Eastern Washington University
Here is a old clipping from the Cheney Free Press that covered the 1969 commissioning of 2nd Lieutenant Lawrence Bieber. He was commissioned by Professor of Military Science Colonel Andy Pribnow. Back then Eastern Washington University (EWU) was called Eastern Washington State College. Do any of our alumni remember 2LT Bieber during their time at Eastern?
This weekend the Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC, Fighting Eagles Battalion is hosting the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) testing. Over 150 Cadets, active duty servicemembers, National Guardsmen, and Reservists are competing to earn the GAFPB. Besides being an outstanding training and competitive event, the GAFPB testing has also allowed one Army Captain the opportunity to reconnect with his alma mater. Captain Levi Floeter is a 2008 EWU graduate earned his officer commission through the university’s ROTC program. Captain Floeter branched into the Infantry and has had a successful career that included serving as an Army Ranger. While leading a successful Army career Captain Floeter even found time to publish a book, the “New Army Officer’s Survival Guide: Cadet to Commission Through Command
Captain Floeter is currently assigned to the University of Washington ROTC Kinnear Husky Battalion. This weekend he helped lead a group of University of Washington Cadets to compete in the GAFPB testing at EWU. Captain Floeter is another example of an EWU ROTC graduate doing great things in our Army. Welcome back Captain Floeter!
Go Fighting Eags!
For most Soldiers stationed or visiting Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), they don’t realize that the post library on this expansive military base has ties back to the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) battalion.
The Grandstaff Library on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The library is named after Medal of Honor Recipient and former EWU ROTC Cadet Bruce A. Grandstaff.
The Entrance to the Grandstaff Library on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Bruce Grandstaff enrolled in what was then Eastern Washington State College in 1952. Back then every male had to enroll into ROTC. Two years later in 1954, Grandstaff decided to enlist into the Army. He spent two years in the Army before returning to Eastern Washington State College to continue his military science studies in 1956.
The inside of the Grandstaff Library.
After getting married in 1958 Grandstaff decided to reenlist in the Army in 1961. He would have a successful Army career and be promoted to Sergeant First Class (SFC). In 1967 he was deployed to Vietnam as a Platoon Sergeant in B Company, 1-8 Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division which was then stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA. SFC Grandstaff’s platoon in May 1967 was participating in Operation Francis Marion near the Cambodian border. The operation was intended to protect the la Drang Valley from attack by the North Vietnamese Army. During the operation SFC Grandstaff’s platoon of 30 personnel became surrounded by an estimated 700 enemy soldiers.
Memorial plaque outside of the Grandstaff Library.
The battle lasted for 5 hours and SFC Grandstaff was wounded in both legs as he rallied his men into a defense, coordinated helicopter strafing runs, and artillery fire against the attacking North Vietnamese troops. In a final act of courage SFC Grandstaff ordered an artillery strike on top of his position. Ultimately it would not be enough as the beleaguered defenders were eventually over run by the sheer size of the attacking enemy. The vast majority of the platoon to include SFC Grandstaff were killed in the final assault by the North Vietnamese Army troops. At the time of his passing SFC Grandstaff had already been recognized with a Silver Star for prior combat actions in Vietnam, but for his heroism along the Cambodian border he was posthumously recognized with the Congressional Medal of Honor as well.
Display inside of the Grandstaff Library with SFC Grandstaff’s Medal of Honor citation.
To this day SFC Grandstaff is the only Spokane born recipient of the nation’s highest honor for combat heroism. He is also the only former EWU ROTC Cadet to ever be recognized with the Congressional Medal of Honor as well.
This Veteran’s Day weekend it is well worth spending a few minutes reading about the heroism of SFC Grandstaff’s by reading the linked chapter from the book “Nine Days in May: The Battles of the 4th Infantry Division on the Cambodian Border“.
On Saturday October 27, 2018 the Eastern Washington University ROTC program had the privilege of hosting the 50th anniversary reunion of graduates from the class of 1968 and 1969. 30 graduates from the EWU ROTC program and their family members attended the reunion event sponsored by the EWU Alumni Association. The day’s activities began with first watching the EWU football team wins its homecoming game against the University of Idaho, 38-14. During the game the 50th anniversary graduates were able to see current EWU ROTC Cadets participate in Cannon Crew in support of the home football team.
Following the football game the reunion participants then moved over to Cadet Hall where the EWU ROTC program is based out of. Cadet Hall is the same building that the reunion members participated in ROTC back in 1968.
Inside of the building they were able to view the various pictures and historical displays.
After touring the building the participants then had a catered dinner in the building’s shooting range area.
The ROTC program’s shooting range is named after retired Major General Ken Privratsky.
MG Privratsky was a 1969 graduate of the program who attended the reunion with his wife Kathy:
At the dinner reunion members and their family members had a chance to socialize with current ROTC Cadets as well as each other. Some of the reunion members had not seen each other in 50 years.
During the barbecue dinner the current Professor of Military Science (PMS) Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford addressed the gathering about the current status of the university’s ROTC program:
We at the EWU ROTC program really hope that everyone had a fantastic time at the reunion and it was a great honor to host it at our historic Cadet Hall. Below are more pictures from the reunion. A big thank you to EWU ROTC alumni, Mr. Jerry Mellick for taking and sharing the photos with everyone.
Go Fighting Eagles!
I had the great privilege this weekend of meeting Mr. Bruce Peters who was a 1962 graduate of the EWU ROTC program.
He was accompanied by his lovely wife Irene to the October 6th home football game. Mr. Peters graduated with a degree in business and was commissioned into the US Army Reserve as a Second Lieutenant. He would later go on to serve in Vietnam and retire as a lieutenant colonel. In his civilian career he established a business that led to a lucrative career in sales of fine china, silver and crystal. Mr. Peters is another example of EWU ROTC alumni that have gone to accomplish great things in life. He is currently retired and a great supporter of the Eastern Washington University ROTC program and the Veterans Resource Center.
He picked a good game to return to campus since he got to see the EWU ROTC Cannon Crew fire the cannon after 7 home team touchdowns in a 55-17 rout of Southern Utah University.
Go Fighting Eagles!
This summer EWU ROTC Cadet, Nicholas Castro completed ROTC Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) in the US Army Reserve. Recently 2LT Castro was selected to be a Nurse in the US Army Reserve and was also recognized as being a 2018 Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG). Only Cadets that finish in the top 20% of all Cadets across the country receive the DMG honors.
In recognition of 2LT Castro’s achievements, his journey from being a sergeant in the US Marine Corps to an officer in the US Army Nursing Corps was featured in an article published on the official US Army website. I recommend everyone read the article and learn more about another EWU ROTC “Fighting Eagle” that is excelling in his career as a US Army officer.
Congratulations 2LT Castro and Go Fighting Eagles!
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