From 1919 to 1991, the Lafayette Leopard Battalion produced hundreds of officers for all branches of the United States Military. Although the Leopard Battalion is now the Maroon Platoon, based out of Lehigh University’s Steel Battalion, Lafayette continues its proud history of comissioning top-quality officers for the United States Army.
Beginnings (1826-1919)
Lafayette College’s 1826 Charter specified Military Science as one of the subjects that was to be taught to students. Prior to the establishment of ROTC, a number of Lafayette graduates entered military service and enjoyed distinguished careers, including:
Horatio Stockton Howell, Class of 1846: Union Army chaplain serving with the 90th Pennsylvania Infantry. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Chaplain Stockton was helping wounded soldiers when he was killed.
Colonel (COL) Charles A. Wikoff, Class of 1855: saw action in the Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish American War. COL Wikoff was killed in action in Santiago, Cuba, during the Battle of San Juan Hill. He was highest-ranking American casualty in the Spanish-American War.
General (GEN) Peyton C. March, Class of 1884: son of the legendary English professor, Francis March, he entered the artillery branch and saw action in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, the Pancho Villa Expedition, World War I, and the Russian Civil War. In 1918, GEN March was appointed Army Chief of Staff and oversaw U.S. operations during World War I. A recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Cross, and the Silver Star, GEN March retired in 1921.
Lieutenant General (LTG) Edgar B. Jadwin: commissioned as an Engineer officer in 1890, serving in the Spanish-American War and overseeing the construction of the Ports of Los Angeles and Galveston. He also assisted in the construction of the Panama Canal. During World War I, LTG Jadwin directed American construction efforts. From 1926-1929, he was the Chief of Engineers, retiring in 1929.
