Army swimming program, in honor of his late son who was killed in the Korean War and was captain of the 1947 swimming team.

In December 1987, Jack and Mary Knight celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at his first Army assignment at Camp Stanley near Leon Springs, Texas. They and ten of their children and spouses celebrated at the same place the couple had ate at when they arrived, the only inn in the small town. In January 1989, Bill Redfield passed away within hours after the death of Jack Knight.

In May 1988, USMA announced that they renamed their hockey facility, Tate Rink, in honor of Joe Tate's two sons, Joseph and Frederic, who were both pilots killed in action during World War II over Europe. Joseph played and lettered in hockey and lacrosse, plus playing on his class' goat football team. Frederic played football and hockey four years, lettered in hockey three seasons and in football one, plus played tennis two seasons. The two brothers attended West Point together for three years, and shared their love for hockey ice with their love for flying.

Eleven of the Old Men passed away during the 1980s decade – Timberlake, Jones, Buechler, Bradley, Weyand, Britton, Prickett, Chapman, Simkins, Knight, and Redfield. Three spouses, sixteen widows, and four ex-wives died. This left only Louie Ford and Jimmy Van Fleet alive, plus about fifteen widows and two ex-wives.

With the death of Ford in February 1990, Van Fleet was recognized in November as one of only ten surviving West Pointers who saw service in World War I in combat in France. On March 19, 1992, James Van Fleet received the first Association of Graduates' Distinguished Graduate Award at his 100th birthday party celebrated with 23 Cadets and 1,500 visitors at Polk City, Florida. At that time, he was the only man living whose grandfather had served in the Revolutionary War. His slogan among his troops was "The Will to Win." On Wednesday, September 23, 1992, Van Fleet died in his sleep, the next to last member of the Class of 1915 alive (Edmund Ellis being the last man in the class). Coach Charlie Daly said after the 1914 victory over Navy, that Van Fleet "was the best defensive half-back I have ever seen."

With the passing of all the 1914 football men, it can truly be said that most of the 83 men lived far beyond their playing days on The Plain at West Point and in front of Army-Navy game crowds. Teddy Roosevelt was reported by Revsine of saying this about former football players, "it is a mighty good thing to be a halfback on a varsity eleven, but it is a mighty poor thing when a man reaches forty only to be able to say that he was once a halfback on a varsity eleven."

In January 1997, the Daly family was presented with much recognition at the 75th anniversary dinner of the American Football Coaches Association. The association acknowledged the significant role played by Charles Dudley Daly in its founding and organization.

Elmer Oliphant was named to the Purdue Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2004, Oliphant was named to the Army Sports Hall of Fame. Sports Illustrated in 1999 named Bob Neyland as the defensive coordinator for the All-20th Century Football Team. As of mid-2015, Neyland held the eighth highest winning percentage among major college head coaches with ten or more seasons.

Fay Prickett's great-granddaughter, Katherine K. Miller, graduated from USMA in the Class of 1998. Hopefully, her great-grandmother, Margaret "Peggy" Murray McGregor Prickett, widow of Fay, was able to attend the graduation ceremonies after recently turning 100 years old, having been born in 1898 on the same day as the founding of West Point. Peggy passed away at the age of 104 in 2003.

On April 1, 2004, the late Lieutenant General Hubert Reilly Harmon was named "The Father of the U.S. Air Force Academy" during the 50th anniversary ceremonies. The recognition, in part, said "his efforts directly resulted in the establishment of the USAFA; his visionary leadership has earned him this title; he was a crucial force in the conception and founding; this role became the capstone of his career; in 1949 he was assigned with responsibility for all planning of the future academy; he worked with Congress to draft the legislation; he returned to active service, at the request of President Eisenhower, as first Superintendent; sacrificing his already failing health, he served for almost two more years before retiring in July 1956 and dying of lung cancer the next year; his contributions to establish USAFA and its legacy as a world class leadership and academic proving ground deserve our respect and admiration; his achievements have a lasting impact on our Air Force and the officers who graduate from this fine institution."

Joe Stilwell's great-granddaughter, Jacqueline K. Stilwell, graduated from USMA in the Class of 2004. Charlie Daly's great-great-grandson and Clyde Selleck's great-grandson, Christopher A. Selleck, graduated in the Class of 2007.

Bill Boots' widow, the former Liesbeth De Boer, passed away on October 14, 2010 at the age of 78. She was the last woman alive of the 103 spouses of the football men. She became an American citizen in 1967, three years after her husband's death in Bermuda.

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The Database

Appendix 1: 1914 Army Football Team, Season, and Game Information

1914 Team Roster:

Bathurst, Robert M; Hometown - Williamsport, PA; Nickname - Bob; Year - Sophomore; Position - unknown; Age - 21; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Benedict, Charles C; Hometown - Hastings, NE; Nickname - Schlitz; Year - Senior; Position - RB; Age - 23; Height \- 5.10; Weight - 178; Army Letter - 12-13.

Boots, Norman J; Hometown - New Brighton, PA; Nickname - Willie; Year - Senior; Position - RB; Age - 21; Height - 5.11; Weight - 176; Army Letter - none.

Bradley, Omar N; Hometown - Moberly, MO; Nickname - Brad; Year - Senior; Position - C; Age - 21; Height - 6.00; Weight \- 174; Army Letter - none.

Bringham, Robert A; Hometown - Reno, NV; Nickname - Bob; Year - Freshman; Position - E; Age - 22; Height - 5.11; Weight \- 165; Army Letter - none.

Britton, William H; Hometown - Cedar Rapids, IA; Nickname - Dizie; Year - Junior; Position - E; Age - 22; Height - 6.00; Weight - 166; Army - 12-13; Army Letter - none.

Buechler, Theodore E; Hometown - Grand Island, NE; Nickname - Ted; Year - Freshman; Position - QB; Age - 20; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Butler, William O; Hometown - Marietta, OH; Nickname \- Bruce; Year - Sophomore; Position - T; Age - 19; Height - 6.01; Weight - 193; Army Letter - none.

Chapman, William M; Hometown - Pacific Grove, CA; Nickname - Bill; Year - Freshman; Position - C; Age - 18; Height - 5.11; Weight - 174; Army Letter - none.

Coffin, William E, Jr.; Hometown - Greensboro, NC; Nickname - Bill; Year - Junior; Position - RB; Age - 20; Height - 5.08; Weight - 156; Army - 12; Army Letter - 13.

Collins, Wallace D; Hometown - Grand Junction, CO; Nickname - Fat; Year - Freshman; Position - unknown; Age - 20; Height - 6.02; Weight - 200; Army Letter - none.

Confer, John W, Jr.; Hometown - Hollidaysburg, PA; Nickname - Tubby; Year - Sophomore; Position - T; Age - 21; Height \- unknown; Weight - 180; Army - 13; Army Letter - none.

Engeldinger, Karl; Hometown - Benton, IA; Nickname - unknown; Year - Freshman; Position - G; Age - 20; Height - 6.01; Weight - 192; Army Letter - none.

Fleming, William R; Hometown - Pittsburgh, PA; Nickname - Bill; Year - Freshman; Position - E; Age - 20; Height - 5.09; Weight - 165; Army Letter - none.

Ford, Elbert L, Jr.; Hometown - Milford, CT; Nickname - Louie; Year - Sophomore; Position - RB; Age - 21; Height \- 6.00; Weight - 180; Army Letter - 13.

Goodman, John F; Hometown - Waco, TX; Nickname - Snoop; Year - Senior; Position - C; Age - 23; Height - 5.10; Weight \- 170; Army Letter - 13.

Hanley, Thomas J, Jr.; Hometown - Coshocton, OH; Nickname - Tom; Year - Senior; Position - E; Age - 21; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Harmon, Hubert R; Hometown - Washington, DC; Nickname - Doodle; Year - Senior; Position - QB; Age - 22; Height - 5.07; Weight - 146; Army Letter - none.

Herrick, Charles C; Hometown - Sayre, OK; Nickname - Daddy; Year - Senior; Position - G; Age - 23; Height - 6.03; Weight \- 220; Army Letter - 12-13.

Hess, Walter W, Jr.; Hometown - Philadelphia, PA; Nickname - Dutch; Year - Senior; Position - RB; Age - 22; Height - 5.10; Weight - 168; Army Letter - 13.

Hobbs, Leland S; Hometown - Philadelphia, PA; Nickname - Romeo; Year - Senior; Position - QB; Age - 22; Height - 5.10; Weight - 180; Army Letter - 12-13.

Hocker, Carl E; Hometown - Rifle, CO; Nickname - Carl; Year - Senior; Position - RB; Age - 23; Height - 5.10; Weight \- 168; Army Letter - none.

Hodgson, Paul A; Hometown - Wichita, KS; Nickname - P.A.; Year - Senior; Position - RB; Age - 22; Height - 5.11; Weight \- 175; Army Letter - 12-13.

Hoge, William M, Jr.; Hometown - Lexington, MO; Nickname - Bill; Year - Junior; Position - E/RB; Age - 20; Height - 5.10; Weight - 163; Army Letter - 13.

Holmes, Joel G; Hometown - Forked River, NJ; Nickname - Jake; Year - Sophomore; Position - G; Age - 22; Height - 5.10; Weight - 189; Army Letter - none.

Hudnutt, Dean; Hometown - Albion, MI; Nickname - Dean; Year - Junior; Position - E; Age - 23; Height - 5.10; Weight \- 160; Army Letter - none.

Jones, Lawrence M; Hometown - Washington, DC; Nickname - Biff; Year - Freshman; Position - G; Age - 18; Height - 6.00; Weight - 200; Army Letter - none.

Kelly, James P; Hometown - Traverse City, MI; Nickname - Ham; Year - Freshman; Position - E; Age - 22; Height - 5.11; Weight - 174; Army Letter - none.

Knight, John T, Jr.; Hometown - San Francisco, CA; Nickname - Jack; Year - Freshman; Position - T; Age - 20; Height - unknown; Weight - 203; Army Letter - none.

Krause, Emil; Hometown - La Crosse, WI; Nickname - Emilie; Year - Freshman; Position - unknown; Age - 21; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Larkin, Thomas B; Hometown - Spokane, WA; Nickname - Tom; Year - Senior; Position - T; Age - 23; Height - 5.11; Weight - 175; Army Letter - 12-13.

Mahoney, Charles A; Hometown - Lawrence, MA; Nickname - Pat; Year - Sophomore; Position - QB; Age - 22; Height - 5.10; Weight - 153; Army Letter - none.

McDermott, John A; Hometown - Brooklyn, NY; Nickname \- Mac; Year - Senior; Position - QB; Age - 24; Height - 5.09; Weight - 149; Army Letter - none.

McEwan, John J; Hometown - Alexandria, MN; Nickname \- Cap; Year - Sophomore; Position - C; Age - 21; Height - 6.04; Weight - 205; Army Letter - 13.

McGee, Frank D; Hometown - Claremont, SD; Nickname - Maggie; Year - Senior; Position - RB; Age - 25; Height - 5.07; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Meacham, Laurence B; Hometown - Clinton, OK; Nickname - Cowboy; Year - Sophomore; Position - G; Age - 20; Height \- 6.03; Weight - 186; Army Letter - 13.

Merillat, Louis A, Jr.; Hometown - Chicago, IL; Nickname - Louie; Year - Senior; Position - E; Age - 22; Height - 5.09; Weight - 168; Army Letter - 11-12-13; All-American -13.

Mitchell, Hugh W; Hometown - Galion, OH; Nickname - Mike; Year - Junior; Position - RB; Age - 24; Height - 5.11; Weight \- 174; Army Letter - none.

Mullins, Charles L, Jr.; Hometown - Broken Bow, NE; Nickname - Moon; Year - Sophomore; Position - E; Age - 22; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Neyland, Robert R, Jr.; Hometown - Greenville, TX; Nickname - Bob; Year - Junior; Position - E; Age - 22; Height - 6.00; Weight - 176; Army Letter - none.

O'Hare, Joseph J; Hometown - Charlestown, MA; Nickname - Red; Year - Junior; Position - G; Age - 21; Height - 6.01; Weight - 192; Army Letter - 13.

Oliphant, Elmer Q; Hometown - Dugger, IN; Nickname - Ollie; Year - Freshman; Position - RB/QB; Age - 21; Height - 5.07; Weight - 165; Army Letter - none.

Page, Douglas J; Hometown - New York, NY; Nickname - Fat; Year - Junior; Position - T/G; Age - 20; Height - 5.09; Weight \- unknown; Army Letter - none.

Parker, Paul B; Hometown - Pine Castle, FL; Nickname \- Seminole; Year - Junior; Position - T; Age - 23; Height - 6.02; Weight - 174; Army Letter - none.

Parks, Lyman L; Hometown - Louisville, KY; Nickname \- Parson; Year - Sophomore; Position - G; Age - 22; Height - 6.00; Weight - 182; Army Letter - none.

Peterman, James C; Hometown - Marksville, LA; Nickname - unknown; Year - Sophomore; Position - unknown; Age - 20; Height - 6; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

; All-American-none

Place, Royal H; Hometown - Marinette, WI; Nickname - Dutch; Year - Freshman; Position - RB; Age - 20; Height - 5.11; Weight - 185; Army Letter - none.

Prichard, Vernon E; Hometown - Onawa, IA; Nickname - Vern; Year - Senior; Position - QB; Age - 22; Height - 5.10; Weight \- 158; Army Letter - 12-13; All-American -13.

Prickett, Fay B; Hometown - Hutchinson, KS; Nickname \- Fay; Year - Junior; Position - E; Age - 21; Height - 5.10; Weight \- 160; Army Letter - none.

Redfield, William F; Hometown - Montclair, NJ; Nickname - Bill; Year - Sophomore; Position - E; Age - 20; Height - 5.11; Weight - 163; Army Letter - none.

Rossell, John E; Hometown - New Brighton, PA; Nickname - Rosey; Year - Senior; Position - unknown; Age - 21; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Sasse, Ralph I; Hometown - Wilmington, DE; Nickname \- Sass; Year - Junior; Position - E; Age - 25; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Schlenker, David C G; Hometown - Germantown, OH; Nickname - Dave; Year - Freshman; Position - G; Age - 20; Height - 6.00; Weight - 191; Army Letter - none.

Schwarzkopf, Herbert N; Hometown - Newark, NJ; Nickname - Schwarzie; Year - Sophomore; Position - G; Age - 19; Height - 5.10; Weight - 172; Army Letter - none.

Simkins, Tattnall D; Hometown - Albany, GA; Nickname \- Possum; Year - Junior; Position - E; Age - 25; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Smith, Charles C; Hometown - St Joseph, MO; Nickname \- Square; Year - Junior; Position - unknown; Age - 20; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Tate, Joseph S; Hometown - Fort Sheridan, IL; Nickname - Joe; Year - Sophomore; Position - T; Age - 20; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Timberlake, Edward W; Hometown - Honolulu, HI; Nickname - Tim; Year - Freshman; Position - G; Age - 19; Height - 6.02; Weight - 190; Army Letter - none.

Tully, J Kivas; Hometown - St Louis, MO; Nickname - Jimmie; Year - Sophomore; Position - E; Age - 21; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Tully, Joseph M; Hometown - Orange, NJ; Nickname - Tooley; Year - Junior; Position - E; Age - 20; Height - 5.11; Weight - 160; Army Letter - none.

Van Fleet, James A; Hometown - Bartow, FL; Nickname \- Van; Year - Senior; Position - RB; Age - 22; Height - 6.00; Weight - 176; Army Letter - 13.

Walker, Edgar A; Hometown - Los Angeles, CA; Nickname - Dixie; Year - Junior; Position - RB; Age - 19; Height - 5.10; Weight - 168; Army Letter - none.

Weems, George H; Hometown - Waverly, TN; Nickname - Daddy; Year - Sophomore; Position - C; Age - 23; Height - unknown; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Weyand, Alexander M; Hometown - Red Bank, NJ; Nickname - Babe; Year - Junior; Position - T; Age - 22; Height - 6.02; Weight - 203; Army Letter - 11-12-13; All-American -13.

Wood, Jared I; Hometown - Savannah, GA; Nickname - unknown; Year - Freshman; Position - unknown; Age - 21; Height - 6.01; Weight - unknown; Army Letter - none.

Woodruff, Roscoe B; Hometown - Oskaloosa, IA; Nickname - Woody; Year - Senior; Position - RB; Age - 23; Height - 5.09; Weight - 165; Army Letter - 13.

Wynne, Andrew J; Hometown - Marion, AL; Nickname - Jack; Year - Freshman; Position - T/G; Age - 22; Height - unknown; Weight - 184; Army Letter - none.

Pendleton, Henry M; Hometown - Washington, DC; Nickname - Peggy; Year - Senior; Position – Cadet Manager; Age - 21

Crane, James M; Hometown - San Antonio, TX; Nickname \- Jim; Year - Junior; Position – Assistant Cadet Manager; Age - 20

1914 Coaches Roster:

Daly, Charles D; Position - Head Coach; Age - 33; Head Coaching - Army 13; Assistant Coaching - Army 03-06,12, Harvard 07-12.

Eisenhower, Dwight D; Position – Cullum Assistant Coach, Cullum; Age - 23; .Head Coaching - None; Assistant Coaching \- Army 13.

Glade, Herman; Position - Assistant Coach, Scout, USMA Staff & Faculty; Age - 39; Head Coaching - None; Assistant Coaching - Army 02-06,11-13.

Graves, Ernest; Position - Assistant Head Coach; Age \- 34; Head Coaching - Army 06, 12; Assistant Coaching - Army 04-07,13, Harvard 07-08.

Hammond, Thomas W; Position - Assistant Coach; Age - 33; Head Coaching - None; Assistant Coaching - Army 10-13.

Hayes, Phillip; Position - Assistant Coach, Scout, USMA Staff & Faculty; Age - 27; Head Coaching - None; Assistant Coaching - Army 13.

Pullen, Daniel D; Position - Assistant Coach, USMA Staff & Faculty; Age - 29; Head Coaching - None; Assistant Coaching - Army 10,12-13.

Selleck, Clyde A; Position – Cullum Head Coach; Age \- 26; Head Coaching - None; Assistant Coaching - Army 13.

Smith, Rodney H; Position - Assistant Coach, Scout, USMA Staff & Faculty; Age - 30; Head Coaching - None; Assistant Coaching - Army 13.

Stearns, Cuthbert P; Position - Assistant Coach, USMA Staff & Faculty; Age - 29; Head Coaching - None; Assistant Coaching - Army 13.

Stilwell, Joseph W; Position - Assistant Coach, USMA Staff & Faculty; Age - 31; Head Coaching - None; Assistant Coaching - Army 06-10,13.

Sultan, Daniel I; Position - Assistant Coach, USMA Staff & Faculty; Age - 28; Head Coaching - None; Assistant Coaching - Army 12-13.

Thompson, Charles F; Position - Assistant Coach, Scout; Age - 31; Head Coaching - None; Assistant Coaching - Army 04,07-08.

Tuthill, Henry N; Position - Trainer; Age - 45; None; Assistant Coaching - Army 11-13.

1914 Season Statistics – Games Started (99):

8 – Butler and Weyand

7 – Hodgson

6 – Benedict, Meacham, Merillat, and Prichard

5 – Herrick and McEwan

4 – Britton, Goodman, Oliphant, and Van Fleet

3 – Coffin, Kelly, Mitchell, Neyland, O'Hare, and Timberlake

2 – Hoge and Joseph Tully

1 – Harmon, Jones, Larkin, and Parker

1914 Season Statistics – Games Played (220):

9 – Coffin, Goodman, and Weyand

8 – Benedict, Butler, Herrick, Larkin, Meacham, O'Hare, Prichard, Timberlake, and Van Fleet

7 – Britton, Hodgson, Kelly, Merillat, Parker, and Joseph Tully

6 – Ford, Harmon, McEwan, and Mitchell

5 – Oliphant and Prickett

4 – Hoge and Neyland

3 – Bradley, Hocker, Holmes, Jones, and Walker

2 – Boots, Bringham, Hobbs, Mahoney, Sasse, and Woodruff

1 – Chapman, Confer, Engeldinger, Hess, Hudnutt, McDermott, Place, Schlenker, Simkins, and Weems

Seniors who did not play – Hanley, McGee, and Rossell

Juniors who did not play – Page and Smith

Sophomores who did not play – Bathurst, Mullins, Parks, Peterman, Redfield, Schwarzkopf, Tate, and Kivas Tully

Freshmen who did not play – Buechler, Collins, Fleming, Knight, Krause, Wood, and Wynne

1914 Season Statistics – Scoring Touchdowns (32):

9 – Hodgson

4 – Oliphant

3 – Benedict, Merillat, and Van Fleet

2 – Coffin, Neyland, Prichard, and Joseph Tully

1 – Mitchell and Place

1914 Season Statistics – Scoring Rushing Touchdowns (21):

9 – Hodgson

3 – Oliphant and Van Fleet

2 – Coffin

1 – Benedict, Mitchell, Prichard, and Place

1914 Season Statistics – Scoring Pass Reception Touchdowns (5):

2 – Merillat and Joseph Tully

1 - Neyland

1914 Season Statistics – Scoring Punt Return Touchdowns (2):

1 – Oliphant and Prichard

1914 Season Statistics – Scoring Fumble Return Touchdowns (3):

1 – Benedict, Merillat, and Neyland

1914 Season Statistics – Scoring Interception Return Touchdowns (1):

1 – Benedict

1914 Season Statistics – Scoring Field Goals (0):

None

1914 Season Statistics – Scoring Extra Points Made (23):

12 – Benedict

4 – Oliphant

2 – Coffin and Ford

1 – Hodgson, Merillat, and Woodruff

1914 Season Statistics – Scoring Tackle for Safety (2):

1 – Neyland and Parker

1914 Season Statistics – Scoring Points (219):

55 – Hodgson

30 – Benedict

28 – Oliphant

19 – Merillat

18 – Van Fleet

14 – Coffin and Neyland

12 – Prichard and Joseph Tully

6 – Mitchell and Place

2 – Ford and Parker

1 - Woodruff

1914 Season Statistics – Touchdown Passes Thrown (5):

3 – Prichard

1 – Hobbs and Oliphant

1914 Season Statistics – Field Goal Attempts (6):

3 – Benedict

1 – Coffin, Oliphant, and Woodruff

1914 Lettermen:

Seniors – Benedict, Bradley, Goodman, Harmon, Herrick, Hodgson, Larkin, Merillat, Prichard, and Van Fleet.

Juniors – Britton, Coffin, Mitchell, Neyland, O'Hare, Parker, Joseph Tully, and Weyand.

Sophomores – Butler, Ford, McEwan, and Meacham.

Freshmen – Kelly and Timberlake.

1914 Football Team Line-up (First String):

Ends – Merillat and Neyland

Guards – Meacham and Herrick

Tackles – Weyand and Butler

Center – McEwan

Running Backs – Hodgson, Van Fleet, Coffin

Quarterback – Prichard

1914 Football Team Line-up (Second String):

Ends – Britton, Kelly, and Joseph Tully

Guards – O'Hare and Timberlake

Tackles – Larkin and Parker

Centers – Goodman and Bradley

Running Backs – Benedict, Mitchell, Ford, Hoge, Oliphant, and Boots

Quarterbacks – Harmon and Hobbs

1914 Football Team Line-up (Third String):

Ends – Prickett, Sasse, Bringham, Simkins, and Hudnutt

Guards – Jones, Holmes, Schlenker, and Engeldinger

Tackle – Confer

Centers – Weems and Chapman

Running Backs – Hocker, Woodruff, Walker, Hess, and Place

Quarterbacks – Oliphant, Mahoney, and McDermott

1914 Football Team Line-up (Did Not Play):

Ends – Mullins, Redfield, Kivas Tully, and Fleming

Guards – Page, Parks, Schwarzkopf, and Wynne

Tackles – Tate and Knight

Center – Chapman

Running Backs – McGee and Bathurst

Quarterback – Buechler

Unknown Position – Hanley, Rossell, Charles Smith, Collins, Krause, and Wood

By Game Statistics – Stevens:

Ends – Britton and Merillat

Guards – Meacham and Timberlake

Tackles – Butler and Weyand

Center – McEwan

Running Backs – Benedict, Hodgson, and Oliphant

Quarterback – Prichard

Substitutes – Bradley, Coffin, Confer, Engeldinger, Ford, Goodman, Harmon, Hobbs, Hoge, Jones, Kelly, Larkin, Mitchell, Neyland, O'Hare, Prickett, Sasse, Schlenker, Van Fleet, and Weems

Scored Rushing Touchdown – Benedict, Oliphant, and Coffin

Scored Pass Reception Touchdown – Merillat and Neyland

Scored Punt Return Touchdown – Prichard

Scored Fumble Return Touchdown – Neyland

Scored Extra Point by Goal from Touchdown – Benedict (3) and Ford (2)

Tackle for Safety – Neyland

By Game Statistics – Rutgers:

Ends – Britton and Merillat

Guards – Meacham and Timberlake

Tackles – Butler and Weyand

Center – McEwan

Running Backs – Benedict, Hodgson, and Oliphant

Quarterback – Prichard

Substitutes – Coffin, Ford, Goodman, Harmon, Herrick, Hobbs, Hoge, Kelly, Larkin, Mitchell, O'Hare, Parker, Prickett, Joseph Tully, and Van Fleet

Scored Rushing Touchdown – Hodgson

Scored Fumble Return Touchdown – Benedict

Scored Extra Point by Goal from Touchdown – Benedict (1)

By Game Statistics – Colgate:

Ends – Britton and Kelly

Guards – Meacham and Weyand

Tackles – Butler and Timberlake

Center – McEwan

Running Backs – Benedict, Hodgson, and Mitchell

Quarterback – Prichard

Substitutes – Coffin, Ford, Goodman, Herrick, Hocker, Larkin, O'Hare, Parker, Joseph Tully, and Van Fleet

Scored Rushing Touchdown – Hodgson (2) and Mitchell

Scored Extra Point by Goal from Touchdown – Benedict (3)

By Game Statistics – Holy Cross:

Ends – Merillat and Joseph Tully

Guards – Herrick and Meacham

Tackles – Butler and Weyand

Center – Goodman

Running Backs – Benedict, Hodgson, and Mitchell

Quarterback – Harmon

Substitutes – Britton, Coffin, Hocker, Larkin, Mahoney, O'Hare, Parker, Prichard, Timberlake, and Walker

Scored Rushing Touchdown – Hodgson and Van Fleet

Scored Extra Point by Goal from Touchdown – Benedict (1) and Coffin (1)

By Game Statistics – Villanova:

Ends – Kelly and Merillat

Guards – Herrick and Meacham

Tackles – Butler and Weyand

Center – Goodman

Running Backs – Hodgson, Hoge, and Van Fleet

Quarterback – Prichard

Substitutes – Benedict, Bradley, Chapman, Coffin, Harmon, Hess, Hocker, Hudnutt, Larkin, Mahoney, McDermott, Neyland, Parker, Place, Prickett, Sasse, Simkins, Timberlake, Joseph Tully, and Woodruff

Scored Rushing Touchdown – Hodgson (2), Van Fleet, and Place

Scored Pass Reception Touchdown – Joseph Tully

Scored Interception Return Touchdown – Benedict

Scored Extra Point by Goal from Touchdown – Hodgson (1), Benedict (1), Merillat (1), Coffin (1), and Woodruff (1)

By Game Statistics – Notre Dame:

Ends – Merillat and Neyland

Guards – Herrick and O'Hare

Tackles – Butler and Weyand

Center – Goodman

Running Backs – Benedict, Hodgson, and Hoge

Quarterback – Prichard

Substitutes – Bradley, Coffin, Ford, Holmes, Kelly, McEwan, Meacham, Oliphant, Timberlake, Joseph Tully, and Woodruff

Scored Rushing Touchdown – Hodgson (2)

Scored Fumble Return Touchdown – Merillat

Scored Extra Point by Goal from Touchdown – Benedict (2)

By Game Statistics – Maine:

Ends – Kelly and Joseph Tully

Guards – Herrick and Jones

Tackles – Larkin and Parker

Center – McEwan

Running Backs – Coffin, Mitchell, and Van Fleet

Quarterback – Oliphant

Substitutes – Boots, Bringham, Britton, Goodman, Harmon, Holmes, Prickett, Timberlake, Walker, and Weyand

Scored Rushing Touchdown – Oliphant (2)

Scored Pass Reception Touchdown – Joseph Tully

Scored Punt Return Touchdown – Oliphant

Scored Extra Point by Goal from Touchdown – Oliphant (4)

By Game Statistics – Springfield:

Ends – Britton and Neyland

Guards – Herrick and O'Hare

Tackles – Butler and Weyand

Center – Goodman

Running Backs – Benedict, Coffin, and Van Fleet

Quarterback – Oliphant

Substitutes – Boots, Bradley, Bringham, Ford, Harmon, Holmes, Jones, Kelly, Larkin, Meacham, Merillat, Mitchell, Parker, Prichard, Prickett, Timberlake, Joseph Tully, and Walker

Scored Rushing Touchdown – Van Fleet and Coffin

Scored Extra Point by Goal from Touchdown – Benedict (1)

By Game Statistics – Navy:

Ends – Merillat and Neyland

Guards – Meacham and O'Hare

Tackles – Butler and Weyand

Center – McEwan

Running Backs – Coffin, Hodgson, and Van Fleet

Quarterback – Prichard

Substitutes – Benedict, Bradley, Britton, Ford, Goodman, Herrick, Larkin, and Parker

Scored Rushing Touchdown – Hodgson and Prichard

Scored Pass Reception Touchdown – Merillat

Scored Extra Point by Goal from Touchdown – None

Tackle for Safety – Parker

Back to Top

Appendix 2: Career Football Information on the 1914 Football Men

1914 Football Men Playing Experience:

Bathurst, Robert Marks played football at Army during the 13-14-15-16 seasons; position played was unknown, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Benedict, Charles Calvert played football at Army during the 11-12-13-14 seasons; position played was RB, height 5.10 and playing weight was 178; and earned football letter at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons.

