Page 105 - SAMPLE YB SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY

Smith Receives Sabre, Then A Shower

On January 30th, 1970, Cadet Dennis Smith
was named the sixty-fourth St. Thomas
Academ y C o lo n e l. His prom otion was
based on leadership in every field, and es­
tablished him as the Brigade Commander
at the top of the R .O .T .C . chain of com ­
mand. Smith was presented with Fleming
Sabre, the traditional symbol of command
at Saint Thomas Academy. Major Enrrique
N. Ruiz, Senior Army Instructor, explained
that the Fleming Sabre is presented each
year to the Saint Thomas cadet who is se­
lected as Cadet Colonel. This award is giv­
en in honor of Captain Richard E. Fleming,
a Congressional Medal of Honor w inner
and 1935 graduate of Saint Thomas Acade­
my. Captain Fleming was awarded posthu­
mously the nation's highest decoration for
extraordinary heroism above and beyond
the call of duty. The Citation read by the
President said the medal was bestowed
"for extraordinary heroism and conspicu­
ous intrepidity above and beyond the call
of duty and that Captain Fleming's daunt­
less perseverence and unyielding devotion
to duty were in keeping with highest tradi­
tions of the United States Naval Service."

I
Colonel Dennis Smith receives the Fleming Sabre (be­
low), symbol of authority and leadership. Soon after,
he makes his way to the locker room following the
traditional shower and a bath in the snow (below
right).

P
l.