United States Navy Memorial

Veterans of the Navy V-12 Program

Scholarship and Education Resources Available through the Navy and Marine Corps

The Navy V-12 Program allowed students to complete baccalaureate degrees at civilian universities and earn commissions in the Navy and Marine Corps during World War II. Veterans of this program, who benefited greatly from the education afforded them by the U.S. Navy, believe strongly in the educational opportunities available to current and prospective members of the U.S. Navy. They are proud to sponsor this page.

The story of the V-12 program, the Navy's largest WWII Office training program is presented in this work by James G. Schneider. The book is available in our Ship's Store and is available for purchase on line. HERE

Sponsors of this Page
Navy V-12 Veterans

The Navy V-12 program sent some 120,000 young men to college to receive up to seven semesters of college education. Many of them would not have been able to go to college had it not been for the Navy program. These veterans, therefore, want today's you men and women to know about the educational opportunities that today's Navy and Marine Corps offer. Funds to sponsor this web site come from the V-12 Endowment which was established at the United States Navy Memorial by Navy and Marine Corps V-12 veterans.

In fulfilling the strategy developed in the dark days of 1942 for retaking the continent of Europe from Nazi Germany and the Pacific Ocean and contiguous lands from Japan, the United States Navy scheduled a massive shipbuilding program that would extend over a number of years. The Navy knew it would need college-educated junior officers to help man these ships. Likewise, the Marine Corps saw the continuing need for new lieutenants.

In November 1942, the draft age was lowered to 18, which would have cut off college enrollment for many potential officer candidates. Because the Navy traditionally insisted that its officers be college graduates, the Navy V-12 program was inaugurated to provide undergraduate education for selected applicants. Those who successfully completed their college courses qualified for Navy midshipmen schools or Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, which led to commissions as Navy ensigns or Marine Corps second lieutenants.

Through nationwide testing and from enlisted applicants already serving on active duty, 120,000 were eventually selected to participate in the program. In uniform and in an active duty enlisted status, these selectees attended regular college classes on the campuses of 131 colleges and universities. Of the Sailors and Marines in the program, about 60,000 completed the curriculum and went on to receive commissions. Many returned to college after the war to complete undergraduate or graduate degrees.

The V-12 program led the way in commissioning opportunities for blacks. In December 1943, the Bureau of Naval Personnel prohibited discrimination in the selection of V-12 candidates. This action was fully nine months before the first African-American officer was commissioned in the Navy.

Navy V-12 had long-lasting results, as it produced leaders for the top echelons of business and the professions. Lawyers, educators, and engineers comprised the largest group, but the fields of medicine, dentistry, business, industry, advertising, journalism, sports, show business, and government service are well represented, too. More than 40 future Navy admirals and 18 Marine Corps generals started their military careers in the Navy V-12 program.

Among the most famous alumni of the V-12 program two were actors. Both would go on to play the role of a naval officer, Ensign Frank Pulver, in productions of Mister Roberts. Jackie Cooper played the role on stage and Jack Lemmon immortalized the character in the film version.

Warren Christopher - Secretary of State
George Allen - Football Coach
Howard Baker - Senator, White House Chief of Staff
Angelo Bertelli - Notre Dame Football star and Heisman Trophy Winner
Johnny Carson - TV Star
Louis J. Cioffi - TV Newsman
Peter Hackes - TV Newsman, White House Correspondent
Jackie Cooper - Actor, Producer, Director
Alvin Dark - Baseball Player, Manager
Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr. - Senator, Navy Admiral
Daniel J. Evans - Senator, Governor
Samuel Gravely - First Black Navy Admiral
Elroy Hirsch - LA Rams Football Great
Robert F. Kennedy - Attorney General, Senator
Bowie Kuhn - Commissioner of Baseball
Melvin Laird - Secretary of Defense
Jack Lemmon III - Actor
Charles McC. Mathias, Jr. - Senator
James McClure - Senator
William Middendorf II - Ambassador, Secretary of the Navy
Daniel Patrick Moynihan - Senator, Ambassador
Robert C. Pierpoint - TV Newsman, White House Correspondent
Albert L. Rosen - Baseball Player
Carl T. Rowan - Columnist, TV Personality, Ambassador
Pierre Salinger - Newsman, Presidential Press Secretary
William Webster - Director, CIA and FBI
Thomas Wicker - Columnist
Roger Williams - Musician, Entertainer