1. Purdue Army ROTC History of Purdue and ROTC
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2. Morrill Act Purdue ROTC History
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
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3. Purdue University Purdue ROTC History
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
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4. Military Training Purdue ROTC History
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
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5. Military Training Purdue ROTC History
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
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6. Military Training Purdue ROTC History
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
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7. ROTC Purdue ROTC History
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
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8. ROTC Purdue ROTC History
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
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9. ROTC Purdue ROTC History
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
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10. ROTC Purdue ROTC History
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
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11. ROTC Purdue ROTC History
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
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12. ROTC Purdue ROTC History
The Ranger Company was formed in 1965 to expand cadets’ knowledge in infantry tactics
Until the school year, ROTC was mandatory for 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
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13. ROTC Purdue ROTC History
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
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14. Boiler Heroes Purdue ROTC History
One of the first Chiefs of Staff of the Army, MG Leslie McNair served as the PMS from
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
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15. 2LT Harry J. Michael Purdue ROTC History
Commissioned in December 1944 and sent to Europe as an infantry platoon leader
From 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
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