MMA Commemorates the Birthday of Clifton B. Cates, Class of 1910

On August 30, the Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets commemorated the birthday of one of our most accomplished alumni, Gen. Clifton B. Cates, Class of 1910. This highly respected and decorated alumnus served as the 19th Marine Corps Commandant from 1948-1951. Featured photo: Cadets George Davison '68, Rodrigo Issa Roman '30 and Mason Brooks '25. 

Cates led a distinguished military career, serving through several through several major conflicts, including World War I, World War II and the Korean War. During his time as Marine Corps commandant, he became well known as the man who fought Congress to save the U.S. Marine Corps from possible extinction in 1951, paving the way for the USMC’s growth and prosperity.

Birthday cake honoring General Clifton B. Cates. 

One of his most honorable moments came earlier in his career during World War I. In July 1918, Cates was in France leading a platoon within the 96th Company, when it was attacked — killing most of the company, including its commander. Cates took over temporary command, and while wounded in the leg and shoulder, he scribbled a note to the battalion commander, which read: 

“I have only two men left out of my company and 20 out of other companies. We need support but it is almost suicidal to try to get here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant artillery barrage is upon us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold.”

Battalion Commander Cadet Mason Brooks '25 cuts the birthday cake. 

During this annual event, birthday cake is traditionally cut with the sword of a Marine officer as a reminder of General Cates’s legacy. Following Academy tradition, Cadet First Lieutenant Mason Brooks, the battalion commander of the 136^th Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets, cut and presented the first piece of cake to the oldest cadet present, George Davison '68, grandfather of Cadets Sean Mumm '27 and Eli Mumm '30.

Cadet Mason Brooks '25 presented the first piece of cake to Cadet George Davison '68. 

Cadet Davison then passed the second piece of cake to the youngest cadet present — Cadet Rodrigo Issa Roman '30 (who is at MMA with his brothers Emiliano ’28 and Mariano ’27), a seventh grader from Torreon, México — as a symbol of the passing of MMA traditions from one generation to the next. 

Cadet Rodrigo Issa Roman '30 with his two brothers Cadets Emiliano Issa Roman ’28 and Mariano Issa Roman ’27.

We are proud to honor Gen. Cates and share his story and example to our cadets each year. 

View more photos from the celebration here.