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Valley Forge Military Academy and College
- Location & Contact Information
- Address, Directions, & Map:
- 1001 Eagle Road, Wayne, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Telephone Numbers: 610-989-1300
- Official Website: [1]
- Address, Directions, & Map:
- History & Memorable Moments
Valley Forge Military Academy was founded in 1928 by Lieutenant General Milton G. Baker, Pennsylvania Guard (Retired), A.B., Ped.D. F.I.C.S., LL.D., Ed.D., C.B.E., D.Mil Sci, L.H.D. (then-Major, Pennsylvania Army National Guard). The school was first located in Devon, Pennsylvania, several miles away from the campus' current location. After a fire during the night of January 17-18, 1929 devastated the original single-building campus, the former Devon Park Hotel, the Academy was moved to its present site in Wayne, Pennsylvania, the former Saint Luke's School. [1]
Originally, General Baker devised an American Revolutionary War motif for the school. The school colors are Buff and Blue, the colors of the uniforms of the Continental Army. The buildings were named for Revolutionary War leaders: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Lee, Anthony Wayne, Friedrich Wilhelm Rudolf Gerhard August Freiherr von Steuben (Baron von Steuben) ,and Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette (or Lafayette). The uniforms, crest, and Alma Mater were patterned from those of the United States Military Academy at West Point. [1]
Over time, General Baker, an Anglophile, evolved the concept, and modeled many of the Academy's drills, customs, and ceremonies after a British motif. The Full Dress Uniforms are modeled from those of the British Army, while others are ostensibly West Point and British hybrids. The Academy maintains its loyalty to these traditions today. [1]
During the 1935-36 school year, General Baker expanded the Academy to include a two-year college program. Subsequently, the school was known as "Valley Forge Military Academy and Junior College." Today, it is known as "Valley Forge Military Academy and College." [1]
General Baker retired as Superintendent in 1971, and died in 1976 at the age of 80. He was succeeded by Lieutenant General Milton H. Medenbach, Pennsylvania Guard (Retired), A.B., Ped.D.[then-Major General]. During his Valley Forge service, General Medenbach served in, or assisted in the establishment of, practically every department of the institution as an associate of the Founder. He held the post of Adjutant, Chief of Staff, and Deputy Superintendent and served for more than 30 years as Commandant of Cadets. Since his retirement as Superintendent in 1971, he served the school as President Emeritus, a volunteer Historian and Archivist and the Vice President and Secretary of the Chapel Foundation Board of Directors. General Medenbach died on January 16, 2007 at the age of 99. [1]
General Medenbach was succeeded as Superintendent by Major General Robert W. Strong, Jr., United States Air Force, (Retired) Class of 1935, B.A., M.A., in June of 1971. During the Summer of 1973, General Strong announced his resignation, and on October 15, 1973, was replaced by Lieutenant General Willard Pearson, United States Army (Retired), B.A., M.A.. General Pearson assumed the Superintendency at a time when the school was in financial crisis. General Pearson brought Valley Forge into an era of relative financial stability, with an average corps of 650. During General Pearson's tenure, there were a succession of Commandants of Cadets; they included Colonel Stanley A. Harris, Pennsylvania Guard, Colonel Stephen A. Day, United States Army (Retired), B.S., Brigadier General Theodore C. Mataxis, United States Army (Retired), B.A., M.A. and Brigadier General James F. Coates, Valley Forge Military Academy [Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army (Retired)]. [1]
Upon his retirement on August 30, 1985, General Pearson was succeeded by Lieutenant General Alexander M. Weyand, United States Army (Retired). General Weyand was succeeded by Colonel Harold J. Fraley, United States Army (Retired), who served as Acting Superintendent from July 1, 1989 to August 1, 1990. Vice Admiral N. Ronald Thunman, United States Navy (Retired) then was named Superintendent, however, the title was changed to "President" on August 18, 1992. Admiral Thunman was succeeded as President by Rear Admiral Virgil L. Hill, United States Navy (Retired) on September 1, 1993. Admiral Hill was succeeded, in turn, by Rear Admiral Peter A.C. Long, Ph.D., United States Navy (Retired), on August 17, 2000. Admiral Long was succeeded by Charles A. "Tony" McGeorge, the incumbent. President McGeorge reactivated the title of "Superintendent" for the senior military officer. Colonel James J. Doyle, United State Marine Corps (Retired), is the incumbent. [1]
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- Baker, Ghostof Miltong (June 1931 - Present)
- Krummrich, Donald Bennett (August 1972 - August 1981)
- Werner, Mary (September 1984 - June 1986)
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