Heritage, Scholarship, Leadership, Camaraderie

The official message board of the University of Texas NROTC Alumni Foundation

Volume 14, Issue 4 December 2009 Happy Birthdays! to the and MARINE

On October 13, 1775 the Continental Congress approved legislation that started the development of the . The next month, on November 10, 1775 the Continental Congress approved a resolution officially forming the Continental Marines. That was 234 years ago! See related story on Page 4.

SEPTEMBER 2009 UT NROTC ALUMNI REUNION SSTTAARRTTIINNGG OOUURR 7700tthh YYEEAARR!!

Speaking of birthdays, this year’s reunion kicked off the beginning of the UT NROTC Unit’s 70th year as a program on campus. And UT President Bill Powers was on hand Saturday to present a framed copy of the original letter signed by Secretary James Forrestal on September 11, 1940 and addressed to the University of Texas for the purpose of establishing our NROTC Unit. President Powers presented the charter letter to CAPT Mike Spence, representing the unit, and to Mr. Joe Smith, representing the Class of 1944, the second year group to graduate from the new NROTC Unit. The reunion was, once again, full of something for everybody. The festivities started on Thursday night with the Navy League dinner at the Austin Women’s Club. Many midshipmen and candidates from the Battalion were present as guests of the

Weldon Koenig, Joe Smith, President Navy League. CAPT Mike Spence and his Executive Officer, Bill Powers, and our Charter Letter CDR David Hogsten, were in attendance. The guest speaker was RADM John D. Butler (’74). The President of the Austin Navy League Chapter, Bruce Byron (’70), performed emcee duties. After an excellent dinner, RADM Butler, who is now retired and working for Lockheed Martin, gave a very informative briefing on his company’s involvement in and the Navy’s development of new undersea and surface platforms.

Friday morning provided beautiful weather for our golfers at the Star Ranch Golf Course. That evening the Class of ’69 celebrated their 40th anniversary at Sholtz’s Bier Garten and most of the rest of us attended the annual dinner at the Austin Country Club, where Joe Smith (’44) was honored with the Outstanding Service Award. Our host at the Austin Country Club, Rusty Allman (’66), provided a spacious and beautiful setting, The Pennick Room, for the award ceremony. Over 60 alumni and friends attended and the NROTC Unit provided a color guard for the program. CAPT Mike Spence attended and participated in the award ceremony. Also in attendance was MIDN 1/C Christopher Olander, the Battalion Commander, as a guest of the Midshipmans and Alumni Foundations. Ed Mergele emceed the program. The Outstanding Service Award presentation was made by RADM Weldon Koenig (’58) and a lapel pin of the award was applied by Max Miller (’57). CAPT Spence presented Joe with a framed picture of the Battalion in front of the UT tower. Joe had several friends at his table to enjoy the moment with him, including Mr. John Barnhill, a former UT Regent, Joe’s brother Max Smith (’54), and Joe’s niece and nephew, both graduates of UT. All were guests of the Midshipmans and Alumni Foundations. The evening was capped off with everyone singing The Eyes of Texas, followed by retiring of the colors. Continued on Page 2

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Alumni Foundation Officers Reunion Recap continued from Page 1 Edwin W. “Ed” Mergele (1975) President Michael Waldron (1967) Saturday was also a beautiful day. Activities started at the Russell A. Steindam Hall Vice President (ROTC Bldg), where at 7:45 a.m. an informal dedication ceremony was held in the David Wells (1969) st Secretary library on the 1 deck, which has been redone to accommodate the library of Howard Dan O’Neil (1980) R. Lowe (’44), a donation to the NROTC Unit. All of the Battalion members, who Treasurer were to receive scholarships later in the day, were in attendance. A framed certificate Edwin W. “Ed” Mergele (1975) Editor/Publisher was presented to CAPT Spence by yours truly to be displayed in the library for all to James D. Brotherton (1968) see. Attendees enjoyed light refreshments and some camaraderie after the ceremony. Historian Next year the dedication certificate will be replaced by a more permanent plaque in a

Alumni Foundation more formal dedication of the Howard Lowe Library. Immediately following the Board of Directors dedication, the board of directors for the UT NROTC Alumni Foundation met in the James D. Brotherton (1968) W. Robert Brown (1952) Howard Lowe Library to conduct their quarterly business. Those present at the John Engstrom (1966) library dedication were invited to stay and observe the meeting if they wished. Luis de la Garza (1966) James N. Higdon (1967) R. Glenn Looney (1961) Edwin W. “Ed” Mergele (1975) CAPT Spence and Ed Mergele with Fred Moon (1970) Dan O’Neil (1980) the Lowe Library Dedication Plaque Gabriel R. Salazar (1979) Spencer Smith (1973) Michael Waldron (1967) David Wells (1969)

Ex-Officio Members CAPT James M. Spence, USN MAJ Lobato and Scholarship Professor of Naval Science Recipients at the Dedication Jack Ritter (1955) Navy League Liaison

Regional Directors Ray Adams (1980) DFW (H) 972-596-7188 Keys Curry (1958) After the Board adjourned, attendees strolled over to Welch Hall to join other Houston (H) 713-783-8185 Reunion attendees, visitors and friends for the General Business Meeting. Three of Robert Hancock (1967) our Flag Officers were in attendance, RADM Weldon Koenig (’58), RADM Brady West (H) 619-586-0036 K. J. Moore (1964) Cole (‘58) and RADM John Butler (’74). We were again this year honored to have Eastern (H) 703-759-3327 the President of the University of Texas, Bill Powers, attend our General Business Rudy Kruger (1963) Meeting. We started the meeting with the presentation by President Powers of our Central (H) 402-331-6557 Henry Harper (1965) Charter Letter. President Powers then gave a short talk to the audience on how Mountain (H) 208-522-7776 pleased he is to have this NROTC Unit on campus and to have a strong alumni group

