Go Army! Beat Navy!

“On, brave old Army team; On to the fray: Fight on to victory, For that’s the fearless Army way” (35-36).

The Book

A Team for America: The Army-Navy Game that Rallied a Nation at War, by Randy Roberts, is a look at America and college football during World War II. While the main focus is one specific game, the book spends most of its pages helping the reader understand why this game was so important.

In the 1930s, the football team at the United States Military Academy (USMA/Army) was struggling. It couldn’t beat its major rivals (including Notre Dame and the United States Naval Academy) and the size of the team was small. In January 1941, the Superintendent of USMA recruited Earl Blaik to turn the team around. In three short years, Blaik introduced the T-formation, recruited standout players, and pushed towards national recognition. The reader learns about Blaik’s coaching style, the changes going on in college football, and key players on the Army team. Always present in the narrative is the reality of World War II and the impact it had on teams, fans, and travel.

During the 1944 season, the national press began to compare the success of Army’s football team to the success of the Army across Europe. Suddenly, there was an even brighter national spotlight on the team. Roberts says, “The 1944 Army-Navy game was widely described as the most important game of football ever played in America” (213). Most Americans had a family member either deployed, in the military, or working on the Homefront. Americans were also war-weary and ready for a return to life before the war. The game was a battle, but Army won 23-7.

Roberts writes in a way that draws the reader into the excitement and crescendos in the last couple of chapters focused on the 1944 game. It is easy to read and would appeal to fans of history, football, or the Army. In a way, the reader encounters a unique perspective: World War II through the lens of football. 

The Place
The Army-Navy Football Game is the last game of the regular season and is typically played in Philadelphia (about equidistant from the two academies). It is truly an incredible experience. My family was able to attend twice during the time my brother was a Cadet at the United States Military Academy. When you attend the Army-Navy Game, you are in for more than college football. Both academies take turns marching onto the field and spectators cheer for the future Army and Navy leaders. Army helicopters and Navy jets fly over the field and the Army Black Knight parachutes to the sidelines. While much as changed since the 1944 Army-Navy Game, the patriotic excitement is still felt at present day games.

The only downside to attending the game is the time of year it is played: the first or second week of December. It is often cold and the day can bring rain, snow, and/or sleet. I would recommend wearing numerous layers. Tickets are required, there is ample parking (for a fee) at the stadium, and the Philadelphia area provides a variety of hotels, restaurants, and things to see. 

Fortress on the Hudson

“The United States Military Academy, a sprawling stone fortification, looks down several hundred feet to the deep Hudson” (p. 35).

The Book

Sacred Ties: From West Point Brothers to Battlefield Rivals introduces the reader to six friends and their journey from the United States Military Academy at West Point to the Civil War. Three of the friends fought for the Union and three of the friends fought for the Confederacy.  While the overall focus of Sacred Ties is the Civil War, it begins with an introduction to the world of West Point. Students at West Point are referred to as cadets and their time is aimed at academics and military training. Tom Carhart does a good job of introducing the reader to life at West Point in the 1860s and pointing out the similarities to training at West Point today.

By following the battles of the Civil War, Carhart is able to follow the careers of each friend. A reader will only recognize one of the six friends: George Armstrong Custer; although the other five contributed significantly to their respective sides of the war. Carhart says, “The Civil War was probably the best demonstration of West Point’s central military role in America history, for in virtually all the major battles of that war both sides were commanded by West Point graduates” (p. 4). Throughout the book, Carhart points out other West Point graduates in addition to the six friends.

While the opening chapters regarding West Point are beneficial, the flow is challenging to follow in places. Carhart attempts to weave stories about the six friends in with training at West Point. It does not always flow as well as it could. Once the focus shifts to the Civil War, the flow improves. Overall, this book provides just enough detail not to overwhelm the reader. It includes lesser known battles and a fresh perspective on the Civil War.

The Place

The United States Military Academy at West Point is a unique place. A visitor feels like she is stepping into a castle fortress built to protect its inhabitants from invaders. The history of America runs deep and visitors can walk in the footsteps of Grant, Patton, MacArthur, Eisenhower, and Schwarzkopf. It is easy to imagine the generals of the Civil War at West Point because little has changed.

The best way to see West Point is to take a tour. West Point Tours, Inc provides guided tours daily and for groups. Some important highlights would be Trophy Point, the Old Cadet Chapel, the Cadet Chapel, and the Plain. Each of these plays a significant role in the history of West Point or the daily lives of each cadet. I would also recommend visiting the West Point Museum. Not only does it provide the history of West Point, but it is home to numerous United States Army artifacts and dioramas of historically significant battles. 

A visit to West Point is fascinating and educational. West Point is the intersection of the history and future of the United States Army. It is important to remember that West Point is a functioning United States Army post that requires visitors to pass through security before entering.