Marshall school officials chastise 2 Marines for wearing dress uniforms at graduation

Noe Hernandez | Battle Creek Enquirer

Marshall Public Schools Superintendent Randy Davis defended a school board member and his high school principal Monday after they chastised two Marines for wearing their dress uniforms to Sunday's commencement ceremony rather than caps and gowns.

In an email, Davis said the Marines were told "quite a while back" that they would have to wear their approved cap and gown to commencement after their families asked the district for permission to let the seniors walk onstage in their dress uniforms.

"They were told no exceptions could be made, but the principal offered three ways the school would honor and recognize their service to country," Davis said.

Marine spokesman 1st Lt. William Tunney on Tuesday identified the two Marines as Pfc. Willie Couch and Pfc. Samuel Hackworth. Neither Couch nor Hackworth could be reached for comment Tuesday.

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Marshall High School Principal Scott Hutchins, who could not be reached for comment Monday or Tuesday, offered to provide red-white-and-blue cords that the Marines could wear over their shoulders, similar to honors graduates, Davis said.

The district also offered to list their names in the graduation roster and program with a special notation for being Marines and to have a school official mention their rank when their names were called for their diplomas, Davis said.

Davis said the families declined. Hutchins still arranged for all three options to be in place in case the Marines changed their minds, he said.

The district sent a cap and gown to the home of one the Marines, and the second one picked up his cap and gown two hours before commencement.

"We were all surprised as we readied to begin the march when both graduates arrived wearing their dress uniforms," said Davis, who then gave the two Marines the OK to walk in uniforms so as not to disappoint their families.

"I told them, while I appreciate and respect their service, I was not happy about such a last minute decision to not follow our rules," he added.

Davis said the school board member, who he did not identify, congratulated the two Marines, but added "I am disappointed."

Hutchins also pulled the two Marines aside and thought it was a teachable moment for the two young men, Davis said.

"He first thanked them for their service and dedication to our country, and added 'I do not feel you acted honorably today by not following our rules," Davis said.

"He did this in private with the two graduates," he added. "Both were simply addressing the two graduates' decision to not follow the rules for commencement. Neither intended, nor acted, to disrespect these two young men for their honorable service in the Marines."

Davis said he has reached out to local military recruiters and veterans to see if recommendations exist under such circumstances for military personnel.

Tunney said the Marine Corps was aware of the alleged interaction between the principal, school board member and the two Marines.

The Marines, he said, do not have an official position on the interaction between the four men.

"The Marine Corps is proud to have Pfc. Willie Couch and Pfc. Samuel Hackworth among our ranks and appreciate their pride in wearing the uniform," Tunney said on Tuesday. "However, we recognize that there are policies in place which outline graduation dress codes.

"As high school graduations recognize the academic accomplishments of the class and the class's final chapter at that institution, the decision to allow individuals to wear their military uniform during graduation is at the discretion of the school," he added.

Contact Battle Creek Enquirer reporter Noe Hernandez at 269-966-0684 or nhernandez@battlecreekenquirer.com.