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West Point Stadium
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563877824
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West Point Stadium
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02328-002
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Records of the White House Office of the Chief of Staff to the President (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Andrew Card's Chronological Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
2025-0373-S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Chief of Staff, White House Office of
Series:
Card, Andrew, Files
Subseries:
Chron File
OA/ID Number:
02328
Folder ID Number:
02328-002
Folder Title:
West Point Stadium
Stack:
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Section:
Shelf:
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G
15
22
3
stiff
-
this General stoffed
Previous carresp
sent to see army
Document Originally
Attached to
Following Page
0908
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date:
1-19-90
FOR: Gen. Scoweroft
FROM:
ANDY CARD CARDARDY
Action
Your Comment
Let's Talk
FYI guidance
not
President Jimy This of
is a
the Decision
AC HAS SEEN 1/19
GLC
Great Lakes Carbon
Corporation
Office of the President
January 17, 1990
Dear Andy:
I would appreciate your personal attention to
this letter so that the President will see it.
Col. Earl "Red" Blaik seems to be victimized
by a small group of graduates who are not
conducting themselves in an admirable way.
Thanks for your help and your patience.
Sincerely
Harry Harry N. Walters
Mr. Andy Card
Assistant to the President
Deputy to Chief of Staff
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Andy,
Per Florence, she would like to close this
out with your note. Cheney has with-
drawn his memo
The entire question has been turned
over into the hands of the Department
of the Army.
3/7 155p of
Document Originally
Attached to
Following Page
THE WHITE HOUSE
1-19-90
Dear Harry-
Red Blaik. I will make sure that
Thank you Pa your not regarding
the President sees your letter and
the copy of earlier correspondence.
Please keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Andy Card
Andy Card
THE WRITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Mr. Harry N. Watters
President
Great hakes Carbon Corporation
320 Old Brian diff Road
Briancliff Manor, NY 10510
GLC
Great Lakes Carbon
320 Old Briarcliff Road. Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
Corporation
Telex 82867 GLC UF
914-941-7800
January 16, 1990
The President
The White House
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. President:
An important matter has come to my attention that prompts
this letter to you. On July 3, 1989 the President of the
Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy,
Mr. Denis Mullane, wrote to you about the renaming of the
football stadium at West Point. A copy of that letter is
attached.
In an effort to set the record straight and to ensure that
you, your staff, the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the
Army have accurate information in regard to the proper
memorialization for Col. Earl H. "Red" Blaik at West Point, I am
compelled to correct the July 3 letter.
The first paragraph of the letter leads you to believe that
only a group of West Point graduates who played football for Col.
Blaik approached you in the hope of renaming the football stadium
at West Point. In fact, Mr. President, graduates and
non-graduates alike, including President Nixon and President
Ford, have written in favor of renaming the stadium.
The second paragraph states that Mr. Mullane is speaking for
34,000 living graduates. This is clearly not the case.
The third paragraph erroneously states that the "purpose of
this letter is to inform you that the Association of Graduates is
strongly and unalterably opposed to renaming Michie Stadium".
The AOG had taken no such position on this matter nor had
this issue even been discussed as an agenda item for resolution
by the Board of Trustees. Col. (Ret) Bob Lamb, Executive Vice
President of the AOG, has searched the records of the AOG and has
informed me that no such position had been taken.
- 2 -
It should be noted that the West Point Society of
Philadelphia has polled its membership and the results favor the
renaming of the stadium to Michie-Blaik Stadium. The Board of
Governors of the West Point Society of New York has also resolved
to poll its membership on this issue and the results should be
available in February.
Thank you for your continuing interest in the memory of the
legendary Earl "Red" Blaik.
Respectfully,
Harry Harry N. Walters n.Waetel
HNW: bv
CC: The Honorable Richard Cheney
Secretary of Defense
The Honorable Michael P. W. Stone
Secretary of the Army
General Carl E. Vuono
Chief of Staff
United States Army
Mr. Denis F. Mullane
12/15/09
11.07
--- and COOD
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
WEST POINT NEW YORK 10996
3 July 1989
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I understand that a group of West Point graduates who played football under
Coach Earl H. Blaik have approached you in the hope of obtaining your approval
of renaming the football stadium at West Point in honor of Colonel Blaik.
As President of the Association of Graduates of the United States Military
Academy, West Point's alumni association, I speak for more than 34,000 living
graduates, ranging from our most senior military and civilian leaders to the
young Americans of the Class of 1989 who have just joined our active Army.
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the Association of
Graduates is strongly and unalterably opposed to renaming Michie Stadium.
Michie Stadium was built and dedicated in 1924. For all of those 65 years
it has borne the name of the man who introduced football to West Point and who
was killed in action at San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American Wac -- Dennis
Mahan Michie, thus symbolizing that essential relationship between service to
the nation and the football program.
Dennis Michie was born in 1870 and entered the Military Academy in 1888.
As a junior in 1890, he persuaded the authorities at West Point to permit him
to organize a football team and accept Navy's long-standing challenge. At that
time, there were no intercollegiate sports at West Point, but Navy had been
playing football since 1879. Navy won the first game over the Army team
organized, coached, trained, and captained by Cadet Michie. The following
year, as a senior, Michie led his Army team to a 32-16 upset of Navy at
Annapolis, and scored a touchdown himself.
Six years after his graduation in 1892, First Lieutenant Michie died a
hero's death in the charge up San Juan Hill. He is buried at West Point, and
his legacy is the stadium that bears his name. His courage, leadership, and
boundless enthusiasm live on in every Army team that takes the field in Michie
Stadium.
RCV BY:PFIZER CSP
;12-15-89 11:52AM ;
9144466988-
2125734599;# 4
12/15/89 11:58
9144466988
F
004
)
To rename Michie stadium for anyone else would be contrary to West Point's
tradition of service and a dishonor to the individual who was not only founder
of Army football, but also, and importantly, a West Point graduate whose
example as a soldier and officer provides every cadet in the Corps with a
superb role model for future service to the nation.
On behalf of every West Point graduate with & sense of history and
tradition, I urge you to disapprove changing the name of our historic stadium.
Sincerely,
Denis Hullane
DENIS P. MULLANE
President
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PRINTED U.S.A. WCSE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date:
1-19-90
FOR: Gen. Scoweroft
FROM:
ANDY CARD ARDARDY
Action
Your Comment
Let's Talk
Cand EYI
guidance
THE WHITE HOUSE
1-19-90
Dear Harry-
Red Blaik. I will make sure that
Thank you Pa your not regarding
the President sees your letter and
the copy of earlier correspondence.
Please keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Andy Card
Andy Card
THE WRITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Mr. Harry N. Watters
President
Greathakes Carbon Corporation
320 Old Briancliff Road
Briancliff Manor, NY 10510
AC HAS SEEN 1/19
GLC
Great Lakes Carbon
Corporation
320 Old Briarcliff Road. Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
Telex 82867 GLC UF
914-941-7800
Office of the President
January 17, 1990
Dear Andy:
I would appreciate your personal attention to
ary 16, 1990
this letter so that the President will see it.
Col. Earl "Red" Blaik seems to be victimized
by a small group of graduates who are not
conducting themselves in an admirable way.
Thanks for your help and your patience.
Sincerely
Harry Harry N. Walters
tion that prompts
ident of the
Military Academy,
aming of the
Mr. Andy Card
at letter is
Assistant to the President
Deputy to Chief of Staff
The White House
and to ensure that
Washington, D.C. 20500
Secretary of the
he proper
at West Point, I am
you to believe that
ed football for Col.
the football stadium
ates and
n and President
tadium.
lane is speaking for
the case.
hat the "purpose of
Association of Graduates is
strongly and unalterably opposed to renaming Michie Stadium".
The AOG had taken no such position on this matter nor had
this issue even been discussed as an agenda item for resolution
by the Board of Trustees. Col. (Ret) Bob Lamb, Executive Vice
President of the AOG, has searched the records of the AOG and has
informed me that no such position had been taken.
Great Lakes Carbon
320 Old Briarcliff Road. Briarcliff Manor. NY 10510
GLC
Corporation
Telex 82867 GLC UF
914-941-7800
January 16, 1990
The President
The White House
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. President:
An important matter has come to my attention that prompts
this letter to you. On July 3, 1989 the President of the
Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy,
Mr. Denis Mullane, wrote to you about the renaming of the
football stadium at West Point. A copy of that letter is
attached.
In an effort to set the record straight and to ensure that
you, your staff, the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the
Army have accurate information in regard to the proper
memorialization for Col. Earl H. "Red" Blaik at West Point, I am
compelled to correct the July 3 letter.
The first paragraph of the letter leads you to believe that
only a group of West Point graduates who played football for Col.
Blaik approached you in the hope of renaming the football stadium
at West Point. In fact, Mr. President, graduates and
non-graduates alike, including President Nixon and President
Ford, have written in favor of renaming the stadium.
The second paragraph states that Mr. Mullane is speaking for
34,000 living graduates. This is clearly not the case.
The third paragraph erroneously states that the "purpose of
this letter is to inform you that the Association of Graduates is
strongly and unalterably opposed to renaming Michie Stadium".
The AOG had taken no such position on this matter nor had
this issue even been discussed as an agenda item for resolution
by the Board of Trustees. Col. (Ret) Bob Lamb, Executive Vice
President of the AOG, has searched the records of the AOG and has
informed me that no such position had been taken.
- 2 -
It should be noted that the West Point Society of
Philadelphia has polled its membership and the results favor the
renaming of the stadium to Michie-Blaik Stadium. The Board of
Governors of the West Point Society of New York has also resolved
to poll its membership on this issue and the results should be
available in February.
Thank you for your continuing interest in the memory of the
legendary Earl "Red" Blaik.
Respectfully,
Harry n.Waetel
HNW: bv
Harry N. Walters
CC: The Honorable Richard Cheney
Secretary of Defense
The Honorable Michael P. W. Stone
Secretary of the Army
General Carl E. Vuono
Chief of Staff
United States Army
Mr. Denis F. Mullane
11.07
09144400900
UUS
--- - - nave ......
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
WEST POINT NEW YORK 10996
3 July 1989
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I understand that a group of West Point graduates who played football unde:-
Coach Earl H. Blaik have approached you in the hope of obtaining your approval
of renaming the football stadium at West Point in honor of Colonel Blaik.
As President of the Association of Graduates of the United States Military
Academy, West Point's alumni association, I speak for more than 34,000 living
graduates, ranging from our most senior military and civilian leaders to the
young Americans of the Class of 1989 who have just joined our active Army.
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the Association of
Graduates 18 strongly and unalterably opposed to renaming Michie Stadium.
Michie Stadium was built and dedicated in 1924. For all of those 65 years
it has borne the name of the man who introduced football to West Point and who
was killed in action at San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American Wac -- Dennis
Mahan Michie, thus symbolizing that essential relationship between service to
the nation and the football program.
Dennis Michie was born in 1870 and entered the Military Academy in, 1888.
As a junior in 1890, he persuaded the authorities at West Point to permit him
to organize a football team and accept Navy's long-standing challenge. At that
time, there were no intercollegiate sports at West Point, but Navy had been
playing football since 1879. Navy won the first game over the Army team
organized, coached, trained, and captained by Cadet Michie. The following
year, as a senior, Michie led his Army team to a 32-16 upset of Navy at
Annapolis, and scored a touchdown himself.
Six years after his graduation in 1892, First Lieutenant Michie died a
hero's death in the charge up San Juan Hill. He is buried at West Point, and
his legacy is the stadium that bears his name. His courage, leadership, and
boundless enthusiasm live on in every Army team that takes the field in Michie
Stadium.
BY:PFIZER CSP
;12-15-89 11:52AM :
9144466988-
2125734599;# 4
12/15/89 11:58
'9144466988
F
004
)
To rename Michie stadium for anyone else would be contrary to West Point's
tradition of service and a dishonor to the individual who was not only founder
of Army football, but also, and importantly, a West Point graduate whose
example as a soldier and officer provides every cadet in the Corps with a
superb role model for future service to the nation.
On behalf of every West Point graduate with & sense of history and
tradition, I urge you to disapprove changing the name of our historic stadium.
Sincerely,
Denis Fmullane
DENIS P. MULLANE
President
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 13, 1989
Dear Mr. Blaik:
The President and I have talked about your most
recent correspondence.
Please know that the President has confidence
in the decision-making process that the
Department of the Army is undertaking.
Keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Andrew Andy Land Card, Jr.
and
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Mr. Bob Blaik
Post Office Box 38635
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80937
ID# 086656
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: OCTOBER 31, 1989
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: MR. BOB BLAIK
SUBJECT: ENCLOSES COPY OF HIS LETTER TO SECRETARY OF
THE ARMY, MICHAEL P.W. STONE AND ARMY CHIEF
OF STAFF CARL E. VUONO REGARDING THE MATTER
OF ADDING EARL "RED" BLAIK'S NAME TO THE
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT DATE TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE YY/MM/DD RESP D YY/MM/DD
JAN BURMEISTER
ORG 89/10/31
C 89/11/03
REFERRAL NOTE:
DC
Attn Linda Gambatesn
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
RSA
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/
/
REFERRAL NOTE:
COMMENTS: PERSONAL FRIEND
SEE ID 070282 AND 085035
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENTS:
MEDIA:L INDIVIDUAL CODES:
MI MAIL
USER CODES: (A)
(B)
(C)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION
*A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET
*S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*
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OUTGOING *
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REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75, OEOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
86656
BOB BLAIK
P.O. Box 38635
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO 80937
303-630-8909
October 16, 1989
Dear Mr. President:
pray that you will find time to read the attached
riday,
copy of my letter to Secretary Stone and Army Chief
5 SO
of Staff Vuono. We had a very lengthy meeting last
Friday on the matter of adding Earl 'Red' Blaik's
al
name to the stadium at West Point.
