integrity so strong
to defend the Constitution
govern their actions
Plaque in Constitution Corner at United States Military Academy at West Point, NY.
A plaque states:
The USMA Class of January 1943
dedicates this
Constitution Corner
to our classmates who died
in combat (shown by *) or in military accidents
They supported and defended the Constitution
as, here on the Plain, we together swore to do.
2 Cadets and 74 of our 409 graduates died in the sequence below …
Plaque Seven states:
The United States boldly broke with the ancient military custom of swearing loyalty to a leader. Article VI required that American Officers thereafter swear loyalty to our basic law, the Constitution.
While many other nations have suffered military coups, the United States never has. Our American Code of Military Obedience requires that, should orders and the law ever conflict, our officers must obey the law. Many other nations have adopted our principle of loyalty to the basic law.
This nation must have military leaders of principle and integrity so strong that their oaths to support and defend the Constitution will unfailingly govern their actions. The purpose of the United States Military Academy is to provide such leaders of character.
We can always hope ..
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