Scope and Contents Richard C. Niess is a member of the VMI Class of 1944. The collection consists of a typescript reminiscence, written in 1986, of life at VMI during World War II: "Recollections of a VMI Cadet; The Early War Years 7 December 1941-Jan 1944." Also order and other miscellaneous items, 1943-1944, concerning Niess's cadetship.