Does anyone know of a situation in which a cadet or midshipman were involved in combat or better yet took command of a unit?

SPC Nicholas Hord — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 02:52:23 -0400

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Aug 24 at 2021 3:35 AM

1LT William Clardy — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 03:35:08 -0400

William Cox was famously convicted of being away from his post while taking his mortally wounded captain below decks during a battle. All the other officers had been killed or incapacitated, so command passed to Cox.
https://military.wikia.org/wiki/William_Sitgreaves_Cox

William Sitgreaves Cox

William Sitgreaves Cox (1790–1874) was a third lieutenant serving on USS Chesapeake during the War of 1812. During the battle with HMS Shannon in 1813, Cox served below decks in charge of a gun crew. When his crew abandoned their post, Cox went to the deck to continue fighting. Captain James Lawrence was wounded, and Lt. Cox took him below deck. However, all other officers had been seriously wounded or killed, so Lawrence's incapacitation left...

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Aug 24 at 2021 9:31 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 09:31:20 -0400

VMI Cadets at Battle of New Market.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Aug 24 at 2021 9:40 AM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 09:40:59 -0400

Everyone will of course mention New Market. The only other incident I'm aware of involves a U.S. Midshipman who led a mutiny in the early 1800s and was hanged. I've also come across the story of a Mid who ended up being challenged to a duel by a British officer... a noted duelist. As it turned out, none other than Stephen Decatur (my personal hero) heard about the duel... and insisted on taking the Mid's place. The Englishmen quickly withdrew his challenge when Decatur offered his terms that the duel take place over the width of a handkerchief.