Bonfils, Frederick Walker played football at Army during the 14-15 seasons; position played was RB, height 5.10 and playing weight was 168; and earned football letter at Army during the 15 season.

Boots, Norman Jay played football at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons; position played was RB, height 5.11 and playing weight was 176.

Bradley, Omar Nelson played football at Army during the 13-14 seasons; position played was C, height 6.00 and playing weight was 174; and earned football letter at Army during the 14 season.

Bringham, Robert Amedee played football at Nevada 12 and at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was E, height 5.11 and playing weight was 165.

Britton, William Hamilton played football at Coe College 10-11 and at Army during the 12-13-14-15 seasons; position played was E, height 6.00 and playing weight was 166; and earned football letter at Army during the 14-15 seasons.

Buechler, Theodore Earl played football at Grand Island 13 and at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was QB, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Butler, William Ormond played football at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was T, height 6.01 and playing weight was 193; and earned football letter at Army during the 14-16 seasons.

Chapman, William McClaskey played football at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was C, height 5.11 and playing weight was 174.

Coffin, William Edwin, Jr. played football at North Carolina 11 and at Army during the 12-13-14-15 seasons; position played was RB, height 5.08 and playing weight was 156; and earned football letter at Army during the 13-14-15 seasons.

Collins, Wallace Duncan played football at Army during the 14-15 seasons; position played was unknown, height 6.02 and playing weight was 200.

Confer, John Wesley, Jr. played football at Washington & Jefferson 12 and at Army during the 13-14 seasons; position played was T, height unknown and playing weight was 180.

Crane, James Mitchell played football at VMI 10-11 and at Army during the 14-15 seasons; and his position was Assistant Cadet Manager.

Daly, Charles Dudley played football at Harvard 98-99-00 and at Army during the 01-02 seasons; position played was QB, height 5.07 and playing weight was 150; was team captain in 1900; earned football letter at Harvard 98-99-00 and at Army during the 01-02 seasons; All-American during the 98-99-00-01 seasons, and was named to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.

Eisenhower, Dwight David played football at Army during the 12-13 seasons; position played was HB, height 5.10 and playing weight was 172; and earned football letter at Army during the 12 season.

Engeldinger, Karl played football at Iowa 12-13, at Army during the 14-15 seasons, and played football at Iowa 22; position played was G, height 6.01 and playing weight was 192; and earned football letter at Iowa 22.

Fleming, William Richard played football at Penn State 13 and at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was E, height 5.09 and playing weight was 165.

Ford, Elbert Louis, Jr. played football at Army during the 13-14-15-16 seasons; position played was RB, height 6.00 and playing weight was 180; and earned football letter at Army during the 13-14-15-16 seasons.

Glade, Herman played football at Army during the 96-97-98-99 seasons; position played was HB, height unknown and playing weight was unknown; and earned football letter at Army during the 99 season.

Goodman, John Forest played football at Army during the 13-14-15 seasons; position played was C, height 5.10 and playing weight was 170; and earned football letter at Army during the 13-14-15 seasons.

Graves, Ernest played football at North Carolina 97-98-99-00 and at Army during the 01-02-03-04 seasons; position played was RB-T, height 5.11 and playing weight was 200; was team captain in 1904; and earned football letter at UNC 97-98-99-01 and at Army during the 01-02-03-04 seasons.

Hammond, Thomas West played football at Oregon 98-99-00 and at Army during the 02-03-04 seasons; position played was E, height 5.11 and playing weight was 170; earned football letter at Oregon 99 and at Army during the 02-03-04 seasons; and was an All-American during the 04 season.

Hanley, Thomas James Jr. played football at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons; position played was E, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Harmon, Hubert Reilly played football at Army during the 11-13-14 seasons; position played was QB, height 5.07 and playing weight was 146; and earned football letter at Army during the 14 season.

Hayes, Phillip played football at Army during the 05-06-07-08 seasons; position played was E, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Herrick, Charles Curtiss played football at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons; position played was G, height 6.03 and playing weight was 220; and earned football letter at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons.

Hess, Walter Wood, Jr. played football at Army during the 11-12-13-14 seasons; position played was RB, height 5.10 and playing weight was 168; and earned football letter at Army during the 13 seasons.

Hobbs, Leland Stanford played football at Army during the 11-12-13-14 seasons; position played was QB, height 5.10 and playing weight was 180; and earned football letter at Army during the 12-13 seasons.

Hocker, Carl Ernest played football at Colorado 10 and at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons; position played was RB, height 5.10 and playing weight was 168.

Hodgson, Paul Alfred played football at Fairmont 10 and at Army during the 11-12-13-14 seasons; position played was RB, height 5.11 and playing weight was 175; and earned football letter at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons.

Hoge, William Morris, Jr. played football at Army during the 13-14-15 seasons; position played was E-RB, height 5.10 and playing weight was 163; and earned football letter at Army during the 13-15 seasons.

Holmes, Joel Grant played football at Lafayette 11-12 and at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was G, height 5.10 and playing weight was 189; and earned football letter at Army during the 15-16 seasons.

Hudnutt, Dean played football at Albion College 08-09-10-11 and at Army during the 14-15 seasons; position played was E, height 5.10 and playing weight was 160.

Jones, Lawrence McCeney played football at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was G, height 6.00 and playing weight was 200; was team captain in 1917; and earned football letter at Army during the 15-16 seasons.

Kelly, James Patrick played football at Army during the 14 season; position played was E, height 5.11 and playing weight was 174; earned football letter at Army during the 14 season.

Knight, John Thornton, Jr. played football at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was T, height unknown and playing weight was 203.

Krause, Emil played football at Wisconsin 12-13 and at Army during the 14-15 seasons; position played was unknown, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Larkin, Thomas Bernard played football at Gonzaga 07-08-09-10 and at Army during the 11-12-13-14 seasons; position played was T, height 5.11 and playing weight was 175; and earned football letter at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons.

Mahoney, Charles Aloysius played football at Boston College 12 and at Army during the 14-15-16-17 seasons; position played was QB-HM, height 5.10 and playing weight was 153.

McDermott, John Aloysius played football at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons; position played was QB, height 5.09 and playing weight was 149.

McEwan, John James played football at Minnesota 12 and at Army during the 13-14-15-16 seasons; position played was C, height 6.04 and playing weight was 205; was team captain in 1916; earned football letter at Army during the 13-14-15-16 seasons; All-American during the 14-15-16 seasons, and was named to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame in 1962.

McGee, Frank D played football at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons; position played was RB, height 5.07 and playing weight was unknown.

Meacham, Laurence Bascum played football at Army during the 13-14-15-16 seasons; position played was G, height 6.03 and playing weight was 186; earned football letter at Army during the 13-14-15-16 seasons; and was named an All-American during the 14 season.

Merillat, Louis Alfred, Jr. played football at Armour Institute 10 and at Army during the 11-12-13-14 seasons, and played football in the NFL 25; position played was E, height 5.09 and playing weight was 168; earned football letter at Army during the 11-12-13-14 seasons; and was named an All-American during the 13-14 seasons.

Mitchell, Hugh William played football at Ohio State 10 and at Army during the 11-12-13-14-15 seasons; position played was RB, height 5.11 and playing weight was 174; and earned football letter at Army during the 14-15 seasons.

Mullins, Charles Love, Jr. played football at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was E, height unknown and playing weight was unknown; and earned football letter at Army during the 16 season.

Neyland, Robert Reese, Jr. played football at Texas A&M 11 and at Army during the 12-14-15 seasons; position played was E, height 6.00 and playing weight was 176; and earned football letter at Army during the 14-15 seasons.

O'Hare, Joseph James played football at Army during the 12-13-14-15 seasons; position played was G, height 6.01 and playing weight was 192; earned football letter at Army during the 13-14-15 seasons; and was named an All-American during the 14 season.

Oliphant, Elmer Quillen played football at Purdue 10-11-12-13 an at Army during the 14-15-16-17 seasons, and played football in the NFL 20-21; position played was E-RB-QB, height 5.07 and playing weight was 165; was team captain in 1917; earned football letter at 10-11-12-13 and Army during the 15-16-17 seasons; All-American during the 15-16-17 seasons, and was named to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.

Page, Douglas Jenkins played football at Army during the 14-15 seasons; position played was T-G, height 5.09 and playing weight was unknown.

Parker, Paul Barrows played football at Army during the 13-14-15 seasons; position played was T, height 6.02 and playing weight was 174; and earned football letter at Army during the 14-15 seasons.

Parks, Lyman Lewis played football at Georgetown, Kentucky 11 and at Army during the 13-14-15-16 seasons; position played was G, height 6.00 and playing weight was 182.

Pendleton, Henry McElderry played at Army during the 13-14 seasons; and his position was Head Cadet Manager.

Peterman, James Cuyler played football at Army during the 14 season; position played was unknown, height 6.00 and playing weight was unknown.

Place, Royal Harry played football at Beloit College (WI) 13 and at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was RB, height 5.11 and playing weight was 185; and earned football letter at Army during the 14-16 seasons.

Prichard, Vernon Edwin played football at Morningside 08-09-10 and at Army during the 11-12-13-14 seasons; position played was QB, height 5.10 and playing weight was 158; was team captain in 1914; earned football letter at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons; and was named an All-American during the 13-14 seasons.

Prickett, Fay Brink played football at Army during the 14-15 seasons; position played was E, height 5.10 and playing weight was 160.

Pullen, Daniel Dee played football at Washington 03-04-05 and at Army during the 06-07-08-09 seasons; position played was T, height unknown and playing weight was 188; was team captain in 1909; earned football letter at Washington 03-04-05 and at Army during the 06-07-08-09 seasons; and was named an All-American during the 06-07-08-09 seasons.

Redfield, William Francis played football at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was E, height 5.11 and playing weight was 163; and earned football letter at Army during the 15-16 seasons.

Rossell, John Ellis played football at Army during the 11-14 seasons; position played was unknown, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Sasse, Ralph Irvine played football at Army during the 11-12-13-14-15 seasons; position played was E, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Schlenker, David Charles George played football at Miami, Ohio 12-13 and at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was G, height 6.00 and playing weight was 191.

Schwarzkopf, Herbert Norman played football at Army during the 13-14-15-16 seasons; position played was G, height 5.10 and playing weight was 172.

Selleck, Clyde Andrew played football at Army during the 08-09 seasons; position played was G, height 6.03 and playing weight was unknown.

Simkins, Tattnall Daniell played football at Georgia Tech 06, Georgia 07-08-09, and at Army during the 13-14-15 seasons; position played was E, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Smith, Charles Compton played football at Army during the 14 season; position played was unknown, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Smith, Rodney Hamilton played football at Wisconsin 03 and at Army during the 04-05-06-07 seasons; position played was FB-HB, height unknown and playing weight was 165; was team captain in 1907; and earned football letter at Army during the 05-06-07 seasons.

Stearns, Cuthbert Powell played football at Army during the 06-07-08 seasons; position played was E, height 5.09 and playing weight was 151; and earned football letter at Army during the 06-07-08 seasons.

Stilwell, Joseph Warren played football at Army during the 02-03 seasons; position played was QB, height 5.09 and playing weight was unknown; and earned football letter at Army during the 02-03 seasons.

Sultan, Daniel Isom played football at Mississippi 02 and at Army during the 03-04-05-06 seasons; position played was T-C, height 5.09 and playing weight was 173; and earned football letter at 02 and Army during the 05-06 seasons.

Tate, Joseph Scranton played football at Army during the 13-14-16 seasons; position played was T, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Thompson, Charles Fullington played football at Army during the 02-03 seasons; position played was G, height 6.01 and playing weight was 177; and earned football letter at Army during the 02-03 seasons.

Timberlake, Edward Wrenne played football at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was G, height 6.02 and playing weight was 190; and earned football letter at Army during the 14 season.

Tully, James Kivas played football at Washington Missouri 11-12 and at Army during the 13-14-15-16 seasons; position played was E, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Tully, Joseph Merit played football at Army during the 14-15 seasons; position played was E, height 5.11 and playing weight was 160; and earned football letter at Army during the 14-15 seasons.

Tuthill, Henry Nathan did not play football.

Van Fleet, James Alward played football at Army during the 13-14 seasons; position played was RB, height 6.00 and playing weight was 176; and earned football letter at Army during the 13-14 seasons.

Weems, George Hatton played football at Southwestern Presbyterian 12 and at Army during the 14-15-16 seasons; position played was C, height unknown and playing weight was unknown.

Weyand, Alexander Mathias played football at Army during the 11-12-13-14-15 seasons; position played was T, height 6.02 and playing weight was 203; was team captain in 1915; earned football letter at Army during the 11-12-13-14-15 seasons; All-American during the 13-14-15 seasons, and was named to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

Wood, Jared Irwin played football at Army during the 14 season; position played was unknown, height 6.01 and playing weight was unknown.

Woodruff, Roscoe Barnett played football at Iowa State 10 and at Army during the 12-13-14 seasons; position played was RB, height 5.09 and playing weight was 165; and earned football letter at Army during the 13 season.

Wynne, Andrew Jackson played football at Marion 10-11, Auburn 12-13, and at Army during the 14 season; position played was T-G, height unknown and playing weight was 184.

1914 Football Players Career Army Statistics:

Bathurst played Army football for 4 seasons at the RB position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

Benedict played Army football for 4 seasons at the RB position and lettered 3 times; started 19 games and played in 23 games; scored 6 touchdowns, 2 field goals, and kicked 17 extra points, scoring 59 points.

Boots played Army football for 3 seasons at the RB position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 8 games; scored 0 points.

Bradley played Army football for 2 seasons at the C position and lettered 1 time; started 0 games and played in 4 games; scored 0 points.

Bringham played Army football for 4 seasons at the E/RB position and lettered 0 times; started 2 games and played in 9 games; scored 1 touchdown, 0 field goals, and kicked 0 extra points, scoring 6 points.

Britton played Army football for 4 seasons at the E position and lettered 2 times; started 8 games and played in 17 games; scored 1 touchdown, 0 field goals, and kicked 0 extra points, scoring 6 points.

Buechler played Army football for 3 seasons at the QB position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 4 games; scored 0 points.

Butler played Army football for 3 seasons at the T position and lettered 2 times; started 14 games and played in 15 games; scored 0 points.

Chapman played Army football for 3 seasons at the C position and lettered 0 times; started 1 game and played in 2 games; scored 0 points.

Coffin played Army football for 3 seasons at the RB position and lettered 2 times; started 9 games and played in 18 games; scored 4 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 3 extra points, scoring 27 points.

Collins played Army football for 2 seasons at the unknown position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

Confer played Army football for 2 seasons at the T position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 5 games; scored 0 points.

Engeldinger played Army football for 2 seasons at the G position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 2 games; scored 0 points.

Fleming played Army football for 2 seasons at the E position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

Ford played Army football for 4 seasons at the RB/E position and lettered 4 times; started 13 games and played in 26 games; scored 4 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 3 extra points, scoring 27 points.

Goodman played Army football for 3 seasons at the C/G position and lettered 2 times; started 5 games and played in 24 games; scored 0 points.

Hanley played Army football for 3 seasons at the unknown position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

Harmon played Army football for 3 seasons at the QB position and lettered 1 time; started 1 game and played in 6 games; scored 0 points.

Herrick played Army football for 3 seasons at the G position and lettered 3 times; started 9 games and played in 20 games; scored 0 points.

Hess played Army football for 4 seasons at the RB position and lettered 1 time; started 0 games and played in 7 games; scored 0 points.

Hobbs played Army football for 4 seasons at the HB/QB position and lettered 2 times; started 14 games and played in 22 games; scored 13 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 0 extra points, scoring 78 points.

Hocker played Army football for 3 seasons at the RB position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 7 games; scored 0 points.

Hodgson played Army football for 4 seasons at the RB position and lettered 3 times; started 15 games and played in 23 games; scored 18 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 2 extra points, scoring 110 points.

Hoge played Army football for 3 seasons at the E/RB position and lettered 2 times; started 6 games and played in 15 games; scored 1 touchdown, 0 field goals, and kicked 1 extra points, scoring 7 points.

Holmes played Army football for 4 seasons at the G/T/C position and lettered 2 times; started 5 games and played in 19 games; scored 0 points.

Hudnutt played Army football for 2 seasons at the E position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 5 games; scored 0 points.

Jones played Army football for 3 seasons at the G/T position and lettered 2 times; started 14 games and played in 21 game; scored 0 points.

Kelly played Army football for 1 season at the E position and lettered 1 time; started 3 games and played in 7 games; scored 0 points.

Knight played Army football for 3 seasons at the T position and lettered 0 times; started 3 games and played in 5 games; scored 0 points.

Krause played Army football for 2 seasons at the unknown position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

Larkin played Army football for 4 seasons at the T position and lettered 3 times; started 4 games and played in 20 games; scored 0 points.

Mahoney played Army football for 4 seasons at the QB/HB position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 4 games; scored 0 points.

McDermott played Army football for 2 seasons at the QB position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 1 game; scored 0 points.

McEwan played Army football for 4 seasons at the C position and lettered 4 times; started 26 games and played in 32 games; scored 0 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 13 extra points, scoring 13 points.

McGee played Army football for 3 seasons at the RB position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 1 game; scored 1 touchdown, 0 field goals, and kicked 0 extra points, scoring 6 points.

Meacham played Army football for 4 seasons at the G/T/C position and lettered 4 times; started 24 games and played in 33 games; scored 0 points.

Merillat played Army football for 4 seasons at the E position and lettered 4 times; started 13 games and played in 25 games; scored 8 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 1 extra point, scoring 49 points.

Mitchell played Army football for 2 seasons at the RB position and lettered 2 times; started 6 games and played in 12 games; scored 2 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 0 extra points, scoring 12 points.

Mullins played Army football for 4 seasons at the E position and lettered 1 time; started 3 games and played in 7 games; scored 2 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 0 extra points, scoring 12 points.

Neyland played Army football for 2 seasons at the E/QB position and lettered 2 times; started 9 games and played in 10 games; scored 2 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and earned 2 points for a safety, scoring 14 points.

O'Hare played Army football for 4 seasons at the G/T position and lettered 3 times; started 12 games and played in 28 games; scored 0 points.

Oliphant played Army football for 4 seasons at the RB/QB/E position and lettered 3 times; started 25 games and played in 30 games; scored 43 touchdowns, 9 field goals, and kicked 55 extra points, scoring 340 points.

Page played Army football for 2 seasons at the T/G position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

Parks played Army football for 4 seasons at the G/C position and lettered 0 times; started 1 game and played in 7 games; scored 0 points.

Parker played Army football for 2 seasons at the T position and lettered 2 times; started 5 games and played in 14 games; scored 0 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and earned 2 points for a safety, scoring 2 points.

Peterman played Army football for 2 seasons at the unknown position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

Place played Army football for 3 seasons at the RB position and lettered 2 times; started 7 games and played in 11 game; scored 3 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 0 extra points, scoring 18 points.

Prichard played Army football for 4 seasons at the QB position and lettered 2 times; started 21 games and played in 27 games; scored 6 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 1 extra point, scoring 37 points.

Prickett played Army football for 2 seasons at the E position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 8 games; scored 1 touchdown, 0 field goals, and kicked 0 extra points, scoring 6 points.

Redfield played Army football for 3 seasons at the E position and lettered 2 times; started 6 games and played in 7 games; scored 0 points.

Rossell played Army football for 2 seasons at the unknown position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

Sasse played Army football for 5 seasons at the E position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 2 games; scored 0 points.

Schlenker played Army football for 3 seasons at the G/T position and lettered 0 times; started 2 games and played in 8 games; scored 0 points.

Schwarzkopf played Army football for 4 seasons at the G/HB position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 3 games; scored 0 points.

Simkins played Army football for 4 seasons at the E position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 1 game; scored 0 points.

Charles Smith played Army football for 1 season at the unknown position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

Tate played Army football for 3 seasons at the T position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 1 game; scored 0 points.

Timberlake played Army football for 3 seasons at the G/T/HB/E position and lettered 1 time; started 5 games and played in 16 games; scored 0 points.

Kivas Tully played Army football for 4 seasons at the T position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

Joseph Tully played Army football for 2 seasons at the E position and lettered 1 time; started 4 games and played in 13 games; scored 2 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 0 extra points, scoring 12 points.

Van Fleet played Army football for 2 seasons at the RB position and lettered 2 times; started 4 games and played in 8 games; scored 3 touchdowns, 0 field goals, and kicked 0 extra points, scoring 18 points.

Walker (Bonfils) played Army football for 2 seasons at the RB/E position and lettered 1 time; started 1 game and played in 10 games; scored 0 points.

Weems played Army football for 4 seasons at the C position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 3 games; scored 0 points.

Weyand played Army football for 5 seasons at the T/G position and lettered 5 times; started 30 games and played in 37 games; scored 0 points.

Wood played Army football for 1 season at the unknown position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

Woodruff played Army football for 3 seasons at the RB position and lettered 1 time; started 0 games and played in 11 games; scored 0 touchdowns, 3 field goals, and kicked 3 extra points, scoring 12 points.

Wynne played Army football for 1 season at the T/G position and lettered 0 times; started 0 games and played in 0 games.

1914 Football Men Career Football Coaching Experience:

Benedict was an assistant football coach at Army during the 22-23 seasons.

Britton was a Head Football Coach at Hawaii 16 (3-2-1) and at Tennessee 35 (4-5-0); and was an assistant football coach at Tennessee during the 26 to 34, 36 to 42, and 46 seasons.

Crane was an assistant football coach at Army during the 17-18 seasons.

Daly was Army Head Football Coach during the 13 to 16 and 19 to 22 seasons (58-13-3); was an assistant football coach at Army during the 03 to 06 and 12 seasons; was an assistant football coach at Harvard 07 to 12 and 25 seasons; and was named to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.

Eisenhower was a Head Football Coach at Tank Corps Training in 17 to 18 seasons, III Corps in 23 to 24, Fort Benning in 26 and was an assistant football coach at St Louis (TX) during the 16 season; for much of Ike's early military career, his assignments were made by superiors to have him coach the post or unit football team.

Glade was an assistant football coach at Army during the 02 to 06 and 11 to 14 seasons.

Graves was Army Head Football Coach during the 06 and 12 seasons (7-8-1); was an assistant football coach at Army during the 04-05, 07, 13 to 16, and 19 to 21 seasons; and was an assistant football coach at Harvard 07-08 and at Princeton 21.

Hayes was an assistant football coach at Army during the 13 to 16 seasons.

Hobbs was the Head Football Coach at Army Hawaiian Department during the 24 season.

Hoge was an assistant football coach at Army during the 19 to 21 seasons.

Jones was Army Head Football Coach during the 26 to 29 seasons (30-8-2); was a Head Football Coach at LSU 32 to 34 (20-5-6), Oklahoma 35-36 (9-6-3), and Nebraska 37 to 41 (28-14-4); was an assistant football coach at Army during the 19 to 25 seasons; and was named to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.

McEwan was Army Head Football Coach during the 23 to 25 seasons (18-5-3); was a Head Football Coach at Oregon 23 to 25 (20-13-2), Holy Cross 30 to 32 (21-5-1), and the NFL 33-34 (9-11-1); was an assistant football coach at Army during the 19 to 22 seasons; and was named to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame in 1962.

Meacham was an assistant football coach at Army during the 19 season.

Merillat was an assistant football coach at Army during the 16 to 19 seasons.

Mitchell was Army Head Football Coach during the 18 season (1-0-0) and was an assistant football coach at Army during the 20 seasons.

Neyland was a Head Football Coach at Tennessee 26 to 34, 36 to 40, and 46 to 52 seasons (173-31-12); was an assistant football coach at Army during the 19 to 24 seasons and at Tennessee in 25; and was named to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame in 1956.

O'Hare was an assistant football coach at Army during the 20 to 23 seasons.

Oliphant was an assistant football coach at Army during the 19 season.

Parker was an assistant football coach at Army during the 23 to 25 seasons and at Tennessee 26 to 30.

Prichard was an assistant football coach at Army during the 16 and 19 to 22 seasons and at Yale 24 to 28.

Pullen was an assistant football coach at Army during the 10 and 12 to 16 seasons.

Sasse was Army Head Football Coach during the 30 to 32 seasons (25-5-2); was a Head Football Coach at Mississippi State 35 to 37 (20-10-2); and was an assistant football coach at Army during the 23 to 29 seasons.

Selleck was an assistant football coach at Army during the 13 to 15 seasons.

Rodney Smith was an assistant football coach at Army during the 13-14 and 19-20 seasons.

Stearns was an assistant football coach at Army during the 13 to 15 seasons.

Stilwell was an assistant football coach at Army during the 06 to 10 and 13 to 16 seasons.

Sultan was an assistant football coach at Army during the 12 to 15 seasons.

Thompson was an assistant football coach at Army during the 04, 07-08, and 14-15 seasons and at Cornell 15-16.

Timberlake was an assistant football coach at Army during the 27 to 30 seasons.

Joseph Tully was an assistant football coach at Army during the 17 to 21 seasons.

Tuthill was an assistant football coach at Army during the 11 to 15 seasons and at Michigan 16-17.

Van Fleet was the Head Football Coach at Florida 23-24 (12-3-4) and at Fort Benning 27 to 28; was an assistant football coach at Florida 21-22.

Weems was a Head Football Coach at Infantry School 22-23 seasons.

Weyand was a Head Football Coach at II Corps 22 season.

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Appendix 3: Biographical Information on the 1914 Football Men and Families

1914 Football Men Biographical Information (notes – most spouse's names show her maiden name, with brackets indicating that she was married before, and a name in parenthesis showing that she re-married again after death or divorce):

Bathurst, Robert Marks:

He was born at Huntingdon, PA on 28-Aug-93; died on 15-Apr-64 at Fort Bragg, NC at the age of 70; was buried at West Point; he died after a long illness due to pneumonia from obstructive emphysema and heart disease.

Bathurst was appointed from the PA 15 Congressional District on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 19.10; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5606; he graduated as the 5th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Bathurst was commissioned into the Field Artillery branch; he served for about 36 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the LM (2).

Bathurst's first spouse was Majorie E Murphy (Dacostaesilu); was born on 11-Aug-95; died in May-84 at the age of 88; they were married by 1920; they divorced in 1937; they had a son together.

Bathurst's second spouse was Jane Jackson Polk [Ball]; was born on 20-Jan-93; died on 12-Sep-77 at the age of 84; they were married by 1940; they had no children together; she was living at the Army Distaff Hall in her later years.

Benedict, Charles Calvert:

He was born at Hastings, NE on 12-Feb-91; died on 7-May-25 at Langley Field, VA at the age of 34; was buried at West Point or Cold Springs, NY; he was killed on active duty; Major, he was conducting an aerial attack on a captive balloon and crashed, killing him.

Benedict was appointed from the NE 5 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 20.04; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5366; he graduated as the 54th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Benedict was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Air Service branch; he served for about 10 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Benedict's first spouse was Margaret E D'Bois [Waring]; was born in 1891; died on 17-Nov-17 at the age of 26; they were married in 1915; they had no children together; she was previously married around 1913 to First Lieutenant Roy F Waring who she divorced, Waring was court- martialed in 1913 on financial irregularities, and Waring died in a fall from the 10th floor of his insurance office building in 1927; she was killed when struck by an interurban train in an automobile accident; a-26; Benedict was injured and knocked unconscious in the accident but recovered in time to ship out to France; the wife of Captain Conrad Berens, head of Chanute's hospital, was also killed, while the Captain was also injured; Major Benedict was CO of Chanute, and the car was returning from an afternoon at the Country Club; Margaret's son, Benedict's step-son, was also killed in the crash.