Star
Just received a copy from Presidential Task Force
Point.
of "From George to George" and am enjoying it.
dding Dad's
God bless you and Mrs. Bush and thank you.
Respectfully,
e Blaik
Bos-
, his
Bob Blaik
President George Bush
myself.
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Encls.
P.O. Box 38635
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80937
303-630-8909
October 16, 1989
Dear Secretary Stone and General Vuono:
I am grateful to you both for allowing me the opportunity, last Friday,
to fight for my Father's integrity, principles and honor which has SO
unjustly been challenged.
This unjustice coming via the circulation, of now deceased, General
Arthur S. Collins, Jr. paper of 1982 to certain retired Army Four Star
Generals and others concerning the 1951 Cheating incident at West Point.
Without question, this paper is being used to cloud support for adding Dad's
name to the stadium at West Point.
Your time is so valuable but this matter is most disturbing to the Blaik
Family and the many who believed in Earl 'Red' Blaik - his values, his
inspiration. His legacy cannot be denied.
Again, thank you for seeing General Skip Scott, Harry Walters and myself.
Sincerely,
Bab-
Bob Blaik
CC President George Bush
General Carl E. Vuono, Army Chief of Staff
Honorable Michael P.W. Stone, Secretary of the Army
Department Of The Army
Washington, D.C. 20310
THE WHITE house
WASHINGTON
October 27, 1989
HOLD
10/30
AHC
MEMORANDUM FOR ANDY CARD
FROM:
Linda Gambatesa
SUBJECT:
West Point Stadium
I called Colonel Hamilton for an update on the Stadium.
On October 13, Bob Blaik, accompanied by Harry Walters, met with
the Secretary and Chief of the Army to discuss the renaming of
the Stadium and how to right the reputation of his Father.
(Apparently, in a 1982 paper, Gen. Arthur Collin mentioned
possible involvement by Col. Blaik in the 1982 West Point honor
scandal.)
Secretary Cheney, in a recent meeting with the President, was to
have discussed the situation and had with him all the pertinent
papers. However, this did not happen. The Secretary is now out
of the country until November 10th, and nothing will happen until
he returns.
Attached is another "blue sheet" letter to the President from Bob
Blaik. How should we respond? Or would you rather have someone
else do so?
Attachment
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 21, 1989
TO:
Andy Card
FROM: Linda Gambatesa
RE:
West Point Stadium
Update: Mr. Hamilton did a spreadsheet on everyone's comments.
Mr. Stone is taking the position that he will direct the Superintendent
to name the athletic facility yet to be built after Mr. Red Blaik.
They will not change the name of the stadium.
This decision will be run by Secretary Cheney next week sometime. After
that a formal letter will be sent to the Superintendent and a public
announcement made.
10/4/89
Call from mr. Hamilton:
Proposed letter to POTUS
is in Seay. Cheneys office
for signature. Recommendation
as noted above.
10/17
I called for status report
10/27/89
on
10/13- Met w/Seaf of Army a cos/Army
(accompanied by Harry Walter)
renaining of stadium
secy Cheney was
right repertation it Father/ Sep Arther
supposed to have
paper
discussed In w/POTUS
personal meeting w/POTOS ok 985)
Took papers /him
(did not say anything)
he called Dave Addingth
Cheney nito Fcountry 11/10 tee
Honn Reandal 982 Cal. Blaiks possible
involvement
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
9/7/89
Linda:
Per our conversation, here
is son Bob Blaik's latest
to the President. Response,
interim or final, probably
ought to be Presidential.
Let me know if I can help.
fank.
Attached is one GB response
with handwritten notes.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 30, 1989
Dear George:
Many thanks for your good letter about Colonel Blaik.
He is indeed going to be missed by many, many people.
George, I have heard from several people that there
have been numerous suggestions to rename the stadium
at West Point in his honor. Regardless of the final
decision, I'm sure that neither West Point nor any of
the rest of us will ever forget the many contributions
made by this truly great man.
Barbara joins me in sending our best wishes to you and
Eleanor.
Sincerely,
Red Blaih was
Cy
best my late frund. Father-in-law's Manin Pierce and Real
Mr. George Champion
went bach a long
1211 New York, Avenue New of the York Americas 10036 time. I was in touch
mth Red up til the very end.
5
c.Jan Burmeister
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 12, 1989
NOTE TO ANDY CARD
FROM:
LINDA GAMBATESA
RE:
West Point Stadium
Responses are still coming in to the approximately 80 letters
that were sent out soliciting recommendations. Milton Hamilton
will be compiling/condensing the responses for the Secretary and
anticipates that a decision will be made "hopefully" by the end
of this week or early next week.
The recommendations received thus far fall into these categories:
1. Do it (very few).
2. Don't do anything (very few).
3. Study it more.
4. Do something - tending to favor naming the new Administrative
Director's Office Building after Coach Blaik.
As you know, Secretary Marsh was tasked with this decision by the
White House. Prior to leaving office on August 14th, Secretary
Marsh briefed the new Secretary on the situation and recommended
the Stadium not be renamed. However, the decision is up to the
new Secretary.
AC-- Also attached is the
latest letter, Aug. 31, to
the President from Bobby Blaik.
Should a response wait until
the decision is made by the
SecArmy? Should an interim
go out from you or
Presidential?
LL
695-2442- Milton Hamilton
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
OCTOBER 31, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR GOVERNOR SUNUNU
ANDY CARD
DAVID DEMAREST
JIM WRAY
BK
FROM:
BOBBIE KILBERG
JEFF VOGIAM GTAM
SUBJECT:
"OFFICE OF WHITE HOUSE LIAISON" DIRECT MAIL
FUNDRAISING APPEAL
Here they go again
NRSC
BH6106
Joff
OFFICE OF THE
WHITE HOUSE LIAISON
425 Second Street, N.E.
Washington. D.C. 20002
October 19, 1989
George Bush
President of the
United States
J. Dantorth Quayte
Mr. John Dudley
President of the Sendite
610 W. Ottawa St.
Sen. Don Nickles
Chairman
Lansing, Michigan 48933
Richard Dearnorn
Assistant to the Chairman
Sen. Kit Bond
Dear Mr. Dudley:
Sen. Conrad Burns
Sen. John Danforth
Sen. Alfonse D'Amato
Your name was forwarded to me here in Washington,
Sen. Bob Dole
Sen. Dave Durenberger
D.C. three weeks ago by one of our Field Directors
Sen. Orrin Hatch
familiar with the Lansing area.
Sen. John I leinz
Sen. Jim Jeffords
Sen. Bob Kasten
You were cited as someone very supportive of
Sen. 1 rent Lott
President Bush, and deeply committed to the principles
Sen. Dick Lugar
and goals of the Republican Party.
Sen. Connie Mack
Sen. John McCain
Sen. Bob Packwood
Bocause of your concern about the issues facing
Sen. Arien Specter
Sen Steve 5ymms
America, and your loyalty to the Republican agenda, I've
Sen. Malcolm Wallop
been asked to invite you to participate in a project of
Sen. l'ete Wilson
the utmost importance to our President and the entire
Republican leadership.
The name of this project is the Republican Presi-
dential Citizen's Advisory Commission.
Its goal 1s to help the leadership of the Republican
Party gain a keener understanding of which issues are
of the greatest concern to Americans like you.
If you agree to join us in this project I will ask
you to please open the sealed envelope I've enclosed.
In it you will find five questions asking you
where you stand on some of the most pressing issues
facing America today.
If you accept this invitation I will ask you to
answer these questions and return them to me as quickly
as possible.
As a new Member of this Commission, your views on
these questions will be read and weighed carefully by
the White House and the Republican Senatorial leadership.
But to do us any good, we need your answers back
immediately.
Let me explain why your involvement in this project
is so urgently needed.
It is now clear that the Democrats are using their control
of both houses of Congress to do all they can to completely
immobilize the Bush Presidency.
Their blatantly partisan, bitterly unfair treatment over the
John Tower appointment was just the "first shot" in this campaign.
Masterminded by Ron Brown (the Democratic National
Committee's radical new Ted Kennedy/Jesse Jackson-backed
Chairman), their goal is to ride roughshod over George Bush and
regain every inch of ground they lost during the Reagan years.
The Republican Presidential Citizen's Advisory Commission
is being formed to combat that campaign.
It will be used as a "sounding board" to determine which
issues we should push for, and which we should hold off on.
Learning the views of a "pre-selected" group of citizens
who we know are loyal to the President and our Party will help
us shape our agenda and formulate our own counterstrategy.
Chaired by Senator Don Nickles, we're convinced this Com-
mission will give the Republican Party a critical edge in
combating the Democrats' efforts to paralyze the Bush Presidency.
But it will work only if we move quickly.
And only if people like you are willing to help out.
Before you make your final decision, however, there is one
more issue I must discuss with you: The issue of money.
Naturally this effort must be self-financing. We therefore
must ask each participant to contribute a small donation to help
finance this project, without spending one dime of tax money.
We don't need large donations. But we do need something.
Specifically, we must ask a minimum of $28 per person.
Your $28 contribution will help us pay for vote-tracking,
polling, issue-research, communications programs, survey proces-
sing, member-screening, and the dozens of other details that go
into making a project like this a success.
With that $28 contribution you will become both a member of
the Republican Presidential Citizen's Advisory Commission as well
as a sustaining member of the National Republican Senatorial
Committee (NRSC).
As such, you will receive the full rights, privileges and
- 3 -
benefits of NRSC Membership, including a subscription to our
official "inside Washington" political newsletter, For The
Record.
In addition, your status as an Advisory Commission Member
will entitle you to receive special "Commission Only" questions,
like the ones I sent you today.
As I said, to become a Member and receive these benefits
we need a total donation of at least $28.
But truthfully, I am hoping you'll be able to make an even
larger donation to this effort -- of, say, $50, $100, $250 or
even $500.
With that additional support we will be able to go on and
help recruit, support and elect candidates who reflect your views;
and ultimately win back a Republican majority in the Senate so
that President Bush does not have to stand alone in his struggle
to keep America on the right track.
George Bush was elected with a clear mandate to continue on
the path President Reagan set us on -- to root out wasteful
spending; keep the lid on taxes; and maintain a military force
second to none.
The liberal Democrats are fighting to achieve exactly the
opposite agenda: increasing spending; raising taxes; cutting
back our nation's defenses.
Which path will America take? It depends entirely on which
side wins the struggle going on in Washington right now.
We are inviting you to help us keep America on the right
path. Please get back to me within fourteen days with your
answer.
Richard Sincerely, Namber
Richard Dearborn
Assistant to the Chairman
RD/gam
CC: Senator Don Nickles
THE WHITE HOUSE
Have me Cong. Hammerschride
WASHINGTON
call and Harry Walters,
8/15/89
August 14, 1989
AHC
MEMORANDUM FOR ANDY CARD
FROM:
LINDA GAMBATESA
RE:
West Point Stadium
I called the Secretary of the Army's office to get an update on
the West Point Stadium situation. Mr. Milton Hamilton (695-2442)
is serving as the focal point.
Secretary Marsh wrote the Chairman of the Board of Visitors at
West Point, the Board met last week to address the situation, and
they are apparently canvassing 80 retired four-star Army and Air
Force Generals who graduated from West Point as to a suitable
memorialization. The Secretary's office is asking for
recommendations, not suggestions. It was Mr. Hamilton's opinion
that a suitable memorialization for Coach Blaik would not involve
renaming Michie Stadium.
All input is due in to the Secretary by August 21 at which point
the Secretary will review the information and make a decision.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date: 5/11
TO:
andy cand
ROM: JAMES W. CICCONI
Assistant to the President and
Deputy to the Chief of Staff
The attached has been forwarded
to the President.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 11, 1989
MR. PRESIDENT:
Andy attached, Hammerschmidt to touch
Card has a copy of the
with Rep.
discuss the matter.
Jim Cicconi
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
mr. President:
8/4/89
that walters that I would mention to you
Dear George - I provided Harry
the late" he wants a 15 minute meeting on
- I Red" Blaik memorialization.
but forgot. have I try toavaid these requests
attached his letter F.Y.I.
john paul hammerschmidt Thanks.
J.P.
GLC
Great Lakes Carbon
320 Old Briarcliff Road. Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
Corporation
914-944-1002
Office of the President
June 13, 1989
The Honorable George P. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of General Bennie Davis, SAC Commander (Ret.); George Champion,
Chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank (Ret.); and myself, I am requesting fifteen
minutes on your schedule to discuss the memorialization of Col. Earl "Red" Blaik
at West Point. The three of us will be representing the views of former
Presidents Nixon and Ford; General Westmoreland; General Charles Gabriel;
Mrs. Jean MacArthur; General James Van Fleet; Brigadier General Pete Dawkins;
Secretary Jack Kemp; Mr. Bob Hope and many others who knew and loved "Red" Blaik.
His sons, Bob and Bill, are aware that I have requested a brief meeting with
you.
Knowing the affection that you and your family have for the memory of Earl Blaik,
I am confident that you will find this fifteen minutes with us quite enjoyable.
With sincere admiration for the leadership you are providing our country, I am
as always
Sincerely yours,
Harry
HNW:vh
Harry N. Walters
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date: August 14, 1989
TO:
ANDY CARD
FROM: JAMES W. CICCONI
Assistant to the President and
Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Information
X
Action
Let's Discuss
gim
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
DATE:
8-12-89
FROM THE PRESIDENT
To:
Jim C.
