A headline on the front page of The Daily Herald in Provo, Utah announcing my grandfather's appointment to West Point. [1]
Reserve Officer Training Corps (1919-1926)
Robert Wilson Stewart served in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Bryant Junior High School for two years, attaining the rank of Cadet Corporal; at East High School for 2 years, attaining the rank of Cadet Sergeant; and 3 years at the University of Utah, attaining the rank of Cadet 1st. Lieutenant. His time in the Army ROTC at the University of Utah was concurrent with his service in the Utah National Guard.
Service in the Utah Army National Guard Cavalry and Field Artillery in Salt Lake City, Utah (April 6, 1922 – October 29, 1926)
On April 6, 1922, Robert Wilson Stewart enlisted as a Private in the Utah National Guard at age 17. He was assigned to serve in Troop “E” of the 116th Cavalry, based in Salt Lake City. During his time in the Utah National Guard, Robert served under a Lieutenant Sconberg.
Shortly after joining the National Guard, Private Stewart took an exam for acceptance to West Point. On November 11, 1922, a newspaper reported:
Ten members of the national guard of Utah are taking examination under the direction of Professor Mosiah Hall of the state school office for appointment to West Point military academy. The national guard is allowed an appointment and this examination is preliminary to the one which the successful applicant will have to undergo before he can be admitted to West Point. The names of the young men who are in the competitive examination are: Clement A. Collins, 1144 East Third South Street; Le Dru Hansen, 1146 Bueno avenue; David R Gustavenson, 137 Eleventh East street; Robert W. Stewart, 377 East Fifth South street, Jasper Searles, 650 South Ninth East street, all of Salt Lake, Lyman H. Hill, Arvol McCarty, Ben Holbrook, DeLamar Holt and Royal W. Tatch, all of Bountiful. [2]
He attended LDS University for his third and final year of high school, graduating from there in June 1923 at the age of 18 ½. LDS University had two parts: the university and the high school. Robert attended the High School part of LDS University, which was later called LDS High School in 1927; the university became what is known today as LDS Business College.
LDS University in Salt Lake City, Utah. [3]
A Provo newspaper reported on December 13, 1923:
PROVO BOY IS WEST POINT CANDIDATE
Robert Stewart Appointed to Military Academy by Gov. Charles R. Mabey.
RECEIVES HIGHEST EXAMINATION SCORE
Formerly Attended Franklin School in Provo; Now at University of Utah
Robert W. Stewart, 18-year old son of the late Andrew J. Stewart of this city and Mrs. Eliza S. Stewart, formerly of this city but now residing at 377 East Fifth South street, Salt Lake City, has been appointed a candidate to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
The appointment was made by Governor Charles R. Mabey as a result of a competitive examination for the national guard appointment from Utah.
In the examination, which was open to all boys in the state of Utah under the age of 21 years, Robert received the highest score.
He is a freshman at the University of Utah and is also a member of troop E, 116th cavalry, Utah National Guard. Recently he represented the latter organization at the rifle matches at Perry, Ohio, where he made a very creditable showing. He holds several records for swimming and boxing.
Many students of the Provo City schools will remember Robert as a former student at the Franklin School, where he attended until 13 years of age, when the family moved to Salt Lake City. He did his high school work at the L. D. S. University in that city. Two of Robert’s sisters have won distinction in the east. Miss Marguerite Stewart in ballet dancing and Mr. Theresa Stewart Rigdon in dramatic art. Both have their headquarters in New York City. [4]
As a Private 1st Class in the National Guard, Robert received a letter dated December 19, 1923 appointing him to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was requested to appear at Fort Douglas for an examination. On March 4, 1924 he was examined at Fort Douglas at the age of 19. Robert’s vision was exceptional, with both eyes 20/15. His figure and general appearance were described as "slender, underdeveloped,” and he was recorded at 124 ¼ lbs, height 5' 8 ¼". The Medical Corps examiners rejected him for service for being underweight. The Surgeon recommended reexamination, and after reexamination, Robert was rejected from the Military Academy at West Point on May 15, 1924 for flat feet, but continued service in the National Guard. Robert had blue eyes and brown hair, and as an adult was 5’9” and 150 lbs.
Robert worked several jobs after graduating high school and while serving in the Utah National Guard. In 1923 he worked as a “transit man” (surveyor) for Irrigation Company, in 1924 he was the proprietor of a shooting gallery, in 1925 and 1926 he worked as a “weighmaster” at the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, and in 1927 he worked as the shooting gallery manager for the A.C. Christensen Amusement Company, also known as Lagoon. [5]
Private Stewart could read, write, and speak Spanish reasonably well while growing up since his family was fluent from living in Colonia Juarez, Mexico for 7 years prior to his birth.
For 3 years from September 30, 1923 to June 6, 1926 he also attended the University of Utah, where he majored in engineering. Robert served in the ROTC at the University of Utah and became a 1st Lieutenant under a Major Gay.
University of Utah campus in the early 1920s [6]
In 1926 he took a 6-month course in Telegraphy from the American Telegraph School located in the top floor of the Regent Building in Salt Lake City on Regent Street.
On April 6, 1925, the 116th Cavalry of the Utah National Guard became the Headquarters Battery, 222nd Field Artillery, and Robert was reassigned to this unit. Robert continued service in the Utah National Guard until November 15, 1926 and advanced to the rank of a 1st Sergeant in the National Guard.
