Andover and the Military

Alumni veterans posed for the camera at the 2024 Veteran's Day dinner.

Alumni, faculty, and students gathered on campus for Andover’s 15th annual Veterans Day Dinner and Program on November 7, 2024. Pictured in Kemper Auditorium (from left) are Justin P. Accomando ’99, AATM Executive Committee member; keynote speaker Capt. Hunter D. Washburn ’00, USN; and Capt. Rob Patrick ’88, USN, (Ret.), AATM Executive Committee chair. This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement. Video link to view recording.

ANDOVER AND THE MILITARY COMMITTEE MISSION

The Andover and the Military (AATM) committee is an association committee of the Academy’s Alumni Council that recognizes and represents Abbot and Andover graduates who have served, or are serving, in the Armed Forces of the United States of America or their country of residence in order to connect them with the broader Andover community. The committee operates in full partnership with the Academy and with a designated liaison from the Office of Alumni Engagement.

AATM Committee Objectives

To recognize graduates who have served in the U.S. military or are veterans of another nation’s armed forces.
To promote learning and stimulate discussions among students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the Academy regarding Andover’s rich military history, and to engage interested alumni.
To advise on campus military memorials as invited.
To engage veteran and active duty engagement on and off campus.
To partner with the Academy in the accessibility of its programs to military families.

Veterans Day Program VIDEOS

2024—featuring Capt. Hunter D. Washburn '00, USN
2023—featuring CDR Catherine A. B. Reppert ’02, USN
2022—featuring Capt. Alexandra Bell Farr ’13, U.S. Army
2021—Featuring Lt. Cmdr. Ali Ghaffari ’98, USN
2020—Featuring Cmdr. Sali Gear ’79, USN
2019—Featuring Lt. Col. Kenneth H. Weiner ’96, USAF
2018—Featuring Rear Adm. Daniel R. Bowler ’66, USN
2017—Featuring Capt. Angus Deming ’44, USMC
2016—Featuring Lt. Cmdr. Laurie N. Coffey ’95, USN
2015—Featuring Adm. Charles “Steve” Abbot ’62, USN
2014—Featuring Gen. Barry McCaffrey ’60, U.S. Army
2013—Featuring Capt. Seth Moulton ’97, USMC
2012—Featuring Lt. j.g. William D. Cochran ’41, USN
2011—Featuring Capt. Thomas J. Hudner Jr. ’43, USN
2010—Featuring Cmdr. Robert W. Patrick Jr. ’88, USN

The Blue Guidon is the biannual newsletter of Andover and the Military. Your story ideas are welcome! Please email [email protected].

THE BLUE GUIDON ARCHIVES

“DEVOTION” MOVIE TRAILER

Released in theaters in late 2022, Devotion is the inspirational true story of Jesse Brown, the first Black aviator in U.S. Navy history, and his enduring friendship with fellow fighter pilot Thomas Hudner ’43. Helping to turn the tide in the most brutal battle in the Korean War, their heroic sacrifices ultimately make them the Navy’s most celebrated wingmen. The aerial war epic is based on the best-selling book of the same name, written by Adam Makos. Hudner died in Concord, Mass., on November 13, 2017, seven months after attending the christening of a destroyer named in his honor.

Learn more about Capt. Thomas J. Hudner Jr. ’43, USN

Alumni Military Registry

This is an ever-expanding list of Andover alumni who are serving or have proudly served the United States or their country of residence and have elected to be publicly recognized. To add yourself or someone who has served to the registry, please fill out our profile form. Questions? Please email [email protected].

VIEW THE REGISTRY

Andover in the Civil War

The service and sacrifices of Andover alumni in the Civil War have gone unheralded, until now. AATM historian David Chase is filling in the record. To date, his research has identified more than 800 alumni in the Civil War, including 120 who died defending the Union. To access the database and introductory essays, go to: Phillips Academy Students & Alumni in the Civil War.

SUPPORT THE KRISTENSEN SCHOLARSHIP

Andover and the Military sponsors a scholarship to enable children of those who are serving or have served in the military to attend Andover’s Summer Session at no cost. The scholarship was established in honor of Lt. Cmdr. Erik S. Kristensen ’91, USN, SEAL, who was killed in action while leading Operation Red Wings in June 2005.

Kristensen was one of 16 SEALs deployed in a Chinook to help rescue another SEAL team that became trapped in an intense gun battle with Taliban fighters while on a mission to kill or capture a high-ranking Taliban leader in Afghanistan. The Chinook was downed by an enemy RPG, killing all on board. The 2013 movie Lone Survivor tells the story of what the Navy called its worst single-day loss of life for Naval Special Warfare personnel since World War II.

MAKE A GIFT

When prompted for a designation, please select “Other” and put “Andover and the Military Endowment Fund” in the corresponding text box. Thank you!

Learn more about Lt. Cmdr. Erik S. Kristensen ’91, USN, SEAL

Andover magazine Remembers WWII

In recognition of the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the fall 2011 issue of Andover magazine shares compelling personal stories of alumni who served in WWII.

The Cover of Time Magazine featuring Henry Stimson, Class of 1883

[footnote]

Andover’s involvement in the Second World War was unique, for the Secretary of War, Henry Stimson, Andover Class of 1883, was president of the Board of Trustees. The oldest alumnus serving in World War II, Stimson built an army of just 270,000 into an army of 8 million.

Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, Andover Class of 1883, on the cover of Time magazine on August 25, 1941.

Contact Andover and the Military

For questions regarding Andover and the Military, please email [email protected].

AATM Executive Committee Leadership:
Chair: Capt. Robert W. Patrick ’88, USN (Ret.)
Vice Chair: Capt. Luis A. Gonzalez ’97, USN
Communications: Lt. Col. Rush Taylor '96, USAF
Finance: Justin P. Accomando ’99

Medal of Honor Recipients

Since the 1860s, fewer than 3,500 Medals of Honor have been granted; eight recognize the heroism of Andover alumni.

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Capt. Thomas J. Hudner Jr. ’43

First Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War.

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Arthur Murray Preston ’31

Navy Lieutenant & World War II Torpedo Boat Commander

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Richard H. O’Kane ’30

Lieutenant Commander & Prisoner of War.

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James “Galloping Jim” Parker, Class of 1870

Lieutenant Colonel, United States Cavalry.

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Wilmon Whilldin Blackmar, Class of 1863

Second Lieutenant, 1st West Virginia Cavalry.

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Charles Porter Mattocks, Class of 1858

Major, 17th Maine Infantry

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William Marland, Class of 1854

1st Massachusetts Light Artillery

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William Herbert Withington, Class of 1850

Captain, 1st Michigan Infantry.

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Campus Memorials

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Memorial Bell Tower: This iconic campus structure was erected in 1923 as a memorial to Phillips Academy alumni who lost their lives in World War I. Donor Samuel L. Fuller, Class of 1891, selected the site on the old militia training ground.

Memorial Place: The broken columns of Memorial Place stand in poignant homage to the Phillips Academy students who lost their lives serving in wars dating from the Korean and Vietnam wars through the present day. Designed by Prentice & Chan, Ohlhausen of New York, Memorial Place was built in 1995.

Memorial Gymnasium: Designed and built by Eggers & Higgins of New York and dedicated in 1953, Memorial Gymnasium, an extensive expansion to the Borden Gymnasium, honors Phillips Academy alumni who died in World War II.

During World War I, the entire campus was in uniform. Here, students drill on the Great Lawn in the winter of 1917–1918.

Abbot Academy alumnae served in the military for the first time during World War II. Isabel Arms ’32, who joined the WAVES, is shown here with pistol in hand guarding a Navy payroll.