25th ANNUAL RANGER HALL OF FAME - WordPress.com · 6/28/2017 · 2 3rd 25th ANNUAL RANGER HALL OF...
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2
3rd
25th ANNUAL
RANGER HALL OF FAME
JUNE 28, 2017
FORT BENNING
GEORGIA
RANGER MEMORIAL
Dedicated To All Rangers
Past, Present, & Future
Fort Benning, Georgia
United States Army
Ranger Hall of Fame
25th Annual Induction Ceremony
June 28, 2017
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Airborne Rangers of the Korean War
75th Ranger Regiment Association
Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, The National Ranger Association
75th Ranger Regiment, The Ranger Regiment Association
United States Army Ranger Association
World Wide Army Ranger Association
SELECTION COMMITTEE
President - GEN (RET) William F. Kernan
Commander, ARTB - COL Douglas G. Vincent
Commander, 75th RGR RGT - COL Marcus S. Evans
CSM, ARTB - CSM Victor A. Ballesteros
CSM, 75th RGR RGT - CSM Craig A. Bishop
Airborne Rangers of the Korean War Association
75th Ranger Regiment Association
United States Army Ranger Association
World Wide Army Ranger Association
The members of the Ranger Hall of Fame Selection Board are proud to introduce the 2017 Ranger Hall of
Fame inductees.
The Ranger Hall of Fame began to honor and preserve the spirit and contributions of America’s most ex-
traordinary Rangers in 1992. The members of the Ranger Hall of Fame Selection Board take meticulous care to
ensure that only the most extraordinary Rangers earn induction, a difficult mission given the high caliber of all nom-
inees. Their precepts are impartiality, fairness, and scrutiny.
Select Ranger Units and associations representing each era of Ranger history impartially nominate induc-
tees. The Selection Board scrutinizes each nominee to ensure only the most extraordinary contributions receive
acknowledgement.
Each Ranger association and U.S. Army MACOM may submit a maximum of 3 nominations per year. Med-
al of Honor recipients, if qualified for the Ranger Hall of Fame, will be inducted without regard to quota.
Selection criteria is as unique as our Ranger history. Eligibility for selection to the Hall of Fame includes the
following: a person must be deceased or have been separated or retired from active military service for at least
three years at the time of the nomination. He must have served in a Ranger unit in combat or be a successful grad-
uate of the U.S. Army Ranger School. A Ranger unit is defined as an Army unit recognized in Ranger lineage or
history. Achievement or service may be considered for individuals in a position in state or national government af-
ter the Ranger has departed the Armed Forces.
Honorary induction may be conferred on individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Ranger
units, the Ranger foundation, or the Ranger community in general, but who do not meet the normal criteria of com-
bat service with a Ranger unit or graduation from the U.S. Army Ranger School.
The 2017 Selection Board published the nomination criteria and accepted nominations. Nominations were
accepted from the Army at large and nominations were also accepted from the following Ranger associations:
a. Airborne Rangers of the Korean War
b. The 75th Ranger Regiment Association, Inc.
c. United States Army Ranger Association, Inc.
d. The Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade (The National Ranger Association)
e. The 75th Ranger Regiment (The Ranger Regiment Association)
f. World Wide Army Ranger Association.
On behalf of the 2017 Nominating Committee and Selection Board, we would like to extend our congratula-
tions to the Ranger Hall of Fame Inductees. These inductees represent some of the most extraordinary Rangers in
the history of our nation.
Their seemingly endless list of significant contributions, selfless sacrifice, loyal service, and profound char-
acter stands as examples to all professionals. They are a tremendous source of pride and inspiration to us all.
RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!
Each inductee is presented with the specially cast bronze Ranger Hall of Fame medallion,
suspended from a red, white, and blue ribbon. The medallion was designed and drawn by Mr. C.J.
(Duke) DuShane, 1997 Ranger Hall of Fame Inductee, who served in combat with Company P, 75th
Infantry (Ranger) during the Vietnam War. The eagle represents strength and in Native American
lore symbolizes the warrior. The United States flag represents the proud commitment to our country.
The arrows show resolve and the readiness to fight and defend the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The eagle flies over the Ranger Memorial acknowledging
the courageous and selfless contributions of past Rangers to their country, to the United States
Armed Forces, and to the proud tradition of today’s Rangers. The laurel wreath represents the
Ranger’s competitive spirit and will to succeed, regardless of the challenge. The Fairbairn-Sykes
Fighting Knife represents the Ranger’s ability to successfully plan and conduct special operations.