Re: Red Blaik
We decided to letSec Army make
this call, but it is necessary that
someone call Harry Walters,
apologize for no answer up to
now (June 13 letter) and explain
a. GB felt very close to Red
personally, Red being my father
in laws closest friend.
b). our decision-- if made now.
advise
too
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 11, 1989
MR. PRESIDENT:
Andy Card has a copy of the
attached, and will be in touch
with Rep. Hammerschmidt to
discuss the matter.
Jim Cicconi
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, D. C.
mr. President:
8/4/89
that walters that would mention to you
Dear George - I providedHarry
the late" he wants a IS minute meetingon
- I Red" Blaik memorialization.
but forgot. have I true try toward these requests
attached his letter F.Y.I.
john paul hammerschmidt Thanks.
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
J.P.
GLC
Great Lakes Carbon
320 Old Briarcliff Road, Briarcliff Manor. NY 10510
Corporation
914-944-1002
Office of the President
June 13, 1989
The Honorable George P. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of General Bennie Davis, SAC Commander (Ret.); George Champion,
Chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank (Ret.); and myself, I am requesting fifteen
minutes on your schedule to discuss the memorialization of Col. Earl "Red" Blaik
at West Point. The three of us will be representing the views of former
Presidents Nixon and Ford; General Westmoreland; General Charles Gabriel;
Mrs. Jean MacArthur; General James Van Fleet; Brigadier General Pete Dawkins;
Secretary Jack Kemp; Mr. Bob Hope and many others who knew and loved "Red" Blaik.
His sons, Bob and Bill, are aware that I have requested a brief meeting with
you.
Knowing the affection that you and your family have for the memory of Earl Blaik,
I am confident that you will find this fifteen minutes with us quite enjoyable.
With sincere admiration for the leadership you are providing our country, I am
as always
Sincerely yours,
Harry
HNW:vh
Harry N. Walters
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 28, 1989
Dear Mr. President:
President Bush asked me to respond to your
letter to him regarding the West Point
situation. I apologize for my tardy reply.
The question of an appropriate memorialization
for Coach Blaik has generated a great deal of
discussion, and the President has asked the
Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of
Defense to make a recommendation and take your
view into full consideration.
If I may be of any further assistance, please
do not hesitate to let me know.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
Andrew H Card, Jr.
Andy Card
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
The Honorable Gerald R. Ford
Rancho Mirage
California 92270
GERALD R. FORD
May 31, 1989
Dear Mr. President:
Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik, former head football
coach at West Point was one of my dearest friends
for about fifty years. He exemplified the highest
integrity and patriotism. Red inspired the best
athletically and academically at the Military
Academy.
I join his countless friends, especially those
that played for him at West Point, in recommending
that Michie Stadium be renamed "Col. Earl Blaik
Stadium," in his honor.
I have written Secretary of Defense Cheney and
Secretary of the Army Marsh endorsing this
proposal.
Warmest, best wishes,
The Honorable Bush
Jany George Ford
The President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
8
ID# 041994
THE WHITE HOUSE
NDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
Patty Presock
ENT GERALD R. FORD
RECOMMENDATION THAT
ST POINT BE RENAMED
TADIUM, IN HONOR OF
41994
COACH AT WEST POINT
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ACT
DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
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REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75,0EOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 28, 1989
Dear Mr. President:
President Bush asked me to respond to your
letter to him regarding the West Point
situation. I apologize for my tardy reply.
The question of an appropriate memorialization
for Coach Blaik has generated a great deal of
discussion, and the President has asked the
Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of
Defense to make a recommendation and take your
view into full consideration.
If I may be of any further assistance, please
do not hesitate to let me know.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
Andrew Andy Card H. Card, Jr.
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
The Honorable Richard Nixon
577 Chestnut Ridge Road
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
07675
8E
ID# 042365
THE WHITE HOUSE
ONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
PattyPresock Patty
DENT RICHARD NIXON
IONS ON THE NATO TRIP,
T FOR THE STADIUM AT
IAMED, "THE MICHIE-BLAIK
42365
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ACT
DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE YY/MM/DD
RESP
D
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ORG 89/06/06
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*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
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OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET
*S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
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OUTGOING *
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
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*
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REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75,0EOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
RICHARD NIXON
June 1, 1989
577 CHESTNUT RIDGE ROAD
WOODCLIFF LAKE, NEW JERSEY
Rear George,
Because of the huge burden of your
correspondence, I hesitate to impose another
letter on you. But I would like to pass on two
thoughts.
Most important, I want to congratulate you on
your triumphal NATO trip. It could not have been
better. What particularly pleased me was to see
the TV anchormen who had been criticizing you for
being too cautious have to eat crow. I must
admit, however, that they seemed to enjoy doing so
and that there was no evidence of sour grapes.
On another subject, I was privileged to attend
the memorial service for Red Blaik at West Point.
As I am sure you know, he was not only a great
coach and outstanding American, but also a life-
long Republican and one of your strongest
supporters. I vividly recall a conversation I had
with him and George Champion in the late 1960s
when they both expressed the opinion that you were
destined to be one of the brightest stars on the
political scene.
It has come to my attention that some of his
friends are urging that the name of the stadium at
West Point be changed from "Michie Stadium" to
"The Michie-Blaik Stadium." I don't know if such
a matter as this would ever come to your
attention, but if it should, I would strongly urge
that you support this move. Like Woody Hayes at
Ohio State, Red was an inspiration and a positive
influence on the lives of hundreds of young men
who have played on his teams and countless others
who admired and respected him for his leadership
qualities.
RICHA
SINUT RIDGE ROAD POSEY
Page 2
The Honorable George Bush
June 1, 1989
On a personal note, Pat, who watches much
more television than I do, told me that Barbara
came over extremely well in the numerous clips
that were shown of her.
With warm regards,
Sincerely,
Don't
The Honorable George Bush
695-1717
- new interestle giat
per Col. Timmons
ldg. to be named
lot of complications
apa him. .
all of the athletic facilities
have been named for
former cadet who fall in battle and
had played on the field.
nathlete n Pac.
never had field named
after then
custom
red Blaik- coaches hall tool
prtrait - Marble oklesk.
violathadi
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 14, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ANDY CARD fudy
SUBJECT:
West Point Stadium
As you know, there has been a lot of interest in naming an
athletic facility at West Point in honor of Colonel Earl "Red"
Blaik, former football coach. I have been in touch with the
Department of Defense several times concerning plans to honor Red
Blaik and report the following:
No athletic facility at West Point has been named
for anyone other than a cadet who played the sport
while at West Point, and who died in service to his
nation.
Michie Stadium was named for an athletic superstar
who graduated from West Point in 1892 and was killed
in action in Cuba in 1898. The Stadium was dedicated
in his honor in 1924.
Officials at the Department of Defense feel that
naming an athletic field after someone other than
a former cadet who fell in battle would violate the
customs and traditions of West Point.
There are several other memorializations of Red Blaik,
including Blaik Gallery where memorabilia are displayed
at Michie Stadium, a monument to Army athletes in front
of the center where Blaik's name is prominently listed,
and a cemetary plot where Blaik and his wife are buried.
The Blaik Family has been working with officials from West Point
to have a new intercollegiate administration building constructed
which would be named after Red Blaik. The Blaiks are
enthusiastic and the Army strongly endorses this project.
- 2 -
You clearly have the option to do whatever you feel is
appropriate.
Rename Michie to "Red Blaik Stadium"
Name the football field inside the Stadium
"Red Blaik Field"
Name the Stadium "Michie-Blaik Stadium"
Name the new intercollegiate administration building
"The Red Blaik Administrative Building"
None of the above
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 19, 1989
Dear Mr. Abshire:
On behalf of Governor Sununu, thank you for your letter of July
10, 1989, in which you express your opposition to the renaming of
Michie Stadium at West Point.
Please know that your letter has been shared with appropriate
Administration officials who are reviewing the request to
implement a suitable memorialization of Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik.
Your points are well taken and will be given very serious
consideration in the decision process.
Again, we appreciate your counsel and the time you have taken to
write. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate
to let me know.
With best wishes,
Sincerely Card
Andrew H. Card, Jr.
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
The Honorable David M. Abshire
President
Center for Strategic & International Studies
1800 K Street, N.W.
Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20006
ID# 053101
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
FG006-03
DATE RECEIVED: JULY 13, 1989
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: THE HONORABLE DAVID M. ABSHIRE
SUBJECT: OPPOSES CHANGING THE NAME OF MICHIE STADIUM
AT WEST POINT AND HOPES THE ADMINISTRATION
WILL ALSO OPPOSE IT
ACTION
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VOCCARD JOHN SUNUNU
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C89/07/13
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DID-Army / Secretary Marsh
A 89/07/20
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REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75, OEOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
53101
CSIS
Center for Strategic & International Studies
Washington, DC
David M. Abshire
President
July 10, 1989
The Honorable John Sununu
Chief of Staff to the President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear John:
As a 1951 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, I have been approached by
my class leadership to express our concern over the possibility of Michie
Stadium being renamed for Colonel Blaik. It is my understanding that such
edifices at West Point can only be renamed by undergoing a strict procedure.
The name of this stadium already has become a tradition at West Point and I
agree with my classmates that it would be sad indeed to make such a change.
I understand that the White House has been approached on supporting such
a change and I hope it will not act favorably on such a recommendation.
I have the greatest respect for Colonel Blaik and his achievements in
developing champion football teams. This respect notwithstanding, it is
unfortunate that the West Point cheating scandal involving SO many players
and other Cadets took place during his tenure. Therefore I feel it would
be a double mistake to change the name of Michie Stadium.
I enclose a letter which Dr. Amos Jordan has sent to Brent Scowcroft on this
subject. Joe Jordan not only was First Captain in his class but for many
years was Chairman of the Department of Social Sciences at West Point.
With warm regards,
Sincerely yours,
Dane
1800 K Street Northwest, Suite 400
Washington DC 20006
Telephone 202/887-0200
Cable Address: CENSTRAT TWX: 7108229583 FAX: 202/775-3199
AMOS A. JORDAN
July 11, 1989
The Honorable Brent Scowcroft,
Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs,
The White House,
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Brent:
As a graduate and former USMA Professor of
Social Sciences who continues to be very much
interested in the Military Academy and alumni
matters, I want to register my deep concern
about an Academy matter which I gather has
bounced into the White House. I refer to the
proposal to change the name of Michie Stadium
to Blaik Stadium, a proposal that has been
passed to John Sununu. As you may be aware,
there is a clear procedure for handling such
matters at West Point and criteria that have
long since been established. The initiators of
this name change probably felt that the
proposal could not meet those standards and so
are trying an end run.
While Earl Blaik did a good deal for
football at West Point, there are enough
graduates who are ambivalent about his role
that, taken together with the procedural end
run, there would be a storm of protest among
West Pointers if the change were effectuated.
I see no reason why the White House would want
to stir things up by such an unprecedented
intervention as the proposal recommends.
I hope that you will forward this
expression of concern to whatever office is
dealing with it in the White House -- together
with your own note of disapprobation concerning
end runs.
With every good wish.
Yours sincerely,
Amos A. Jordan
SUITE 400
1800 K STREET. N.W.
WASHINGTON. D. C. 20006
(202) 775-3237
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 18, 1989
Dear Mr. Bush:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your recent note
enclosing a letter from Ted Halligan urging the renaming of
Michie Stadium at West Point.
This matter has generated a great deal of interest, and the
President has asked the Secretary of the Army to review the
request to establish an appropriate memorialization of Colonel
Earl "Red" Blaik. I have forwarded a copy of Mr. Halligan's
letter to Secretary Marsh to be included in this review process.
Again, thanks for your interest.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
Andrew Andy H. Card, Jr.
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Mr. Jonathan Bush
641 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
a a a bard
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 18, 1989
Dear Mr. Halligan:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your recent letter
urging his personal endorsement of the renaming of the football
stadium at West Point from Michie Stadium to Blaik-Michie
Stadium.
Please know that your letter has been shared with appropriate
Administration officials who are reviewing the request to
implement a suitable memorialization of Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik.
Your points are well taken and will be given very serious
consideration in the decision process.
Again, we appreciate your advice and the time you have taken to
write. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate
to let me know.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
Andrew Card, Jr.
Anlyland
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Mr. Theodore H. Halligan
Piper, Jaffray & Hopwood
26th Floor
30 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
Cc. a. bard
JONATHAN BUSH
641 LEXINGTON AVENUE
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022
(212) 371-2170
June 29, 1989
Dear Mr. President,
Ted Halligan, a former football great
at West Point, (played with Davis and Blanchard)
believes firmly that Michie Stadium at West
Point be changed to the Blaid-Michie Stadium.
He has written the enclosed letter, and I
would appreciate it very much if you would
give the matter serious consideration.
Thanks very much.
Sincerely,
Jurath
PJH
PIPER, JAFFRAY & HOPWOOD
INK *RPORATED
SINCE 1895 MEMBERSIPC MEMBERNEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE INC
26th Floor
30 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
212-943-0878
June 20, 1989
President George Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I would like to recommend that the football stadium at West Point, now named Michie Stadium, be
renamed Blaik-Michie Stadium, that it be done this fall, and that you attend West Point to make
the proclamation.
