A Day in the Life: 1942-1943

Along with the rest of the nation and the world, the community on Mount St. James was impacted by the events of World War II. This exhibit explores the changes and sacrifices made by the College to help support the war effort overseas and at home.

World War II was declared on September 1, 1939. By May 1940, the U.S. Navy announced the College of the Holy Cross would join the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program, which only was available at a select group of colleges and universities. Captain C. Julian Wheeler was the program’s first commanding officer at Holy Cross and in September 1941, 115 freshmen were enrolled. An advantage to joining this program was students were guaranteed to be able to complete their education before entering service. 

Change was dramatic after bombs were dropped on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Holy Cross lost many of its students to the Armed Forces, as they were bravely willing to enlist. This led to the College closing dormitories. For those who remained on campus, daily life revolved around the war effort. Three days after Pearl Harbor, Rev. Joseph Maxwell, S.J., president of the College, expedited the NROTC program, which allowed students to complete the necessary coursework in three years. Additionally, Christmas and summer breaks were shortened and graduation was moved to May. 

In July 1943, Holy Cross enrolled in the Navy’s V-12 program. This program allowed enlisted Naval officer candidates to receive a college education. These men, who had active-duty status, dormed separately but often classrooms were a mix of civilians, NROTC students and V-12 program participants.

During the war years, the College enforced black out regulations, naval terminology permeated campus culture (dormitory halls floors were called “decks"), activities were scheduled using the 24 hour clock system, and the Drum and Bugle Corps provided music for battalions marches. The Crusader, the student newspaper, even published a new section titled the “Naval Reserve Notes,” which recapped drills and other NROTC news. The Quarter-deck Club was established in 1942 and would continue throughout the war years to create a spirit of pride and loyalty among the NROTC students by sponsoring a variety of activities and social events. 

Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) students march with flags at the main gate of Holy Cross on Linden Lane.
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) students march with flags at the main gate of Holy Cross on Linden Lane.

NROTC students march with flags at the main gate on Linden Lane.

Explore this exhibit to learn more.


Change Across Campus

1

St. Joseph Chapel

Mandatory mass was relaxed as there were students of many different faiths. In addition to Catholic chaplains, there were chaplains of other faiths. According to Rev. Anthony J. Kuzniewski, S.J., author of Thy Honored Name: A History of the College of the Holy Cross, 1843 – 1994, it was likely this was the first time this ever occurred. The academic day was adjusted so Catholics could attend Mass at 7am.

Pictured here is the first military Mass held at the chapel. Members of the unit had arranged themselves to form a "military cross" during the Consecration.

2

Military Science Courses

Students in the NROTC program had to dedicate at least 10 hours a week to military-based training including courses in Naval History & Regulation, Communication and marching on Freshman Field. Ardvanced courses for upperclassmen included Nautical Astronomy and Military Law & Tactics.

3

Fitton Field Obstacle Course

Physical fitness became an important focus. In addition to the indoor gymnasium, this outdoor obstacle course included activities such as scaling walls, hurdles, tunnels, Jacobs Ladder and cargo nets.

4

Worcester Memorial Auditorium

Draft registration took place at the Worcester Memorial Auditorium.  When asked about their reaction to the draft  during an interview with the student newspaper, Holy Cross students “emphasized their willingness to discharge any patriotic duty assigned to them…[for] the successful completion of America’s war.”

5

Kimball Theater

Now named the Seelos Theater, this theater was used for a variety of film screenings sponsored by the NROTC program and the Quarter-deck Club. Films would be advertised in the student newspaper's "Naval Reserve" section.

6

Mary Chapel

Before the 1940s, the Mary Chapel in the basement of St. Joseph Chapel was used as an auditorium. During World War II, an anti-aircraft gun was installed to allow students to practice anti-aircraft drills during inclement weather.

7

Blackout Restrictions

While only Alumni Hall housed civilian students, wartime changes to the College still affected them. In cooperation with the national air raid defense organization, the College participated in practice air raids and black out regulations. 

Coordinated by faculty and student wardens, drills occurred between the hours of 9:00 and 9:30 pm on scheduled days. Even the dining hall and the library closed. Due to the campus' exposed position, students on the top floors of buildings were required to evacuate.