The medallion signifies selfless sacrifice, professional excellence, and remarkable accomplishment
in the defense of the greatest nation in the world and to the highest ideals of service.
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN RANGER The history of the American Ranger is a long and colorful saga of courage, daring, and outstanding
leadership. It is a story of men whose skills in the art of fighting have seldom been surpassed. Only the high-
lights of their numerous exploits are told here.
Rangers performed primarily defensive missions until Benjamin Church’s independent company of
Rangers from Plymouth Colony proved successful in raiding hostile Indians during King Phillip’s War in 1675.
In 1756, Major Robert Rogers, a native of New Hampshire, recruited nine companies of American colonists to
fight for the British during the French and Indian War. Ranger techniques and methods of operation were an
inherent characteristic of the American frontiersmen; however, Major Rogers was the first to capitalize on
them and incorporate them into the fighting doctrine of a permanently organized fighting force.
The type of fighting used by these first Rangers was further developed during the Revolutionary War
by Colonel Daniel Morgan, who organized a unit known as Morgan’s Riflemen. According to General Bur-
goyne, Morgan’s men were “…the most famous corps of the Continental Army, all of them crack shots.”
Another famous Revolutionary War Ranger element was organized by Francis Marion, “the Swamp
Fox.” Marion’s Partisans, numbering anywhere from a handful to several hundred, operated both with, and
independent of, other elements of General Washington’s Army. Operating out of the Carolina swamps, they
disrupted British communications and prevented the organization of loyalists to support the British cause,
substantially contributing to the American victory.
The American Civil War was again the occasion for the creation of special units such as Rangers.
John S. Mosby, a master of the prompt and skillful use of cavalry, was one of the most outstanding Confeder-
ate Rangers. He believed that by resorting to aggressive action he could compel his enemies to guard a hun-
dred points. He would then attack one of the weakest points and be assured numerical superiority.
With America’s entry into the Second World War, Rangers came forth to add to the pages of history.
Major William O. Darby organized and activated the 1st Ranger Battalion on 19 June 1942, at Carrickfergus,
Northern Ireland, consisting of all hand-picked volunteers, 50 of whom participated in the gallant Dieppe raid
on the northern coast of France with British and Canadian commandos. The 1st, 3rd, and 4th Ranger Battal-
ions participated with distinction in the North African, Sicilian, and Italian campaigns. Darby’s Ranger Battal-
ion spearheaded the Seventh Army landing at Gela and Licata during the Sicilian invasion and played a key
role in the subsequent campaign which culminated in the capture of Messina. They infiltrated German lines
and mounted an attack against Cisterna, where they virtually annihilated an entire German parachute regi-
ment during close-in, night, bayonet and hand-to-hand fighting.
Of the 17th Airborne Ranger Companies formed and trained at the Ranger Training Command, Fort
Benning, Georgia between September 1950 and September 1951, most received additional training in the
mountains of Colorado at Camp Carson. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th Ranger Infantry Companies
(Airborne) were assigned to divisions throughout the 8th Army in Korea. An additional nine companies
were formed from volunteers of Regular Army and National Guard Infantry Divisions.
Orders were issued and those selected shipped to Ft. Benning. The first group arrived on Septem-
ber 20, 1950 and training began on October 9, 1950, with four companies of airborne qualified personnel.
Including former members of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 80th Anti-aircraft Artillery Bat-
talion of the 82nd Airborne Division. Initially designated the 4th Ranger Company, they would soon be re-
designated the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne), the only Department of the Army authorized, all-
black Ranger unit in the history of the United States.
All volunteers were professional soldiers with many skills who often taught each other. The men had
fought with one of the original Ranger Battalions, the First Special Service Force, or the Office of Strategic
Services during World War II. Many of the instructors were drawn from this same group. The faces of this
select group may have appeared youthful, but these were men highly trained and experienced in Ranger
operations during World War II. The training was extremely rigorous, consisting of amphibious and air-
borne operations (including low-level night jumps), demolitions, sabotage, close combat, and the use of
foreign maps. All American small arms, as well as those used by the enemy, were mastered. Communica-
tions, as well as the control of artillery, naval, and aerial fires, were stressed. Much of the training was at
night.
Of the 17th Airborne Ranger Companies formed and trained at the Ranger Training Command, Fort
Benning, Georgia between September 1950 and September 1951, most received additional training in the
mountains of Colorado at Camp Carson. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th Ranger Infantry Companies
(Airborne) were assigned to divisions throughout the 8th Army in Korea. An additional nine companies
were formed from volunteers of Regular Army and National Guard Infantry Divisions.
