CCNY ROTC ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
ROTC Alumni Group of the Alumni Association of The City College of New York
Winter 2015
Volume 1, Issue 1
Message From the President
The ROTC Alumni Group is pleased to report that the return of ROTC to CCNY has
gone very well. The PMS LTC Richard Gussenhoven has told us that the number of cadets
has been increasing each semester. He has asked us to play a role in the commissioning
ceremonies and to share our military experiences with the cadets during their classes.
A number of us both attended and helped to fund the first "Military Ball held in the Great
Hall, since the early 1970s". It turned out to be a fine event and we look forward to the
next one.
The Board recently polled the membership and asked what direction we should go. Based
on the results, we put in place some of the suggestions. One item that stood out was that the membership wanted
more social activities that are local and informal. To that end we would like to have some "diner dinners" as we build
a solid foundation from the ground up.
In this issue:
Message from the
President
1
From the Editor’s Desk
1
ROTC at CCNY Today
2
Meet The Cadre
2
From the Washington
Desk
Biography: LTC Richard
Gussenhoven
From The Desk of
The PMS
Meet The Cadets
CCNY ROTC Cadet in
WWII POW Exchange
3-4
4
5
5
6-7
ROTC Distinguished
Alumni
8
ROTC Membership
Drive
8
We also would like to have articles written by our members to be included in future editions of this newsletter.
Please submit the article (s) to our editor, Col Dick Kurtz, USA, Retired.
Richard Ventola
President CCNY ROTC Alumni Group
From the Editor’s Desk
Dick Kurtz, ’63, COL, USA (Ret)
Dear Classmates,
I hope this first edition of the CCNY ROTC Alumni Group Newsletter finds you all getting everything you wished
for in 2015. This newsletter’s purpose is to bring the CCNY ROTC alumni closer together in spirit and purpose,
while keeping them informed on organizational matters and issues. We are a widely dispersed group, but if we stay
connected with each other via this medium, we can bridge the geographical divide and present a cohesive and
unified alumni group.
This first edition notes the return of ROTC to CCNY. This is a goal that many of us have embraced from the
moment our alumni group was formed. I know that many of us harbored a degree of resentment for the college’s
decision to terminate the ROTC program in 1972, but time has brought change. Our alma mater now welcomes
the ROTC program and we are, therefore, poised to form a partnership with the ROTC Department, CCNY, and
the new cadets.
I solicit your input on future articles, not only on social events and happenings, but your ROTC and military/civilian
history, as well. I am of the opinion that we need a means to document our lives and leave something behind for
the new cohort of cadets to provide them with an institutional foundation. Were we a Regiment, we would have
our regimental silver, trophies, heroes, and sagas. I think we owe it to ourselves, the corps, and the new cohort of
cadets now at CCNY/CUNY to provide a written appreciation of their regiment’s history and traditions
Right now, I am planning that our next edition will spotlight what I am calling our Immigrant Cadets- those who
came to America in the years following World War II, during the Cold War, for a variety of reasons, such as to
escape Communism, or to seek a better life. Subsequently they entered CCNY- “The Poor Man’s Harvard;” and
participated in the ROTC program. Many of these cadets held key leadership positions in the corps and went on to
serve during the Cold War, some in the hopes of playing a role in the liberation of their former homelands. This
was the Cold War era- the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Berlin Wall. Those of us stationed in West Germany were
preparing to defend against a Warsaw Pact attack in the Fulda Gap/Approach area. Ironically, while we were
preparing for this conventional warfare scenario, we were subsequently sent off to the jungles of Vietnam to fight a
whole other type of war. I would like to invite those of you in this unique cohort to please consider providing me
with your personal stories for our next edition, to include among other things: your experience before emigrating,
making the adjustment in New York, the value of your educational experience at CCNY, what motivated you to
take ROTC, and your military duties during the “Cold War.”
In subsequent editions I would like to highlight our Korean and Vietnam War veterans, many of who are also Cold
War Cadets.
I would also like to thank the newsletter staff for their efforts in publishing and distributing this first edition. In that
regard, a big shout out to Olga Mikhlina, our production and distribution manager, and COL (Ret) Harvey Kaplan,
’63, who serves as our Washington, D.C.-Northern Virginia area news coordinator. I would like to get other
regional news coordinators for the various centers of gravity for our alumni- the West Coast, the West, Florida,
and the Northeast. Please consider volunteering and contacting me if you are interested. I see the regional news
coordinators as key to keeping us connected, news-wise and socially, at the grass roots level.
