V-12 Navy College Training Program

Contents

1. Overview
2. Etymology
3. Cultural Impact

The V-12 Navy College Training Program was a crucial initiative undertaken by the United States Navy during the tumultuous period of World War II . Its primary objective was to bolster the ranks of commissioned officers, a critical need that outstripped the output of traditional institutions like the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Running from July 1, 1943, to June 30, 1946, this ambitious program saw over 125,000 men pass through 131 colleges and universities across the United States. These institutions served not merely as training grounds but as integral components of the war effort, with participants often completing their bachelor’s degree programs before, or sometimes even after, fulfilling their naval duties. It was a system designed to forge capable officers, much like its Army counterpart, the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) , which focused on cultivating technical expertise in fields such as engineering, foreign languages, and medicine. While the ASTP recruits were not strictly mandated to become officers, the V-12 program’s trajectory was decidedly geared toward commissioning.

History

The genesis of the V-12 program lay in the stark reality of dwindling college enrollments following the United States’ entry into World War II. Young men of draft age, the very demographic that sustained university populations, were either enlisting, being drafted, or taking up vital roles in war industries and agriculture. This exodus threatened the very existence of many academic institutions, prompting a search for ways to leverage higher education for the war effort.

In response to this crisis, the American Council on Education presented a report on October 14, 1942, advocating for the establishment of a “college training corps.” This corps would see members in uniform, receive active-duty pay, and undergo training in specialized fields deemed essential by the Army and Navy. President Franklin D. Roosevelt , receptive to this proposal, directed the Secretary of War and Secretary of the Navy to explore how higher education could best be integrated into mobilization plans. The V-12 Navy College Training Program, alongside the Army Specialized Training Program, was jointly announced on December 12, 1942.

Notably, the V-12 program garnered more enthusiastic support from college administrators than the ASTP. A key differentiator was V-12’s allowance for its students to integrate with civilian student bodies and participate in athletic activities. Furthermore, the core curriculum largely comprised courses already established within the civilian academic framework, making the transition smoother for both institutions and students. Enrollees, depending on their prior academic history, were typically placed into one of three four-month school terms, or semesters.

Captain Arthur S. Adams , a key figure from the Training Division of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, helmed the V-12 program. Among its early commanding officers was Richard Barrett Lowe , who would later serve as Governor of Guam and American Samoa .

Scope

Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs, in a statement on May 14, 1943, underscored the profound significance of the V-12 program: “Gentlemen, we are about to embark on an education program that will have important effects on American colleges, on the Navy, and, most important of all, on the lives of thousands of this nation’s finest young men. We must educate and train these men well so that they may serve their country with distinction, both in war and in peace.”

The V-12 program proved to be a mutually beneficial arrangement. For colleges and universities facing severe enrollment declines, it provided a vital lifeline, ensuring their continued operation during a period of national mobilization. Simultaneously, it met and surpassed the military’s urgent demand for a well-trained officer corps.

Participating Institutions

Unlike the ASTP, which distributed its trainees more broadly, the Navy strategically selected smaller, private colleges for its V-12 detachments. Out of the 131 institutions designated for line units, approximately 100 were considered “small,” with a significant majority, eighty-eight, being private establishments. Eleven of these were affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church . Larger land-grant and flagship universities accounted for only eighteen of the total detachments. The implementation of the V-12 program on July 1, 1943, led to a substantial increase in public and private college enrollment, adding around 100,000 participants and effectively reversing the sharp wartime decline.

