The U.S. Naval War College marked its 140th anniversary in 2024. Read on for an article by Professor John Jackson about the founding of the College and the planning of anniversary celebrations. His book, “In the Beginning: The Founding of the Naval War College,” is available for purchase online and in store at the Naval War College Foundation Museum Store & Gift Shop. This article originally appeared in the Winter 2024/2025 issue of The Bridge magazine.
The term “anniversary” is defined as “the recurrence of a date marking a notable event.” Recently, the U.S. Naval War College (USNWC) partnered with the Naval War College Foundation (NWCF) to mark a truly notable event: the founding of the College some 140 years ago. It is rare for any organization to celebrate such a long period of remarkable accomplishments, so the celebration rightfully focused on the myriad ways the College has supported the Navy and the Nation since it was established by Navy General Order #325 on 6 October 1884. Its first President, RADM Stephen B. Luce, USN, described the College as “a place of original research on all questions relating to war and to statesmanship connected with war; or the prevention of war.” It continues to function in this manner today. The Chairman of the 140th Anniversary Committee, Professor John Jackson, noted, “We wanted to use this anniversary celebration as an opportunity to remind all current students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the College that they are part of an unbroken line of patriots whose dedicated labors at this venerable institution have had a significant impact on the nation’s history for more than 14 decades. To effectively tell this story, we were pleased to enter into a formal cosponsorship agreement with the creative and energetic supporters from the Naval War College Foundation.”
The USNWC/NWCF planners first focused on “rigging the campus” for the celebration. Attractive anniversary banners were designed and procured by the NWCF team and hung by the Facilities Department on nearly two dozen light poles. The message was clear: something special was happening! The Spruance Lobby was then filled with striking and stylish large-scale lightboxes featuring
photos and quotations from historic and current College leaders. Designed and produced by the exhibit experts from the NWC Museum (one of eight museums operated Navy-wide by the Navy History and Heritage Command), these boxes illustrated the nearly century-and-ahalf legacy of the men and women who breathe life into the organization. The final component of the campus preparations was the erection of a series of display cases by the museum and NWC archives staff in the Spruance Lobby. Their temporary exhibits included original copies of founding documents, uniform items from historical figures, model ships from early war games, and other rarely seen artifacts. A display case held an intriguing and mysterious century-old time capsule that will be opened later in the anniversary year. At this point, all was in place to conduct a rousing anniversary ceremony!
Since the actual anniversary date of 6 October 2024 fell on a Sunday, the ceremony was conducted on Friday, 4 October 2024. The program included remarks by RADM Darryl Walker, USN, the 59th President of the College; Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Jack Reed (DRI); Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); First District Representative Gabe Amo (D-RI); and then-Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong.
Reed said about the College: “For almost a century and a half, it has played a critical role, not only in the advanced education of thousands of military officers and civilians, but also in the technological and operational developments that have made our country safer. Preparing the Navy and the Nation to deter and, if necessary, defeat our challengers has been the mission of the Naval War College since its inception. The Naval War College teaches the lessons of history, but it is not lulled into accepting and reporting the status quo. Rather, it boldly and profoundly seeks to understand the dynamics of change through research and war gaming and the experience of those who today face the foe. There is at least one constant: The dedicated faculty, staff, and students here at the Naval War College who apply the lessons of the past, the insights of the present, and a grasp of the future to forge a Navy that will defend our Nation, our principles, and the principles of freedom-loving people everywhere.”
Historical presentations were made by Professor Emeritus John Hattendorf and 140th Anniversary Chairman John Jackson. In a rapid-fire 75 minutes, all assembled paid homage to the College’s 14 decades of success. A highlight of the ceremony occurred when NWCF President and Chief Executive Officer CAPT George E. Lang, Jr., USN (Ret.), unveiled the beautiful custom-made 140th Anniversary Challenge Coins, designed by the College’s Graphics Department and procured by the NWCF Museum Store manager. Coins were presented to RADM Walker, three past presidents in attendance, the CNO Distinguished Fellows, and all four senior elected officials at the event. Cheers erupted in the auditorium when Lang announced that all faculty and staff members would receive commemorative coins in the weeks to follow.
The finale of the ceremony was a ceremonial cutting of an anniversary cake. A team of 10 cake-cutters, wielding two Navy officer swords and one enlisted cutlass, collectively sliced the cake while the Northeast Navy Band played “Anchors Aweigh.” This cake, along with several others, was then enjoyed by all celebrants in the Spruance Lobby as a fitting end to the joyful ceremony.
The tremendous success of this celebration was the result of close collaboration and cooperation between the entire USNWC team and our tireless co-sponsors and supporters from the NWCF. Together, we can do it all!
About the Author: NWCF Life Member John E. Jackson is one of the Naval War College’s longest-serving faculty members. A retired Navy captain with 27 years of active duty, he has been telling and contributing to the story of one of America’s premier professional military education institutions for nearly five decades. He currently holds the E.A. Sperry Chair of Unmanned and Robotic Systems at the College.