As I mentioned, previously, please send me your thoughts on future articles of interest to all. Finally, please feel free
to provide me feedback on this edition. “Letters to the editor” are welcome, in the form of email, phone calls, or if
you are really old school, in actual letter format.
Best wishes to all for a happy and prosperous 2015.
[email protected]
703-507-0167
7115 Marine Drive, Alexandria, VA 22307
R O T C R ET U R NS T O C C N Y
B y : A lex an d er B ren n a n , R O T C C a d re
The CUNY Army ROTC program was officially
instated, after a 40 year absence, as a
provisional ROTC program on 21 May 2013
with a ribbon cutting ceremony in the Great
Hall. In a ceremony attended by former
Secretary of State and retired General Colin
Powell, CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein,
CCNY and President Lisa Coico, Major General
Smith signed a memorandum of agreement
establishing the CUNY Army ROTC Provisional
Battalion at the City College of New York.
A week in the program can be summed up
simply with one word—busy. Cadets will
balance full academic course loads, long
commutes to and from morning PT, part-time
jobs, and hours of planning and study. The
program has cadets coming from all eleven
senior colleges in the CUNY system, as well as
several community colleges. The current cadre,
although less under-manned currently than
during most of 2014, perform their assigned
jobs plus many additional duties. During a week
in the semester, the eight full time cadre teach
eleven class sections, run PT four days a week
at two locations, facilitate the weekly leadership
lab run by the senior cadets, and accomplish
countless administrative tasks to keep the
battalion running.
One typical week may run as follows: Monday
morning- PT consisting of an ability group run,
followed by academic classes for most cadets
while the cadre hold a contracting/scholarship
board for eligible cadets competing for a
contract slot; Tuesday morning- PT consisting
of muscular strength and endurance circuit
training in the center of the CCNY campus,
followed by academic classes, senior military
science class, and the Color Guard posting
colors at a CCNY basketball game; Wednesday
morning- combat water survival testing and
training at the York pool, followed by senior
military science classes,
the cadre staff meeting,
and more military science
classes at York; Thursday
morning- PT consisting of
sprints and buddy carry
exercises, followed by academic classes,
afternoon military science classes at York, and
math tutoring from the Professor of Military
Science; Friday morning- military science classes
at CCNY followed by afternoon leadership
labs—the basic lab held on campus teaching
new cadets Drill and Ceremony and basic
individual soldier skills and the advanced lab
held at Alley Pond Park, where the upperclassmen cadets practice overcoming tactical
and technical field problems in platoon sized
elements.
Over the past semester, the program has
supported numerous CUNY athletic events
with its Color Guard, provided dozens of
volunteers to the NYC Marathon, and trained
65 of its cadets in small unit leadership and
tactics and basic soldier skills (as well as the
customs of a Military Dining In) at Camp Smith,
NY during a three-day Leadership Training
Exercise. The program is growing rapidly, with
over 100 students enrolled in Military Science
classes during the spring 2015 semester and 44
contracted cadets. Last year, CUNY ROTC
commissioned three Second Lieutenants into
the Active Army. This upcoming May, the
program is expected to commission eleven
Second Lieutenants. The current junior class
has eighteen cadets. Drawing from the best
candidates that apply from the diverse student
body of the City University of New York
system, CUNY Army ROTC is set to
commission fifteen or more quality Second
Lieutenants each year after 2016.
Article Highlights
 ROTC officially instated
on 21 May 2013
 The program has
cadets coming from
all eleven senior
colleges in the
CUNY system, as
well as several
community colleges
 The program is
growing rapidly, with
over 100 students
enrolled in Military
Science classes
during the spring
2015 semester and
44 contracted
cadets.
M EET T HE C ADRE
The CUNY Army ROTC program’s cadre
currently includes eight full time members
and two reserve members. Lead by LTC
Richard Gussenhoven, an engineer officer
and West Point graduate who holds
multiple engineering degrees.
The active duty army cadre consist of LTC
Gussenhoven, the Professor of Military
Science, CPT Chris De La Torre, the
Executive Officer, and SFC Uros
Cemerikic the Senior Military Science
Instructor. Together they teach the
advanced military science classes, direct
the efforts of the staff in planning,
preparation, and administrative functions,
and serve as the senior mentors and
trainers for the cadets.
