Alumni Awards

 Distinguished Alumnus Award Outstanding Alumnus Award
Honorary Alumnus Order of Anthony Wayne for Distinguished Service
Bob Hope Award  

 


Distinguished Alumnus Award
(first award presented in 1950)

Prior to 1980, the Distinguished Alumnus Award was given to alumni for a variety of reasons, including outstanding activity within the Alumni Association, as well as successes in the chosen field of endeavor. In 1980, an additional award was created - the Outstanding Alumnus Award - to be given for outstanding service to the school. Since that time, the Distinguished Alumnus Award has been limited to alumni who have become distinguished in their chosen field of endeavor.

Date Name Date Name

1950

Earl A. Sneeringer '30
Harold G. Simms '29
George C. Seybolt '32

1952

Nathaniel E. Duval '34
Jerome D. Salinger '36
Allen Sutter '33

1953

 

Julio C. Morales '31
I. Bernard Cohen '33
Frederick F. Patten '30

1954

Henry E. Bowes '32
Robert C. Richardson, III '35
C. Charles Vache '43
Lester A. Wilson '3

1955

Bissett J. Roberts, '30
Alexander Day Surles, Jr. '32
William R. Kavanaugh '29
1956 William P. Dix, Jr. '37
William Z. Scott '35
William E. Zabel, Jr. '36

1957

William R. Coon '40C
Fred B. Leavy '38
C. Clifford Mendler '36
Allen F. Weidman '38

1958

John G. Zierdt '32
Andrew J. Sordoni, Jr. '35
Albert H. Holland '36

1959

 

David C. Birdsell '36
Alfred Sasser '42
Robert H. Smith '34
Harold G. Wilson '36

1960

Guy B. Wheeler, Jr. '34
Charles R. Calhoun '33
Walter A. Miller '35
Sidney Offit '46

1961

 

 

James J. Pellerite'44
Richards H. Jarden '42C
Frederick W. Boye, Jr. '34

1962

William S. Todman '34
Lyndon H. Landon, Jr. '40
Glenn F. Hake '33
Harry A. Grammes '33

1963

Robert W. Strong, Jr. '35
William Pollock '33
E. Bruce Haman '34
Leonard Erb '38

1964

Robert L. Frantz, Esq. '43
Frank F. Reinhardt '41
John A. Snively '33

1966

Paul A. Powell '40
Milton M. Charen '34

1967

George H. Bortz, Jr. '38
Edward H. Ellis, Jr. '33

1968

 

 

 
Harry J. Mier, Jr. '40C
1969 Jess A. Bell '43C
Allen W. Dawson '44
Edward D. Sacks '44

1970

 

Houston B. Marshall '35
J. Wilbur Mack '35
John J. Ernst, III '45
James R. Eagan '51C
David T. Brown '33

1971

 

 

 
Howard K. Dreizler '51C
John H. Humpton, Jr. '43
James M. Naye '37
Claude J. Schlanger '43

1972

 

William R. Rose '45
C. Elwood Parker, Jr. '46
Sidney Augstein '42C

1973

 

 

Rafael Hernandez Colon '53
Henry P. Fowler '60C
Paul E. Galanti '57

1974

 

Arnold P. Paltrow '33

1975

Roy J. Sherry '34
Richard L. Kattel '56C

1976

 

Samuel Evans, III, ‘42
W. Thomas Sykes '50

1977

 

William R. Tiefel '52
Robert C. Mehlin '51C

1978

 

Howard A. Forster '48
Samuel D. Thompson, Jr. '48

1979

 

Harry C. McCreary, Jr. '45
Carl E. Mangum '64C

1980

Gaspar Roca '45

1981

 Alfred A. Sanelli '39

1982

The Hon. Warren B. Rudman '48

1983

 Jaime S. Carrion '48

1984

James L. Underkoffler '40C

1985

Samuel S. Bretzfield '43

1986

Mario J. Boiardi '44

1987

 Walter J. (Chappie) Lehman, Jr. '57

1988

GEN Lucius D. Clay, Jr. '37
James E. Jewett '64
Allan P. Jaffe '53 (posthumous)

