Lebanon, TN — From 1941 to 1944, more than 850,000 soldiers from 25 U.S. Army divisions participated in seven large-scale maneuvers across 22 counties in Middle Tennessee - deadly serious war games (250 soldiers and civilians died during the training) to prepare for the war in the European and Pacific theaters.

Cumberland University, which served as 2nd Army field headquarters for those massive exercises, wants to award honorary Master of Military Arts degrees in May to as many of the soldiers from the Maneuvers as it can find.

"The simulated combat in Middle Tennessee was a critical element in the Allied victory in World War II," said Cumberland University President Dr. Harvill Eaton. "What soldiers learned here, as they engaged in rigorous corps-level exercises, was an important part of their education for their overseas combat assignments. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the 2nd Army Maneuvers Field Headquarters moving to our campus ... we will award the honorary degrees in a special 'Remembrance and Respect' celebration."

Eaton said the university plans to host the event and confer the degrees on May 8, 2012. The date - the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day - is significant because 22 of the 25 U.S. Army divisions that rained in the Tennessee Maneuvers fought in the European theater.

"We have titled our commemoration 'Remembrance and Respect - Cumberland University Honors the Veterans of the World War II Tennessee Maneuvers' because it's important for us to remember how Cumberland University and Middle Tennessee contributed to the Allied victory," Eaton noted. "But, more importantly, we want to pay our respects to the men who trained here and fought with such skill and tenacity.

"We're hopeful that many veterans will be able to attend the May 8 event on our campus," he continued. "We're planning a variety of interactive displays that will allow the veterans to see and touch a large assortment of vehicles and equipment they used, to hear music from that era, to be in the company of other soldiers who shared their wartime experiences, to see World War II re-enactors, and - most of all - to be honored by Middle Tennesseans who recognize and appreciate their sacrifices and service. Those who are unable to attend can, of course, receive their degrees by mail."

Veterans who trained in the Tennessee Maneuvers but are unable to attend the ceremonies may contact Cumberland University at 615-547-1387 or by e-mailing veterans@cumberland.edu. To apply for the honorary degree online, click here.

The seven large-scale Tennessee Maneuvers involved the following divisions:

2nd Armored – June, 1941

4th Armored – September – November, 1942

5th Armored – April – June, 1943

5th Infantry – June, 1941

6th Infantry – September - November, 1942

8th Infantry – September - November, 1942

10th Armored – July – August, 1943

12th Armored – September – November, 1943

14th Armored – November, 1943 – January, 1944

17th Airborne – January – March, 1944

26th Infantry – January – March, 1944

27th Infantry – June, 1941

30th Infantry – (Participated twice) June, 1941 and September-November, 1943

35th Infantry – November, 1943 – January, 1944

78th Infantry – January – March, 1944

79th Infantry – September – November, 1943

80th Infantry – July – August, 1943

81st Infantry – September – November, 1943

83rd Infantry – July – August, 1943

87th Infantry – November, 1943 – January, 1944

94th Infantry – September – November, 1943

98th Infantry – September – November, 1943

100th Infantry – November, 1943 – January, 1944

101st Airborne – (Participated twice) – April – June and July – August, 1943

106th Infantry – January – March, 1944