COMMISSIONING CEREMONY, NORWICH UNIVERSITY, 7 JUNE 1958

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000400410005-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 18, 1999
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: June 7, 1958
• Content Type: SPEECH

Approved For Release 2000/05/05 : CIA-RDP75-00001 R000400410005-4
ADDRESS
GENERAL L. K. TRUSCOTT, JR.
COMMISSIONING CEREMONY, NORWICH UNIVERSITY, 7 JUNE 1958
Colonel Prince: . . . . Gentlemen:
It is a great honor to be here on this occasion when you gentlemen
are about to receive commissions in the armed forces of our country.
It is a very special privilege for me to welcome you into one of the
noblest of all professions -- the profession of arms -- and into one of
the proudest and strongest of all brotherhoods -- the brotherhood of
commissioned officers. I should like to emphasize why we hold the
profession of arms and the brotherhood of officers in such high esteem
and to offer you one or two suggestions.
No profession is more dedicated to unselfish service or holds to
higher ideals of duty, honor, country and of courage than the profession
of arms. It has been so throughout history. Men of this profession have
ever been willing to die if need be to preserve for others things dearer
than life.itself. Just a few days ago I stood on the great battlefield
of Anzio. There over the graves of eight thousand Americans who still
rest there in foreign soil I delivered the Memorial Day address.
I was reminded that long ago One said, "Greater love hath no man than
this.that he lay down his life for his friend." I also remembered that
in hundreds of other spots all over the world comrades were rendering
honors to others fallen in the country's service. They were our
fathers, brothers, comrades, friends. They upheld the high ideals and
standards of the profession of arms. They gave their lives for their
country. Truly the profession of arms is a noble and dedicated one.
It is a particular pleasure to welcome you into the brotherhood of
officers, for we have something in common. We begin our careers as
second lieutenants with commissions in the Officers Reserve Corps - most
of you at least. But you have one decided advantage over me. I was
commissioned after ninety days' training in the First Officers Training
Camp during the First World War. You are being commissioned after four
years of academic and military training at a great military university
with academic and military standards unexcelled by any other in our
country. That is a fact in which you can take great pride, but it is
also one that imposes a great responsibility upon you.
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I need not remind you that technical and scientific developments are
making war more complicated and difficult with every passing day. Far
greater knowledge on the part of officers is required by the weapons of
today than was ever required during the last World War -- in my own time.
You are fitted to meet that challenge. The one factor in war that does
not change is man. The principles of leadership that applied in my day --
and have always applied -- will apply in yours. And let me tell you, it
is the leadership of officers -- of the wonderful brotherhood of officers --
that has held men to the high dedication of duty, honor, country - even to
the death. So I can say to you there is no brotherhood with stronger
bonds. None has higher standards.
As a final word, let me repeat. I am proud to welcome you to one
of the noblest and most dedicated of all professions - the profession
of arms. Wear your uniform with pride as have those before you. Hold to
the high principles you have been taught here. Take special pride in the
fact that you are now members of the great brotherhood of commissioned
officers. Mark well its high ideals and live up to its high standards.
There is no stronger bond than the ideal of duty, honor, country, which
binds that brotherhood. I welcome you to membership.
Approved For Release 2000/05/05 : CIA-RDP75-00001 R000400410005-4