Midshipmans Foundation supporting it. President Powers was a naval officer himself and feels a strong Directors connection with the NROTC. He thanked everyone for their service and W. Robert Brown (1952) congratulated the scholarship recipients. After President Powers’ departure the Clay W.G. Fulcher (1955) Robert L. Gartner (1965) meeting proceeded with annual reports. Ed Mergele gave the Treasurer’s report in John Hitchock (1965) Dan O’Neil’s absence. Bob Brown followed with a very good Gifts Committee J. Weldon Koenig (1958) report. Max Miller gave the Midshipmans Foundation report and then it was time to Max Miller (1957) Dan O’Neil (1980) refocus on the Unit. The Battalion Commander, MIDN 1/C Christopher Olander, gave a briefing on Battalion activities of Midshipmans Foundation Advisory Directors the recent past and its plans for the near future. After his Jefferson D. Howell (1961) briefing it was time to award some scholarships. CAPT Spence Donald S. Inbody and members of the Midshipmans Foundation did the honors. Spencer Smith (1973)

Chairman, Gifts Committee Fifteen Scholarships, totaling $22,000, and two officer swords W. Robert Brown (1952) were awarded to Battalion members before an audience of over

Printing of the UT NROTC 100 alumni, family and friends. Alumni Log generously donated By Raytheon Company Continued on Page 5 MIDN 1/C Olander McKinney, Texas 2 Volume 14, Issue 4 December 2009

President’s Corner Ed Mergele ’75

My wife, Terry, and I thoroughly enjoyed the Reunion activities this year. I hope you did as well. The UT NROTC Alumni Foundation does its best each year to make the experience a memorable one and one for which you will want to return year after year. Keep up the participation and seriously consider serving on the board for a term or two. We need your volunteer help to ensure that these traditions continue on into the future. Prepare yourself to take the watch!

The year 2009 is fast coming to a close and so is your opportunity to take advantage of a tax deductible contribution for 2009. I would hope that every one of us can find it in our hearts to remember just what this unit has meant to us in our professional growth and the acquisition of livelong friends. And that those memories may manifest themselves into something a bit more practical for the midshipmen today. The Midshipmans Foundation and the Alumni Foundation are pretty unique in what we provide to the Battalion members. The Midshipmans Foundation has nearly reached its envisioned endowment of $1 million (the “corpus”) and is giving out scholarships each year in excess of $20,000 without touching this corpus. The Alumni Foundation also accepts tax deductible contributions and applies them to the requested needs of the Battalion each semester. These are needs such as assistance in travel and lodging at competitions in which the pistol team and Buccaneer drill team participate. The midshipmen work hard each year earning money for these events by cleaning up the football and baseball stadiums after games but they could do even more with your help. Private universities, like Tulane and Rice, can offer NROTC scholarship students incentives to come to their school that UT cannot. We help level the playing field and attract the country’s best and brightest by offering additional scholarship money and other financial assistance. But we cannot do it without the generosity of our alumni. Some of you are more capable than others to provide higher levels of giving. Any level of giving is needed and appreciated. Think about it and send in a donation before the end of the year. We will acknowledge it in writing. No amount is too big or too small. We have very little administrative overhead (mailings mostly) and every board member on both boards works for the pure pleasure of helping out these fine young officer candidates in any way we can. If we all chip in just a little it can go a long way. And, again, I want to also encourage those, who would like to serve on the Alumni Foundation Board, to come to our meetings. They are always open and it’s a good way to “try before you buy”. Help your shipmates bear an easier burden by lending a hand. It should be an “all hands” evolution.

Highlights from the Alumni Foundation 11/14/09 Board Meeting

The board met again on November 14, 2009 to mostly take up issues raised by the Membership Committee which reported back in September. Directors needed time to look over the committee’s findings and recommendations. Much discussion was stirred up by the issues raised by the committee. Much of it boiled down to a series of motions that were voted on at the end of the meeting. See the official minutes for more exact wording. Among the motions was one to work out a Memorandum of Understanding between the Midshipmans Foundation and the Alumni Foundation. Both are here to support the Battalion and NROTC Unit but the directors thought a clear written agreement as to what types of support each organization will provide was essential so no duplication or misunderstandings occur. A system of donor levels and an annual drive for contributions was established, along with a new position of Vice President for Fund Raising to coordinate. The need for a “corpus” of funds, much like the Midshipmans Foundation’s endowment fund, was adopted, with funding primarily to come from “life” level booster or donor contributions. The Alumni Foundation has evolved over the years from just hosting a BBQ. There are Battalion semester activities that need our help and sponsorship (e.g. drill meets, pistol matches and social gatherings that promote officer etiquette). These activities need more long-term plans for funding and budgeting than we’ve employed in the past. Two tiers of corporate sponsorship were also adopted to raise additional funds. A Vice President for Alumni Relations was added to pay closer attention to the need to keep in touch with our alumni, especially newly commissioned officers who ship out. We need to maintain contact with these graduates throughout their careers and we still have hundreds of grads on the list for which we have no current contact information. The nominating committee was immediately tasked with looking for likely candidates to fill the two new positions. The next board meeting was scheduled for March 27, 2010 at RAS.

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Vice President’s Corner Mike Waldron ’67

Have you ever wondered how much the culture of the young leaders of the Navy and Marine Corp has changed over the years since we now have an “all volunteer” force? I’ve often pondered whether something was lost by not having a more diverse group as we did when the draft was an ever looming reality back in the old days. Would the personalities be too homogenized and not reflect the multifaceted character of our citizen warriors from eras past? Not to worry. This September I attended the new Tailhook Convention in Reno and I am now a true believer that we are in good hands.

No longer a crazy affair that “What happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas”, the new Tailhook in Reno is a family friendly reunion where everyone has a great time. What was most impressive was the caliber of the young men and women we met who now are our front line in Naval Aviation. This was an opportunity for many of them to reunite with friends and colleagues from the Training Command where they learned to fly or from various squadrons in which they served together. For my wife and me it was a chance to see the best of a younger generation take responsibility for their direction toward the future. In addition the defense industry contractors had many exhibits which showcased the very latest in warfare technology. It looked like all the stuff we just could wish for thirty years ago. These highly motivated aviators managing all this high tech weaponry gave my wife and me a comforting sense of security. It’s hard to fathom another force on the planet as capable as our Navy.