Earl Blaik is without doubt the greatest sports figure, coach, and one of the two greatest teachers
-the other being George Lincoln - who have been at West Point for the last fifty years. Earl Blaik
is held in lasting affection and high admiration by players, graduates, sports writers, coaches, and
the great American public. He has taught loyalty, courage, truth, teamplay - - the importance of
winning as no other coach or teacher has done before or after. He, like General MacArthur - - who
was his close friend, knew the importance of winning and that no garlands of gold are given for
coming in second.
Earl Blaik was truly a wizard in profoundly changing for the better all who knew him. He made
good Americans better Americans. He embedded within the souls of all who were privileged to
know him a burning sense of loyalty and of great pride in the greatness of the United States.
Cordially,
Theodore I header H. Halligan H 19am
Class of '45
West Point
enclosures
PJH
PIPER, IAFFRAY & HOPWOOD
ORPORATEDD
SINCE MEMBERSIPO MBERNE EXCHANGE INC
26th Floor
30 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
212-943-0878
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF EARL BLAIK:
- Army Athletic Association Sabre, 1920 - "Best athlete of his class."
- Assistant Coach at Army, 1927 - 1933 (Backfield Coach.)
- Record at Dartmouth:
Head Coach seven seasons, 45 wins, 15 losses. 4 ties. Ivy League Title 1936 - 1937, 21 straight
victories. Beat Yale the first time in 50 years.
- In 1940, General Eichelberger, Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, went to
Dartmouth to ask Earl Blaik to return to West Point - "Your country needs you."
- Record at West Point 1941 - 1958:
Head Coach 18 seasons, 121 wins, 33 losses, 10 ties. Three National Championships in 1944, 1945,
and 1946. Longest winning streak - 25 games, undefeated 32 games.
- 1948 - 1959 Director of Athletics United States Military Academy.
AWARDS OF EARL BLAIK:
- 1946: National Coach of the Year
- 1953: Coach of the Year, Touchdown Club, Washington, D. C.
- 1956: Most congenial and popular figure in college sports. New York Press Photographers.
- 1956: Gold Medal Award - National Football Association.
- 1964: Elected National Football Hall of Fame.
- 1979: Enshrined into National Association of College Directors of Athletes - By Citizens Savings
Hall of Fame.
- 1986: Freedom Medal.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 18, 1989
Dear General Westmoreland:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your recent note
regarding the request to rename the football statidum at West
Point in honor of Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik.
Please know that your correspondence has been shared with
appropriate Administration officials who are reviewing the
request to implement a suitable memorialization of Colonel Earl
"Red" Blaik. The Association of Graduates of the United States
Military Academy has expressed its opposition to renaming Michie
Stadium. Rest assured that all viewpoints will be taken into
consideration when this decision is made.
Again, we appreciate your advice and the time you have taken to
write. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate
to let me know.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
Andrew Jr.
Andy Card H. Card,
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
General W. C. Westmoreland
Eseeola Lodge
Linville, North Carolina 28356
1000 10.00
104 100 JCCI CSCCULA LODGE LINVILLE. NC
VOI rvi
28356
TO: PRESIDENT BUSH
FROM: GENERAL W. C. WESTMORELAND
I have been informed that several graduates of the U.S.
Military Academy have requested that you decree that
the football stadium at West Point be renamed Blake
Stadium in honor of the late Colonel "Red" Blake. 1
urge you to withhold action on your part until you
receive the view and consensus of the Association of
Graduates.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 18, 1989
Dear Mr. Walters:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your recent letter
urging his personal endorsement of the renaming of the football
stadium at West Point from Michie Stadium to Michie-Blaik
Stadium.
Please know that your letter has been shared with appropriate
Administration officials who are reviewing the request to
implement a suitable memorialization of Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik.
Your points are well taken and will be given very serious
consideration in the decision process.
Again, we appreciate your advice and the time you have taken to
write. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate
to let me know.
With best wishes,
Sincerely
Andrew H. Card, Jr.
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Mr. Harry N. Walters
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation
320 Old Briarcliff Road
Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510
GLC
Great Lakes Carbon
Corporation
Office of the President
June 28, 1989
Mr. Andy Card
Assistant to the President
Deputy to Chief of Staff
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Andy:
I would appreciate your delivering my letter
to the President. I think that a 15-minute meeting
for Bob Blaik with the President would be very
helpful for the family as well as the President.
Let me know if I can be helpful.
Sincerely,
HNW:vh
Harry Harry N. Walters
enc.
GLC
Great Lakes Carbon
320 Old Briarcliff Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
Corporation
914-944-1002
Office of the President
June 28, 1989
The Honorable George P. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Congratulations on your successful NATO summit. Keeping our country strong
and at peace is no easy task and we are fortunate to have you at the helm.
The veteran community continues to stand fast in your support.
As you know, Colonel Earl H. "Red" Blaik died at the age of 92 on May 5th in
Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was buried next to his beloved Merle at
West Point on May 13th and a memorial service was conducted in the Cadet Chapel.
Brigadier General Pete Dawkins and I had the honor to read the scriptures
during the service. He is survived by his two loyal and successful sons, Bob
and Bill.
Colonel Blaik was a legend in his time. His exploits on the football field
instilled in his former players and coaches the indomitable will to win which
led them to their own successes. General Bennie Davis, SAC Commander;
General Charles Gabriel, Chief of Staff of the Air Force; Lt. General Winfield
"Skip" Scott; Major Donald Holleder; Pete Dawkins; Major General Bill Carpenter,
U.S. Army, Korea; Vince Lombardi; Herman Hickman, and many others all learned
valuable lessons from their legendary coach. He provided close personal counsel
to President Eisenhower, President Kennedy, President Nixon, President Ford and
General MacArthur. He served as the Chairman of a special commission for
President Kennedy during the civil rights crisis of 1964 in Montgomery, Alabama.
His close friend, Douglas MacArthur said that no man was better equipped to
teach leadership and the will to win than Earl Blaik.
Your personal endorsement of his nomination for the Presidential Medal of Freedom
resulted in President Reagan awarding him this most prestigious medal in 1986.
Mr. President, on behalf of the outstanding Americans listed below, I am request-
ing that you exercise your authority as Commander-in-Chief and rename the
football stadium at West Point from Michie Stadium to Michie-Blaik Stadium.
This simple measure will remind our cadets and veterans of the powerful legacy of
this very special man, Earl "Red" Blaik.
We have spoken to President Nixon and President Ford as well as the others listed
below and they all support this request.
With, admiration and respect,
Harry Walting
HNW:vh
Harry N. Walters
Enclosure: Committee Members
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
President Richard Nixon
President Jerry Ford
General Bennie Davis (Ret.)
General Charlie Gabriel (Ret.)
Mr. Doc Blanchard
Mr. Glenn Davis
Lt. General Skip Scott (Ret.)
Mr. Douglas E. Kenna
Brig. General Pete Dawkins (Ret.)
Major General Bill Carpenter
Mr. Harry Walters
Mrs. Jean MacArthur
Mr. George Champion
Mr. Joe Steffy
General James Van Fleet (Ret.)
General William Westmoreland (Ret.)
Secretary Jack Kemp
Mr. Bob Hope
Col. Frank Borman
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 18, 1989
Dear Mr. Mullane:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your letter of July 3,
1989, in which you express the opposition of the Association of
Graduates of the United States Military Academy to the renaming
of Michie Stadium at West Point.
Please know that your letter has been shared with appropriate
Administration officials who are reviewing the request to
implement a suitable memorialization of Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik.
Your points are well taken and will be given very serious
consideration in the decision process.
Again, we appreciate your counsel and the time you have taken to
write. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate
to let me know.
With best wishes,
Sincerely
Andrew H. Card, Jr.
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Mr. Dennis F. Mullane, President
Association of Graduates
United States Military Academy
West Point, New York 10996
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
WEST POINT, NEW YORK 10996
3 July 1989
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I understand that a group of West Point graduates who played football under
Coach Earl H. Blaik have approached you in the hope of obtaining your approval
of renaming the football stadium at West Point in honor of Colonel Blaik.
As President of the Association of Graduates of the United States Military
Academy, West Point's alumni association, I speak for more than 34,000 living
graduates, ranging from our most senior military and civilian leaders to the
young Americans of the Class of 1989 who have just joined our active Army.
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the Association of
Graduates is strongly and unalterably opposed to renaming Michie Stadium.
Michie Stadium was built and dedicated in 1924. For all of those 65 years
it has borne the name of the man who introduced football to West Point and who
was killed in action at San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War -- Dennis
Mahan Michie, thus symbolizing that essential relationship between service to
the nation and the football program.
Dennis Michie was born in 1870 and entered the Military Academy in 1888.
As a junior in 1890, he persuaded the authorities at West Point to permit him
to organize a football team and accept Navy's long-standing challenge. At that
time, there were no intercollegiate sports at West Point, but Navy had been
playing football since 1879. Navy won the first game over the Army team
organized, coached, trained, and captained by Cadet Michie. The following
year, as a senior, Michie led his Army team to a 32-16 upset of Navy at
Annapolis, and scored a touchdown himself.
Six years after his graduation in 1892, First Lieutenant Michie died a
hero's death in the charge up San Juan Hill. He is buried at West Point, and
his legacy is the stadium that bears his name. His courage, leadership, and
boundless enthusiasm live on in every Army team that takes the field in Michie
Stadium.
To rename Michie Stadium for anyone else would be contrary to West Point's
tradition of service and a dishonor to the individual who was not only founder
of Army football, but also, and importantly, a West Point graduate whose
example as a soldier and officer provides every cadet in the Corps with a
superb role model for future service to the nation.
On behalf of every West Point graduate with a sense of history and
tradition, I urge you to disapprove changing the name of our historic stadium.
Sincerely,
Denis +mullane
DENIS F. MULLANE
President
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 18, 1989
Dear Mr. Mullane:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your letter of July 3,
1989, in which you express the opposition of the Association of
Graduates of the United States Military Academy to the renaming
of Michie Stadium at West Point.
Please know that your letter has been shared with appropriate
Administration officials who are reviewing the request to
implement a suitable memorialization of Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik.
Your points are well taken and will be given very serious
consideration in the decision process.
Again, we appreciate your counsel and the time you have taken to
write. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate
to let me know.
With best wishes,
Sincerely
Andrew H. Card, Jr.
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Mr. Dennis F. Mullane, President
Association of Graduates
United States Military Academy
West Point, New York 10996
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
WEST POINT. NEW YORK 10996
3 July 1989
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I understand that a group of West Point graduates who played football under
Coach Earl H. Blaik have approached you in the hope of obtaining your approval
of renaming the football stadium at West Point in honor of Colonel Blaik.
As President of the Association of Graduates of the United States Military
Academy, West Point's alumni association, I speak for more than 34,000 living
graduates, ranging from our most senior military and civilian leaders to the
young Americans of the Class of 1989 who have just joined our active Army.
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the Association of
Graduates is strongly and unalterably opposed to renaming Michie Stadium.
Michie Stadium was built and dedicated in 1924. For all of those 65 years
it has borne the name of the man who introduced football to West Point and who
was killed in action at San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War -- Dennis
Mahan Michie, thus symbolizing that essential relationship between service to
the nation and the football program.
Dennis Michie was born in 1870 and entered the Military Academy in 1888.
As a junior in 1890, he persuaded the authorities at West Point to permit him
to organize a football team and accept Navy's long-standing challenge. At that
time, there were no intercollegiate sports at West Point, but Navy had been
playing football since 1879. Navy won the first game over the Army team
organized, coached, trained, and captained by Cadet Michie. The following
year, as a senior, Michie led his Army team to a 32-16 upset of Navy at
Annapolis, and scored a touchdown himself.
Six years after his graduation in 1892, First Lieutenant Michie died a
hero's death in the charge up San Juan Hill. He is buried at West Point, and
his legacy is the stadium that bears his name. His courage, leadership, and
boundless enthusiasm live on in every Army team that takes the field in Michie
Stadium.
To rename Michie Stadium for anyone else would be contrary to West Point's
tradition of service and a dishonor to the individual who was not only founder
of Army football, but also, and importantly, a West Point graduate whose
example as a soldier and officer provides every cadet in the Corps with a
superb role model for future service to the nation.
On behalf of every West Point graduate with a sense of history and
tradition, I urge you to disapprove changing the name of our historic stadium.
Sincerely,
Denis
DENIS F. MULLANE
President
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 18, 1989
Dear Mr. Walters:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your recent letter
urging his personal endorsement of the renaming of the football
stadium at West Point from Michie Stadium to Michie-Blaik
Stadium.
Please know that your letter has been shared with appropriate
Administration officials who are reviewing the request to
implement a suitable memorialization of Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik.
Your points are well taken and will be given very serious
consideration in the decision process.
Again, we appreciate your advice and the time you have taken to
write. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate
to let me know.
With best wishes,
Sincerely Card
Andrew H. Card, Jr.
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Mr. Harry N. Walters
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation
320 Old Briarcliff Road
Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510
GLC
Great Lakes Carbon
Corporation
Office of the President
June 28, 1989
Mr. Andy Card
Assistant to the President
Deputy to Chief of Staff
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Andy:
I would appreciate your delivering my letter
to the President. I think that a 15-minute meeting
for Bob Blaik with the President would be very
helpful for the family as well as the President.
Let me know if I can be helpful.
Sincerely,
HNW: vh
Harry Harry N. Walters
enc.
GLC
Great Lakes Carbon
320 Old Briarcliff Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
Corporation
914-944-1002
Office of the President
June 28, 1989
The Honorable George P. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Congratulations on your successful NATO summit. Keeping our country strong
and at peace is no easy task and we are fortunate to have you at the helm.
The veteran community continues to stand fast in your support.
As you know, Colonel Earl H. "Red" Blaik died at the age of 92 on May 5th in
Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was buried next to his beloved Merle at
West Point on May 13th and a memorial service was conducted in the Cadet Chapel.
Brigadier General Pete Dawkins and I had the honor to read the scriptures
during the service. He is survived by his two loyal and successful sons, Bob
and Bill.
Colonel Blaik was a legend in his time. His exploits on the football field
instilled in his former players and coaches the indomitable will to win which
led them to their own successes. General Bennie Davis, SAC Commander;
General Charles Gabriel, Chief of Staff of the Air Force; Lt. General Winfield
"Skip" Scott; Major Donald Holleder; Pete Dawkins; Major General Bill Carpenter,
U.S. Army, Korea; Vince Lombardi; Herman Hickman, and many others all learned
valuable lessons from their legendary coach. He provided close personal counsel
to President Eisenhower, President Kennedy, President Nixon, President Ford and
General MacArthur. He served as the Chairman of a special commission for
President Kennedy during the civil rights crisis of 1964 in Montgomery, Alabama.
His close friend, Douglas MacArthur said that no man was better equipped to
teach leadership and the will to win than Earl Blaik.
Your personal endorsement of his nomination for the Presidential Medal of Freedom
resulted in President Reagan awarding him this most prestigious medal in 1986.
Mr. President, on behalf of the outstanding Americans listed below, I am request-
ing that you exercise your authority as Commander-in-Chief and rename the
football stadium at West Point from Michie Stadium to Michie-Blaik Stadium.
This simple measure will remind our cadets and veterans of the powerful legacy of
this very special man, Earl "Red" Blaik.
We have spoken to President Nixon and President Ford as well as the others listed
below and they all support this request.
With, admiration and respect,
Harry Walting
HNW:vh
Harry N. Walters
Enclosure: Committee Members
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
President Richard Nixon
President Jerry Ford
General Bennie Davis (Ret.)
General Charlie Gabriel (Ret.)
Mr. Doc Blanchard
Mr. Glenn Davis
Lt. General Skip Scott (Ret.)
Mr. Douglas E. Kenna
Brig. General Pete Dawkins (Ret.)
Major General Bill Carpenter
Mr. Harry Walters
Mrs. Jean MacArthur
Mr. George Champion
Mr. Joe Steffy
General James Van Fleet (Ret.)
General William Westmoreland (Ret.)
Secretary Jack Kemp
Mr. Bob Hope
Col. Frank Borman
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 18, 1989
Dear General Westmoreland:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your recent note
regarding the request to rename the football statidum at West
Point in honor of Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik.
Please know that your correspondence has been shared with
appropriate Administration officials who are reviewing the
request to implement a suitable memorialization of Colonel Earl
"Red" Blaik. The Association of Graduates of the United States
Military Academy has expressed its opposition to renaming Michie
Stadium. Rest assured that all viewpoints will be taken into
consideration when this decision is made.
Again, we appreciate your advice and the time you have taken to
write. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate
to let me know.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
Andrew July Card H. Card, Jr.
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
General W. C. Westmoreland
Eseeola Lodge
Linville, North Carolina 28356
1003-07-00 10.00
104 100 JCCI CSCCULA LODGE LINVILLE.NO
VOI rvi
28356
TO: PRESIDENT BUSH
FROM: GENERAL W. C. WESTMORELAND
I have been informed that several graduates of the U.S.
Military Academy have requested that you decree that
the football stadium at West Point be renamed Blake
Stadium in honor of the late Colonel "Red" Blake. 1
urge you to withhold action on your part until you
receive the view and consensus of the Association of
Graduates.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 7, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
FROM:
ANDREW H. CARD, JR Andyland
SUBJECT:
Michie Stadium at West Point
The President has asked that you take personal charge of
reviewing an appropriate memorialization of Colonel Earl "Red"
Blaik, former football coach at West Point.
Attached are copies of correspondence received by the White
House. The President feels that your recommendation, after being
shared with others at the Department of Defense, would be
appropriate for implementation.
Attachments
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
WEST POINT, NEW YORK 10996
3 July 1989
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I understand that a group of West Point graduates who played football under
Coach Earl H. Blaik have approached you in the hope of obtaining your approval
of renaming the football stadium at West Point in honor of Colonel Blaik.
As President of the Association of Graduates of the United States Military
Academy, West Point's alumni association, I speak for more than 34,000 living
graduates, ranging from our most senior military and civilian leaders to the
young Americans of the Class of 1989 who have just joined our active Army.
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the Association of
Graduates is strongly and unalterably opposed to renaming Michie Stadium.
Michie Stadium was built and dedicated in 1924. For all of those 65 years
it has borne the name of the man who introduced football to West Point and who
was killed in action at San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War -- Dennis
Mahan Michie, thus symbolizing that essential relationship between service to
the nation and the football program.
Dennis Michie was born in 1870 and entered the Military Academy in 1888.
As a junior in 1890, he persuaded the authorities at West Point to permit him
to organize a football team and accept Navy's long-standing challenge. At that
time, there were no intercollegiate sports at West Point, but Navy had been
playing football since 1879. Navy won the first game over the Army team
organized, coached, trained, and captained by Cadet Michie. The following
year, as a senior, Michie led his Army team to a 32-16 upset of Navy at
Annapolis, and scored a touchdown himself.
Six years after his graduation in 1892, First Lieutenant Michie died a
hero's death in the charge up San Juan Hill. He is buried at West Point, and
his legacy is the stadium that bears his name. His courage, leadership, and
boundless enthusiasm live on in every Army team that takes the field in Michie
Stadium.
To rename Michie Stadium for anyone else would be contrary to West Point's
tradition of service and a dishonor to the individual who was not only founder
of Army football, but also, and importantly, a West Point graduate whose
example as a soldier and officer provides every cadet in the Corps with a
superb role model for future service to the nation.
On behalf of every West Point graduate with a sense of history and
tradition, I urge you to disapprove changing the name of our historic stadium.
Sincerely,
Denis
DENIS F. MULLANE
President
JONATHAN BUSH
641 LEXINGTON AVENUE
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022
(212) 371-2170
June 29, 1989
Dear Mr. President,
Ted Halligan, a former football great
at West Point, (played with Davis and Blanchard)
believes firmly that Michie Stadium at West
Point be changed to the Blaid-Michie Stadium.
He has written the enclosed letter, and I
would appreciate it very much if you would
give the matter serious consideration.
Thanks very much.
Sincerely,
Jurath
PJH
PIPER, JAFFRAY IN X **ORIATED & HOPWOOD
SINCE '895 MEMBERSIPC MEMBERNEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE INC
26th Floor
30 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
212-943-0878
June 20, 1989
President George Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I would like to recommend that the football stadium at West Point, now named Michie Stadium, be
renamed Blaik Michie Stadium, that it be done this fall, and that you attend West Point to make
the proclamation.
Earl Blaik is without doubt the greatest sports figure, coach, and one of the two greatest teachers
-the other being George Lincoln - who have been at West Point for the last fifty years. Earl Blaik
is held in lasting affection and high admiration by players, graduates, sports writers, coaches, and
the great American public. He has taught loyalty, courage, truth, teamplay - the importance of
winning as no other coach or teacher has done before or after. He, like General MacArthur - who
was his close friend, knew the importance of winning and that no garlands of gold are given for
coming in second.
Earl Blaik was truly a wizard in profoundly changing for the better all who knew him. He made
good Americans better Americans. He embedded within the souls of all who were privileged to
know him a burning sense of loyalty and of great pride in the greatness of the United States.
Cordially,
I headers H Halligan
Theodore H. Halligan
Class of '45
West Point
enclosures
PJH
PIPER, JAFFRAY & HOPWOOD
SINCE
20th Floor
30 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
212-943-0878
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF EARL BLAIK:
- Army Athletic Association Sabre, 1920 - "Best athlete of his class."
- Assistant Coach at Army, 1927 - 1933 (Backfield Coach.)
- Record at Dartmouth:
Head Coach seven seasons, 45 wins, 15 losses. 4 ties. Ivy League Title - 1936 1937, 21 straight
victories. Beat Yale the first time in 50 years.
- In 1940, General Eichelberger, Superintendent of the United States Military Academy , went to
Dartmouth to ask Earl Blaik to return to West Point - "Your country needs you."
- Record at West Point 1941 - 1958:
Head Coach 18 seasons, 121 wins, 33 losses, 10 ties. Three National Championships in 1944, 1945,
and 1946. Longest winning streak - - 25 games, undefeated 32 games.
- 1948 - 1959 Director of Athletics United States Military Academy.
AWARDS OF EARL BLAIK:
- 1946: National Coach of the Year
- 1953: Coach of the Year, Touchdown Club, Washington, D. C.
- 1956: Most congenial and popular figure in college sports. New York Press Photographers.
- 1956: Gold Medal Award National Football Association.
- 1964: Elected National Football Hall of Fame.
- 1979: Enshrined into National Association of College Directors of Athletes - By Citizens Savings
Hall of Fame.
- 1986: Freedom Medal.
'we
GLC
Great Lakes Carbon
32O Old Briarcliff Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
Corporation
914-944-1002
Office of the President
June 28, 1989
The Honorable George P. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Congratulations on your successful NATO summit. Keeping our country strong
and at peace is no easy task and we are fortunate to have you at the helm.
The veteran community continues to stand fast in your support.
As you know, Colonel Earl H. "Red" Blaik died at the age of 92 on May 5th in
Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was buried next to his beloved Merle at
West Point on May 13th and a memorial service was conducted in the Cadet Chapel.
Brigadier General Pete Dawkins and I had the honor to read the scriptures
during the service. He is survived by his two loyal and successful sons, Bob
and Bill.
Colonel Blaik was a legend in his time. His exploits on the football field
instilled in his former players and coaches the indomitable will to win which
led them to their own successes. General Bennie Davis, SAC Commander;
General Charles Gabriel, Chief of Staff of the Air Force; Lt. General Winfield
"Skip" Scott; Major Donald Holleder; Pete Dawkins; Major General Bill Carpenter,
U.S. Army, Korea; Vince Lombardi; Herman Hickman, and many others all learned
valuable lessons from their legendary coach. He provided close personal counsel
to President Eisenhower, President Kennedy, President Nixon, President Ford and
General MacArthur. He served as the Chairman of a special commission for
President Kennedy during the civil rights crisis of 1964 in Montgomery, Alabama.
His close friend, Douglas MacArthur said that no man was better equipped to
teach leadership and the will to win than Earl Blaik.
Your personal endorsement of his nomination for the Presidential Medal of Freedom
resulted in President Reagan awarding him this most prestigious medal in 1986.
Mr. President, on behalf of the outstanding Americans listed below, I am request-
ing that you exercise your authority as Commander-in-Chief and rename the
football stadium at West Point from Michie Stadium to Michie-Blaik Stadium.
This simple measure will remind our cadets and veterans of the powerful legacy of
this very special man, Earl "Red" Blaik.
We have spoken to President Nixon and President Ford as well as the others listed
below and they all support this request.
With, admiration and respect,
Harry Walting
HNW:vh
Harry N. Walters
Enclosure: Committee Members
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
President Richard Nixon
President Jerry Ford
General Bennie Davis (Ret.)
General Charlie Gabriel (Ret.)
Mr. Doc Blanchard
Mr. Glenn Davis
Lt. General Skip Scott (Ret.)
Mr. Douglas E. Kenna
Brig. General Pete Dawkins (Ret.)
Major General Bill Carpenter
Mr. Harry Walters
Mrs. Jean MacArthur
Mr. George Champion
Mr. Joe Steffy
General James Van Fleet (Ret.)
General William Westmoreland (Ret.)
Secretary Jack Kemp
Mr. Bob Hope
Col. Frank Borman
1989-07-06 13:39
704 733 3227 ESEEOLA LODGE LINVILLE. NC
001 P01
TO: PRESIDENT BUSH
FROM: GENERAL W. C. WESTMORELAND
I have been informed that several graduates of the U.S.
Military Academy have requested that you decree that
the football stadium at West Point be renamed Blake
Stadium in honor of the late Colonel "Red" Blake. 1
urge you to withhold action on your part until you
receive the view and consensus of the Association of
Graduates.
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West Point
GREAT LAKES CARBON CORPORATION
TELECOPY MESSAGE 914/944-1331
DATE June 30, 1989
TO: MR. ANDY CARD
LOCATION: WASHINGTON, D.C.
Assistant to the President
Telefax # (202) 456-2397
and Deputy to Chief of Staff
The White House
FROM: MR. HARRY WALTERS
LOCATION: BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY
TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER PAGE
4
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GLC
Great Lakes Carbon
Corporation
Office of the President
June 30, 1989
Mr. Andy Card
Assistant to the President
Deputy to Chief of Staff
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Andy:
These articles may be helpful to you. The
recommendation of the Museum, Historical, and
Memorialization Committe to the Superintendent
in June of 1987 did not include in the criteria
that graduates must have fallen in battle in the
full vigor of youth. On the contrary, they
recommended the historical precedent that the
graduate be deceased.
Thanks for your interest.
