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What is true greatness in a man? Equal parts of demonstrated ability and devotion to family and career? Perhaps. But honoring his belief in God through an exemplary Christian life just could be the real measure. Few people now living are aware that, prior to entering West Point in 1901, <em>Calvin Titus</em> was an ordained minister in the home mission field, working with his missionary uncle, Jason Lee. In fact, it was through his missionary work that he came to meet, and soon after graduation, marry, his life-long partner, Grace. Even fewer know that during WW I he requested transfer from the Infantry to the Corps of Chaplains, a request that was denied on the grounds that his Academy and subsequent troop and staff training would be wasted in assignments as a chaplain. This refusal, however, did not deter him from influencing others through his every word and deed in his day-to-day military life. Nobody ever saw him take an alcoholic drink, nor did he use tobacco. And profanity, even under the most trying circumstances, was something no one ever associated with Calvin Titus. He preferred never to use even the two “strong words” included in the Academy’s lexicon. Not only did they not frown upon his rigid standards, the officers and men with whom he served seemed to silently admire him for his Christ-like principles.</p>
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No doubt the number of cadets who have successfully graduated from the Academy without having first had a high school education is limited, but Calvin not only accomplished the feat, he did so in the grand style, ranking in the upper third of his Class at graduation. And how many Plebes have had the Corps of Cadets turned out for a special review in order that the President of the United States might step out on the Plain and pin the Medal of Honor on their FD coats? Just one—Calvin P. Titus.</p>
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Titus served his God and his country as a home missionary, as a soldier with a distinguished career in the enlisted and commissioned ranks, and as a retired senior citizen. Certainly his was a life that reflected the courageous offer he made as a young man before the towering Peking Wall during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. On that memorable occasion he was instrumental in writing a page in the U.S. Army’s colorful history when he answered his commanding officer's halfthought, half-spoken query: "Who could scale that formidable obstacle?” Titus’s “I’ll try, Sir,” not only insured his place in history, it led to the American troops’ victory that day.</p>
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Calvin Titus now rests in peace alongside his beloved wife, Grace, who preceded him in death by just a few short years. He is survived by: two sons, Donald W. Titus, Col. (Ret.), USMA 1928, and Calvin P. Titus Jr., ex- ’40; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.</p>
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<em>-D.W.T.</em></p>