Supporting the full time staff are MAJ
James Hendon, and SFC Ramiro Coba of
the 4/415th SROTC Battalion.
Newest to the team are three contractor
employees hired by Comtek: Adam
Bockrath, Nicholas Lang, and Raymond
Frattolillo. They will be teaching the
freshman and sophomore military science
classes during the spring semester.
Several key cadre have since moved on
from the program, but their influence and
dedication were pivotal in setting the
foundation for the program. LTC Juan
Howie firmly worked to establish and build
the program’s extension center at York
College. SGM Roberto Alvarez worked
tirelessly ensuring high standards were
enforced among the cadets from the very
beginning.
The Department of Defense civilian
employees supporting the battalion are
Alexander Brennan, the Recruiting
Operations Officer and Carlos Martin, the
Logistics Technician.
FROM THE WASHINGTON DESK
Ten members of our CCNY ROTC DC contingent met for
brunch in November at the Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Officers’
Club, with a table next to one of the huge glass windows
overlooking the majestic Potomac—about four miles
downstream from Mount Vernon. The group included (in
alphabetical order) Phil and Anita Barsky, Henry and Carolyn
(Miller) Brooks, Harvey and Naomi Kaplan, John and
Charlotte Lass, and Stan and Pat Schneider. The buffet
selections were extensive and exceptionally appetizing—and
“reasonably nutritious” too. The company was outstanding
and several pleasant hours were spent by all in attendance.
Our next DC event will be a larger ROTC gathering (with
spouses) arranged by ROTC Board Member Dick Kurtz for
a date during Spring 2015.
War II. The speaker was Dr. Robert Fried, who shared
information about his uncle’s military service. Dr. Fried has
been a Professor at both CCNY and at Kingsborough
Community College of CUNY. The program was followed
by a reception, which the DC Chapter hosted for all in
attendance.
Further, a donation from the Alumni
Association was presented to the Museum’s Director by
Harvey T. Kaplan on behalf of the CCNY Alumni. There
also was an optional early dinner at 1630 hours, and we
walked as a group to a nearby restaurant at the DuPont
Circle Hotel. We had a fine dinner and shared a lot of
fellowship in our private dining room. Several photos taken
at the Museum and at the dinner party are included with this
article.
Worthy of note is the fact that a number of our ROTC
alumni currently are serving as Board Members of the
Alumni Association’s Washington, DC Chapter—which
covers the States of Maryland and Delaware, the District of
Columbia, portions of Virginia (north of Richmond) and
South Central Pennsylvania.
Current Board Members
include DC Chapter Vice President Harvey Kaplan, Phil
Barsky, Reginald Grier, and John Lass. In total we have
about 35 members of our CCNY ROTC Alumni Group
living in the DC area and enrolled in the Alumni Association.
Five of our members (and their spouses) participated in the
Washington, DC Chapter’s 16 February 2015 (Presidents’
Day) visit to explore the new permanent collection (two full
floors of exhibits) at the National Museum of American
Jewish Military History (NMAJMH). The exhibit occupies
two full floors of the Headquarters Building of the Jewish
War Veterans of the USA (JWV). The location was 1811 R
Street, NW—very near Dupont Circle in DC.
JWV Docent, Colonel Sheldon Goldberg, USAF (Ret.), Explaining the
Medal of Honor Exhibit to CCNY Alumni Group
Your DC Editor’s Mingling Around
On a recent trip through Richmond, Naomi and Harvey
Kaplan had a lovely lunch at the beautiful home of Mary Jean
and Cosmo Fornaro in Glen Allen, Virginia. They are
expecting their fourth grandchild—and they are very busy
and happy living near their daughter, Natalia, and her lovely
and growing family.
Harvey & Naomi also met with Ted and Joanne Drzewiecki
in Central Florida for an outstanding Brazilian dinner. The
restaurant was in Orlando, and the Drzewiecki’s live north
of town in Lady Lake, FL. Naomi and Harvey need to get
accustomed to Brazilian fare for an upcoming Grand Circle
Travel (GCT) Small Ship Cruise to Brazil, Uruguay, and
Argentina this coming November.
