Keepers of the Spirit

by Adams, John A., Jr.

• ISBN13: 9781585441266
• ISBN10: 1585441260
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-08-01
• Publisher: Texas A & M Univ Pr

Summary

Texas A&Mrs"s Corps of Cadets has shaped the traditions that mark the rich heritage of one of the nationrs"s largest universities. Keepers of the Spirit traces the history of the Corps from its founding at the landgrant Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas on the banks of the Brazos River to its entry into the twentyfirst century. From shaky early years that saw rugged conditions, constant administrative turnover, and financial difficulties, Texas A&M and its Corps grew into what they are today. In the twentieth century the Corps gained national recognition as its graduates performed courageously in World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam. And the Corps remains one of the largest uniformed organizations of military cadets in the nation, next only to the federal service academies. Offering commissions in all branches of the armed services, Texas A&M since 1876 has produced more than 43,000 commissioned officers, of whom more than 225 have reached the rank of general or flag officer. Skillfully integrating contemporary political, social, and cultural elements, John A. Adams, Jr., has analyzed hundreds of primary source documents to shed historical light on the values, customs, and controversies that have shaped the Corpsrs"s 125year history: the Southern military tradition of duty, honor, and sacrifice; the struggle to integrate veterans returning from both world wars into campus-and Corps-life; the admission of women into the university and into the Corps; and the evolution of the Corps into a voluntary, rather than mandatory, part of an expanding and diversifying university. Keepers of the Spirit contains dozens of photographs never before published, as well as comprehensive lists of key people and events in Corps history. Published in conjunction with the 125th anniversary of the University, Adamsrs"s work dramatically and entertainingly details Texas A&Mrs"s and the Corpsrs"s contribution to Americars"s long tradition of welleducated and wellprepared citizen soldiers.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	xi
List of Tables	xiii
Foreword	xv
Ray M. Bowen
Preface	xvii
Introduction	3	(7)
The Howling of Wolves	10	(28)
The Ross Years	38	(20)
Rattled to a Frazzle	58	(26)
A Call to Arms	84	(19)
Hail Aggies! Hail Maroon and White!	103	(32)
We've Never Been Licked	135	(31)
Judgment Day in Aggieland	166	(33)
The Rudder Era	199	(31)
The Centennial Decade	230	(34)
So Here We Stand	264	(28)
Epilogue	292	(27)
Appendices
I. Presidents, Commandants, and Cadet Corps Commanders, 1876-2001	295	(14)
II. Commandants, 1876-2001	309	(4)
III. Recipients of the General George F. Moore Award, 1946-2000	313	(2)
IV. General and Flag Officers: Texas A&M	315	(4)
Notes	319	(52)
Bibliography	371	(16)
Index	387