Another Call to Arms
The College steadily expanded between the two World Wars of the 20th Century. By 1941, the enrollment stood at 6,500. The physical plant had developed from the original two buildings and 2,416 acres to over seventy major buildings with a total value of approximately 15 million dollars.
On December 7, 1941, America was plunged into World War II, and Aggies were again quick to respond to the nation's call to arms. In order to speed up its contribution of well-trained men, the college instituted a twelve-month, three-semester program of study. In addition, the College offered training to Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) Cadets, Army Air Corps, Navy radio specialists, and Marine Corps trainees. Some 5,000 reserve officers who had been trained and commissioned at A&M, and another 7,000 who had received some military training here, were commissioned through Officers Candidate Schools answering the call to arms during World War II. Six thousand more served effectively as the direct result of A&M training, most of them noncommissioned officers. The service of these 18,000 Aggies did much to enhance the brilliant record of Texas A&M as well as to uphold the tradition of "the fightin' Texas Aggies".
During the early stages of World War II General Douglas MacArthur wrote:
"...Texas A&M is writing its own military history in the blood of its graduates... No name stands out more brilliantly than the heroic defender of Corregidor, General George F. Moore. Whenever I see a Texas man in my command, I have a feeling of confidence..."
