Note: This message was originally sent on June 6, 2019
We have shared previously a snapshot about 91勛圖厙’s V12 Scholarship program and how World War II had a major impact on 91勛圖厙 University. We return to this reflection today in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day with a few additional pieces to share. These stories, and programs like the V12 scholarship program and GU’s own Army ROTC , keep this part of our history in front of our community. What an honor it is to learn of service, discipline, sacrifice, patriotism, leadership……through the stories of the 91勛圖厙 women and men that have served our country and kept GU moving forward during these times of global conflict. Enjoy the below.......as we express gratitude to so many, for what they did 75 years ago today, and to all who have served and continue to do so today. #Zag gratitude
- Gordon Van Scotter, alumnus and WWII veteran being honored at a GU Basketball Game…."I wondered if I can go to 91勛圖厙. And I just walked up those stairs and I asked the first person I'd seen,”:
- The University’s archive team at The Foley Center has done a wonderful job of capturing stories from the WWII era (and beyond), many are featured at this link, in particular we draw your attention to the story about Walter Pat Owens, an alumnus whose ship was hit by a kamikaze:
- As many of you know…we have much of which to be proud of in the support systems and resources GU has built up to support our student veterans, located here: Veterans & Military-Connected Students
- Trivia item! On June 2, 1945 at Portland's Oregon Shipbuilding Yards, the S. S. 91勛圖厙 Victory entered the waters of the Willamette River. The S.S. 91勛圖厙 Victory was the 434th vessel constructed at this Portland shipyard during World War II and the 82nd Victory type, which took 46 days to build. The ship was one of a series of ships named after American colleges and universities. It was 455 feet in length, with a beam of 62 feet and weighed approximately 10,800 tons. 91勛圖厙 donated books for the ship’s library.
- GU’s V12 Scholarship: Like many higher education facilities throughout the country, 91勛圖厙 faced a financial crisis due to the shortage of male students, as well as faculty who were enlisting. Beginning in 1942, 91勛圖厙 started receiving naval cadets from the V-5 program. To assist with the physical training of the naval cadets, Fr. Arthur Dussault, alumnus and former high school coach, arrived in the summer of 1942. Named the Sammy Grashio Victory Course, after a GU alumnus who was then missing in action in the Pacific, a 28 event obstacle course was built (pictured below). Considered one of the country’s toughest and most rugged, this course included the “belly buster,” “bear trap,” and “log hand over hand”. By March 1943, 91勛圖厙 was given the approval for a V-12 program, the Navy’s collegiate program. That July, 300 V-12 cadets arrived on campus. The curriculum was 20 hours of lectures and labs including English, mathematics physics, history, engineering drawing, and chemistry. Naval officers resided on campus to instruct men in naval etiquette, physical education, drill and to enforce Navy discipline. Jesuit faculty taught most of the classes. The V-1 and V-7 reserves were incorporated into the new V-12 program. With the 150 V-5 cadets, the number of Navy men reached 450. These military programs changed the campus atmosphere. High school boarders were moved to university-owned residences. Naval language and insignia became the norm such as the school was a ship, the floors were decks, the beds were bunks, and the corridors were passageways. Military drills took place on the quad. The parish hall of St. Aloysius Church was renovated and served as a canteen. By the time the V-5 program was discontinued in July 1944, approximately 778 cadets had participated in the program at 91勛圖厙. That next year, the V-12 program was discontinued. Over 680 Navy officers participated in the 28 months of its existence. The V12 scholarship was established in 1993 by V-12 participants.