When President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared Dec. 7, 1941, 'a "day that will
live in infamy," many men and women brushed destiny to either live or die
heroes. Army Air Force Capt. Colin P. Kelly, Jr. (West Point Class of 1937),
was one of those who paid the supreme price of freedom. Capt. Kelly became
American first Mil hero when he crashed his bomber into a Japanese warship
tp brighten the glow of freedom and patriotism from coast to coast.
lit was at decoration-ceremonies for Capt. Kelly, that President Roosevelt
announced an open letter to the.President of the United States in 1958, re
questing that President to appoint Capt. Kelly's son, Colin, to the United
States Military Academy.
Colin, the third was 16 months old at the time, but learned at an early age
of his father's heroism, and his waiting Presidential appointment. In fact,
Colin says "I never considered going anywhere else."
Now a first classman at the Military Academy, Cadet Kelly wont first to
Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he took algebra, French,
chemistry, and English. Then with thousands of others, young Kelly took the
USMA competitive examinations and won his appointment the "hard way," which(
for him was the "right way."
Winning a commission was one ambition, singing with the Glee Club at West
Point was another, and playing soccer was another. Right now, Kelly is two
for three, being Cadet in Charge of the Glee Clubs and having won two numerals
and two letters in soccer. The commission in wither Armor or Infantry will
come in June 1963*
Last Saturday though, Cadet Kelly and the Army soccer team would have trad
ed them all for at least one goal against Navy. The Navy lads hustled to a
1-0 win over Army in the annual competition at Clinton Field, and Kelly as
usual went the "hard way." He played forward and right half.
Coach Joe Palone, who*s been at West Point for 18 years, and soccer coach
for 13, says of Kelly, ”he*s a wonderful lad. Coiin, who's only 160 pounds
and stands six feet, is a wiry boy, and one of the most loyal, hard workers
on the team."
Perhaps the nicest thing's person could ever say about anyone, is what
doach,palone says about Cadet Colin P. Kelly, III - "His hat size has never
changed."
And while Army didn't win the soccer game with Navy, Cadet Kelly must know
that a very special member of the Long Gray Line looks down on the Plain at
West Point, and .echoes, "You are a man, my son."
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It.looks like the good skiing snow is just about gone for the time being.
We.hope, that there will be a good snow fall both for skiing and also for
us non-skiers who would like to see a real white Christmas.
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