Description
The United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, Army, Army West Point, The Academy, or simply The Point, is a four-year federal service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort, as it sits on strategic high ground overlooking the Hudson River with a scenic view, 50 miles north of New York City. It is the oldest of the five American service academies and educates cadets for commissioning into the United States Army.
The academic program grants a Bachelor of Science degree with a curriculum that grades cadets’ performance upon a broad academic program, military leadership performance, and mandatory participation in competitive athletics. Cadets are required to adhere to the Cadet Honor Code, which states that “a cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.” The academy bases a cadet’s leadership experience as a development of all four pillars of performance: academics, character, physical, and military.
West Point admitted its first 119 female cadets in 1976. Also in 1976, physics professor James H. Stith became the first tenured African American Professor. In 1979, Cadet, later General, Vincent K. Brooks became the first African American to lead the Corp of Cadets. Kristin Baker, ten years later, became the first female First Captain, the highest ranking senior cadet at the academy in 1989. Five other women have been appointed as First Captain: Grace H. Chung in 2003, Stephanie Hightower in 2005, Lindsey Danilack in 2013, Simone Askew in 2017, and Reilly McGinnis in 2020. Simone Askew was the first African American woman to lead the Corps. In the 21st century, women comprise approximately 20% of entering new cadets.[80]
The West Point Cemetery is the final resting place of many notable graduates and faculty. The cemetery is also the burial place of several recent graduates who have died during the ongoing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of the older grave sites have large and ornate grave markers, the largest belonging to Egbert Viele, chief engineer of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. The cemetery is also home to a monument to Revolutionary War heroine Margaret Corbin.
Notable alumni: Robert Edward Lee Class of 1829, George Armstrong Custer – Class of 1861, (U.S. President) Dwight David Eisenhower – Class of 1915, (Astronaut) Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. – Class of 1951.
It serves as a unique tribute to the service and dedication to the graduates and staff of the United States Military Academy. Each pin features the coat of arms; the shield is topped by the American bald eagle and the academy’s motto of “Duty, Honor, Country” and “West Point MDCCCII USMA” which is the date of USMA’s founding. The helmet is that of Pallas Athena, for centuries a symbol of wisdom and learning. The sword is a traditional emblem of the military.
This lapel pin is the ideal gift or custom keepsake for anyone that supports the U.S. Army. This polished bronze lapel pin, imbued with eye-catching and durable enamel and given a shiny gold finish.
Each lapel pin measures 1″ inch (25mm) Irregular.
This is a surplus NWTM item. Packaging may vary.
