On July 20, 1969, 53 years ago today, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin touched down in the Sea of Tranquility, becoming the first humans ever to land on the Moon. A year later, Armstrong gave an oral thesis defense for his master’s in aeronautical engineering at USC. He passed. There is a statue of Armstrong at USC. Continue reading A Big USC-Flavored Anniversary

It’s the Fourth of July and that means time to run this wonderful color photo of the fireworks show at the Coliseum in 1964, that even lit up Mudd Hall and the USC campus. The Mudd Hall Bell Tower was used in the 1923 version of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” And here’s a photo from the 1957 Coliseum fireworks show. Continue reading Happy Fourth Of July!

USC baseball used to play some games at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, like this game vs. Cal in 1937. Don’t ask me why, but in 1936, the USC football team stopped in Dallas to visit the Texas Centennial Exposition. In the picture below, USC coach Howard Jones (in suit) sports a 10-gallon hat with his players. The guy without a hat is Braven Dyer, … Continue reading USC Sunday Supplement

Who remembers the Golden Cock Inn in San Gabriel? It was part of the Clearman’s restaurants and the old location is where the Galley and North Woods Inn are still open on Rosemead Blvd. and Huntington Dr. The waiting area had the circular fireplace in the center. Continue reading Time For Another Restaurant Break

Today is a good day to learn about Captain Ben L. Salomon, a graduate of the USC dental school, who served as a dentist-and-then-surgeon during World War II. Salomon was at Saipan in the Marianas Island when his aid station came under attack. From the Congressional Medal of Honor citation: “Firing from a squatting position, Captain Salomon quickly killed the enemy soldier. Then, as he … Continue reading A USC Memorial Day Story

This is a coincidence I never expected this weekend. I saw an episode of Star Trek and a member of the crew was a guy I recognized from several Twilight Zone episodes but didn’t know his name. I didn’t think it would go farther than that. But today I was looking at some old USC photos and I see the same face. So I do … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: Time To Appreciate Another Trojan