Portion of CCNY Alumni Group Touring One of the
Fascinating NMAJMH Galleries
Forty of us met in the lobby of the Museum at 1145 hours
that Monday. We met our two docents, Col. Sheldon
Goldberg, USAF (Ret) and Mr. Michael Rugel, the Museum
Director—and heard a short presentation about JWV and its
newly-expanded Museum. Our docent-led tour continued
until 1315, at which time we all attended a special illustrated
talk in JWV’s Education Center, a live presentation about a
veteran’s experiences in the Army Air Corps during World
Naomi and Harvey have booked another tour of the U.S.
National Parks, from June 13th thru June 30th of 2015. Is
anyone else interested in joining us for this six-state GCT
bus tour (starting in Rapid City, SD, and ending after visits to
six states in Denver, CO)? [Naomi doesn’t want Harvey to
drive the estimated 2,700 miles—and the “bus solution”
works well for us this time.]
Please submit your “Mingling Around” input to the DC
editor for inclusion in future issues of the CCNY ROTC
Newsletter.
Continued on Page 4...
FROM THE WASHINGTON DESK Continued...






Five CCNY ROTC Alumni at the Dupont Circle Hotel Dinner Party Following the Museum Visit [left to right: John Lass, Henry Brooks, Dick Kurtz,
Terry Cooney, and Harvey Kaplan]
Upcoming DC Chapter Events
Our DC area members invite you to join with us at any of our
upcoming ROTC alumni gatherings (more info to follow) or DC
Chapter functions. Several very interesting events already are
scheduled by the Alumni Association’s Washington, DC Chapter
for later in 2015. More details will be available in the months
ahead:

Sunday, 29 March 2015 - Speaker Program near Dupont
Circle, DC, with Dr. Robert Kahn, CCNY Alumnus and a
“Father of the Internet”
Sunday, 3 May 2015 - All Mozart Concert at Strathmore,
North Bethesda, MD
Saturday, 13 June 2015 – Annual Alumni Picnic at home of
Phil & Anita Barsky in Gaithersburg, MD
Sunday, 12 July 2015 - CCNY Annual Interns Dinner in DC,
with City College Student Interns working for the Summer in
Washington, DC, at a range of governmental agencies and
NGOs
Friday, 11 September 2015 – Annual Visit to the National
Gallery of Art, with Private Guided Tour of Caillebotte
Exhibit by two CCNY alumni
Saturday, 3 October 2015 - Private Docent Tour by a CCNY
alumnus of the National Cathedral in DC, followed by Lunch
nearby.
Sunday, 8 November 2015 - Annual Dinner Theater Event:
“Ragtime” at Toby’s Dinner Theater in Columbia, Maryland
{Note: If you’re planning to be in the DC area at the time of one
or more of these events, please consider joining other Alumni
Association members—including our ROTC Group members—
from this area.}
If any of our ROTC alumni have anything relevant (either of
general interest or personal) to share in this column in future
newsletter issues, kindly let me know. It’s always appropriate to
include your year of graduation from CCNY. Thanks in advance
for your input!
Harvey T. Kaplan, CCNY, January 1963
From the Washington Desk
[email protected] / 301-460-1883
Biography: LTC Richard Gussenhoven, Professor of Military Science
Lieutenant Colonel
Richard Gussenhoven
graduated from the
United States Military
Academy at West Point,
New York and was
commissioned as a
Second Lieutenant in the
Corps of Engineers.
After completing his
Engineer Officer Basic
Course in Fort Leonard
Wood, Missouri, he was
assigned to the 40th
Engineer Battalion in
Baumholder, Germany. While assigned to the
40th Engineer Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel
Gussenhoven served as an Engineer Platoon
Leader, Company Executive Officer, and
Battalion Personnel Officer. He deployed
with the 40th Engineer Battalion to BosniaHerzegovina as part of the NATO
Implementation Force for the Dayton Peace
Accord.
In 1998, Lieutenant Colonel Gussenhoven
attended the Engineer Captains Career
Course in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and
earned a Masters Degree in Engineering
Management from the University of Missouri –
Rolla.
Subsequently, Lieutenant Colonel
Gussenhoven was assigned to the 864th
Engineer Battalion in Fort Lewis, Washington.
While assigned to the 864th Engineer Battalion,
he served as the Battalion Assistant
Operations Officer and Alpha Company
Commander.
While commanding Alpha
Company, Lieutenant Colonel Gussenhoven
deployed his company to the Bronx, New
York to construct a classroom facility in
support of the New York/New Jersey High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and the Joint
Drug Task Force.
