Evening star., 1951-08-03
'9OCadetsFired
|At West Point
orCheating
Football Players
Included in Group
Ousted at Academy
By John A. Giles

W west HOlnL CdQeCS nave Deen
discharged for violation of the
code of conduct" The infractions
included receiving improper out
side assistance in academic work."
the announcement said.
Army Secretary Pace said that
he had taken the action on the
recommendation of Gen. j. LaWton
Collins, Army Chief of Staff.
No names were disclosed, but 1t
was said that some football play
ers were involved.
Judge Learned Hand of the Sec
ond United States Court of APP
Ipeals headed a Board of Review
which went over the findings and
reported to Maj. Gen. Frederick
"A. Irving, the Military Academy
superintendent.
Following a thorough inveSti-
cation of the case by a board Of
military academy officers ap-
pointed at West Point by the
superintendent. this case was re-
ported to the Secretary through
the Chief of Staff" the announce
ment stated.
DismiSSals Upheld.
The superintendent approved
the recommendations of the West
Point board that the cadets in
volved be discharged from the
service. Following this recommen-
'dation Mr.. Pace appointed re-
view board headed by Judge
Hand"
Along with the announcement
here, the Army made available a
release by Gen. Irving in which it
was stated that there had been
"a serious breach" of the West
Point code of honor.
Honor Code Violated.
I'm this instance the Infrac-
tions consisted of receiving i'm
proper outside assistance II aca-
demic work" the West Point an
nouncement explained. I'm ac-
Icordance with the accepted code
of honor, cadet is not permitted
to seek or to accept improper as
sistance in any of the tests pre-
Isented to him in class"
The code which was described
"as the basis of the traditional
high standard of personal inVcg-
rity and character which has been
, "a hallmark throughout It's exist
ence was established by and is
administered largely by the cadet"
While the announcement did
not name the cadets involved, it
did state that among them were
cadets who "have been prominent
in various activities including var
sity football"
In addition to Judge Hand the
board consisted of 1t. Gen. Troy
H. Middleton, retired, president
of Louisiana State University, and
Maj Gen. Robert M. Danford, re-
tired. former West Point COM
mandant and former president Of
the West Point Association of
graduates.
/ Mr.. Pace stated that the board
was unanimous in its recommen-
dation that the cadets be dis
charged.
Can't Compromise Code.
'I deeply regret that it is neces-
sary to take this severe action"
MI. Pace stated. THE great value
of West Point to the Army and to
the Nation rests on the unwaver-
ing integrity and character of its
graduates. I feel that there can
be no compromise of high stand
ards of conduct on which West
Point was founded. The honor
code is the essence of West Point
and must be maintained.
In weighing this action the
Chief of Staff and I were also in
fiuenced by the fact that an Army
officer has in battle the RESPONSE
bility for the lives of men under
his command, just as a doctor
has the responsibility for the life
or death of his patients.
THE integrity of such a man
must be above reproach. There is
no question but that throughout
its existince West Point has set
the high standards and the tenetS
of the officer corps of the Army
and these must be preserved"
Army officials said it was the
first time in the history of the
academy that there had been a
large-scale discharge of cadets.
One or two have been discharged
from time to time for violations
of the code, however.
Effective Immediately.
They said that the discharges
were beginning Immediately.
Judge Hand had secret con-
ferences with both Mr.. Pace and
Gen. Collins in New York several
weeks ago, but the department
refused to disclose any inkling
of what was being discussed to-
day.
In making his announcement.
Gen. Irving said this action was
the source of the deepest regret
to me as well as to all graduates
and cadets of the military acad-