Chapter 5 -- VPI in WWI
V. P. I. Men In The World War
Not less than forty-two per cent of the entire alumni membership of V. P. I. was enrolled in the Nation's service, and the following statistics will indicate how they served:
| Percentage of engineers entering engineers' camps, and of men entering Leavenworth regular army school, and Camps Oglethorpe, Benjamin Harrison, Grant, Gonion, Sevier, Taylor, and Plattsburg, who received commissions | 100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of successful candidates for all camps | 98 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| In Training Detachments | 534 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In S. A. T. C. and special war courses | 444 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Left in training camps at time of armistice | 117 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Killed in France | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wounded in battle | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died in camps | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Captured in battle (one escaped) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Decorated for bravery | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cited for bravery | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enemy air planes brought down | 6 |
The only Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to a Virginian was awarded to a V. P. I. student. In addition to this highest honor, V. P. I. men received six or more Distinguished Service Crosses, seven or more Croix de Guerre, two or more Legion of Honor, and numerous other foreign decorations.