The Class of 1903

Time rolls on, and now we talk of MacArthur’s exploits that took place over a century ago; not a decade, not silver or gold anniversaries, but one hundred years ago. It was one hundred years ago that MacArthur took the oath of a soldier on the plains of the United States Military Academy at West Point. His record is now set in stone and it is obvious that four years at West Point left a lifelong mark on Douglas MacArthur. It was the place he often referred to as home and the bonds forged with classmates stayed with MacArthur until his dying day.

There is a photo that exists of the United States Military Academy class of 1903 taken the day they were admitted as plebes in June 1899. Dressed in civilian clothes sporting bowler hats and dapper suits, only two of the 160 souls in the photo wear smiles. The rest have looks of seriousness and apprehension as to what awaited them. Douglas MacArthur sits in the upper left of the photo, a look of confidence upon his face and a white fedora set at a rakish tilt on his head. Years later, when classmates would remark on their first impressions of MacArthur they all recalled the white hat and the "tall, erect, boy of 19." MacArthur had but one purpose in his mind when he arrived at West Point in June of 1899: to be the best cadet at West Point the Academy had ever seen. One can imagine that many of those boys in that picture of 1899 had the same thoughts.

None of the plebes in the photo knew exactly what awaited them. We, however, know what happened to all of them. Their careers have all taken their course and their lives lived to completion. Not one of them is left on this earth. There were 160 boys that posed for that picture. Only 93 of them would graduate four years later. Six weeks at "Beast Barracks" and summer encampment learning about soldiering and enduring the endless hazing weeded out some of the plebes. The majority, however, found the rigors of four years of cadet life just too intense. Studies were paramount and at best the workload could be described as "bearable." A cadet was under the microscope twenty-four hours a day and only a rare breed could accustom themselves to the discipline needed to be a West Point cadet.

MacArthur lived up to his dream and today is still considered one of the finest cadets the Academy has ever seen. Graduating number one in his class with the rank of First Captain, Corps of Cadets, MacArthur embarked on a career that saw him as one of the youngest Brigadier Generals in World War I, the youngest superintendent of West Point in 1919, the youngest U.S. Army Chief of Staff in 1930, Supreme Commander Southwest Pacific Area during World War II, Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers in Japan, and Commander-in-Chief United Nations Forces during the Korean War. Of his classmates, MacArthur had the longest career and earned the most honors and decorations. Though MacArthur may overshadow them, his service was no more dedicated than the majority of his 1903 classmates.

After Secretary of War Elihu Root handed out commissions on 11 June 1903, the class of 1903 was called upon many times in service and defense of the United States. Four members of the class of 1903 had even served their country prior to attending West Point. MacArthur’s roommate Charles Severson, along with Grayson Mallett Prevost-Murphy, Francis Hinkle, and Roland Broughton were Spanish American war veterans who received their appointments to West Point while serving in the armed forces. After graduation, six members of the class immediately embarked for the Philippines to help in the suppression of the Moro uprising on Mindanao and Jolo Islands. Six more classmates took part in the Cuban Pacification of 1906-1908. Three, including Douglas MacArthur, saw action in the Vera Cruz expedition of 1914. Ten served under Pershing in the Mexican Punitive Expedition of 1917. It was in World War I, however, that the class of ’03 proved their mettle.

Two graduates served in World War II and both were on the island of Corregidor during the Japanese onslaught on the Philippines in 1942. One, Douglas MacArthur, was removed to the safety of Australia by orders from President Roosevelt. The other, 1901-1902 West Point fullback Paul Bunker remained on the island and surrendered with Lieutenant General Wainwright in May 1942. It was Bunker who had the sad duty of hauling down and destroying the colors prior to surrender. A piece of the flag saved by Bunker is now on display in the West Point museum. Colonel Paul Bunker died in a Japanese prison camp on the island of Formosa, 16 March 1943. His diary is now the best seller Paul Bunker’s War.

Only one member of the Class of 1903 had a career that lasted through the Korean War. Douglas MacArthur was age 70-71 when he commanded the United Nations forces in Korea. With his relief by Harry Truman in April of 1951, service as soldiers ended for West Point’s graduates of 1903.

The final tally shows that the class of 1903 was not wanting in decorations. Four Distinguished Service Crosses were earned; three of them were MacArthur’s. Twenty-seven Distinguished Service Medals were earned; five of them were MacArthur’s. Ten Silver Stars were earned; seven of them were MacArthur’s. Four Purple Hearts were earned; two of them were MacArthur’s. Six Legion of Merit awards were earned by class members. In addition, one Medal of Honor, one Bronze Star, one Air Medal, one Distinguished Flying Cross, and one Navy Distinguished Service Medal were earned; all by Douglas MacArthur.

MacArthur may have stood out amongst his classmates, but during his life it was to his classmates that he turned for support and friendship. Throughout World War II, the Occupation of Japan, and the Korean War he received letters addressed, "Dear Douglas." They came from dozens of old classmates who often signed the letters using old West Point nicknames such as "Scraggy," "Toby," and "Dad." In 1952 MacArthur wrote a letter to Dorsey Rodney and remarked, "As time goes by I find my affections centered more and more upon the boys who formed the class of 1903." Bonds forged by those who share common hardship like war or the curriculum at West Point are not easily broken. When MacArthur said in his famous Duty-Honor-Country speech of 12 May 1962, "I want you to know that when I cross the river, my last conscious thoughts will be of the Corps…and the Corps…and the Corps," he meant it. It was probably the same sentiment that most of those boys in that picture from 1899 felt in their last years. Here is a wish to all their ghosts, "Happy Anniversary Class of 1903."