The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 24, 2003, Page 2, Image 2
Members of USC’s first-ever Navy ROTC
class return to share inspirational stories
- BY ADAM BEAM
THE GAMECOCK
eraon Sumwalt scans the room
of Hamilton College looking for
a chair to sit in — or at least a
table to lean on. It’s been 60 years since he
was a student in the first-ever Navy ROTC
at USC, and his legs just aren’t what they
used to be.
Midshipman 3rd Class Stan Worthington,
a third-year ROTC student at USC, spots
Sumwalt as he sits on a folding table.
“I heard you were telling some sea sto
ries,” Worthington said.
After the two find some chairs to sit in,
Worthington fumbles his hat in his hands
as he listens to Sumwalt talk of his days
as a radar officer on the U.S.S. Phoenix.
One night, when Sumwalt was the officer
on duty, he had to dodge two torpedoes
south of Minduro in the Phillipines.
“I split 'em,” he said. “After it was all
over and I went down to eat supper, I was
shaking.”
Worthington and the rest of USC’s
Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
gathered on the Horseshoe to honor the
first Navy ROTC class in USC history as
part of Homecoming festivities. The offi
cers honored the class, most of whom
fought in World War II after graduation.
The students did what’s called a “pass in
review,” where they march past the view
ing stand and turn their eyes toward the
audience to show respect.
“It’s a chance to meet some of the peo
ple that really established this,” said
Midshipman Battalion Commander
Jeffrey Garcia.
There were 13 members of that first
class. Seven are still living. In addition to
being a member of the first class, Dom
Fusci was also a tackle for the USC foot
ball team. He played from 1941 to 1943 and
in 1946. During the middle of his football
career, he had to go overseas to fight in
World War II. While in Okinawa, Fusci
said he got a letter from the Washington
Redskins saying he was the team’s third
round draft choice.
“I showed the letter to my commanding
officer and said I was needed in
Washington and I wanted the next plane
or boat out of here,” he said. “He looked at
the letter and told me to get the hell out of
here and get on the PT boat.”
After the war, Fusci went on to play pro
fessional football for three years. He is now
a member of the USC Hall of Fame, as well
as the South Carolina Hall of Fame, where
he has served as president. He said his
time at USC helped prepare him for life.
“As a kid out of New York City, coming
down here and being instructed by pro
fessional Naval officers helped build my
career in football and in life,” he said.
For Sumwalt, returning to USC on
Thursday offered him a chance to remi
nisce on his life and visit with the students
who are going through the same experi
ences he went through 60 years earlier.
“It feels good to know that I’m here 60
and-a-half years after graduating,” he said.
“I’ve buried two wives, had six children,
had 17 grandchildren and have two great
grandchildren on the way.”
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PHOTO BY MORGAN FORD/THE GAMECOCK
Vernon Sumwalt, left, member of USC’s first Navy ROTC class, talks with
Midshipman 3rd Class Stan Worthington at a reception Thursday.
Friday October 24 @ 8pm
Williams Brice Stadium
(Rain location: Colonial Center)
Tickets: 7$ advance, $9 at gate
Available through Ticketmaster and RH Info desk
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HOMECOMING 2003
__www.sa.sc.edu/cp