John E. McDonald VPI Cadet Blouse
Scope and Content
This cadet blouse is navy blue with black lining, and sleeves lined with off white. It is possibly made of wool and cotton. The blouse has a black stripe trim with plastic black buttons on the right, and hooks on the left. There are two gold pins on the collar of the blouse. One pin has "VPI" with guns crossing above. The other pin has "ROTC" with flames between "RO" and "TC." There is a five pointed star on the lower right sleeve and three thin black stripes above, a wide black stripe on lower sleeve. Labels on inside of blouse state "Mr. John E. McDonald," "Date {34}-{31?}-{39}," and numbers "27 1/2, 18 1/2." The coat was manufactured by Virginia Polytechnic Institute Uniform Dept. V.E. Kelsey, Supt. The condition is fair, some stains, missing top hook, worn on back.
Dates
- c.1920s
Creator
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Corps of Cadets (1944-1970) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
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Biographical Note
John E. McDonald was born on February 23, 1905 in Montgomery County, Virginia, and passed on May 9th, 1975 in Petersburg, Virginia. He was a part of the class of 1927 and Private Company E. The five pointed star on the sleeve may be a gold bullion, which would signify VPI had the status of "distinguished military college" by the War Department. He later served in the US Army and World War Two.
His parents were Harvey B. McDonald and Annie L. McDonald, and his sister was Annie V. McDonald.
Under his photo in the 1927 Bugle on page 155 it reads " "MAC" What is said of most Scotchmen is not true of "Mac," for we know of no more liberal-hearted man than he. ""Mac" is a true friend to us all: loyal to Tech in every way. He is blessed with a magnetic personality, good judgement, lots of wit, and an abundance of energy. He always looks on the bright side of life; never grumbling, always cheerful. For the past two years we have seen "Mac" only on Wednesdays, for he is in Staunton the rest of the time. We often wonder how he does it, but he has been successful in both love and studies. Tech will not be the same when "Mac" leaves, for he will be missed as only a classmate and friend can be missed. We wish him the success in the future that he has had in the past, and it is with true regret that we bid him goodbye. Buisness Administartion 1923-24-Private Company "E"; Company Football; Rifle Club. 1924-25-Private Company "E"; Company Football; Rifle Club. 1925-26- Private Company "E"; Company Football; Company Baseball 4-H club; Commerce Club; Rifle Club. 1926-27- Private Company "E"; Company Football; Company Baseball; Commerce Club; Roanoke Club; "Skippers"; Blasting Society; "Virginia Tech Minstrels."
Source:
"John E. McDonald." Find a Grave. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/254363525/john-early-mcdonald
John Early McDonald in the Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920." Ancestry. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/9277/records/8288799?tid=&pid=&queryId=2b558ef9-ae97-4d3a-ac43db07fc03302f&_phsrc=zWF11&_phstart=successSource&_gl=1*1bso4ky*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzA3NzU1NDE4LjE3NDk0ODE5MjU.*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*czdiNTRkNWFmLWRhMzItNGYyMy1iYTA3LTdmM2FiNzkwMjM1ZiRvMSRnMCR0MTc0OTQ4MTkyNCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.*_ga_LMK6K2LSJH*czdiNTRkNWFmLWRhMzItNGYyMy1iYTA3LTdmM2FiNzkwMjM1ZiRvMSRnMCR0MTc0OTQ4MTkyNCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.
Temple, Harry Downing, "Donning the Blue and Gray", Richmond, VA: William Byrd Press, 1992, p.62
"VPI Bugle 1927", Lynchburg, Virginia: J.P.Bell Company INC., 1992, p.155
Extent
3.1 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This cadet blouse is navy blue with black lining, and sleeves lined with off white. It is possibly made of wool and cotton. The blouse has a black stripe trim with plastic black buttons on the right, and hooks on the left. There are two gold pins on the collar of the blouse. One pin has "VPI" with guns crossing above. The other pin has "ROTC" with flames between "RO" and "TC." There is a five pointed star on the lower right sleeve and three thin black stripes above, a wide black stripe on lower sleeve. Labels on inside of blouse state "Mr. John E. McDonald," "Date {34}-{31?}-{39}," and numbers "27 1/2, 18 1/2." The coat was manufactured by Virginia Polytechnic Institute Uniform Dept. V.E. Kelsey, Supt. The condition is fair, some stains, missing top hook, worn on back.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was acquired by Special Collection and University Archives in January 1975
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the John E. McDonald VPI Cadet Blouse by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the John E. McDonald VPI Cadet Blouse was completed in June 2025. Preliminary description was completed in 2016.
- University Archives
- University History
- Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (1896-1944)
- Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute. Corps of Cadets (1896-1944)
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1970-)
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Corps of Cadets
- Title
- John E. McDonald VPI Cadet Blouse, c.1920s
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Aly Diemel, Volunteer, and Special Collections and University Archives Staff
- Date
- 2025 (CC0 1.0)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu