A Tradition of Service
For more than 80 years, military service has been part of the fabric of TCU. From wartime training programs during World War II to today’s veteran students, ROTC programs, and commemorative spaces, TCU has a longstanding tradition of honoring those who have served while supporting the next generation of military leaders.
Wartime Campus and ROTC
TCU’s military history began before the United States entered World War II, when the university participated in federal pilot training programs and later hosted multiple Army, Navy, and Marine training units on campus. These efforts established TCU as an important partner in preparing military personnel during a pivotal time in American history.
Following the war, TCU expanded its commitment through the creation of Army and Air Force ROTC programs. Since then, Army ROTC has commissioned more than 1,300 officers, while Air Force ROTC Detachment 845 has become one of the nation’s premier detachments. Today, both programs continue to develop leaders dedicated to serving their communities and country.
TCU’s ROTC tradition has also evolved to reflect broader opportunities in military service. Women began joining ROTC in the early 1970s, marking important milestones in leadership and paving the way for future generations of military officers.
Veterans Plaza
Dedicated in 2005, Veterans Plaza serves as the heart of TCU’s military remembrance. The plaza honors the sacrifices and achievements of TCU students and alumni who have served in conflicts from World War I through the present day. Thoughtfully designed with memorials, gardens, and gathering spaces, Veterans Plaza provides a place for reflection while recognizing generations of Horned Frogs whose service has shaped both the university and the nation.
Learn more about the history, design, and significance of Veterans Plaza.
Major Horace S. Carswell Jr.
Major Horace S. Carswell Jr. ’39 is TCU’s only Medal of Honor recipient. A Fort Worth native and TCU graduate, Carswell served as a bomber pilot during World War II. On October 26, 1944, after his aircraft sustained severe damage during combat, he remained with the disabled bomber to help save members of his crew before the aircraft crashed. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1946 for his extraordinary courage and selfless sacrifice.
His legacy continues to inspire the TCU community. In 2026, the university established the Major Horace S. Carswell Jr. Memorial Award to recognize a veteran student or military-affiliated student who exemplifies courage, sacrifice, and service.
Continuing the Legacy
TCU honors the many students and alumni whose military service required extraordinary sacrifice while celebrating those who continue to serve their communities through leadership, scholarship, and public service.
Today, veteran and military-affiliated students remain an important part of the Horned Frog community. Their experiences, leadership, and commitment to service continue to shape campus life, ensuring that TCU’s military legacy remains a living tradition for future generations.
Women in TCU ROTC
Women have played an important role in TCU’s ROTC legacy for more than 50 years. In fall 1973, the first six women joined TCU Army ROTC, helping open new opportunities for leadership, service and military careers at the university. Just two years later, the first female Horned Frog cadet was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army.
TCU women continued to break barriers in the years that followed. In 1977, Air Force ROTC cadet Gayle Remaly became the first woman at TCU to achieve the rank of cadet colonel, serving as commander of more than 100 cadets. In 1980, the first woman from TCU’s Air Force Detachment 845 was accepted to pilot training.
Their leadership helped shape the ROTC experience at TCU and continues to reflect the university’s broader military legacy: preparing students to lead with confidence, serve with purpose and create opportunities for those who follow.
Horned Frogs at War
Explore TCU Library’s Horned Frogs at War exhibit to learn more about how World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War shaped the TCU experience. The exhibit highlights campus mobilization, student military service, wartime culture, ROTC history, women’s contributions, the GI Bill and the stories of Horned Frogs whose lives were changed by war.
Created through student research using TCU Special Collections, the exhibit offers a deeper look at the people, programs and moments that helped define TCU’s military legacy.