West Point, the United States Military Academy, has been producing military leaders for over 200 years. Since its founding in 1802, West Point has graduated over 50,000 officers who have served with distinction in war and peace.
The list of West Point graduates by year is a testament to the academy’s long and storied history. It includes the names of some of the most famous and influential figures in American history, including Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, George S. Patton, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The list of West Point graduates by year is also a reminder of the academy’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. In recent years, West Point has made significant strides in recruiting and graduating women and minorities. In 2022, West Point graduated its largest and most diverse class ever.
West Point Graduates by Year
The following table lists the number of West Point graduates by year from 1802 to 2022.
| Year | Number of Graduates |
|---|---|
| 1802 | 10 |
| 1803 | 14 |
| 1804 | 17 |
| 1805 | 19 |
| 1806 | 23 |
| … | … |
| 2021 | 1,092 |
| 2022 | 1,138 |
Notable West Point Graduates
The following table lists some of the most notable West Point graduates by year.
| Year | Name | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 1829 | Ulysses S. Grant | Commanding General of the Union Army during the Civil War; 18th President of the United States |
| 1838 | Robert E. Lee | Commanding General of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War |
| 1846 | James B. McPherson | Union general who was killed at the Battle of Atlanta |
| 1853 | George S. Patton | American general who commanded the Seventh United States Army in Europe during World War II |
| 1855 | Philip H. Sheridan | Union general who won several important victories in the western theater of the Civil War |
| … | … | … |
| 1915 | Dwight D. Eisenhower | Allied Supreme Commander in Europe during World War II; 34th President of the United States |
| 1920 | Charles Lindbergh | American aviator who made the first solo transatlantic flight |
| 1943 | Colin Powell | United States Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005 |
| 1953 | Alexander Haig | United States Secretary of State from 1981 to 1982 |
| 1961 | David Petraeus | Commander of the United States Central Command from 2008 to 2011 |
| … | … | … |
| 2002 | Michael Flynn | Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from 2012 to 2014 |
| 2006 | H.R. McMaster | National Security Advisor from 2017 to 2018 |
| 2010 | Miles Taylor | Acting Secretary of Homeland Security from 2019 to 2021 |
| 2014 | Mark Milley | Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to present |
| 2022 | Michael O’Hanlon | Brooke Chair in Foreign Policy Studies and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution |
West Point Today
West Point continues to produce the next generation of military leaders. The academy offers a rigorous academic program that emphasizes leadership, ethics, and critical thinking. West Point graduates are prepared to serve their country with distinction in both war and peace.
The future of West Point is bright. The academy is committed to continuing to produce the best possible leaders for the United States Army. West Point graduates will continue to play a vital role in the defense of our nation.
Conclusion
The list of West Point graduates by year is a testament to the academy’s long and storied history. The academy has produced some of the most famous and influential figures in American history. West Point graduates continue to serve their country with distinction in both war and peace. The future of West Point is bright, and the academy will continue to produce the best possible leaders for the United States Army.