During 1950 and 1951, some 700 men of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 8th Airborne Ranger Com-
panies fought at the front of every American Infantry Division in Korea. Attacking by land, sea, and air,
these six Ranger companies conducted raids, deep penetrations, and ambush operations against North
Korea and Chinese forces. They were the first Rangers in history to make a combat parachute assault.
After the Chinese intervention, these Rangers were the first American forces to re-cross the 38th parallel.
The men of the six Ranger companies who fought in Korea paid the bloody price of freedom. One in nine
of this gallant brotherhood died on the battlefields of Korea.
Other Airborne Ranger companies led the way while serving with infantry divisions in the United
States, Germany, and Japan. Men of these companies also volunteered and fought as members of line
infantry units in Korea. One Ranger, Donn Porter, would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Fourteen Korean War Rangers became general officers and dozens became colonels, senior non-
commissioned officers, and leaders in civilian life. They volunteered for the Army, the Airborne, the Rang-
ers, and for combat. The first men to earn and wear the coveted Ranger Tab, these men are the original
Airborne Rangers.
The Airborne Ranger companies were deactivated in September 1951 so that Ranger-trained per-
sonnel could be spread throughout the entire Infantry as an effort to raise the spirit and overall efficiency of
the Infantry branch. In that same month, the Army Chief of Staff, General J. Lawton Collins, directed that,
“Ranger training be extended to all combat units in the Army” with an overall objective to raise the standard
of training in all combat units using the lessons learned from the Ranger Battalions of WWII and the Air-
borne Ranger Companies of the Korean Conflict. In October 1951, the Commandant of the United States
Army Infantry School established the Ranger Department with the mission of training small unit Infantry sol-
diers in leadership and command problems in the field, improving their physical condition, and instilling a
high degree of pride in their own personal appearance, habits and conduct, and giving them a real under-
standing of the meaning and necessity of discipline within a military unit. The first Ranger class of individu-
al candidates graduated on March 1, 1952.
During the Vietnam Conflict, fourteen Ranger companies consisting of highly motivated volunteers,
served with distinction from the Mekong Delta to the DMZ. Assigned to separate brigades, divisional, and
field force units, they conducted long-range reconnaissance and exploitation operations into enemy-held
areas procuring valuable combat intelligence. Initially designated as LRRP, then LRP companies, these
units were later designated as Companies C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, and P (Ranger), 75th Infantry.
Following Vietnam, General Creighton Abrams, the Army Chief of Staff, recognized the need for a
highly trained and mobile reaction force, and directed the activation of the first battalion-sized Ranger units
since World War II, the 1st and 2nd Battalions (Ranger), 75th Infantry. The 1st Battalion was trained at Fort
Benning, Georgia, and was activated February 8, 1974 at Fort Stewart, Georgia, with the 2nd Battalion be-
ing activated on October 3, 1974. The 1st Battalion is now located at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, and
the 2nd Battalion in Fort Lewis, Washington.
The foresight of General Abrams’ decision, as well as the combat effectiveness of the Ranger bat-
talions, was proven during the United States’ assault on the island of Grenada in October 1983, to protect
American citizens, and to restore democracy. As expected, Rangers led the way! During this operation,
code-named Urgent Fury, the Ranger battalions conducted a daring, low-level airborne assault (from 500
feet) to seize the airfield at Point Salines, and then continued operations for several days to eliminate pock-
ets of enemy resistance and rescue American medical students.
As a result of the demonstrated effectiveness of the Ranger battalions, in 1984, the Department of
the Army announced that it was increasing the strength Ranger units to its highest level in 40 years by acti-
vating another Ranger battalion, as well as Ranger Regimental Headquarters. These new units, the 3rd
Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry, and Headquarters Company (Ranger) 75th Infantry, have increased the
Ranger unit strength in the Army to over 2,000 soldiers. On February 3, 1986, the 75th Infantry was redes-
ignated the 75th Ranger Regiment.
On November 1, 1987, the Ranger Department reorganized into the Ranger Training Brigade, with
four Ranger Training Battalions corresponding to the existing phases of the course: 4th RTBn Benning
Phase, 5th RTBn Mountain Phase, 6th RTBn Florida Phase, 7th RTBn Desert Phase. Due to budgetary
constraints, the Desert Phase was discontinued in 1996. The Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade con-
tinues today running a functional skills course designed to hone the physical and mental toughness, self-
discipline, confidence, competence, and leadership skills of students by requiring them to think, act, and
react effectively as small unit leaders in tactically realistic and stressful environments approaching those
found in combat.
