In October of 1994, several graduates of Signal Corps Officer Candidate School and myself attended a reunion of the U.S. Army Signal Corps OCS Association. It was a fledgling organization that basically represented one Vietnam era class.

Although in existence for 3 years, it had not advanced beyond the initial organizational efforts. By the end of that meeting several of us from other classes found ourselves elected to the board of directors and appointed to several other positions in the Association.

Enroute home, I realized that I knew nothing about the history of Signal Corps OCS, and soon discovered that the Army knew little about it as well. Calling on all those who were committed to making this Association work, we began the task of building the organization.

Starting at Fort Gordon by going through a basement full of boxes, the early Association members were able to acquire graduation programs and senior review rosters. This provided a start to determine who were the 2,300 graduates and some of the cadre of the (Fort Gordon, GA) Vietnam era program.

Others folks began working on a newsletter (called: "SIGNALS"), re-organizing the Secretary/Treasurer's Office, and writing and clarifying the by-laws of the Association, all while planning on the beginning of a national reunion to be held every October.

We made contact with a few Korean War graduates, one of whom was able to contribute a listing of the names of the men who graduated from the Fort Monmouth, NJ program. Further efforts revealed that there were 1,234 graduates in the 1952-1953 Korean War program.

Almost by accident we learned of the World War II Signal OCS program at Fort Monmouth. We were shocked to discover that there were 21,033 WW II graduates, and that no one had a list of them.

By Reunion 1995 we had approximately 300 people present or accounted for - - graduates and cadre. By Reunion 1996 we had 1,400 people present or accounted for.

Now a real locator effort was mounted. In 1997 and 1998, by begging each person we located for any orders they had, we identified 12,740 graduates and cadre.

At Reunion 1997 that number was up to 3,300 and the rosters, and by the 1998 reunion we listed over 4,600 graduates and cadre (including 960 deceased). By January of 2002 there were 13,100 present or accounted for, which included 5,800 located and 7,300 reported as deceased. Over 100 of those deceased were KIAs - most of them killed in World War II.

In addition to locating or accounting for graduates, the Association has been in touch with 700 surviving family members. Nearly 12,000 more to find.

Now, in January 2002, the Association has grown to 1097 members with 382 of those signed on as Life members. Some military members of note are LTG (R) Emmett Page Jr., class 10-52 (former Assistant Secretary of Defense); LTG (R) Harold A. Kissinger, class 35-44; LTG (R) Thomas M. Rienzi, WW II Tac; LTG (R) Robert E. Gray, class 7-66 (former Deputy CG USAREUR); MG (R) Jack Albright, class 5-42; MG (R) William B. Latta, WW II Tac; MG (R) John E. Hoover, WW II Instructor; MG (R) Gerard P. Brohm, class 15-67; MG (R) David R. Gust, class 25-67 (PEO for IEW systems at Ft Monmouth); MG (R) Robert L. Nabors, class 23-67; plus 11 BGs, 322 Colonels (R), 656 LTCs, 454 Majors, 102 Captains, etc. on the roster. In addition, those who chose civilian life after their graduation and service are also an illustrious group from all walks of life.

Until this Association was formed, these men who served their country with honor and valor had been forgotten. Our purpose is to identify, locate and reunite them, to restore old friendships and to create new ones.

Furthermore, we seek to restore the history of Signal Corps OCS and to honor all those who may or may not have died in war. The deceased members that have been accounted for were honored at a memorial service conducted by one of our own. That memorial service is now a permanent part of the reunion activities. It has bonded this Association together, and we are enthusiastic in continuing this commitment.

In truth, except for those who participated, the country and the service had forgotten the Signal OCS program and the contributions made by those who were commissioned after the most grueling training known. We believe the OCS graduates deserve better.

This Association intends to ensure that the U.S. Army Signal Corps OCS program is remembered and that the graduates and cadre are recognized for serving their country so well.