Bordentown Military Institute

Bordentown Military Institute
Rather Be than seem
Location
Bordentown, New Jersey, United States
Information
School type	private high school
Established	1881 (1881)
Founder	Reverend William Bowen

The Bordentown Military Institute was founded in 1881 and the main building was part of the estate of Joseph Bonaparte, the exiled brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, the King of France. BMI was an Honor school with a US Army ROTC program. The strong History and Traditions produced many great leaders in both the military and the civilian world with a very strong academic and military science program. The last year was with the graduating Class of 1973 after a decision was made to merge with the Lenox school in Lenox, Massachusetts despite resistance from Cadets and parents. The Lenox school was having financial problems. and less than 25% of the Cadets made that move. That one year experiment ended in failure with the demise of the school which was taken over by BMI after the Lenox school failed. Some blamed that on the loss of popularity of things Military due to the Vietnam war for a factor in the failure, an opinion not shared by most of the Cadets and Staff. BMI had a very strong sports program and many undefeated and untied seasons in football. The school competed in several other major sports also including Baseball, basketball, soccer, track, tennis, wrestling and golf.

BMI has a very strong Alumni Association which has a reunion in Bordentown, NJ every other even numbered year.

Notable alumni

• Joe Duckworth (1921-2007), football end who played in the NFL for the Washington Redskins.
• Nicholas S. H. Krawciw (born 1935)
• Willard Dickerman Straight (1880–1918)
• Floyd Douglas Little, (1942-2021) NFL Hall of Fame, Denver Broncos, Jersey 44 Retired, Syracuse University, All American, BMI Jersey 77 Retired, All American, All State, All Prep and All Private.
• Doulas H. Palmer, (born 1951) BMI Class of 1969, First black Mayor of Trenton,NJ an office He held for 20 years.

Gallery

BMI 1908 Football team

BMI Baseball team 1908

BMI Football team from 1915

Sports teams

Bordetnown Military Institute, Landon Rifles Drill team.

Bordentown Military Institute, Cadet Band.

Bordentown Military Institute Cadet officers 1962

Other

BMI Training Class of M1 Garand Rifle in the Army ROTC program.

The BMI Cadet Battalion at retreat ceremony.

BMI Cadet Battalion Staff in 1971

BMI, lowering the Flag at retreat ceremony on campus.

BMI "Old Boys" drill at 2018 Reunion in Bordentown, NJ.

another picture of the BMI "Old Boys" drilling at the 2018 reunion.

BMI Cadets,Pass in review on Landon Green parade ground.

BMI Cadets, Memorial Day parade, B Company, Farnsworth Ave, Bordentown, NJ in 1961

BMI 1964 Graduation

BMI Tradition, the passing of the sabre from the graduating President of the Senior Class in 1960 to the President of the Junior Class to formally pass the class leadership on to Him.

BMI Corps of Cadet in 1941 in front of "Old Main"

BMI, the lobby with "Old Main"

BMI Cadet Officer

BMI, service flag for graduates serving in WWI displayed on "Old Main"

US Army Small bore rifle Expert medal as issued to BMI Cadets.in the Army ROTC program.

BMI Cadet Officers in 1963

BMI Fencing team 1923

BMI Cadet have just drawn weapons, the M1 Garrand from the ROTC supply and arms room

BMI, a few of the many racks holding the M1 30 caliber Garrand rifles in the ROTC Supply and Arms Room

BMI Cadets marching from "Old Main" to the Landon Green Parade ground for a parade in review.

BMI Cadet in the study Hall which was large enough to seat he entire corps of Cadets.

Colonel Landon in 1931 with BMI, Class of 1929 George H. Chapman who is visiting from the USMA, West Point where He was a Cadet and graduated in the Class of 1933. He was a Lt. Colonel in WWII and received a Bronze Star medal.

Three Generations of Bradman's at BMI as Cadets and alter Officers in the US Armed Forces.

BMI, Training on BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) in 1934

Brigadier General Thomas D. Landon, longtime Commandant of BMI

BMI Commencement Parade June 6th 1934 which was just 10 years prior to the D Day invasion in Europe during WWII

Cadet Officers and NCOs, 1902, shown with hte Commandant Major Theodore D. Landon

BMI "Old Main" in 1902, building to hte right was the old Infimary before it was torn down for large addition to the Main building with classrooms a large study hall.

BMI Color Guard, 1935 era.

BMI Cadet at the Y hut canteen on campus, a place for the Cadets to relax, listen to the juke box, get something to eat or drink. socialize,