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Purdue University Scabbard and Blade collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSP 163

Scope and Contents

The Purdue University Scabbard and Blade collection documents activities of Company E (Purdue University), along with the National Society of Scabbard and Blade. Some of the unique items include constitutions from 1926, 1966, 1968 and 1970, an IBM printout of names, addresses and information for members of the National Society of Scabbard and Blade initiated in the 1960-1970 and 1970-1971 school years, and a 1973 issue of The Scabbard and Blade Journal that features a cover story of Purdue alum, Eugene A. Cernan. There is also a ledger embossed with "Property of Scabbard and Blade, E. Co. 1 Rgt."

Types of materials include: bulletins, constitution and revisions, correspondence, journals (periodicals), pledge manual with brief history, membership pamphlets and financial records.

Dates

  • 1924 - 1973
  • Majority of material found within 1960 - 1973

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection material is in English.

Access Information

Collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Portions of material in this collection are in the public domain. Other material copyrights held by Purdue University or original creator. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Historical Information

Scabbard and Blade is a national military honor society founded by five field officers at the University of Wisconsin. They organized in 1904-1905 what is now known as A Company, First Regiment. These five men were Charles A. Taylor, Victor R. Griggs, Albert W. Foster, Harold K. Weld and Leo Marshall Cook. The Society is recognized locally, state wide and nationally as an organization of high prestige and ideals.

Membership in the Society is by election only and is a lifetime membership. It is divided into four classifications: active, alumni, associate and honorary. Active members are chosen from outstanding cadet officers in the advanced course of Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC programs at the institution where the company is located. Alumni members are active members who are no longer enrolled in ROTC or the university. Nearly all of them are commissioned reserve officers. Associate membership includes civilian university officials, faculty members and active or retired commissioned officers. Honorary members are civilians elected to membership in the Society for their achievement of distinction and their valuable service in the promotion of national defense. Some of the most outstanding active members include former Secretary of State, Dean Rusk; astronaut, John W. Young; former President, Herbert E. Hoover; musician Phil Harris and astronaut, Eugene A. Cernan. As of 2014 there are approximately 137,000 cadet officers.

Purdue University's First Regiment, Company E, was formed in 1908.

Source: National Society of Scabbard and Blade. A Brief History and Pledge Manual of the National Society of Scabbard and Blade, Stillwater, OK (?): National Society of Scabbard and Blade, 1968. Print.

Extent

0.363 Cubic Feet (One letter-size full-width manuscript box)

Acquisition Information

Source and date of acquisition are unknown.

Processing Information

All materials have been housed in acid-free folders and an acid-free box.
Title
Purdue University Scabbard and Blade collection
Status
Under Review
Author
Mary A. Sego
Date
2020-04-28
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English
Edition statement
Second edition. Collection description was first completed 2015-08-10.

Revision Statements

  • 2020-04-28: Collection description updated by Keertana Marella

Repository Details

Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839