Midshipman Schools (V-7 Midshipman Program)

Line units

Alma College [7]
Arkansas A & M College [8]
Arizona State Teachers College [9]
Baldwin-Wallace College [10]
Bates College [11]
Berea College [12]
Bethany College (Kansas) [7]
Bethany College (West Virginia) [13]
Bloomsburg University [14]
Bowling Green State University [15]
Brown University [1]
Bucknell University [16]
California Institute of Technology [17]
Carroll College [18]
Carson-Newman College [19]
Case School of Applied Science [20]
Central College
Central Michigan University [21]
Central Missouri State Teachers College [22]
Colgate University [23]
College of the Holy Cross [24]
College of St. Thomas [25]
College of the Pacific
Colorado College [1]
Columbia University [26]
Cornell University [27]
Dartmouth College [28] [29]
Denison University [30]
DePauw University [31]
Dickinson State Teachers College [32]
Doane College [1]
Drew University [33]
Duke University [34]
Emory & Henry College [35]
Emory University [36]
Franklin and Marshall College [37]
Georgia Institute of Technology [38]
Gonzaga University [39]
Gustavus Adolphus College [40]
Hampden–Sydney College [41]
Harvard University [42]
Hobart College [13] [43]
Howard College [44]
Iowa State College [7]
Illinois Institute of Technology [45]
Illinois State Normal University [46]
Indiana State Teachers College
John Carroll University [47]
Kansas State Teachers College [7]
Lawrence College [48]
Louisiana Polytechnic Institute [44]
Marquette University [49]
Massachusetts Institute of Technology [50]
Mercer University [51]
Miami University [7]
Middlebury College [1]
Milligan College [52]
Millsaps College [53]
Mississippi College [44]
Missouri Valley College [22]
Montana School of Mines
Mount Saint Mary’s College [54]
Muhlenberg College [55]
Murray State Teacher’s College [7]
Nebraska State Teachers College [56]
Newberry College [57]
North Dakota State School of Science [58]
North Texas Agricultural College [59]
Northwest Missouri State Teachers College [60]
Northwestern University [61]
Oberlin College [7]
Occidental College [62]
Ohio Wesleyan University [7]
Park College [63]
Pennsylvania State University [64]
Princeton University [65]
Purdue University [66]
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute [67]
Rice Institute [44]
Saint Ambrose College [68]
St. Lawrence University [69]
St. Mary’s College [70]
Southeast Missouri State Teachers College [22]
Southern Methodist University [44]
Southwestern Louisiana Institute [71]
Southwestern University [72]
Stevens Institute of Technology [73]
Swarthmore College [74]
Texas Christian University [44]
Trinity College [7]
Tufts College [75]
Tulane University [76]
Union College [77]
University of California, Berkeley [78]
University of California, Los Angeles [79]
University of Chicago [80]
University of Colorado [81]
University of Dubuque [7]
University of Idaho – Southern Branch [82]
University of Illinois [1]
University of Kansas [83]
University of Louisville [84]
University of Miami [85]
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor [86]
University of Minnesota [87]
University of New Mexico [13]
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [88]
University of Notre Dame [1]
University of Oklahoma [44]
University of Pennsylvania [89]
University of Redlands [90]
University of Richmond [91]
University of Rochester [92]
University of South Carolina [93]
University of South Dakota [7]
University of Southern California [94]
University of the South [44]
University of Texas at Austin [44]
University of Utah [95]
University of Virginia [51]
University of Washington [96]
University of Wisconsin–Madison [97]
Ursinus College [55]
Villanova College [98]
Wabash College [99]
Washburn Municipal University [100]
Webb Institute of Naval Architecture [101]
Wesleyan University [102]
West Virginia State College [7]
West Virginia University [7]
Western Michigan College [7]
Westminster College [22]
Whitman College [103] [104]
Willamette University [105]
Williams College [106]
Worcester Polytechnic Institute [107]
Yale University [108]

Medical units

Dental units

Theological units

Andover Newton Theological School [109]
Berkeley Baptist Divinity School [78] [114]
Chicago Theological Seminary [80]
Colgate Rochester Divinity School [101]
Columbia Theological Seminary [101]
Dubuque Theological Seminary [7]
Episcopal Theological School [109]
Garrett Biblical Institute [80]
Hartford Theological School [7]
Harvard Divinity School [109]
Lancaster Theological Seminary [55]
Luther Theological Seminary [25]
McCormick Theological Seminary [80]
Oberlin Graduate School of Theology [7]
Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary [55]
Southern Methodist University [44]
Texas Christian University [44]
University of Chicago Divinity School [80]
Vanderbilt University [44]

Notable graduates

The V-12 program served as a launching pad for a remarkable array of individuals who would go on to achieve significant prominence in various fields. These alumni demonstrate the program’s far-reaching impact beyond its immediate military objectives.

