Activities and Social life of the Navy V-12

Heading copied from The Herald, July 15, 1943, that reads "The Herald for Hobart and William Smith Colleges and the Navy V-12."

Navy V-12 trainee Jim Hercinger sliding home safely after hitting circuit clout to help Hobart win first baseball game in twenty-six years. Final score was Hobart 4, Army Air Cadets of R.B.I. 3, 1943.

Spectators seated in the baseball stands during a game. You can see uniformed members of the Navy V-12 Unit as well as some women in uniform, May 1945. Photo taken from Ed Knight scrapbook.

While at Hobart College the Navy V-12 trainees became fully integrated into college life. The Hobart Herald became the newspaper not only of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, but of the Navy V-12 as well. They joined athletic teams, clubs, The Little Theatre, yearbook staff, and fraternites, and even served on the Hobart Board of Control. The trainees socialized with the "Willy Smith" girls as they were called and attended social events such as dances.

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Color copy of the cover of the 1943-1944 Hobart College yearbook, The Echo of the Seneca, 1944.

Members of the Navy V-12 Unit and William Smith students sitting on the steps on the Quad. Note on back states that Jean Griffin (Class of 1947) is one of the William Smith students pictured, ca. 1944-1945. Photo taken from Ed Knight scrapbook.

Members of the Navy V-12 Unit sitting with some William Smith students on the Memorial Bench, ca. 1944-1945. Photo taken from Ed Knight scrapbook.

Members of Sigma Chi gathered around the Memorial Bench, 1944. Photo taken from Ed Knight scrapbook.

The Navy V-12 Unit, including the marching band, during drills on the Quad, August 1944. Photo taken from Ed Knight scrapbook.

Members of the Navy V-12 Unit playing volleyball on the Quad, May 1945. Photo taken from Ed Knight scrapbook.

Balloon barrage at a class dance, ca. 1940s. You can see men in their Navy uniforms.