First in Eleven Years

A Negro entered the U. S. Military Academy at West Point last week, the first Negro cadet in eleven years. Inevitably, press spotlights focused upon him, Alonzo Souleigh Parham, 20, of Chicago, appointed by Negro Congressman Oscar De Priest of Illinois (TIME, May 20).

Erect and alone, Cadet Parham approached "The Point's" vine-clad walls, walked through its arched entrance lugging a suitcase, wearing a dark suit, a grey cap. With 385 other cadets he presented himself at headquarters for the routine of enrollment. On his registration blank under "Father's Occupation" he wrote: "Nothing special." He took a bath, was given a close haircut, his undress uniform. His room was a single one in the south barracks. On the basis of height he was assigned to the Second Company where he got a place in the front rank. Late the first afternoon with other new cadets on the parade grounds he took his oath of allegiance to the U. S.

No flutter in the routine did West Point's officers permit Cadet Parham's presence to cause. Warned Major General William Ruthven Smith, Academy superintendent, "There will be no distinction made either officially or unofficially. Mr. Parham is here by law. . . . If any cadet thinks the white race is a superior race, he can go ahead and prove it."

Heywood Broun, New York Telegram colyumist, commented: "This young Negro . . . will be called upon to exercise as high a degree of courage as any flier who ever crossed the ocean."

Prior to Cadet Parham in West Point's history, many a Negro had applied for admission. Twelve got in, three were graduated as second lieutenants. The last Negro Cadet was James B. Alexander of Ohio who entered in 1918, resigned after six months. The cost to the U. S. of making an Army officer out of each West Point cadet, white or black, is $19,989.