Home
/
Military History
/
Army-Navy Football: 100+ Years...

Army-Navy Football: 100+ Years in Images

By Callie Oettinger

Nov. 29, 1890: First Army/Navy football game was played at West Point, with the Navy squad achieving a 24-0 victory. Photo: Naval Academy Archives Picture Collection. Caption: Nimitz Library Digital Collections.

Army - Navy football game, Nov. 28, 1908. Photo and caption: Library of Congress. — Army – Navy football game, Nov. 28, 1908. Photo and caption: Library of Congress.

1910: The Brigade of Midshipmen marches on the field. Photo and caption: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

1910: The Corps about to take seats. Photo and caption: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

Action from the 1911 Army-Navy game at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. The Midshipmen earned a hard-fought 3-0 victory. Photo: Library of Congress. Caption: U.S. Army.

1916 Official Army Navy game cover. Image and caption: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

1924 Army Navy program cover. Image and caption: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

1924 Army Navy football game. Photo: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

1926 Army Navy game program. Photo: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

1926 Army Navy game ticket. Image: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

1930 Army Navy game. Photo and caption: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

1932: Vidal scores the first touchdown. Photo: United States Military Academy. Caption: Nimitz Library Digital Collections.

1938 Army Navy mascots. Photo: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

1940 Army Navy Program cover. Photo: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy

1941 Army Navy Program. Image: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

1941 Army Navy game. Photo: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

1941 Army Navy game. Photo: 1941 Army Navy Program. Image: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

1942 Army Navy Program Cover. Image: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

Army Navy Game 1942 Capt Cameron #34 and Mazur #45. Photo: Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, United States Naval Academy.

In the 1994 game, played on December 4th, this image shows Army on the goal line, the play resulting in a touchdown, in the eventual Army win over Navy, 22 to 20. Photo and Caption: U.S. Army.

Annapolis, Md. (Nov. 30, 2005) – A simulated West Point Military Academy mule mascot is roasted during the U.S. Naval Academy’s traditional pep rally and bonfire before the Army-Navy football game. This year’s game will be played at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 3, 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Ken Mierzejewski. Caption: U.S. Navy.

Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (Nov. 30, 2005) – The Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael Hagee gives the U.S. Naval Academy mascot, "Bill the Goat" his challenge coin after he performed one-arm pushups at the request of Hagee during a Pep-Rally at the Pentagon prior to the upcoming 106th Army-Navy football game. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Damon Moritz . Caption: U.S. Navy. — Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (Nov. 30, 2005) – The Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael Hagee gives the U.S. Naval Academy mascot, “Bill the Goat” his challenge coin after he performed one-arm pushups at the request of Hagee during a Pep-Rally at the Pentagon prior to the upcoming 106th Army-Navy football game. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Damon Moritz . Caption: U.S. Navy.

Philadelphia, Pa. (Dec. 3, 2005) – U.S. Naval Academy football players carry the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy off the field following a 42-23 victory over the Black Knights of Army. This was the 106th Army vs. Navy Football game, held for the third consecutive year at Lincoln Financial Field. U.S. Navy photo by Damon J. Moritz. Caption: U.S. Navy. — Philadelphia, Pa. (Dec. 3, 2005) – U.S. Naval Academy football players carry the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy off the field following a 42-23 victory over the Black Knights of Army. This was the 106th Army vs. Navy Football game, held for the third consecutive year at Lincoln Financial Field. U.S. Navy photo by Damon J. Moritz. Caption: U.S. Navy.

Philadelphia (Dec. 2, 2006) - U.S. Navy Midshipman Stan Jett is thrown into the air during pre-game activities at the Army-Navy football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Naval Academy Midshipmen took on the West Point Black Knights in the 107th meeting between the two service schools. Navy won the game 26-14 over the Army Black Knights. Department of Defense photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen. Caption: U.S. Navy. — Philadelphia (Dec. 2, 2006) – U.S. Navy Midshipman Stan Jett is thrown into the air during pre-game activities at the Army-Navy football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Naval Academy Midshipmen took on the West Point Black Knights in the 107th meeting between the two service schools. Navy won the game 26-14 over the Army Black Knights. Department of Defense photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen. Caption: U.S. Navy.

PENTAGON (Nov. 29, 2007) U.S. Naval Academy cheerleaders and band perform during a pep rally in the Pentagon prior to the upcoming Army-Navy game. The Midshipmen take on the Black Knights in the 108th Army-Navy game Saturday in Baltimore. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones. Caption: U.S. Navy.

