• Home
  • Archives
    • USMA Leaders Through History
    • The Vietnam War
    • Combatting Terrorism
    • Soldier to Citizen: Life After the Service
    • Honor And Integrity
    • Brent Scowcroft Series in Military History
    • Iraq and Afghanistan War Archive
  • Interviews
  • About
    • About the Center
    • Center News
    • Our Supporters
    • Our Leadership
    • Contact Us
The West Point Center for Oral History
  • Home
  • Archives
    • USMA Leaders Through History
    • The Vietnam War
    • Combatting Terrorism
    • Soldier to Citizen: Life After the Service
    • Honor And Integrity
    • Brent Scowcroft Series in Military History
    • Iraq and Afghanistan War Archive
  • Interviews
  • About
    • About the Center
    • Center News
    • Our Supporters
    • Our Leadership
    • Contact Us

Two Ladycliff Graduates Reflect On Their College Years And West Point Memories

Alice Galvin Kenny Marilyn McCabe O’Donnell

Description

Alice (Galvin) Kenny and Marilyn (McCabe) O’Donnell both grew up in Catholic families, Alice in Jersey City and Marilyn on Long Island. Ladycliff College was a Catholic women’s college in Highland Falls, New York, right outside the south gate of West Point. Alice’s older sister had attended Ladycliff, and Marilyn’s parents had selected Ladycliff for her. Education was one of the few majors available to the women at Ladycliff because teaching was one of the few socially acceptable professions for women in the 1960s. Marilyn met her future husband during her sophomore year at a mixer in the Hotel Thayer, and Alice met hers during her junior year. Both of their husbands deployed to Vietnam, Alice’s in September 1966 and Marilyn’s in November 1967. Both women kept in contact with their husbands through daily letters, and Alice received a MARS call (Military Auxiliary Radio System). They kept up to date on the situation in the war through the nightly news, and both met up with their husbands on R&R in Hawaii. Near the end of the interview, they reflect on the importance of reunions, and on what Ladycliff means to them.

Video Details Interview Date:3-Jul-21
Published Date:27-Sep-21
Biographical Details Name:Alice Galvin Kenny Marilyn McCabe O’Donnell
Institution:Ladycliff
Graduation Year:1965 1966
Additional Resources
The West Point Center for Oral History Logo

About
Contact

How You Can Help

The West Point Center for Oral History is a privately funded organization that relies on the generosity of donors. When you click on the link below, you will be taken to the West Point Association of Graduates website and instructions on how to give to the Center. We appreciate your generosity! Support The Center

Stay Informed

Be the first to know! Sign up now to get updates and email alerts when new interviews are released. Join the West Point Center for Oral History's Pipeline Alert.

"*" indicates required fields

© 2026 · West Point Center for Oral History   |   West Point Department of History   |   U.S. Military Academy   |   U.S. Army