Lieutenant Colonel Gussenhoven was selected
to be a rotating faculty member in the
Department of Mathematical Sciences at the
United States Military Academy in August
2001. After earning a Masters Degree in Civil
Engineering, Lieutenant Colonel Gussenhoven
assumed his position as an Assistant Professor,
teaching Calculus and Mathematical Modeling.
While assigned to the Department of
Mathematical Science, he also served as the
Assistant Director for the Center for Data
Analysis and Statistics.
After two years at West Point, Lieutenant
Colonel Gussenhoven was reassigned as the
Operations Officer for the 19th Engineer
Battalion in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Lieutenant
Colonel Gussenhoven deployed with the 19th
Engineer Battalion to Tikrit, Iraq in August
2005. While in Iraq, Lieutenant Colonel
Gussenhoven was responsible for coordinating
construction, repair work and technical
inspections to support the security and
sustainment of U.S. and Iraqi military forces.
Lieutenant Colonel Gussenhoven returned
from Iraq with the 19th Engineer Battalion in
November 2007. He departed Fort Knox the
following January to attend the Command and
General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas. While at the Command and General
Staff College, he earned qualifications as a
Strategist and Joint Planner while completing
his military education requirements as a
Major.
Lieutenant Colonel Gussenhoven was
subsequently assigned as an Engineer Plans
Officer for the Rapid Reaction Corps –
France, a French Army Headquarters
organized under the NATO Force Structure.
Lieutenant Colonel Gussenhoven served for
three and a half years with the French Rapid
Reaction Corps to include a six month
deployment to Afghanistan as part of the
NATO International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) Joint Command.
Lieutenant Colonel Gussenhoven was selected
as the Professor of Military Science for
Fordham University in November 2011 and
assumed the post in August 2012. After 1 year
as the Professor of Military Science at
Fordham University, Lieutenant Colonel
Gussenhoven was selected to establish a new
Army ROTC Program at the City College of
New York.
Lieutenant Colonel Gussenhoven’s awards
include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious
Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service
Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army
Achievement Medal, French National Defense
Medal – Silver, and French Commemorative
Medal.
F ROM THE D ESK OF T HE PM S
It is a great honor and privilege to be selected to serve as the
Professor of Military Science for the City University of New York
(CUNY) Army ROTC Program. I was unaware of the long
history of military service by the graduates of City College until I
was introduced to the initiative to bring back ROTC to its
campus. As the first New York City public college established in
1847, the City College of New York also represents one of the
first colleges in the United States to accept ROTC on campus in
1917. Even after the departure of ROTC 1972, City College
graduates continued on to commissioning through Fordham and
St. John’s University.
and Global Leaderships’ Women Studies Program to examine
topics such as gender roles and women’s issues in the military.
Last Fall we co-sponsored a panel of senior women military
officers to discuss their experiences as officers coming up through
the ranks. In the future, I hope to invite other distinguished
military leaders and alumni to speak to our cadets about
leadership and their ROTC and Army experiences.
Many of you have inquired about how you can help the ROTC
program. First and foremost, tell your Army story. Our cadets
need role models, especially role models - from New York City.
Last year at our Military Ball we took the opportunity of reading a
letter sent to the cadets from an alumnus that highlighted how
ROTC had helped his life. If you are in the New York City Area
or plan to be and you would like to visit the ROTC Program,
please contact Mr. Alex Brennan at 212-650-6548 or
[email protected].
Because of the 41 year gap, much of the history and tradition
from 1917 to present have been lost. I am looking to restore
some of that history and will gladly accept your assistance with
any historical documents or pictures.
I believe that the
knowledge our history is a critical part of understanding why we
choose to serve in the Armed Forces. I hope by knowing about
some of the distinguished graduates from the program who have Several people have inquired about donations to the program. As
been successful in a variety of careers, our current cadets can find a U.S. Government agency we may not solicit nor receive
role models and mentors to inspire them to greatness.
monetary contribution. The City College Fund created a special
event line of accounting to allow alumni donors to contribute to
Since the 21st of May 2013, the program has grown from 44 events that support the development of students participating in
cadets to over 100. Currently, there are cadets from each of the the ROTC program. In the past year, the fund has been used for
eleven senior colleges in CUNY and all five of the two year the Military Ball, commissioning ceremony, and guest lectures.
colleges. In May of 2014 we commissioned three officers all into Two City College alumni have also established scholarship funds
active duty. This May we expect to commission ten officers, two specifically for cadets who are in the ROTC program.
into active duty and eight into the Reserves and National Guard.
