1960 - 1969
By 1960, Purdue Air Force ROTC had completed its tenth year as
an independent unit of the Purdue military organization. Detachment
220 was one of more than two hundred and twenty active college
units, which were engaged in the training of future Air Force
Officers.
The cadets strove to reach high levels of success in education,
leadership, and active community service. In 1968, Purdue distinguished
itself by winning The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptionally
meritorious service. Due to the current needs at the time, cadets
were required to meet the physical requirements to be a pilot
or have a strong background in math and science. Upon entering
their junior year, cadets agreed to serve three years of active
duty.
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The uniform of the 1960's were very similar
to the Army's current uniform. All cadets wore a patch shaped
like Indiana with Purdue written on it on their left shoulder.
Although women were still prohibited from entering the Air
Force ROTC program, they began to make their presence felt
with the forming of Angel Flight. Angel Flight supported
the wing and sponsored service projects.
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Many cadets over the years have taken advantage of flight training
opportunities here at Purdue
Detachment Commanders
1960 - 1962
Colonel Cobb
Kempton, 1962-1967">
1962 - 1967
Colonel Kempton
-- photo not available --
1967 - 1968
Colonel Wood
1968 - 1969
Colonel Ward
Organizations
ARNOLD AIR SOCIETY
Arnold Air Society is an organization which consists of outstanding
Air Force ROTC cadets. In an attempt to allow advanced cadets
to meet officers on a social basis, Arnold Air established the
Air Force "Dining-In". "Dining-In" allowed
the cadets to socialize with active men and break the barriers
between officers and cadets.
PERSHING RIFLES
This tri-service organization sets high goals to encourage, preserve,
and develop the ideals of the military profession. Pershing Rifles
sponsors a drill team, rifle team, and serves as honor guard for
the Military Ball. The members of this organization can be distinguished
by the blue and silver cords on their uniforms.
MILITARY BALL COMMITTEE
Each November Purdue's social season began with the Military Ball.
The Ball was organized by junior and senior cadets from all three
services.
ANGEL FLIGHT
Angel Flight was an auxiliary organization of Arnold Air Society.
The first pledge class was initiated in the fall of 1960.Pledges
were selected on the basis of a 4.0 index on a six point scale,
petitions, and interviews. The Angels served as hostesses for
many of the military functions throughout the year.
AIR FORCE BAND
The Air Force Band was organized in the spring of 1955 as a twenty
member Drum and Bugle Corps. The band quickly grew into a seventy
piece military band. Following the great Sousa tradition, the
Air Force Band performed at many convocations and nonmilitary
functions.
PURDUE DRILL TEAM
The Purdue Drill Team was formed in 1947 and quickly formed reputation
as the finest collegiate drill team in the United States by continually
winning the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.
AIR POLICE
Air Police was a direct branch of Air Force ROTC. They had the
responsibility of providing security at events and directing both
air and ground traffic at air-shows
Current Events of the Sixties
1960
Kennedy runs for President under the "New Frontier"
campaign
Nixon and Kennedy spar on first ever nationally televised debate
Kennedy wins presidential election
1961
Kennedy is sworn in as youngest President in history
Soviet Union puts the first man in space
Berlin Wall rises
President Kennedy forms the Peace Corps
1962
John Glenn orbits the earth
US actress Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jean Baker, dies
Three prisoners dig their way out of Alcatraz using spoons
The Supreme Court outlaws "official prayers" in schools
1963
Russians put first woman in space
Reverend Martin Luther King gives his "I have a dream"
speech
The Beatles invade the US
President Kennedy is shot and killed in Dallas by Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald is shot as millions watch on TV
1964
US General Douglas MacArthur dies
Jack Ruby sentenced to death for the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald
President Johnson signs Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination
North Vietnam attacks US destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin
1965
American planes pound North Vietnam
Malcolm X is shot and killed during a speech
First US astronaut walks in space
1966
Walt Disney dies
First successful US space docking
U.S. planes bomb Hanoi
1967
Elvis Presley marries Priscilla Beaulieu
American astronauts, "Gus" Grissom, Ed White, and Roger
Chaffee die after their spacecraft catches on fire during launch
rehearsal
1968
Martin Luther King is shot and killed
Bobby Kennedy is shot and killed while campaigning
Nixon is elected as President
1969
Judy Garland dies
Neil Armstrong walks on the moon
Boeing's 747 airliner makes its maiden flight
First successful test tube fertilization takes place.
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