History

Photo Gallery

History

(As told by Bob Seyle ‘47)

Here is the complete scoop for the formative period of Spider D:

J. T. (Spider) Westbrook ‘45 was the son of a Texas Ranger from Menard, TX. Bear in mind that these were war years and the classes were all messed up. A & M was on a trimester basis–3 four-month periods per year. Therefore it was possible (if you were smart enough) that a 4-year course would be completed in 2 years- 8 months—so a cadet progressed rapidly up the campus pecking order. In the summer of 1944, Spider (a jock swabber) was given command of Co D infantry (a new outfit) and told to man it with cadets of his choosing. We were quartered in old Mitchell hall (now gone) next to the YMCA bldg. One night after chow, Jimmy Henderson (deceased), his cousin Curtis Henderson, and myself were sitting on the steps of Mitchell, and Jimmy remarked that the outfit needed a nickname and he proposed the name “spiders”. I told him it was a dumb name–who wanted to be a damn spider? But he persisted since our CO was named “Spider Westbrook”—–and that’s how it all began.

The beginning of Spider D begins well before the actual creation of D-1. In 1944 J.T Westbrook, or as others knew him “Spider”, was given command of Infantry Company D. Soon thereafter the Company decided to take on the only fitting name for a company under such a commander, and adopted his nickname to the company as they became known as the Spiders. However this beginning of Spider D was sporadic and short lived as after 1945 Infantry Company D phased in and out of existence. Seemingly skipping a year in 1947 and then disappearing from the scene again from 1952 to return in 1954, only then to be put to rest in 1957.

The end of Infantry Company D was not however the end of the Spiders. In the fall of 1959 the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, under the presidency of James Earl Rudder, reorganized its ranks into individual outfits. By combining cadets from A Transportation, A Armor, and B Ordnance, D-1, or Spider D, as it is now known was officially born.

Assigned to the 1^st Battle Group of the 1^st Brigade, Spider D was first commanded by Tarry L. Blackburn 60’. From then on the Old Army Spider Company continued to grow and represent the valued traditions of Texas A&M. In 1963 the freshman class managed to find an old sign from Spider Infantry Company D hidden in the basement of dorm 17. The fish took the sign as their own and based it as the logo for Spider D that is still in use today. In fact that very sign hangs in the hallway, alone and sacred, of the Old Army Spider Company. Few have earned the right to approach the sign as it hangs on the wall representing the timeless values of the past, present, and future Spiders.

Another unique characteristic of Spider D is their wildcat. Instead of settling for simply yelling “AAAA” as they run onto the quadrangle, fish in D-1 sound off with “RANGEE.” The word rangee was coined by the Spiders in the 1960’s, when an upperclassman asked a fish what sound does a Spider make, he quickly responded with rangee, referring to the sound that a spider creates as it hangs on its web. This wildcat is widely recognized in the Corps, but few know its meaning, as it is resounded in every corner of the quadrangle.

In 1969, to the dismay of many, the Company Spider D was disbanded. For 27 years the Old Army Spider Company slept. During that time some tried to recreate D-1 as Devil D, 1^st Brigade 2^nd Battalion. And the medical outfit M-2, 1^st Regiment 6^th Battalion, adopted the name Spider M. But as these outfits tried to soak in the former glory of what was Spider D, the true last of the redass lay quiet. It wasn’t until 1995 that the Jocks of company E-1 split, with those wanting to maintain athleticism staying in E-1 and the good ol’ boys who cared about tradition decided to reinstate D-1, and restore it to its former glory as Spider D.

Then on November 18, 1999 at 2:41 AM Tragedy struck Aggieland, and the hearts of all Spiders past and present, when the Bonfire stack collapsed killing twelve students, including Jeremy Richard Framton. Jeremy was a class of 1999 psychology major at Texas A&M, but more than that Jeremy Framton was a Spider, one of the last of the redass. Jeremy had been a brown pot working on the Bonfire up until that fateful night. Those who knew him said that he loved Bonfire, the Corps, and Spider D.

Although the Aggie tradition of Bonfire has not burned since that fateful night, Spiders remember the love of life that Jeremy so dear. As Spiders go to the Bonfire Memorial on November 18 each year, they remember to live life to its fullest. As Jeremy wrote at the age of 17 in a poem entitled the Purpose of Life; “Take whatever there is and make the most, and if there is nothing, make your own, and while you are loving to live, a reason will become, and a purpose will appear, making all the more reason to go on.” Jeremy had a purpose, and knew how to live life to the fullest. As Spiders remember Jeremy, they remember not only the grief of loss but the joy of life.

In 2002, In order to honor Jeremy Framton and the other 11 fallen Aggies, the Spiders wore their bonfire pots, helmets that are painted by each person and worn while constructing the Bonfire, to the march-in for the football game against the University of Texas. The Spiders marched proudly out of uniform as the displayed their love for the fallen and Bonfire and gain closure from the tragedy. In response to the violation of protocol, the entire senior class had their boots taken away from them for 8 months. Spiders never did care to follow rules but to do things right, as the old Spider D marching song went, “Spider D is like dynamite, We always give ‘em a hell of a fight. And we don’t give a damn ‘cause, We’re from Spider D.

