50-Year Affiliate Class of 1979 Gripped Hands, Presented Flag to Class

By Rebecca Rose, WPAOG Multimedia Producer

The Class of 2029 graduated from Cadet Field Training II and received their Class Flag on June 24, marking another milestone in their West Point journey. 

Members of their 50-Year Affiliate Class of 1979 attended the ceremony and presented the class with their Class Flag. After the ceremony, 50-Year Affiliates gripped hands with members of the yearling class by socializing and exchanging stories. During the ceremony, Mr. James J. McGorry ’79 had the honor of presenting the flag to the class, accompanied by three of his classmates: LTC (R) Steven R. Niblett (USAR), Mr. Eugene L. McIntyre, and Mr. Michal A. Thalacker.

“Hold the Line ’29, you chose a journey bigger than yourself and we echo the comment from COL Spain ’92, ‘never give up and take care of each other,’” Mr. James J. McGorry ’79 said to the class. “We are ten days from the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we share this moment of freedom with you. George Washington said that West Point was the most important Garrison in our Country and thanks to the Class of 2029 it remains a great treasure today. We’re proud of you, ’79 is here with you, drive on.”

The Class of 2029 flag will now accompany the class during all major class events until graduation day. 

This year’s Cadet Field Training Task Force honored Medal of Honor recipient CPT Humbert Roque “Rocky” Versace ’59. CPT Versace distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during the period of 29 October 1963 to 26 September 1965 while serving as an S-2 Adviser, Military Assistance Advisory Group, Detachment 52, Ca Mau, Republic of Vietnam. While accompanying a Civilian Irregular Defense Group patrol engaged in combat operations in Thoi Binh District, An Xuyen Province, CPT Versace and the patrol came under sudden and intense mortar, automatic weapons, and small arms fire from elements of a heavily armed enemy battalion. As the battle raged, CPT Versace, although severely wounded in the knee and back by hostile fire, fought valiantly and continued to engage enemy targets. Weakened by his wounds and fatigued by the fierce firefight, CPT Versace stubbornly resisted capture by the over-powering Viet Cong force with the last full measure of his strength and ammunition. CPT Versace was unfortunately taken prisoner by the Viet Cong and was eventually executed as a prisoner of war after trying to make multiple unsuccessful escape attempts. Read more in his Medal of Honor citation.

“CPT Versace embodied everything we want in a leader of character who gives a lifetime of service to our nation,” 81st Commandant BG R.J. Garcia ’96 said to cadets at the ceremony. “He never, ever, gave up. His example reminds us of what right looks like, not when it’s easy, but when it costs you everything and he embodies the ideals of Duty, Honor, and Country.”