Many of our cadets are choosing to serve in the Reserve and In closing I would like to thank all of our supporters for their
National Guard in order to stay in the greater New York Area contributions during our first year back at City College. The
and serve their communities as well as their country.
establishment of the CUNY ROTC program has come at one of
the most challenging periods in our Army’s recent history. The
There is one noteworthy change in the demographics of our Budget Control Act of 2011, fourteen years of persistent war, and
current cadet population. Approximately 40% of the cadets are Army personnel reductions have created numerous challenges for
women. Very few ROTC Programs across the nation see this us. Through hard work and your support, we continue to
high of a percentage of women within their ranks. In light of this persevere during these uncertain times. I hope that we will have
fact, our program has partnered with the Powell School for Civic you continued support for many years to come.
M E E T T H E C A D E T S : C A D ET A N G E L A C H E U N G
Becoming a leader and a visionary in the United States Army
means a great deal to me. As a soft-spoken individual,
enrolling into the Army ROTC program has been a physical
and mental challenge that I have accepted in order to pursue
my dreams of becoming an officer in the United States
Army. My undying respect and support for the United States
military forces led me to take on this opportunity to
“enhance my skills in the science of warfare and art of
leadership.” With the experience and knowledge I am
currently gaining through training, I will become the best I
can possibly be to reach my dreams. Shy but very eager, I
will be proud of my past self for emerging from the shell that
has stopped me from doing things outside of my comfort
zone.
When given the chance to immigrate and settle into the
United States, my parents didn’t hesitate and grasped the
chance with a firm grip. I am proud to be a citizen of a free
nation and extremely thankful to have the opportunity of
growing up not living in fear for my life. Countless brave
men and women have made sacrifices to defend “the values
which make this nation great.” I truly admire their
contribution to this country and I wish to follow in their
footsteps. As a citizen of a free nation, it would be a great
honor to return my gratitude with my service in the United
States Army.
As City College undergraduate living in Oakland Gardens,
Queens, juggling my studies, fencing training, and community
service has been a challenge. Slowly but surely, I adjusted to
the new responsibilities I have taken on as an Army cadet.
With rigorous physical training in the early morning, classes
during the day, and fencing training at night, my
perseverance has remained strong. My experience as an
Army ROTC Cadet at the City College of New York has
been an adventure that has taught me a great deal about
leadership and management. I have been placed in leadership
positions, represented my Battalion in color guard events,
and recruited new Cadets. I am constantly pushed to my
limits physically and mentally, which enables me to strive to
be the best at everything that I do. I will do everything that
is within my power to achieve my lifelong dream of
becoming an Officer in the United States Army.
CCNY ROTC CADET in WWII POW EXCHANGE by Dick Kurtz
Recently, you all should have received a letter from Andy
Neroulias soliciting your interest in running for office in our
ROTC Alumni Group. The response he received from
Bernard Rader, excerpted below, highlights a little known
episode in our World War II history, involving a former
CCNY ROTC cadet, which begs retelling.
Rader spent time in the hospital while Germans tended to
his wounds, but he and the other soldiers were Prisoners
of War for 47 days. “We were not badly treated by the
Germans, but we were starving,” Rader said. “We got
maybe two slices of bread a day and a little soup, but that
was nothing. They didn’t hurt me, but we could not eat.”
First, a portion of the letter to set the scene:
Rader, however, had another thing to fear: he was Jewish.
“I was Jewish and the Germans did not know that about
me,” Rader said softly. “When I first realized I was going to
be captured, I asked my friends to bury my dog tags; I
couldn’t do it because I was wounded.”
Rader said the Germans never did discover his secret, but
there was a time when he was afraid in the hospital. “When
a German officer came up to me in the hospital and asked
about me, I didn’t answer some questions. In the army you
don’t give anything, just a name, rank and serial number,”
said Rader. “He asked, ‘Where are your dog tags?,’ and I
said, ‘I lost them.’ That was a tough moment then, but
nothing happened after that.”
Dear Col. Neroulias:
Thank you for sending me a letter asking if I would like to be an
officer of ROTC. However, I think I am a little too old for any of
the positions. I would like to tell you a short history of my life to
now.