Sincerely, Harry Walterf
HNW:vh
Harry N. Walters
Extended Page
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06/28/89
11:41
0202 594 5975
ASA(MKA)
1004
JUN 27 '89 16:28 USMA SGS AVI688-3214
Naming of Sports Center
Assument
1927)
The Museum. Historical and Me-
Twa
8
morialization Committee has recent-
Additionally, one suggestion was that
ly completed deliberation on naming
it be named in honor of all graduates
1987,
who had won the Medal of Honor.
the new sports complex adjacent to
In applying the criteria for selec-
Michie Stadium. In the December
tion, the committee members felt
1986 issue of Assembly, the commit-
too outlined proposed criteria for se-
compelled to consider foremest the
lecting the name and solicited recom-
mission of the U.S. Military Acade-
mendations for additional guidelines
my-to educate, train, and inspire
from readers. Many of you contacted
cadets as they complete require-
ments for commissioning. The task at
us, with information and suggestions
hand Ats perfectly into that third im-
that were Very useful. This brief re-
perative: to inspire. In discussing the
port is to provide you some prompt
role of athletics at West Point, partic-
feedback-and to say "thanks."
ularly the emotional and invigorating
The final criteria governing the
components of athletic contests, the
committee's deliberations, as modi-
fied by suggestions from graduates
committee members thought that the
name of an athletic facility should
and friends, were:
4 be & graduate of USMA;
serve to inspire the Corps of Cadets.
. have achieved excellence as an
It should help motivate a young
athlete at USMA;
American toward completing a career
as a Regular Army officer and contrib-
0 have 1 distinguished record of
uting a lifetime of service to the na-
military service, in both peace
tion in war and peace. That would be
and war;
in the tradition of other individuals
exemplify the values of duty, hon-
for whom athletic facilities at West
or, country;
be deceased.
Point are named, such as Dennis Mi-
chie and Richard Shea-whose life-
Your responses included quite a
few names, all deserving the honor of
times were out short by battle.
memorialization for one reason or an-
Another consideration, suggested
other, many for multiple accomplish-
by many, was that the new sports
complex not memorialize any Indi-
ments on the athletic fields of West
Point and the battlefields of our na-
vidual, but be named for its function
tion's wars. The members of the com-
in the same way the USMA Field-
house has been designated since its
mittee sincerely appreciate the
thought and effort that went into the
construction. In addition, the com-
recommendations: several were elo-
mittee considered naming the bas-
quent testimonials to the accomplish-
ketball and hockey arenas separately
ments of graduates of the Academy.
from the sports complex itself.
The final list of submissions includ.
After carefully considering each in-
ed, in alphabetical order:
dividual in light of the multiple per-
Archibald V. Arnold (Class of 1912)
spectives of the criteria for selection,
Earl H. Blaik (Class of 1920)
the committee found that, although
Eugene A. Byrne (Class of 1910-
several met the basic screening, no
died 1909)
single name emerged with unambig-
George W. Casey (Class of 1945)
uous and overwhelming support as
Garrison H. Davidson (Class of
appropriate for the entire sports com-
1927)
plex. Some names, however, were
Donald
strong candidates for the separate an
Extended Page
3.1
Donald W. Holleder (Class of
1956)
cas comprising the complex. For this'
George S. Patton, Jr. (Class of 1909)
mreason, the committee in reporting its
deliberations to the Superintendent,
Richard S. Pohi (Class of 1946)
has recommended that be orignate
John 8. Roosma (Class of 1926)
the complex by a Functional name
Richard B. Sheridan, Jr. (Class of
(such as the "Army Sports Center")
1933-died 1931)
and that the basketball arena and
Joseph W. Stilwell (Class of 1904)
hockey rink be named after individ-
Thomas J. H. Trapnell (Class of Masals.
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₱202 694 5975
ASA (MRA)
003
Name sought for New Sports
Complex
The Museum, Historical and Memori-
alization Committee will soon begin the
process of selecting a name for the new
Sports Complex adjacent to Michie Sta-
dium. The complex is home for Army's
basketball and hockey teams.
As the committee deliberates, it ex-
pects to be guided by definitive criteria
for selection. Currently in rudimentary
form, these criteria are expected to in-
clude but not be limited to the follow-
ing:
be a graduate of USMA;
have achieved excellence as an ath-
lete at USMA:
have a distinguished record of mili-
tary service;
exemplify the values of duty, honor,
country.
Anyone with recommendations for ad-
ditional criteria is encouraged to submit
them to the committee. To be assured of
consideration, submission must reach
the committee prior to 1 March 1987.
Submit to:
Colonel Robert A. Doughty
Chairman
Museum, Historical & Memorializa-
tion Committee
United States Military Academy
West Point, New York 10996
There are other athletic areas for
Extended Page
4.1
which we may soon launch a search for
- -suit-bl_ n m-s, such as th -'I Id H ise
and several playing fields. Facilities al-
ready carrying a name include Michie
Stadium, Doubleday Field, Clinton
- Field, Shea Stadium, and Howse Field.
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5
001
West Point
FASCIMILE TRANSMITTAL HEADER SHEET
COMMAND
NAME
TELEPHONE
AUTHORIZED RELEASER'S
OFFICE SYMBOL
NUMBER
SIGNATURE
FROM:
(202)
Office, Secretary
of the Army
I
SASA
695-1717
COL Timmons
TO:
Fax-456-2397
DATE-TIME
MONTH
YEAR
Mr. Andy Card
Office, White
House Chief of
456-2533
30
Jun
Staff
89
CLASSIFICATION
NO. PAGES
PRECEDENCE REMARKS
Unclassified
Cover Sheet
+ 19 Pages
SPACE BELOW FOR COMMUNICATIONS CENTER USE
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Blank ple
The 1951 West Point Cheating Scandal
Lt. Gen. Arthur S. Collins, Jr.
Excerpted from Interview, Senior Officer Oral History Program
U.S. Army Military History Institute
Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
Interview Conducted Alexandria, Virginia
21 April 1982
by Col. Chandler P. Robbins III
06/30/89 10:11 *2026978036
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1
003
The cheating scandal-you may remember that I mentioned to you that, be-
cause I had been on a number of boards in the Tactical Department, I believed
I had a pretty good feel for the pulse of the Corps. Early in 1951 I expected
to be leaving West Point to be reassigned that summer, because I had been
there three years and that was the normal assignment. Beginning about January
of that year, I thought from some of the things I had run into, or encounter-
ed in talking with cadets--and I talked to a lot of them-that there was some-
thing wrong with the honor system. I couldn't put my finger on it.
I didn't know of any violations beyond the things that were turned up
when someone was brought before the Honor Board. But I just felt that some
cadets were either taking advantage of it or working around it. Something was-
n't right, but it was just a gut feeling on my part, and there was nothing
specific I could point to.
I can remember talking to the Commandant and a few of the other senior
officers about it. Of course, I was one of the most senior officers in the
Tac Department, because I was a Regimental Commander, and I saw Colonel Har-
kins [the Commandant] or Colonel Waters, the Deputy Commandant, very often.
And in the T.D. it was easy to talk with them about what we felt about prob-
lems. I had been there three years, and I was expecting to be reassigned af-
ter graduation; I wanted to be certain something was done about this "gut"
feeling of mine.
So I wrote a memo to the Commandant sometime about March and suggested
he talk to the First Captain, and he in turn should talk to the Corps on the
honor system, the importance of it, and the role all had to maintain the
basic fundamentals of it. The First Captain did assemble the Corps and talked
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004
to them. The assembly was for cadets only, and no officers were present from
the T.D. or academic departments. This had been agreed between the Commandant
and the First Captain--I think it was Cadet Ryan--because they believed this
was something for the Corps to think about. An odd incident happened at that
assembly which I hope I'll remember to mention later.
I must say that I had no feeling that the honor system was being under-
mined; I didn't think anything was seriously wrong, but there were some
things growing up around the fringes of it that I didn't like.
Come about May, we began to have the spring parades in the late after-
noon after drill. Farly in May I can recall being out at a parade, and Colon-
el Harkins was there with a brown manila envelope in his hand. I'd been there
in the T.D. for three years; he'd been the Commandant all of those three
years. I'd never seen him carry a paper home, and I was impressed by that. I
think up until that time in the Army, officers didn't take their work home
as they do today. But there was the Commandant with one of those brown manila
envelopes in his hand, and I remember thinking how unusual it was. We had par-
ades about twice a week in each regiment, and for about three weeks every
time he was at parade he had that envelope. And after he'd watched the parade,
he'd walk on over to his quarters.
Close to the end of May of 1951, he called me up to his office, and he
had a manila envelope in his hand. He said, "Art, I have something here
that's going to shock you. You won't believe it, but I've had some knowledge,
for about a month now. It's in this envelope, and I have never let it out of
my hands." He went on to say the contents were such a shock to him and BO un-
believable that he wouldn't even leave it in his desk, and he had kept it in
2
005
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his personal possession. He gave me a brief outline to this effect: "this per-
tains to a violation of the honor system, but it might be a massive violation
of the honor system. I'm going to appoint a board, and you're going to be
president of it. H have orders and I'm scheduled to leave here in about three
weeks. I want this cleared up before I go. This has happened during the time
I've been here as Commandant, and it really hurts me to think of that, but
you investigate it, and let the chips fall where they may."
You know, you go through your service, you run into people that you re-
spect and you admire them for something. People are always talking about the
individuals who are trying to cover things up and hide them. I haven't run in-
to that, although later events make us aware that it happens. This was one of
those events, however, which meant very much to Colonel Harkins at that time
and could have hurt his future career. There was so little to go on, he could
very easily have said, "Let's see 1f we can get something more concrete," and
just have passed the envelope along to the new Commandant, but he didn't. His
directive to let the chips fall where they may, get to the bottom of it and
get it cleaned up before he left, was inspirational.
I'm not going to go into many of the details of it. There are board re-
ports on the investigation and reviews that followed at the Military Academy.
I'll cover what I think are the important points and give some impression of
the atmosphere. First of all, the first information came from a couple of
cadets, let's say guys named Joe. These youngsters were yearlings, I believe,
and they were real "goats," that's how they began to get wind of how you
could get information on the writ a day or two before the exam.
3
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They had gone to their honor representative and reported this. A lot. of
people don't realize this case was first brought to the attention of the auth-
orities through two cadets who went to their company honor representatives.
Cadet Myers, who was the honor "rep" in K-1 Company, went to the Commandant
and told him he had some information he couldn't believe; most of it was hear-
say, but it came from good solid cadets who said there was a group that was
cheating, and that if certain cadets wanted to get information before a writ
they could, and a lot of. the football players were involved.
Another cadet in H-1 Company had brought his suspicions of violation of
the honor system to his honor rep about the same time. When this first came
to Colonel Herkins' attention early in April, he kept working with the honor
rep and the two cadets to see if they could get additional information, some
papers, or specific names of those involved. It was all very elusive, and the
Commandant didn't feel he could prove anything.
Working with the First Class honor rep, these two youngsters did get
more information, and they were taking quite a risk in doing it. As it later
developed, they sometimes felt threatened. When they showed some concern
about getting involved, those who were involved in passing information told
them not to worry, "some of the honor committee are in on this thing." This
really shook up Cadet Myers and the two yearlings. I should say here that we
never could find any proof of that, although there were some indications that
it was at least starting.
The board was appointed about the last weekend in May, when the First
Class was going on a trip to Aberdeen, One of the prime questions that the
Commandant and Superintendent had was, were there any First Classmen involved,
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because they weren't going to gradute them if there were. The board consisted
initially of Colonels Tracy Harrington from the 1st Regiment and Jeff Irvin
from the 2nd, both very solid people, and I was president.
We just sat down after we looked over the information in the envelope
and listened to the honor rep and two yearlings and wondered how we should go
about this. We knew we had to protect the rights of the individual, we could
not base our findings on self-incrimination, and we talked with the JAG to be
sure how we should proceed. And then we thought a long time about who we
would call first. Then we'd have to go on from there.
Every cadet who appeared before the board appeared individually; each
one was warned of his rights, and each one was sworn in. It was clear from
the evidence that the honor rep and two cadeta had obtained that at least two
cadets were guilty of honor violations, and they could so testify.
Fortunately for us, the first cadet we called admitted it readily and
went on to say "everybody does it." We asked him if he could be specific and
give us the names of cadets he knew were involved because he had gotten in-
formation from them, or cadets to whom he had passed information. He gave us
about twelve names, saying that each one was definitely involved. He told us
who had given him the information and explained how it was passed along. In-
cidentally, this youngster had nothing to do with the football team. He was
just drawn into it because he was a goat, and the organized cheating suddenly
expanded amongst his classmates who were associated with football.
The second cadet we called was brilliant, a star man, and an academic
coach for the football team. He denied under oath that there was any cheating
5
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4
008
and said there was no involvement of football players in anything like that.
We then called in the rest of the group of twelve, and after swearing them in
we told them what we had heard on honor violations and asked what they knew
about it.
This first group consisted mainly of yearlings, Class of 1953, and a few
Second Classmen, Class of 1952, at least eight of them were outstanding foot-
hall players or associated with them as academic coaches. Every one of them
lied under oath and said they wouldn't do anything like that. One of the said
he wouldn't talk about this until he talked to Coach Blaik, but he denied
that cheating was going on and asserted that "everyone was just out to get
the football players." The others in the group who were just plain goats or
roommates of those involved admitted they knew about it and enlarged on the
number of names and the method of operation.
Everyone in the Corps knew something was going on, but only those who
were involved in the cheating knew what it was, and that group was in a fer-
ment. After the first few witnesses appeared, the word got back to the others
involved; they held meetings to decide what to do, including threatening a
couple of the early witnesses who had admitted there was organized cheating.
Incidentally, these witnesses, who were not football players, were told
to report back to the hoard and tell us they had lied under oath because they
were just out to get the football players. Then the two of them would have to
resign for violations of the honor system, and that would protect all the
football players involved, One of them called me at home late at night and
said he feared for his life. I called the honor representative in that com-
pany, who knew what was going on, and told him to guard that cadet's room
6
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009
that night. The ferment and fear continued for a day or two, and then a num-
ber of things began to happen quickly. Fairly soon the whole story developed
--or at least most of it.
The foothall players involved had & meeting with Coach Blaik, and then
they reappeared before the board and said, in effect, "Well, yes, we'll tell
all." As each one implicated somebody else--we used the rosters they have for
each company in the Corps, and whenever someone would indicate, "Well, I
think he's in," or, "he is in," we had different symbols for positive identi-
fication, thinking someone was involved, or hearsay from another cadet.
Pretty soon a picture began to emerge, and the picture was that initial
involvement always got back to someone related to the football team, or the
academic coaches for the football team; someone who was a cheerleader. If it
was a kid from Podunk that wasn't a football player, but he was a cheerleader
or a football academic coach or a goat in a certain company, we could see it
was following a pattern and that cadet might wind up in it. Sure enough,
that's about the way it happened. And when we were finished we had around 90
cadets who were definitely involved, and there were two distinct groups.
The first group [was made up of] the football players and coaches who
finally admitted, "Yes, there was some cheating," and they would get the solu-
tions to the exams before they took them. The second group were those close
to the football players, like roommates, who knew what was going on but did
not report it, or goats who were drawn [in] by their close association with
the players or the academic coaches involved.
7
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010
It was a very trying time, because there were a lot of rumors going
around. of course, we couldn't say anything about this because we didn't know
what the authorities at DA [Department of the Army] would do about this scan-
dal. We did feel sure the Superintendent would support our recommendations.
so we'd cautioned the cadets who appeared before the board not to say any-
thing about it, but, from the football side of the house, we had lots of prob-
lems.
After the football players recanted, they brought in long lists of names
of people they were sure were involved, but they could not be specific. Some
of them told us later they had been told to involve everyone they possibly
could--make it look as though the whole Corps was involved. That's the feel-
ing they gave you when they started to admit to the cheating, but when we
started to track down their allegations, most of them disappeared into thin
air.
A common allegation was that someone who lived with a football player
was involved. We'd call in the football player who had already appeared and
been implicated and ask, "Well, how about your roommate? Does he know about
it?" "oh, no, sir. He'd turn us in in a minute." We got that response many
times, so we knew everybody wasn't involved.
As I sit here today, I'm absolutely certain, as I was by the end of the
summer of 1951, that the nucleus of the cheating ring was within the football
squad. We thought it had gone back maybe four or five years, maybe as far
back as 1945-1946. We didn't know how long. It consisted of a very small,
tightly knit group, and the help was given to a really great star, and some-
one in the football hierarchy did not want that player to be "found." Assist-
8
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011
ance was limited to a very small group by a very select group. You could al-
most trace it to a quarterback, captain, or a manager that could be trusted
not to reveal the honor violation to anyone in the Corps. There were one or
two rooms in the old North Barracks in which this passing of information
would take place. It was probably limited to one or two great players a year
whom someone wanted to be sure to keep on the team, but who couldn't pass the
academics without knowing what was on the write before they were taken. Most
of the players got legitimate coaching and had enough gray matter to get by,
whoever controlled the involvement was not going to risk helping just anybody
who happened to be a football player.
All of a sudden, in 1949 and 1950, West Point admitted a large number of
football players who lacked the educational qualifications to cope with the
academic program at the Academy. A number of them were, in the words of one
First Class football player, "recalcitrants who would do anything to break
regulations." They were, however, great football players, and they were go-
ing to bring another national championship to West Point. A number of them
didn't study very hard, and they couldn't possibly pass the academic program.
This was especially true of the Class of 1953, and when some in this group
got assistance--and a lot of them had to have it--their attitude was, "Every-
body does it--they don't really have an honor system at West Point."
As a result, they did not confine it to the football players, but drew
in goats and outsiders who took the write first, Even some of those who were
very intelligent and were academic coaches for the football team would say,
"Unauthorized assistance has always been available to the football players."
9
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012
Someone had given them that impression to draw them in. That was tragic, be-
cause there were some fine cadets in that group.
I don't believe it was done when I was a cadet. As I said earlier, I be-
lieve it may have started in the mid-'40's and was kept under very tight con-
trol. Then, when a large number of cadets came to West Point who needed help
and were also great players, the cheating spread out during the write of: 1949-
1950 and mushroomed in the 1951 write. As it spread out, it began to be not-
iced by those in the Corps close to the football squad. Unfortunately, same
of these youngsters were drawn in by the fame of the players and the emphasis
on football. However, they weren't all drawn in, because it was the average
cadets, that great unknown that you have in the Corps, were the ones who sur-
faced it.
I can recall that the morning of graduation the Superintendent, General
Irving, called me over and asked me if there [were] any First Classmen involv-
ed. I said, "well, we have a couple of names that some cadets say might be in-
volved. We have dug into those cases thoroughly, and it is always hearsay or
suspicion. I personally don't believe it can ever be proved; there is nothing
concrete that we have that would warrant you holding up their getting a com-
mission; and I just think legally we cannot do it, and I would recommend
against it." All of us on the board felt the same way.
I know the Superintendent, General Irving, and the Commandant, Colonel
Harkins, did everything they could to be sure that no one got out of it just
because he was a First Classman, The yearlings and Second Classmen said they
took the rap, and later in the summer when they knew they were going to be
discharged they pointed a finger at a few First Classmen. If they had given
10
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013
such information before graduation, we might have been able to recommend
action against one or tow, but we never did get anything concrete. Our board
recommended discharge of one Fourth Classman, 1954, fifty-three Third Class-
men from the Class of 1953, and twenty-nine Second Classmen, Class of 1952--
incidentally, these figures are close to the mark but may not be exact. This
wiped out the football squad for the 1951 football season, including the cap-
tain-elect.
I recall going over to Colonel Harkins' quarters the day we completed
the report. It was the day he was being packed. He sat on one of those old
Army footlockers we all have and signed the report, with the movers moving
things out all around him. So the major task was done before he left. There
was a lot of pressure, and it built up as the summer went on. The Corps as a
whole supported what we had done. They had a feeling and sense of the honor
system, and the importance of it to West Point. It was just unbelievable to
the couple of thousand cadets not involved that anything like that could hap-
pen.
The number and quality of BO many involved shocked all of us. of the
number that were involved I knew several through church activities, most as A
Squad football players. One youngster was the son of one of my early company
commanders when I was a new second lieutenant. God, when he walked in that
room I felt sick. That board proceeding was perhaps the most difficult task,
outside of hard combat decisions, that I ever had. But to me there was never
any question of what we should do. I said that the one thing that West Point
has is an honor system. I said, "The Army can get good officers anywhere, but
somewhere there has got to be a nucleus of a sense of honor and integrity
11
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014
that the Army must have, and if West Point doesn't provide that-well, do you
need a West Point?" So I had no reservations about recommending separation,
which we did.
After we had made our recommendations, we had a difficult period for at
least two months. During that time and before the DA approved the recommenda-
tions, a number of football players came in with lists of 200 or 50 or 75 or
80 names of cadets, and they would say, "These people, they're in on it." At
this time they added alternate members to the hoard to help us track down all
these new allegations. They had been given guidance from someone "to incrimin-
ate everyone you can so that they'll have to retract this decision." At that
point the Superintendent had made his recommendation, but in the meantime the
paper was down in Washington for final decision. Of course, this cheating
scandal was a hot political issue, but I must say the people at the top-I
believe Omar Bradley was Chief of Staff [J. Lawton Collins]-backed us up.
I remember one time after the report had been sent to DA talking to
Tracy Harrington and Jeff Irvin, who were on the board with me, and saying,
"Supposing we were wrong? Supposing the whole Corps was in it, like they say?"
This was in the period when the football players who had lied under oath were
bringing in long lists of cadets who they now said were involved. It was a
terrible feeling, because we had no way of knowing. This information wasn't
available before, and we wondered if we would have to change our judgment.
Well, if the whole Corps were involved--yes, I think West Point would have
had to take responsibility and start in again to try to educate them all in
what honor is all about. But one of the gratifying things in that period,
with all the names and new information funneled in to us, not another indivi-
12
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015
dual was added to the list to my knowledge. It just proved that there was a
concerted effort to discredit the board performance and the Corps of Cadets
as well.
It was a difficult summer, and for some period thereafter, at least for
those of us who were on the board. We were charged with all sorts of things,
like violating cadets' rights and making allegations that we had not made.
All of this was well orchestrated, it was a very trying period for me and a
distasteful one which I'll never forget. But there's no question in my mind
that our board, given the pressures of time and the other pressures, identif-
ied those that were involved. I say without any reservation that everyone who
was involved became involved through a football player-living with him,
coaching him in academics, or on the squad with him. The football team was
the source of the infection.
[In contact with legal people?]: Oh, yes, Before we ever started, we
talked with them about cadets' rights, how we should protect them. I know
that everyone that came in, the first thing we did was to tell them that they
didn't have to make a statement, but anything they said might be used against
them. The JAG had given us the proper legal format for all of that, and the
cadets' rights were protected. At that time they didn't have all of the legal-
ities that you have now. If that were so, I'm not certain that we ever would
have gotten the information that we did get. When those cadets came in and we
showed them the writs that had been handed around, they'd say, "Oh, yes, sir."
So we were lucky in that respect.
[And the media?]: We tried to controlit, but you couldn't because after
the DA approved it, they had to go to Congress to tell them, and suddenly it
13
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016
was on the radio and in the headlines. This was unfortunate, because the Com
wanted to assemble all those involved and announce the decision and let them
leave the Academy quietly without subjecting them to a lot of publicity. When
they heard the news over the radio, they blamed West Point for announcing it
and not telling them, and they were belligerent. You can't blame them, but
West Point had nothing to do with the release. There were reporters all over
the Academy trying to interview those involved, and they would say, "They are
trying to make an example of us. They all do it. They know everybody cheats
up here." The allegations and charges they made were awful.
Well, they changed my orders or, it's better to say, I didn't get any
orders. The Superintendent told me that I had to stay until they completed
the reviews. We had interviewed all those people, made decisions, made recom-
mendations, working literally around the clock in a very hectic two-three
week period. It was essential that the Academy conduct a review, especially
with all the new allegations flowing in. The Superintendent appointed three
more boards, consisting of people like Colonel Counts, people who were high
in the academic departments, post headquarters and other activities on the
post. They took three or four weeks to go over all the individual cases that
we had gone over, plus this great list of allegations that were coming in
about others that were involved.
This was the period in which I was saying to myself, "My God, suppose we
goofed?" I was thinking how terrible it would be if we had made a grievous
error. Also we would have misled the Commandant and the Superintendent in mak-
ing their judgments. But, as I said, those boards didn't add a single name;
boy, the longer that went on, the better I felt. Really, I was so relieved at
14
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017
the end of their review. They took maybe five-six names off our list, to
which I had no objection, nor did the other board members. There had been a
few people about whom we had said, "We think the circumstances on these peo-
ple are such that they need additional scrutiny, perhaps they should not be
separated because their involvement was vague--it might not have been proven
other than by their own statements." And I think the original 90 might have
been reduced to about 84 or some such figure. Our board had no objection to
it because there were a lot of peculiar circumstances surrounding this whole
thing.
The greatest relief came when a board of outsiders headed by Judge Hand
reviewed the entire effort. After they had talked to our board for more than
an hour, Judge Hand said, "You did a good job." Coming from such a distin-
guished jurist, it lifted our spirite after a summer of being under attack
by "unknown" forces.
[Impact on the honor system?] Well, first of all I think it strengthened
it. One of the things which perhaps I should have mentioned earlier was some-
thing we found in the yearling class and in the Second Class in companies
like, A, B, L and M, the flanker companies in where there were a lot of foot-
ball players. In the yearling Class of 1953, there were a large number who
were already on the first tema in the fall of 1950, and they had enough votes
to elect an honor representative in their company, in their class. You know
how the football players are held in esteem; if a cadet was captain-elect of
the football team in the Second Class, or a well-known yearling player, he
would say to his classmates, "Cadet BO and BO would make a good honor rep for
our class," and the other cadets would support him.
15
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018
You may recall that about mid-May of each year, each class in each cam-
pany elected their honor representatives. The election that had taken place
just about two weeks before we met resulted in three cadets in the Class of
1953 being elected as honor representatives. Our board found those cadets
guilty of violating the honor system. Those yearlings, and possibly some
Second Classmen, on the football team had campaigned to get them on the honor
committee so that in the event anything like an honor violation ever develop-
ed, the fellow football activist on the honor committee would be able to
cover for them. So you see, it was just beginning to get organized, and in
another couple of years it would have ruined the honor system unless it had
been surfaced. I still come back to that basic point about those unknown
cadets that surfaced it. They were just plain old cadeta like you and I were,
but they were heroic. They thought something was wrong, and they did some-
thing about it.
But it was a terrible thing when you consider the whole affair, how one
group could undermine the system. Of course, there were changes. As I had
said, I had suggested earlier that there was something wrong with the honor
system. I didn't know what 1t was, but I never thought of anything like this.
I never would have, and it was a shocking, shocking experience.