8

Carlin Hall

In order to support the training of NROTC students, the basement of Carlin was transformed into a rifle range.


Student Activities and Event Highlights

Naval Ball

Holy Cross' first Naval Ball took place at the Hotel Bancroft on June 20, 1942. The venue was decorated with naval pennants, streamers and the unit's flag was displayed on stage. All cadets in attendance were required to wear their naval dress uniforms. Pictured here is the Navy Dance Committee and their guests.

This photo shows members of the 1943 Naval Dance Committee and their dates.

Naval Ball

The event was sponsored by the Quarter-deck Club, which promoted social activities for the NROTC unit. Music was performed by Dol Brissette and his band.

This photo shows Dol Brisette and his band performing at the 1943 Naval Dance.

Naval Ball

This "dance card" would have been used by the women who were invited to the event to record her partner for each dance.

This is a photo of a dance card from a NROTC dance. These cards were given to every woman who attended the dance. which included blank spaces which encouraged the attendees to record the names of their partners for each dance,

HC vs. BC Football Game

On November 28, 1942, Holy Cross played an incredible game against Boston College at Fenway Park. The game would become one of the biggest upsets in college sports history because BC was undefeated and on track to play in the Sugar Bowl.

This is the cover of the November 28, 1942 football program between Holy Cross and Boston College.

HC vs. BC Football Game

At halftime, Holy Cross was leading 20-6. The Crusader’s would end the game with a touchdown by Andy Natowich ‘43, making the final score 55-12.

After the loss, BC players canceled their victory party at the local Coconut Grove nightclub. Later that night, the club was the site of a devastating fire resulting in the death of almost 500 people.

This is a photo of the November 28, 1942 game.

Game Ball

The game ball was signed by the Holy Cross team and currently, is housed in the Archives and Distinctive Collections at Holy Cross.

This is a photo of the game ball signed by the Holy Cross team and currently, is housed in the Archives and Distinctive Collections at Holy Cross.

Game Day Ticket

A ticket stub from the game housed the Archives and Distinctive Collections at Holy Cross.

1942 Commencement

216 students graduated from the College on May 5, 1942. It was announced after Pearl Harbor the ceremony would be moved to early May to allow students, who were called into service, to receive their degrees.

This is a photo of the 1942 Commencement program housed the Archives and Distinctive Collections at Holy Cross.

1942 Commencement

Pictured here is the procession of the marshals, including color bearers J. Vincent Swan '47 and Vincent Celentano '45. The ceremony was held at the Worcester Auditorium and the address was given by Massachusetts Governor, Leverett Saltonstall.

Pictured here is the procession of the commencement marshals, including color bearers J. Vincent Swan '47 and Vincent Celentano '45.

James W. Colbert, Valedictorian

In his valedictory address, James Colbert spoke of the stars and how they would be a “guiding light” for the graduates as they entered a “world at war.”

(Fun fact: James Colbert is the father of famous late night host, Stephen Colbert!)

This is a Tomahawk article announcing James W. Colbert, father of famous late night host Stephen Colbert, as the class of 1942 class valedictorian.

Holy Cross Glee Club

The Glee Club was established in 1899 as a popular vocal group on campus and focused on voice training. The club paired with other campus musical groups to give entertaining performances as well as lend their services to the Chapel.

This is a photo of the Glee Club from the 1942 Purple Patcher yearbook.

Glee Club photo from the 1942 Purple Patcher yearbook.

During the war, Fred Waring, a popular radio entertainer sponsored the “Pleasure Time National College Glee Club Competition." This competition challenged campus glee clubs to become a larger presence at colleges and universities. In  March 1942,  Waring wrote a letter to glee clubs across the nation urging support of the college clubs during wartime. In his letter, he stated “singing was important for victory” and for the “attitude of the American Soldier.”

The final event at Carnegie Hall was the equivalent of college football's Rose Bowl and according to a March 24, 1942 article of the Tomahawk, “it is the greatest honor that any glee club in the country can win." Holy Cross submitted three song recordings including an original school song, “To the Purple” written by Arthur McAvoy, ‘34.  Led by club manager Daniel Brosnahan '42, the group recorded using the WORC station studios.