I was a student at CCNY, on Lexington Avenue, beginning in
1941, and joined the ROTC and I became a sergeant…
In May 1943, 1 was inducted into the United States
Army….and I was transferred to the 94th Infantry Division
became a rifleman in Company K in the 301st Regiment.
In September, 1944…I was in an ambush, wounded and
became a starving POW. A Red Cross Representative of my
Division, Andrew Hodges, made several exchanges and I was
one of 149 men exchanged for Germans in November, 1944….
I was discharged from the army in January 1946, and went back
to CCNY to finish my college education and I became a CPA,
retiring in 1991…
Bernard Rader
Mr. Rader is describing the only mass POW exchange to
have occurred during World War II, which, in itself is quite
remarkable, but made even more so by the fact that it
involved several Jewish-American soldiers, two of whom
were from New York City and who have recorded their
histories. The following account of that prisoner exchange
is reconstructed from on-line copies of published news
articles about these two New York soldiers - Bernard
Rader and Harry Glixon as well as phone conversations
with Mr. and Mrs. Rader*
In October 1944, Rader and Glixon were part of a 55-man
patrol which included five Jewish soldiers, in Lorient,
Brittany. The patrol was ambushed by the Germans and
forced to surrender after a six-hour battle with machine
guns, grenades and mortars. Wounded with shrapnel in
both legs and hands, Rader was transported to a German
hospital in Lorient, and Glixon was sent to A POW camp at
Ile de Groix. There was a total of 149 American POWs
held at various camps in the vicinity.
In November, 1944,
starving to death,
one of the captives
managed to send out
a plea for help which
was received by the
American Red Cross.
A volunteer, Andrew
Hodges, took action
on his own initiative.
The
26-year-old
social worker, who
was 4-F because of a
co l l ege
fo o tb al l
injury, took it upon
himself to become a
negotiator
in
addition to supplying
Bernard Rader, 1944
what
food
and
provisions he could. With the blessing of his superiors,
Hodges convinced the German military authorities that
they should swap 149 American POWs for a like number of
German prisoners.
“This has [sic] never happened in WWII,” said June Rader,
Bernie’s wife. “Bernie went through an exchange during a
six-hour cease fire. While everyone else in the world was
fighting and they were being saved.” The first part of the
exchange was concluded on Nov 16 1944, involving 79
Americans. The other 70 US POWs from various camps
were repatriated in three subsequent phases.
R O T C AT C C N Y T ODAY
During the time of his imprisonment, Rader recollects
French people doing everything they could to smuggle food
to the POW’s when the Germans weren’t looking, even if
it was an apple. In order to thank the French citizens,
Rader spearheaded efforts to raise money for a plaque to
thank them. On the 60th anniversary in 2004, Rader, his
wife, and son went back to Ile de Groix and placed a plaque
in town. The plaque says, “To the people of Ile de Groix,
who had so little themselves, yet gave so much to us.”
Harry Glixon was also questioned by the Germans after his
capture. According to Glixon, “We were interrogated at
great length by Lt. Schmitt, who was an arrogant but
brilliant man. He had been a spy in Paris who spoke French
better than the French. He also spoke very good accented
English.
“He never did
ask me if I was
Jewish.
But
when
he
looked at my
address book
and
saw
C o h e n ,
Ginsburg and
other Jewish
names,
he
smirked.
“’When
we
capture
a
J e w i s h
American’ —
he drew his
finger across
his throat. “Be
thankful
we
h a v e n ’ t
captured one
yet,’” Glixon
Harry Glixon, 1944
said
the
lieutenant told him. “It wasn’t a very good feeling.”
The next morning the American POWs were marched to a
cemetery for the burial of five of their buddies. As the
prisoners stood in ranks, their German captors held a
military burial complete with wooden caskets, flowers and
an honor guard that fired a rifle salute for their fallen
enemy.
“We started hearing rumors there was going to be a
prisoner exchange. We were put in boats and taken back
to Lorient,” Glixon said. The fighting stopped for six hours
and the POWs were exchanged one for one, rank for rank,
and condition for condition, and not all German POWs in
American hands volunteered for repatriation, but enough
did to cover the 149 American POWs.
The exchange was a formal affair. The soldiers to be
repatriated were lined up in ranks facing each other.
