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US Military Academy at West Point/Answered Question
| Expert: | Bill Taylor |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Puerto Ricans graduates of West Point |
| Question: | QUESTION: Dear Sir, I am a writer of Puerto Rican military related issues. I would like a list of names of the people from Puerto Rico who have been appionted to the Academy bu the Pr Government and their date of graduation. I know that MG. Luis R. Esteves was the first. I am especailly interested in Col. Virgil R. Miller, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Thank you ANSWER: Hi, Tony, it's good to hear from you. Thanks for your interest in West Point. I apologize for the delay in responding as I have been trying to find someone at West Point who might know of any records kept about ethnic groups graduating from West Point. So far I have NOT been able to find anyone who knows that such information (e.g. list) is available. As to the two names you reference, I searched the "Register of Graduates and Former Cadets" published annually by the West Point Association of Graduates and found NO graduate with the last name "Esteves". Are you sure of the spelling? As to COL Miller I found the following summary: Virgil Rasmuss Miller Cullum Number - 7577 Class of - 1924 Born-11Nov00 Place-PR Appointment- Branch-Inf Obituary-Summer 69 The "Register" also lists his personal history as follows: T-PAEM XO & CO 442Inf SS-LM-2BSM-CI PMST LehighU 49-51 JAMMAT 51-52 PMST UMI 52 Ret 54 COL D-Ann Arbor MI 5Aug68 There are too many abbreviations here, but I'll try to help as best I can: T—Theatre or area of operations during World War II (is followed by one or more letters to indicate the particular theatre or area) PA—Philippine Army EM-?? XO-Exeuctive Officer CO-Commanding Officer 442Inf-442nd Infantry (Battalion or Regiment) SS-Silver Star Medal LM-Legion of Merit Medal BSM-Bronze Star Medal CI-Combat Infantry Badge PMST-Professor of Military Science & Tactics JAMMAT—Joint American Military Mission for Aid to Turkey UMI-University of Michigan I hope that helps regarding COL Miller. Back to the list of Puerto Rican graduates, a manual search of the "Register" since 1924 "might" reveal the graduates "born" in PR, but not those of PR ancestry born elsewhere. The "Register" can be found in most large libraries. If you have any better information on MG Esteves please feel free to contact me at billt@virtualwp.org and I will see what else I can do to help you. Good luck in your quest. Best Regards, Bill Taylor Gambrills, MD ---------- FOLLOW-UP ---------- QUESTION: Thank you Bill, In regard to MG. Luis Raul Esteves Völckers he was the first Puerto Rican to graduate from the United States Military Academy (West Point), on June 19, 1915. He was classmates with Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley. Could you find out for me if there is a "Register" which also lists his personal history? Thank you. Tony Santiago A.K.A. "Tony the Marine" ANSWER: It's good to hear from you again, Tony. Esteves IS his last name in the records and I cannot account why the online search did not find him last night. In any event here is his "Register" information: Luis Raul Esteves Cullum Number - 5409 Class of - 1915 Born-30Apr93 Place-PR Appointment- Branch-Inf Obituary-Fall 58 History Instr & CO OTC PR 17-18 MAJ Resd 19 CPT BG TAG PR 39 CG PR Mobiles Fcs 40 LM MG PRNG 48 to Ret 57 D-San Juan Puerto Rico 12Mar58 And here is some help with abbreviations: OTC(S)—Officers Training Camp (School) TAG—The Adjutant General (he was the Adjutant General of Puerto Rico in 1939 Fcs—Forces PRNG-Puerto Rico National Guard I hope that helps in your research. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Best Regards, Bill Taylor Gambrills, MD ---------- FOLLOW-UP ---------- QUESTION: Dear Bill, First of all, let me wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving. I would also like to thank you for all of the help that you have provided me in my past requests. Here is a copy of the article which I wrote about Col. Virgil R. Miller: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil_R._Miller I would like your help once more in obtaining any information on Colonel Antulio Segarra a 1927 West Point Grad. who also graduated from The General Staff College in 1942. Thank you, Tony Santiago a.k.a. Tony the Marine |
| Answer: | Hi, Tony, it's good to hear from you again. I apologize for the extended delay in responding, as I was consumed all last week with responsibilities of running the Army Tailgate for 2000 fans at the Army/Navy game last Saturday in Baltimore. The Tailgate was a great success. Too bad the game was so dismal for our side. Here's the information I found in the Register: Antulio Segarra Cullum Number 8179 USMA Class of 1927 Born Puerto Rico 20 Jan 1906 Admitted to West Point as a Candidate At-Large Commissioned in the Infantry; Company Commander 10th Infantry 1929; Military Aide to the Military Governor of Puerto Rico (Theodore Roosevelt) 1929-1931; Served with the 18th Infantry Ft Wadsworth, NY and Camp Dix Civilian Conservation Corps 1932-1936; Commander 296th PR Infantry 1942-1943 [awarded the Legion of Merit and Commendation Ribbon]; Commander 65th Infantry in North Africa 1943-1944; G4 SW Command Japan 1950-1951, Camp Commander 1951 [awarded the Legion of Merit]; Senior Advisor and Instructor to PR National Guard 1952-1955; Inspector General of 3rd Army 1955-1957; Requirements Section, National Guard Bureau, Wash DC; Retired in 1957 as a Colonel; VP 1S&L Associates 1957 to 1981; Died in San Juan Puerto Rico 13 Sep 1999 I hope this helps your research. Thanks for your patience. Best Regards, Bill Taylor Gambrills, MD Bill Taylor |
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Bill Taylor
Expertise
I can answer questions about admissions to West Point; about the history of West Point; about how to travel to West Point, where to eat, where to stay, etc.; and about West Point`s alumni organization, the West Point Association of Graduates.
Experience
I am a 1970 Graduate of West Point. I served six years on active duty and another 8 years in the active reserve. I have been actively involved as a Field Admissions Representative for over 15 years and have participated on my Congressman's Academy Selection Panel for over 20 years. I am actively involved in West Point Alumni affairs, serving in roles both with the West Point Association of Graduates and the local alumni chapter in Annapolis, MD. I also have two sons who graduated from West Point in 1995 and 2001. Both are veterans of the Iraq war and continue to serve on Active Duty in the Army.
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