One highlight of the trip was a jaunt over to NAS Fallon, NV for a Blue Angel air show. Before the show we got a tour of the Navy Topgun School. This graduate school for Navy and Marine Corp aviators is the ultimate training environment for the most accomplished tactical pilots in the world. Gone are the days when the first instructor to get to the chalkboard after a training mission could depict the tactical engagements as he saw it, perhaps with a little ego bias thrown in. Now through advanced GPS technology a training tactical engagement can be replayed exactly as it happened. All the students in the Topgun classes are hand-picked as the best future mentors for each squadron. The professionalism and dedication was evident everywhere.

This experience has once again brought me to the conclusion that Alumni Foundation and the Midshipmans Foundation are two of the most significant causes worthy of my financial support. Many of the aviators we met were from an NROTC background. If we can better support our midshipmen in their journey toward this noble profession, it becomes a real act of patriotism. Be generous.

University of Texas NROTC Holds Annual Navy/Marine Corps Birthday Ball By MIDN 1/C Elizabeth M. Page, NROTC PAO

The UT NROTC Unit consolidated two historic birthday parties into one ceremony at the Texas Exes’ Etter-Harbin Alumni Center here in Austin on Thursday evening, November 5, 2009, and hosted the Annual Navy and Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Over 150 Midshipmen, Officer Candidates, staff members, Alumni and members of the Austin naval community-at-large, including Navy League members and Naval Academy alumni, gathered to celebrate the occasion, that marked the 234th birthday of each service.

This year for the first time, the pomp and circumstance of the birthday ball was preceded by a Freshman Ascension Ceremony. The twenty six freshman of the unit who had constituted a separate platoon since the beginning of the school year were officially integrated into the Battalion’s three other platoons. For most of the freshmen, this ceremony marked the first real tradition of this kind and was their first glimpse of how the Navy and Marine Corps celebrate rites of passage among their members.

The guest of honor, Admiral James G. Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Commander, United States European Command, delivered the keynote address. He spoke on the key points he wished he had known when he was a Continued on Page 8

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Reunion Recap continued from Page 2

In an impressive presentation of scholarships ceremony, Battalion members nominated by the PNS and Staff, then approved by the Board of the Midshipmans Foundation, smartly presented themselves front and center to receive the scholarships. Scholarship folders, enclosing the scholarship checks and biographies of those in whose honor the scholarships are named, were presented to and gratefully accepted by a deserving Battalion member. The awards ceremony was conducted by Ed Mergele, President of the Alumni Foundation, assisted by CAPT Spence, members of the Staff and Officers and Directors of the Midshipmans Foundation. The following scholarships and awards were made:

MIDN 1/C Claudio Alvarado Crawford and Hattie Jackson Foundation Scholarship $5,000 MIDN 1/C Christopher Olander Crawford and Hattie Jackson Foundation Scholarship $1,000 MIDN 1/C Mathew Mayo Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Scholarship $2,000 MIDN 1/C Austin J. Muffly Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Scholarship $2,000 MIDN 2/C Christopher Cardinal Fleet Admiral Ernest Joseph King Scholarship $2,000 SGT Jacob A. Fernandez Fleet Admiral Ernest Joseph King Scholarship $2,000 MIDN 3/C Aaron Tallant Admiral David Glasgow Farragut Scholarship $2,000 MIDN 3/C Eric Guerra Captain H. Malcolm Macdonald Scholarship $1,000 MIDN 1/C Lee Patterson Kenneth J. and Marjorie A. Moore Scholarship $1,000 MIDN 3/C Erick Zuber 1stLT Burns Scholarship $1,000 MIDN 2/C Alexander Darst Midshipmans Foundation Scholarship $1,000 SSGT Jason B. Stowers Midshipmans Foundation Scholarship $1,000 MIDN 2/C Jason Tucker Midshipmans Foundation Scholarship $1,000 MIDN 1/C Elizabeth M. Page Navy Officer Sword SSGT Jon Hooge Marine Corps Officer Sword

After scholarships were awarded the meeting shifted back to Foundation business. The Nominating Committee, chaired by Mike Waldron, Vice President of the Alumni Foundation, reported that two of our members were rotating off the board, Robert W. “Bob” Looney (’62) and Dennis Olson (’69). We shall truly miss these two members. Bob was Secretary of the Board for one year and also the newsletter Editor. It was through Bob’s efforts that Raytheon Company has donated the printing of this newsletter. Dennis has been highly instrumental in getting papers drawn up and filed with the State and with the IRS to make the Alumni Foundation a more formal veteran’s association which can accept tax deductible contributions. Mike went on to report that two new candidates were identified, invited and accepted the call to serve for a three year term on the Board. They are Luis de la Garza (’66) and Jim Higdon (’67), both from San Antonio. Luis was in attendance and was recognized. Jim had a prior commitment that he was unable to break. Two other directors were re-elected to another three year term, Dan O’Neil (’80) and Spencer Smith (’73). The last item of business was mention of next year’s Reunion date. The primary date will be November 13, 2010, which will be the Oklahoma State game weekend. This date was favored because of the proximity to Veteran’s Day. Most thought it would be great to end this Unit’s 70th year on the football weekend where veterans are honored. The meeting was then adjourned and all were invited to stroll back over to RAS Hall for the BBQ on the loading dock.

