To Hoist A Symbol Hue: A USNA Class of 1974 Memoir

The early 1970s were turbulent times. The Viet Nam War was raging and anti-war protests were being held at colleges and universities across the nation. However, on 29 June 1970 1,392 young men volunteered to serve their country by entering the U.S. Naval Academy. Over the next 4 years they would witness many major events while completing their degrees at the Academy in preparation to serve as Ensigns in the Navy or 2nd Lieutenants in the Marine Corps. View this transformation from the viewpoint of one member of the Class of 1974. Through him you will learn of daily life at the Academy during a time when the Academy was still an all male institution. You will both laugh and agonize with the class as they struggle through Plebe Year. You will gain an appreciation of the rivalry between Navy and Army. You will be amazed at Midshipman ingenuity. You will witness these young men matures as leaders. Most of all you will learn what it was like for them to have what they had considered to be their God given rights taken from them on Induction Day and then given back to them one at a time as privileges over their next four years.