Seneca Battalion Hall of Fame
Members Inducted in 1998
Father David F. Sweeney, OFM
1922-1993
Father David Sweeney, a Long Island, New York native was educated at St. Pancras School in Glendale, L.I. and St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon. He entered the Franciscan Order in Paterson, NJ on August 12, 1942. Father Sweeney completed his theological studies at Holy Name College in Washington D.C. and was ordained to the priesthood in the Church of Mount Sepulchre in Washington on June 12, 1948. Father Sweeney received his doctor of philosophy degree in history in 1949 from the Catholic University of America. His dissertation was published in book form under the title "The Life of John Lancaster Spalding". Father Sweeney joined the faculty of St. Bonaventure University in 1963 where he continued to teach until illness forced him to retire several months before his passing in March 1993.
Father David was inducted as a charter member of the Seneca Battalion Hall of Fame in recognition of his longstanding support of the Reserve Officer Training Program at St. Bonaventure. He served as chaplain to the cadets and cadre of the Seneca battalion providing moral support not only at the University but under the austere conditions of field training exercises as well. His spiritual leadership is truly missed and always remembered.
Major General Norbert J. Rappl
Class of 1952
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery, Major General Rappl completed the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Ft. Sill Oklahoma then served 13 months with the 8th U.S. Army in Korea. Upon release from Active duty, Rappl joined the 98th Infantry Division. He held successive positions in the 923rd Field Artillery Battalion culminating with the position of Battalion S-3. Rappl was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in January 1968. In November of that year, he became commander of the 98th Division Support Battalion. He was promoted to the grade of Colonel in 1971 and Brigadier General in 1980. In February 1982, he assumed command of the 98th Division and was promoted to the rank of Major General, the highest rank a reservist can attain in August 1982.
Brigadier General Joseph Nagel
Class of 1956
A native of Elmira, New York, BG Nagel was awarded a BS degree in biology in 1956 at the same time he completed the ROTC program and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. His military education includes Filed Artillery Officer Basic Course, Command and General Staff School, and the United States Army War College. He has held a wide variety of command and staff positions culminating as Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Training Center, and Fort Dix, Fort Dix, NJ. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), several Air Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device.
Major General John H. Mitchell
Class of 1956
Major General John H. Mitchell graduated from St. Bonaventure University receiving a BA in Business Administration and an ROTC commission in 1956. He also received a Masters in Public Administration in 1973. In 1957, he graduated from the Field Artillery Basic Course and in 1963 the Advanced Course, both at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. At Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, he completed the US Army Command and General Staff College in 1968. He later completed the US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, in 1973.
General Mitchell served in a variety of command and staff positions to include Commander, 8th Battalion, 6th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division, Vietnam in 1968; Chief, Officer Assignments, Field Artillery Branch, Officer Personnel Directorate in Washington, D.C.; G1 for the 8th Division 1973-1975; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters, US Army Europe and Seventh Army in Heidelberg; Division Artillery Commander and Chief of Staff, 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Riley, Kansas, Commander; Field Command, Defense Nuclear Agency, Kirkland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Selected for promotion to Major General, he assumed duties as Director of Human Resources Development Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, US Army, Washington, D.C. ; United States Command, Berlin; and Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Army.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf and V, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal with V. Device and with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was promoted to Major General on 1 October 1982.
Brigadier General Thomas Bowen
Class of 1961
Brigadier General James M. Morris
Class of 1962
General Morris began his career with BA Degree and a commission as a Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Reserve on 3 June 1962. He has served in a number of command and staff assignments to include Unit Commander with E Battalion, 36th Artillery; 6th Battalion, 32d Artillery as a Fixed Wing Aviator; 220th Aviation Company stationed in the Republic of Vietnam; Plans and Training Officer, Headquarters and Service Company, United States Army Aviation Center Regiment; Helicopter Pilot, 42d Infantry Division Artillery; Platoon Commander, Company B, 42nd Aviation Battalion; On 22 June 1971 he was assigned as S-3, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 42nd Aviation Battalion; Assistant Division Aviation Officer, Battalion S-3 and subsequently Battalion Commander, 42nd Aviation Battalion; Brigade Commander, 2d Brigade, 42d Infantry Division; and Assistant Division Commander. On 13 December 1988, he was promoted to the grade of Brigadier General.
General Morris' awards and decorations include: Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (17 OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (40LC), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (10LC), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Master Army Aviator Badge, New York State Military Commendation Medal, New York State Long and Faithful Service Medal (20LC), New York State Aid to Civil Authorities, and the New York State Humane Service Medal.
Brigadier General John K. Schmitt
Class of 1971
A native of Buffalo, New York, General Schmitt was a Distinguished Military Graduate from St. Bonaventure University, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in August of 1971. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California.
General Schmitt has served in e variety of command end staff positions, which include overseas tours in Korea and Germany. He commanded Company C, 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry, 9th Infantry Division; Company B, 3d Aviation Battalion (Combat), 3d Infantry Division, U.S. Army Europe; 3d Battalion, 3d Aviation, 3d infantry Division, U.S. Army Europe; and the Aviation Brigade, 2d Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army. HIs staff Assignments Include Assistant Battalion S-3/Flight Operations Officer, 52d Aviation Battalion, Eighth U.S. Army; Battalion S-4, 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry, 9th Infantry Division; Battalion S-3, 3d Aviation Battalion {Combat), 3d Infantry Division. U.S. Army Europe; Staff Officer in the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development. and Acquisitions, HQDA; Chief, G-3 Training, VII Corps, U.S. Army Europe; Senior Military Aide-de-Camp to the Secretary of the Army; end Executive Officer to the Commander In Chief, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit Semil Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three risk Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Modal, The National Defense Service Medal with Service Star, the Expert Infantryman Badge; the Master Army Aviator Badge, tile Senior Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Department of Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Republic of Korea Army Honorary Aviator Wings.
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