Benedict's second spouse was Dorothy Potter; was born on 15-Apr-90; died on 4-Dec-79 at the age of 88; they were married in 1919; they had three sons and a daughter together; she was living at the Army Distaff Hall.

Bonfils, Frederick Walker:

He was born at Raton, NM on 28-Oct-94; died on 21-May-58 at Denver, CO at the age of 63; was buried at West Point; his original name was Edgar Addison Walker, but he asked the War Department for permission to change his name prior to his USMA Graduation in 1916 in order to honor his uncle, who was childless.

Bonfils (as Edgar Addison Walker) was appointed from the CO 2 Congressional District on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 17.08; originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5503; he graduated as the 27th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Bonfils was commissioned into the Engineer branch; he served for about 20 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; he earned the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from MIT in 1922.

Bonfils' first spouse was Marion De Witt; was born in 1896; died in 1937 at the age of 41; they were married on 31-Mar-19; they had two sons and a daughter together.

Bonfils' second spouse was Lois Thelma Fisher [McClintock] (Mead); was born in 1911; died in Mar-78 at the age of 67; they were married in 1950; they had no children together.

Boots, Norman Jay:

He was born at New Brighton, PA on 11-Oct-92; died on 24-Aug-64 at Tucker's Town, Bermuda at the age of 71; was buried at West Point; he died of a heart attack.

Boots was appointed from the PA 24 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 18.08; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5427; he graduated as the 115th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Boots was commissioned into the Cavalry branch and then served in the Field Artillery and Air Service branches; he served for about 30 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Boots' first spouse was Louise Fitch Wardwell (Stone) (Owens); was born on 27-Nov-06; died on 11-Mar-97 at the age of 90; they were married on 23-Aug-29 in Chicago; they divorced in 1934; they had a son and three daughters together; he was General Manager of Roosevelt Flying Field in NY and had flown a party of eight to their wedding in Chicago.

Boots' second spouse was Liesbeth De Boer; was born on 8-May-32; died on 14-Oct-10 at the age of 78; they were married around 1960; they had no children together; she was a citizen of Netherlands at the time of their marriage; she became a USA citizen in 1967.

Bradley, Omar Nelson:

He was born at Clark, MO on 12-Feb-93; died on 8-Apr-81 at New York City, NY at the age of 88; was buried at Arlington; he died of cardiac arrest.

Bradley was appointed from the MO 2 Congressional District on 1-Aug-11 at the age of 18.06; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5356; he graduated as the 44th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Bradley was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 38 years and achieved the rank of General of the Army; earned the DSM (5), SSM, LM (2), and BSM.

Bradley's first spouse was Mary Elizabeth Quayle; was born on 25-Jul-92; died on 1-Dec-65 at the age of 72; they were married on 27-Dec-16; they had a son and daughter together; she died of leukemia.

Bradley's second spouse was Esther Buhler; was born on 23-Jul-22; died on 2-Feb-04 at the age of 81; they were married on 12-Mar-68; they had no children together.

Bringham, Robert Amedee:

He was born at Amedee, CA on 19-Aug-92; died on 19-Nov-73 at Bethesda, MD at the age of 81; was buried at Arlington; he was living at the Navy's Vinson Hall in McLean VA at the time of his death; was reported initially in Class Notes of dying on Dec 25th, but then the date was corrected.

Bringham was appointed from NV State-wide on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 20.10; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he was discharged in his Fourth Class year for deficiency in Mathematics; he would be readmitted and turned back into the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5887; he graduated as the 147th Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Bringham was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 11 years and achieved the rank of Captain; earned the SSM and PHM.

Bringham's spouse was Margaret Balcom; was born on 15-Oct-94; died on 2-Jul-68 at the age of 74; they were married on 28-Dec-17; they had four sons together; she died after a year- long illness; she was a childhood friend of Bob's classmate Harry Rising's spouse Harriett.

Britton, William Hamilton:

He was born at Des Moines, IA on 4-Jun-92; died on 29-Nov-82 at Thomasville, GA at the age of 90; was buried at Unknown; he died of pneumonia.

Britton was appointed from the IA 5 Congressional District on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 20.00; originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5485; he graduated as the 9th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Britton was commissioned into the Engineer branch and then served in the Air Service branch; he served for about 8 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the BSM.

Britton's spouse was Ellen Elizabeth McCandless; was born on 28-Sep-02; died on 4-Jan-98 at the age of 95; they were married on 12-Sep-25; they had a daughter together.

Buechler, Theodore Earl:

He was born at Grand Island, NE on 26-Oct-93; died on 6-Nov-80 at Grand Island, NE at the age of 87; was buried at Grand Island; he had been in frail health for some time.

Buechler was appointed from the NE 5 Congressional District on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 20.08; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5760; he graduated as the 20th Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Buechler was commissioned into the Field Artillery branch; he served for about 36 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the LM.

Buechler's spouse was Mary Elizabeth Taylor; was born on 4-May-97; died on 15-Sep-85 at the age of 88; they were married on 18-Oct-21; they had a son and daughter together.

Butler, William Ormond:

He was born at Marshall, VA on 23-Sep-95; died on 29-Oct-62 at Alamo, CA at the age of 67; was buried at Marshall Cemetery, VA; he died of heart failure after a serious illness.

Butler was appointed from the OH 15 Congressional District on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 17.09; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5634; he graduated as the 33rd Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Butler was commissioned into the Field Artillery branch and then served in the Air Service branch; he served for about 30 years and achieved the rank of Major General; earned the LM (2).

Butler's spouse was Helen Ebling Daniell; was born on 4-Feb-92; died on 26-Dec-73 at the age of 81; they were married on 20-Apr-17; they had two sons and a daughter together.

Chapman, William McClaskey:

He was born at Fort Leavenworth, KS on 12-Nov-95; died on 14-Sep-83 at Pebble Beach, CA at the age of 87; was buried at San Francisco; he died in his sleep; he was quite active in the Society of the Cincinnati.

Chapman was appointed from the CA 8 Congressional District on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 18.07; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5840; he graduated as the 100th Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Chapman was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Signal Corps and Infantry branches; he served for about 30 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the LM and BSM.

Chapman's spouse was Hannah Adaline Dinsmore; was born on 18-Mar-98; died on 17-Nov-92 at the age of 94; they were married on 03-Jul-18; they had no children together.

Coffin, William Edwin, Jr.:

He was born at Guilford County, NC on 14-Mar-94; died on 13-Aug-53 at Montauk, NY at the age of 59; was buried at Cedar Lawn Cemetery, NY; his death due to coronary disease and heart attack.

Coffin was appointed from the NC 5 Congressional District on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 18.03 originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5585; he graduated as the 109th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Coffin was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 4 years and achieved the rank of Major.

Coffin's spouse was Mary Rose Thornham; was born on Aug-97; died on 14-Dec-70 at the age of 73; they were married in 1917; they had three daughters together; she died after a long illness.

Collins, Wallace Duncan:

He was born at Denver, CO on 24-Jan-94; died on 21-Jan-39 at St Petersburg, FL at the age of 44; was buried at Royal Palm South, FL; ; he died of heart attack under the alias John "Jack" Dennis Richards, a version of his three oldest children's names.

Collins was appointed from CO State-wide on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 20.05; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5792; he graduated as the 52nd Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Collins was commissioned into the Coast Artillery branch and then served in the Adjutant General branch; he served for about 8 years and achieved the rank of Major.

Collins' first spouse was Ada Marcella Watrous; was born on 19-Jun-97; died on 6-Mar-28 at the age of 30; they were married on 31-Aug-17; they divorced by 1922; they had two sons and a daughter together; youngest son Richard was born around 1921-1922; she committed suicide by jumping from the eighth story of a retail store in Los Angeles; was buried in Wisconsin in a rich family's plot as she was penniless.

Collins' second spouse was Ruth Davis; was born on 10-May-95; died on an unknown date; they were married by 1922 in Liberty FL; they divorced by 1936; they had a daughter together.

Collins' third spouse was Martha Sap; was born on an unknown date; died on an unknown date; they were married in 1936 in Liberty FL; they divorced by 1937; they had no children together.

Collins' fourth spouse was Helen; was born in 1919; died on an unknown date; they were married on 11-Apr-37 in Key West FL under his alias John "Jack" Dennis Richards; they had a daughter together.

Confer, John Wesley, Jr.:

He was born at Duncansville, PA on 11-Mar-93; died on 11-Nov-28 at Watertown, MA at the age of 35; was buried at Forest Hills Cemetery, MA; his death due to angina pectoris.

Confer was appointed from the PA 19 Congressional District on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 20.03 originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5688; he graduated as the 87th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Confer was commissioned into the Cavalry branch and then served in the Ordnance branch; he served for about 5 years and achieved the rank of Captain. Confer earned the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from MIT in 1922.

Confer's first spouse was Ellen May Kuby; was born on May-94; died on 12-Sep-24 at the age of 30; they were married on 26-Apr-17; they had two sons and one baby together; she died due to childbirth; the child also died at birth.

Confer's second spouse was Dorothy May Rankin (Elliott); was born on 12-Aug-97; died on 12-Nov-87 at the age of 90; they were married in 1928; they had no children together.

Crane, James Mitchell:

He was born at Fort Bayard, NM on 26-May-94; died on 13-May-31 at Fort Leavenworth, KS at the age of 37; was buried at Leavenworth; he died on active duty; Major; death due to peritonitis from acute appendicitis; he was awarded his CGSC diploma at the June 1931 graduation exercises.

Crane was appointed from At Large across the USA on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 18.01 originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5535; he graduated as the 59th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Crane was commissioned into the Cavalry branch and then served in the Infantry and Field Artillery branches; he served for about 15 years and achieved the rank of Major.

Crane's first spouse was Anne E Keith (McNear) (Haight); was born on 7-Aug-96; died on 4-Sep-69 at the age of 73; they were married in 1919; they divorced in 1926; they had no children together.

Crane's second spouse was Anne Mitchell (Wilson); was born on 25-Dec-07; died in Jan-73 at the age of 65; they were married in 1929; they had a son and daughter together; she had attended the Class of 1916's 55th reunion.

Daly, Charles Dudley:

He was born at Roxbury, MA on 31-Oct-80; died on 12-Feb-59 at Pacific Grove, CA at the age of 78; was buried at West Point; he died of heart attack.

Daly earned the Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University in 1901. He was appointed from the MA 9 Congressional District on 12-Jun-01 at the age of 20.07; originally in the USMA Class of 1905; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1905; his Cullum Number is 4384; he graduated as the 46th Cadet in his class consisting of 114 graduates.

Daly was commissioned into the Field Artillery branch; he served for about 21 years and achieved the rank of Colonel.

Daly's spouse was Beatrice M Jordan; was born on 24-Jul-85; died on 26-Jul-69 at the age of 84; they were married in 1912; they had three sons and two daughters together.

Eisenhower, Dwight David:

He was born at Denison, TX on 14-Oct-90; died on 28-Mar-69 at Washington, DC at the age of 78; was buried at Abilene, KS.

Eisenhower was appointed from KS State-wide on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 20.08; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5375; he graduated as the 61st Cadet in his class consisting of 108 graduates.

Eisenhower was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 37 years and achieved the rank of General of the Army; earned the DSM (6) and LM.

Eisenhower's spouse was Mamie Geneva Doud; was born on 14-Nov-96; died on 1-Nov-79 at the age of 82; they were married on 14-Feb-16; they had two sons together.

Engeldinger, Karl:

He was born at Hedrick, IA on 17-May-94; died on 2-Dec-71 at Saranac Lake, NY at the age of 77; was buried at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Saranac Lake, NY.

Engeldinger was appointed from the IA 2 Congressional District on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 20.01; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he was discharged in his Fourth Class year for deficiency in Mathematics; he was readmitted and turned back into the USMA Class of 1919; he resigned during his second Fourth Class year; he did not graduate from USMA. Engeldinger earned the Bachelor of Science from the University of Iowa in 1915.

Engeldinger was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 4 years and achieved the rank of Captain.

Engeldinger's spouse was Viva M Barslow (Cassady); was born on 7-Oct-97; died on 22-Feb-91 at the age of 93; they were married in 1923; they had no children together.

Fleming, William Richard:

He was born at Pittsburgh, PA on 10-Jan-94; died on 27-Jan-71 at Palm Beach, FL at the age of 77; was buried at Unknown; AOG has no info on his date of death after his court-martial in Panama; there is alternative information that he died on August 31, 1949 and was buried at Mill Creek Hill Cemetery in Hookstown, PA, showing that he was living in Pittsburgh area and married to an Elizabeth in 1949; this is ignored due to 1935 Census data with correct children names showing living in New Jersey near NYC; 1940 Census data showing him a widower; also WW2 Draft Card executed in April 1942 showing a NYC area address and his oldest daughter as next of kin.

Fleming was appointed from the PA 29 Congressional District on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 20.05; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5859; he graduated as the 119th Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Fleming was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 14 years and achieved the rank of Captain.

Fleming's spouse was Elizabeth J Early; was born on 23-Apr-94; died by 1940 at the age of 46; they were married in 1918; they had a son and two daughters together.

Ford, Elbert Louis, Jr.:

He was born at Milford, CT on 2-Dec-92; died on 25-Feb-90 at Washington, DC at the age of 97; was buried at Arlington; he died of congestive heart failure.

Ford was appointed from the CT 3 Congressional District on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 20.06; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5641; he graduated as the 40th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Ford was commissioned into the Coast Artillery branch and then served in the Ordnance branch; he served for about 36 years and achieved the rank of Major General; earned the DSM and LM (2).

Ford's first spouse was Grace Horney; was born on 10-Aug-93; died on 29-Jun-49 at the age of 55; they were married on 08-May-17; they had two daughters together.

Ford's second spouse was Helen Rehrig [Marshall] [Burke]; was born on 10-Sep-98; died on 7-Nov-83 at the age of 85; they were married after 1951; they had no children together; she died of Alzheimer's disease.

Glade, Herman:

He was born at Crown Point, IN on 28-Apr-75; died on 7-Dec-34 at Burlingame, CA at the age of 59; was buried at Arlington; he died after a brief illness.

Glade was appointed from an IN Congressional District on 15-Jun-96 at the age of 21.02 originally in the USMA Class of 1900; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1900; his Cullum Number is 3970; he graduated as the 31st Cadet in his class consisting of 54 graduates.

Glade was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 31 years and achieved the rank of Colonel.

Glade's spouse was Lillian Huntington Hills (Colwell); was born on 12-Mar-77; died on 12-Jul-42 at the age of 65; they were married on 04-Nov-12; they had a son together.

Goodman, John Forest:

He was born at Waco, TX on 22-Aug-91; died on 6-Mar-47 at Bridgton, ME at the age of 55; was buried at Arlington; he died after a short illness.

Goodman was appointed from TX State-wide on 1-Mar-10 at the age of 18.06; originally in the USMA Class of 1914; he was discharged in his Fourth Class year for deficiency in Mathematics and Surveying; he was readmitted and turned back into the USMA Class of 1915; he was turned back in his First Class year for deficiency in Spanish; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5586; he graduated as the 110th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Goodman was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 30 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the SSM, LM, PPH, and POW.

Goodman's spouse was Zita M Zint; was born on 2-Apr-92; died on 26-Mar-91 at the age of 98; they were married on 11-Jun-16; they had two sons together.

Graves, Ernest:

He was born at Chapel Hill, NC on 27-Mar-80; died on 9-Jun-53 at Washington, DC at the age of 73; was buried at Arlington; he had a heart attack in 1951 with complications; he died on his 30th wedding anniversary.

Graves earned the Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina in 1900. Graves earned the Master of Arts from the University of North Carolina in 1901. Graves was appointed from the NC Congressional District on 11-Jun-01 at the age of 21.02 originally in the USMA Class of 1905; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1905; his Cullum Number is 4340; he graduated as the 2nd Cadet in his class consisting of 114 graduates.

Graves was commissioned into the Engineer branch; he served for about 41 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the DSM.

Graves' spouse was Lucy Gunn Birnie [Horgan]; was born on 20-Nov-81; died on 5-Apr-66 at the age of 84; they were married on 08-Jun-23, she was a widow at the time of her marriage to Graves; they had a son together.

Hammond, Thomas West:

He was born at Ashland, OR on 3-Jun-81; died on 2-Sep-36 at New York City, NY at the age of 55; was buried at West Point or Arlington; he died of heart failure.

Hammond was appointed from the OR Congressional District on 11-Jun-01 at the age of 20.00; originally in the USMA Class of 1905; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1905; his Cullum Number is 4377; he graduated as the 39th Cadet in his class consisting of 114 graduates.

Hammond was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 30 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the DSM.

Hammond's spouse was Carmelita Yost; was born on 2-Nov-81; died on 23-Aug-61 at the age of 89; they were married in 1907; they had two sons together.

Hanley, Thomas James Jr.:

He was born at Coshocton, OH on 29-Mar-93; died on 9-Mar-69 at Boynton Beach, FL at the age of 75; was buried at Arlington.

Hanley was appointed from the OH 17 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 18.03 originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5436; he graduated as the 124th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Hanley was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Air Service branch and in the United States Air Force; he served for about 37 years and achieved the rank of Major General; earned the DSM and LM (2). Hanley earned his Doctorate from St Vincent's University.

Hanley's spouse was Cecelia Adelle Meilleur; was born on 4-Jun-93; died on 14-Sep-85 at the age of 92; they were married in 1917; they had two sons and a daughter together; she was a long-time resident of the Air Force Village in San Antonio at the time of her death.

Harmon, Hubert Reilly:

He was born at Chester, PA on 3-Apr-92; died on 22-Feb-57 at San Antonio, TX at the age of 64; was buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery; his death due to lung cancer.

Harmon was appointed from the NY 6 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 19.02 originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5415; he graduated as the 103rd Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Harmon was commissioned into the Coast Artillery branch and then served in the Infantry, and Air Service branches, and in the United States Air Force; he served for about 41 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant General; earned the DSM (3), LM and DFC.

Harmon's spouse was Rosa-Maye Kendrick; was born on 28-Jul-97; died on 5-Aug-79 in San Antonio at the age of 82; they were married on 19-Feb-27; they had a son and daughter together.

Hayes, Phillip:

He was born at Portage, WI on 16-Jun-87; died on 25-Nov-49 at Washington, DC at the age of 62; was buried at Calvary Cemetery, ND; he suffered a stroke on November 9th.

Hayes was appointed from ND State-wide on 15-Jun-05 at the age of 18.00; originally in the USMA Class of 1909; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1909; his Cullum Number is 4789; he graduated as the 40th Cadet in his class consisting of 103 graduates.

Hayes was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Field Artillery branch; he served for about 37 years and achieved the rank of Major General; earned the DSM and LM.

Hayes was not married. He was survived at the time of his death by his mother and twin sister.

Herrick, Charles Curtiss:

He was born at Charleston, IL on 24-Feb-91; died on 20-Mar-74 at Contra Costa, CA at the age of 83; was buried at Unknown.

Herrick was appointed from the IL 13 Congressional District on 1-Mar-10 at the age of 19.00; originally in the USMA Class of 1914; he was discharged as a New Cadet for deficiency in History; he was readmitted and turned back into the Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5476; he graduated as the 164th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Herrick was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 39 years and achieved the rank of Colonel.

Herrick's first spouse was Mary Margaret Gilliland; was born on 3-Jun-94; died in Aug-71 at the age of 76; they were married on 15-Apr-16; they divorced sometime in the 1930s; they had a daughter together, and may have had a son and another daughter together (information shows that these children may have been Mary's or Lillian's).

Herrick's second spouse was Lillian Brooks [Clary]; was born on 28-Oct-99; died on 5-May-74 at the age of 75; they were married on 29-Oct-38; they may have had a son and daughter together; she died less than two months after her husband passed away.

Hess, Walter Wood, Jr.:

He was born at Philadelphia, PA on 17-Mar-92; died on 10-Apr-72 at San Jose, CA at the age of 80; was buried at Arlington.

Hess was appointed from the PA 9 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 19.03 originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5407; he graduated as the 95th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Hess was commissioned into the Coast Artillery branch and then served in the Field Artillery branch; he served for about 37 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the LM (2) and BSM (2).

Hess' spouse was Ada Elizabeth Small; was born on 15-Jan-93; died on 6-Sep-72 at the age of 79; they were married on 29-Jun-15; they had a daughter together; she died five months after her husband passed away.

Hobbs, Leland Stanford:

He was born at Gloucester, MA on 24-Feb-92; died on 6-Mar-66 at Washington, DC at the age of 74; was buried at Arlington; he suffered a stroke on Feb 26 and never regained consciousness.

Hobbs was appointed from the NJ 9 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 19.04; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5358; he graduated as the 46th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Hobbs was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 38 years and achieved the rank of Major General; earned the DSM, SSM (2), and BSM (3).

Hobbs' spouse was Lucy Davis Berger; was born on 7-Aug-92; died on 26-Jun-80 at the age of 87; they were married on 03-Jun-16; they had no children.

Hocker, Carl Ernest:

He was born at Monte Vista, CO on 8-Mar-91; died on 31-Dec-63 at Portsmouth, NH at the age of 71; was buried at West Point; he died of heart attack; he died about six months after his wife passed away.

Hocker was appointed from CO State-wide on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 20.03 originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5395; he graduated as the 83rd Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Hocker was commissioned into the Coast Artillery branch; he served for about 29 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the PPH.

Hocker's spouse was Eleanor Kriner; was born on 22-Jul-95; died on 25-Jun-63 at the age of 68; they were married in 1916; they had two daughters together; she died of heart attack.

Hodgson, Paul Alfred:

He was born at Latham, KS on 19-Nov-91; died on 7-Oct-55 at San Francisco, CA at the age of 63; was buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery; he died due to complications with arthritis.

Hodgson was appointed from the KS 8 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 19.07; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5330; he graduated as the 18th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Hodgson was commissioned into the Engineer branch; he served for about 31 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the LM.

Hodgson's spouse was Anne M Davis (Burnell); was born on 16-Dec-96; died on 6-Aug-66 at the age of 69; they were married on 08-Aug-25; they had no children together; he met her on the U.S. Army transport Thomas when returning from the Far East; she died of cancer; she married Brigadier General (Ret) Ray L Burnell in Mar-65.

Hoge, William Morris, Jr.:

He was born at Boonville, MO on 13-Jan-94; died on 29-Oct-79 at Fort Leavenworth, KS at the age of 85; was buried at Arlington.

Hoge was appointed from MO State-wide on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 18.05; originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5505; he graduated as the 29th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Hoge was commissioned into the Engineer branch; he served for about 39 years and achieved the rank of General; earned the DSC (2), DSM (3), SSM (3), LM, BSM, and PPH. Hoge earned the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from MIT in 1922.

Hoge's spouse was Nettie Fredendall; was born on 30-Mar-94; died on 10-Jul-59 at the age of 65; they were married on 01-May-17, they were childhood sweethearts; they had two sons together; she died after a long illness.

Holmes, Joel Grant:

He was born at Forked River, NJ on 24-Aug-92; died on 12-May-70 at Toms River, NJ at the age of 77; was buried at Good Luck Cemetery, NJ.

Holmes was appointed from the NJ 3 Congressional District on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 20.10; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5666; he graduated as the 65th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Holmes was commissioned into the Coast Artillery branch and then served in the Ordnance branch; he served for about 36 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the LM, BSM, and SM. Holmes earned the Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota in 1920.

Holmes' first spouse was Marguerite Jackson; was born on 19-Dec-94; died after 1958 at the age of 64; they were married in 1918; they divorced sometime between 1940 and 1952; they had two sons and two daughters together.

Holmes' second spouse was Josephine Keller; was born on 14-Nov-08; died on 11-May-89 at the age of 80; they were married on 26-Apr-52; they had no children together.

Hudnutt, Dean:

He was born at Hanover, MI on 25-May-91; died on 11-Oct-43 at New Haven, CT at the age of 52; was buried at West Point; after a long illness; he died on active duty; Colonel.

Hudnutt was appointed from the MI 2 Congressional District on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 21.01 originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5491; he graduated as the 15th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Hudnutt was commissioned into the Field Artillery branch; he served for about 27 years and achieved the rank of Colonel. Hudnutt earned the Bachelor of Science from Albion College 1912.

Hudnutt's spouse was Therese Bradley; was born on 16-Aug-95; died on 1-May-74 at the age of 79; they were married in 1916; they had three daughters together.

Jones, Lawrence McCeney:

He was born at Washington, DC on 8-Oct-95; died on 12-Feb-80 at Chevy Chase, MD at the age of 84; was buried at West Point; a former player said this at his funeral "Biff was the toughest, finest gentleman I ever knew;" he passed away 18 months after his wife died; died nearly the same time as Timberlake.

Jones was appointed from the District of Columbia on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 18.08; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5773; he graduated as the 33rd Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Jones was commissioned into the Field Artillery branch; he served for about 26 years and achieved the rank of Colonel.

Jones' spouse was Elizabeth Trueman King; was born on 9-Oct-97; died on 12-Aug-78 at the age of 80; they were married on 17-Sep-21; they had a son and daughter together.

Kelly, James Patrick:

He; was born at Traverse City, MI on 8-Sep-92; died on 9-Sep-21 at Columbia, MO at the age of 29; was buried at St Joseph Cemetery, Lynn, MA; died suddenly on active duty; Captain.

Kelly was appointed from NH State-wide on 17-Jun-14 at the age of 21.09; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he was discharged in his Fourth Class year for deficiency in Mathematics; he was readmitted and turned back into the USMA Class of 1919; he resigned during his second Fourth Class year; he did not graduate from USMA.

Kelly was commissioned into the Field Artillery branch; he served for about 5 years and achieved the rank of Captain; earned the DSC and PHM.

Kelly's spouse was Catherine M McDonough; was born on 14-Feb-94; died on 6-Jan-83 at the age of 88; they were married in 1918; they had two sons together.

Knight, John Thornton, Jr.:

He was born at El Reno, OK on 9-May-94; died on 15-Jan-89 at San Antonio, TX at the age of 94; was buried at Arlington.

Knight was appointed from the VA 3 Congressional District on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 20.01 originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5770; he graduated as the 30th Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Knight was commissioned into the Field Artillery branch and then served in the Cavalry and Engineer branches; he served for about 30 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the DSC, LM, and PHM (2).

Knight's spouse was Mary Tigner Holmes; was born on 13-Jun-98; died on 5-Jun-90 at the age of 91; they were married on 03-Dec-17; they had four sons and two daughters together; she passed away 17 months after her husband died.

Krause, Emil:

He was born at La Crosse, WI on 25-Oct-92; died on 31-Mar-45 at Manila, PI at the age of 52; was buried at Long Island; injured in an automobile accident in Manila on March 19th; killed on active duty; died on hospital ship, Colonel; AOG has death on March 19th; his body was returned to USA in 1948.

Krause was appointed from the WI 11 Congressional District on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 21.08; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5875; he graduated as the 135th Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Krause was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 28 years and achieved the rank of Colonel.

Krause's spouse was Edna De Witt; was born on 11-Jul-91; died on 25-Nov-84 at the age of 92; they were married in 1924; they had a daughter together, she was a school teacher; she participated in the Class of Aug 17's 50th reunion at West Point.

Larkin, Thomas Bernard:

He was born at Louisburg, WI on 15-Dec-90; died on 17-Oct-68 at Washington, DC at the age of 77; was buried at Arlington.

Larkin earned the Bachelor of Arts from Gonzaga University in 1910. Larkin was appointed from the WA 3 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 20.06; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5333; he graduated as the 21st Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Larkin was commissioned into the Engineer branch and then served in the Quartermaster branch; he served for about 37 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant General; earned the DSM (3), SSM, LM, and BSM. Larkin earned his Doctorate from Gonzaga University in 1936.

Larkin's spouse was Mary Regina Irvin; was born on 28-Nov-92; died on 16-Dec-89 at the age of 97; they were married on 16-Apr-17; they had two sons and two daughters together; she lived in San Antonio after his death, and traveled often to visit her children, especially in Dublin, Ireland.

Mahoney, Charles Aloysius:

He was born at Lawrence, MA on 5-Jun-92; died on 4-Feb-59 at Tachikawa AFB, Tokyo, Japan at the age of 66; was buried at Saint Augustine Cemetery, MA; he died of heart complications; he was a civilian employed by the Air Force in Japan at the time of his death.

