"The First Signature of a Five-Star General: MacArthur, Grant III, and 90 Future Leaders in the 1903 West Point Yearbook"

Encased in a timeworn yet stately black leather binding, this 1903 United States Military Academy (West Point) yearbook is a living archive of American military legacy. Gilt-embossed with the crest of the Academy and the bold date “1903,” the yearbook belonged to Cadet Scott Baker, whose name is imprinted in gold on the lower corner. Within its pages are over 90 authentic handwritten signatures of cadets—men who would go on to become generals, commanders, and even Olympians.

Among them are early signatures of two of the most historically significant military families in American history: Douglas MacArthur and Ulysses S. Grant III.

Douglas MacArthur’s signature in this book is the earliest example we have ever handled.  MacArthur graduated first in his class in 1903 and would go on to lead U.S. forces in the Pacific during World War II, serve as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers during the occupation of Japan, and hold the rank of General of the Army.

Equally compelling is the inclusion of Ulysses S. Grant III, grandson of President Ulysses S. Grant. Grant’s signature in this volume bears a striking resemblance to that of his grandfather—elegant, confident, and deeply evocative of the presidential hand that once signed the surrender of the Confederacy. A future major general in his own right, U.S. Grant III would serve in both World Wars and become a prominent city planner and public servant in the interwar years.

The signatures are penned beneath individual portraits taken by the Pach Brothers Studio, West Point’s official photographers, and the images are mounted on thick gray boards that have survived the passage of time with remarkable grace. The yearbook includes candid and formal photos alike, from group scenes of cadet camaraderie to drill formations, offering a vivid picture of daily life at West Point at the dawn of the 20th century. These young men graduated into a U.S. Army undergoing rapid modernization in the wake of the Spanish-American War, standing at the threshold between 19th-century tradition and the mechanized warfare that would define the 20th century.

Signed yearbooks from this era are exceedingly scarce, with most residing in museum or academy archives. The presence of over 90 autographs, including early signatures of two of the most storied military families in U.S. history, sets this example apart as an extraordinary artifact. For collectors, historians, or anyone passionate about the legacy of leadership, this 1903 West Point yearbook offers a rare chance to hold history in your hands.

Legacy in Ink: Comparing Ulysses S. Grant III to His Grandfather, President Ulysses S. Grant

One of the most captivating elements of this 1903 West Point yearbook is the handwritten signature of Ulysses S. Grant III, grandson of the Civil War General and 18th President of the United States. Not only does his presence in the Class of 1903 carry deep symbolic weight, but his signature provides a tangible connection between generations of American military leadership.

Below is a comparison of their signatures:

The similarities are striking. The smooth curvature of the “G,” the bold downstroke in “Grant,” and the confident flow of the pen reflect a shared family hand. While the grandson’s script carries a more modern cadence, the influence of his grandfather’s calligraphic style is unmistakable.

The U.S. Grant signature was sampled from a pardon which is currently available on the gallery! View it here:

Ulysses S. Grant Signed Presidential Pardon Order – PSA/DNA Certified Authentic Signature

Ulysses S. Grant III would go on to lead a distinguished military and public service career, serving in both World Wars and later becoming an influential figure in urban planning and historic preservation. His appearance in this yearbook, paired with such a strong visual echo of his grandfather’s autograph, underscores the continuity of American leadership from the battlefield at Appomattox to the emerging global power of the 20th century.