HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG0803.AM: James Wallace Broatch, 1869-1908
Military service papers: 1892
Canton, Ohio; Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska: U.S. Marine captain
Size: One folder
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
James Wallace Broatch, son of William and Julia Broatch, was born at Canton, Ohio, on November 9, 1869. He moved with his family to Omaha, Nebraska. He joined the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, but he resigned in 1892 due to ritual hazing. Broatch then attended Yale University where he received his Ph.D.
James Broatch joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1899 and was commissioned captain on March 3, 1903. He was assigned to duty with the 1st Brigade in the Philippines on October 9, 1907. On July 9, 1908, James Wallace Broatch committed suicide at Cavite, Philippines. He is buried near his parents and brother, Frank at West Lawn Cemetery in Canton, Ohio.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
The collection consists of one folder containing photocopies of James W. Broatch’s service file from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Included are copies of letters from Senator Charles F. Manderson discussing Broatch’s allegations of hazing at the U.S. Military Academy as well as copies of newspaper articles from the New York Herald about the hazing accusations. Also included are copies of letters from Broatch’s father and a death notice for James Broatch from the Army and Navy Journal.
INVENTORY
Military papers, correspondence, etc.
Subject headings:
Broatch, James Wallace, 1869-1908
Broatch, William J., 1841-1922
Hazing — New York (State) — West Point — History
Manderson, Charles Frederick, 1837-1911
Military art & science
Military training
United States Military Academy (West Point, New York)
Revised TMM 01-16-2016
