Purdue Army ROTC History of Purdue and ROTC

Purdue Army ROTCHistory of Purdue and ROTC Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History Morrill Act • Vermont Representative Justin S. Morrill sponsored the Morrill Act which was signed by President Lincoln on July 2, 1862 • The bill offered to sell public lands and donate the proceeds to any state that would establish and maintain a college to teach agricultural and mechanical arts (A&M) • The bill also directed that these “land-grant” colleges would teach military tactics Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History Purdue University • In 1865, the Indiana General Assembly voted to use the Morrill Act and began to look for a suitable location for the school • In 1869 the General Assembly accepted an offer by John Purdue for $150,000, $50,000 from Tippecanoe County and privately donated land to start the college • The General Assembly named the college Purdue University in recognition of his support Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History Military Training • In 1876, Dr. Harvey W. Wiley formed a volunteer infantry company at Purdue to meet the provisions of the Morrill Act • Dr. Wiley served as an infantry corporal during the Civil War and had enough technical knowledge to start the program • Dr. Wiley left Purdue in 1881 and the corps of cadets ceased to function (Dr. Wiley founded the Food and Drug Act (FDA). Wiley Hall was named after him. • In 1881, Lieutenant Wolff of the Swedish Navy rejuvenated the training program Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History Military Training • Purdue received its first Regular Army officer as its Professor of Military Science in 1888 when First Lieutenant Abner Pickering was detailed as the commandant • 1LT Pickering drilled the 76 man infantry company and 16 man artillery platoon from a wooden building on campus • The Purdue military department was activated and deployed to fight in the Spanish-American War in 1898 Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History Military Training • In 1902, Captain Ira Reeves reorganized the 419 man corps into a regiment of infantry, a battery of artillery, and a forty piece band • On the centennial of the Battle of Tippecanoe, November 7, 1911, the Purdue cadets reenacted the battle in front of 60,000 spectators • On February 24, 1916, the old wooden Armory burned down from an overheated coal stove Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History ROTC • The Reserve Officers Training Corps was officially authorized by the National Defense Act of June 3, 1916 • During World War I, a total of 3,868 Purdue students, graduates, and faculty members served in the military • The Armory we are now in was completed in 1918 at a cost to the university of $200,000 Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History ROTC • ROTC was then re-established in 1919 and the corps was organized into a motorized Field Artillery unit to better fit in with the courses of instruction offered at Purdue • Purdue ROTC became primarily an institution to train Field Artillery officers for the Army • Purdue provided 1/8 of all reserve artillery officers between the two World Wars Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History ROTC • In 1941, just prior to involvement in World War II, Purdue ROTC enrollment reached its max at 2,354 cadets • Throughout World War II, the War Department established a number of training programs for universities to train and recruit both officers and enlisted men • Purdue even had an Administrative Course for the Women’s Army Corps Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History ROTC • After World War II, Purdue’s ROTC department changed to a branch immaterial Basic Course with an Advanced Course for Ordnance, Artillery, Air Corps, and Transportation • Frederick L. Hovde, who headed US rocket development during World War II, became president of the University in 1946 and expanded enrollment from 6,000 to 34,000 Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History ROTC • In 1947, Purdue’s ROTC department added specialized training for the Corps of Engineers, Chemical Corps, and Signal Corps • In 1949, the Air Corps split into the Air Force and the Air Force ROTC was created at Purdue • In 1957 the Purdue Honor Guard was organized and met President Kennedy in 1962 as national champions Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History ROTC • The Ranger Company was formed in 1965 to expand cadets’ knowledge in infantry tactics • Until the 1965-66 school year, ROTC was mandatory for 17-21 year old males - enrollment for the 1966 school year dropped from 1,745 to 540 • The 1973 school year was the first year that women were authorized to enroll in ROTC Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History ROTC • The most distinguished ROTC graduate from 2nd Region in 1978 was a Purdue woman cadet • In 1989 and 1997, Purdue Army ROTC earned the McArthur Award for the best ROTC unit in the nation • In 1998 Purdue Army ROTC reestablished its Field Artillery roots by incorporating a cannon squad to fire a cannon during football games whenever the Boilers score Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History Boiler Heroes • One of the first Chiefs of Staff of the Army, MG Leslie McNair served as the PMS from 1924-1928 • In 1903, the first drill manual for ROTC units was written by Boiler cadre member Captain Reeves - this manual is now housed in the Cadet Command museum in Ft. Monroe, VA • Since 1974, the Hall of Fame has honored 120 Purdue ROTC graduates for outstanding achievement in government, business, and military leadership Training to Lead

Purdue ROTC History 2LT Harry J. Michael • Commissioned in December 1944 and sent to Europe as an infantry platoon leader • From 13-14 March 1944, personally killed more than 12 enemy, captured 68, and destroyed or captured at least 5 enemy positions in action near Neiderzerf, Germany • Killed by a sniper on 14 March 1945 • Awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions • Armory Drill Floor named in his honor Training to Lead

Purdue Army ROTC History of Purdue and ROTC