The Fort Lee Letters (1959) | Coach Don McCool

The Fort Lee Letters

Before the championships in Northern Virginia, there was a soldier. In 1959, Specialist Donald S. McCool played for the Fort Lee Travellers, the U.S. Army Quartermaster Training Command basketball team that finished the season an astonishing 50–4. These two original letters, one from his commanding general and the enclosed letter from The Quartermaster General of the Army, survive in the family's papers, and they are reproduced here in full.

QUARTERMASTER TRAINING COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
FORT LEE, VIRGINIA

13 April 1959

SP-4 Donald S. McCool
Co B, 1st Bn, QMSR
Fort Lee, Virginia

Dear McCool:

The receipt of the attached letter from Major General McNamara, The Quartermaster General, praising the record of this year’s Fort Lee basketball team, afforded me one of the most pleasant experiences of my tour as Commanding General, Quartermaster Training Command. Such letters speak most highly of the fine teamwork, cooperation, and individual efforts of each member of the team. In addition to the laudatory letter from The Quartermaster General, it affords me the greatest pleasure to present this letter, which is only a small token of my appreciation, to you.

The basketball season, just completed, has been one of the most successful in the history of Fort Lee. The record of fifty wins as compared to four losses is indeed an achievement of which the members of the team, the coaches, and this command can be justly proud. While “winning the game” is always a most satisfying feeling, and certainly a powerful motivation in any sport, still, the distinguishing characteristics of this year’s team have been the spirit of sportsmanship and teamwork constantly demonstrated by each member throughout the season—winning or losing. At no time, in any game, did I notice a member of the team lose his temper, even when the decision may have been close and there may have been grounds for doubt as to its fairness. At the same time, each member of the team constantly displayed exemplary conduct and conducted himself as a gentleman at all times, thereby reflecting the greatest credit on the military service, the Quartermaster Corps, this Command, and himself individually. As for teamwork, I attribute the highly successful season to the fact that teamwork appeared to be the unwritten theme underlying each play and no individual team member played for his glory, but always for the welfare of the team as a whole.

Your individual efforts have contributed greatly to a great and memorable team that will long be remembered and praised at Fort Lee as one of our finest. Your efforts have also afforded us many exciting and enjoyable games which generated great enthusiasm and accompanying high morale. The entire command joins me in expressing our appreciation and thanks to you, to the team, and to your coaches, for your genuine and outstanding efforts.

Sincerely,
ALFRED B. DENNISTON
Major General, USA
Commanding

Incl
Ltr TQMG

HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.

8 April 1959

Major General A. B. Denniston, USA
Commanding General
QM Training Command
Fort Lee, Virginia

Dear Denny:

With the close of the current basketball season, I would like to compliment and congratulate you, the coaches and the players of the Fort Lee Travellers on a remarkable and enviable record.

I have followed the team’s efforts with a great deal of interest and enthusiasm and feel that their record of 50 wins against only 4 losses speaks for itself. Few teams anywhere—college, independent, or professional—can claim such a record. It is one in which the coaches, players, and loyal supporters alike can be justifiably proud.

What the record does not show, however, is that the last 16 games were played without the services of three, and part of the time four, star players who were selected for the All-Army tryouts. The fact that 14 of these last 16 games were won, including the Second Army Championship, makes the record even more remarkable.

The selection of so many players from a single team for the All-Army tryouts and the overall record of the team are indications of the proficiency of individual players, the high caliber of basketball played, and the competitive spirit essential to winning under adverse circumstances.

The record of this fine team has done much to maintain the prestige and esprit de corps of the Quartermaster Corps. I thank them for their valuable contribution.

Sincerely,
A. T. McNAMARA
Major General, USA
The Quartermaster General

The Fort Lee Letters

From the Commanding General, to SP-4 McCool

The Enclosure: from The Quartermaster General

Why These Letters Matter