West Point 1915

West Point 1915: Eisenhower, Bradley, and the Class the Stars Fell On by Michael E. Haskew  235 pp.

The subtitle of this book refers to the fact that of the 164 graduates of the United States Military Academy in 1915, 59 of them achieved the rank of Brigadier General (1 star) or higher. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar N. Bradley reached the rank of General of the Army (5 stars), an honor only given to nine others in history. While the book mainly focuses on Eisenhower, who is the most famous due to his Presidency, there is much about Gen. Bradley, and the others, especially their accomplishments during World War II. The last of the "stars", Gen. James Van Fleet died in 1992 at the age of 100. The last member of the class of 1915 was Col. Edmund Ellis who lived to be 104 and died in 1995.

A friend of mine was an Army Bandsman stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX in the late 1970s. Gen. Bradley lived the last years of his life in a house on the grounds until his death in 1981 at 88. When the band played Retreat each evening, Bradley would attend if his health permitted. His personal aide, a major, would bring him out in his wheelchair, then help the General to stand as the band played. He served on active duty for 69 years, 8 months, and 7 days, the longest active duty career in the United States Armed Forces.