The Independent-Record from Helena, Montana • Page 3

WEST POINT 150 Years Makin PARADE GROUND, cadet barracks and officers quarters of the Military Academy as they appeared in this early 19th century print. Nineteen years later, during Mexican war, there were 523 graduates in active service. Of this number, 49 were killed. OR a cenfury and a half, West Point has trained U.S. officers.

During the Revolution, the eminence over looking the Hudson was General Washington's favorite post. He called it "the Key to America." All during the dark war years, he dreamed of a military academy there. In 1794, his dream came frue. A cadet corps was established by Congress. In 1802 fhe post became fhe U.S.

Military Academy. Col. Sylvanus Thayer, as "Father of the Academy" put into effect the scientific training and military discipline that have made West Point and West Pointers what they are. Candidates for admission must be unmarried, between 17 and 22 years old. Since its founding, the school has graduated 14,434 men, including such leaders as Generals Grant, Lee, Jackson, Meade, Longstreet, Sherman, March, Eisenhower and MacArthur, In ISO years, instruction has often been altered to keep up with the times.

Today there are approximately 2500 young men taking the three-year, war-accelerated course the largest corps of cadets ever at West Point. READY TO FACE the toughest training course any plebe ever took at the academy, these new arrivals, fresh from schoolroom and training camps, start their shorf trek from the West Point railroad station to nearby school grounds. PEACEFUL DAYS come again to West Point. Sailboats and sidewheeler ply the Hudson in days following close of Civil War. Cadets ram powder in battery gun.

During the Civil War there were 800 graduates in Union Army, 296 in Confederate Army. CAPT. WOODROW WILSON, now a colonel, instructs first MODERN WARFARE TACTICS are taught West Pointers dur- class men (seniors) in engineering. He shows students types of ing stiff Summer maneuvers at Pine Camp, N. Y.

The cadets bridges. Wilson was famous football star in his cadet days. undergo same instruction given regular armored force troops. ARTILLERY EXERCISE on campus near close of century. Five years later, many of these cadets saw action in Spanish-American War.

"No other institution in the land has contributed so many names as West Point has contributed to honor roll of Nation's greatest citizens," said Pres. Theodore'Roosevelt at 1902 West Point ceremony. JOHN J. PERSHING, World War I commander, as cadet. He was commissioned in 6th Cavalry on graduation in 1886.

ARKANSAS-BORN MacARTHUR as cadet. He graduated in 1903, returned in 1919 to be superintendent. AT STEWART FIELD, the "Wings of West Point," north of the academy grounds, second-classmen start their basic flying training. They're commissioned in Army Air Corps directly upon graduation. CADET of about 1817, left, with-two gold lace chevrons on each arm to show his rank.

Gray uniform was introduced in 1816, chevrons to. indicate rank added in 1817. Center: Double breasted tunic, crossed shoulder straps and chin- hat feature an 1825 uniform, Right; Cadet, mounted, with sabre, of 1880. AT WEST POINT (class of 1915) Dwight Eisenhower got average marks. In World War I he was army camps instructor.

IN NEW AMPHITHEATER on sloping banks of the Hudson, graduating class step up smartly to receive their diplomas from Secretary Stimson. They're commissioned as second lieutenants. Of last June's 474 graduates, 171 received air corps wings. Week'i PICTURE SHOW-AP KWSPAPLRl.