The V-5 and V-12 programs at Northwest

SUBMITTED BY THE NCHS
Photos of the V-12 program participants in the Northwest yearbook. Image from the University Archives.

In recognition of Veterans’ Day, the NCHS Museum has partnered with the University Archives at Northwest Missouri State University to discuss the V-5 and V-12 programs. The Second World War brought over 2,000 enlisted Navy personnel to Northwest Missouri Teachers College.

Why did the Navy come to a college in a landlocked state? Northwest was one of 131 colleges that operated the V-5 and V-12 programs. These were Naval officer training programs run in partnership with a college or university and the Navy. The V-5 program focused on naval aviation preparation, and the V-12 program focused on deck officer training.

By 1943, the number of students enrolled at Northwest had significantly declined to below 400 because so many men were called to serve during World War II. Northwest President Uel W. Lamkin recognized Northwest’s need for students and money.

Through his connections with the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, President Lamkin brought the V-5 and V-12 programs to Northwest. On July 1, 1943, the V-programs became operational at Northwest through the enrollment of 400 enlisted Navy men.

Both programs were created to solve the Navy’s personnel shortage by providing potential officers with the opportunity for a four-year degree. They also brought in much-needed funding and students for declining colleges and universities. Both programs required participants to partake in a college curriculum, often alongside civilians.

Both programs also required rigorous physical training, inspections and drills. At Northwest, the classes required by the V-5 and V-12 programs were taught by college faculty, but the program was administered by naval officers. The V-5 program practiced aviation at the Maryville airfield, home of the short-lived Maryville School of Aeronautics.

The presence of the Navy had a significant impact on student life. For example, students living on campus were displaced to accommodate the Navy men. In 1943, the annual Walkout Day was canceled due to the V-program students’ inability to “walk out” of class. Instead of Walkout Day, a dance was held. Many Navy and war-related events were held on campus to entertain, including a war bond drive and a Navy Ball. At the ball, the War Bond King and Queen were crowned. The V-5 and V-12 programs also brought Northwest a very successful football team. A team composed exclusively of V-program student athletes only took one loss out of six games in the in the 1944 season. In the words of the 1944 yearbook, “Thanks to the spirit of the fighting Navy which carried over into the spirit of fighting Bearcats, the Green and White finished another successful season.”

By 1945, the programs were already declining. For example, by March, women could live on campus again. Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945, ending the war in Europe. Japan surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945, ending the Second World War. On Nov. 1, 1945, the programs closed at Northwest, removing the Navy from campus.

Although the V-5 and V-12 programs ended in 1945, the U.S. military still had a presence on campus, largely through the Missouri National Guard. In 1954, a new National Guard Armory was dedicated on campus by former President Harry S. Truman. That armory is now the Jon T. Rickman Electronic Campus Support Center.

The Missouri National Guard is still present on campus. First, through the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program (ROTC) and later with the Missouri Army National Guard Leadership Program (Show-Me GOLD). Several exhibit cases in the Valk Center discuss the campus involvement in American military engagements for the past 100 years.

Visit the NCHS Museum at 110 N. Walnut St. to learn more about the history of Nodaway County, including the region’s military history. We have an extensive military history display on the second floor of the museum, and on Saturday, Nov. 8, we will be holding a special event for Veterans’ Day.

Join us in recognizing Lt. Albert Leroy David, a WWII veteran, with a Stairway of Stars induction program with a program by author Ross Malone.

The museum is open March to December on Tuesdays to Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. and on the second Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. We also host monthly programs and are free to the public.

Our last events for 2025 are an open house at the historic Caleb Burns House and our Christmas Bake Sale on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The bake sale is an important fundraiser for the museum where you can load up on tasty holiday treats. There also will be a free craft activity for children!

The Caleb Burns House will be decorated for “A Country Christmas” and will be open for tours that day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Learn more about the museum’s work on our website, nodawaycountymuseum.com. You can contact us at [email protected] or by calling 660-582-8176.