There is one other point that I have avoided in this discussion--point-
ing the finger at anyone, but since this oral history might be important to
the future of the Academy, and since I think I had fuller knowledge of this
than anyone else involved, I believe this point should be made. What was the
role of the football coach, Coach Blaik, in all of this? In the media, he was
extolled because he told the cadets to "tell the truth." Up to that point,
16
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JUN 29 '89 17:08 USMA SGS AV:688-3214
P,19
they had all lied under cath. If Colonel Blaik, a graduate, had brought these
youngsters up in the true tradition of West Point, there would not have been
an honor scandal. The football players looked to him for leadership and direc-
tion, and I am certain that he was the one that orchestrated the attack on
the board, on the Corps, and on the authorities at West Point in hopes that
the board's recommendations would be overridden. Several cadets told us they
had been told to implicate everyone they could, flood the board with names,
make it appear that the whole Corps was involved. Some said that guidance
came from the coach.
I mentioned earlier an odd coincidence when the First Captain, Cadet
Ryan, assembled the Corps in the theater to discuss the honor system in April,
and no one but cadets were to be present. In the last stages of the investiga-
tion, I was informed that after the cadets assembled for Cadet Ryan's talk
Coach Blaik had tried to enter the auditorium. He was told that only cadets
could attend, so he went to another entrance, where the same individual con-
fronted him and informed him that he could not enter.
Coach Blaik seldom attended Corps activities, and I often have wondered
why he was so interested in that meeting. Blaik was a great coach, but he was
more interested in success on the gridiron than he was in the well-being of
his alma mater. The authorities at West Point had over a period of ten years
gradually given Colonel Blaik more and more authority, so that by the early
1950's he was close to separating the football team from the Corps. So they,
too, much share some responsibility for what happened. I think Coach Blaik's
greatest achievement was in the 1951 football season, when he took the foot-
ball material that was left in the Corps and molded it into a team that play-
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020
JUN 29 '89 17:09 USMA SGS AV:688-3214
P.20
ed solidly and respectably throughout that season. However, he did not make
it easy for the Corps of Cadeta or Academy authorities in the difficult sum-
mer of 1951.
18
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
DATE:
7-7-89
FROM THE PRESIDENT
To:
Brent
Please instruct
Moush to
malu this
/
decision
GB
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 30, 1989
DATE:
NOTE FOR:
ANDY CARD
The President has reviewed the attached, and it is forwarded to
you for your:
information
action
XX
Thank you.
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
(x-2702)
cc:
THE. PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
130/89 THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
1930 JUN
preter
Marsh/
June 26, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
ANDY CARD Andy
Ihan
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Chuys
CHI
West Point Stadium
Attached please find a copy of my June 14th decision memorandum
to you regarding the naming of an athletic facility at West Point
to honor former football coach, Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik.
My earlier conversations with the Department of Defense led me to
believe that DOD's recommendations to name a new athletic
building in honor of Red Blaik had the support of the Blaik
Family. After receiving your decision, I called Bob Blaik to
confirm what DOD has relayed. Bob, however, related a different
recommendation. He said the Blaik Family is committed to plans
to rename the football stadium from the Michie Stadium to the
"Michie-Blaik Stadium," thus spanning 100 years of football
history at the Point.
Bob did say that the family does not object to naming a new
athletic building after Red Blaik, but would clearly prefer
having the stadium renamed in Coach Blaik's honor.
The institutional recommendation from DOD remains the same, i.e.,
name the new intercollegiate administration building "The Red
Blaik Administration Building."
Given the additional information, you might wish to rethink the
earlier decision. Options are once again listed below.
Rename Michie to "Red Blaik Stadium"
Name the football field inside the Stadium
"Red Blaik Field"
Name the Stadium "Michie-Blaik Stadium"
Name the new intercollegiate administration building
"The Red Blaik Administrative Building"
None of the above
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 14, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
FROM:
ANDY CARD tudy
6/15/84
SUBJECT:
West Point Stadium
As you know, there has been a lot of interest in naming an
athletic facility at West Point in honor of Colonel Earl "Red"
Blaik, former football coach. I have been in touch with the
Department of Defense several times concerning plans to honor Red
Blaik and report the following:
No athletic facility at West Point has been named
for anyone other than a cadet who played the sport
while at West Point, and who died in service to his
nation.
Michie Stadium was named for an athletic superstar
who graduated from West Point in 1892 and was killed
in action in Cuba in 1898. The Stadium was dedicated
in his honor in 1924.
Officials at the Department of Defense feel that
naming an athletic field after someone other than
a former cadet who fell in battle would violate the
customs and traditions of West Point.
There are several other memorializations of Red Blaik,
including Blaik Gallery where memorabilia are displayed
at Michie Stadium, a monument to Army athletes in front
of the center where Blaik's name is prominently listed,
and a cemetary plot where Blaik and his wife are buried.
The Blaik Family has been working with officials from West Point
to have a new intercollegiate administration building constructed
which would be named after Red Blaik. The Blaiks are
enthusiastic and the Army strongly endorses this project.
- 2 -
You clearly have the option to do whatever you feel is
appropriate.
Rename Michie to "Red Blaik Stadium"
Name the football field inside the Stadium
"Red Blaik Field"
Name the Stadium "Michie-Blaik Stadium"
CBV Name the new intercollegiate administration building
6.15
"The Red Blaik Administrative Building" if the family
None of the above
truly agrees.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 26, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ANDY CARD Andy
SUBJECT:
West Point Stadium
Attached please find a copy of my June 14th decision memorandum
to you regarding the naming of an athletic facility at West Point
to honor former football coach, Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik.
My earlier conversations with the Department of Defense led me to
believe that DOD's recommendations to name a new athletic
building in honor of Red Blaik had the support of the Blaik
Family. After receiving your decision, I called Bob Blaik to
confirm what DOD has relayed. Bob, however, related a different
recommendation. He said the Blaik Family is committed to plans
to rename the football stadium from the Michie Stadium to the
"Michie-Blaik Stadium," thus spanning 100 years of football
history at the Point.
Bob did say that the family does not object to naming a new
athletic building after Red Blaik, but would clearly prefer
having the stadium renamed in Coach Blaik's honor.
The institutional recommendation from DOD remains the same, i.e.,
name the new intercollegiate administration building "The Red
Blaik Administration Building."
Given the additional information, you might wish to rethink the
earlier decision. Options are once again listed below.
Rename Michie to "Red Blaik Stadium"
Name the football field inside the Stadium
"Red Blaik Field"
Name the Stadium "Michie-Blaik Stadium"
Name the new intercollegiate administration building
"The Red Blaik Administrative Building"
None of the above
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 14, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
PHESIDENT HAS SEEN
FROM:
ANDY CARD tudy
6/15/84
SUBJECT:
West Point Stadium
As you know, there has been a lot of interest in naming an
athletic facility at West Point in honor of Colonel Earl "Red"
Blaik, former football coach. I have been in touch with the
Department of Defense several times concerning plans to honor Red
Blaik and report the following:
No athletic facility at West Point has been named
for anyone other than a cadet who played the sport
while at West Point, and who died in service to his
nation.
Michie Stadium was named for an athletic superstar
who graduated from West Point in 1892 and was killed
in action in Cuba in 1898. The Stadium was dedicated
in his honor in 1924.
Officials at the Department of Defense feel that
naming an athletic field after someone other than
a former cadet who fell in battle would violate the
customs and traditions of West Point.
There are several other memorializations of Red Blaik,
including Blaik Gallery where memorabilia are displayed
at Michie Stadium, a monument to Army athletes in front
of the center where Blaik's name is prominently listed,
and a cemetary plot where Blaik and his wife are buried.
The Blaik Family has been working with officials from West Point
to have a new intercollegiate administration building constructed
which would be named after Red Blaik. The Blaiks are
enthusiastic and the Army strongly endorses this project.
- 2 -
You clearly have the option to do whatever you feel is
appropriate.
Rename Michie to "Red Blaik Stadium"
Name the football field inside the Stadium
"Red Blaik Field"
Name the Stadium "Michie-Blaik Stadium"
CBV: Name the new intercollegiate administration building
6.15 - None of the above
"The Red Blaik Administrative Building" if the family
truly agrees.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 26, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ANDY CARD Andy
SUBJECT:
West Point Stadium
Attached please find a copy of my June 14th decision memorandum
to you regarding the naming of an athletic facility at West Point
to honor former football coach, Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik.
My earlier conversations with the Department of Defense led me to
believe that DOD's recommendations to name a new athletic
building in honor of Red Blaik had the support of the Blaik
Family. After receiving your decision, I called Bob Blaik to
confirm what DOD has relayed. Bob, however, related a different
recommendation. He said the Blaik Family is committed to plans
to rename the football stadium from the Michie Stadium to the
"Michie-Blaik Stadium," thus spanning 100 years of football
history at the Point.
Bob did say that the family does not object to naming a new
athletic building after Red Blaik, but would clearly prefer
having the stadium renamed in Coach Blaik's honor.
The institutional recommendation from DOD remains the same, i.e.,
name the new intercollegiate administration building "The Red
Blaik Administration Building."
Given the additional information, you might wish to rethink the
earlier decision. Options are once again listed below.
Rename Michie to "Red Blaik Stadium"
Name the football field inside the Stadium
"Red Blaik Field"
Name the Stadium "Michie-Blaik Stadium"
Name the new intercollegiate administration building
"The Red Blaik Administrative Building"
None of the above
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 14, 1989
1830
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
PHESIDENT HAS SEEN
FROM:
ANDY CARD tudy
6/15/84
SUBJECT:
West Point Stadium
As you know, there has been a lot of interest in naming an
athletic facility at West Point in honor of Colonel Earl "Red"
Blaik, former football coach. I have been in touch with the
Department of Defense several times concerning plans to honor Red
Blaik and report the following:
No athletic facility at West Point has been named
for anyone other than a cadet who played the sport
while at West Point, and who died in service to his
nation.
Michie Stadium was named for an athletic superstar
who graduated from West Point in 1892 and was killed
in action in Cuba in 1898. The Stadium was dedicated
in his honor in 1924.
Officials at the Department of Defense feel that
naming an athletic field after someone other than
a former cadet who fell in battle would violate the
customs and traditions of West Point.
There are several other memorializations of Red Blaik,
including Blaik Gallery where memorabilia are displayed
at Michie Stadium, a monument to Army athletes in front
of the center where Blaik's name is prominently listed,
and a cemetary plot where Blaik and his wife are buried.
The Blaik Family has been working with officials from West Point
to have a new intercollegiate administration building constructed
which would be named after Red Blaik. The Blaiks are
enthusiastic and the Army strongly endorses this project.
- 2 -
You clearly have the option to do whatever you feel is
appropriate.
Rename Michie to "Red Blaik Stadium"
Name the football field inside the Stadium
"Red Blaik Field"
Name the Stadium "Michie-Blaik Stadium"
GBV
Name the new intercollegiate administration building
6.15
"The Red Blaik Administrative Building" if the family
None of the above
truly agrees.
6/22
Bobby Black think it would
be rename Michie Blaik Stadium
l entirely appropriatedium
N
to that
to made the a is mething they that oTher
this was (The milt. He would of ther be "would building you w on her sligect the the name "no" to the raing
facility (adu)
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date: 6-20
TO:
Andy
FROM:
Linda Gambatesa
Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff
From Col. Timmons
Robert M. Blaik (goes by Bobby)
Home: 719-630-8909
Colorado Springs, CO
Need to notify Col. Timmons of
decision also.
6/20 - - D left musage on a tape.
6/16
AC--
Re: Michie Stadium
Remember there are 2 blue sheet
letters from Ford & Nixon staffed
to Presock which need replies.
Should you be the one to send
letters back??
yes
Document Originally
Attached to
Following Page
6/20 Col. Timmons will
Luida-
callback -
Have me speak to
a Red Blaik family
member.
Auly
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
DATE: June 16, 1989
NOTE FOR:
ANDY CARD
The President has
seen
acted upon
x
commented upon
the attached; and it is forwarded to you for your:
information
action
x
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
(x-2702)
cc:
BOB BLAIK
P.O. Box 38635
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80937
303-630-8909
June 22, 1989
Andy Card
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Andy:
To clarify my position, I am totally committed and dedicated to the
efforts to rename the stadium at West Point to "THE MICHIE-BLAIK STADIUM".
It is appropriate and a natural. To rename the stadium would span,
nearly 100 years, the history of football at West Point - from beginning
with the first coach, Dennis Michie, to the most successful legendary
coach and teacher the Academy has experienced, Earl 'Red' Blaik.
The Superintendent, Gen. Dave Palmer, by his frank admission in our phone
conversation of June 20, 1989 opposes such a move.
I have attached a copy of my letter to General Palmer written immediately
after our conversation of June 20th.
I wrote President Bush on May 18th seeking his help to rename the stadium.
I appreciate your interest and thank you,
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
Bab-
Bob Blaik
BOB BLAIK
P.O. Box 38635
TO cren GW. 12 Leave DAU R. PALMER
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80937
Supare LT. SMITES NY. ACADAY
303-630-8909
UMITS West Pnt
June 20, 1989
Dear Dave:
Thank you for your call this afternoon.
I am somewhat confused on your position concerning controversy - why
one choice differs so greatly from another in naming or re-naming.
I'll confirm my feelings with regards to naming something in Dad's honor.
1) If you are asking me would I object to the naming of a
new Athletic Department Building, when or if it is built, my answer
is NO.
2) If you are asking would I object to the naming of the current
facilities that house the Director of Athletics, my answer is YES.
3) I sincerely believe the re-naming of 'Michie Stadium' to
"THE MICHIE-BLAIK STADIUM" is most appropriate, regardless of petty
objections. I will continue, with others, in my humble way to try to have
this accomplished.
I appreciate your frankness and objections concerning this matter.
With best wishes,
Bb-
Sincerely,
Bob Blaik