Pok-e-Joe’s provided the BBQ and fixins this year, as usual, and it was delicious. This year we had a lot more midshipmen and officer candidates join us than in years past. It had been our custom to invite and pay for the scholarship recipients. The other Battalion members, though, expressed a desire to come even if they had to pay. We were delighted by the expanded Battalion participation and had no problems accommodating the larger crowd, well over 100. Everyone wanted to soak up the ambiance of the day since this may be our last gathering at RAS Hall. Next year the Geography Building, on 24th Street, just down from the Littlefield House, is slated to be the new home for all three ROTC programs. Plans are still being formulated but it did add a bit of a sad note to the occasion. As time got closer to game time, folks started to disperse. Some went to the stadium for the game and others went to the Alumni Center to watch it on their big screen TVs.

The last activity of the weekend was breakfast at Cisco’s on East 6th Street. Several gathered there for “migas” and one last visit before heading home.

See pictures of the scholarship and sword awards on Page 6 and the BBQ at RAS on Page 9.

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Scholarship & Award Recipients

MIDN 1/C Christopher Olander

MIDN 1/C Claudio Alvarado SGT Jacob A. Fernandez

MIDN 3/C Eric Guerra MIDN 2/C Christopher Cardinal

MIDN 1/C Mathew Mayo MIDN 1/C Lee Patterson

MIDN 1/C Austin J. Muffly Well MIDN 2/C Alexander Darst Done! MIDN 3/C Erick Zuber MIDN 3/C Aaron Tallant

MIDN 2/C Jason Tucker

MIDN 1/C Elizabeth M. Page SSGT Jon Hooge SSGT Jason B. Stowers

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Two University of Texas NROTC Distinguished Service Awards Presented to World War II Veterans

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Joe Smith in Austin on September 25, 2009 and to John Wildenthal in Houston on November 6, 2009. Family and friends along with representatives of the Alumni Foundation and the Midshipmans Foundation gathered at the Austin Country Club and the Hampton in Houston to honor two of our special World War II NROTC veterans. Captain James M. Spence and the UT NROTC color guard were in attendance for both ceremonies and added a special touch.

The Distinguished Service award is presented for outstanding service to the United States Navy and Marine Corps, The University of Texas NROTC Battalion, and the Advancement of Military Science education.

Both Smith and Wildenthal have devoted many years to the NROTC unit and its alumni activities including leadership activities and strong financial support. They served their country with honor during World War II and have reached personal achievements that bring credit upon the University of Texas NROTC program as well as the University of Texas. Their continued support has provided an extremely important element to our Alumni Foundation as well as to the Midshipmans Foundation.

Commander Edwin W. Mergele, President of the UT NROTC Alumni Foundation served as emcee for both ceremonies and Captain Max Miller and Rear Admiral J. Weldon Koenig along with the Commanding Officer of the UT NROTC, CAPT Spence, presented the Distinguished Service Pin, Certificate and Unit photo to the recipients.

Born in Nevada, Texas, Joe H. Smith was one of 10 children who grew up on the farm and all attended college. Joe attended the University of Texas and joined the NROTC. The officer shortage in October 1943 was such that the Navy gathered all of the NROTC students and placed them in Andrews Dormitory where they received concentrated officer training. Mr. Smith was commissioned as an Ensign in February 1944. Following commissioning and small boat training, he was assigned to the USS Starr (AKA-67). While serving on Starr, he participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945 followed shortly by the invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945. On April 17, 1945, the USS Starr was attacked by a suicide boat that attempted to ram the ship.

Mr. Smith left the service in June 1946 and returned to the University of Texas. While there he met his wife “Irish” Mary O’Harra who hailed from Illinois. They were married on February 14, 1947. Joe graduated from the University of Texas in May 1947 with a Bachelors of Business Administration.

Following graduation Mr. Smith went to work for Standard Oil Company near Corpus Christi, Texas. In 1970 he formed his own company, Joe H. Smith Company, LTD, Inc. CAPT Spence presents Joe Smith His company distributes ferro alloys to steel mills and foundries. the Battalion Photograph

Last year Joe and Irish celebrated their 62nd Wedding anniversary. Their immediate family includes two sons, Kent and Chris. A daughter was unfortunately a victim of cancer last Thanksgiving. Joe and Irish are both active in many organizations. Irish is an AKC licensed Irish Setter Judge. Joe’s brother, Weldon, was selected as a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Texas.

Born in Cotulla, Texas, John Wildenthal graduated from Cotulla High School as the valedictorian in 1938 at the age of 15. He attended Southwest Texas Teachers College in San Marcos first because the University of Texas would not RADM Koenig presents Joe Smith accept him at that young age. He worked for a couple of years and on December the Distinguished Service Award 6, 1941, John applied to enter the NROTC program the day before Pearl Harbor. John was commissioned in February 1944 and served on the USS McFarland and USS Dyess in the Pacific during World War II. The Dyess was one of twelve destroyers especially equipped as radar pickets for the invasion of the home island of Japan. Looking back, John believes that his life was spared by the dropping of the atomic bomb. Beginning with the 50th anniversary of Hiroshima, John served as founding co-chairman of a group of veterans who conducted a ceremony annually at the Truman Library in appreciation of Truman’s decision to use that weapon. Continued on Page 8

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Distinguished Service Honorees continued from Page 7

After the war, John returned to the University of Texas and graduated from law school in 1950. He went to work in Washington, D. C. as an attorney on the staff of then Senator Lyndon B. Johnson. He later served as an attorney in the office of the General Counsel of the Renegotiation Board while in Washington D. C.

He returned to Cotulla in 1953 to practice law. While in Cotulla, he was selected to represent the Laredo Senatorial District on the State Democratic Executive Committee. In 1958, he was elected County Attorney of LaSalle County. He moved to Austin when Will Wilson appointed him as an Assistant Attorney General. While in Austin, he met and married Carolyn Harris. They moved to Houston in 1961, and in 1963, John was appointed city attorney of Houston by the incoming mayor, Louie Welch. In 1967, he resigned and returned to law practice until being appointed a Municipal Judge. He served under five mayors and retired from the city in 2001 after 25 years as a judge. Judge John Wildenthal and Ed Mergele

Among the many religious and civic organization in which John has participated, he considers the following three as the most important: St. Luke’s Methodist Church where he and Carolyn were recognized with the Distinguished Service Award in 2008; Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority where he served on the Board of Directors for thirty years and held both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman positions; and the Board of Visitors of McDonald Observatory and the Department of Astrology at the University of Texas where he has served since 1977. He is a life member of the organization and has served on the executive committee since 1985. At the University of Texas, he is also a member of the Chancellor’s Council and the Littlefield Society.

