How West Point chose a mule as its mascot

ARMY READ OF THE DAY

How West Point chose a mule as its mascot
By Todd South
Nov 23, 05:00 AM
U.S. Military Academy Mascot Mule, pumps up the cadets, during the 119th Army-Navy Game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 8, 2018. (Spc. James Harvey/Army)

West Point cadets went nearly a decade in their rivalry with the Naval Academy before adopting a mule as their school’s counterpart to the midshipmen’s goat.

But the horse and donkey hybrid has a lineage in Army service that predates this storied matchup — going back to 1890.

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk SGT (Join to see)] Sgt (Join to see) PV2 Larry Sellnow SPC (Join to see) SGT Ruben Lozada PO2 Marco Monsalve Maj Kim Patterson] SFC Ralph E Kelley SPC (Join to see) SSG William Jones Maj Ronald Scarpa SSG Paul Endes PO1 Lyndon Thomas CPL Douglas Chrysler SPC (Join to see) PO1 H Gene Lawrence Lt Col Charlie Brown