This is the cover of the June 1943 Howitzer, the yearbook of the United States Military Academy. Prominently featured is the class crest. When World War II broke out, the classes were accelerated. The class immediately preceding June 43 graduated in January 43 after 3 1/2 years with the June 1943 class completing in 3 years. After spending a full year each as Plebes (40-41) and Yearlings (41-42), they spent only 6 months as Cows (42) and 5 months a Firsties (43). These scans are from the Howitzer at of the Association of Graduates Archivist's office.

Note: Due to scanner size limitations, this image was formed from two separate scans

The inside front cover of the June 1943 Howitzer featured an aerial view of the Central Area overlaid with selected lyrics from "Benny Havens, Oh!". The song commemorates a many storied tavern opened in the 1830s in Highland Falls and it's proprietor. From the West Point Scrapbook, 1871: "...Benny Havens opened a tavern on the river's edge below the cliffs of Highland falls, about a mile and a half from cadet barracks. To this tavern, after taps and against regulation, came many cadets whose names were later to be written on their country's roll of honor." Over 60 verses are known to exist.

Note: Due to scanner size limitations, this image was formed from three separate scans

The credits emphasize that this was a class heading directly to the battlefield.

R-Day for the class of June 1943. From the page text: " 'Fools rush in where angels fear to tread' was the watchword on 1 July 1940, when six hundred of us from every state of the union reported to West Point. We turned in contraband articles, received our physicals, and as soon as there was a group of twelve, we were escorted to North Barracks where a small army in gray and white converged on us from all directions". The top picture is captioned "Where fools rush in ---", the bottom one "Sir, Cadet Jones Reports ---". Ernie is not in either of these pictures, but he would have had to pass through both places that day.

The summer before the start of Plebe year has two very significant formations - The Oath Taking on R-Day (Reporting) when the class members become "New Cadets", and the Parade on A-Day (Acceptance) when the class members become Plebes and are accepted into the United States Corps of Cadets.

Here the top picture is R-Day "Formed to take the oath" and the bottom picture is A-Day "We are presented to the Corrps". For his Plebe year Ernie was in "C" Company. If one assumes that the Cadet Basic Training company organization that year reflected the Corps company organization, Ernie is either one of the cadets in the top picture, or is just out of the image on the right. He would have been in the distance in the lower picture, in the third company from the end of the formation

Historical Note: The statue of George Washington, which by Ernie's death in 2006 had been moved to The Plain in front of Washington Hall can be seen in the background of the top R-Day photograph. It was displayed on Trophy Point while Ernie was at West Point.

The 1941 Howitzer portrait of "C" Company.

The associated text reads:
What matters that one slip from the smooth path leading to the achievement of one's goal - that serves but to increase the challenge to a man's soul to fight against all odds. June of 1940 saw C Company soar with just confidence towards a perch at the top of the ladder. July saw its wings clipped at the Tobyhanna "Bust". Redoubled effort and cooperation during the rest of First Class year answered this challenge and again sent C Company soaring high.

Ernie is on a back row just underneath and to the right of his enlarged image insert.

There are 149 cadets in this portrait. The Company had 36 Firsties in 1941

Yearling summer training for Ernie's class was more intense than in previous years. In addition to drill and ceremonies shown in these pictures, they learned the skills needed of a ground soldier. When his son and grandson complained about how hard it was to stand at attention for a long period of time during a review parade, Ernie gave them the advice to "Search out a pretty girl in the stands and concentrate on her"

The Howitzer included the following comment about that summer: "With not much of an interval to be become acclimated to the mode of living of a third classman, we learned that the world was becoming more involved in a war ended the customary free afternoons. Our days were taken up with close order drill, weapons or branch instruction, parades and inspections. Saturday morning meant review followed by inspection in ranks and in our tents. Saturday afternoons and Sundays were the times of rest which found us at hops, picnics, and Delafield Pond."

These three pictures were captioned "Saturday Inspection In Ranks", "Morning Drill Formation" and "The Colors Lead Us Home"

This is the 1941 Howitzer portrait of Plebes that contains Ernie. He is the fourth from the left on the last row, directly underneath his enlarged image insert.

This is the 1942 Howitzer portrait of Yearlings that contains Ernie. He is in the center of third row of standing cadets, fifth from the left, underneath his enlarged image insert. His best friend, Chuck Gaignat is on the next to last row, directly underneath the light on the wall.

The text accompanying the yearling portraits reads:

"Oh What has become of Yearling Deadbeat? Summer gave us no traditionally long afternoons of tennis, or golf, or swimming at Delafield. The pinch of national defense brought us long hours of military tactics. Then September plunged us into the hardest grind of academics. They gave us more Spanish and less French; we saw the inauguration of stools in the drawing academy while learning to draw intersection. But if furlough is seventy seven day so Christmas Leave - what sweeter balm could be found for our academic bruises."

The 1942 Howitzer portrait of "C" Company.

The associated text reads:
"We of 'C' Company are proud of the organization that we have helped to build. At first we had to get the feel of things, but now we plod merrily on our way, scoffing at the contention that there has to be a certain amount of friction for any company to click. Employing a feather touch on the quill and emphasis on the spirit, listening to anyone's two cents' worth, and eating everyone's boodle - we boast cooperation among classes, friends in every nook, and a respect for one another that we home to carry with us into the army. Respect and discipline gained by mutual understanding, friendliness and happiness gained by common undertakings - that's 'C' Company"

Ernie is on the back row just underneath his his enlarged image insert.

There are 140 cadets in this portrait.

After yearling year graduation ceremonies, the class split into two groups. Ground cadets left on furlough while the air cadets marched on to troop trains for primary flight training. At the flight schools, the cadets became "Dodos" (a plebe-like status) for 6 weeks of flight and ground school. After eight hours of flying time they soloed and advanced to cross country flying and aerobatics. This picture shows the PT-17 Stearman "Kaydet" trainers they used. These two-seater biplane introduced by Stearman Aircraft (subsequently acquired by Boeing) were widely used during World War II. Despite its almost obsolete design, its simple, rugged construction made it ideal as a trainer for novice pilots. The Kaydets had fabric-covered wooden wings, single-leg landing gear, an over-built welded-steel fuselage and radial engines. PT stood for "Primary Trainer".

"... The Wild Blue Yonder" This picture of a cadet standing beside a PT-17 was not otherwise identified. Between the sunglasses, earphones and the rest of the flying equipment it would be very hard to be sure of the cadet's identity. However, Ernie would have looked just like this.

According to Col Bill DeBrocke, a classmate of Ernie's in company D-1 "I do remember feeling sorry for the flying cadets when, on a cold and dark night when we ground soldiers could relax after dinner, the flyers had to climb into those old sheepskin lined jackets and bus to Stewart Field for night flying. I did not envy them then and really do not know how they made it through academics."

A few days after they returned to West Point from basic flight training, Stewart Field outside of Newburgh NY, was completed and dedicated. There the flight cadets started advanced flight training. Each completed ~150 hours in the air and ~93 hours of ground-school. Ernie is most certainly in this picture, however who knows where. The planes in the background are mostly AT-6 "Texan" two-place advanced trainers which were the advanced classroom for most of the Allied pilots who flew in World War II. Although not as fast, it was designed to have all the characteristics of a high-speed fighter. Records show the "Texan" was used to train more military pilots from more countries of the world than any other aircraft ever built before or since. The class started with 245 cadets with 206 of them completing training and receiving wings.

In the fall of 1942 the Corps of Cadets were reorganized into two regiments, replacin the one that had existed before. In addition Earnie's class "scrambled", that is it class members were reassigned to differenct companies. Ernie was reasigned from Company C to Company D of the 1st Regiment. This is the January 1943 Howitzer portrait of D-1 Company Cows. Ernie is in the second row, third from the right underneath his enlarged image insert.

This is the January 1943 Howitzer portrait of D-1 Company.

The associated text reads:
"A new company, born from the strength and tradition of pre-war C Company, D-11 symbolizes the spirit of the Corps - Duty, Honor, Country. Through the earnest efforts of her upper classes and the cooperation of her fourth class, the spirit of old C Company - to be the best company in the Corps - permeates the ranks. Though we always missed those men who earned their wings at schools far away, the war could not break our solidarity. Spoken of as 'hard,' yet spoken of with respect, we won our share of glory and drill streamers, faced our troubles, and had our fun. Representing ourselves as middle-of-the-road cadets we easily if into the system that is the Corps of Cadets and feel justly proud of our determination to carry into the service with us the principles and ideals of West Point"

The US entry into World War II caused several changes at West Point. Beginning with the 1942-43 school year the time to graduation was shortened and the enrollment was increased. The old company "C" was split into two companies, with half going to form the upper class for a new D-1 company. The January 1943 class graduated spent only 6 months as Firsties and graduated after 3 1/2 years.

Ernie can be seen on the second row, second cadet from the right underneath his enlarged image insert.

There are 136 cadets in this portrait. The company had only 13 Firsties and 27 Cows.