1989

 GEN H. Norman Schwarzkopf '52

1990

James W. Sturr, Jr. '60C

1991

 John A. Bergfeld, MD '56

1992

David Price Trainer '62

1993

 Leland A. Stanford, Jr. '34

1994

LTG John J. Yeosock ‘55

1995

 LTG James A. Brabham ‘57

1996

Alan R. Buckwalter, III ‘66

1997

 CAPT Norman F. (Red) Stein ‘47

1998

William R. Floyd, Jr. ‘63

1999

William J. O’Hara, Jr. ’67
Patrick M. O’Hara ’73

2000

Robert J. Woodling ’36

2001

Michael A. Nolen ’6

2002

Robert P. Freeman, ’52

2003

 J. Kent McNew, ’61C

2004

Ivan R. Sabel, ’63

2005

Donald A. Mosites, ’52

2006

Richard A. Hocker ’64

2007

Dr. Neil R. Arbegast ’52

2008

Mr. John Werner, II ’50 TAPS (Accepted by Mrs. Werner)
Mr. Lester Botkin ‘69

2009

Mr. Daniel D. Crawford '67 2010  Robert Bacine, Esq., '60

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Outstanding Alumnus Award

The Outstanding Alumnus Award is presented to an alumnus who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and support of Valley Forge Military Academy & College over a sustained period of time since graduation.

 

Date Name Date Name
1978

William E. Zabel, Jr.,'36

1979 Richards H. Jarden '42C
1980 Not Awarded 1981 John B. Falion '33
1982 Leland A. Stanford, Jr., '34 1983 Lewis H. Elliott '55
1984 William T. Gans, Jr., '61C
Donald I. Guss '53C
1985 Marshall Abramson '60
1986 Joseph D. Formisano '63C
Rudolf W. Herzog '35
1987 Robert J. Woodling '36
David P. Trainer '62
1988 Adin B. Capron '54
P. Donald Rieck '43
1989 Michael E. Lyon '54
William J. Taylor '58
1990 William L. Schmidt, Esq., '64
W. Thomas Sykes '50
1991 John J. Gallagher, Jr., '65C
Frank W. Guthridge, Jr., '71
1992 Richard A. Silhol '47
Colonel Tomas B. Puyans '48C
1993 LTC James A. Fraley, Jr., '70C
Colonel Richard M. Artz '56
1994 Frank T. Becker '67C
LTC Douglas B. Davis, USA (Ret.), '70 / '72C
1995 Gilbert S. Benjamin '63C
LTC Romulo R. Diez '56
COL Thomas W. Medearis '66
1996 Howard A. Forster '48
Harry M. Judge '67
Franklin M. Seeley '43
1997 Conrad E. Muhly, IV, '73
John W. Robinson '47
1998 Niles P. Dally '63
Dung T. Lam '85C
CAPT C. Carter Nute '58 / '60C
1999 Gerald J. Supplee '69              
John R. Rapp '74C
 
2000
Mark A. Schneider '67
Frank A. Serino '77
Thomas L. Smith '71C
2001 Not awarded
2002 Stephen M. Grimble '62 2003 Robert M. Rosend '69C
2004 Not awarded 2005 Ira Thomas Goldblum '69
Samuel M. Laird '62
Richard W. Orr '62, (posthumously)
2006 Bryan K. Geiling '94 / '96C
Jeffrey G. Little '78
2007 COL Thomas A. Balish '78 / '80C
William J. Wyatt '57
2008 J. Walter Mosetter '75 / '77C 2009 William M. Beute '63C
Alfred J. Heyer '69
2010 Gordon Hanscom '62/'64C
Walter Matlack '76
   

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Honorary Alumnus Award

(First award presented in 1941 but award not formalized until 1981)

An Honorary Alumnus Award may be presented only to an individual who is not an alumnus or current employee and who has given outstanding service for the benefit of Valley Forge Military Academy & College in support of its high standards, traditions and goals, in direct support of its programs, or in direct service to its cadets. (1) Those who, as friends of the school, have shown their dedication and commitment to the school and through their actions, merit special recognition by the school as an alumnus; and (2) Those who have previously served on the faculty or staff at Valley Forge and who, by virtue of the longevity, quality and impact of service meet the qualifications above and who, therefore, merit special recognition by the school as an alumnus. (Current employees will not be eligible for bestowal of the award while in current employment status.)

