Commander Coussons and my friend Mike

Early in our knob (plebe) year at The Citadel, one of our history professors became ill. Commander Coussons, later a Captain in the USN Reserves filled in for Lt. Col. Phillips. The Commander was one of those larger than life kind of guys that you just had to give your full attention. To my knowledge he had three passions. The History of the British Navy, Confederate Army and sport of sailing.

Cmdr. Cousins served as the sailing coach at the Citadel in the early seventies. Lt. Col. Phillips had a seating chart that was arranged alphabetically. On his first day substituting the Commander reviewed the seating chart to familiarize himself with the class. When he saw my name and hometown, New Bern, NC he inquired if I knew how to sail. I answered affirmatively and earned a place on the Sailing Team. His knowledge of my hometown was due to the history of the Battle of New Bern during The War of Northern Aggression.

The Commander had a booming authoritative voice that instilled awe in the mind of sleep deprived freshman. A sophomore could inspire fear so you can't imagine the effect that a three stripe Naval Officer had on a young 18 year old who had just survived hell week. In those days, not all of the classrooms at The Citadel were air conditioned. Windows opened, fan purring, warm temperature and lack of harassing upper class men create an environment that could induce a young knob to nod off. We all watched as my friend Mike began to lose consciousness. He sat on the other side of the room on the front row because his surname began with "S".

Mike's chin finally rested squarely on his chest when Coussons took notice. He checked the seating chart and boomed, "Mr. Sherman you are at enough of a disadvantage with a name like yours, to not be sleeping in my class". All of the southerners in the class almost fell out of their chairs. Mike being a Yankee probably did not understand the reference. He was so startled, I am sure he lost several years of longevity.