On December 20, 1989, the 75th Ranger Regiment was once again called upon to demonstrate its
effectiveness in combat. For the first time since its reorganization in 1984, the Regimental Headquarters
and all three Ranger Battalions were deployed on Operation Just Cause in Panama. During this operation,
the 75th Ranger Regiment spearheaded the assault into Panama by conducting airborne assaults onto
Torrijos/Tocumen Airport and Rio Hato Airfield to facilitate the restoration of democracy in Panama and
protect the lives of American citizens. Between December 20, 1989 and January 7, 1990, numerous follow
-on missions were performed in Panama by the Regiment.
Early in 1991, elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Opera-
tion Desert Storm. In August 1993, elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment deployed to Somalia in support
of Operation Restore Hope, returning in November 1993. In 1994, elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment
deployed to Haiti in support of Operation Uphold Democracy.
In 2000-2001, elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment deployed to Kosovo in support of Operation
Joint Guardian. On October 16, 2007, in response to the demands of the war on terror and the changing
nature of Ranger operations, the 75th Ranger Regiment Special Troops Battalion was activated. Since
September 11, 2001, the 75th Ranger Regiment has led, and to present day, continues to lead the way in
conducting forcible entry operations and Special Operations raids in the war on terror in Operation Endur-
ing Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
1992 INDUCTEES
GEN RICHARD E. CAVAZOS COL GEORGE A. MCGEE COL MAX SCHNEIDER
CPT BENJAMIN CHURCH MG FRANK D. MERRILL COL ARTHUR SIMONS
BG WILLIAM O. DARBY COL JOHN S. MOSBY COL ELLIOT P. SYDNOR, JR.
COL FRANCIS DAWSON SSG ROBERT J. PRUDEN SGT MARTIN E. WATSON
LTG DAVID E. GRANGE, JR. COL RALPH PUCKETT COL LOGAN E. WESTON
CPL GLENN M. HALL SSG LASZLO RABEL
SP4 ROBERT D. LAW MAJ ROBERT ROGERS HONORARY INDUCTEES
MG KENNETH C. LEUER MG JAMES E. RUDDER GEN CREIGHTON ABRAMS
MR. RICHARD LEANDRI
1993 INDUCTEES
CSM HENRY CARO CSM GARY L. LITTRELL COL GEORGE A. PACCERELLI
SSG DAVID DOLBY LTC ANDRE C. LUCAS SGT DONN F. PORTER
CSM NEAL R. GENTRY PFC ROBERT L. MASTIN COL ARTHUR C. STANGE III
CPT NATHAN HALE MSG ROY H. MATSUMOTO LTG SAMUEL V. WILSON
COL CHARLES N. HUNTER 1SG HARVEY L. MOORE
PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SMA GLEN E. MORRELL HONORARY INDUCTEE
COL ROY A. MURRAY HON. JOHN O. MARSH, JR.
1994 INDUCTEES
SGM FRED E. DAVIS SGT PETER C. LEMON MAJ JAMES C. QUEEN
CPT GREGORY E. GARDNER SSG GARY L. LEMONDS SFC RANDALL D. SHUGHART
LTC WILLIAM E. GORE GEN JAMES J. LINDSAY
LTC WILLIAM C. GRISSOM 1SG LEONARD G. LOMELL HONORARY INDUCTEES
1LT MAYO S. HEATH BG FRANCIS MARION SENATOR STROM THURMOND
SSG JACK E. KUHN SGT ANDY B. PUNG GEN LUCIAN K. TRUSCOTT, JR.