John and Carolyn recently celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary. They are the parents of two children and have four grandchildren.

Birthday Ball continued from Page 4 midshipman as well as what it takes to be a good officer. He likened the spirit of today’s all volunteer force to that of the Greeks during the Greco-Persian wars when their navy triumphed over the numerically superior yet mostly slave forces of the Persians.

The traditional cake cutting ceremony by the youngest and oldest Navy and Marine Corps members present saw MIDN 4/C Michael Lowe, the youngest member of the Battalion, cut the cake with a Navy Officer’s sword alongside the Battalion Commander, MIDN 1/C Christopher Olander. The oldest member present, former Marine W. Robert “Bob” Brown, then cut the cake using a Marine Corps Officer’s sword with the Freshman Ascension Ceremony Unit Commanding Officer, Captain James M. Spence. CAPT Spence then presented the guest of honor, Admiral Stavridis, the first slice of the cake, while Mr. Brown sampled and then passed his slice to MIDN Lowe. This action signified the traditional passing of knowledge, experience and duty from the older leadership to the young.

The NROTC program was established to develop midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty and loyalty. The program instills its members with the Navy and Marine Corps core values of honor, courage and commitment in order to commission college graduates as military officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the naval services, and have a potential for future development

Continued on Page 14 MIDN Olander and Lowe cut the Cake while CAPT Spence and Bob Brown observe

8 Volume 14, Issue 4 December 2009 BBQ at RAS Hall Loading Dock

Bean Rag

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Highlights from the Alumni Foundation 9/26/09 Board Meeting

The Alumni Foundation Board meeting on September 26th was short and focused since it was Reunion weekend. The meeting was preceded by an informal dedication of the Howard Lowe Library. A framed certificate stood in for the plaque that will be used next year in the more formal version of this dedication. Ed Mergele, the President, presented the “plaque” to CAPT Mike Spence. The Midshipmen and Officer Candidates who would later that day receive scholarships were present for the presentation. Afterward all mingled and talked over coffee and some delicious breakfast fare provided by the unit. The meeting reviewed the Battalion’s request for $1,500 in assistance for three fall activities (Freshman Orientation, Run to Dallas, and the Navy & Marine Corps Birthday Ball). It was approved unanimously. Bob Brown announced that we had met the Challenge for 2009 from one of our generous donors. We raised at least $50,000 and it will be matched by that donor. This is the second year of this Challenge. We have met it for the last two years and can cash in on three more years if we keep donations up. Max Miller went over the financials for the Midshipmans Foundation (MF) funds. He also announced that Dan O’Neil (our Treasurer) and Spencer Smith (our Secretary) are being recruited to serve on the MF as a director and an advisor, respectively. Fred Moon announced that he had updates for the Directory if anyone needed one. Ed Mergele, the new Editor of the newsletter, announced that the next issue would be in December. Updating the website and better coordinating it with the Unit’s website was discussed. CAPT Spence will check into what restrictions may be imposed, if any. Ed put out dates for board meetings next year for all to consider. The next scheduled board meeting would be November 14, 2009, at which time members should have better input on what dates they prefer. Ed also announced that the DFW Regional Group hosted the first event to be hosted by a regional alumni group. They all had BBQ together and licked stamps to get the last newsletter out to members. Dates for next year’s Reunion were discussed, with November 13th being the most favored because it coincided with Veteran’s Day weekend. Since this begins our 70th year as a NROTC Unit, that might be a good date to celebrate the end of this year. Lastly the board thanked board members Bob Looney and Dennis Olson for their years of service. Both are rotating off the board. The nominating committee proposed two new directors, Luis de la Garza and James Higdon, both from San Antonio. We voted both of them in and welcomed Luis, who was in attendance, to his first board meeting. The meeting adjourned shortly after that and all strolled over to Welch Hall for the General Business meeting.

From Your Historian: UT NROTC ALUMNI FOUNDATION OPERATING FUND As we enter our 70th year as a INCOME AND EXPENSE STATEMENT unit our past experiences need (AS OF 11/14/2009) to be saved so that the future generations know what we did. BEGINNING BALANCE (09/26/09) $ 10,808.10 We need to protect our legacy. INCOME Each class has been unique and Member Checks (Operating Fund FY09) $ 970.00 we need their stories to live on. Member Checks (BBQ) $ 748.00 To make these histories live on Member Checks (Friday Dinner) $ 280.00 we need you to send in your Member Checks (Parking) $ 50.00 stories of unique class events Member Checks (Football) $ 375.00 and copies of pictures with Midshipmans Foundation (Fri Dinner) $ 560.00 names and dates that you may TOTAL INCOME $2,983.00 have. At each NROTC reunion EXPENSES we will display these Distinguished Alumni Award $ 388.00 scrapbooks organized by class. Parking $ 300.00 Send your documents in hard Reunion Beverages $ 379.37 copy or by electronic media. Reunion BBQ $1,044.45 Send to: Jim Brotherton, 5108 Reunion Friday Dinner $2,100.00 Scottish Thistle Drive, Austin, TOTAL EXPENSES $4,211.82 TX 78739 or email CURRENT BALANCE $ 9,579.28 [email protected]. Please CURRENT LIABILITIES do not send large files attached Fall UTNROTC Battalion $1,500.00 to email. Put large files on CD Winter Newsletter (Estimated) $ 600.00 and mail to me. TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 2,100.00 PROJECTED BALANCE $ 7,479.28 10 Volume 14, Issue 4 December 2009

Nostalgia Portal

Fall The Buccaneers 1948 The Start By Pat Morgan (’51)

In the beginning everything was new and different and exciting. We were the NROTC class of ’51 at The University of Texas and the first selected under the Holloway Plan, the new law which provided for regular scholarships and regular commissions, which put us ahead of the Army and Air Force contract students and reserve commissions.

