Morningside Heights in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Columbia University Midshipmen's Training

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 4, 2016

1. Columbia University Midshipmen's Training Marker

Inscription.
To
Columbia University
In appreciation of its generous assistance
and unceasing cooperation in the training
of 23,000 officers who went from the
U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School
New York
to active duty in World War II
to defend the principles which this
university has always upheld

Commodore John K. Richards, U.S. Navy
Commanding Officer
April 20, 1942 • November 2, 1945

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Education • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1942.

Location. 40° 48.397′ N, 73° 57.776′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Morningside Heights. Memorial can be reached from West 114th Street east of Broadway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10027, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Low Memorial Library (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Dewey (approx. 0.2 miles away); New York City Defenses During the War of 1812 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Harlem Heights (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of St. Luke's Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cecil B. DeMille

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harlan Fiske Stone (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

More about this marker. Driving is not an option for reaching this marker, but it can easily be found on foot. Upon entering the campus from either of the W. 114th St. entrances, walk to the front of the Butler Library (both entryways flank the library), and the marker can be found mounted to a cement wall next to the ADA accessibility ramp.

Also see . . . World War II (Columbia Honor Roll). ... Beginning in 1942, Columbia’s Morningside Heights campus served as a training center for the Navy. It used twelve Columbia-owned buildings to house a Midshipmen’s School that trained more than 20,000 officer candidates during the next four years for duty in the fleet. In addition, Columbia was a site for the Navy’s V-12 programs, which trained doctors and dentists for military service. A third program, the Military Government School, was established under the direction of Professor Schuyler Wallace of the Department of Government to train a cadre of
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 4, 2016

2. Columbia University Midshipmen's Training Marker - Wide View
The marker is visible here, mounted to a cement wall, just by the ADA ramp.
Naval officers to handle the administration of occupied territories. These contributions to the war effort gave the military a strong presence on the Columbia campus, a presence that was recorded in many ways, including in the artwork of the students who illustrated the yearbooks during the war years.... (Submitted on October 8, 2016.)

Additional commentary.
1.
The opening chapters of Herman Wouk's novel The Caine Mutiny deal with protagonist Willis Seward Keith's experiences during the Midshipmen's training program here.

— Submitted April 7, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 418 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.