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Military Training

[Field training with WWI equipment]

Fix Bayonets!

[Cadet Roster 1944-1945]

Cadet Roster

[Top brass pose for picture]

Major Cassidy, second from right

     The military training at St. Edward’s Military Academy somewhat mirrored how America developed its fighting forces during WWII. Alongside their counterparts in the Texas State Guard, the Cadets started with old surplus equipment from World War I and slowly transformed into a capable military unit that used modern equipment and innovative training techniques to prepare the young Cadets for potential combat overseas.[10] Also similar to the regular armed forces, the Cadets at St. Edward’s Military Academy arrived on campus from diverse backgrounds with many coming from different hometowns and locations around the U.S. and even Mexico.[11]

     Led by an experienced officer, Major Joseph E. Cassidy, the cadets at St. Edward’s Military Academy comprised a Training and Research Company of the Texas State Guard. In order to form these young men into a disciplined, cohesive unit, the cadets were assembled and instructed in close and extended drill maneuvers most days of the week, with inspections of uniforms and grounds supplementing the days off.[12] Aside from drill, the Cadets were put under a physical training regimen that spanned the gamut of calisthenics, hand-to-hand fighting and bayonet training. The cadets were also instructed on basic first-aid, the operation of various weapons and tactics.

[Cadets on the firing line]

Cadets on the firing line

[Cadets pose with machine guns]

Cadets pose with machine gun

     The Cadets participated in field training maneuvers, where they were expected to demonstrate their accumulated knowledge learned in their Military Science course over the semester. These training exercises included advanced guard actions, rear guard actions and reconnaissance patrols.[13] Marksmanship was also emphasized. St. Edward's cadets were trained on .22 caliber small bore rifles in both outdoor and indoor ranges, with the best shooters representing the the academy in inter-school competitions.[14] Near the end of the spring semester in 1945 a select platoon of the ‘Training and Research Unit’ were transported to Camp Mabry and instructed on the operation of a crew-served, Browning .30 caliber water-cooled machine gun by Major Cassidy.[15]

     The culmination of this training occurred on Tuesday, March 20, 1945 where the cadets at St. Edward’s Military Academy competed against 10 other schools for the title of ‘Honor School’. During this inspection by General Knickerbocker, Major Cassidy’s creative use of “several trucks and an armored car, simulating tanks”, alongside “an actual smoke screen, with a touch of tear gas” was implemented to impress the General and his staff during the field maneuver portion of the inspection.[16] This helped the Cadets secure the title of ‘Honor School’ that year.

     Led competently by Major Cassidy, the Cadets at St. Edward’s Military Academy progressed in a similar way as the armed forces of the United States. The Cadets were trained in modern warfare often adapting to any shortcomings of equipment by creatively using what they had on hand at the time. This culminated not in the killing of the enemy but demonstrating to their command that they were fit to serve if the need arose.

[Staking Out Blunn Creek]

Cadets during field maneuvers