George Allen , a distinguished football coach , honed his skills at Alma College and Marquette University .
Howard Baker , who later became a U.S. Senator from Tennessee , pursued his studies at the University of the South and Tulane University .
Angelo Bertelli , a celebrated Notre Dame football star and Heisman Trophy winner, was part of the program.
John Robert Beyster , the visionary founder of SAIC , the Foundation for Enterprise Development, and the Beyster Institute , also benefited from V-12.
D. Dudley Bloom , who commanded the flagship of the Atlantic fleet as the youngest ship commander in the U.S. Navy during World War II, was also an inventor of rolling luggage and reality-based children’s toys.
Harry Bonk , a talented college football player, played fullback for the University of Maryland and later at Dartmouth College and Bucknell University .
Frederick C. Branch , the first African American officer in the United States Marine Corps , was a V-12 participant from Purdue University .
M. Scott Carpenter , a distinguished Project Mercury astronaut, studied at Colorado College and Saint Mary’s College of California .
Earl H. Carroll , a United States federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona , was another notable alumnus. [118]
Johnny Carson , the iconic television personality, attended Millsaps College and Columbia University .
Warren Christopher , who would later serve as the 63rd U.S. Secretary of State , was a student at the University of Redlands .
Samuel Kelly Clark , a prominent mechanical engineering professor at the University of Michigan , known for his research on tire mechanics.
Henry S. Coleman , who served as acting dean of Columbia College, Columbia University and was held hostage during the Columbia University protests of 1968 , was also a V-12 alumnus. [119]
Jackie Cooper , the acclaimed actor from Los Angeles, California , achieved the rank of Captain within the program.
Roger Corman , the influential filmmaker from Los Angeles, California , was a student at Stanford University .
John Piña Craven , a pioneer in the application of Bayesian search techniques for locating objects at sea, was a V-12 graduate.
Bill Daley , an All-American fullback , played for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and the University of Michigan Wolverines .
Robert V. Daniels , an American historian specializing in the Soviet Union , was a V-12 participant.
Alvin Dark , a distinguished Major League Baseball player and manager, attended LSU and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette .
Jeremiah Denton , a U.S. Senator, Naval Aviator, and Vietnam POW, was also a V-12 alumnus.
Alfred J. Eggers , who later held significant positions at NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) and NASA, was a V-12 graduate.
Bump Elliott , a decorated American football player, coach, and administrator, played at Purdue University and the University of Michigan . [66]
Daniel J. Evans , who served as a Senator and Governor, was also a V-12 alumnus.
Jim Fitzgerald , a notable businessman and philanthropist, studied at the University of Notre Dame .
Aloysius C. Galvin , an American Jesuit priest and president of the University of Scranton , was a V-12 participant. [54]
Warren Giese , a legislator and football coach from South Carolina, was part of the program.
Bernard M. Gordon , an accomplished inventor and philanthropist.
Samuel Gravely , the first African-American Admiral in the Navy, attended UCLA and Columbia University .
Wyndol Gray , an American professional basketball player in the 1940s, was a V-12 graduate. [120]
Peter Hackes , a respected TV Newsman and White House Correspondent.
William J. Hadden , a notable chaplain, minister, and advocate for desegregation.
John Woodland Hastings , a leading figure in photobiology and bioluminescence, and a founder of circadian biology.
Wilmot N. Hess , a physicist who contributed to NASA’s Apollo missions and conducted hurricane research for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Bruce Hilkene , captain and starting left tackle of the undefeated 1947 Michigan Wolverines football team , was a V-12 alumnus. [121]
Elroy Hirsch , a legendary LA Rams Football player.
Edward Kean , the creator and writer of the Howdy Doody Show, studied at Cornell University and Columbia University .
Robert F. Kennedy , who served as U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Senator , was a student at Bates College and Harvard University .
E. Henry Knoche , deputy director of the CIA and acting Director of Central Intelligence.
