Cagle Out

West Point last week was shrouded in shame. Annapolis pointed a reproachful finger. Army officers throughout the land looked hurt and troubled at a major breach of military honor. Cause: Cadet Christian Keener ("Red") Cagle, West Point's famed football hero, had feet that would carry him miraculously through a broken field but they were, after all, feet of clay. By all the rules of the "Point," he had starred in 1928, had captained his team to victory in 1929, had won acclaim as "the greatest halfback since Red Grange" only because he had perjured himself as to his eligibility.

On Aug. 25, 1928, at Gretna. La., Cadet Cagle, aged 23, had married Marion Munford Haile. He returned to West Point to sign certificates that he had not violated the Academy's strict rule against cadets marrying. Mrs. Cagle taught school in Louisiana as Miss Haile, kept out of sight, never saw her husband drill or play football.

Busybodied newsmen dug up the Cagle marriage certificate. Cadet Cagle was in the infirmary after a tonsillectomy last week when his perjury was reported to Maj.General William Ruthven Smith, Academy superintendent. Within 30 minutes Cadet Cagle was again plain Mr. Cagle. General Smith let him resign instead of courtmartialing him.

Most embarrassed was the Army Athletic Association which had a gold sabre ready to present Cagle at the June graduation which he now will not attend.

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