BALTIMORE, Md. (Dec. 1, 2007) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen poses with the Naval Academy mascots during the 108th annual Army-Navy game at the M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md. Navy's historic sixth straight win over Army after a 38-3 victory puts the Midshipmen 52-49-7 against the Black Knights. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Lussier. Caption: U.S. Navy. — BALTIMORE, Md. (Dec. 1, 2007) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen poses with the Naval Academy mascots during the 108th annual Army-Navy game at the M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md. Navy’s historic sixth straight win over Army after a 38-3 victory puts the Midshipmen 52-49-7 against the Black Knights. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Lussier. Caption: U.S. Navy.

BALTIMORE, Md. M&T Bank Stadium (Dec. 1, 2007) U.S. Naval Academy senior slot back Zerbin Singleton (28) celebrates with his team after scoring the first touchdown during the Midshipmen's 38-3 victory at the 108th playing of the Army-Navy football game. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley. Caption: U.S. Navy. — BALTIMORE, Md. M&T Bank Stadium (Dec. 1, 2007) U.S. Naval Academy senior slot back Zerbin Singleton (28) celebrates with his team after scoring the first touchdown during the Midshipmen’s 38-3 victory at the 108th playing of the Army-Navy football game. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley. Caption: U.S. Navy.

The US Military Academy Mascot entertains the crowd during a break in the action at the 108th annual Army Navy football game in Baltimore, Md. Dec 1, 2007. Photo Credit: Mr. Kenneth Drylie (IMCOM) . Caption: U.S. Army.

2008: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead banters with West Point's Army Spirit Pep Band. Photo Credit: J.D. Leipold. Caption: U.S. Army. — 2008: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead banters with West Point’s Army Spirit Pep Band. Photo Credit: J.D. Leipold. Caption: U.S. Army.

2008: Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer spell out "Go Navy, Beat Army!" on the flight deck to cheer on the midshipmen in the upcoming 109th Army-Navy college football game. Photo: Petty Officer 2nd Class Jon Rasmussen. Caption: DVIDSHUB. — 2008: Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer spell out “Go Navy, Beat Army!” on the flight deck to cheer on the midshipmen in the upcoming 109th Army-Navy college football game. Photo: Petty Officer 2nd Class Jon Rasmussen. Caption: DVIDSHUB.

U.S. Naval Academy quarterback Kapo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (#10) throws a pass during the 109th Army-Navy college football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Photo: Petty Officer 2nd Class Tommy Gilligan. Caption: DVIDSHUB.

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 6, 2008) U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen cheer the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen during the 109th Army-Navy college football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Todd Cichonowicz. Caption: U.S. Navy

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 6, 2008) U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen salute during the national anthem before the start of the 109th Army-Navy college football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien. Caption: U.S. Navy. — PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 6, 2008) U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen salute during the national anthem before the start of the 109th Army-Navy college football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O’Brien. Caption: U.S. Navy.

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 6, 2008) U.S. Naval Academy fullback Eric Kettani (#36) gets past a U.S. Military defender during first half of the 109th Army-Navy college football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson. Caption: U.S. Navy.

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 6, 2008) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead congratulates a group of Navy recruits sworn into the Navy before the second quarter of the 109th Army-Navy college football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson. Caption: U.S. Navy.

GREAT LAKES, Ill., (Aug. 29, 2009) More than 4,750 recruits and staff members from Recruit Training Command spell out "Go Navy!" in front of the USS Iowa headquarters building at Recruit Training Command for a photo to be aired at the Army-Navy football game. U.S. Navy photo by Dustan Burke. Caption: U.S. Navy. — GREAT LAKES, Ill., (Aug. 29, 2009) More than 4,750 recruits and staff members from Recruit Training Command spell out “Go Navy!” in front of the USS Iowa headquarters building at Recruit Training Command for a photo to be aired at the Army-Navy football game. U.S. Navy photo by Dustan Burke. Caption: U.S. Navy.

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 12, 2009) Midshipman 2nd Class Jason Beasley, left, from China Lake, Calif, and Midshipman 1st Class Michael Ross, from Nashville, direct the Brigade of Midshipmen as they enter the stadium for the 110th Army-Navy college football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. U.S. Navy photo by Damon J. Moritz. Caption: U.S. Navy.

Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy march past Army cadets before the start of the 110th Army Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 12, 2009. The Army Navy game is a tradition dating to 1890. It is the last regular-season college football game and places inter-service "bragging rights" on the line. Photo: 1st Sgt. Robert Hyatt. Caption: DVIDSHUB. — Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy march past Army cadets before the start of the 110th Army Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 12, 2009. The Army Navy game is a tradition dating to 1890. It is the last regular-season college football game and places inter-service “bragging rights” on the line. Photo: 1st Sgt. Robert Hyatt. Caption: DVIDSHUB.

Cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., render honors during the playing of the national anthem before the start of the 110th Army Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 12, 2009. Photo Credit: 1st Sgt. Robert Hyatt. Caption: U.S. Army.

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 12, 2009) Navy kicker John Teague (#45) kicks off to start the 110th Army-Navy college football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. U.S. Navy photo by Damon J. Moritz. Caption: U.S. Navy.

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 12, 2009) Army slot back Jameson Carter (#15) gets past Navy Linebacker Tony Haberer (#50) during the first quarter of the 110th Army-Navy college football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. U.S. Navy photo by Oscar Sosa. Caption: U.S. Navy.

KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 11, 2010) Gen. David H. Petraeus, center, commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (IASF) and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, watches as a staff member, right, removes a goat adorned with a Navy flag during his morning meeting. Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, commander of Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435, dispatched four Sailors to give the general the goat, the U.S. Naval Academy mascot, before the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia. U.S. Air Force photo Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump. Caption: U.S. Navy.

Member of the Golden Knights parachute team parachutes into Lincoln Financial Field during 111th Army Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia on Dec. 11, 2010. Caption and Photo: DVIDSHUB.

Army and Navy face off at the 111th Army Navy Game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., on December 11, 2010. US Army photo by 1SG Robert Hyatt. Caption: DVIDSHUB.

2010: Firefighters keep watch of the blaze of the bonfire tearing into the boat as thousands of Army fans cheer, "Go Army, Beat Navy" the night of Dec. 9. After a Spirit Dinner at the Cadet Mess, the Black Knights led the Corps of Cadets out of Washington Hall and onto Daly Field for a Spirit Rally and Bonfire. Addressing the crowd outside were the brigade tactical officer, Col. Mark McKearn, Army head coach Rich Ellerson and captains of the Black Knights. The game ball was handed to the captain of the West Point Marathon Team who led his teammates out of West Point for a more than 170-mile run to Philadelphia. Immediately after the bonfire, the team gathered at Battle Monument before embarking on the buses for the trip to Philadelphia to face the Navy Midshipmen at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday. Photo by Mike Strasser. Caption: West Point Public Affairs. — 2010: Firefighters keep watch of the blaze of the bonfire tearing into the boat as thousands of Army fans cheer, “Go Army, Beat Navy” the night of Dec. 9. After a Spirit Dinner at the Cadet Mess, the Black Knights led the Corps of Cadets out of Washington Hall and onto Daly Field for a Spirit Rally and Bonfire. Addressing the crowd outside were the brigade tactical officer, Col. Mark McKearn, Army head coach Rich Ellerson and captains of the Black Knights. The game ball was handed to the captain of the West Point Marathon Team who led his teammates out of West Point for a more than 170-mile run to Philadelphia. Immediately after the bonfire, the team gathered at Battle Monument before embarking on the buses for the trip to Philadelphia to face the Navy Midshipmen at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday. Photo by Mike Strasser. Caption: West Point Public Affairs.

2011: Col. Ricky D. Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., and other Dragon Brigade Soldiers show their support for the "Black Knights" of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point by shouting out, "Go Army Beat Navy!" at Forward Operating Base Falcon in southern Baghdad, Nov. 25. Photo and caption: U.S. Army. — 2011: Col. Ricky D. Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., and other Dragon Brigade Soldiers show their support for the “Black Knights” of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point by shouting out, “Go Army Beat Navy!” at Forward Operating Base Falcon in southern Baghdad, Nov. 25. Photo and caption: U.S. Army.

The Corps of Cadets and the West Point Band march on to the FedEx Field for the 112th annual Army/Navy Game. Photo by Tommy Gilligan/West Point Public Affairs. Caption: West Point Public Affairs.

The friendly rivalry between cadets and midshipmen continues during the 112th annual Army/Navy football game. Photo by Cadet Sam Wharton. Caption: West Point Public Affairs.

CALLIE OETTINGER was Command Posts’ first managing editor. Her interest in military history, policy and fiction took root when she was a kid, traveling and living the life of an Army Brat, and continues today.