West Point Graduation - D-Day 1944

June 6, 1944, was graduation day for the Class of ’44 cadets at West Point. It also turned out to be D-Day. Among the 474 graduates was Hiram B. Ely Jr. There were also 20 sons of general officers, one of whom was John Eisenhower, the son of General Dwight Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces who was in charge of the D-Day landing.

News of the Normandy landing had already reached the cadets. American radio stations first heard of the invasion hours earlier when German stations announced that it had begun. This was later confirmed by Allied commanders. But confirmation of invasion during the graduation ceremony was well received. Major General Brehon Somervell, the principal speaker, said:

Today, our forces began that grim, tough, and bloody march from the shores of the Atlantic to Berlin. Many of you will join in that march. Many of you will become a part of the sweep in the Pacific which will lead eventually to the destruction of Japan. How much it will take to achieve victory, no one can predict. A one fact and one only may we be sure: we are going to win.

Hi was ranked, according to general merit, 130 out of his graduating class of 474. He was awarded Minor Sports Manager's Insigne - Gymnastics for the Winter athletic season, 1944.

The entry for Hi Ely in the 1944 Howitzer, the USMA West Point year book states:

A 'brat' who has the answers, who's been around (being able during plebe year to answer, "sir, I'm from there," consistently); a managerial type; a draggoid whose dragging proficiency was something of much renown, a K-det with a distinctive walk - that's Hi. Not much of a personal indulgent, he was always on hand, though, to help and support the "Big Rabble". A Kayes product with plenty of determination, Hi should go far.

According to the USMA 1946 Bugle Note handbook, under the heading A Glossary of Cadet Sland, to 'drag' means to escort a lady. And for the non-military readers of this story, an army 'brat' is the offspring of serving or retired military personnel.

The year book also listed Hi's involvement in the following:
Company E-2
Corporal (3)
Sergeant
Football Manager (4,3)
Gym Manager (3,1) [gymnastics]
Choir (4,3,1)
Glee Club (4)
Pointer (4,3,1) [the Corps' bi-monthly magazine]
Academic Coach (3,1)
Kayco May Day Show

Hi's proud parents, Zelie & Hi Sr, and Hi's Aunt at the graduation

Published: 16 July 2023