Mahoney was appointed from the MA 7 Congressional District on 15-Jun-13 at the age of 21.00; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he was turned back in his Third Class year for deficiency in Mathematics; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5837; he graduated as the 97th Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Mahoney was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 19 years and achieved the rank of Colonel.

Mahoney's spouse was Helen Raphael Forbes; was born on 17-Aug-02; died on 23-Feb-92 at the age of 89; they were married in 1925; they had a daughter together.

McDermott, John Aloysius:

He was born at Brooklyn, NY on 10-Nov-89; died on 25-Aug-71 at Santa Barbara, CA at the age of 81; was buried at Calvary Cemetery, Santa Barabara, CA.

McDermott was appointed from the NY 7 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 21.07; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5399; he graduated as the 87th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

McDermott was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 7 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

McDermott's first spouse was Dorothy Mary Ball; was born on 21-Jul-99; died on 1-Apr-81 at the age of 81; they were married on 07-Apr-23; they divorced in 1938; they had two sons and a daughter together.

McDermott's second spouse was Vesta Maria Fisher; was born on 12-Jul-05; died on 12-Oct-76 at the age of 71; they were married on 17-Mar-39; they had no children together.

McEwan, John James:

He was born at Alexandria, MN on 18-Feb-93; died on 9-Aug-70 at New York City, NY at the age of 77; was buried at West Point.

McEwan was appointed from the MN 6 Congressional District on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 20.04; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5669; he graduated as the 68th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

McEwan was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 11 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

McEwan's spouse was Violetta A Peterson; was born on 2-Jan-93; died on 20-Jan-90 at the age of 97; they were married in 1917; they had a son and daughter together.

McGee, Frank D.:

He was born at Amherst, SD on 6-Sep-89; died on 7-Aug-45 at Davao, PI at the age of 56; was buried at Groton Union Cemetery, Grand Fork, SD; he was killed in action due to an enemy sniper, Lieutenant Colonel; sniper shot him in the thigh and severed his femoral artery; his body was returned to USA in 1950.

McGee was appointed from SD State-wide on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 21.09; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5425; he graduated as the 113rd Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

McGee was commissioned into the Cavalry branch; he served for about 11 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; earned the SSM (4), BSM (2), and PHM (3).

McGee was not married.

Meacham, Laurence Bascum:

He was born at Fort Worth, TX on 14-Feb-94; died on 24-Sep-66 at Havre de Grace, MD at the age of 72; was buried at Harford Memorial, MD; he died of complications after suffering a heart attack on September 12th.

Meacham was appointed from OK State-wide on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 19.04; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5670; he graduated as the 69th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Meacham was commissioned into the Cavalry branch; he served for about 6 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the LM and BSM.

Meacham's spouse was Adele Campbell; was born on 10-Jul-94; died on 28-Jan-75 at the age of 81; they were married on 24-May-19; they had a son and daughter together; she died peacefully in her sleep at her home and was buried on September 30th on a nice sunny day at Harford Memorial next to her husband, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Merillat, Louis Alfred, Jr.:

He was born at Chicago, IL on 9-Jun-92; died on 26-Apr-48 at Chicago, IL at the age of 55; was buried at Arlington; he died after a year- long illness.

Merillat was appointed from the IL 1 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 19.00; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5405; he graduated as the 93rd Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Merillat was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Quartermaster branch; he served for about 13 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the PPH.

Merillat's first spouse was Ethel Edgarda Wynne (Richards); was born on 20-Oct-90; died in Jan-72 at the age of 81; they were married on 04-Aug-15; they divorced sometime in the 1920s; they had two daughters together.

Merillat's second spouse was Claire E Schwanke; was born on 24-Jun-02; died on 28-Jan-52 at the age of 49; they were married on 13-Mar-29; they had no children together.

Mitchell, Hugh William:

He was born at Galion, OH on 5-Aug-90; died on 10-Sep-67 at Fort Gordon, GA at the age of 77; was buried at West Point.

Mitchell was appointed from the OH 13 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 20.10; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he was turned back in his Second Class year for deficiency in Philosophy; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5545; he graduated as the 69th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Mitchell was commissioned into the Cavalry branch and then served in the Infantry, Signal Corps, and Air Service branches and he was in the United States Air Force; he served for about 34 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the LM and BSM. Mitchell earned the Master of Sciences in Electric Engineering from Yale University in 1923.

Mitchell's first spouse was Ellen Hayes; was born on 17-Nov-89; died on 4-Oct-60 at the age of 71; they were married in 1916; they had two sons and a daughter together.

Mitchell's second spouse was Miriam Allen; was born on 14-Jan-91; died on 15-Apr-86 at the age of 95; they were married in 1961; they had no children together; she was a former concert pianist and accompanist to famous violinists.

Mullins, Charles Love, Jr.:

He was born at Gretna, NE on 7-Sep-92; died on 1-Mar-76 at San Francisco, CA at the age of 83; was buried at Arlington; he had a heart attack in 1974.

Mullins was appointed from NE State-wide on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 20.09; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5706; he graduated as the 105th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Mullins was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 36 years and achieved the rank of Major General; earned the DSM, SSM, and BSM.

Mullins' first spouse was Ida T Cole; was born on 21-Apr-96; died in Jun-82 at the age of 86; they were married in 1918; they divorced sometime between 1930 and 1933; they had no children together.

Mullins' second spouse was Jane Dooley; was born on 29-Jan-94; died on 16-Feb-97 at the age of 103; they were married in 1933; they had no children together.

Neyland, Robert Reese, Jr.:

He was born at Greenville, TX on 17-Feb-92; died on 28-Mar-62 at New Orleans, LA at the age of 70; was buried at Knoxville; he died of lung cancer after a short hospitalization.

Neyland was appointed from the TX 4 Congressional District on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 20.04; originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5504; he graduated as the 28th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Neyland was commissioned into the Engineer branch; he served for about 28 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the DSM and LM (3). Neyland earned the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from MIT in 1921.

Neyland's spouse was Ada Fitch; was born on 1-Sep-97; died on 7-Mar-76 at the age of 78; they were married on 16-Jul-23; they had two sons together; he met her when she was visiting friends at West Point; she suffered a heart attack and died.

O'Hare, Joseph James:

He was born at Boston, MA on 19-Feb-93; died on 2-Apr-61 at Tucson, AZ at the age of 68; was buried at Arlington; he died of a heart attack while taking a walk on Easter Sunday late afternoon or evening and was stricken on the street.

O'Hare was appointed from the MA 9 Congressional District on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 19.04; originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5571; he graduated as the 95th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

O'Hare was commissioned into the Coast Artillery branch and then served in the Infantry branch; he served for about 37 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the DSM, LM, and BSM (2).

O'Hare's spouse was Martha Guy Armstrong; was born on 1-Apr-95; died on 13-Jul-85 at the age of 90; they were married in 1919; they had a son together; they met at a hop at West Point; she graduated from Vassar; she traveled on cruises a lot after her husband's death and lived in DC area, she was active in Class of 1916 activities.

Oliphant, Elmer Quillen:

He was born at Bloomfield, IN on 9-Jul-93; died on 3-Jul-75 at New Canaan, CT at the age of 81; was buried at Saint Mary Cemetery, CT; he died of a sudden cardiac ailment, just one week prior to his 82nd birthday; he died on his wife's birthday.

Oliphant earned the Bachelor of Science from Purdue in 1914. Oliphant was appointed from the IN 2 Congressional District on 1-Jul-14 at the age of 21.00; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he was turned back in his Third Class year for deficiency in Mathematics; he graduated with the USMA Class of June 1918; his Cullum Number is 5982; he graduated as the 91st Cadet in his class consisting of 137 graduates.

Oliphant was commissioned into the Cavalry branch; he served for about 4 years and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant.

Oliphant's spouse was Barbara Benedict; was born on 3-Jul-00; died on 2-Sep-81 at the age of 81; they were married on 12-Jun-18; they had no children together; some reports had the marriage on June 22, but went with more common information that they got married on Graduation Day.

Page, Douglas Jenkins:

He was born at Essex, NJ on 24-May-94; died on 11-Apr-77 at San Antonio, TX at the age of 81; was buried at Fort Sam Houston; he died less than two years after his wife passed.

Page was appointed from NY State-wide on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 18.01 originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5578; he graduated as the 102nd Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Page was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Calvary, Infantry, and Field Artillery branches; he served for about 36 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the LM (2), SM, and BSM (3).

Page's spouse was Alma Neal McKnight; was born on 3-Oct-91; died on 8-Jun-75 at the age of 83; they were married in 1917; they had a daughter together.

Parker, Paul Barrows:

He was born at Ocoee, FL on 1-Feb-91; died on 1-Jan-64 at Brooksville, FL at the age of 71; was buried at Arlington; he died after a series of heart attacks.

Parker was appointed from the FL 2 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 20.04; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he was discharged in his Fourth Class year for deficiency in Mathematics; he was readmitted and turned back into the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5565; he graduated as the 89th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Parker was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Engineer branch; he served for about 30 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the SSM, LM, BSM, and PHM.

Parker's spouse was Nancy Louise Hardee; was born on 18-Nov-96; died on 12-Mar-76 at the age of 79; they were married on 18-Apr-17; they had two sons and a daughter together.

Parks, Lyman Lewis:

He was born at Louisville, KY on 19-Dec-91; died on 7-Mar-64 at Luray, VA at the age of 72; was buried at Cremated; his death was reported in Class Notes as being on March 8th.

Parks earned the Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown, Kentucky in 1912. Parks was appointed from the KY 11 Congressional District on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 21.06; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5625; he graduated as the 24th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Parks was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Field Artillery and Infantry branches; he served for about 29 years and achieved the rank of Colonel.

Parks' first spouse was Elizabeth Sabina Wilbur; was born on 16-Dec-90; died on 2-Feb-20 at the age of 29; they were married on 13-Jun-17; they had a daughter together; she was a talented violinist.

Parks' second spouse was Flora Francis Cook; was born on 5-Jul-90; died on 17-Mar-71 at the age of 80; they were married on 13-Oct-22; they had a son together; she was a Red Cross Stenographer in World War I in France.

Pendleton, Henry McElderry:

He was born at Fort Sam Houston, TX on 23-Jan-93; died on 9-Mar-70 at San Antonio, TX at the age of 77; was buried at Cremated; I think he attended the 45th and missed the 50th Reunion, as the Class Notes in the late 1960s keep mentioning his desire to attend the 55th, which he did not make it.

Pendleton was appointed from At Large across the USA on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 18.05; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5381; he graduated as the 69th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Pendleton was commissioned into the Cavalry branch; he served for about 38 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the LM.

Pendleton's spouse was Anna Belle Palm Hilgartner; was born on 28-Oct-94; died on 19-Nov-48 at the age of 54; they were married on 07-Spe-17; they had a daughter together; she died of cancer.

Peterman, James Cuyler:

He was born at Marksville, LA on 30-Jul-94; died on 27-Jun-68 at White Plains, NY at the age of 63; was buried at Unknown; Class Notes said his death was on June 6th.

Peterman; was appointed from the LA 7 Congressional District on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 17.10; originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he was turned back in his Third Class year for deficiency in Mathematics; he resigned during his second Third Class year; he did not graduate from USMA.

Peterman served in the Army for about 2 years. Peterman earned the Law Degree.

Peterman's spouse was Neva Elizabeth Coleman; was born on 20-Sep-01; died on 13-Jul-68 at the age of 66; they were married on 09-Jun-20; they had a daughter together; she died less than a month after her husband passed.

Place, Royal Harry:

He was born at Marinette, WI on 28-Oct-93; died on 27-Dec-71 at Milwaukee, WI at the age of 78; was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, WI; AOG has his date of death in July 1972.

Place was appointed from WI State-wide on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 20.08; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5890; he graduated as the 150th Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Place was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 8 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Place's spouse was Eva Rybacki (McBride); was born on 3-Jul-03; died on 19-Dec-01 at the age of 98; they were married in 1927; they divorced sometime between 1942 and 1948; they had a son together.

Prichard, Vernon Edwin:

He was born at Smithland, IA on 25-Jan-92; died on 10-Jul-49 at Washington, DC at the age of 57; was buried at West Point; died in a boating accident on a small yacht on the Potomac River; killed on active duty; Major General; died of concussion due to the explosion; was Army Chief of Public Information at the time.

Prichard was appointed from the IA 11 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 19.05; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5446; he graduated as the 134th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Prichard was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Field Artillery branch; he served for about 34 years and achieved the rank of Major General; earned the DSM and PHM (7).

Prichard's spouse was Charlotte Gibbs Blesse; was born on 20-Jul-95; died on 16-Feb-66 at the age of 70; they were married on 06-Sep-16; they had a daughter together; she died suddenly.

Prickett, Fay Brink:

He was born at Hutchinson, KS on 29-Apr-93; died on 18-Dec-82 at Washington, DC at the age of 89; was buried at Arlington; his saying was "All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to West Point"; he was suffering from Parkinson's disease; he and his wife had 17 grandchildren and 25 great- grandchildren at the time of his death, out of about 100 great- grandkids in the Class of 1916.

Prickett was appointed from the KS 7 Congressional District on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 19.02; originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5533; he graduated as the 57th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Prickett was commissioned into the Cavalry branch and then served in the Field Artillery branch; he served for about 37 years and achieved the rank of Major General; earned the LM (2) and BSM.

Prickett's spouse was Margaret Murray McGregor; was born on 16-Mar-98; died on 3-Jan-03 at the age of 104; they were married on 16-Mar-17; they had three daughters together; she was sister of Dunc McGregor, Class of Apr 17; she was born on 96th anniversary of West Point's founding; was living at Distaff Hall in DC area at time of death.

Pullen, Daniel Dee:

He was born at La Push, WA on 27-Apr-85; died on 22-Sep-23 at Washington, DC at the age of 38; was buried at Arlington; he died on active duty; Major; died of a brain tumor.

Pullen was appointed from AK State-wide on 15-Jun-06 at the age of 21.02; originally in the USMA Class of 1910; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1910; his Cullum Number is 4856; he graduated as the 4th Cadet in his class consisting of 83 graduates.

Pullen was commissioned into the Engineer branch; he served for about 13 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the DSC.

Pullen's spouse was Olivia Blake (Schley); was born on 11-Mar-95; died in Sep-77 at the age of 82; they were married in 1919; they had a daughter together.

Redfield, William Francis:

He was born at New York City, NY on 21-Apr-94; died on 16-Jan-89 at Montclair, NJ at the age of 94; was buried at Mount Hebron Cemetery, NJ.

Redfield was appointed from the NY 13 Congressional District on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 19.02; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5710; he graduated as the 109th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Redfield was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 4 years and achieved the rank of Captain.

Redfield's spouse was Louise Zabriskie; was born on 20-Dec-01; died on 21-Apr-00 at the age of 98; they were married on 14-Jul-28; they had a son and two daughters together.

Rossell, John Ellis:

He was born at Washington, DC on 20-Feb-93; died on 8-Nov-39 at New Brighton, NY at the age of 46; was buried at West Point; his death was sudden.

Rossell was appointed from At Large across the USA on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 18.04; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5379; he graduated as the 67th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Rossell was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Air Service branch; he served for about 4 years and achieved the rank of Major.

Rossell's spouse was Cora Galloway Mebane; was born on 1-Sep-93; died on 4-Jan-76 at the age of 82; they were married on 03-Jan-17; they had a son and two daughters together.

Sasse, Ralph Irvine:

He was born at Wilmington, DE on 19-Jul-89; died on 15-Oct-54 at Lewis, DE at the age of 65; was buried at Arlington; he died after a long illness.

Sasse was appointed from the DE 1 Congressional District on 1-Mar-09 at the age of 19.07; originally in the USMA Class of 1913; he was turned back in his Fourth Class year for deficiency in French and a member of the USMA Class of 1914; he was discharged during his Third Class year due to conviction in a Court-Martial; he was re-admitted in 1913 by a Special Act of Congress to the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5529; he graduated as the 53rd Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Sasse was commissioned into the Cavalry branch; he served for about 30 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the LM (3).

Sasse's first spouse was Katherine Ringold Nichols; was born on Nov-95; died on 7-Jan-46 at the age of 51; they were married in 1920; they had a daughter together.

Sasse's second spouse was Ella L Robertson; was born on 4-Sep-07; died on 8-Aug-86 at the age of 78; they were married in Oct-49; they had no children together.

Schlenker, David Charles George:

He was born at Germantown, OH on 28-Jul-94; died on 1-Mar-61 at Washington, DC at the age of 66; was buried at Arlington; suicide; his doctor stated that Schlenker thought he had cancer, but medical tests had proven otherwise.

Schlenker was appointed from the OH 3 Congressional District on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 19.11; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5806; he graduated as the 66th Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Schlenker was commissioned into the Cavalry branch and then served in the Signal Corps and Air Service branches and in the United States Air Force; he served for about 36 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the LM.

Schlenker's spouse was Ethel Morris; was born on 28-Jan-98; died on 1-Mar-61 at the age of 63; they were married on 30-Jan-21; they had no children together; shot by her husband in murder- suicide; found shot in her bedroom next to her husband.

Schwarzkopf, Herbert Norman:

He was born at Newark, NJ on 28-Aug-95; died on 25-Nov-58 at West Orange, NJ at the age of 63; was buried at West Point; he died of complications from lung cancer.

Schwarzkopf was appointed from the NJ 9 Congressional District on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 17.10; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5689; he graduated as the 88th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Schwarzkopf was commissioned into the Cavalry branch; he served for about 40 years and achieved the rank of Major General; earned the DSM and PHM.

Schwarzkopf's spouse was Ruth Alice Bowman; was born on 9-Dec-00; died on 15-Sep-76 at the age of 75; they were married in 1929; they had a son together; she was a registered nurse who had taken care of him during/after World War I; she died after being hospitalized for two months.

Selleck, Clyde Andrew:

He was born at Brandon, VT on 29-Jul-88; died on 9-Jan-73 at Bethesda, MD at the age of 84; was buried at Arlington; he died after a long illness.

Selleck was appointed from VT State-wide on 15-Jun-06 at the age of 17.11; originally in the USMA Class of 1910; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1910; his Cullum Number is 4874; he graduated as the 22nd Cadet in his class consisting of 83 graduates.

Selleck was commissioned into the Field Artillery branch; he served for about 37 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the PHM and POW.

Selleck's spouse was Gertrude Troth; was born on 30-Apr-93; died on 21-Aug-64 at the age of 71; they were married in 1913; they had a son and two daughters together; she had an ability to win prizes for puzzles appearing in newspapers and periodicals, over a number of years she has won almost every kind of prize offered, from electric or gas ranges, washing machines, and television sets, to trips and automobiles; of the latter she has won four, including two Pontiacs during the summer of 1964.

Simkins, Tattnall Daniell:

He was born at Albany, GA on 3-Aug-89; died on 30-Dec-87 at Jacksonville, FL at the age of 98; was buried at Cremated.

Simkins earned the Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia in 1910. Simkins was appointed from the GA 2 Congressional District on 4-Mar-10 at the age of 20.05; originally in the USMA Class of 1914; he was discharged during his Third Class year due to conviction in a Court-Martial; he was re-admitted in 1913 by a Special Act of Congress to the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5508; he graduated as the 32nd Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Simkins was commissioned into the Engineer branch; he served for about 25 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Simkins' spouse was Margaret Stringfellow Walker; was born on 15-Mar-96; died on 26-Dec-93 at the age of 97; they were married on 08-Mar-24; they had a son and three daughters together.

Smith, Charles Compton:

He was born at Kansas City, MO on 23-Aug-94; died on 26-Jul-79 at Carmel, NY at the age of 84; was buried at Unknown.

Charles Smith was appointed from the NY 35 Congressional District on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 17.09; originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5580; he graduated as the 104th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Charles Smith was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Cavalry branch; he served for about 22 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Charles Smith's spouse was Consuelo Curtis Bass; was born on 29-Dec-96; died on 11-May-63 at the age of 66; they were married on 26-Jun-19; they had two sons together.

Smith, Rodney Hamilton:

He was born at Jamestown, NY on 20-Nov-84; died on 10-Mar-56 at Summit, NJ at the age of 61; was buried at West Point; he died of heart attack.

Rodney Smith was appointed from At Large across the USA on 15-Jun-04 at the age of 19.07; originally in the USMA Class of 1908; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1908; his Cullum Number is 4665; he graduated as the 24th Cadet in his class consisting of 108 graduates.

Rodney Smith was commissioned into the Coast Artillery branch and then served in the Quartermaster branch; he served for about 38 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the PHM.

Rodney Smith's spouse was Helen Florence Rogers; was born on 9-Sep-94; died in Jan-79 at the age of 84; they were married on 26-Dec-12; they had two daughters together.

Stearns, Cuthbert Powell:

He was born at Elizabeth, NJ on 14-Aug-85; died on 6-Jun-69 at Charlottesville, VA at the age of 83; was buried at Arlington; he died 16 months after his wife passed away.

Stearns was appointed from the CO 1 Congressional District on 15-Jun-05 at the age of 19.10; originally in the USMA Class of 1909; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1909; his Cullum Number is 4804; he graduated as the 55th Cadet in his class consisting of 103 graduates.

Stearns was commissioned into the Cavalry branch and then served in the Air Services branch; he served for about 37 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the DSM, LM, and BSM.

Stearns' spouse was Jessie Anne Peabody; was born on 28-Mar-86; died on 26-Feb-68 at the age of 81; they were married in Jun-09; they had a son and daughter together.

Stilwell, Joseph Warren:

He was born at Palatka, FL on 19-Mar-83; died on 12-Oct-46 at San Francisco, CA at the age of 63; was buried at West Point; he died on active duty; he died of stomach cancer; General.

Stilwell was appointed from At Large across the USA on 1-Aug-00 at the age of 17.04; originally in the USMA Class of 1904; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1904; his Cullum Number is 4246; he graduated as the 32nd Cadet in his class consisting of 124 graduates.

Stilwell was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 42 years and achieved the rank of General; earn the DSC, DSM (2), and LM.

Stilwell's spouse was Winifred Alison Smith; was born on 18-Aug-89; died on 10-May-72 at the age of 82; they were married on 18-Oct-10; they had two sons and three daughters together.

Sultan, Daniel Isom:

He was born at Oxford, MS on 9-Dec-85; died on 14-Jan-47 at Washington, DC at the age of 61; was buried at West Point; he died on active duty; he died of acute heart condition; Lieutenant General; the United States Navy transport ship USNS General Daniel I. Sultan was named in his honor in October 1948.

Sultan was appointed from the MS 2 Congressional District on 15-Jun-03 at the age of 17.06; originally in the USMA Class of 1907; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1907; his Cullum Number is 4539; he graduated as the 9th Cadet in his class consisting of 111 graduates.

Sultan was commissioned into the Engineer branch; he served for about 40 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant General; earned the DSM (4), LM, and BSM.

Sultan's spouse was Florence Braden Mitchell; was born on 8-Dec-85; died on 4-Nov-57 at the age of 71; they were married in 1916; they had two daughters together.

Tate, Joseph Scranton:

He was born at Scranton, PA on 18-Dec-94; died on 10-Dec-63 at New Orleans, LA at the age of 69; was buried at Arlington; AOG lists his date of death as 10-Dec-64; tombstone at Arlington says 1963, and the announcement of his death was in the Winter 1964 (around January 1964) issue of Assembly.

Tate was appointed from the IL 10 Congressional District on 25-Aug-13 at the age of 18.08; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5682; he graduated as the 81st Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Tate was commissioned into the Cavalry branch and then served in the Transportation, Cavalry, and Field Artillery branches; he served for about 34 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the BSM.

Tate's first spouse was Alice Maud Sargeant; was born on 30-Jun-95; died on 27-Sep-59 at the age of 64; they were married on 25-Apr-17; they divorced in 1939; they had three sons and a daughter together.

Tate's second spouse was Marilynn; was born on 9-Mar-05; died on 16-Oct-77 at the age of 72; they were married in 1940; they had no children together.

Thompson, Charles Fullington:

He was born at Jamestown, ND on 11-Dec-82; died on 15-Jun-54 at Washington, DC at the age of 71; was buried at Arlington.

Thompson was appointed from the ND Congressional District on 1-Aug-00 at the age of 17.07; originally in the USMA Class of 1904; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1904; his Cullum Number is 4293; he graduated as the 79th Cadet in his class consisting of 124 graduates.

Thompson was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 41 years and achieved the rank of Major General; earned the DSM (3).

Thompson's spouse was Laura Jenks; was born on 10-May-87; died on 3-Jul-55 at the age of 68; they were married in 1909; they had two daughters together; she died almost a year after her husband passed away.

Timberlake, Edward Wrenne:

He was born at Nashville, TN on 3-Jan-95; died on 11-Feb-80 at Naples, FL at the age of 85; was buried at Cremated; Class Notes indicated he may have been buried at West Point; his death was due to complications after a fall on Christmas Day; died nearly the same time as Biff Jones.

Timberlake was appointed from At Large across the USA on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 19.05; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5856; he graduated as the 116th Cadet in his class consisting of 151 graduates.

Timberlake was commissioned into the Infantry branch and then served in the Coast Artillery branch; he served for about 33 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the SSM, LM, BSM, and PHM.

Timberlake's first spouse was Mary Alamedia Pierce (Ouerbaker); was born on 18-Jul-97; died on 3-Aug-85 at the age of 88; they were married on 05-Sep-17; they divorced sometime between 1925 and 1929; they had three sons together.

Timberlake's second spouse was Dorothy Leary (Nicholas); was born on 25-Feb-99; died on May-70 at the age of 71; they were married by 1930; they were divorced in 1939; they had no children together.

Timberlake's third spouse was Alice Estelle O'Leary; was born on 29-Apr-02; died on 2-Feb-88 at the age of 85; they were married in Nov-39; they had a daughter together.

Tully, James Kivas:

He was born at St Louis, MO on 25-Dec-92; died on 6-Apr-55 at Washington, DC at the age of 62; was buried at Arlington; he died after a long illness.

Kivas Tully was appointed from NM State-wide on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 20.06; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he graduated with the USMA Class of August 1917; his Cullum Number is 5616; he graduated as the 15th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Kivas Tully was commissioned into the Field Artillery branch and then served in the Engineer branch; he served for about 29 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the DSM, LM, and BSM.

Kivas Tully's spouse was Emily Hobart Longwell Cale; was born on 18-Feb-92; died on 25-Oct-85 at the age of 92 and was buried at Sam Houston; they were married on 25-Dec-17; they had a son and daughter together; she was quite active after his death in Class of Aug 17 activities; she died of complications from a cerebral tumor.

Tully, Joseph Merit:

He was born at Orange, NJ on 4-Oct-93; died on 1-May-63 at San Antonio, TX at the age of 69; was buried at Fort Sam Houston.

Joseph Tully was appointed from the NJ 8 Congressional District on 14-Jun-12 at the age of 18.08; originally in the USMA Class of 1916; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5541; he graduated as the 65th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Joseph Tully was commissioned into the Cavalry branch; he served for about 35 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the DSM, SSM (2), LM, and BSM.

Joseph Tully's spouse was Fannie Laura Smith; was born on 29-Jan-92; died on 30-Sep-83 at the age of 91; they were married on 25-Apr-17; they had three sons and a daughter together.

Tuthill, Henry Nathan:

He was born at Saginaw, MI on 30-Jul-70; died on 31-Jan-35 at Detroit, MI at the age of 64; was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Saginaw, MI.

Tuthill was never a Cadet. Tuthill did not serve in the military.

Tuthill's spouse was Mary D; was born in 1877; died in 1944 at the age of 67 and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery; they were married in 1893; they had a son together.

Van Fleet, James Alward:

He was born at Coytesville, NJ on 19-Mar-92; died on 23-Sep-92 at Polk City, FL at the age of 100; was buried at Arlington; he died in his sleep; prior to his death, was the only man living whose grandfather served in the Revolutionary War; buried at Arlington on September 30th; his favorite slogan was "The Will to Win."

Van Fleet was appointed from the FL 1 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 19.03; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5404; he graduated as the 92nd Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Van Fleet was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 36 years and achieved the rank of General; earned the DSC (3), DSM (4), SSM (3), LM (2), BSM (3), and PHM (3).

Van Fleet's first spouse was Helen Hazel Moore; was born on 15-Oct-92; died on 5-Jan-84 at the age of 91; they were married on 25-Dec-15; they had a son and two daughters together; she met him while visiting her Columbia University professor who lived near West Point; she died on a Caribbean cruise ship while celebrating their 68th wedding anniversary with family.

