July 8, 1974 was a very hot and humid Maryland day and night, a typical summer day. it was also the Induction day for the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1978. At 1800, over 1,500 young men, not yet a Class, raised their right hand and took the oath of office in Tecumseh Court. On the 50th anniversary of that day, classmates left some great memories and comments on Facebook.
Dave Surgent (24th Co.)
50 years ago on this date, I was fortunate enough to take the “Oath of Office” as I entered the United States Naval Academy. The real blessing came from the relationships I forged with a devoted group of individuals who walked the walk with me. I owe so many of them so much. “Hard Core 24”.
Go Navy! Beat Army! USNA ‘78!!
John Semcken (2nd Co.)
50 years ago today I showed up with 1,513 young men entering the United States Naval Academy. My the end of that first day a few more than 150 of them decided the Naval Academy was not for them. The rest of us raised our hands and pledged to support the Constitution of the United States of America so help us God.
By the time we graduated there were only 954 of us remaining, but those guys the first day became friends for life. All of them graduates and non-graduates continued on with a life of service to our great nation. They include many of the greatest friends I have ever had and will ever have. The graduates went on to distinguished service in our Navy and Marine Corps. We all had one thing in common, we were part of the great Class of 1978. That class had 4-4 Star Admirals (tied for the most ever of any Class in Naval Academy History). We had a total of 31 Navy and Marine Corps Flag officers, we had an Astronaut, an Ambassador, many CEO’s, Lawyers (one General Council to the Navy), a Chaplin to the Marine Corps and much more. However, they are all brothers to this day and leaders in every aspect of their life. We would all have died for our Country and each other if necessary. I could not be more proud to be a member of the Great Naval Academy Class of 1978 nor more honored to serve with these great men and to call them my friends still 50 years later! Go Navy Beat Army!
John Gardiner (4th Co.)
So in Bravo Company, Fourth Platoon we had 43 on day one including one who did not take the oath. We became Fourth Company and only 21 would go on to graduate! Pretty bad attrition. However I still remember our first Plebe Class assembly that summer in Mayan Hall when Captain Forbes said, “Gentlemen , look to your left and look to your right. In four years one of you will not be here.” Well the guys on my left and right did not make it. Very proud to beat the odds and become a member of the great Class of 1978!
Dan Topolewski (8th Co.)
On 8 July, 1974, the Class of ’78 took our FIRST Oath of Office (of MANY) to “Support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic…” in Tecumseh Court in front of Bancroft Hall at the US Naval Academy.
John Skogsberg (23rd Co.)
50 years ago today, I embarked on a new path. It was brutally hot and I was worn smooth. The picture shows that I was a sweaty, glassy-eyed kid. But starting that day, I made friends for life and did things I could never have imagined.
Fred Butterfield (22nd Co.)
As many of my highly esteemed classmates have already posted, today is the 50th anniversary of the Induction Day (“I-Day”) for the Naval Academy Class of 1978: Monday, 8 July 1974 — a hot and humid day in Annapolis if there ever was one.
USNA ’78 is the “A Link In The Chain” (ALITC) class for the Class of 2028 — and 11 days ago, on Thurdsay, 27 June, more than 35 of our ’78 classmates gathered in T-Court to witness USNA ’28’s I-Day activities and swearing-in ceremony, as this venerable tradition of entering-into honorable Naval service continues, 50 years later. 
It’s hard to fathom how quickly the past half-century has flown-by — but there’s almost not a day that passes when I don’t thank the LORD for the privilege of being part of this great class, among whom I count some of my closest and dearest friends in life. Godspeed ’78 — and ’28! ~iHs/FB
“Four years together by the Bay
Whеre Severn joins thе tide
Then by the Service called away
We’re scattered far and wide.
But still when two or three shall meet
And old tales be retold
From low to highest in the Fleet
We’ll pledge the Blue and Gold.”
Mark Lindstrom (35th Co.)
Met a NAPSTER traveling in uniform with his mom traveling for Induction Day at the Atlanta airport. It was “only” 49 years ago when we made a similar trek. I remember the night before Induction Day staying at the Naval Station with everyone from Bainbridge. The next big memory is hearing the song “See you in September” playing in T Court after meeting parents/families/friends after the brief respite after the Induction Ceremony. My how time flies…
Bob Schmermund (15th Co.)
50 years ago today, I was lucky enough to join the finest group of men I have ever known as I took the oath of office to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same…” These men would become lifelong classmates, shipmates and friends to whom I owe a debt of gratitude, admiration and appreciation for which I can never repay. “But still when two or three shall meet and old tales be retold, from low to highest in the Fleet, we’ll pledge the Blue and Gold! Beat Army!” Go Hard ’78!
Ken Heffernan (1st Co.)
Happy Anniversary Classmates
Induction Day, USNA Class of ‘78
50 years ago today/ 8 July 1974
Band of Brothers forever…
Wayne Leong (9th Co.)
Cloud 9 mates participated in an emotional and unforgettable re-enactment of our oath of office on the 50th anniversary of our induction into the Navy and USNA. Many thanks to CAPT Jaja Marshall, USNA Chief Engagement Officer, who took time from his busy schedule to administer the ceremony. Fellow Cloud 9er Marcus Fisk joined us via Facetime from France. Special thanks go to Joe Alvite and Alan Blues Baker, fellow Echo Co mate and sporting the requisite dixie cup, for joining in the ceremony. Class scribe extraordinaire Vince Balderrama later caught up with us at the O’club retell old tales and pledge the blue and gold. We also spent time at the columbarium to honor late 9ers Ty Glasgow, Harry Woods and Kevin Foley, recalled much too young. A memorable way to mark our 50th anniversary of I-Day!
Phil Brennan (32nd Co.)
Of all of the NAPSters who arrived for I-Day, we only graduated about a third of them……some really good friends moved on to something better most by choice others by Ac Boards…..so I say this: Congratulations to those of us who successfully made the cut and achieved our goals of being commissioned as Officers in the Navy and Marine Corps!!! Well done Classmates and Shipmates!!!
Michael Haring (9th Co.)
So … 50 years ago today, I stood in T-court at the US Naval Academy, raised my right hand, and took my first Oath of Office. Today, along with a dozen of my oldest friends, we joined in T-court and repeated the ceremony. GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!
Glen Wheless (24th Co.)
Fifty years ago today I joined the group of young men who took the oath and entered the great USNA class of 1978. It was unclear on that very hot whirlwind of a day what lay ahead. The next four years gave me some of my closest friends, let me experience unique events, and shaped my life. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have taken the path less traveled. It was a great day.