Off Duty

The Herdon Climb by RADM James McNeal, USN (Ret.) and Scott Tomasheski

Reviewed by LCDR Chip Lancaster, USN (Ret.)

“ Slowly and methodically the plebes began working together, and soon they began to understand the potential of a solidly engineered structure built from their own bodies.” This and much more is learned from McNeal’s and Tomasheski’s fine literary work. In a sparce 187 pages, we are given a unique look at an often-overlooked event. Herdon gives us this and much more, but first a little perspective.

I’m back in Annapolis for my 50-year reunion (yeah, I can’t believe it either) walking around the yard, that’s what they call it. The Academy Yard is a walking, talking history lesson going back some 250 years. From its amazing museum to monuments, artifacts and buildings to the brick paved walkways, one is literally walking through history. It’s history that you can literally reach out and touch or walk upon, feeling and sensing what midshipmen and officers did 175 years before. Down one meandering yard path through the lush green grass, bushes and hundred-year-old trees toward the entrance to the chapel, you come upon a rather plain nondescript 21-foot high obelisk with the word HERDON in raised block letters inscribed on it. The Herdon Monument is what McNeal’s and Tomasheski’s book is about.

Through thirteen chapters we are led from the source to one of the most recent events. We learn the background of CDR William Herdon and the events leading to his selfless act of command leadership that resulted in the monument dedicated to his heroism. Then, using a piecewise framework of an actual climb event, the next chapters take us through every part of the ceremony from preparing the monument to the formation and run to the climb itself. Each chapter frames circumstances and the young men and women midshipmen who took part in the event. From the climbs origins in the 1940s to present day, the authors tell us not only of the fastest and longest but of the preparations of the monument by the preceding class to defeat (or at least make it much more difficult) to successfully perform the climb and the switching of caps atop it. We are put into the midst of the throng of sweaty, muddy humanity with all the shoving, pushing, pummeling and pulling; a literal soaking wet crush of plebes trying to come together, building a pyramid to the top. We are also given heart rending but inspirational accounts such as the Bianchi’s and Dickmann’s stories. The Bianchi brothers, LT Robert ’83 and CDR Kevin, both helicopter pilots who died in service to their country, were the progeny of a proud Navy family of former and future service members leading to Kevin’s son, Chris ’19, who completed the climb and switched the caps ending his plebe year. And the story of MIDN Kristen Marie Dickmann ’11 who died in her sleep before the event with her classmates using her caps for the ceremony. She is buried in the Academy cemetery alongside such dignitaries as Senator John McCain and ADM James Stockdale.

James and Scott have given us a well written and fascinating account that both academy and non-academy members will find intriguing. It is especially personal to me as I knew Bob Bianchi when we were stationed together aboard the USNS Mercy as well as participating in the event at the end of my plebe year. I strongly recommend The Herndon Climb, check it out, you will not be disappointed. I also recommend visiting the Academy on Google Maps where you can take a virtual street-view walk around the yard. Enjoy the book and the tour.

About the Authors

James McNeal Rear Adm. James R. McNeal, SC, USN (Ret.) was born in Hawaii and raised in Southern California. The son of a 1962 USNA grad, he graduated from the Naval Academy in 1986. After six years on Active Duty in the Supply Corps, he transitioned into the Reserve component, retiring in 2017.

Scott Tomasheski Scott Tomasheski is a Los Angeles-based novelist and writer, author of three books in the TIME DEFENDERS series.