Van Fleet's second spouse was Virginia Skinner-Higgens Wells; was born on 2-Jan-19; died on 2-Apr-86 at the age of 67; they were married in Nov-84; they had no children together.

Weems, George Hatton:

He was born at Southside, TN on 27-Sep-91; died on 25-Feb-57 at Fort Campbell, KY at the age of 65; was buried at Arlington; died after ten days of hospitalization.

Weems was appointed from the TN 7 Congressional District on 14-Jun-13 at the age of 21.09; originally in the USMA Class of 1917; he graduated with the USMA Class of April 1917; his Cullum Number is 5695; he graduated as the 94th Cadet in his class consisting of 139 graduates.

Weems was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 34 years and achieved the rank of Brigadier General; earned the DSC (2), DSM, SSM (2), and LM (2).

Weems was not married.

Weyand, Alexander Mathias:

He was born at Jersey City, NJ on 10-Jan-92; died on 10-May-82 at North Bellmore, NY at the age of 90; was buried at West Point; he died of heart failure; had made the Class of 1916's 65th reunion in 1981.

Weyand was appointed from the NJ 10 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 19.05; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he was turned back in his Third Class year for deficiency in French; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1916; his Cullum Number is 5595; he graduated as the 119th Cadet in his class consisting of 125 graduates.

Weyand was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 30 years and achieved the rank of Colonel; earned the SSM, BSM, and PHM.

Weyand's spouse was Marie Mulqueen; was born on 22-Feb-91; died on 7-May-72 at the age of 81; they were married in 1916; they had a son and three daughters together; she was killed when a stray bullet passed through the house wall and struck her behind the ear, at their home in Cornwall NY; husband found her, thought she had died of natural causes; in 1974, the killer had not been found, but police determined that the deadly bullet came from a rifle that could have been fired from as far as three miles away; afterward, he published a 102 page book about her life, it is in USMA Library.

Wood, Jared Irwin:

He was born at Savannah, GA on 23-Aug-93; died on 20-Feb-35 at Washington, DC at the age of 41; was buried at Arlington; he died on active duty; was stationed at Fort Leavenworth at the time of his death; Major.

Wood was appointed from the GA 1 Congressional District on 15-Jun-14 at the age of 20.10; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he was discharged in his Fourth Class year for deficiency in Mathematics; he did not graduate from USMA.

Wood was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 20 years and achieved the rank of Major; earned the SSM and PHM (2).

Wood's spouse was Rachel Bayard Forbush; was born on 12-Dec-94; died on 10-Jan-94 at the age of 99; they were married on 14-Sep-24; they had a son together; she was working in China or Manilla for the U.S. Army in 1921, I suspect that they met there.

Woodruff, Roscoe Barnett:

He was born at Oskaloosa, IA on 9-Feb-91; died on 24-Jul-75 at San Antonio, TX at the age of 84; was buried at Fort Sam Houston; he probably died of cancer as it was after a long illness.

Woodruff was appointed from the IN 8 Congressional District on 14-Jun-11 at the age of 20.04; originally in the USMA Class of 1915; he graduated with the USMA Class of 1915; his Cullum Number is 5368; he graduated as the 56th Cadet in his class consisting of 164 graduates.

Woodruff was commissioned into the Infantry branch; he served for about 38 years and achieved the rank of Major General; earned the DSM (2), SSM (3), BSM (2), and PHM.

Woodruff's spouse was Alice Gray; was born on 21-Mar-90; died on 2-Dec-85 at the age of 95; they were married on 21-May-17; they had a son and daughter together; she lived in San Antonio for some time.

Wynne, Andrew Jackson:

He was born at Dayton, AL on 27-Aug-93; died on 15-Sep-75 at El Paso, TX at the age of 82; was buried at Fort Bliss, TX; he died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

Wynne was appointed from the AL 1 Congressional District on 1-Jul-14 at the age of 20.10; originally in the USMA Class of 1918; he was discharged in his Fourth Class year for deficiency in Mathematics, History, and English; he did not graduate from USMA. Wynne earned the Bachelor of Science from Auburn University.

Wynne was commissioned into the Cavalry branch and then served in the Quartermaster branch; he served for about 30 years and achieved the rank of Colonel.

Wynne's spouse was Mary Ella Wadlington; was born on 12-Aug-98; died on 4-Nov-95 at the age of 97; they were married on 01-Feb-19; they had two daughters together.

1914 Football Men Wartime Service Information:

Philippines Insurrection (1900-1913): Rodney Smith, Hayes, and Sultan.

Punitive Expedition to Mexico (1916-1917) or Border Duty (1915-1918): Graves, Daly, Boots, Bradley, Hobbs, Hocker, Larkin, McGee, Prichard, Rossell, Van Fleet, Merillat, McDermott, Crane, Hudnutt, Mitchell, Parker, Prickett, Confer, Weyand, and Tate.

World War I in Europe (1917-1918): Graves, Hammond, Pullen, Selleck, Stilwell, Thompson, Rodney Smith, Benedict, Goodman, Harmon, Herrick, Hess, Hobbs, Hocker, Larkin, McDermott, McGee, Merillat, Pendleton, Prichard, Van Fleet, Woodruff, Bonfils, Coffin, Hoge, Hudnutt, Neyland, O'Hare, Parker, Prickett, Sasse, Charles Smith, Weyand, Bathurst, Butler, Holmes, Mahoney, Meacham, Parks, Redfield, Schwarzkopf, Kivas Tully, Weems, Bringham, Collins, Engeldinger, Jones, Kelly, Knight, Schlenker, Wood, and Wynne.

World War I Overseas outside Europe (1917-1918): Glade, Britton, and Chapman.

World War I Stateside (1917-1918): Daly, Hayes, Stearns, Sultan, Boots, Bradley, Eisenhower, Hanley, Hodgson, Rossell, Crane, Mitchell, Page, Simkins, Joseph Tully, Confer, Ford, McEwan, Mullins, Peterman, Tate, Buechler, Fleming, Krause, Oliphant, Place, and Timberlake.

World War II Europe/Pacific (1941-1945): Selleck, Stearns, Stilwell, Sultan, Thompson, Bradley, Eisenhower, Goodman, Hanley, Harmon, Hess, Hobbs, Larkin, McGee, Pendleton, Prichard, Van Fleet, Woodruff, Britton, Hoge, Mitchell, Neyland, O'Hare, Page, Parker, Prickett, Joseph Tully, Weyand, Bathurst, Butler, Ford, Holmes, Meacham, Mullins, Tate, Kivas Tully, Buechler, Krause, Schlenker, and Timberlake.

World War II Overseas outside Europe/Pacific (1941-1945): Herrick, Schwarzkopf, Weems, Chapman, and Knight.

World War II Stateside (1941-1945): Graves, Hayes, Boots, Hocker, Hodgson, Merillat, Hudnutt, Sasse, Simkins, Mahoney, McEwan, Parks, Jones, Place, and Wynne.

Korean War (1950-1953): Van Fleet, Hoge, Page, and Joseph Tully.

Cold War Overseas (1948-1961): Eisenhower, Hess, Hobbs, Prichard, O'Hare, Bathurst, Ford, Mahoney, Mullins, Schwarzkopf, Tate, Weems, and Schlenker.

1914 Football Men Distinguished Service and Valor Information:

World War I Distinguished Service Cross (DSC): Hoge, Kelly, Knight, Pullen, and Weems.

World War II Distinguished Service Cross (DSC): Hoge, Stilwell, Van Fleet (3), and Weems.

World War I Distinguished Service Medal (DSM): Eisenhower, Graves, Hammond, Stearns, Stilwell, Sultan, and Thompson.

Inter-War Period Distinguished Service Medal (DSM): Sultan.

World War II Distinguished Service Medal (DSM): Bradley (4), Eisenhower (2), Hanley, Harmon (2), Hayes, Hobbs, Hoge (2), Larkin (3), Mullins, Neyland, O'Hare, Prichard, Stilwell, Sultan, Thompson (2), Kivas Tully, Joseph Tully, Van Fleet (2) and Woodruff (2).

Korea/Cold War Distinguished Service Medal (DSM): Bradley, Eisenhower (3), Ford, Harmon, Hoge, Schwarzkopf, Sultan, Van Fleet (2), and Weems.

World War I Silver Star Medal (SSM): Bringham, Goodman, Hoge, Larkin, Parker, Van Fleet, Weems, Weyand, and Wood.

World War II Silver Star Medal (SSM): Bradley, Hobbs (2), Hoge (2), McGee (2), Mullins, Timberlake, Joseph Tully (2), Van Fleet (2), Weems, and Woodruff (3).

World War II Legion of Merit (LM): Bathurst (2), Bradley (2), Buechler, Butler (2), Chapman, Eisenhower, Ford (2), Goodman, Hanley (2), Harmon, Hayes, Hess (2), Hodgson, Hoge, Holmes, Knight, Larkin, McGee (2), Meacham, Mitchell, Neyland (3), O'Hare, Page (2), Parker, Pendleton, Prickett (2), Sasse, Stearns, Stilwell, Sultan, Timberlake, Kivas Tully, Joseph Tully, Van Fleet (2), and Weems.

Korea/Cold War Legion of Merit Medal (LM): Sasse (2), Schlenker, and Weems.

World War II Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC): Harmon.

Soldier Medal: Holmes and Page.

World War II Bronze Star Medal (BSM): Bradley, Britton, Chapman, Hess (2), Hobbs (3), Hoge, Holmes, Larkin, McGee (2), Meacham, Mitchell, Mullins, O'Hare (2), Page (3), Parker, Prickett, Stearns, Sultan, Tate, Timberlake, Kivas Tully, Joseph Tully, Van Fleet (3), Weyand, and Woodruff (2).

World War I Purple Heart Medal (PHM): Bringham, Goodman, Hocker, Kelly, Knight (2), McGee, Merillat, Schwarzkopf, Rodney Smith, Van Fleet, Weyand, and Wood (2).

World War II Purple Heart Medal (PHM): Hoge, McGee (2), Parker, Prichard (7), Selleck, Timberlake, Van Fleet (2), and Woodruff.

Prisoner of War (POW): Goodman and Selleck.

Killed in Action (KIA): McGee.

1914 Football Men – Highest Rank Obtained (died on active duty):

General of the Army (2) – Bradley and Eisenhower.

General (3) – Hoge, Stilwell, and Van Fleet.

Lieutenant General (3) – Harmon, Larkin, and Sultan.

Major General (11) – Butler, Ford, Hanley, Hayes, Hobbs, Mullins, Prichard, Prickett, Schwarzkopf, Thompson, and Woodruff.

Brigadier General (14) – Bathurst, Buechler, Goodman, Graves, Hess, Holmes, Neyland, O'Hare, Selleck, Rodney Smith, Stearns, Timberlake, Joseph Tully, and Weems.

Colonel (27) – Britton, Chapman, Daly, Glade, Hammond, Herrick, Hocker, Hodgson, Hudnutt, Jones, Knight, Krause, Mahoney, Meacham, Merillat, Mitchell, Page, Parker, Parks, Pendleton, Pullen, Sasse, Schlenker, Tate, Kivas Tully, Weyand, and Wynne.

Lieutenant Colonel (9) – Benedict, Bonfils, Boots, McDermott, McEwan, McGee, Place, Simkins, and Charles Smith.

Major (5) – Coffin, Collins, Crane, Rossell, and Wood.

Captain (6) – Bringham, Confer, Engeldinger, Fleming, Kelly, and Redfield.

First Lieutenant (1) – Oliphant.

Unknown (1) – Peterman.

1914 Football Men – Years of Military Service (approximate)(died on active duty):

Over 39 years (6) – Stilwell, Thompson, Harmon, Graves, Schwarzkopf, and Sultan.

Over 35 years (24) – Hoge, Herrick, Woodruff, Hobbs, Bradley, Pendleton, Rodney Smith, Prickett, Hayes, Hanley, Larkin, Eisenhower, Stearns, Selleck, O'Hare, Hess, Mullins, Ford, Van Fleet , Schlenker, Page, Holmes, Buechler, and Bathurst.

Over 30 years (18) – Joseph Tully, Prichard, Tate, Mitchell, Weems, Timberlake, Hodgson, Glade, Butler, Boots, Wynne, Weyand, Sasse, Parker, Knight, Hammond, Chapman, and Goodman.

Over 19 years (12) – Kivas Tully, Parks, Hocker, Krause, Neyland, Hudnutt, Jones, Simkins, Charles Smith, Daly, Wood, and Bonfils.

Over 9 years (9) – Mahoney, Crane, Fleming, Pullen, Merillat, McGee, McEwan, Bringham, and Benedict.

Over 5 years (5) – Collins, Place, Britton, McDermott, and Meacham.

Less than 6 years (8) – Kelly, Confer, Rossell, Coffin, Redfield, Engeldinger, Oliphant, and Peterman.

1914 Football Men – Branches of Service in the Army (may have been in one or more branches):

Infantry (41) – Harmon, Crane, Mitchell, Engeldinger, Redfield, Coffin, McDermott, Place, Bringham, McEwan, Fleming, Mahoney, Wood, Krause, Goodman, Hammond, Weyand, Glade, Weems, Van Fleet, Mullins, Eisenhower, Bradley, Hobbs, Woodruff, Herrick, Thompson, Stilwell, Rossell, O'Hare, Benedict, Hanley, Timberlake, Charles Smith, Page, Parker, Prichard, Hayes, Parks, Merillat, and Chapman.

Field Artillery (19) – Hess, Prickett, Boots, Crane, Tate, Kelly, Daly, Jones, Hudnutt, Bathurst, Buechler, Selleck, Butler, Kivas Tully, Knight, Page, Prichard, Hayes, and Parks.

Cavalry (19) – Oliphant, Meacham, McGee, Sasse, Joseph Tully, Pendleton, Schwarzkopf, Stearns, Prickett, Boots, Crane, Mitchell, Confer, Wynne, Schlenker, Charles Smith, Page, Knight, and Tate.

Corps of Engineers (13) – Pullen, Bonfils, Simkins, Neyland, Hodgson, Larkin, Hoge, Sultan, Graves, Britton, Kivas Tully, Knight, and Parker.

Air Force, Air Service, and/or Signal Corps (11) – Harmon, Stearns, Mitchell, Schlenker, Britton, Butler, Rossell, Benedict, Hanley, Boots, and Chapman.

Coast Artillery Corps (9) – Hocker, Collins, Hess, O'Hare, Harmon, Holmes, Ford, Timberlake, and Rodney Smith.

Ordnance Corps (3) – Holmes, Ford, and Confer.

Quartermaster Corps (3) – Larkin, Rodney Smith, Wynne, and Merillat.

Adjutant General Corps (1) – Collins.

Transportation Corps (1) – Tate.

Back to Top

Appendix 4: 1914 College Football Season Information

Week 1 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through September 19, 1914:

Albright (PA) 0, at Carlisle (PA) 20

at Bloomsburg (PA) 36, Montgomery HS (PA) 7

at Carlisle (PA) 20, Albright (PA) 0

at Maine 46, Fort McKinley (ME) 2

at McDaniel/Western Maryland 52, Frederick YMCA (MD) 0

Week 2 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through September 27, 1914:

Antioch (OH) 2, at Muskingum (OH) 32

Arkansas College/Lyon (AR) 0, at Henderson State (AR) 25

Arkansas Monticello 0, at Henderson State (AR) 35

at Akron (OH) 7, Case Institute (OH) 0

at Alma (MI) 44, Bay City HS (MI) 0

at Amherst (MA) 0, Bowdoin (ME) 7

at Arizona State 12, Tempe HS 6

at Arkansas State 63, Bolton College (TN) 0

at Auburn (AL) 39, Marion Military Institute 0

at Baylor (TX) 0, Austin (TX) 0

at Brown (RI) 24, Norwich (VT) 0

at Bucknell (PA) 72, Newberry AC 0

at Carlisle (PA) 7, Lebanon Valley (PA) 0

at Carthage (WI) 37, Carthage HS (IL) 0

at Central Oklahoma 0, Oklahoma 67

at Cincinnati (OH) 35, Georgetown (KY) 0

at Coe (IA) 17, Parsons (IA) 0

at Colgate (NY) 40, Ohio Wesleyan 0

at Colorado College 37, Colorado Springs HS (CO) 0

at Cornell (NY) 28, Ursinus (PA) 0

at Creighton (NE) 67, Bellevue College (NE) 0

at Culver-Stockton (MO) 0, Monmouth (IL) 63

at Dartmouth (NH) 29, Massachusetts 6

at Dickinson (PA) 40, McDaniel/Western Maryland 0

at Drake (IA) 19, Leander Clarke (IA) 0

at Fordham (NY) 0, Georgetown (DC) 0

at Franklin & Marshall (PA) 0, Lehigh (PA) 12

at Georgia 81, North Georgia 0

at Graceland (IA) 7, Lamoni HS (IA) 7

at Hamilton (NY) 7, Bard/Saint Stephen's (NY) 3

at Harvard (MA) 44, Bates (ME) 0

at Haskell (KS) 82, Kansas City (KS) 0

at Henderson State (AR) 35, Arkansas Monticello 0

at Holy Cross (MA) 0, Colby (ME) 17

at Indiana (PA) 40, East Liberty Academy (PA) 0

at Indiana 13, DePauw (IN) 6

at Jamestown (ND) 34, Valley City HS (ND) 0

at Kentucky 87, Wilmington (OH) 0

at Kenyon (OH) 6, Heidelberg (OH) 0

at Knox (IL) 106, Saint Alban's Military Academy (IL) 0

at Lafayette (PA) 41, Delaware 0

at Lebanon Valley (PA) 0, Carlisle (PA) 7

at Louisiana State 54, Louisiana-Lafayette 0

at Marietta (OH) 21, Marietta JV (OH) 0

at Marquette (WI) 13, Wisconsin-Milwaukee 0

at Maryland 0, Baltimore Poly Institute (MD) 6

at Maryville (TN) 77, Knoxville Central HS (TN) 7

at Mercer (GA) 44, Gordon (GA) 0

at Miami (OH) 40, Otterbein (OH) 0

at Mississippi College 0, Christian Brothers (MO) 62

at Muhlenberg (PA) 39, Bloomsburg (PA) 0

at Muskingum (OH) 32, Antioch (OH) 2

at Newberry (SC) 20, Porter Military Academy (SC) 0

at North Dakota 20, Grand Forks HS (ND) 7

at Oklahoma 67, Central Oklahoma 0

at Oregon State 12, OSU Alumni 0

at Penn State 13, Westminster (PA) 6

at Pennsylvania 14, Gettysburg (PA) 0

at Princeton (NJ) 12, Rutgers (NJ) 0

at Southern Arkansas 57, Haynesville HS (LA) 0

at Southern California 20, Los Angeles AC (CA) 0

at Springfield (MA) 39, Worcester Tech (MA) 0

at Syracuse (NY) 37, Hobart (NY) 0

at Tennessee 89, Carson-Newman (TN) 0

at Thiel (PA) 0, Geneva (PA) 32

at Union (NY) 15, Saint Lawrence (NY) 0

at Virginia 39, Randolph-Macon (VA) 0

at Virginia Military Institute 29, Hampden-Sydney (VA) 7

at Virginia Tech 35, King College (TN) 0

at Washington & Jefferson (PA) 26, Mount Union (OH) 0

at Washington & Lee (VA) 34, Marshall (WV) 0

at Washington (MO) 66, Southern Illinois 0

at Washington 33, Aberdeen HS 6

at Wesleyan (CT) 0, Rhode Island 0

at Western Reserve (OH) 23, Hiram (OH) 0

at Wisconsin-Milwaukee 0, Marquette (WI) 13

at Yale (CT) 20, Maine 0

Austin (TX) 0, at Baylor (TX) 0

Bard/Saint Stephen's (NY) 3, at Hamilton (NY) 7

Bates (ME) 0, at Harvard (MA) 44

Bellevue College (NE) 0, at Creighton (NE) 67

Bloomsburg (PA) 0, at Muhlenberg (PA) 39

Bolton College (TN) 0, at Arkansas State 63

Bowdoin (ME) 7, at Amherst (MA) 0

Carleton (MN) 0, vs Saint Thomas (MN) 62

Carson-Newman (TN) 0, at Tennessee 89

Case Institute (OH) 0, at Akron (OH) 7

Chattanooga (TN) 7, at Dayton Rhea HS 6

Colby (ME) 17, at Holy Cross (MA) 0

Cumberland (TN) 0, at Vanderbilt (TN) 19

Delaware 0, at Lafayette (PA) 41

DePauw (IN) 6, at Indiana 13

Emporia State (KS) 63, vs Tarkio (MO) 0

Friends (KS) 61, vs Northwestern Oklahoma State 6

Geneva (PA) 32, at Thiel (PA) 0

Georgetown (DC) 0, at Fordham (NY) 0

Georgetown (KY) 0, at Cincinnati (OH) 35

Gettysburg (PA) 0, at Pennsylvania 14

Gordon (GA) 0, at Mercer (GA) 44

Hampden-Sydney (VA) 7, at Virginia Military Institute 29

Heidelberg (OH) 0, at Kenyon (OH) 6

Henderson State (AR) 25, at Arkansas College/Lyon (AR) 0

Highland Park (IA) 0, vs Northern Iowa 6

Hiram (OH) 0, at Western Reserve (OH) 23

Hobart (NY) 0, at Syracuse (NY) 37

Indiana (PA) 20, vs Saint Francis (PA) 0

Kansas City (KS) 0, at Haskell (KS) 82

Kansas Wesleyan 35, vs Haskell Indian Nations JV (KS) 0

King College (TN) 0, at Virginia Tech 35

Lehigh (PA) 12, at Franklin & Marshall (PA) 0

Louisiana-Lafayette 0, at Louisiana State 54

Maine 0, at Yale (CT) 20

Marion Military Institute (AL) 0, at Auburn (AL) 39

Marshall (WV) 0, at Washington & Lee (VA) 34

Massachusetts 6, at Dartmouth (NH) 29

McDaniel/Western Maryland 0, at Dickinson (PA) 40

Monmouth (IL) 63, at Culver-Stockton (MO) 0

Mount Union (OH) 0, at Washington & Jefferson (PA) 26

North Georgia 0, at Clemson (SC) 29

North Georgia 0, at Georgia 81

North Texas 0, at Texas Christian 40

Northern Iowa 6, vs Highland Park (IA) 0

Norwich (VT) 0, at Brown (RI) 24

Ohio Wesleyan 0, at Colgate (NY) 40

Otterbein (OH) 0, at Miami (OH) 40

Parsons (IA) 0, at Coe (IA) 17

Randolph-Macon (VA) 0, at Virginia 39

Rhode Island 0, at Wesleyan (CT) 0

Rutgers (NJ) 0, at Princeton (NJ) 12

Saint Anselm (NH) 13, at Tilton Seminary (NH) 0

Saint Lawrence (NY) 0, at Union (NY) 15

Saint Thomas (MN) 54, vs Wisconsin-Stout 0

Southern Illinois 0, at Washington (MO) 66

Texas Christian 40, vs North Texas 0

Ursinus (PA) 0, at Cornell (NY) 28

Vanderbilt (TN) 19, vs Cumberland (TN) 0

Virginia Medical 0, at Richmond Blues (VA) 0

West Virginia Wesleyan 0, vs Carlisle (PA) 6

Westminster (PA) 6, at Penn State 13

Wilmington (OH) 0, at Kentucky 87

Wisconsin-Oshkosh 20, vs Marquette Academy (WI) 6

Worcester Tech (MA) 0, at Springfield (MA) 39

Week 3 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through October 4, 1914:

Allegheny (PA) 15, at Geneva (PA) 7

at Arizona 21, Douglas YMCA 0

at Arkansas Tech 6, Russellville HS (AR) 0

at Army 49, Stevens 0

at Auburn (AL) 60, North Alabama AC 0

at Beloit (WI) 20, Iroquois AC (WI) 0

at Brown (RI) 20, Rhode Island 0

at Carthage (WI) 0, Illinois College 7

at Chicago (IL) 34, Indiana 0

at Colby (ME) 66, New Hampshire 0

at Colorado 27, Colorado Alumni 3

at Cornell (NY) 3, Pittsburgh (PA) 9

at Dartmouth (NH) 74, Norwich (VT) 0

at Davidson (NC) 0, Clemson (SC) 0

at Denison (OH) 0, Cincinnati (OH) 13

at Eastern Illinois 32, Rose-Hulman Tech (IN) 6

at Georgia Tech 20, South Carolina 0

at Graceland (IA) 56, Kellerton HS (IA) 0

at Grand Island College (NE) 38, Nebraska Central 0

at Harvard (MA) 44, Springfield (MA) 0

at Idaho St. 7, Pocatello YMCA (ID) 13

at Illinois 37, Christian Brothers (MO) 0

at Indiana (PA) 16, Penn St. Freshmen 0

at Indiana (PA) 43, Kiski Academy (PA) 6

at Indiana (PA) 75, Clearfield HS (PA) 0

at Kansas 48, William Jewell (MO) 2

at Lehigh (PA) 21, Carlisle (PA) 6

at Lombard (IL) 69, Eureka (IL) 0

at Michigan State 26, Olivet (MI) 7

at Minnesota 28, North Dakota 6

at Missouri St. 32, Marshfield HS (MO) 0

at Montana 87, Butte Ramblers (MT) 0

at Montana State 21, Billings HS (MT) 0

at Navy (MD) 13, Georgetown (DC) 0

at Nebraska 14, Washburn (KS) 7

at Nebraska Wesleyan 67, Bellevue College (NE) 0

at North Carolina 41, Richmond (VA) 0

at North Carolina 65, Virginia Medical 0

at Notre Dame (IN) 56, Alma (MI) 0

at Ohio State 16, Ohio Wesleyan 2

at Oklahoma State 134, Phillips (OK) 0

at Oregon State 12, OSU Freshman 0

at Presbyterian (SC) 104, Wofford Fitting School (SC) 0

at Princeton (NJ) 10, Bucknell (PA) 0

at Purdue (IN) 27, Wabash (IN) 3

at Roanoke (VA) 45, Jefferson AC (VA) 0

at Saint John's (MD) 60, Rock Hill College (MD) 7

at South Dakota St. 0, South Dakota 12

at Tennessee 55, King College (TN) 3

at Texas 30, Trinity (TX) 0

at Texas A&M 32, Austin (TX) 0

at Tome Institute (MD) 26, Baltimore City College (MD) 0

at Trinity (CT) 14, Worcester Tech (MA) 0

at Tulsa (OK) 33, Northwestern Oklahoma State 0

at Union (NY) 7, Hobart (NY) 3

at Virginia Tech 13, Randolph-Macon (VA) 0

at Washington & Jefferson (PA) 105, Dickinson (PA) 0

at Washington & Lee (VA) 103, Morris Harvey (WV) 0

at Washington 45, Washington Park AC 0

at Western Michigan 28, Battle Creek Training School (MI) 0

at Williams (MA) 3, Vermont 0

at Wisconsin 21, Lawrence (WI) 0

at Yale (CT) 21, Virginia 0

Cameron (OK) 20, vs Fort Sill, Battery B (OK) 0

Carroll (WI) 16, at Marquette (WI) 0

Christian Brothers (MO) 0, at Illinois 37

Coe (IA) 6, at Iowa State 27

Colgate (NY) 7, at Cornell (NY) 3

Ellsworth CC (IA) 7, at William Penn (IA) 3

Emporia State (KS) 6, at Haskell (KS) 13

Friends (KS) 13, at College of Emporia (KS) 7

Hendrix (AR) 13, at Arkansas 20

Lawrence (WI) 0, at Wisconsin 21

Marietta (OH) 27, vs Bethany (WV) 0

Millikin (IL) 13, at Saint Louis (MO) 7

Missouri S&T/Rolla 9, at Missouri 0

Missouri Wesleyan 0, at Baker (KS) 7

Monmouth (IL) 23, at Parsons (IA) 0

New Mexico State 0, at El Paso HS 6

Northern Illinois 7, at Wheaton (IL) 3

Northern St. (SD) 7, at North Dakota-Ellendale 0

Northwestern St. (LA) 0, vs Shreveport HS (LA) 0

Oklahoma 67, at Kingfisher (OK) 0

Ouachita (AR) 85, at Southern Arkansas 0

Pittsburgh (PA) 21, at Westminster (PA) 10

Pittsburgh (PA) 9, at Cornell (NY) 3

Saint Anselm (NH) 38, at Westbrook Seminary (ME) 0

Saint Joseph's (IN) 0, vs Tiger AC 0

Saint Norbert (WI) 0, at Menominee HS (MI) 18

Saint Thomas (MN) 62, vs Carleton (MN) 0

South Dakota 12, at South Dakota St. 0

Southern Arkansas 0, at Ouachita (AR) 85

Springfield (MA) 0, at Harvard (MA) 44

Stevens 0, at Army 49

Trinity (TX) 0, at Texas 30

Villanova (PA) 6, at Swarthmore (PA) 0

Virginia 0, at Yale (CT) 21

Wayne St. (NE) 26, vs Trinity (IA) 0

Wentworth Military Academy (MO) 0, vs Lawrence HS (KS) 0

Western Illinois 0, at Knox (IL) 53

William & Vashti (IL) 53, vs Aledo HS (IL) 0

Wisconsin-River Falls 6, vs Chippewa Falls HS (WI) 3

Week 4 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through October 10, 1914:

