List of United States Military Academy alumni

Several West Point cadets tossing their hats in the air at graduation
Traditional hat toss anniversary graduation ceremony at the United States Military Academy in June 2002
Logo of the Military Academy

The United States Military Academy (USMA) is an undergraduate college in West Point, New York with the mission of educating and commissioning officers for the United States Army. The academy was founded in 1802 and is the oldest of the United States' five service academies.[1][2] It is also referred to as West Point (the name of the military base that the academy is a part of).[1] The academy graduated its first cadet, Joseph Gardner Swift, in October 1802. Sports media refer to the academy as "Army" and the students as "Cadets"; this usage is officially endorsed.[3] The football team is also known as "The Black Knights of the Hudson" and "The Black Knights".[3][4][5] A small number of graduates each year choose the option of cross-commissioning into the United States Air Force, United States Navy, or the United States Marine Corps. Before the founding of the United States Air Force Academy in 1955, the academy was a major source of officers for the Air Force and its predecessors. Most cadets are admitted through the congressional appointment system.[6][7] The curriculum emphasizes the sciences and engineering fields.[8][9]

The list is drawn from graduates, non-graduate former cadets, current cadets, and faculty of the Military Academy. Notable graduates include 2 American Presidents, 4 additional heads of state, 20 astronauts, 76 Medal of Honor recipients (more than any other service academy or undergraduate institution),[10] 70 Rhodes Scholars,[11] and 3 Heisman Trophy winners. Among American universities, the academy is fourth on the list of total winners for Rhodes Scholarships, seventh for Marshall Scholarships and fourth on the list of Hertz Fellowships.[12]

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
  1. ^ a b Moon, Kristen. "What Students Need To Know Before Applying To One of the United States Military Academies". Forbes. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  2. ^ "U.S. Military Academy established". HISTORY. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Quick Facts". Go Army Sports.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
  4. ^ Edson, James (1954). The Black Knights of West Point. New York: Bradbury & Sayles.
  5. ^ "Army plans games for home gridiron". The New York Times. 15 January 1947. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
  6. ^ "FAQ: Who Attends the US Military Academy". Office of Admissions. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  7. ^ "Overview of the Academy". Office of Admissions. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  8. ^ "College Navigator – United States Military Academy". National Center for Education Statistics, United States Department of Education. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  9. ^ "Academic Catalog: "The Redbook"". Office of the Dean, USMA. Archived from the original on 9 January 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2008.
  10. ^ "Medal of Honor Citations". Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on 11 June 2009. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  11. ^ "Notable USMA Graduates". United States Military Academy. Archived from the original on 18 May 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  12. ^ "Scholarship Winners". Office of the Dean, USMA. Archived from the original on 9 January 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2008.