1975

MG Milton H. Medenbach '41H

 

1981

Louis Kapelski '81H

 

1982

Dr. Millard E. Gladfelter '82H

 

1983

Achille F. Barone '83H

 

1984
Robert E. Porter '84H

 

1985
T. George Downs '85H

 

1986

Donald E. Meads '86H

 

1987
Bob Hope '87H

 

1988

LTG Willard Pearson, USA (Ret.) '88H

 

1989

Ernest P. Raum '89H

 

1990

Jane L. Meads '90H

COL D. Keith Feltham '90H

 

1991

Doris L. Atkins '81H

 

1992

James P. Schellenger '92H

COL J. Stuart Mulkerns '92J

 

1993

LTC L. Maitland Blank '93H

BG Anna K. Bullock '93H

Colonel William J. Godfrey '93H

 

1994

Rev. J. Louise R. Baker '94H

Bruce H. Hooper '84H

Colonel George W. Rickert '94H

 

1995

COL Walter R. Badham '95H

COL Stanley A. Harris, P.C., '95H

Helen C. Medenbach '95H

LTC Bertram South '95H

 

1996

Theodore Clattenburg '96H

COL John R. Romine '96H

 

1997

Doris Hodson '97H

COL Harry Hodson '97H

 

1998

Robert W. Miller '98H

 

1999

Dr. Frederick Breitenfeld, Jr., '99H

COL John W. Lord, III, '99H

 

2000

BG Alfred W. Hess '00H

COL Victor C. Infortuna '00H

RADM Virgil L. Hill, Jr., '00H

Mrs. Kim Hill '00H

 

2001-2004

Not awarded

 

2005

COL Danny Jaynes '05H

 

2006

Not awarded

 

2007

LTC James F. Coates, USA (Ret.), '07H, TAPS

 

2008

COL Ken Seitz '08H
 

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Order of Anthony Wayne for Distinguished Public Service

The Order of Anthony Wayne for Distinguished Public Service is Valley Forge Military Academy & College's highest award presented to those who demonstrate exceptional public service nationally or internationally.

The Order of Anthony Wayne award was established on January 18, 1929, when the original campus of Valley Forge Military Academy in Devon was completely destroyed by fire. The heroism of the cadets during this disaster, along with their excellent motivation and discipline, inspired General Baker to create this highly coveted award, and it remains the Forge's most distinguished award to this day.

The award is made not only to distinguished cadets and members of the faculty, but also to community leaders who have achieved standards of excellence, shown high ideals and untiring efforts above and beyond the call of duty, contributed to the esprit de corps and progress of Valley Forge Military Academy & College, and who exemplified the best traditions of public service. 

1975

Adm. Thomas H. Moorer

 

1976

Alexander M. Haig

Dr. Joseph M.A.H. Luns

Adm. John S. McCain

J. WIlliam Middendorf

GEN Maxwell D. Taylor

 

1977

GEN Hamilton H. Howse

Ronald Reagan

 

1978

Willaim E. Colby

William E. Simon

GEN WIlliam C. Westmoreland

 

1979

LtGen Thomas P. Stafford

 

1981

James R. Schlesinger

 

1982

Dr. John R. Silber

 

1983

Rear Adm. William Linton Nelson

 

1983

Sir Oliver Wright

 

1986

John O. Marsh

 

1988

Mary G. Roebling

GEN Carl E. Vuono

 

1990

Warren B. Rudman

 

1991

Thomas L. Clancy

Adm. William J. Crowe

GEN Gordon R. Sullivan

 

1992

Dr. Robert D. Ballard

Gen. Paul X. Kelly

 

1993

Edward G. Rendell

Curt Weldon

LtGen John Y. Yeosock

 

