In addition to hosting, without charge, websites for West Point Graduates, Societies and Parents Clubs (including ours), West-Point.Org (WP-ORG) supports the West Point Ring Recovery Program.  Here is their recent report:

This is another report as we try to catch up on a year of effort.  We are back to a year plus behind in our reports and will again have to try to close the gap.

In the first quarter of 2010, we recovered four class rings.

On 02/16/10, we recovered the class ring of David Harlan Fleece, Class of 1987, 44169 from a helpful eBay seller who ended his sale to sell this ring to ring recovery.  Cost was $600.00.  The ring was mailed to Mr. Fleece on 11/01/10.  Photos may be viewed here.

On 02/19/10, we recovered the class ring of the late COL (USA, Ret’d) George Edward Mitchell, Jr. Class of 1922, 6919 from an eBay seller at a cost of $735.00.  The seller was a grandson and he included COL Mitchell’s commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.  This ring was donated to AOG’s Class Ring Memorial Program on 11/01/10 and the commission was sent to the USMA Library.  Photos may be viewed here.

On 02/25/10, we recovered the class ring of the late Richard Bradley Struss, Class of 1955, 20278.  Class of ’55 leaders alerted us to the availability of the ring after it had been found in a recently purchased house along with other West Point memorabilia.  We were able to purchase the ring for $1,000.  We then sent it on to Class of ’55 on 04/24/10 and it was donated a few days later by the class to the USMA Museum in a ceremony at West Point as part of their 55th reunion.  This is the first example of a Class of 1955 ring in the Museum collection.  Photos may be viewed here.

On 02/28/10, we recovered the class ring of LTC (USA, Ret’d) Robert Roy Beimler, Class of 1976 from an eBay seller.  The seller ended his sale to sell the ring to ring recovery at a cost of $904.00.  The ring was mailed to LTC Beimler on 08/03/10. Photos may be viewed here.

On 01/14/10, we assisted a lady in the return of the class ring of a member of the Class of 1960 who had lost his ring in the early 1980’s at Travis Air Force Base while enroute to Alaska.  Her husband had found the ring in a C5 aircraft many years ago.

We again must humbly ask for donations (tax deductible) that will allow us to continue our efforts. We sincerely ask, with bowed head and clasped hands, and at a time when we know finances are difficult for many.  Your donations would be most gratefully received and can be made via credit card at this link or by check that may be mailed to:

West Point Ring Recovery Program
c/o WP-ORG Inc.
3800 Buffalo Mountain Road
Willis, Virginia 24380

We would be ever so grateful and we will be able to continue our work to recover and repatriate West Point class rings.

Questions will be happily answered.  Please send them!

Next report will be for first quarter of Calendar Year 2011.  During the year 2010, 11 rings have been so far recovered.

If you wish to join our ring recovery list, which now includes 338 names, please ask via: usmarings@west-point.org

This is easy to do and it is equally easy to leave.  We promise not to fill up your email inboxes.

On behalf of Bill O’Neill, ’92 and COL Michael McGurk, ’85 and very respectfully submitted with our sincere hopes for a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and Happy Holidays for all.

David McClellan
’01 Father
Ring Recovery Program

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur’s West Point Class Ring
United States Military Academy Library, West Point
USMA Class Rings Collection