We came from high schools everywhere as well as a few from the Navy and Marine Corps enlisted ranks. It was September 1947 and we all reported to the Commanding Officer of the Navy Unit in the Littlefield Home, a converted old two-story home which had housed a previous President and longtime benefactor of the University. What really gave it a weird look was a saluting gun mounted in the front yard and a Mark 51 range finder mounted on the second floor front balcony.

During the first year it was just the class of ’51 all alone, plus five or six sophomores who had been accepted into the new program and were called class of ’50, but we very seldom saw them anywhere. We attended our classes and learned basic close order drill on drill days, but it was all a learning stage and everything was fairly simple and easy.

Then we finally had a change. The class of ’51 finished its first year and went off to summer training for eight weeks, then came back to greet the class of ’52. Now we had over 100 midshipmen in our Navy battalion, and we all started feeling like we were beginning to grow and get somewhere.

It wasn’t long before we started to pay more attention to the Army and Air Force cadets, and several of us wanted to do something to show that the Navy could do it better, no matter what it was. We had a rifle and pistol team which always got higher scores, but there was a feeling that we could do something more visible and decisive. Before long we got the idea of having a crack drill team which could not only march circles around the Army and Air Force but could also put on exhibitions at parades, sporting events, and wherever. We could wear a distinctive uniform and put on a show that everyone would to see, clearly showing off the Navy!

Trinity

Inspection and Close-order Drill S&B

Forming a volunteer drill team from scratch sounds pretty difficult, but it turned out to be not so hard. The Navy staff gave its approval as long as it was purely voluntary without staff assistance and as long as we performed in a manner to always give credit to the service and never do anything embarrassing or bad. Soon, we put out notices to the classes of ’51 and ’52, announcing meeting and practice times for every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon and taking our chances on how many would show up and how well we could do our thing.

Nobody kept the original rosters, but the count from the first meeting on was around 35-40 and we made a good looking platoon of three squads. Even at the first meeting we were doing first squad to the rear march, etc., and a fancy manual of arms with snap, crackle, and pop. Shortly thereafter we discussed our uniform to wear at different times and places and what would be our name and, again, it all came easy. We voted on calling ourselves Buccaneers and the name stuck. That first year, fall of ’48 and spring of ’49, we had perhaps four or five opportunities to appear in parades and sporting events, and we were all so proud of what we had done. Continued on Page 13

11 Volume 14, Issue 4 December 2009

CO’s SITREP

Your Naval ROTC Battalion is just about complete with a remarkable Fall semester. It started in August with the induction of 28 freshmen into the Battalion. They completed 5 days of orientation and training prior to the start of university classes that prepared them for taking the Oath and got them off to a running start. In early October, the Battalion supported a very successful UT NROTC Alumni Reunion. Later that month, they completed a logistically and physically challenging Run-to-Dallas in support of the Texas-Oklahoma football game.

As part of the Run-to-Dallas effort, a new era of cooperation began with the Rise School of Austin. The midshipmen dedicated over 200 hours of community service over the remainder of the academic year to this school for developmentally challenged pre-schoolers. The fulfillment of that community service promise began with visits to the classrooms, meeting with an incredibly talented and dedicated Rise School faculty, and logistical support for the Fall luncheon for parents and donors. The Midshipmen hope to assist in the classroom as well as support upcoming Rise School fund raising events.

The Battalion finished its extraordinary run of meaningful events by hosting Admiral James Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe as the guest speaker at the 2009 Navy and Marine Corps Birthday Ball. In addition to imparting his leadership philosophies at the Birthday Celebration, Admiral Stavridis spoke directly to the Battalion about the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and lectured a combined audience of graduate students and faculty from the LBJ School and ROTC midshipmen and cadets on the future of NATO. He completed his weekend in Austin as an honorary Football Team Captain and participated in the coin toss before UT’s victory over the University of Central Florida.

None of these events would have been successful without the hard work and leadership of the Battalion staff headed by Battalion Commander Midshipman Christopher Olander and Executive Officer Karin Pooser. Their efforts in controlling this very condensed schedule of major events, leading and advising individual event coordinators, and inspiring the rest of the Battalion were outstanding. This demanding experience in practical leadership and management will serve them well as they advance past Commissioning and into the Fleet.

As for the remainder of the Fall semester, the Thanksgiving holiday marks the beginning of the end of the academic calendar with exams taking place the middle of December. A lengthy winter break will hopefully be marked with a Longhorn football victory in the BCS title game in Pasadena. The Spring semester will include competitions for the Buccaneer Platoon Drill and Pistol Teams at Tulane and the University of Colorado. Naval Junior ROTC units will come to Austin for our Spring Roundup competitions in coincidence with the Explore UT university open-house in early March. Field training exercises and Marine Corps Officer Candidate School preparations will be major items on the Leatherneck Platoon schedule. The Battalion’s participation in community service will include participation and support for the Zimmerman Challenge, a military style physical fitness and endurance event in Austin held by the family of a fallen Marine killed in Iraq.

You can be very proud of the efforts of all Battalion midshipman and officer candidates as they managed a very demanding ROTC schedule with their academic and personal lives. I want to pass on a special thank you to all Alumni and Midshipman Foundation members and donors who help make these worthwhile leadership training events happen and support the midshipmen directly with scholarships. Attention Class of '70 - Reunion 2010!!!

November 13, 2010 will be our next reunion and after 40 years it would be terrific to see our entire class there to get reacquainted, tell some sea stories, and make new friends from old friends.

