History

   Records we’ve rediscovered show that LTC William R. Wilson, Class of 1916, founded the society circa 1930 and served as its first secretary-treasurer for 15 years. His widow, Dolly Elizabeth, was presented with an “A” pin by the Society at Founders Day in 1977. Though some presidents have been re-elected to the post, succeeding themselves, Wilson bore the distinction of serving as president in 1950 and on a separate and distinct second time in 1962. From 1930 until 1941, there was a dearth of information in our archives. While some senior members have reported attending meetings in 1938 and 1939, the first formal record reports on attendance at Founders Day on March 15, 1941 at the Hollywood Athletic Club. At that time, Major Charles T. Leads, Class of 1903, was president, and the oldest grad in attendance was George L. Converse, Class of 1880. A year later, a West Point publication reported on various alumni societies and chronicled that the Los Angeles group met for luncheon on the first Monday of each month at the University Club in Los Angeles. Leeds was still president. Of some interest is that the Leeds family seems to have the only father/son presidency. Charles T. Senior was president from 1941-45; his son, also Charles T., was in the class of 1928, and was president in 1960-61.

   From 1942 until 1968, information on the WPSLA was again sparse. The year 1968, however, saw the society begin a series of annual military balls which lasted until the eighth Military Ball in 1975. Each proved to be a local social and philanthropic event with various California dignitaries attending. At each an illustrious individual was honored and presented the WPSLA “Duty, Honor, Country Award.” Some of those winners included GEN Omar Bradley; actors Pat O’Brien, John Wayne, and Jim Nabors; astronaut Buzz Aldrin; activist Sybil Brand and several others. Ronald Reagan, then Governor of California, graciously declined in 1974, but USMA awarded him The Sylvanus Thayer Medal in 1989. The venues for the Military Balls ranged from the Bel Air and the Biltmore hotels to the Music Center and the Long Beach Naval Station Officers Club.

   In the fall of 1976, the West Point Society of Orange County came into being, splitting off from the LA Society. However, it wasn’t until the summer of 1983 that the WPSLA was formally incorporated in the State of California. Meanwhile, Army-Navy Game Rallies and Founders Day activities were the main social events conducted by the WPSLA. Over the years, USMA only and joint Army-Navy alumni rallies were held in the LA area, often with Annapolis grads. In 1969 and 1972 they were held at the Hollywood Playboy Club. More recently, the Jonathan Club in Los Angeles has been the site. The year 2007 Army-Navy Game Party with USMA and USNA Graduates was held at Universal City Walk. Other past locations for the rallies were the Air Force Base in El Segundo, Morns in Brentwood, the Roger Young Auditorium, and various other suitable sites.

   Also, in recent years, the Society has sponsored numerous Glee Club trips to include the year 2002 Bicentennial Color Guard and sponsoring a Cadet Company in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The Society is also pleased to have started the Family Relief Fund in 2003, which supports families of war time veterans in need of financial aid.

   The one annual function that cements West Point societies across the country is Founders Day. The WPSLA appears to have conducted an uninterrupted string of these functions since its founding. Most often, the guest speaker has been the USMA Superintendent. The Commandant of Cadets and the Dean have also addressed grads at Founders Day. Celebrations, some of which were stag, have been in the form of dinners, luncheons, brunches, and dances. Locations have varied from the Ambassador Hotel; the Long Beach Elks Club; the Hilton, Biltmore and Hyatt Hotels; the Proud Bird Restaurant; the Reagan Library; historic Fort MacArthur and the Beverly Hills Country Club.

   Today the society is as active as ever and is targeting more vigorous participation in the West Point recruiting effort, broader support to our membership, and even greater involvement with the community at large. Membership annually is approximately 200 people. That is approximately 30% of the graduates in our area, and we are constantly seeking ways to increase it. We are quite proud to have won the distinction of Distinguished Society for 11 consecutive years. The Association of Graduates first bestowed this honor upon us in 1995, and we are only one of 17 societies world-wide that qualified for eleven consecutive years. Undoubtedly, the WPSLA will achieve this honor in the year 2008. The WPSLA continues to strive for excellence, hence exemplifying the beloved motto of, “Duty, Honor, Country.”