Another instructor, Abe Lincoln, had a great deal to do with my career. In the
first place, he kept me from being discharged from West Point. Early in my fourth
year my eyes went bad--from 20/20 to 20/200. To be commissioned, an officer's
eyes had to be no worse than 20/100.
Because of my interest in international relations and Lincoln's interest in me, I
became a member of the famous "Lincoln Brigade." Lincoln, who later became
chief planner for General Marshall, followed members of his brigade throughout
their careers and saw to it that they got plum assignments and were on a track of
fast promotions.
Lincoln, as distressed as I over my failing eyes, sent me at his expense to an
ophthalmologist in New York City. By giving up all reading and doing eye
exercises, I was able to squeak through. I didn't study most of the last year. I
didn't graduate as high in my class as I would have liked. Nine or ten others who
had poor eyesight were not given regular Army commissions but reserve com-
missions instead.
Since Lincoln had so much to do with my career I'll have more to say about him
later.
Q ..
What made you choose the Corps of Engineers when you graduated from West
Point?
I chose the Corps of Engineers for a combination of reasons. First, my
A
background at Johns Hopkins was in engineering. Second, my father was a
builder. Third, I thought that if I chose to stay in the Army and there was a slow
period after the war, there would always be lots of action in rivers and harbors.
And finally, it was traditional for cadets who finished high in their class to go into
the Engineer Corps.
Q ..
So the Corps of Engineers was your first pick.
Did you have any other picks?
A ..
Yes. My second pick was infantry. Later, I did become an infantry officer since
I decided to stay in the service and believed that fighting was what the Army was
all about.
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