1994

John H. Sununu

 

1995

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua

William F. Buckley

Ronald Klink

 

1996

GEN H. Norman Schwarzkopf

 

1997

Tom LaSorda

 

1999

Donald E. Meads

Jane L. Meads

Beverly Thomes

 

2000

Cmdr. Paul Galanti

Fred F. Patten

Capt. Luther H. Smith

 

2005

John J. Brennan

 

2008

Robert J. Frey

Honorable Jan E. DuBois

 

2011
The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld

 

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Bob Hope Five-Star Award for Distinguished Service to the United States of America

Previous Recipients and Presenters. 

Bob Hope's association with Valley Forge Military Academy & College dates back to 1975 when he first visited the school at the invitation of then- Superintendent Lieutenant General Willard Pearson, USA (Ret). Mr. Hope accepted the school's offer to name an award after him, and jokingly stated that he assumed, at the time, "The names of the oceans were already taken." Nonetheless, he agreed to receive the first award.

It was  Bob Hope who inspired the selection criteria for this honor: someone who possesses strength of character, unmatched leadership ability, and an unwavering love for and devotion to our great nation. Mr. Hope exemplified these qualities throughout his long life and it is our mission to inspire these qualities in each and every one of our cadets. 

Mr. Bob Hope truly embodies what is means to give of temselves for the service of American troops. Over the next 25 years, Mr. Hope returned to campus nine more times, presenting the eponymous award to many distinguished Americans. 

Year Recipient Presenter

1975

Bob Hope, '87H

Mr. Theodore C. Maars, representing the White House

 

 

1976

 

The Honorable Barry M. Goldwater

 

 

General David C. Jones, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

 

 

1977

The Honorable Strom Thurmond

Bob Hope, '87H

 
1978

Lyman L. Lemnitzer 

General, USA (Ret)

The Honorable William R. Kintner, former U.S. Ambassador to Thailand and Former President, Foreign Policy Research Center

1979

The Forge's "Honored Dead"

Mr. Richards H. Jarden, '42C, then CHairman, Board of Trustees, VFMA Foundation

 
1980

Alexander M. Haig, Jr. 

General, USA (ret)

Bob Hope, '87H

1981

The Honorable Clare Booth Luce

Bob Hope, '87H

1982

The Honorable Ronald Reegan

The Honorable Arlen Specter, U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania

1983

William C. Westmoreland

General, USA (ret)

Bob Hope, '87H

1984

The Honorable Walter C. Annenberg

Bob Hope, '87H

1985

Mr. J. Willard Marriott

Bob Hope, '87H

1986

His Eminence John Cardinal Krol

Lieutenant General Alexander M. Weyand, USA (Ret), then Superintendent, VFMA&C

1987

The Honorable William J. Bennett

His Eminence John Cardinal Krol, then Archbishop of Philadelphia

1988

The Honorable Casper W. Weinberger

Anthony J. (Tony) Hope, Esq., representing his father

1989

The Honorable Dick Thornburgh

Lieutenant General Alexander M. Weyand, USA (Ret), then Superintendent, VFMA&C

1991

Mrs. Dolores Hope

Bob Hope, '87H

1992

The Honorable Dick Cheney

Bob Hope, '87H

1993

The Honorable Warren B. Rudman, '48

Vice Admiral N. Ronald Thurman, USN (Ret), then President, VFMA&C

1994

H. Norman Schwarzkopf, '52

Bob Hope, '87H

1995

Mr. Walter Cronkite

The Honorable Edward G. Rendell, Mayor of Philadelphia

1996

President George Bush and Barbara Bush

Anthony J. (Tony) Hope, Esq., representing his father

1997

President Gerald R. Ford

Anthony J. (Tony) Hope, Esq., representing his father

1999

Senator John S. McCain, III

The Honorable Warren B. Rudman, '48, former U.S. Senator from New Hampshire

2004

Mr. H. Ross Perot

Anthony J. (Tony) Hope, Esq., representing his father

2008 Admiral Gary Roughead, '69

Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright,

Adjutant General of Pennsylvania