Bowie Kuhn , the Baseball Commissioner , attended Franklin & Marshall College and Princeton University .
Melvin Laird , former Secretary of Defense.
John Black Lee , a notable architect in New Canaan, Connecticut .
Jack Lemmon , the acclaimed actor, studied at Harvard University .
Charles Mathias , a U.S. Senator.
James McClure , a U.S. Senator.
Sam Mele , a prominent figure in Major League Baseball as a player, manager, coach, and scout.
Wayne E. Meyer , widely recognized as the “Father of Aegis” for his pivotal role in the development of the Aegis Weapon System.
William Middendorf II , who served as Ambassador and Secretary of the Navy.
Frank N. Mitchell , a Marine First Lieutenant posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Korean War .
Dade William Moeller , an American health physicist and scientist specializing in radiation and environmental protection.
Daniel Patrick Moynihan , a distinguished U.S. Senator from New York, attended Tufts University .
Fred Negus , a football player who played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan , and professionally in the All-America Football Conference and the National Football League .
Clarence Charles Newcomer , a US District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Paul Newman , the celebrated actor, initially entered the program at Ohio University but had to withdraw due to color blindness. [122]
David “Sam” Peckinpah , the renowned film director , studied at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette .
Frank Pellegrino (inventor) , inventor and president of General Fibre Company .
Sidney Phillips , an author, physician, and U.S. Marine.
William Dale Phillips , a chemist, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopist, and federal science policy advisor who was a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Robert C. Pierpoint , a television newsman and White House Correspondent.
Victor Prather , an American flight surgeon notable for his participation in “Project RAM,” a government initiative to develop the space suit .
John Prchlik , an NFL player for the Detroit Lions.
Al Rosen , a distinguished Major League Baseball player and Executive.
Carl T. Rowan , a prominent columnist, TV personality, and Ambassador.
Harold Lyman Ryan , a federal judge on the United States District Court for the District of Idaho .
Leo Ryan , a U.S. Congressman tragically killed in Guyana just prior to the Jonestown Massacre , was an alumnus of Bates College .
Kenneth G. Ryder , president of Northeastern University from 1975 to 1989.
Pierre Salinger , a respected Newsman and Presidential Press Secretary.
Phillip Shriver , a historian and college administrator who served as president of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio .
Leon Silver , a geologist instrumental in training Apollo Program astronauts in field geology.
G. William Skinner , a leading American anthropologist and scholar of China .
Eugene Sledge , author and U.S. Marine.
William Styron , a celebrated novelist and essayist , studied at Duke University .
Hugh Taylor , a professional football player and coach.
Robert Lawson Vaught , a mathematical logician and co-founder of model theory.
James Logan Waters , founder of Waters Corporation, a publicly traded company specializing in laboratory analytical instruments and software.
William Webster , a Federal Judge who also served as Director of the CIA and FBI.
Thomas Grey “Tom” Wicker , a distinguished Columnist and Author.
Roger Williams , a renowned Musician and Entertainer.
William W. Winpisinger , president of the million-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers .
Benjamin Drake Wright , an American psychometrician credited with popularizing Georg Rasch ’s measurement principles and models.
Zig Ziglar , a widely recognized author, salesperson, and motivational speaker, attended the University of South Carolina .

Other US Navy V programs

The V-12 program was part of a broader series of “V” programs initiated by the Navy, each with a distinct purpose:

V1 — Accredited College Program and Naval ROTC (USNR classification)
V2 — Aviation Branch (USNR classification)
V3 — Communications (USNR classification)
V4 — Intelligence (USNR classification)
V5 — Aviation Cadets (USNR classification)
V6 — General Service and Specialists (USNR classification)
V7 — Midshipmen Officer Candidates (USNR classification)
V8 — Aviation Pilot Training, Enlisted Reserve (USNR classification)
V9 — WAVES Officer Candidates (USNR classification)
V10 — WAVES Enlisted Personnel (USNR classification)
V11 — Midshipmen Officer Candidates O (Older Group) (USNR classification) [123]