We would like our reunion to be the best-attended, most enjoyable reunion to date and to accomplish that we need to know your thoughts and preferences. As a baseline Bruce Byron, Chip Biesemeier and Fred Moon have volunteered to help put this lash-up together and so far we have come up with some tentative ideas for events and a schedule that we believe will be enjoyable and rewarding. We'll have a Class Reunion hotel with full service - check-in starting Thursday. Continued on Page 15 12 Volume 14, Issue 4 December 2009

Buccaneers continued from Page 11

In the fall of ’49 when we returned from summer training and received permission from the Navy staff to be the first The LinkedIn group us up and running. It’s called platoon of Company B in the Navy Battalion, that really “University of Texas NROTC Alumni”. All are elated us and helped us to work closer together and more encouraged to join. Contact Dan O’Neil, the group often. The initial idea was really working and the Buccaneers manager, by email at [email protected] and get had real pride and success in showing what could be done yourself linked in. with a crack drill team.

Photos by Ed Mergele showing 1971 Team at Scabbard & Blade and Trinity Drill Meets

Scholarship/Award Recipients Thank You for your Support! Excerpts from their thank-you letters to our contributors...

"… Over the past few years, I have struggled with my finances due to school costs and family matters. The scholarship you have given me will surely put me back on track. I sincerely appreciate your kind generosity... I would also like to thank The UT NROTC Alumni Foundation (AF) for being so gracious to the NROTC Unit at The University of Texas. You have provided financial support for not just me, but many of my peers. Your generosity has not gone unnoticed, and your cause is held with the utmost admiration… Thank you!"

"… The scholarship you have provided will certainly ease many of the pressures I face...and thanks to the AF and its contributions to the Battalion, we can focus on more important things like studying and developing the NROTC unit as a whole."

"… Without the support of your two Foundations, the NROTC Unit at The University of Texas wouldn't be able to do half of the things we cherish doing each year. A lot of work goes into being a full time student at UT and a member of NROTC battalion, and as such, your continuous support and generosity is well noted. You have motivated everyone, scholarship and non-scholarship recipients alike, to be better students and midshipmen. Thank you!"

"… I am deeply honored to receive the prestigious Crawford and Hattie Jackson Foundation scholarship award… I am the only one of my four siblings to attend college, and without the NROTC Scholarship I would not be attending UT…This Scholarship will lighten my financial stress and allow me to better focus on my upcoming finals in Aerospace Engineering. I greatly appreciate this and thank you again for the award."

"… Due to the Nursing School curriculum, I was forced to take an extra semester in order to take a new course that would allow me to graduate...Your scholarship helped me pay for that extra semester that would have otherwise been out of pocket… Rest assured that when I am in a position to where I am able to give back to the foundation I will remember the generosity I received and will pass it on to the future Midshipmen."

"… the Aerospace engineering curriculum takes a lot of time…This scholarship will allow me to cut back on some of my work hours and not become so dependent on my part time job... Your generosity to this unit is amazing and I know that all of your donations are being used to help produce outstanding Marine Corps and Naval Officers… Thank you!"

"… it has become difficult for my family and me to pay some of my bills, specifically some of my student loan bills. The scholarship you have provided will certainly ease many of the pressures we face. I have another sister in college and I have been trying to help out my family with whatever I can. I am sure that the members of the Midshipman's Foundation realize how burdensome working and going to school concurrently can be. Please know that you have made my life as a student significantly easier! The scholarship represents a huge relief to the financial weight that I hold. Thank you!"

"… The scholarship money will also help me improve my scholastic standing, because I will be able to focus on my school work instead of worrying about ways to pay my monthly rent. This award represents a huge burden off my shoulders. Thank you!" Continued on Page 14

13 Volume 14, Issue 4 December 2009

“Thank You” Letter excerpts continued from Page 13

"… Having recently moved into my first apartment, I have had difficulty keeping a solid budget with bills and food. The scholarship you have provided will give me stability in the coming months as I continue to adjust to life on my own. The entire UT NROTC unit is very grateful at your continued fundraising and scholarship efforts. I feel honored that you have deemed me worthy of receiving a scholarship. Thank you and God bless!"

"… As my father's job's position becomes shakier in this economic climate, every little bit helps and makes me feel a little bit more secure. I also want to thank you very much for your organizations' donations to battalion events. I know how much your assistance for events such as pistol team and leadership conferences help. Without this support, our Midshipmen would not have as many opportunities as we do today. I thank you and your organization."

"… I would like to thank you directly, as well as the UT NROTC Alumni Foundation, for the $1,000 Scholarship. It is difficult to express my gratitude in words alone. Although the Montgomery G.I. Bill pays for my tuition, it does not cover the cost of books. Thank you and God bless!"

"… thank you and the UT NROTC Alumni Foundation for the Kenneth J. and Marjorie A. Moore $1000 scholarship. I hope to be accepted into Naval and eventually become a submariner. Recently, my father lost his job. Thus, trying to make ends meet financially keeps becoming harder and harder. Despite the Navy picking up the cost of tuition; the costs of housing, food, gas, and bills continues to pile on extra debt on me and my family. By receiving this award, I can concentrate more on academics and professional development instead of worrying about how I'm going to pay for my next meal. Thank You!"

"… I have two brothers, one in college right now and another in his senior year of high school about to go to college. My brother's Marine Corp ROTC Scholarship was taken away for a heart condition and my parents have now had to take on the financial burden of helping to pay for his education as well as preparing to pay for my younger brother's education. Any financial assistance that I can give to my family is a great help. This is a unique strain on both my parents and me that your support has helped to greatly ease. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity."

"… I would like to thank you, the Midshipman's and UT NROTC Alumni Foundations for the $1,000 NROTC Alumni Foundation Scholarship. With this extra money, I will now be able to work a smaller amount of hours during the week and be able to focus on study, homework, PT, and training, while still being able to pay all of the bills such as rent, gas, food, and insurance. I would like to just thank you so much!"