Officers from both sides were in the middle conducting the
swap. Film crews captured the event for the public both in
the United States and Germany.
Since he had only suffered minor injuries in the firefight and
lost only 20 pounds during his 45 days in captivity, Glixon
was send back to the front lines with the 94th Division. He
would fight in the Battle of the Bulge and continue with his
division on to march through Holland and Germany, and
wind up in Czechoslovakia by the end of the war. Rader,
too, after recuperating from his wounds, was returned to
duty until 1946.
In 2002, twelve survivors of the POW exchange met, for
the first time, with Andrew Hodges, in Birmingham, AL.
Hodges died three years later, in 2005. In 2007, Rader was
presented the French Legion of Honor by former French
President Nicolas Sarkozy. Bernie and June travel to high
schools, libraries, synagogues, churches, and Jewish
Community Centers around the country to share his story,
and make two important points to the young men and
women present- to honor Andrew Hodges, and to urge
them to find a way to serve their country. The couple has
also visited high schools in France.
Rader took two years of ROTC at CCNY Downtown. As
an interesting side note concerning ROTC at CCNY in the
early 1940s, Rader reports that he and about 30 other
cadets were taught to ride, by one of their instructors,
Major Cantor, using a stable on Lexington Avenue and the
bridle paths in Central Park.
* Cen tra l Co n n ecti cu t Sta te Un i versi ty
j o u rn a l i sm stu den ts co ve r vetera n s retu rn i n g to
No rma n dy, b y Vi vi a n Ma rti n , Ju n e 27 , 20 1 4 ,
h ttp : / / www. c csu d da y7 0 . c o m/ i -wo u l d- do -i t-a l l o ver -a g a i n /
War Tales, Don Moore, http://
donmooreswartales.com/2010/05/12/harry-glixon/
ROTC Alumni Group
Alumni Association of CCNY
160 Convent Avenue
Shepard Hall, Room 162
New York, NY 10031
Tel: 212 234 3000
E-mail: [email protected]
We’re on the Web
www.ccnyalumni.org
ROTC Membership Drive
REJOICE! For ROTC has finally returned to CCNY, after a long absence, as you can see from the articles and pictures in our ROTC
Alumni Group’s first newsletter. Our Group played an important role in the return of ROTC, and we have the responsibility to make
sure that ROTC enrollment grows and the program is never again dropped .
However, in order for our Group to be an effective supporter of ROTC, we need to have a large enough membership so that our
views are respected and carry a considerable weight at the College. We all benefited from taking ROTC, that is why I urge you, if you
are not a member, to become one by returning the enclosed membership application, and check ROTC as your group, and this way
we vote in favor of the return of ROTC and its continued presence at CCNY.
COL Andonios Neroulias USA (Ret.)
Membership Committee Chairman
Distinguished ROTC Alumnus Award
The Reverend
Carlos J.
Caguiat, Class
of 58, was
awarded the
Distinguished
ROTC
Alumnus award on Friday, November 14 in
the Seattle area. Andy Neroulias did the
honors and presented the award to Carlos.
Carlos' wife was present at the ceremony.
There are two threads or themes that run
through his lifetime of outstanding
achievement: service and caring. Carlos has
provided distinguished service to his country,
his church, troubled youth, indigent and
working poor, and persons in need of health
care. Let me elaborate.
From 1959-1962, he was stationed in
Korea executive officer of an Infantry
company, serving as an executive
officer. Later, at Ft. Dix, he was CO
of a training company and also an
Intelligence Officer. He was awarded
the Army Commendation Medal.
Father Caguiat is an ordained
Episcopal priest. In addition to
serving parishes in New York and
Michigan, from 1971-1973 he was
the Director of the Project for
Human Community, a “Church
without Walls”, an experimental
ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of
New York, serving the needs of
Asian immigrant groups. Prior to his
retirement in 2002, he served as
Regional Vice President for the Saint
Francis Academy, in Lake Placid New
York. This is part of a national, not
-for-profit organization providing
mental health and substance abuse
services to adolescents and young
adults. In recognition of his
achievements, in 1989 he was
elected to Fellowship in the
American College of Healthcare
Executives and recertified in 1999;
he is presently a retired Fellow He
also served as a preceptor for
graduate students in Health Care
Administration at Columbia
University, the University of
Michigan, New York University, and
Western Michigan University, as
well as several other graduate
programs.