"Flying High Into The Sky". This is a picture of an AT-6 in flight taken during Ernie's Firstie (half) year. According to the Howitzer "Those of us who were air cadets thought we had worked hard during the preceding summer and fall, but in advanced training we were to be rudely awakened to the terrifying realization that we had not yet begun to work. We were assigned to either single or twin engine squadrons, and we started working for perfections. New ships meant just that much more for us to learn and with AT6's, 10's and 11's w started out on the last lap of our training. As we progressed in advanced training, we flew formations, practiced combat maneuvers, and even ventured into dog-fights. Some of us carried our arms in slings, the mark of inattentiveness and not just a little misfortune. We had a great deal of flying time to put behind us and flew on week-ends, often having our cherished leaves snatched from us at the very last. Sleep became a thing of the past as we flew nights until down and made extensive cross-country flights. Another important and final phase of our flight training was the firing for record on the aerial gunnery range in which the problems of aerial combat were brought home to us". As a side note, there are five "in memoriam" entries at the end of the June 43 Howitzer acknowledging cadets who died before graduation. Four of the entries reflected Air Training accidents.

These are the Firsties of D-1. Ernie is the second cadet from the right, in the center row leaning on the stair railing. This picture was taken on the porch of a Division Barracks

This is the June 1943 Howitzer portrait of D-1 Company. The picture was taken on the steps at the entrance to the Mess Hall

Ernie was a member of First Regiment, Company D (D-1) This is the company portrait for his graduation year. The text on the page reads: "D-1 has already commenced to build a tradition of participating fully in all Corps activities. As Bill, the B.P. used to say, 'Nobody likes the 'little flankers', they're in everything." We hope and believe that years from now Bill's successors can say the same. We have had our share of fun, tried to do more than our share of the work. We have our share of goats and engineers, of aces and dodoes, of athletes and comforteers, of ranking files and sluggoids. We have taken what the Corps has offered and found it good. And it is our hope that outside the Long Grey Line will take us, and those who follow and find us good."
In the above quote, B.P. was the term for "Barracks Policeman". While cadets we were responsible for cleaning their own rooms. The BPs, all civilians, kept the other parts of the barracks clean.

Ernie is the first cadet on the the left in the second row underneath his enlarged image insert. He is in the cadet dress uniform, missing the white belts and overcoat being worn by most of the remaining cadets. His reasons for not being in overcoat and crossed belts is not known.

There are 106 cadets in this portrait. The company had 30 Firsties

This is the informal picture of Ernie on his page in the Howitzer. The text on his page reads: "That never ending search for 'sure-fire' hair restorer and many hours spent in the pool earning that minor 'A' in swimming have not prevented Ernie from performing his duties. Although his academics suffered from his Air Corps training, he has reached his first objective and still has his congenial smile and friendly personality"

This is Ernie's formal Graduation portrait. The caption reads "Ernest Thorpe Cragg; Congressional, 4th, Conn; 'Ernie'" The center entry identifies his appointment to the Academy. He was nominated by Representative Albert E. Austin (R), 4th Congressional District in Connecticut. Clare Boothe Luce (R) was the representative on his graduation. He graduated 292 in a class of 514

" 'So long,' we whispered as the command 'Graduating class, front, center march!' was given. We marched out of the United States Corps of Cadets and the yearlings took over". With that command the graduating firsties separated from brigade. They left their companies marched to the reviewing side of The Plain to receive the "Pass in Review" which ended the parade.

General Henry "Hap" Arnold was featured at the class graduation. During the accelerated class period, many West Point cadets, including Ernie, earned their "Wings" by graduation and were authorized to wear them during graduations ceremonies. Ernie was quite proud that he received his diploma from General Arnold.

Note: while this portrait shows him as a Lieutenant General (3 stars), he had been promoted to full General (4 stars) by graduation.

This is the West Point Ring Ernie was wearing at his death. He wore one all of his life from graduation on - 63 years. The ring has a central black star sapphire stone with the words "West Point" above and "1943" below. The left side of the ring displays the West Point shield, the right side the June 43 Class Crest. He gave a miniature to his wife Helen as an engagement ring and their wedding bands were molded to fit next to the West Point ring. Upon his death, this ring was given to his grandson Steven, USMA Class of 2009. Steven's West Point ring also has a central black star sapphire stone

As a side note, both Ed and Pete remember Ernie's ring as having his birthstone, a garnet, not a black star sapphire. In addition Helen's matching rings are missing. Ed speculates that upon her death, Ernie placed their rings in the urn containing her ashes. He subsequently ordered a replacement ring with the different stones

Postscript: The class of June 1943 donated the "Thayer Gate", the main entrance to West Point used by the general public. This picture shows the approach to the gate. Due to the increased security subsequent to 9/11, properly decaled cars may go to the right and pass through for subsequent inspection. Other cars must must keep left, stop at the gate, show picture identification and explain their purpose for entering the post.

This is a collage of the East Wall of the Thayer Gate (the right side above). On the left side of the collage is the June 1943 Class Crest, on the right side is the donation plaque. The bottom plaque in the image, not separately shown, provides the credits for the gate's construction

This is the plaque on the West Wall of the Thayer Gate (the left side above). It was placed as part of the 50th renunion of the June 1943 class. May it be the epilogue for the class, and for Ernie