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News and Event Releases > Millsaps College to Honor V-12 Vets October 19

Millsaps College to Honor V-12 Vets October 19

Millsaps College played an important role in World War II by educating young officers as part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program. At 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19 the College will honor the V-12 classes with a ceremonial flag raising.

"The V-12 program is a highlight in our history at Millsaps," said Millsaps College President Dr. Rob Pearigen. "This is the start of a tradition that calls for flying the V-12 flag at Millsaps on the third Wednesday in October."

From 1943 to 1945, 873 officer candidates attended Millsaps College for the V-12 program that provided basic naval and marine training in addition to special curriculums in aviation engineering and pre-medical and pre-dental programs. Millsaps was one of only 131 colleges and universities with high academic standing selected as a site for training officers for the U.S. Navy and Marines.

The V-12 program's purpose was to train students in basic curriculum leading to entry into officer training school. According to a 1944 Millsaps publication, those men who passed work at Millsaps in the Marine detachment were sent to the Marine Officers' Training School at Parris Island, and successful seamen were sent to Midshipman Officers' Training School to future officers from the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps.

The program brought young men from across America to the College. One V-12er who came to Millsaps was Johnny Carson, who in 1962 became host of The Tonight Show. In 1987, V-12 veterans who attended Millsaps established a V-12 Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually to a student based on merit and leadership.