Given the fact that George Edmonston Jr., the editor of E-clips and the Oregon Stater, will soon be retiring, he will close out his involvement with E-clips by sharing a list of the 20 historical events he considers to be the most important in school history. He'll cover one event each week.

#13 "West Point of the West"

The exact origin of Oregon State's nickname "West Point of the West" isn't known, but it has been around since early in the 20th century and used in various ways to pay tribute to both the history of military instruction at OSU and to the men and women who have left its ranks to defend the nation in peacetime and in war.

Required of all schools receiving land grants under the auspices of the Morrill Act of 1862, preparations for military training at OSU began in 1868, the same year the university known then as Corvallis College was awarded the state's land-grant designation by the legislature. Right away, college president William Finley appointed three local citizens to a board of commissioners and authorized them to "improvise a course of study in military training." Acting on their recommendations, Finley announced: "As soon as arms and accoutrements are received from the governor, means will be taken to carry out the provisions of the Act of Congress in relation to military instruction and discipline."

Such "instruction" began in 1872 with the appointment of B. D. Boswell, an army captain, to lead the new program. Thus OSU became the first institution of higher learning in the Pacific Northwest to offer what would later be known as ROTC, Reserve Officer Training Corps. OSU may have been the first school in the country outside the service academies to offer military training under the guidance of an officer on active duty.

For both major world wars of the last century, OSU transformed itself into a giant cantonment, a temporary military training camp geared for war. Open spaces became parade ground. From 1917-1918, blacksmiths, radio operators, tool makers, foundrymen, machinists, and auto mechanics were most needed by the military and OSU responded to the demand. During World War II, foreign languages and meteorology, among the many military subjects offered, were crucial.

OAC became like a giant Army cantonment during World War I. Uniforms were everywhere.

Since the Philippine Insurrection of 1899-1902, OSU students, alumni and faculty have participated in every war and armed conflict involving America's military, up to and including the current war in Iraq. On the list are two Medal of Honor awardees...Ed Allworth for World War I and John Noble Holcomb in Vietnam...and hundreds of others who have distinguished themselves in service to the nation.

Most interesting are the stories of Oregon Staters who participated in some of America's most important military moments. Here are a few examples:

OSU engineering students "Dug" Pine, C. E. Johnson, C. L. Johnson, G. T. Beven, Harry J. Cole, James Clarke, and Walter Lankenau, all of whom were aboard the S.S. Tuscania headed for the front when she became the first American ship carrying American troops to be sunk during World War I.

Ulysses Grant McAlexander, an army general and former OSU ROTC commandant of cadets who achieved immortality during World War I as the "Rock of the Marne."

Leland Clinton, who lost his life aboard the USS Indianapolis in what may be World War II's most horrific story of survival at sea.

Ralph Waldo Eldon, recipient of the Navy Cross for saving the lives of more than 150 sailors aboard the sinking USS Hammann at the Battle of Midway. The destroyer USS Eldon was named after him.

Enid Clifford Fisher, a brilliant World War II pilot. She ferried P-51 fighters from assembly plants to military airfields, where they could then be flown overseas.

Arnold J. Funk, chief of staff of the Luzon Force in the Philippines and a survivor of the Bataan Death March.

John Hampshire, a combat pilot in the Far East during World War II who became one of the 14th Air Force's most distinguished flyers. In his biography, Way of a Fighter, commanding general Claire Chennault called John "the most brilliant fighter pilot ever to fly in China."

Everett W. Holstrom , the pilot of "Plane No. 4" on the Doolittle Raid.

Former Oregon Governor Douglas McKay, OSU Class of 1917, who saw action as an infantry officer in World War I, which nearly cost him his life in the Meuse-Argonne in Oct. 1918, and who served in the state's highest office with a 66 percent disability.

Elizabeth Mercer , a top assistant to the admiral of Western Sea Frontiers in San Francisco during World War II.

Grant Teats, a pilot with Squadron 8 at Midway who lost his life in one of the most inspiring tales of gallantry from World War II.