It's difficult to write a class history for the Class of 1959, because it is intrinsically wrapped up with the founding of the Academy itself.  59ers spent three years in a temporary facility at Lowry AFB in Denver, and a single year at the permanent site outside of Colorado Springs.  Reportedly, 60,000 people applied for the 300 vacancies for the class, and 306 entered the school in June 1955. 

 

Perhaps more can be written to fill in the details of the early Academy and the first class, but this quote from Ken Thompson summarizes it all:

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"During one parade in our freshman year, the heavens opened up. It was the worst rainstorm that I remembered up to that time (probably since then also). We wore our khaki uniforms, but with no rain gear, and, of course, we were soaked. Among my better thoughts as we were marching through this storm was, "Who in their right mind would make us continue to march in this crazy weather?" The water was over our shoes as we marched in the roadways, and I kept envisioning our rifles becoming pure rust before the parade was over! By the time the Pass In Review started, I was thoroughly convinced, and from the murmurs I kept hearing from the ranks, I think most of the rest of us were also convinced, that this whole exercise was the dumbest thing we had ever done!

 

All of a sudden, things changed. As we did our Eyes Right, we saw General Harmon—khaki uniform, no rain gear, no umbrella, standing straighter than any cadet I have ever seen! All of a sudden, it hit me as to why we were here, what the Academy was all about! General Harmon was not miserable; he was proud! I sensed a similar feeling throughout the ranks. I remember singing "The Air Force Song" on the way back to the barracks; it seemed like everybody was singing their hearts out. This one thing, seeing General Harmon standing there thoroughly soaked, ramrod straight, and proud, did more to motivate me than anything before or after at the Academy."

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Since those early days the class has gone on to have an astronaut, four-star generals, a Rhodes Scholar, an Academy Superintendent and an Academy Commandant, Thunderbird pilots and many other notable positions.  We lost members in the Vietnam War, flew 24-hour missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis, explored space, and were part of a variety of less noticeable positions while defending our country. 

 

Among other awards, the class members have received:

• 1,298 Air Medals and

• 171 Distinguished Flying Crosses

• 11 Defense Distinguished Service Medal

• 22 Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

• 18 Silver Star

• 32 Defense Superior Service Medal

• 93 Legion of Merit

• 2 Airman's Medal

• 5 Soldier's Medal

• 50 Bronze Star Medal

• 9 Purple Heart

• 18 Defense Meritorious Service Medal

• 186 Meritorious Service Medal

• 16 Joint Service Commendation Medal

• 182 Air Force Commendation Medal

• 1 Army Commendation Medal

• 1 Joint Service Achievement Medal

• 2 Air Force Achievement Medal

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The individual contributions are noted in the personal biographies of our members, but overall, we are proud of the class's accomplishments. 

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The USAFA Class of 1959, Forever First.