Unfortunately, Holy Cross, competing within the New England Division, did not reach the finals to perform at Carnegie Hall.


Faculty

During this time, most of the instruction at the College was geared towards military training and required specialized faculty members.

Captain C. Julian Wheeler, U.S.N.

Captain Wheeler was the first commanding officer of Holy Cross' NROTC program in 1941. He graduated from the U.S. Naval academy in 1916 and fought in World War I. After the war, he served with the Asiatic fleet before becoming Commandant of a hospital ship at the Naval War College in Newport, RI. He retired from Holy Cross in 1943 and was succeeded by Captain Guy E. Davis.

This is a photo of Captain Julian C. Wheeler, the first commander of the Holy Cross NROTC program.

Commander Carroll W. Hamill, U.S.N.

Commander Hamill was a member of the Naval Sciences faculty from 1941 to 1946. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1916. Prior to Holy Cross, he taught at Tulane University's ROTC program from 1939 to 1941. He is pictured here (front row, far left) alongside Captain Julian Wheeler and Lieut. Joseph C. McGoughran and other NROTC staff.

This photo pictures Commander Carrol W. Hamill, USN (front row, far left) alongside Captain Julian Wheeler and Lieut. Joseph C. McGoughran and other NROTC staff.

Commander Herbert P. Knowles, U.S.N.

Commander Knowles began his teaching career at Holy Cross in 1942. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1921 and in the early 1930s, he moved to Worcester to pursue a business career before joining the Naval Science faculty. He taught at Holy Cross until 1946.

This is a photo of Commander Herbert P. Knowles, a member of Holy Cross' Naval Science faculty until 1946.

Holy Cross' Centennial Anniversary

On November 1, 1943, Holy Cross was set to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Due to the focus on the College’s war effort, the administrators refocused celebrations to events highlighting the achievements of their students. The Jesuit Community held a feast to mark the milestone on November 3rd. Otherwise, the College's centenary anniversary was fairly quiet.

While there were no large celebratory events, the College marked this momentous occasion by creating an official logo and publishing a pamphlet entitled Holy Cross, Old Holy Cross. The editors of the college yearbook, the Purple Patcher and the Worcester Telegram and Gazette also covered Holy Cross' centennial.

The official centenary logo included images of Bishop Fenwick and a crusader standing in front of Fenwick Hall and St. Joseph Chapel. It was created for a pamphlet called Holy Cross, Old Holy Cross, which can be found in the Archives and Distinctive Collections.

This is the cover of "Holy Cross, Old Holy Cross," a pamphlet published for Holy Cross' 100th anniversary. The cover includes the official centennial logo. This logo consists of two medallions: The top medallion includes an image of Bishop Fenwick. The bottom medallion includes an image of a crusader in front of Fenwick Hall and St. Joseph Chapel.

This pamphlet provides a history of the College as well as a description of life on campus in 1943. It includes many historical images of campus such as this collage documenting the College's founding.

Page from "Holy Cross, Old" Holy Cross including photos of the founding of Holy Cross and early graduating classes.

The 1943 Purple Patcher has several historical passages comparing life on campus in 1943 with life throughout Holy Cross' history. Copies are housed in the Archives and Distinctive Collections at Holy Cross.

This is the cover of the 1943 Purple Patcher, Holy Cross' yearbook

The official centenary logo was adapted by the Purple Patcher staff.

The logo appeared on the section header pages of the Purple Patcher. These pages also include short historical passages providing the reader with snapshots of life on Campus throughout the years. 

The Worcester Transcript Telegram covered the centennial in its December 12, 1943 issue. They featured an early illustration of Campion House and Fenwick Hall from the early 1840s 

This exhibit would not be possible without the efforts of the following authors:

Rev. Anthony J. Kuzniewski, S.J.

Thy Honored Name: A History of the College of the Holy Cross, 1843 – 1994

Karen A. Tsiantas '87

"Navy Unit Surfaces at Holy Cross During World War II"

Brandon J. O'Donnell

"History of the College of the Holy Cross Naval ROTC Unit"

NROTC students march with flags at the main gate on Linden Lane.

Glee Club photo from the 1942 Purple Patcher yearbook.