Spiders represent the ideals of honor and courage long after the leave the halls of Texas A&M. Many go on to courageously serve their country as officers in the United States Military. One such notable Spider is Luther Sanders. Sanders commissioned into the United States Marines after graduating from Texas A&M. Sanders then served in Vietnam where he conducted himself courageously in the line of fire during the battle which has become known as Hamburger Hill.

As a Lieutenant in 9^th Marine Regiment, Sanders was in command of D-company of the 3/182^nd. His company was tasked along with three other companies to take the hill Dong Ap Bia, or as it was later known, Hamburger Hill. Along the way Sanders and his men experiences heavy enemy fire. Several of his men were hit and Sanders ordered for a Medevac. As the helicopter approached Sanders advised the pilot to wait till him and his men could clear the treetops of enemy fire. But the pilot, desperately wanting to evacuate the wounded as quickly as possible hovered over the creek bed in which they were pinned and lower a rescue basket.

The first man was being raised up to the helicopter when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the main rotor. The helicopter fell from to the ground instantly killing the wounded private in the rescue basket and several of the crew. Sanders watched in horror as he now had seven wounded and seven dead. Sanders had to push on, carrying the wounded and leaving the dead to be recovered at a later time. The fighting was slow and deadly. Snipers made movement almost impossible as it took the company about thirty minutes to move thirty feet sometimes climbing sheer cliff along the way. By late afternoon Alpha Company was able to relieve the battered troops but not until after suffering heavy casualties.

Despite the losses Delta Company continued to push up the hill along with Alpha Company the following days until at last the hill had been taken. Despite Sanders being wounded he had courageously led his company to victory. Sanders was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds and heroism. Luther Sanders is the definition of what Spiders are made of. When faced with harrowing opposition Sanders led his men on to victory. Despite being faced with death, this Spider achieved victory.

Spider D exemplifies the honor and values of Texas A&M. With it’s unique history and traditions, Spider D has produced many fine men who have gone on to live extraordinary lives of service, honor, and faith. Old Army Spider Company is exactly the type of unit based upon solid principle which has and will continue to serve for many years to come. Spider D, Blast From The Past, Last of the Redass, Best Damn Outfit in History!