"… I would like to thank you, the UT NROTC Alumni and Midshipman's Foundations, for the Marine Corps Officer Sword. Your generosity has not gone unnoticed, and all of us Midshipmen, MECEP, and Officer Candidates at the unit appreciate your fund raising efforts. I thank you and applaud your organization. Thank you!"

Birthday Ball continued from Page 8 in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government. The University of Texas NROTC Unit consists of students from both the University of Texas at Austin and Huston-Tillotson University.

Admiral James G. Stavridis addresses the gathering Admiral Stavridis thanks Battalion Commander Christopher Olander 14 Volume 14, Issue 4 December 2009

In Memoriam RADM Robert Marion Moore, USN(SC)

RADM Robert Marion Moore, age 70, passed away October 4, 2009 at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia. Born July 10, 1939 in San Antonio, Texas, he was the son of the late Marion Moore and Azalee Patrick Moore of San Antonio. Admiral Moore earned a Bachelors Degree in Journalism (with high distinction) from the University of Texas and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Harvard University where he was named a George F. Baker Scholar. In 1961, he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Supply Corps where he served with distinction from 1961-1996. During his career he served as Supply Officer on board USS HYMAN (DD 732) and USS HOLLAND (AS 32) and qualified in submarines. In May 1993, he became the 38th Chief of Supply Corps in which he served until his retirement from active duty in May 1996. During his long and distinguished naval career that spanned more than 35 years, Admiral Moore was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (six awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), and various other campaign and unit awards. Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1996, he continued to mentor young officers and was an active participant in the Navy Supply Corps community. He served as a Member of the Board of Directors on the Navy Supply Corps Foundation and as a member or officer in several other organizations. Most recently, Admiral Moore was selected by his shipmates as the 2009 recipient of the Navy Supply Corps Lifetime Achievement Award for his continued support for the Supply Corps Community. He will long be remembered for the exceptional professional and military guidance he unselfishly shared, and his gift of making a friend of everyone he encountered. He is survived by his brother, Pat Moore of Houston, Texas, his sister Janice Travis and niece, Laura of Evergreen, Colorado.

Class of ’70 Plans continued from Page 12

We thought that Thursday evening we would have an informal and very casual get together at the hotel in our hospitality room. People would come and go as they pleased and could use that as an initial base of operations. Friday morning we talked about a hike along the Barton Creek Greenbelt. This would burn some calories and give those who are interested an opportunity to see more of Austin. The hikers could return to the hotel afterwards or grab some chow at a local restaurant such as Chuy's. Those not opting for the hike could enjoy the character of the many shops and grab lunch at one of the eating establishments along South Congress. Friday afternoon would be a great time for all of us to join up and visit the Bob Bullock Texas State Museum. For those of you who have not yet been there the museum is both fascinating and entertaining. After the museum tour nothing beats Friday evening at the general hoo-rah at Schotz's Beer Garden (better yet it is within walking distance of the museum). This will be where folks from all classes will congregate and fill up on old stories, beer and burgers. It is a fun time and a terrific opportunity to re-live some of our college years. Saturday is fairly standard with the Reunion Business meeting in the morning, the football game, and the reunion BBQ.

We know there is a lot of time between now and next October but it gives us all a chance to think, plan and prepare. We ask that you give us your ideas-if you like what we have planned, let us know. If you have an idea that would make the reunion more enjoyable, let us know. If you just want to say “hi!” we would love to hear from you. Contact Fred Moon at [email protected], Bruce Byron at [email protected], and Chip Biesemeier at [email protected]. WWII Alumni Reunion 2010!!!

WWII Alumni - Pass along what you'd like to do at this coming year’s WWII Alumni Reunion to be held Thursday through Saturday, November 11-13, 2010. Ivan and Aloma Elmer are a bit busy right now so please, pass on your thoughts to Ivan's able assistant, Fred Moon at [email protected] or 817-681-1471. The Challenge for 2010

The year 2009 was a high water mark for the Midshipmans Foundation endowment fund. Approximately $120,000.00 was added to the fund, a record amount. Of that amount, $50,000.00 came from a loyal Alumnus. The balance was contributed by other dedicated members of the UT NROTC Alumni. The fund now stands at approximately $825,000.00, closing in on our goal of a one million dollar endowment fund to carry on our scholarship activities. Now we embark on the challenge for 2010. We have a commitment from one of our Alumni to again contribute $50,000.00 if that amount is Continued on Page 16 15

UT NROTC ALUMNI FOUNDATION P.O. Box 143562 Austin, TX 78714-3562

Forwarding Service Requested

In This Issue: Happy Birthday Navy and Marine Corps ...... 1 Reunion 2009 Highlights...... 1 President’s Corner ...... 3 Highlights of the UT NROTC Alumni Foundation Board Meeting on 11-14-2009 ...... 3 Vice President’s Corner...... 4 Navy & Marine Corps Birthday Ball...... 4 Photos of Scholarship & Award Recipients ...... 6 Distinguished Service Awards presented to WWII Veterans ...... 7 Photos of BBQ at RAS ...... 9 Highlights of the UT NROTC Alumni Foundation Board Meeting on 9-26-2009 ...... 10 Message from Your Foundation Historian ...... 10 Alumni Foundation Operating Fund Expense and Income Statement...... 10 Nostalgia Portal: The Buccaneers – The Start ...... 11 CO’s SITREP...... 12 Class of 1970 Plans for Next Reunion...... 12 Scholarship & Award Recipient “Thank You” letter excerpts ...... 13 LinkedIn Info...... 13 Memorial...... 15 WWII Alumni Plans for Next Reunion ...... 15 The Challenge for 2010 ...... 15

Challenge 2010 continued from Page 15 matched by other contributions by December 1, 2010. Your help is needed if we are to meet this challenge. Please consider a contribution to the Midshipmans Foundation for 2010. Join your fellow Alumni to help reach our goal. Your gift is tax deductible. Email our Treasurer, Bob Gartner, [email protected], and tell him what amount you are able to pledge. All amounts, large or small, are equally important. -Bob Brown, Chairman, Gifts Committee 16