The 400 of the 96th: Military Training on Algoma Blvd. The
history of the 96th College Detachment that was stationed at
Oshkosh State Teachers College. The 96th's mission in Oshkosh
was to learn how to become pilots during World War Two. Written
and developed by Kyle Moerchen, history department intern. Based
on an earlier exhibit by Joshua Ranger, University Archivist.
Oshkosh State Teachers College was facing an enrollment crisis
because of World War Two; then President Polk, the college's
president, saw an opportunity to not only help his college
through its' enrollment crisis, but also help the army educate
aviation cadets. The cadets were allowed a little time for R&R,
but many of them went out on the town, and Oshkosh welcomed them
with dinners, banquets, and dances. Despite Oshkosh's success in
educating the cadets, the army decided to end the operation in
Oshkosh.