at Arizona 34, Arizona State 0

at Arkansas Tech 52, Atkins HS (AR) 0

at Army 13, Rutgers 0

at Bradley (IL) 58, Eureka (IL) 0

at Brown (RI) 0, Amherst (MA) 0

at Campion College (WI) 13, Dubuque (IA) 10

at Chicago (IL) 28, Northwestern (IL) 0

at Colgate (NY) 25, Massachusetts 0

at Colorado Mines 6, Colorado 2

at Dakota Wesleyan (SD) 13, Northern St. (SD) 0

at Daniel Baker (TX) 20, Howard Payne (TX) 0

at Davidson (NC) 20, Newberry (SC) 6

at Eastern Illinois 18, Illinois Wesleyan 0

at Florida Southern 33, Bradenton Ex-College Stars (FL) 0

at Friends (KS) 16, Southwestern (KS) 0

at Georgia Tech 105, Mercer (GA) 0

at Harvard (MA) 10, Washington & Jefferson (PA) 9

at Illinois 51, Indiana 0

at Indiana (PA) 34, Saint Bonaventure (NY) 0

at Kansas 7, Emporia State (KS) 0

at Mansfield (PA) 67, Cortland Normal 7

at Michigan State 60, Alma (MI) 0

at Middle Tennessee St. 47, Western Kentucky 0

at Minnesota 26, Iowa State 0

at Missouri S&T/Rolla 87, Kansas School of Mines 0

at Missouri St. 38, Monett HS (MO) 0

at Montana 10, Washington State 0

at Navy (MD) 6, Pittsburgh (PA) 13

at Nebraska 0, South Dakota 0

at Nebraska Wesleyan 19, Peru St. (NE) 0

at Northern Illinois 38, Mount Morris (IL) 0

at Notre Dame (IN) 103, Rose-Hulman Tech (IN) 0

at Oklahoma 96, East Central Oklahoma 6

at Oregon 29, Whitman (WA) 3

at Princeton (NJ) 12, Syracuse (NY) 7

at Purdue (IN) 26, Western Reserve (OH) 0

at Racine (WI) 0, Milwaukee West Division HS (WI) 17

at Rice (TX) 12, Southwestern (TX) 7

at Roanoke (VA) 6, Fishburne Military School (VA) 0

at Saint Francis (PA) 7, Duquesne (PA) 0

at Saint John's (MD) 3, Catholic (DC) 0

at Tennessee 27, Clemson (SC) 0

at Texas A&M 0, Trinity (TX) 0

at Transylvania (KY) 66, Maryville (TN) 0

at Trinity (CT) 21, Bowdoin (ME) 7

at Tulsa (OK) 47, University JC 0

at Virginia Tech 22, Hampden-Sydney (VA) 0

at Washington & Lee (VA) 69, Roanoke (VA) 0

at Washington 81, Rainier Valley AC 0

at Western Michigan 3, Olivet (MI) 0

at William & Vashti (IL) 31, Lombard (IL) 7

at Williams (MA) 3, Dartmouth (NH) 21

at Wisconsin 48, Marquette (WI) 0

at Yale (CT) 20, Lehigh (PA) 3

Auburn (AL) 20, vs Florida 0

Beloit (WI) 0, at Carleton (MN) 26

Bingham Military School (NC) 35, vs Asheville HS (NC) 0

Cameron (OK) 19, vs Lawton Battery B (OK) 0

Colby (ME) 14, at Tufts (MA) 40

Colorado 2, at Colorado Mines 6

Dartmouth (NH) 21, at Williams (MA) 3

Eastern Michigan 0, at Michigan Freshmen 7

Ellsworth CC (IA) 12, vs Des Moines (IA) 0

Florida 0, vs Auburn (AL) 20

Gonzaga (WA) 3, at Idaho 5

Grand Island College (NE) 0, at Creighton (NE) 47

Hastings (NE) 20, at York (NE) 0

Lehigh (PA) 3, at Yale (CT) 20

Livingstone (NC) 7, vs Knoxville (TN) 0

Lombard (IL) 7, at William & Vashti (IL) 31

Macalester (MN) 19, at Shattuck School (MN) 3

Marietta (OH) 13, at Akron (OH) 7

Missouri S&T/Rolla 19, at Washington (MO) 0

Monmouth (IL) 9, at Coe (IA) 13

Montana State 42, vs Montana Tech 0

North Carolina 53, vs Wake Forest (NC) 0

Northeastern St. (OK) 53, vs Bacone JC (OK) 0

Northern St. (SD) 0, at Dakota Wesleyan (SD) 13

Northwestern St. (LA) 57, vs Monroe HS (LA) 0

Ohio State 7, at Case Institute (OH) 6

Oklahoma State 48, at Tonkawa Preparatory 0

Oregon State 10, at Multnomah AC 6

Ouachita (AR) 15, at Arkansas 9

Pittsburgh (PA) 13, at Navy (MD) 6

Pomona-Pitzer (CA) 35, vs Los Angeles St. Normal (CA) 0

Roanoke (VA) 0, at Washington & Lee (VA) 69

Saint Bonaventure (NY) 0, at Indiana (PA) 34

Saint Thomas (MN) 67, vs Wisconsin-Oshkosh 0

South Dakota 0, at Nebraska 0

Texas 57, at Baylor (TX) 0

Tome Institute (MD) 3, vs Baltimore Poly Institute (MD) 0

Union (NY) 7, at Wesleyan (CT) 0

Washington & Jefferson (PA) 9, at Harvard (MA) 10

Wayne St. (NE) 0, vs Yankton (SD) 89

Wentworth Military Academy (MO) 20, vs Mohawk AC 0

Whittier (CA) 28, vs California Tech 0

Wisconsin-River Falls 59, vs Lake City HS (MN) 0

Wisconsin-Stevens Point 0, at Wisconsin-La Crosse 38

Wisconsin-Whitewater 20, vs Northwestern (WI) 0

Week 5 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through October 18, 1914:

Allegheny (PA) 3, at Akron (OH) 3

Arkansas Tech 6, at Hendrix JV (AR) 0

at Arizona 13, Tucson HS 0

at Army 21, Colgate 7

at Auburn (AL) 28, Clemson (SC) 0

at Brown (RI) 16, Wesleyan (CT) 0

at Butler (IN) 7, Earlham (IN) 6

at Chicago (IL) 7, Iowa 0

at Christian Brothers (TN) 38, Christian Brothers Alumni (TN) 0

at Davidson (NC) 81, Wofford (SC) 5

at Fort Hays St. (KS) 46, Luray HS (KS) 0

at Graceland (IA) 8, Garden Grove HS (IA) 0

at Harvard (MA) 13, Tufts (MA) 6

at Illinois 37, Ohio State 0

at Indiana (PA) 13, Bellefonte Academy (PA) 6

at Kalamazoo (MI) 0, Hillsdale (MI) 6

at Macalester (MN) 14, Hamline (MN) 0

at Mansfield (PA) 101, Corning Northside HS (NY) 0

at Marietta (OH) 13, Otterbein (OH) 0

at Michigan State 0, Michigan 3

at Millikin (IL) 17, Shurtleff (IL) 0

at Minnesota 29, South Dakota 7

at North Carolina 48, South Carolina 0

at Oklahoma 13, Missouri 0

at Oklahoma State 13, Tulsa (OK) 6

at Pittsburgh (PA) 10, Carlisle (PA) 3

at Pomona-Pitzer (CA) 68, Santa Fe Apprentice School (NM) 0

at Princeton (NJ) 16, Lafayette (PA) 0

at Saint Anselm (NH) 0, Harvard JV (MA) 6

at Saint Anselm (NH) 6, Norwich (VT) 0

at Texas 41, Rice (TX) 0

at Texas A&M 40, Texas Christian 0

at Transylvania (KY) 60, Hanover (IN) 0

at Whittier (CA) 14, Occidental (CA) 7

at Wisconsin 14, Purdue (IN) 7

at Yale (CT) 28, Notre Dame (IN) 0

Bingham Military School (NC) 60, vs Mars Hill JC (NC) 3

Cameron (OK) 19, vs Anadarko HS (OK) 0

Campion College (WI) 32, vs Lennox (IA) 6

Carroll (WI) 3, at Lawrence (WI) 12

Colgate 7, at Army 21

Colorado College 46, at Utah 7

Colorado Mines 25, at Wyoming 0

Dakota Wesleyan (SD) 20, at Fargo College (ND) 0

Dartmouth (NH) 42, at Vermont 0

Davis & Elkins (WV) 0, at Marshall (WV) 6

Doane (NE) 0, at Peru St. (NE) 0

Drury (MO) 28, at Washington (MO) 26

Drury (MO) 41, at Pittsburg State (KS) 0

Friends (KS) 19, vs Kansas Wesleyan 0

Friends (KS) 60, at Saint Mary's (KS) 0

Georgia Tech 0, vs Alabama 13

Graceland (IA) 13, at Kellerton HS (IA) 0

Hastings (NE) 7, at Grand Island College (NE) 7

Kansas 32, at Drake (IA) 7

Livingstone (NC) 7, vs Bennett College (NC) 0

Middle Tennessee St. 0, at Cumberland (TN) 0

Missouri S&T/Rolla 19, at Washington (MO) 0

Missouri St. 19, at Marionville College (MO) 0

Montana 0, at Idaho 0

Montana State 52, at Utah State 3

Morehouse (GA) 6, vs Clark Atlanta (GA) 0

Nebraska 31, at Kansas State 0

North Carolina 41, vs Georgia 6

Northeastern St. (OK) 36, vs Bacone JC (OK) 0

Northern Illinois 14, at Aurora (IL) 7

Northwestern St. (LA) 85, vs Louisiana College 0

Notre Dame (IN) 0, at Yale (CT) 28

Ohio State 0, at Illinois 37

Oregon 7, vs Washington State 0

Oregon State 64, at Willamette (OR) 0

Ouachita (AR) 54, at Arkansas Monticello 0

Presbyterian (SC) 1, at Lauren Larens HS (SC) 0

Purdue (IN) 7, at Wisconsin 14

Rice (TX) 0, at Texas 41

Saint John's (MD) 35, at Widener (PA) 0

Saint Joseph's (IN) 48, vs Independents 0

Saint Thomas (MN) 21, at North Dakota St. 12

South Dakota 7, at Minnesota 29

South Dakota Tech 33, vs Black Hills St. (SD) 0

Tennessee 66, at Louisville (KY) 0

Tome Institute (MD) 28, vs Army & Navy Prep School (DC) 6

Trinity (CT) 0, at Amherst (MA) 0

Tulsa (OK) 6, at Oklahoma State 13

Tuskegee (AL) 7, at Alabama State 7

Union (NY) 13, at Stevens Tech (NJ) 6

Villanova (PA) 7, at Catholic (DC) 0

Virginia Tech 0, vs West Virginia Wesleyan 13

Washington & Lee (VA) 14, at Georgetown (DC) 0

Wentworth Military Academy (MO) 20, vs Ottawa (KS) 20

Western Michigan 43, at Albion (MI) 0

William & Vashti (IL) 21, at Carthage (WI) 0

William & Vashti (IL) 66, vs Lewis Institute (IL) 0

Wisconsin-River Falls 7, at Wisconsin-Stout 0

Wisconsin-Whitewater 14, vs St John's Military Academy (WI) 0

Week 6 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through October 24, 1914:

Allegheny (PA) 6, at Rochester (NY) 0

Arkansas Tech 26, at Van Buren HS (AR) 0

at Army 14, Holy Cross 0

at Butler (IN) 17, Hanover (IN) 16

at Chicago (IL) 21, Purdue (IN) 0

at Christian Brothers (TN) 9, Memphis (TN) 0

at Daniel Baker (TX) 19, Trinity (TX) 6

at Doane (NE) 0, Hastings (NE) 0

at Friends (KS) 21, Ottawa (KS) 7

at Harvard (MA) 13, Penn State 13

at Marietta (OH) 26, Duquesne (PA) 7

at Middle Tennessee St. 9, Vanderbilt JV (TN) 6

at Millikin (IL) 0, Lombard (IL) 28

at Missouri St. 6, Pittsburg State (KS) 0

at Nebraska 24, Michigan State 0

at Nebraska Wesleyan 33, Cotner (NE) 6

at Northern Illinois 21, Wheaton (IL) 3

at Oklahoma State 60, Baylor (TX) 0

at Pittsburgh (PA) 21, Georgetown (DC) 0

at Pomona-Pitzer (CA) 35, Los Angeles AC (CA) 0

at Princeton (NJ) 16, Dartmouth (NH) 12

at Saint Thomas (MN) 7, North Dakota 6

at Tennessee 17, Alabama 7

at Trinity (CT) 14, Williams (MA) 20

at Union (NY) 20, Worcester Tech (MA) 0

at Washington & Lee (VA) 72, Wake Forest (NC) 0

at Washington 28, Whitman (WA) 7

at Western Michigan 68, Ferris St. (MI) 0

at William & Vashti (IL) 33, Illinois Wesleyan 0

at Yale (CT) 7, Washington & Jefferson (PA) 13

Auburn (AL) 19, vs Mississippi State 0

Bingham Military School (NC) 66, vs Knoxville Central HS (TN) 0

Bradley (IL) 32, at Hedding (IL) 0

Brown (RI) 7, vs Cornell (NY) 28

Cameron (OK) 14, vs Lawton AA (OK) 19

Campion College (WI) 0, vs Keewatin Academy (WI) 6

Colorado Mines 13, vs Utah 6

Dakota Wesleyan (SD) 7, at Morningside (IA) 14

Dakota Wesleyan (SD) 92, vs Columbus (SD) 0

Dartmouth (NH) 12, at Princeton (NJ) 16

Davidson (NC) 16, vs Citadel (SC) 0

Drury (MO) 83, vs Kansas School of Mines 5

Eastern Illinois 25, at Southern Illinois 7

Ellsworth CC (IA) 50, vs Buena Vista (IA) 0

Florida Southern 7, at Stetson (FL) 0

Fort Hays St. (KS) 0, at Kansas Wesleyan 13

Hastings (NE) 0, at Doane (NE) 0

Howard (DC) 13, vs Annapolis AC (MD) 6

Illinois 33, at Northwestern (IL) 0

Indiana (PA) 19, at Slippery Rock (PA) 3

Livingstone (NC) 8, vs Shaw (NC) 0

Macalester (MN) 7, at North Dakota St. 10

Mansfield (PA) 34, vs Alfred (NY) 0

Minnesota 7, at Iowa 0

Missouri S&T/Rolla 44, at Arkansas 0

Morehouse (GA) 0, vs Fisk (TN) 7

Nebraska Wesleyan 6, at Creighton (NE) 16

New Mexico 3, at New Mexico Military Institute 12

North Carolina 10, at Vanderbilt (TN) 9

North Carolina 40, vs Riverside 0

Northeastern St. (OK) 0, vs Broken Arrow A&M 56

Northwestern St. (LA) 28, vs Shreveport HS (LA) 7

Oklahoma 7, vs Texas 32

Oregon 13, at Idaho 0

Oregon State 7, at Washington State 0

Ouachita (AR) 62, at Arkansas State 0

Presbyterian (SC) 0, at Wofford (SC) 7

Saint Joseph's (IN) 64, vs Irishmen 0

Texas 32, vs Oklahoma 7

Texas A&M 0, vs Haskell (KS) 10

Tome Institute (MD) 0, vs Lawrenceville School (NJ) 15

Transylvania (KY) 2, at Christian Brothers (MO) 23

Villanova (PA) 3, at Lafayette (PA) 14

Wentworth Mil Academy (MO) 14, vs Haskell Indians JV (KS) 7

Whittier (CA) 14, at Southern California 17

William & Vashti (IL) 13, vs Illinois College 7

Wisconsin 7, at Ohio State 6

Wisconsin-River Falls 14, vs Wisconsin-Superior 0

Wisconsin-Whitewater 27, at Wisconsin-Platteville 0

Week 7 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through November 1, 1914:

at Allegheny (PA) 51, Hiram (OH) 0

at Arkansas Tech 13, Ozarks (AR) 0

at Army 41, Villanova 0

at Bingham Military School (NC) 0, Tennessee B 0

at Butler (IN) 0, Transylvania (KY) 48

at Christian Bros (TN) 13, Sewanee Mil Acad (TN) 7

at Colorado College 7, Colorado 10

at Harvard (MA) 7, Michigan 0

at Hastings (NE) 0, Nebraska Wesleyan 7

at Indiana (PA) 49, Apollo Collegians (PA) 3

at Kansas 16, Oklahoma 16

at Kansas 28, Kansas State 0

at Mansfield (PA) 50, Wellsboro HS (PA) 0

at Middle Tennessee St. 30, Morgan Prep Sch (TN) 0

at Minnesota 6, Illinois 21

at Missouri S&T/Rolla 68, Drury (MO) 0

at Missouri St. 39, Kansas School of Mines 0

at Montana 32, Utah State 0

at Nebraska 20, Iowa State 7

at Oklahoma State 46, Arkansas 0

at Oregon 61, Willamette (OR) 0

at Pittsburgh (PA) 96, Dickinson (PA) 0

at Pomona-Pitzer (CA) 47, Redlands (CA) 7

at Princeton (NJ) 7, Williams (MA) 7

at Saint John's (MD) 0, Maryland 10

at Saint Thomas (MN) 9, Creighton (NE) 0

at Tennessee 67, Chattanooga (TN) 0

at Texas 70, Southwestern (TX) 0

at Tuskegee (AL) 30, Americus Institute (GA) 0

at Western Michigan 28, Hillsdale (MI) 7

at Wisconsin 0, Chicago (IL) 0

Bradley (IL) 14, at Illinois St. 7

Chicago (IL) 0, at Wisconsin 0

Daniel Baker (TX) 7, at Rice (TX) 13

Davidson (NC) 3, vs North Carolina 16

Doane (NE) 0, at Grand Island College (NE) 32

Drury (MO) 0, at Missouri S&T/Rolla 68

Eastern Illinois 60, at Lincoln College (IL) 0

Ellsworth CC (IA) 28, at Loras (IA) 0

Florida Southern 0, vs Florida 59

Graceland (IA) 0, vs Parsons (IA) 0

Howard (DC) 33, vs Annapolis AC (MD) 0

Illinois 21, at Minnesota 6

Livingstone (NC) 0, at Hampton (VA) 39

Marietta (OH) 23, at Ohio 19

Montana State 26, vs Montana Tech 0

North Carolina 16, vs Davidson (NC) 3

Northern Illinois 7, at Mount Morris (IL) 0

Northwestern St. (LA) 33, vs Louisiana College 0

Oregon State 0, vs Washington 0

Ouachita (AR) 30, vs Eastern Oklahoma State 6

Ouachita (AR) 7, at Mississippi 0

Saint Joseph's (IN) 10, vs North Shore AC (IL) 7

Union (NY) 24, at Rensselaer Tech (NY) 0

Washington & Lee (VA) 7, vs Virginia Tech 6

Washington 0, vs Oregon State 0

Wentworth Mil Academy (MO) 14, vs Kansas City Vet (MO) 3

William & Vashti (IL) 0, at Millikin (IL) 9

Wisconsin-River Falls 40, vs Wisconsin-Stevens Point 0

Wisconsin-River Falls 6, vs Eau Claire HS (WI) 0

Week 8 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through November 7, 1914:

Arizona 0, at Occidental (CA) 14

Arkansas Tech 20, at Central Arkansas 0

at Army 20, Notre Dame 7

at Bradley (IL) 15, Illinois Wesleyan 0

at Eastern Illinois 48, Shurtleff (IL) 3

at Harvard (MA) 20, Princeton (NJ) 0

at Mansfield (PA) 14, Syracuse Freshmen (NY) 47

at Middle Tennessee St. 21, Castle Heights Mil Inst (TN) 7

at Missouri S&T/Rolla 104, Pittsburg State (KS) 0

at Missouri St. 20, Marionville College (MO) 0

at Montana 26, Montana State 9

at Nebraska 34, Morningside (IA) 7

at Pittsburgh (PA) 10, Washington & Jefferson (PA) 13

at Pomona-Pitzer (CA) 13, Whittier (CA) 7

at Pomona-Pitzer (CA) 20, Chaffee Union HS 7

at Saint Thomas (MN) 0, Keewatin Academy (WI) 6

at Union (NY) 9, New York (NY) 0

at Wisconsin-River Falls 27, Wisconsin-La Crosse 14

at Wisconsin-Whitewater 38, Wisconsin-Oshkosh 0

Auburn (AL) 14, at Georgia Tech 0

Bingham Military School (NC) 16, at King College (TN) 7

Christian Brothers (TN) 35, vs Arkansas College/Lyon (AR) 0

Colorado Mines 18, at Denver (CO) 0

Ellsworth CC (IA) 20, vs Central (IA) 0

Ellsworth CC (IA) 26, at Northern Iowa 0

Howard (DC) 0, vs Lincoln (PA) 14

Indiana (PA) 0, vs Mansfield (PA) 21

Kansas 20, at Washburn (KS) 14

Marietta (OH) 0, at Denison (OH) 40

Montana State 9, at Montana 26

North Carolina 30, vs Virginia Military Institute 7

Northern Illinois 10, at North Western Academy (IL) 0

Northwestern St. (LA) 0, vs Louisiana-Lafayette 12

Oklahoma State 6, at Oklahoma 23

Ouachita (AR) 19, vs Southeastern Oklahoma St. 0

Princeton (NJ) 0, at Harvard (MA) 20

Saint Joseph's (IN) 12, vs DePaul (IL) 0

South Dakota Tech 6, vs Black Hills St. (SD) 0

Tennessee 16, at Vanderbilt (TN) 14

Texas 23, vs Haskell (KS) 7

Washington & Lee (VA) 10, vs Swarthmore (PA) 0

Wentworth Mil Academy (MO) 6, vs Kirksville Osteopath (MO) 0

Week 9 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through November 14, 1914:

at Allegheny (PA) 41, Duquesne (PA) 3

at Arkansas Tech 96, Conway HS (AR) 0

at Army 28, Maine 0

at Christian Brothers (TN) 0, Memphis Central HS (TN) 20

at Harvard (MA) 0, Brown (RI) 0

at Illinois 21, Chicago (IL) 7

at Middle Tennessee St. 25, Vanderbilt School of Medicine (TN) 0

at Missouri S&T/Rolla 150, Kirksville Osteopath (MO) 0

at Montana 13, North Dakota St. 0

at Nebraska 35, Kansas 0

at Northern Illinois 43, Rochelle HS (IL) 0

at Oregon State 26, Idaho 0

at Pomona-Pitzer (CA) 10, Southern California 6

at South Dakota Tech 0, Dakota Wesleyan (SD) 13

at Tuskegee (AL) 9, Fisk (TN) 7

at Union (NY) 26, Hamilton (NY) 7

at Washington 10, Oregon 0

Auburn (AL) 6, vs Vanderbilt (TN) 0

Benedict (SC) completed season

Bradley (IL) 7, at William & Vashti (IL) 34

Chicago (IL) 7, at Illinois 21

Connecticut completed season

Eastern Illinois 13, at Illinois St. 6

Eastern Washington completed season

Elizabeth City St. (NC) completed season

Ellsworth CC (IA) 20, vs Upper Iowa 0

Ewing College (IL) completed season

Fisk (TN) 7, at Tuskegee (AL) 9

Friends (KS) 42, at Pittsburg State (KS) 0

Kansas 0, at Nebraska 35

Lock Haven (PA) completed season

Meridian College (TX) completed season

Miles (AL) completed season

Missouri St. completed season

Mount Saint Mary's (MD) completed season

North Carolina 12, vs Wake Forest (NC) 7

Oregon 0, at Washington 10

Ouachita (AR) 19, at Mississippi College 0

Rollins (FL) completed season

Saint Joseph's (IN) 7, vs Holy Cross AC (IL) 12

Seth Ward College (TX) completed season

Tennessee 14, vs Sewanee (TN) 7

Washington & Lee (VA) 8, vs West Virginia 6

Wentworth Military Academy (MO) 99, vs Buckner AC (MO) 3

Wesley College (TX) completed season

Western Michigan 10, at Eastern Michigan 0

Wilberforce (OH) completed season

Wisconsin 3, at Minnesota 14

Wisconsin-River Falls 14, vs Minnesota School of Agriculture 12

Wisconsin-Whitewater 19, at Wisconsin-Milwaukee 7

Week 10 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through November 21, 1914:

Allegheny (PA) 26, at Carnegie Mellon (PA) 7

at Arkansas Tech 63, Ozark HS (AR) 0

at Army 13, Springfield 6

at Bingham Military School (NC) 7, Carson-Newman (TN) 0

at Colorado Mines 19, Colorado State 0

at Montana 14, Montana Tech 0

at Northern Illinois 0, Aurora (IL) 0

at Oregon State 3, Oregon 3

at Texas 66, Mississippi 7

at Wisconsin-River Falls 0, Wisconsin-Whitewater 13

Auburn (AL) 0, vs Georgia 0

Bingham Military School (NC) 18, vs Georgia Pkd. T. 0

Ellsworth CC (IA) completed season

Friends (KS) 21, at Sterling (KS) 6

Harvard (MA) 36, at Yale (CT) 0

Illinois 24, at Wisconsin 9

Middle Tennessee St. completed season

Nebraska 16, at Iowa 7

Ouachita (AR) 0, vs Henderson State (AR) 0

Pomona-Pitzer (CA) 3, at Occidental (CA) 0

Tuskegee (AL) 7, at Morehouse (GA) 13

Union (NY) completed season

Wentworth Mil Academy (MO) 20, vs Kemper Mil School (MO) 7

Western Michigan completed season

Wisconsin-Whitewater 13, at Wisconsin-River Falls 0

Week 11 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through November 28, 1914:

Arkansas Tech completed season

Army 20, vs Navy 0

at Allegheny (PA) 40, Grove City (PA) 0

at Friends (KS) 10, Wichita St. (KS) 0

at Graceland (IA) 21, Lamoni HS (IA) 0

at Montana 19, Gonzaga (WA) 0

at Tennessee 23, Kentucky 6

at Texas 39, Wabash (IN) 0

at Washington 45, Washington State 0

Bingham Military School (NC) completed season

Colorado Mines 7, at Colorado College 7

Eastern Illinois 3, at Millikin (IL) 3

Harvard (MA) completed season

Illinois completed season

Missouri S&T/Rolla 63, at Saint Louis (MO) 0

Nebraska completed season

North Carolina 3, vs Virginia 20

Northern Illinois completed season

Oregon State 38, vs Southern California 6

Ouachita (AR) completed season

Pomona-Pitzer (CA) 6, at Arizona 7

Washington & Lee (VA) 7, vs North Carolina State 0

Wentworth Military Academy (MO) completed season

Wisconsin-Whitewater completed season

Week 12 – All Games by Undefeated Teams (listed first) through December 5, 1914:

Allegheny (PA) completed season

Army completed season

Auburn (AL) 7, vs Carlisle (PA) 0

Colorado Mines completed season

Eastern Illinois completed season

Friends (KS) completed season

Graceland (IA) completed season

Missouri S&T/Rolla 27, at Christian Brothers (MO) 6

Montana completed season

Oregon State completed season

Tennessee completed season

Texas completed season

Washington & Lee (VA) completed season

Washington completed season

Lower Midwest College Football Teams – Record – RPI:

Christian Brothers (MO) 7-2-0; RPI - 0.689

Missouri S&T/Rolla 10-0-0; RPI - 0.687

Iowa State 4-3-0; RPI - 0.651

Missouri 5-3-0; RPI - 0.637

Morningside (IA) 4-3-0; RPI - 0.631

Drury (MO) 5-1-0; RPI - 0.629

Coe (IA) 7-1-0; RPI - 0.612

Ellsworth CC (IA) 7-0-0; RPI - 0.607

Graceland (IA) 4-0-2; RPI - 0.605

Wentworth Military Academy (MO) 6-0-2; RPI - 0.604

Upper Iowa 3-1-0; RPI - 0.597

Washington (MO) 5-4-1; RPI - 0.588

Iowa 4-3-0; RPI - 0.584

William Penn (IA) 4-3-0; RPI - 0.563

Parsons (IA) 3-3-2; RPI - 0.555

Kemper Military School (MO) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.531

Kirksville Osteopath (MO) 2-4-0; RPI - 0.525

Kansas City Veterinary (MO) 2-3-0; RPI - 0.524

Drake (IA) 4-3-1; RPI - 0.518

Marionville College (MO) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.518

Saint Louis (MO) 5-5-0; RPI - 0.514

Dubuque (IA) 1-2-0; RPI - 0.514

Cornell (IA) 3-4-0; RPI - 0.509

Missouri Wesleyan 6-2-0; RPI - 0.509

William Jewell (MO) 4-5-0; RPI - 0.507

Lennox (IA) 1-2-0; RPI - 0.503

Central Methodist (MO) 3-3-0; RPI - 0.498

Grinnell (IA) 2-5-0; RPI - 0.49

Missouri St. 6-0-0; RPI - 0.486

Central Missouri St. 5-4-0; RPI - 0.484

Loras (IA) 2-4-1; RPI - 0.466

Des Moines (IA) 3-3-0; RPI - 0.463

Trinity (IA) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.456

Northern Iowa 2-5-1; RPI - 0.452

Simpson (IA) 2-4-1; RPI - 0.446

Iowa Wesleyan 3-5-0; RPI - 0.424

Leander Clarke (IA) 2-4-0; RPI - 0.423

Westminster (MO) 2-4-0; RPI - 0.422

Central (IA) 1-6-0; RPI - 0.419

Buena Vista (IA) 0-4-0; RPI - 0.409

Shurtleff (IA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.401

Tarkio (MO) 0-5-0; RPI - 0.372

Culver-Stockton (MO) 0-7-0; RPI - 0.351

Kansas City Pharmacy (MO) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.334

Highland Park (IA) 1-5-0; RPI - 0.327

Truman St. (MO) 0-5-0; RPI - 0.309

Kidder JC (MO) 0-2-0; RPI - 0

Middle Atlantic College Football Teams – Record – RPI:

Lincoln (PA) 1-1-0; RPI - 0.732

Washington & Jefferson (PA) 10-1-0; RPI - 0.713

Princeton (NJ) 5-2-1; RPI - 0.698

Mansfield (PA) 8-1-0; RPI - 0.689

Indiana (PA) 9-1-0; RPI - 0.677

Pittsburgh (PA) 8-1-0; RPI - 0.677

Saint Francis (PA) 4-2-0; RPI - 0.65

Lehigh (PA) 8-1-0; RPI - 0.646

Navy (MD) 6-3-0; RPI - 0.623

West Virginia 5-4-0; RPI - 0.614

Penn State 5-3-1; RPI - 0.611

Rutgers (NJ) 5-3-1; RPI - 0.607

Mount Saint Mary's (MD) 2-0-0; RPI - 0.601

Franklin & Marshall (PA) 6-2-1; RPI - 0.59

Lafayette (PA) 5-3-2; RPI - 0.57

Allegheny (PA) 6-0-1; RPI - 0.565

Carnegie Mellon (PA) 4-4-0; RPI - 0.561

Marshall (WV) 5-5-0; RPI - 0.561

West Virginia Wesleyan 4-3-0; RPI - 0.56

Pennsylvania 4-4-1; RPI - 0.559

Westminster (PA) 5-3-0; RPI - 0.552

Bucknell (PA) 4-4-1; RPI - 0.549

Carlisle (PA) 5-10-1; RPI - 0.547

Saint Joseph's (PA) 5-6-1; RPI - 0.547

Villanova (PA) 4-3-1; RPI - 0.547

Delaware Valley (PA) 4-2-0; RPI - 0.544

Lebanon Valley (PA) 6-2-0; RPI - 0.536

Davis & Elkins (WV) 3-2-0; RPI - 0.529

Delaware 7-1-1; RPI - 0.529

Swarthmore (PA) 2-5-1; RPI - 0.526

Haverford (PA) 4-3-1; RPI - 0.519

Geneva (PA) 6-3-0; RPI - 0.514

Muhlenberg (PA) 2-6-2; RPI - 0.504

Saint John's (MD) 6-2-0; RPI - 0.504

Temple (PA) 5-4-1; RPI - 0.501

Albright (PA) 5-3-1; RPI - 0.498

Ursinus (PA) 2-5-2; RPI - 0.492

Duquesne (PA) 1-5-0; RPI - 0.49

Lock Haven (PA) 2-0-0; RPI - 0.489

Peddie Institute (NJ) 5-3-0; RPI - 0.479

Bethany (WV) 3-4-0; RPI - 0.478

Morris Harvey (WV) 0-4-0; RPI - 0.476

Stevens Tech (NJ) 1-7-1; RPI - 0.471

McDaniel/Western Maryland 4-6-0; RPI - 0.468

Gettysburg (PA) 2-6-2; RPI - 0.466

Tome Institute (MD) 5-2-0; RPI - 0.464

Dickinson (PA) 2-7-0; RPI - 0.464

Washington (MD) 2-4-1; RPI - 0.451

Maryland 5-3-0; RPI - 0.446

Susquehanna (PA) 3-3-0; RPI - 0.441

Waynesburg (PA) 1-3-0; RPI - 0.434

Bloomsburg (PA) 5-5-0; RPI - 0.431

Williamson Trade School (PA) 2-5-0; RPI - 0.429

Millersville (PA) 1-6-1; RPI - 0.427

Glenville State (WV) 0-2-1; RPI - 0.406

Johns Hopkins (MD) 1-6-1; RPI - 0.402

Widener (PA) 0-7-1; RPI - 0.392

Thiel (PA) 5-4-0; RPI - 0.378

LaSalle (PA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.377

Philadelphia Normal School (PA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.377

Lycoming (PA) 1-5-0; RPI - 0.368

Rock Hill College (MD) 0-3-0; RPI - 0.365

Potomac St. (WV) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.364

Slippery Rock (PA) 0-7-0; RPI - 0.362

Grove City (PA) 0-8-1; RPI - 0.343

East Stroudsburg (PA) 5-3-0; RPI - 0.156

Loyola (MD) 1-1-0; RPI - 0.125

Broaddus College (WV) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

California (PA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Cheyney (PA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Edinboro (PA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Philadelphia Pharmacy (PA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Saint Peter's (NJ) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Schuylkill College (PA) 0-2-0; RPI - 0

West Virginia St. 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Midwest College Football Teams – Record – RPI:

Illinois 7-0-0; RPI - 0.756

William & Vashti (IL) 9-1-0; RPI - 0.655

Western Michigan 6-0-0; RPI - 0.653

Denison (OH) 7-1-0; RPI - 0.647

Chicago (IL) 4-2-1; RPI - 0.645

Michigan State 5-2-0; RPI - 0.641

Notre Dame (IN) 6-2-0; RPI - 0.63

Bradley (IL) 5-1-0; RPI - 0.62

Michigan 6-3-0; RPI - 0.616

Lombard (IL) 5-2-0; RPI - 0.613

Millikin (IL) 4-1-3; RPI - 0.611

Monmouth (IL) 8-1-0; RPI - 0.605

Saint Joseph's (IN) 5-1-1; RPI - 0.597

Marietta (OH) 8-2-0; RPI - 0.592

Purdue (IN) 5-2-0; RPI - 0.59

Cincinnati (OH) 6-3-0; RPI - 0.584

Knox (IL) 6-3-0; RPI - 0.582

Ohio State 5-2-0; RPI - 0.575

Miami (OH) 5-3-0; RPI - 0.575

Kalamazoo (MI) 4-1-0; RPI - 0.571

Butler (IN) 4-2-0; RPI - 0.57

Eastern Michigan 3-2-1; RPI - 0.569

Olivet (MI) 5-3-0; RPI - 0.567

Eastern Illinois 6-0-1; RPI - 0.558

Illinois College 4-4-0; RPI - 0.55

Indiana 3-4-0; RPI - 0.549

DePaul (IL) 2-3-0; RPI - 0.545

Hillsdale (MI) 3-3-1; RPI - 0.542

Mount Union (OH) 6-4-0; RPI - 0.542

Ohio 4-4-0; RPI - 0.538

Illinois Wesleyan 2-5-1; RPI - 0.533

Marion Military Institute 0-2-0; RPI - 0.525

Otterbein (OH) 4-5-0; RPI - 0.516

Lake Forest (IL) 3-5-0; RPI - 0.515

Loyola (IL) 4-2-0; RPI - 0.51

Akron (OH) 4-4-1; RPI - 0.505

Illinois St. 2-3-1; RPI - 0.504

Oberlin (OH) 4-4-0; RPI - 0.504

Hanover (IN) 4-3-0; RPI - 0.504

Mount Morris (IL) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.503

Southern Illinois 4-4-0; RPI - 0.502

Wabash (IN) 5-3-0; RPI - 0.5

Wilberforce (OH) 1-0-0; RPI - 0.5

Western Reserve (OH) 4-6-0; RPI - 0.499

Detroit (MI) 2-3-2; RPI - 0.498

Northern Illinois 7-0-1; RPI - 0.496

Ohio Northern 4-5-0; RPI - 0.495

Ohio Wesleyan 3-6-0; RPI - 0.489

Lewis Institute (IL) 1-3-0; RPI - 0.486

DePauw (IN) 4-5-0; RPI - 0.478

Hedding (IL) 1-5-0; RPI - 0.478

Ferris St. (MI) 1-3-0; RPI - 0.477

Eureka (IL) 3-4-0; RPI - 0.474

Northwestern (IL) 1-6-0; RPI - 0.474

Alma (MI) 2-5-1; RPI - 0.471

Dayton/St Mary's (OH) 2-2-0; RPI - 0.471

Blackburn (IL) 1-1-0; RPI - 0.47

Shurtleff (IL) 1-5-0; RPI - 0.466

North Central (IL) 2-6-0; RPI - 0.465

Antioch (OH) 6-4-0; RPI - 0.465

Adrian (MI) 3-3-0; RPI - 0.455

Heidelberg (OH) 4-3-1; RPI - 0.451

Case Institute (OH) 4-6-0; RPI - 0.449

Albion (MI) 1-6-0; RPI - 0.448

Muskingum (OH) 2-5-0; RPI - 0.448

Kenyon (OH) 4-4-1; RPI - 0.437

Wilmington (OH) 3-6-0; RPI - 0.436

Western Illinois 3-2-1; RPI - 0.422

Hiram (OH) 2-8-1; RPI - 0.421

Earlham (IN) 3-5-0; RPI - 0.416

Wittenberg (OH) 2-7-0; RPI - 0.399

Aurora (IL) 1-3-1; RPI - 0.397

Wooster (OH) 2-6-0; RPI - 0.39

Saint Mary's (MI) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.386

Franklin (IN) 2-5-0; RPI - 0.372

Wheaton (IL) 1-6-0; RPI - 0.37

Lincoln College (IL) 0-5-0; RPI - 0.348

Defiance (OH) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.347

International University 0-1-0; RPI - 0.347

Rose-Hulman Tech (IN) 0-7-0; RPI - 0.342

Bluffton (OH) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.315

Winona (IN) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.315

Evansville/Moores Hill (IN) 0-3-0; RPI - 0.267

Union Christian College (IN) 3-2-0; RPI - 0.15

Ewing College (IL) 0-0-1; RPI - 0.125

Franklin (OH) 2-5-0; RPI - 0.071

Rio Grande (OH) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Northeast College Football Teams – Record – RPI:

Yale (CT) 7-2-0; RPI - 0.768

Harvard (MA) 7-0-2; RPI - 0.751

Army (NY) 9-0-0; RPI - 0.711

SUNY-Cortland (NY) 4-5-0; RPI - 0.677

Williams (MA) 6-1-1; RPI - 0.645

Cornell (NY) 8-2-0; RPI - 0.637

Dartmouth (NH) 8-1-0; RPI - 0.632

Colgate (NY) 5-2-1; RPI - 0.622

Union (NY) 8-0-0; RPI - 0.584

Tufts (MA) 5-3-0; RPI - 0.584

Syracuse (NY) 5-3-2; RPI - 0.58

Maine 6-3-0; RPI - 0.58

Brown (RI) 5-2-2; RPI - 0.579

Cortland Normal 0-1-0; RPI - 0.571

Saint Bonaventure (NY) 4-2-0; RPI - 0.57

Springfield (MA) 6-3-0; RPI - 0.568

Colby (ME) 6-2-0; RPI - 0.56

Trinity (CT) 4-2-1; RPI - 0.543

New York (NY) 5-4-0; RPI - 0.541

Wesleyan (CT) 4-4-1; RPI - 0.535

Bates (ME) 3-4-0; RPI - 0.522

Amherst (MA) 2-4-2; RPI - 0.516

Fordham (NY) 6-3-1; RPI - 0.514

Massachusetts 2-5-0; RPI - 0.496

Holy Cross (MA) 2-5-1; RPI - 0.493

Rochester (NY) 3-5-0; RPI - 0.489

Rensselaer Tech (NY) 4-5-0; RPI - 0.489

Hamilton (NY) 3-4-0; RPI - 0.483

Vermont 2-6-1; RPI - 0.477

Alfred (NY) 3-7-0; RPI - 0.47

Bowdoin (ME) 2-6-0; RPI - 0.461

Rhode Island 2-3-3; RPI - 0.456

Boston College 5-4-0; RPI - 0.444

Worcester Tech (MA) 1-5-1; RPI - 0.433

SUNY-Genesee (NY) 4-2-0; RPI - 0.431

Bard/Saint Stephen's (NY) 4-4-0; RPI - 0.43

Genesee (NY) 4-2-0; RPI - 0.429

Saint Anselm (NH) 3-2-0; RPI - 0.413

Norwich (VT) 0-7-0; RPI - 0.402

New Hampshire 1-6-2; RPI - 0.39

Middlebury (VT) 2-5-1; RPI - 0.386

Hobart (NY) 1-6-0; RPI - 0.385

Saint Lawrence (NY) 1-4-0; RPI - 0.37

SUNY-Brockport (NY) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.368

Oswego St. (NY) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.325

Saint John's (NY) 1-1-0; RPI - 0.302

Connecticut 3-0-0; RPI - 0.25

Massachusetts-Lowell 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Niagara (NY) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Saint Francis (NY) 0-3-0; RPI - 0

SUNY-Fredonia (NY) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Taft School (CT) 0-2-0; RPI - 0

Webb Institute (NY) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Plains College Football Teams – Record – RPI:

Nebraska 7-0-1; RPI - 0.729

Oklahoma 9-1-1; RPI - 0.719

South Dakota Tech 4-1-0; RPI - 0.709

South Dakota 5-2-1; RPI - 0.676

Kansas 5-2-1; RPI - 0.654

Haskell (KS) 5-4-0; RPI - 0.65

Central Oklahoma 5-1-0; RPI - 0.643

North Dakota St. 5-3-0; RPI - 0.638

Oklahoma State 6-2-1; RPI - 0.634

Kansas Wesleyan 3-3-0; RPI - 0.631

Dakota Wesleyan (SD) 6-2-0; RPI - 0.631

Black Hills St. (SD) 5-3-1; RPI - 0.626

East Central (OK) 7-4-1; RPI - 0.624

Nebraska Wesleyan 7-1-0; RPI - 0.616

Friends (KS) 9-0-0; RPI - 0.612

Kingfisher (OK) 2-2-0; RPI - 0.609

Northern St. (SD) 5-2-0; RPI - 0.602

South Dakota St. 5-2-0; RPI - 0.594

Tulsa (OK) 6-2-0; RPI - 0.592

Yankton (SD) 4-3-0; RPI - 0.591

Washburn (KS) 6-3-0; RPI - 0.588

East Central Oklahoma 3-3-0; RPI - 0.587

Fort Hays St. (KS) 5-2-0; RPI - 0.582

College of Emporia (KS) 3-4-0; RPI - 0.575

Grand Island College (NE) 4-1-1; RPI - 0.569

Creighton (NE) 5-4-0; RPI - 0.563

Emporia State (KS) 5-2-1; RPI - 0.557

North Dakota 3-5-0; RPI - 0.555

Hastings (NE) 4-1-2; RPI - 0.555

North Dakota Science 1-1-0; RPI - 0.552

Southeastern Oklahoma St. 6-3-1; RPI - 0.551

Ottawa (KS) 4-3-2; RPI - 0.54

Kansas State 1-5-1; RPI - 0.532

Sterling (KS) 4-4-0; RPI - 0.526

Northwestern Oklahoma State 2-6-0; RPI - 0.521

Baker (KS) 4-4-0; RPI - 0.521

Doane (NE) 4-2-2; RPI - 0.512

Kansas City (KS) 6-5-1; RPI - 0.505

Columbus (SD) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.505

Nebraska-Kearney 3-4-0; RPI - 0.497

Wichita St. (KS) 3-3-1; RPI - 0.495

Midland Lutheran (NE) 3-4-1; RPI - 0.494

Pittsburg State (KS) 1-7-0; RPI - 0.494

University Prep School (OK) 0-2-1; RPI - 0.491

Wayne St. (NE) 6-1-0; RPI - 0.48

Peru St. (NE) 3-4-1; RPI - 0.478

Fargo College (ND) 0-2-1; RPI - 0.477

Kansas School of Mines 0-4-0; RPI - 0.477

Highland (KS) 1-1-0; RPI - 0.458

Saint Mary's (KS) 1-6-1; RPI - 0.458

Dakota St. (SD) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.454

Si Tanka (SD) 0-5-0; RPI - 0.443

Jamestown (ND) 3-3-1; RPI - 0.44

Cotner (NE) 3-5-0; RPI - 0.438

Eastern Oklahoma State 0-4-0; RPI - 0.432

Southwestern (KS) 3-6-0; RPI - 0.429

Oklahoma City (OK) 1-6-0; RPI - 0.426

Murray St. (OK) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.423

Bellevue College (NE) 0-6-0; RPI - 0.421

Chadron State (NE) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.411

Northeastern St. (OK) 4-1-0; RPI - 0.4

York (NE) 1-6-0; RPI - 0.38

Nebraska Central 0-2-0; RPI - 0.376

Oklahoma Military Academy 0-1-0; RPI - 0.375

Phillips (OK) 1-3-0; RPI - 0.373

North Dakota-Ellendale 0-3-0; RPI - 0.36

Campbell (KS) 0-1-1; RPI - 0.354

Bacone JC (OK) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.333

Valley City St. (ND) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.303

Nebraska-Omaha 0-3-0; RPI - 0.295

Haskell A&M (OK) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.247

Southwestern Oklahoma St. 0-2-0; RPI - 0.247

Cameron (OK) 4-2-1; RPI - 0.161

Nebraska School of Agriculture 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Southeast College Football Teams – Record – RPI:

Hampton (VA) 3-1-0; RPI - 0.79

Howard (DC) 4-1-0; RPI - 0.763

Morehouse (GA) 5-1-0; RPI - 0.738

Virginia 8-1-0; RPI - 0.688

Virginia Union 1-1-0; RPI - 0.683

North Carolina 10-1-0; RPI - 0.677

Washington & Lee (VA) 9-0-0; RPI - 0.676

Livingstone (NC) 5-1-0; RPI - 0.654

Georgia Tech 6-2-0; RPI - 0.65

Virginia Medical 0-1-1; RPI - 0.643

Clemson (SC) 6-3-1; RPI - 0.624

Davidson (NC) 5-1-1; RPI - 0.623

Florida Southern 5-1-0; RPI - 0.622

Florida 5-2-0; RPI - 0.614

Virginia Tech 6-2-1; RPI - 0.609

Georgia 3-5-1; RPI - 0.606

Georgetown (DC) 2-4-2; RPI - 0.592

North Carolina State 3-3-1; RPI - 0.585

South Carolina 5-5-1; RPI - 0.579

Bingham Military School (NC) 6-0-1; RPI - 0.579

Roanoke (VA) 5-2-1; RPI - 0.567

Richmond (VA) 5-4-0; RPI - 0.559

Virginia Military Institute 4-4-0; RPI - 0.546

Citadel (SC) 4-5-0; RPI - 0.54

Mercer (GA) 5-4-0; RPI - 0.539

Wake Forest (NC) 3-6-0; RPI - 0.539

Atlanta (GA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.532

Clark Atlanta (GA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.532

Morris Brown (GA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.532

Randolph-Macon (VA) 5-5-0; RPI - 0.51

Newberry (SC) 5-3-1; RPI - 0.504

Benedict (SC) 1-0-0; RPI - 0.5

Bennett College (NC) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.475

Johnson C. Smith (NC) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.475

North Carolina A&T 0-1-0; RPI - 0.475

Shaw (NC) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.475

Mars Hill JC (NC) 0-3-0; RPI - 0.459

Georgia Military College 1-2-0; RPI - 0.458

Hampden-Sydney (VA) 3-7-1; RPI - 0.457

Furman (SC) 2-5-0; RPI - 0.454

Gallaudet (DC) 3-4-1; RPI - 0.436

Paine (GA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.431

Wofford (SC) 1-7-1; RPI - 0.429

Stetson (FL) 1-4-0; RPI - 0.418

Presbyterian (SC) 4-1-1; RPI - 0.414

North Georgia 0-2-0; RPI - 0.4

Catholic (DC) 0-7-1; RPI - 0.374

Gordon (GA) 0-3-0; RPI - 0.363

William & Mary (VA) 1-7-0; RPI - 0.353

Virginia St. 2-1-0; RPI - 0.34

Saint Paul's (VA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.313

Virginia-Lynchburg 0-1-0; RPI - 0.313

Elizabeth City St. (NC) 1-0-0; RPI - 0.25

Rollins (FL) 0-0-1; RPI - 0.125

Benedictine College (GA) 0-2-0; RPI - 0

Claflin (SC) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Southern College Football Teams – Record – RPI:

Miles (AL) 4-0-0; RPI - 0.778

Talladega (AL) 3-1-0; RPI - 0.723

Tennessee 9-0-0; RPI - 0.683

Auburn (AL) 8-0-1; RPI - 0.679

Transylvania (KY) 7-1-1; RPI - 0.67

Fisk (TN) 4-2-0; RPI - 0.659

Selma (AL) 3-2-0; RPI - 0.659

Tuskegee (AL) 2-2-1; RPI - 0.65

Alabama State 2-1-1; RPI - 0.649

Arkansas Tech 8-0-0; RPI - 0.625

Sewanee (TN) 5-3-0; RPI - 0.62

Southern Arkansas 3-2-1; RPI - 0.617

Mississippi College 4-3-1; RPI - 0.614

Mississippi State 6-3-0; RPI - 0.612

Chattanooga (TN) 5-4-0; RPI - 0.608

Georgetown (KY) 5-3-0; RPI - 0.605

Mississippi 5-4-1; RPI - 0.602

Daniel Payne College (AL) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.6

Arkansas 3-6-0; RPI - 0.595

Kentucky 5-3-0; RPI - 0.594

Central Arkansas 1-4-0; RPI - 0.592

Arkansas Monticello 2-4-0; RPI - 0.59

Vanderbilt (TN) 3-6-0; RPI - 0.589

Middle Tennessee St. 5-0-1; RPI - 0.587

Alabama 5-4-0; RPI - 0.586

Arkansas State 5-4-0; RPI - 0.57

Mississippi Industrial Training School 0-1-1; RPI - 0.57

Rust (MS) 0-1-1; RPI - 0.57

King College (TN) 5-6-1; RPI - 0.554

Christian Brothers (TN) 5-2-0; RPI - 0.548

Maryville (TN) 6-4-0; RPI - 0.547

Louisiana-Lafayette 5-4-0; RPI - 0.546

Louisiana State 4-4-1; RPI - 0.544

Albertville Agriculture School (AL) 1-1-0; RPI - 0.538

Tusculum (TN) 2-1-1; RPI - 0.525

Marion Military Institute (AL) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.525

Cumberland (TN) 4-4-1; RPI - 0.523

Samford (AL) 4-3-1; RPI - 0.52

Carson-Newman (TN) 1-5-0; RPI - 0.512

Louisiana Tech 2-4-0; RPI - 0.492

Kentucky Wesleyan 2-3-2; RPI - 0.489

Hamilton Agriculture School (AL) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.488

Centre (KY) 1-4-1; RPI - 0.478

Memphis (TN) 3-5-0; RPI - 0.476

Knoxville (TN) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.471

Rhodes (TN) 1-3-0; RPI - 0.467

Southern Mississippi 2-3-1; RPI - 0.45

Louisville (KY) 1-4-0; RPI - 0.447

Kentucky St. 0-1-0; RPI - 0.446

Birmingham (AL) 0-2-1; RPI - 0.443

Vanderbilt School of Medicine (TN) 0-2-0; RPI \- 0.425

Western Kentucky 1-2-0; RPI - 0.411

Spring Hill (AL) 1-2-0; RPI - 0.402

Tennessee Wesleyan 0-1-0; RPI - 0.399

Bolton College (TN) 1-4-0; RPI - 0.391

Louisiana College 0-4-0; RPI - 0.368

Washington College Academy (TN) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.361

Alabama Presbyterian 0-2-0; RPI - 0.357

Bethel (KY) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.341

Eastern Kentucky 2-7-0; RPI - 0.323

Jacksonville St. (AL) 2-1-0; RPI - 0.314

Mooney School (TN) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Southwest College Football Teams – Record – RPI:

Wesley College (TX) 1-0-0; RPI - 1

Seth Ward College (TX) 1-0-0; RPI - 0.8

Texas 8-0-0; RPI - 0.727

Ouachita (AR) 8-0-1; RPI - 0.674

New Mexico State 4-2-1; RPI - 0.64

Texas A&M 6-1-1; RPI - 0.63

New Mexico 3-1-1; RPI - 0.616

Hendrix (AR) 6-1-0; RPI - 0.614

New Mexico Military Institute 4-4-0; RPI - 0.604

Rice (TX) 3-2-3; RPI - 0.586

Henderson State (AR) 5-3-1; RPI - 0.572

Trinity (TX) 4-2-3; RPI - 0.556

Southwestern (TX) 4-4-0; RPI - 0.55

Daniel Baker (TX) 7-2-0; RPI - 0.549

Ozarks (AR) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.542

Tulane (LA) 3-3-1; RPI - 0.527

Northwestern St. (LA) 4-1-1; RPI - 0.522

Baylor (TX) 3-5-2; RPI - 0.511

Arkansas College/Lyon (AR) 2-4-0; RPI - 0.511

North Texas 3-3-0; RPI - 0.505

Meridian College (TX) 1-0-0; RPI - 0.5

Texas El Paso 2-3-0; RPI - 0.499

Texas Christian 4-4-2; RPI - 0.498

Dallas (TX) 1-1-2; RPI - 0.477

Saint Charles (LA) 3-3-0; RPI - 0.464

Austin (TX) 0-6-2; RPI - 0.442

Jefferson (LA) 1-3-0; RPI - 0.431

Howard Payne (TX) 2-7-1; RPI - 0.413

Texas A&M-Commerce 2-1-0; RPI - 0.333

Burleson College (TX) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.325

Sam Houston St. (TX) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.325

John Tarleton College (TX) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.308

Centenary (LA) 0-3-0; RPI - 0.262

Bryan Baptist Academy (TX) 1-1-0; RPI - 0.25

West Texas A&M 3-3-0; RPI - 0.25

Little Rock College (AR) 0-3-0; RPI - 0.154

Lon Morris (TX) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.125

Texas Lutheran 0-3-1; RPI - 0.031

Saint Paul's College (LA) 0-2-0; RPI - 0

Stamford College (TX) 0-2-0; RPI - 0

Upper Midwest College Football Teams – Record – RPI:

Minnesota 6-1-0; RPI - 0.733

Wisconsin 4-2-1; RPI - 0.676

Carleton (MN) 6-1-0; RPI - 0.667

Saint Norbert (WI) 4-2-0; RPI - 0.649

Wisconsin-Whitewater 6-0-0; RPI - 0.645

Lawrence (WI) 5-1-0; RPI - 0.643

Wisconsin-River Falls 8-1-0; RPI - 0.623

Macalester (MN) 4-2-0; RPI - 0.62

Saint Thomas (MN) 7-2-0; RPI - 0.604

Campion College (WI) 6-1-0; RPI - 0.587

Wisconsin-Stevens Point 6-2-0; RPI - 0.586

Beloit (WI) 5-2-0; RPI - 0.577

Carroll (WI) 5-1-0; RPI - 0.577

Saint Cloud St. (MN) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.554

Shattuck School (MN) 2-2-0; RPI - 0.531

Saint Mary's (MN) 2-5-1; RPI - 0.525

Ripon (WI) 4-3-1; RPI - 0.521

Wisconsin-Superior 2-3-0; RPI - 0.52

Carthage (WI) 3-2-0; RPI - 0.512

Northwestern (WI) 1-3-1; RPI - 0.496

Marquette (WI) 2-7-0; RPI - 0.485

Hamline (MN) 2-4-0; RPI - 0.469

Wisconsin-Oshkosh 2-5-0; RPI - 0.468

Wisconsin-La Crosse 2-6-0; RPI - 0.462

Wisconsin-Stout 1-5-0; RPI - 0.436

Minnesota School of Agriculture 1-4-0; RPI - 0.434

Wisconsin-Platteville 2-5-0; RPI - 0.431

Wisconsin-Milwaukee 3-5-0; RPI - 0.4

Northland (WI) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.279

Racine (WI) 5-1-0; RPI - 0.208

Parker College (MN) 2-2-0; RPI - 0.125

Pillsbury (MN) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

Saint Paul College of Law (MN) 0-1-0; RPI - 0

West College Football Teams – Record – RPI:

