Envisioned by Al Rushatz
An All American in both Football & Wrestling
Our Class Gift. The 14,900 Square Foot Fitness Center for the Corps of Cadets.
Frank Reasoner’s Medal Of Honor Citation and Photo are on the wall.
Paul Steucker’s Painting of General Mac Arthur’s Address hangs in the room,
along with over 350 Can Do Class Mate signatures below the Painting.
Frank Reasoner was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on 12 July 1965; when he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire, being mortally wounded going to the aid of a down Marine. The US Navy Frigate USS Reasoner was named in his honor.
Ron Zinn was the first cadet to be selected to a USA Olympic team; competing in race-walking at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics. The Academy honored Ron with a Brigade Parade. He placed 6th in the 1964 20K race. Ron was killed in Vietnam, 7 July 1965.
Officer Representative / Dave Harkins
Mack Howard, USAR LTC, Ret. received the Silver Star and Purple Heart; was appointed for life as US District Judge for Eastern North Carolina and has served on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Marsh Carter, Colonel, USMCR Ret. was severely wounded, received the Navy Cross; became CEO of State Street Bank and Trust and upon retirement became Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange.
“Establishing The Brotherhood” by Bill Kosco and Mike Schredl provides the account of the 1961- 1962 Creation of Rugby.
Jim Kimsey served three Combat Tours, co-founded AOL, served on numerous boards including The National Symphony Orchestra.
We had 20 Classmates achieve General Officers, Rank, with another six General Officers in the Reserve and National Guard.
“General Downing, as Commander of the 26,000 member Special Operations Command, helped create the world’s best special forces ever. Wayne created chaos for the enemy” (By D. Reimer) Wayne was a Presidential Advisor and was the first Distinguished Chair of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. The Wayne Downing Scholars Program offers Army officers a fully funded Graduate Education at top-tier Universities around the globe.
We raised $100,000 among ourselves when we were least wealthy and distributed it to the widows of our fallen classmates to help with the education of their children.
When Jim Ellis escorted General of the Army Omar Bradley (The Soldiers General) at Fort Ord in 1976, Jim asked the General for his thoughts on female cadets attending West Point. General Bradley said, “Congress passed it, the President signed it, I support it”. The reason for General Bradley’s three day visit at Fort Ord, was he just wanted to talk with soldiers.
Room 405 The Thayer Hotel
Honoring the 1953 – 1954 Corps of Cadets and their Football Team
Frank Reasoner, Dennis Reimer, Wayne Downing, and Jim Kimsey, have Dedicated Rooms while Ron Zinn is included in the Olympic Room
These 2 Plaques are outside the door to room 405 of the Thayer.
For What They Gave on Saturday Afternoon 