Master of the Sword
Encyclopedia
Department of Physical Education
The Department of Physical Education is the academic department that oversees the physical development program at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. DPE is headquartered in the Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center. DPE has 24 Military faculty and 25 civilian instructors and...
and the director of the program of physical instruction at the United States Military Academy at West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
. This position is unique in that the physical program at the academy is both academic and non-academic. Some of the courses are taught in a classroom or laboratory environment and some elements of the physical program are stand-alone testing and non-tested events that must be completed by all cadets during their time at the academy. The first Swordmaster was Pierre Thomas, appointed by Congress in 1814. There have been 28 Masters of the Sword since 1814. The only woman to serve as MOS was COL Maureen LeBoeuf, serving 1997-2004. The 28th and current Master of the Sword, serving since 2004, is Colonel Gregory Daniels.
Masters of the Sword
| Name | Rank | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Pierre Thomas | Civilian | 1814-1825 |
| Pierre Tranque | Civilian | 1825-1827 |
| Louis S. Simon | Civilian | 1827-1832 |
| N. Albert Jumel | Civilian | 1832-1837 |
| Ferdinand Dupare | Civilian | 1837-1840 |
| H.G. Boulet | Civilian | 1840-1843 |
| H.C. Wayne | 1st Lieutenant | 1843-1846 |
| Patrice de Janon | Civilian | 1846-1857 |
| Antone Lorentz | Civilian | 1858-1882 |
| E.S. Farrow | 1st Lieutenant | 1882-1884 |
| Herman Koehler Herman Koehler -External links:... |
Lieutenant Colonel | 1885-1923 |
| Benjamin F. Hoge | Major | Jan-Jul 1924 |
| Cuthbert P. Stearns | Major | 1924-1927 |
| Edward L. Kelly | Major | 1927-1930 |
| Clovis E. Byers Clovis E. Byers Lieutenant General Clovis E. Byers was an American soldier and General in the first half of the 20th century. He is best known for his role as Chief of Staff of the Eighth Army in the South West Pacific Area during World War II and in the Occupation of Japan. He was wounded while leading American... |
1st Lieutenant | Mar-Jun 1930 |
| Harold M. Rayner | Major | 1930-1934 |
| William M. Miley | Captain | Apr-Jun 1934 |
| William A. Holbrook | Captain | 1934-1938 |
| George W. Smythe | Captain | 1938-1940 |
| John W. Harmony | Colonel | 1940-1943 |
| Carl F. Fritzsche | Lieutenant Colonel | 1943-1944 |
| Francis M. Greene | Colonel | 1944-1953 |
| Edwin A. Machen | Lieutenant Colonel | 1952-1953 |
| Frank J. Kobes, Jr. | Colonel | 1953-1974 |
| James L. Anderson | Colonel | 1974-1997 |
| Maureen LeBoeuf | Colonel | 1997-2004 |
| Gregory L. Daniels | Colonel | 2004- |