Arizona 5-1-0; RPI - 0.733

Arizona State 4-3-0; RPI - 0.714

Washington 6-0-1; RPI - 0.701

Colorado 5-1-0; RPI - 0.7

Oregon State 7-0-2; RPI - 0.693

Colorado Mines 5-0-1; RPI - 0.685

Pomona-Pitzer (CA) 8-1-0; RPI - 0.684

Colorado College 4-1-1; RPI - 0.678

Montana 7-0-1; RPI - 0.669

Montana State 5-1-0; RPI - 0.667

Southern California 4-3-0; RPI - 0.636

Oregon 4-2-1; RPI - 0.623

Whittier (CA) 5-2-0; RPI - 0.618

Occidental (CA) 4-3-0; RPI - 0.614

Washington State 2-4-0; RPI - 0.581

Idaho 2-3-1; RPI - 0.574

Utah 3-3-0; RPI - 0.569

Denver (CO) 5-4-0; RPI - 0.563

Willamette (OR) 2-4-0; RPI - 0.556

Colorado State 3-4-0; RPI - 0.556

Gonzaga (WA) 4-2-0; RPI - 0.553

Los Angeles St. Normal (CA) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.525

Montana Tech 0-4-0; RPI - 0.512

Eastern Washington 2-0-0; RPI - 0.5

Spokane University (WA) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.5

Utah State 2-5-0; RPI - 0.485

California Tech 2-2-0; RPI - 0.483

Redlands (CA) 1-6-0; RPI - 0.483

Pacific (OR) 3-1-0; RPI - 0.471

Idaho St. 6-1-0; RPI - 0.429

Whitman (WA) 0-4-0; RPI - 0.417

College of Idaho 0-1-0; RPI - 0.417

Southern Idaho 0-1-0; RPI - 0.417

Wyoming 1-5-0; RPI - 0.412

Regis (CO) 0-1-0; RPI - 0.395

Lewis & Clark (OR) 1-3-0; RPI - 0.383

George Fox (OR) 0-2-0; RPI - 0.313

North Pacific Dental College (OR) 0-1-0; RPI \- 0.114

Western Washington 2-6-1; RPI - 0.069

Back to Top

Appendix 5: Literary Works

Songs:

"Furlough Moon"

Oh Furlo Moon up in the sky  
Our time is coming soon  
We won't be here this time next year  
We're going home in June  
And when the stars are in the sky  
We'll sit and softly spoon  
Shine now upon us then and now  
Oh Furlo Moon

by Bob Britton, 1913

provided by Bryon Evans, Nov '18,

in Jun 1981 Assembly

"Furlough Moon"

When that Furlough Moon am shinin' through the tree tops far above  
It is then my heart am pining, for the only girl I love.  
When the birds have ceased their evening song  
Then Honey, dear, for you I long:  
Each night in June, with you I'll spoon  
Beneath that Furlough Moon.  
to the tune of Edelweiss

author unknown,

in 1916 Furlo Book

"Furlough Moon"

When the silvery Furlo Moon am brightly shining  
Through the tree tops above my baby,  
Every Yearling fellow am a-pining  
For his own Furlough love.  
Wait 'till the drills are over,  
That time can't come too soon  
Most every file you see is just a-piping  
That Furlough in June.

author unknown,

in 1916 Furlo Book

Poems:

"Decorations"

Medals, ribbons and parchments  
Given by Rulers and Kings,  
Are justly treasured by heroes  
For they are the priceless things;

But the greatest of all citations  
Is bestowed without pomp or cheers  
It's the epitaph scrawled on a wooden cross  
By a battle scarred Buddy in tears.

By John A. McDermott, 1943

War

The halcyon days are over,  
Thundering clouds hang low,  
Sinister forces stir the night  
And Satan grins from below;

Cities are bombed into ruins,  
Women and men became slaves  
Murder, pillage and rape are rife,  
And the face of God is grave;

Multitudes start in terror,  
Millions scream in their sleep,  
Thousands die in a bloody field,  
And grief stricken Mothers weep.

By John A. McDermott, 1943

"The Choice"

Freedom brings peace and contentment,  
To men who are worth their salt,  
For it nourishes every ambition,  
Save power, where it calls a halt.

Power must ever go rampart,  
Since it feeds on submissive clods,  
While the hunger that gnaws at its belly,  
Yearns for the food of the Gods.

By John A. McDermott, 1943

Untitled

Our Fathers were God-selected  
From all of the races on earth  
To carve out a freemans' haven  
In this, the land of our birth

Behind them were left the complacent,  
Nobility, Bigot and Serf,  
To worship the creed of power  
And humble submission from birth.

As time turned over its pages,  
Each to his destiny grew;  
We to know manifold riches,  
They to drink Dictator's brew.

For men who barter their birthright  
To live on unearned bread  
Must be prepared to add their souls,  
To the price, before they are dead.

For power begets more power  
As lust new lusts inflame.

Till the Almighty God is challenged  
And the monster assumes his name.

Of all the Ten Commandments,  
They who flaunt the First  
Add to the torments found in Hell  
Disaster here on earth.

Tho' the gloomy pages of history  
Spell out this fearsome law,  
Power-mad tyrants ignore it  
And plunge the world into war.

For things soon turn to ashes  
That are built on lies and hate;  
So they shift in frantic frustration  
To murder, pillage and rape.

By John A. McDermott, 1943

"The Choice"

Thus, there has come a challenge  
From lands that were left behind;  
To defend our God of Freedom  
Against theirs of the other kind.

Blatantly, boasting to crush us,  
They forget the primeval law;  
That the courage of men in peacetime  
Foretells their valor in war.

With arrogant, blinding power  
Blurring the sight of their eyes,  
They see us as dollar-mad merchants  
With even a prices for our lives.

Scorned by them is the birthright  
That drives us on to attain  
So many goals that supplement  
Our Fathers mighty fame.

As thunder and lightning of battle  
Strengthens the faith in our souls,  
We follow the creed of our forbears  
With Freedom and God as our goal.

Aided by Him in conflict  
As we were in peacetime pursuits,  
The doom is already written,  
For power drunk, godless brutes.

But before it all is over,  
We must work and fight and die  
And the time has come for the acid test  
Where do we stand, you and I?

By John A. McDermott, 1943

"The Veterans' Prayer"

We're saying a prayer for you, Buddy;  
Your Mom has tears in her eyes,  
Dad's patting her on the shoulder  
That muffled your baby cries.

We're dreaming about you, Buddy,  
Wishing to God we were there  
As the rhythmic thump of each heartbeat  
Keeps time with our poignant prayer.

We carry our marks of battle;  
The look it left in our eyes;  
The way it tempered all our talk  
And the hatred it bred for lies.

We lived that ultimate moment  
And matched our creed with death;  
To learn the value of simple truths  
And the folly of what is left.

We came back home in glory  
And found the truths we knew;  
Were scorned as being childish  
So we played the game anew.

It was bad enough in peacetime  
But it's ghastly here in war;  
As we listen, listen, listen,  
To unknowing jackdaws caw.

They blare out their solutions  
Into broadcasts, books and grog  
And create synthetic heroes,  
Out of mystifying fog.

But they will go on talking,  
So will Mom and Dad with prayer  
And we'll continue dreaming;  
Oh God! we wish we were there.

By John A. McDermott, 1943

"The Scrub"

Watching them struggle in cold and rain,  
Bleeding and fighting for a Varsity's name,  
You say that your heroes struggle as well?  
Yes, they get the honor, the Scrub gets the hell!  
He's only a shadow – it's all in the game,  
He never gets praised; but he's there just the same.  
It's only a drink to be forgotten – the club,  
Here's a toast to His Honor, His Honor, the Scrub.

By unknown

The Pointer, October 23, 1936

Books or Pamphlets Written and Published:

A Brief History of Intercollegiate Football at the United States Military Academy, by Thomas West Hammond, 1914

"Road Work on the Punitive Expedition into Mexico," by Ernest Graves, 1917

"Field Artillery Material," by James Patrick Kelly, 1920

"General Service Corps," by Thomas Hammond, 1920

"Scouting and Patrolling," by John McDermott, 1921

"Construction in War: Lessons Taught by the World War, 1917-1919," by Ernest Graves, 1921

American Football, by Charles D. Daly, 1921

The Line Man's Bible, by Ernest Graves, 1921

"Scouting and Patrolling," by John A. McDermott, 1921

"Fundamentals of Military Science for Field Artillery Units of the ROTC," by James Patrick Kelly, 1921

"Forty Winning Plays in Football," by Ernest Graves and John J. McEwan, 1922

"Twenty Foot-ball Problems: With Approved Solutions," by Ernest Graves, 1923

American Football: Its History and Development, by A.M. Weyand, 1926

The Aviation Manual: A Practical Handbook on Flying as a Business, by Norman Jay Boots, 1930

Crusade in Europe, by Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1948

Operations Against Guerilla Forces, by Leland S. Hobbs, 1951

A Soldier's Story, by Omar Nelson Bradley, 1951

The Olympic Pageant, by Alexander M. Weyand, 1952

The Saga of American Football, by Alexander M. Weyand, 1955

Rail Transport and the Winning of Wars, by James A. Van Fleet, 1956

Syngman Rhee: An Asian Leader Speaks for Freedom, by James A. Van Fleet, 1958

The Cavalcade of Basketball, by Alexander Weyand, 1960

Football Immortals, by Alexander M. Weyand, 1962

The Lacrosse Story, by Alexander Weyand, 1965

At Ease: Stories I Tell Friends, by Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1967

How We Won in Greece, by James A. Van Fleet, 1967

D-Day, by Omar Nelson Bradley, 1971

Marie Mulqueen Weyand: Her Book, by Alexander Weyand, 1974

A General's Life: An Autobiography, by Omar Nelson Bradley (and Clay Blair), 1983

Back to Top

Appendix 6: Bibliography

Primary Sources for Football Information:

"Amherst Is Blanked," The New York Times , November 8, 1914.

"An Off Day for Navy Eleven," The New York Times , November 17, 1914.

Anderson, Lars. Carlisle vs. Army: Jim Thorpe, Dwight Eisenhower, Pop Warner, and the Forgotten Story of Football's Greatest Battle. New York: Random House, 2007.

"Annapolis Defeats Georgetown," The New York Times , October 4, 1914.

"Army 'Silent' Sendoff," The New York Times , November 27, 1915.

"Army Abandons Forward Pass," The New York Times , November 5, 1913.

"Army and Navy Game On," The New York Times , October 18, 1914.

"Army and Navy Men Seek Football Site," The New York Times , March 31, 1914.

"Army and Navy Tickets," The New York Times , October 15, 1916.

"Army and Navy Tickets," The New York Times , October 22, 1914.

"Army Awaits Big Score," The New York Times , November 1, 1913.

"Army Backfield Still to Be Picked," The New York Times , November 25, 1914.

"Army beats Rutgers by 19 to 0 Score," The New York Times , October 13, 1912.

"Army Beats Weak Team," The New York Times , November 14, 1915.

"Army brushing up to tackle the Navy," The New York Times , November 19, 1913.

"Army Centre Rush Hurt," The New York Times , October 26, 1915.

"Army Conquers Navy, 15-7, Amid Cheers of 45, 000," The New York Times , November 26, 1916.

"Army Defeats Colgate," The New York Times , October 27, 1912.

"Army Downs Gettysburg," The New York Times , October 10, 1915.

"Army Eleven has Rest," The New York Times , October 23, 1917.

"Army Eleven has Workout in Rain," The New York Times , November 24, 1916.

"Army Eleven Rated High," The New York Times , November 28, 1916.

"Army Eleven Shows Poor Form, Loses," The New York Times , October 17, 1915.

"Army Escapes a Tie," The New York Times , October 26, 1913.

"Army Expects Easy Time," The New York Times , November 11, 1916.

"Army Expects to Defeat Tufts," The New York Times , October 25, 1913.

"Army Expects Victory," The New York Times , November 30, 1912.

"Army Fears Springfield," The New York Times , November 16, 1916.

"Army Finds Maine an Easy Opponent," The New York Times , November 15, 1914.

"Army Football Coach Arrives," The New York Times , August 27, 1914.

"Army Football Squad Out," The New York Times , September 9, 1917.

"Army Football Squad Practices," The New York Times , September 5, 1915.

"Army Footballers Start Work," The New York Times , September 2, 1915.

"Army for Polo Grounds," The New York Times , March 13, 1914.

"Army gets Big Start," The New York Times , October 4, 1914.

"Army Has Battle to Defeat Boston," The New York Times , November 25, 1917.

"Army Has No Excuse," The New York Times , November 4, 1913.

"Army is Scored Upon," The New York Times , November 12, 1911.

"Army Keeps Scrubs on Defensive," The New York Times , October 26, 1911.

"Army Lacks Snap after Long Rest," The New York Times , November 17. 1914.

"Army Loses Coach Daly," The New York Times , December 1, 1915.

"Army Makes Schedule," The New York Times , January 10, 1917.

"Army Not Sure of Victory," The New York Times , October 24, 1914.

"Army Now Grooming for Game with Navy," The New York Times , November 24, 1914.

"Army Officers Fair," The New York Times , October 10, 1914.

"Army Opens with Holy Cross," The New York Times , October 2, 1915.

"Army Overwhelms Weak Trinity Team," The New York Times , October 22, 1916.

"Army Plays Nine Games," The New York Times , March 19, 1914.

"Army Points for Battle," The New York Times , October 30, 1917.

"Army Polo Field for Football Game," The New York Times , June 30, 1914.

"Army Practices Indoors," The New York Times , October 18, 1916.

"Army Profits by Colgate Fumbles," The New York Times , October 18, 1914.

"Army Punters at Work," The New York Times , October 27, 1916.

"Army Scrimmage with 'Navy' Team," The New York Times , November 19, 1914.

"Army Scrubs Crush Varsity Line," The New York Times , October 20, 1914.

"Army Showing Fair; Beats Springfield," The New York Times , November 21, 1915.

"Army Sluggish in First Half of Game," The New York Times , October 25, 1914.

"Army Smothers Annapolis Team by 22-9 Score," The New York Times , November 30, 1913.

"Army Songs for Navy Game," The New York Times , October 15, 1914.

"Army Stars on Field," The New York Times , November 25, 1913.

"Army Submits New Plan," The New York Times , October 18, 1914.

"Army Team at its Best," The New York Times , November 28, 1913.

"Army Team Depressed," The New York Times , December 2, 1912.

"Army Team Opens its Season Today," The New York Times , October 5, 1917.

"Army Team Ready to Tackle Navy," The New York Times , November 24, 1911.

"Army Team Routs the Navy, 20-0," The New York Times , November 29, 1914.

"Army Team Takes a Jaunt," The New York Times , November 9, 1915.

"Army Team Weak for Today's Game," The New York Times , November 14, 1914.

"Army Team Welcomed," The New York Times , November 30, 1914.

"Army Teams Take It Easy," The New York Times , November 27, 1914.

"Army to Get Revenge Today," The New York Times , November 7, 1914.

"Army to Play Football," The New York Times , September 5, 1917.

"Army to Play Trinity," The New York Times , December 28, 1915.

"Army Triumphs on Muddy Field," The New York Times , November 22, 1914.

"Army Victorious, Led by Oliphant," The New York Times , October 7, 1917.

"Army Victory Expected," The New York Times , November 13, 1915.

"Army Wins First Game," The New York Times , October 6, 1912.

"Army Wins Hard Game," The New York Times , November 23, 1913.

"Army Wins on Muddy Field," The New York Times , October 8, 1911.

"Army Works Cautiously," The New York Times , November 22, 1913.

"Army Works on Navy Plays," The New York Times , November 18, 1914.

"Army Works on Three Gridirons," The New York Times , October 6, 1915.

"Army Worrying About McEwan," The New York Times , October 30, 1914.

"Army's Aerial Play Beats Notre Dame," The New York Times , November 5, 1916.

"Army's Big Victory," The New York Times , November 16, 1913.

"Army's Defense Strong," The New York Times , October 15, 1911.

"Army's Defense Weak," The New York Times , October 29, 1915.

"Army's First Line Rushed into Play," The New York Times , November 12, 1916.

"Army's Opening Postponed," The New York Times , September 27, 1917.

"Army's Record Score," The New York Times , November 9, 1913.

"Army's Score Clean," The New York Times , October 29, 1911.

"Army's Work Encouraging," The New York Times , November 10, 1915.

"Army-Navy Compromise," The New York Times , April 17, 1914.

"Army-Navy Deadlock Still On," The New York Times , April 18, 1914.

"Army-Navy Game at Polo Grounds," The New York Times , September 4, 1913.

"Army-Navy Game Called Off Again," The New York Times , October 20, 1914.

"Army-Navy Game Closes the Season," The New York Times , November 28, 1914.

"Army-Navy Game to Be Abandoned," The New York Times , September 30, 1914.

"Army-Navy," The New York Times , August 19, 1914.

"Army-Norwich Game Canceled," The New York Times , September 26, 1913.

"Athletics at Annapolis," The New York Times , January 11, 1914.

Bailey, John Wendell. Football through the years at USMA. Box 16, USMA Library: West Point.

"Baltimore Wants Game," The New York Times , October 1, 1914.

Beach, James C., and Moore, Daniel. Army vs Notre Dame: The Big Game, 1913-1947. New York: Random House, 1948.

Benjamin, Park. "Public Football vs. Naval Education." Independent, November 26, 1903, 2777-80.

"Bergman Shows Up Haskell," The New York Times , November 1, 1914.

"Bid for Army-Navy Game," The New York Times , August 31, 1914.

"Big Games for Carlisle," The New York Times , September 29, 1917.

"Big Teams Not Safe," The New York Times , October 12, 1914.

Boyles, Bob, and Guido, Paul. Fifty Years of College Football: A Modern History of America's Most Colorful Sport. New York: Skyhorse Publishing, 2007.

"Bracing Up Army Rushline," The New York Times , November 11, 1914.

"Cadet's Defenses Repulse W. and L.," The New York Times , October 8, 1916.

"Cadets Active Again," The New York Times , October 29, 1913.

"Cadets Badly Battered," The New York Times , October 28, 1913.

"Cadets Begin Practice," The New York Times , September 7, 1916.

"Cadets Clear Gridiron of Snow," The New York Times , November 21, 1914.

"Cadets Driven Indoors," The New York Times , November 20, 1914.

"Cadets Fear Georgetown," The New York Times , October 23, 1915.

"Cadets Have Close Call," The New York Times , October 1, 1916.

"Cadets Have Easy Time," The New York Times , October 15, 1916.

"Cadets held in Check," The New York Times , October 16, 1913.

"Cadets in Good Shape," The New York Times , October 14, 1916.

"Cadets Practice in Riding Hall," The New York Times , November 16, 1911.

"Cadets Revel in Rain," The New York Times , October 19, 1911.

"Cadets Strike their Gate," The New York Times , October 27, 1912.

"Cadets too much for Tufts Eleven," The New York Times , October 21, 1917.

"Cadets Victorious Despite Fumbles," The New York Times , November 19, 1916.

Camp, Walter C. "All-American Football Teams." Collier's, December 20, 1913, 3-4.

Camp, Walter C. "All-American Football Teams." Collier's, December 19, 1914, 20-21.

"Carlisle Easy for Army," The New York Times , November 11, 1917.

"Changes in Army Line-Up," The New York Times , October 19, 1916.

"Changes in West Point Line-Up," The New York Times , November 12, 1914.

"Cheers for Army Team," The New York Times , November 27, 1911.

"Coach Graves at West Point," The New York Times , September 30, 1914.

"Coaches Depend on Forward Passers," The New York Times , October 3, 1914.

"Coaches Drive Navy Candidates," The New York Times , October 30, 1914.

"Coffin Shifted to Army's First Team," The New York Times , November 26, 1914.

Cohane, Tim. Gridiron Grenadiers: The Story of West Point Football. New York: C.P. Putnam's Sons, 1948.

"Colgate Beats Cornell," The New York Times , October 4, 1914.

"Colgate Football Schedule," The New York Times , March 31, 1914.

"Colgate Team Weakened," The New York Times , October 16, 1915.

College Football Data Warehouse. 1914 National Championships. Last accessed on February 17, 2015.  
 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php.

College Football Data Warehouse. All-Time Coaching Records. Last accessed on February 9, 2015.  
 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/coach_records.php.

College Football Data Warehouse. Season Records. Last accessed on April 14, 2015.  
http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/index.php.

"Cornell in Fine Fettle," The New York Times , October 31, 1914.

"Cripples Return to Army Team," The New York Times , October 23, 1914.

"Cullum Hall Beats Stevens Scrubs," The New York Times , November 12, 1914.

"Dalton Kicks Goal for Navy Victory," The New York Times , November 26, 1911.

"Dalton to Help Coach Navy," The New York Times , September 23, 1914.

"Daly Arrives to Coach Army Eleven," The New York Times , September 10, 1915.

"Daly Corrects West Point's Faults," The New York Times , October 14, 1913.

"Daly Rushes Cadets," The New York Times , November 21, 1913.

"Daly Stirs Up Cadets," The New York Times , November 4, 1915.

"Daly Talks to Cadets," The New York Times , October 21, 1913.

"Daly to Coach West Point Eleven," The New York Times , September 9, 1913.

"Daly Whipping Army into Shape," The New York Times , November 4, 1914.

Daly, Charles D. American Football. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921.

Davis, Parke H. "National Stars of the Gridiron." St Nicholas Magazine, October 1915, 1085-93.

Davis, Parke H. "National Stars of the Gridiron." St Nicholas Magazine, November 1915, 58-66.

Davis, Parke H. "Tactics and Tacticians of the Gridiron." St Nicholas Magazine, October 1914, 1116-19.

Davis, Parke H. "Tactics and Tacticians of the Gridiron." St Nicholas Magazine, November 1914, 37-43.

"Dead from Injuries in Yale-Army Game," The New York Times , October 31, 1912.

"Devore is Army's 1912 Captain," The New York Times , December 6, 1911.

"Dr. Williams Selects Eleven," The New York Times , December 4, 1911.

"East Orange Defeats Cullum Hall," The New York Times , October 11, 1914.

"Eastern Football Experts Pick Prichard as Best Quarterback," The New York Times , October 24, 1912.

Edson, James Stewart. The Black Knights of West Point. New York: Bradbury, Sayles, O'Neill Co, 1954.

"Few Tickets for Public," The New York Times , October 28, 1914.

"Football Eyes on Yale and West Point," The New York Times , October 20, 1911.

"Football in Swing Now," The New York Times , September 26, 1914.

"Football in the Gay Nineties," Assembly, January 1944, 9.

"Football in the West," The New York Times , September 20, 1914.

"Football is Best Training for Soldier says Coach Fielding Yost of Michigan," Kansas City Kansan, November 26, 1918.

"Football Morals." Outlook, November 25, 1914, 660-61.

"Football Review." Notre Dame Scholastic, December 25, 1914, 212-17.

"For an Open West Point," The New York Times , October 12, 1913.

"Fordham Eleven to Play Navy," The New York Times , May 6, 1914.

"40,000 See Army Beat Navy, 14 to 0," The New York Times , November 28, 1915.

"Georgetown holds Army Scoreless," The New York Times , November 5, 1911.

"Georgetown Loses, Shows Rowdy Spirit," The New York Times , October 24, 1915.

"Georgia Tech Still Leads," The New York Times , November 24, 1916.

"Grabs Navy Pass, Rushes to Victory," The New York Times , October 18, 1914.

Graves, Ernest. The Line Man's Bible: A Football Textbook of Detailed Instruction, 4th ed. N.p., 1921.

"Great Army-Navy Battle Comes Next," The New York Times , November 23, 1913.

"Gridiron Stars of 1914." Outing, January 1915, 499-503.

Hammond, T.W. A Brief History of Intercollegiate Football at the United States Military Academy. West Point, NY: Army Athletics Association, 1914.

"Hard Drive for Army," The New York Times , November 17, 1915.

"Hard Fight at West Point," The New York Times , October 11, 1914.

"Hard Football for Army," The New York Times , November 5, 1914.

"Hard Game for Cadets," The New York Times , November 17, 1912.

"Hard Scrimmage for the Army," The New York Times , October 14, 1915.

"Hard Test for West Point," The New York Times , October 18, 1913.

"Hard Work Ahead for Army," The New York Times , November 3, 1914.

"Harder Tests for Football Elevens," The New York Times , November 1, 1913.

"Harvard and Princeton Teams are Dropped by the Army," The New York Times , March 13, 1912.

"Harvard First in Eastern Ranking," The New York Times , November 23, 1914.

"Harvard Football Best of the Year," The New York Times , November 9, 1914.

"Harvard May Play Army," The New York Times , December 11, 1914.

"Harvard Smothers Springfield, 44 to 0," The New York Times , October 4, 1914.

"Haughton Football System Popular," The New York Times , November 30, 1915.

"Haughton's System to Spread over Country," The Desert News, June 24, 1916.

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"Ingram to Coach Navy Eleven," The New York Times , May 27, 1914.

"Jones Captain of Next Army Eleven," The New York Times , November 26, 1916.

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"Lehigh Drops Yale and Navy," The New York Times , December 5, 1913.

"Light Notre Dame Team Downs Army," The New York Times , November 4, 1917.

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"Maine Marches on West Point," The New York Times , November 14, 1914.

"Many Army Cripples," The New York Times , October 27, 1914.

"May Play Game Here After All," The New York Times , August 18, 1914.

"May Select New York," The New York Times , April 5, 1914.

"Merchants Want Army-Navy Game," The New York Times , March 5, 1914.

"Middies Defeat Army Eleven in Thrilling Game," The New York Times , December 1, 1912.

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"Navy Blocks Way for Football Game," The New York Times , October 6, 1914.

"Navy Disappoints Crowd," The New York Times , November 22, 1914.

"Navy Downs Army for Third Time," The New York Times , December 1, 1912.

"Navy Eleven to Play Pennsylvania," The New York Times , February 4, 1914.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the many folks that have encouraged me in this effort, especially the unyielding support of my beautiful bride and lifelong partner, Hilary. Several of the members of my USMA Class of 1978 have sent periodic emails asking about my progress and providing encouraging words – thanks to my brothers.

Much of my core research would not have been possible except by the preparations made in advance and during my week at West Point in Jefferson Hall with the members of the USMA Library Special Collections and Archives – Suzanne Christoff, Linda Conley, Susan Lintelmann, Casey Madrick, Alicia Mauldin-Ware, and Elaine McConnell. Thank you ladies for all your help.

Thanks to Ryan Yanoshak, formerly at the Army Directorate of Intercollegiate Athletics, for initial assistance. To Jeff Williams, who was responsible for NCAA Media Coordination and Statistics, who helped me understand the history of the college football national championship rankings in their records book. And to Marilee Meyer of the Associate of Graduates, United States Military Academy (USMA), for finding some helpful articles in the Register of Graduates and Former Cadets.

THE END

Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, won't you please take a moment to leave me a review at your favorite eBook retailer?

Thanks!

Mike Belter

About the Author: Mike Belter is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also holds graduate degrees from Ball State University and Syracuse University. Mike has worked many years for one of America's largest electric utilities in a variety of roles. He is heavily involved in the Baldrige process, being a volunteer in the national Baldrige Performance Excellence Program; state/regional programs supporting Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Kentucky, Arizona, and Washington; and the Alliance for Performance Excellence, the network of all state and regional Baldrige-based programs. Mike is a retired Army Officer, having served in active Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard units as a Finance Officer, Operations Research Analyst, Inspector General, and Comptroller. He served in Desert Shield at Norfolk Naval Base and in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad. Mike and his wife live in the Midwest with their two pound-puppies, love to holiday in Bermuda, and have been empty nesters since 1998.

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