Robert described his experiences in the Utah National Guard in his own words:
The first four years (21 Apr. to 13 Oct. 26) in the Service was spent in Troop E, 116th Cavalry later changed to Headquarters Battery, 222nd Field Artillery, Utah National Guard.
In the Cavalry, some of the horses were remounts. These were horses that had never been ridden. Having been raised on a ranch, breaking these horses became my job. It seemed that they would wait until the squadron was in formation with drawn sabers, then they would put on a show by bucking and breaking up the formation. Instead of blaming the horse, the blame fell on the First Sergeant, me. However it was always the most interesting part of the show except for the last when the troop charged the audience stopping just a few feet from them.
One day instruction as given in jumping fences. The Lieutenant had us all lined up so we could see him jump his horse over a fence. He was putting on a demonstration of how to jump. He started about thirty yards from the fence and then made his horse gallop up to the fence. His horse stopped short of the fence but he continued on over the fence. He was congratulated on taking this solo flight but all thought there was a better way.
One of the first camps was at Jordan Narrows now known as Camp Williams. We left Salt Lake City in the morning and arriving at our destination set up camp. It was a hot day and finally mess call was sounded by the bugler. An inch sized piece of baloney was served between two thick slices of bread and a can of tomatoes to wash it down. Of all meals ever eaten in the Army, it was enjoyed the most.
Camp Williams, Utah at Jordan Narrows in 1935 [7]
Since there was no recreation facilities at camp, we would go into town. Lehi was a favorite to go as they had dances which they invited us to attend. Several trucks took us to town and other towns.
One evening about ten of us left the trucks at the dance hall in Lehi. The local boys resented our coming there as the girls saw an opportunity to meet other boys. As the dance ended, we stopped at the door because outside there were about thirty young men in old clothes with their sleeves rolled up.
A plan of battle was immediately made. Two men were stationed at each door with the rest acting as reserves to help where needed. This way the local boys could be held until our truck arrived. Before hostilities could begin our trucks drove up. We pushed our way through the crowd in a most ungentlemanly way.
“Out of the way, civvy! Out of the way, civvy!” [8]
But that was not the end of our troubles that night. We were late in returning to camp. With lights out the trucks approached camp stopping a short distance from the camp. The group was divided into two parts. The one bunch went to the east side of camp and the other to the south. A commotion was made by one group drawing the guard to that side while the other group slipped into camp and then one of us made a noise drawing the guard back so that the first group could get into camp.
Our mess sergeant was very stout but he still had to ride with the squadron. He was not used to riding and would bounce up and down on his saddle leaving a little daylight between him and the saddle, as he jolted along. This presented a great temptation to the troopers. They would pick up sharp little rocks and throw them between the sergeant and the saddle as he bounced up and down. As he couldn’t turn around he had no way of knowing who was the culprit. But he could swear and he swore much of the way. All learned new swear words.
A rifle team was selected to go back to the National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry in Ohio. The trip there was the first time out of the state for most of us. For many years the beauty of the Mississippi River had been noticed in songs and books. The train was scheduled to cross this river about three AM. At three AM we crossed the widest river ever seen. It was a great disappointment. The clear mountain streams of the west were far more beautiful than this dirty river.
At Camp Perry instructions were given in rifle, pistol and shotgun shooting. Many medals were won. The food was excellent and the camp most enjoyable. [9]
Camp Perry, Ohio, on the banks of Lake Erie [10]
Through his entire military career, Robert qualified for and was recognized by the US Army as an Expert Marksman with both carbine and pistol. He writes:
The National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry was attended twice and [these were the] two camps from which the Utah team was selected. [11]
During the shooting on the 500 yard range we were surprised to see an airplane land between us and the targets. The command to stop shooting was given. Since airplanes were a novelty, some of us rushed out to see it at close range.
The pilot asked me to go down to the end of the field and help turn him around. For the first time seeing an airplane approach me was a very frightening experience. This was done but not without a thrill. To see an aircraft bearing down on one was something that had never been experienced. It was something like being under fire on a battle field for the first time. The legs want to move out but the mind says stay. For a while it was a very even contest. Eventually discipline won out and the airplane was turned around by holding one wing. The pilot smiled and said thank you and a new love was born – only takes a moment! [12]
[1] The Daily Herald, Provo, Utah. Thursday, December 13, 1923, Page 1. No. 136.
[3] http://www.wikiwand.com/en/LDS_Business_College
[4] The Daily Herald, Provo, Utah, December 13, 1923, Page 1, No. 136. “Provo Boy is West Point Candidate.” Fifteen years later this headline was republished in the paper.
[5] Earning $36, $50, $35, $33, and $80 per week, respectively.
[6] http://www.wikiwand.com/en/University_of_Utah
[7] http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=54180522&itype=CMSID#gallery-carousel-446996
[8] Robert’s words on this occasion, as recounted by his son.
[9] Personal Writings on Military Service, Robert Wilson Stewart
[10] https://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/guns/rifles/2012/08/annual-shooting-games-camp-perry
[11] Military Record Correction Letter, Robert Wilson Stewart.
[12] Personal Writings on Military Service, Robert Wilson Stewart
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