1970 - 1979
One of the greatest challenges to ROTC during the early seventies
was the unpopularity of the Vietnam War. People were starting
to question the presence of ROTC on campuses. Harvard and Brown
University removed ROTC. Yale, Dartmouth, Stanford, Princeton,
and Notre Dame stopped offering college credit for ROTC classes.
It was voted on to remove college credit for ROTC at Purdue, but
the motion did not pass. ROTC continued on at Purdue University.
Another major event in ROTC during the seventies was the addition
of females. Women were finally allowed in the detachment in the
first semester of the 1970-71 school year. The first female cadets
were Carol Rink and Mary Jane Dexter.
Detachment Commanders
1968 - 1971
Colonel Dale Ward
1971 - 1975
Colonel Brown
-- photo not available --
1975 - 1977
Colonel O.J. Hines
-- photo not available --
1977 - 1979
Colonel Keller
Det 220 Events
Every Month, an Angel of the Month was chosen from the Angel
Flight Support group.
When Colonel Ward retired in 1972, President Nixon had him presented
with a Certificate of Appreciation
Commissioning is always a big event every year. Pictured to the
left is Col Ward, Cadet Scott Van Cleef, who is now a Brigadier
General, and his father during the Commissioning Ceremony in 1972.
Purdue President Frederick L. Hovde (above photo, on right) received
the Defense
Department distinguished public service medal. This medal is the
highest award given to a civilian by the Defense Department. Also
at the president's military review, the Air Force ROTC received
the outstanding unit award. Purdue Air Force was one of five units
receiving the award in 1970.
On May 1, 1970 a large group of students marched to the Armory
to protest a ROTC awards ceremony. When warned to leave the students
obeyed. However, a Purdue grad, and his 5 year old son remained
and were arrested. When the students heard about this they returned
to the armory and marched around the ROTC units being reviewed.
The Purdue police were ordered by the administration to remove
the protesting students from the armory. The police forced the
students out and in the process 4 students were injured and required
medical treatment at the Health Center. Seven students were arrested
and 30 were suspended for two weeks.
Organizations
Cadets had the opportunity to test their marksmanship on the
inter-branch rifle team.
As today, cadets also had the chance to participate in the Wing's
Honor Guard.
Angel Flight was a support group for the Detachment. Angel Flight
raised awareness and interest in Air Force, was involved with
service projects, and was closely related with Arnold Air Society.
Until the early seventies, the inter-branch drill team was another
activity cadets could participate in. However this team was disbanded
due to lack of support and interest.
The Purdue University Band played at all AFROTC parades. Here
they are shown playing for Col Ward's retirement ceremony.
Current Events in the Seventies
The Vietnam War came to a long overdue close in 1975. Pictured
below are a few of the aircraft, which were utilized throughout
the conflict.
F-105 Thunderchief
SR-71 Blackbird
A KC-135 Stratotanker refueling a B-52 Stratofortress
The 1970's gave rise to three of the Air Force's most well known
fighters and strike aircraft (pictured below).
F-15 Eagle
F-16 Falcon
A-10 Thunderbolts IIs
Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock and Roll", past away
much too young in 1977. The nation mourned.
Tony Perez, Johnny Bench, skipper Sparky Anderson, Joe Morgan,
and Pete Rose, wheels of the "Big Red Machine" that
dominated baseball throughout the '70's
United States citizens were taken captive when the U.S. Embassy
was stormed in 1979. The hostages were not released until the
early 1980's.
After almost 15 years, the conflict in Southeast Asia comes to
an end. The war lasted from the early 1960's until 1975.
Gerald Ford assumed the responsibilities of president after President
Nixon resigned. He is the only man to serve as president without
being elected either President or Vice President.
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