About Bill Taylor Expertise I can answer questions about admissions to West Point; about the history of West Point; about how to travel to West Point, where to eat, where to stay, etc.; and about West Point`s alumni organization, the West Point Association of Graduates.
Experience I am a 1970 Graduate of West Point. I served six years on active duty and another 8 years in the active reserve. I have been actively involved as a Field Admissions Representative for over 15 years and have participated on my Congressman's Academy Selection Panel for over 20 years. I am actively involved in West Point Alumni affairs, serving in roles both with the West Point Association of Graduates and the local alumni chapter in Annapolis, MD. I also have two sons who graduated from West Point in 1995 and 2001. Both are veterans of the Iraq war and continue to serve on Active Duty in the Army.
I hope you can help me to find out some info on my Grandfather.
I dont have alot of info on him but I will try give you as much details as possible.
My Grandfather's name is Mike Randall. Apparently he went to Westpoint academy before WW11. He served in the US army and was based in Salisbury England around 1942 - 1945. He met with my Grandmother Eveline Connor from Ireland who was serving in the British army at the time. The got married and my Grandmother got pregnant. During this time Eveline found out he was married already and his wife was back in the states. Anyway appartenly Mike was booted out of the army and sent packing. Eveline and Mike never met again. My mother as born in Ireland and given up for adoption. Later she traced her mother (Eveline Connor) - Long story but I have been trying so hard for really long time to get more information on Mike Randall or Michael Randall - Not sure if spelling is correct? I'm told that he as a captain in the army or airforce not sure which!!
I really hope you can check this for me it's all I have to go on as my Grandmother (Eveline) is deceased.
I would love to get more info on Mike for my mothers sake.
Look forward to your reply,
Regards,
Adrian Mahon, Ireland
ANSWER: Hi, Adrian, it's good to hear from you. Thanks for your interest in West Point.
My primary reference to answer your question is the "Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the US Military Academy," published annually by the West Point Association of Graduates. In researching the "Register" I have unfortunately found no graduate or former cadet (was admitted but did not graduate) with the last name "Randall", let alone the first name "Mike" or "Michael", who fits your criteria. Here is the entire list with last name "Randall":
Last Name: Randall
Graduates
Randall, Anthony P 1996
Randall, Howard W 1961
Randall, James R 1954
Randall, Joseph Patrick 2008
Randall, Kimberly A 1987
Randall, Kip B 2006
Randall, Robert D 1956
Randall, Robert D MacG 19432
Randall, Russell E 1925
Randall, Timothy K 2001
Former Cadets
Randall, Charles D 1885
Randall, Charles R 1990
Randall, Frederick D 1840
Randall, George F 1987
Randall, Michael J 1964
Randall, Richard G 1947
Randall, Robert R 1996
Randall, Roger W 1964
Randall, Welcome B 1868
Given the time frame of 1942 to 1945 he would have had to graduate sometime between around 1930 and 1940. As you can see from the list above there are no graduates or former cadets who fit that criteria. Russell Randall from the Class of 1925 would have been a little too old I think, and his bio shows that he was a Brigader General in 1942 serving in the Canal Zone, and later in the Far East; never in Europe. The only other graduate even close is Robert D MacGregor Randall who graduated in June 1943. He is listed above as "19432" as there were TWO graduating classes in 1942 due to wartime demands for officers. (There was a January 1943 graduation listed as "19431".) He served in the European Theater but not until 1944-1945 as a pilot in the 8th Air Force
I'm sorry this isn't more helpful to you. Maybe there is a different spelling of his last name, or more likely the "West Point" part of his story was another fabrication along with concealing his wife in the USA. If you come up with any other threads that might be followed, please don't hesitate to submit a follow-up question.
Good luck in your quest.
Best Regards,
Bill Taylor
Gambrills, MD
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Bill,
Many thanks for your reply.
I know the information I gave you before was a little sketchy and it's difficult to get correct details.
We are pretty sure that Mike/Michael Randall/Randell was based in Salisbury military (Hospital) base in England around 1943 - 1945. We are also pretty sure that he was a Captain in the US military. Apparently he was court Marshalled and sent back to the states around End of 1944 or early 1945. We are told that he had a ring not sure if it was a captains ring or a military graduation ring?? Is there any way you can check the information above to see if this is correct?
Kind regards,
Adrian Mahon
Adrian
Answer Hi again, Adrian. Thanks for the additional information.
Unfortunately there is only one graduate or former cadet with the last name spelled "Randell" and "Theodore Randell" graduated in 1809!
The "ring" referred to in family lore could be from one of the other military colleges, such as VMI or the Citadel. I'm afraid this is not much help, but I believe that the West Point connection has been exhausted at this point with the information you have.
Thanks for asking your excellent questions. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. Good luck in your continued quest to find your grandfather.
