The plans for the 1942 game were, to put it mildly, surreal. First, there was a debate in Congress as to whether the game should be played at all. There was precedent. The Army-Navy games were cancelled in 1917 and 1918 due to World War I. But President Franklin D. Roosevelt prevailed and felt it was important for the morale of not only the Cadets and Midshipmen but for the country at large to have the game go on. Still, there were obstacles to overcome. The nation was indeed on a war footing and all kinds of items were being rationed, including gasoline. So it was decided that the game would not be held at a large stadium as they had been in past years but this time at Thompson Field at Annapolis, Maryland. That would cut down on the crowds. It was additionally decided that those not living within a 10-mide radius of the stadium would not be allowed to come. The only exceptions were to naval academy employees, girlfriends of midshipmen, and the 210 accredited members of the press. Even Navy’s players had to apply in order to be at the game. Incredibly, Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the President, wasn’t allowed to attend because she lived too far away – in the White House. Finally, it was decided that the Corps of Cadets at West Point couldn’t attend. Who would be left to cheer for the Army? The answer was the Navy! Orders came down that the third and fourth year Midshipmen were to sit behind the Army bench and cheer for that team. This even involved two of the Navy cheerleaders traveling to West Point to learn the Army cheers and songs. So, on the afternoon of November 28, 1942 only 11,700 showed up to watch the game – the lowest crowd to ever see an Army-Navy game sine 1893.
As to the action on the field, it was violent. With the pressure, excitement and dangers of the war the tension was at a breaking point. Steam had to be let off and it was! There were crushing hits, outright punches to the jaw, and tripping and kicking at every chance. At one point time-out was called so one of Army’s players could try and find his missing teeth in the grass. Keep in mind that all of the sophisticated protection afforded to players today didn’t exist in 1942. It was raw football. Again, Army played its heart out but Navy won 14-0.