	Home About Us About the Corps of Cadets Academics Current D-1 Cadets Former D-1 Cadets History Physical Training Join D-1 About Joining D-1 Events Multimedia Photo Gallery Video Gallery Resources Useful Links Contact Us Contact the Corps Chain of Command
	Photo Gallery History (As told by Bob Seyle ‘47) Here is the complete scoop for the formative period of Spider D: J. T. (Spider) Westbrook ‘45 was the son of a Texas Ranger from Menard, TX. Bear in mind that these were war years and the classes were all messed up. A & M was on a trimester basis–3 four-month periods per year. Therefore it was possible (if you were smart enough) that a 4-year course would be completed in 2 years- 8 months—so a cadet progressed rapidly up the campus pecking order. In the summer of 1944, Spider (a jock swabber) was given command of Co D infantry (a new outfit) and told to man it with cadets of his choosing. We were quartered in old Mitchell hall (now gone) next to the YMCA bldg. One night after chow, Jimmy Henderson (deceased), his cousin Curtis Henderson, and myself were sitting on the steps of Mitchell, and Jimmy remarked that the outfit needed a nickname and he proposed the name “spiders”. I told him it was a dumb name–who wanted to be a damn spider? But he persisted since our CO was named “Spider Westbrook”—–and that’s how it all began. The beginning of Spider D begins well before the actual creation of D-1. In 1944 J.T Westbrook, or as others knew him “Spider”, was given command of Infantry Company D. Soon thereafter the Company decided to take on the only fitting name for a company under such a commander, and adopted his nickname to the company as they became known as the Spiders. However this beginning of Spider D was sporadic and short lived as after 1945 Infantry Company D phased in and out of existence. Seemingly skipping a year in 1947 and then disappearing from the scene again from 1952 to return in 1954, only then to be put to rest in 1957. The end of Infantry Company D was not however the end of the Spiders. In the fall of 1959 the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, under the presidency of James Earl Rudder, reorganized its ranks into individual outfits. By combining cadets from A Transportation, A Armor, and B Ordnance, D-1, or Spider D, as it is now known was officially born. Assigned to the 1^st Battle Group of the 1^st Brigade, Spider D was first commanded by Tarry L. Blackburn 60’. From then on the Old Army Spider Company continued to grow and represent the valued traditions of Texas A&M. In 1963 the freshman class managed to find an old sign from Spider Infantry Company D hidden in the basement of dorm 17. The fish took the sign as their own and based it as the logo for Spider D that is still in use today. In fact that very sign hangs in the hallway, alone and sacred, of the Old Army Spider Company. Few have earned the right to approach the sign as it hangs on the wall representing the timeless values of the past, present, and future Spiders. Another unique characteristic of Spider D is their wildcat. Instead of settling for simply yelling “AAAA” as they run onto the quadrangle, fish in D-1 sound off with “RANGEE.” The word rangee was coined by the Spiders in the 1960’s, when an upperclassman asked a fish what sound does a Spider make, he quickly responded with rangee, referring to the sound that a spider creates as it hangs on its web. This wildcat is widely recognized in the Corps, but few know its meaning, as it is resounded in every corner of the quadrangle. In 1969, to the dismay of many, the Company Spider D was disbanded. For 27 years the Old Army Spider Company slept. During that time some tried to recreate D-1 as Devil D, 1^st Brigade 2^nd Battalion. And the medical outfit M-2, 1^st Regiment 6^th Battalion, adopted the name Spider M. But as these outfits tried to soak in the former glory of what was Spider D, the true last of the redass lay quiet. It wasn’t until 1995 that the Jocks of company E-1 split, with those wanting to maintain athleticism staying in E-1 and the good ol’ boys who cared about tradition decided to reinstate D-1, and restore it to its former glory as Spider D. Then on November 18, 1999 at 2:41 AM Tragedy struck Aggieland, and the hearts of all Spiders past and present, when the Bonfire stack collapsed killing twelve students, including Jeremy Richard Framton. Jeremy was a class of 1999 psychology major at Texas A&M, but more than that Jeremy Framton was a Spider, one of the last of the redass. Jeremy had been a brown pot working on the Bonfire up until that fateful night. Those who knew him said that he loved Bonfire, the Corps, and Spider D. Although the Aggie tradition of Bonfire has not burned since that fateful night, Spiders remember the love of life that Jeremy so dear. As Spiders go to the Bonfire Memorial on November 18 each year, they remember to live life to its fullest. As Jeremy wrote at the age of 17 in a poem entitled the Purpose of Life; “Take whatever there is and make the most, and if there is nothing, make your own, and while you are loving to live, a reason will become, and a purpose will appear, making all the more reason to go on.” Jeremy had a purpose, and knew how to live life to the fullest. As Spiders remember Jeremy, they remember not only the grief of loss but the joy of life. In 2002, In order to honor Jeremy Framton and the other 11 fallen Aggies, the Spiders wore their bonfire pots, helmets that are painted by each person and worn while constructing the Bonfire, to the march-in for the football game against the University of Texas. The Spiders marched proudly out of uniform as the displayed their love for the fallen and Bonfire and gain closure from the tragedy. In response to the violation of protocol, the entire senior class had their boots taken away from them for 8 months. Spiders never did care to follow rules but to do things right, as the old Spider D marching song went, “Spider D is like dynamite, We always give ‘em a hell of a fight. And we don’t give a damn ‘cause, We’re from Spider D. Spiders represent the ideals of honor and courage long after the leave the halls of Texas A&M. Many go on to courageously serve their country as officers in the United States Military. One such notable Spider is Luther Sanders. Sanders commissioned into the United States Marines after graduating from Texas A&M. Sanders then served in Vietnam where he conducted himself courageously in the line of fire during the battle which has become known as Hamburger Hill. As a Lieutenant in 9^th Marine Regiment, Sanders was in command of D-company of the 3/182^nd. His company was tasked along with three other companies to take the hill Dong Ap Bia, or as it was later known, Hamburger Hill. Along the way Sanders and his men experiences heavy enemy fire. Several of his men were hit and Sanders ordered for a Medevac. As the helicopter approached Sanders advised the pilot to wait till him and his men could clear the treetops of enemy fire. But the pilot, desperately wanting to evacuate the wounded as quickly as possible hovered over the creek bed in which they were pinned and lower a rescue basket. The first man was being raised up to the helicopter when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the main rotor. The helicopter fell from to the ground instantly killing the wounded private in the rescue basket and several of the crew. Sanders watched in horror as he now had seven wounded and seven dead. Sanders had to push on, carrying the wounded and leaving the dead to be recovered at a later time. The fighting was slow and deadly. Snipers made movement almost impossible as it took the company about thirty minutes to move thirty feet sometimes climbing sheer cliff along the way. By late afternoon Alpha Company was able to relieve the battered troops but not until after suffering heavy casualties. Despite the losses Delta Company continued to push up the hill along with Alpha Company the following days until at last the hill had been taken. Despite Sanders being wounded he had courageously led his company to victory. Sanders was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds and heroism. Luther Sanders is the definition of what Spiders are made of. When faced with harrowing opposition Sanders led his men on to victory. Despite being faced with death, this Spider achieved victory. Spider D exemplifies the honor and values of Texas A&M. With it’s unique history and traditions, Spider D has produced many fine men who have gone on to live extraordinary lives of service, honor, and faith. Old Army Spider Company is exactly the type of unit based upon solid principle which has and will continue to serve for many years to come. Spider D, Blast From The Past, Last of the Redass, Best Damn Outfit in History!