1995 INDUCTEES
1SG ANDERS K. ARNBAL LT ROBERT T. EDLIN CSM MICHAEL N. MARTIN
MSG AUBREY M. BATTS GEN JOHN W. FOSS BG JOHN HUGH MCGEE
COL CHARLES E. BEACH II MSG GARY I. GORDAN LT PHILIP B. PIAZZA
COL ROBERT W. BLACK 1SG RANDALL HARRIS SGM FRED M. SHEPHERD
SGT WILLIAM C. CLARK, JR. SEN J. ROBERT KERRY BG JOSEPH S. STRINGHAM
MAJ GERALD M. DEVLIN GEN FRED K. MAHAFFEY CSM PATRICK TADINA
1996 INDUCTEES
1SG JOE C. ALDERMAN COL ROBERT I. CHANNON GEN ROBERT C. KINGSTON
FATHER ALBERT E. BASIL SGT ORMAND B. CRABTREE MONSIGNOR JOSEPH R. LACY
SSG CLARENCE BRANSCOMB CPT WARREN EVANS LTC ROY S. LOMBARDO
CSM RICHARD C. BURNELL CSM LARRY A. FLETCHER MAJ RICHARD J. MEADOWS
CSM GEORGE CHANEY SGM HUBERT H. FROST COL LEE MIZE
PFC NORMAN JANIS LTC BERKELEY J. STRONG
1997 INDUCTEES
LTC RICHARD P. SULLIVAN MAJ WARREN E. ALLEN COL ROBERT B. NETT
PFC WILLIAM E. ANDERSON COL HERMAN W. DAMMER CSM MARIANO R.C. LEON–GUERRERO
CPT DONALD W. DELOREY COL LEWIS L. MILLETT CSM WILLIAM T. MIXON
SSG HENRY GOSHO COL JOHN P. LAWTON SSG CYRILLE J. “DUKE” DUSHANE
LTC CHARLES G. ROSS 1LT STEPHEN H. DOANE
1998 INDUCTEES
CPT WALTER E. BLOCK BG RICHARD J. EATON CPT CHARLES H. PARKER
CSM GARY R. CARPENTER COL HENRY A. MUCCI CPL EUGENE C. RIVERA
SGT RICHARD S. EHRLER, JR. COL WILLIAM L. OSBORNE PFC LEO G. SAMBOROWSKI
1999 INDUCTEES
COL EDMUND ABOOD GEN WAYN E A. DOWNING SGM JOSEPHY R.M. COURNOYER
SGM SANTOS A . MATOS, JR. LTC CAIFSON JOHNSON
COL JOSEPH G. CLEMONS, JR. SFC DONALD L. LEHEW HONORARY INDUCTEE
SGM ARTHUR WERNER CPT PAUL W. BUCHA WO2C ARTHUR “ROBBIE” ROBINSON
LTC JOHN S. DANIEL , JR. SFC JOHN L. MCCOY
CWO WILLIAM “DOC” DONOVAN MAJ ROBERT W. PRINCE
2000 INDUCTEES
SFC WILLIAM BUTLER SSG WARNER KATZ GEN COLIN L. POWELL
MAJ ALBERT CLEMENT SMA JULIUS GATES MAJ WILLIAM SPIES
CPL EMMETT E. FIKE, JR. SSG RONALD LESLEY COL ROBERT “TEX” TURNER
SGT WILLIAM KIRSHFILED, JR. COL WALTER MARM CPT HUMBERT VERSACE
2001 INDUCTEES
SFC ALBERT E. ATKINS LT EDWARD A. MCLOGAN MSG MICHAEL H. SMITH
COL CHARLES A. BECKWITH MSG JOHN D. MINATRA CPT RICHARD O. STEWART, JR.
CSM SISTO CICUZZA CSM DONALD E. PURDY BG WESLEY R. TAYLOR
SGT ROBERT JAMES GEER HON. RONALD E. RAY MSG MILTON LOCKETT, JR.
CPT MARVIN J. ROBERTS
2002 INDUCTEES
CPT LESTER E. KNESS CSM JAMES H. COLLIER LTC KENNETH W. STAUSS
1SG CHARLES R. LAWS, JR. BG CHARLES E. GETZ SSG GLENN H. ENGLISH, JR.
CPT JAMES E. HOPKINS SGM DENNIS L. THOMPSON CSM HARRIS L. PARKER
MSG EDWARD L. POSEY CSM AUTRAIL COBB SGT VICTOR D. VALERIANO
SFC EDWARD W. PUZELL SGT ROBERT L. CARR LTC JAMES D. ROGERS
LTC RICHARD D. WANDKE
2003 INDUCTEES
CSM WILLIAM H. ACEBES SGM VLADMIR JAKOVENKO CSM SAM SPEARS
LTC MELVIN BLAIR COL ANTHONY LBROZZI LTC JAMES M. STAMPER, JR.
HON. MR. LES BROWNLEE COL JAMES B. LYLE 1LT TOSCHIK
MSG ROMEO J. CASTONGUAY SGM ANDY MARKIVICH
BG JOHN T. CORLEY LTC WALTER N. MCILWAIN HONORARY INDUCTEE
CSM THERON V. GERGEN SFC WILLIAM T. MILES MR. HOWARD H. CALLAWAY
2004 INDUCTEES
TSGT JOHN A. “RED” ACKER BG JAMES HERBERT GEN CARL W. STINER
LTC ROBERT D. BAYNE TSGT GRANT J. HIRABAYASHI MAJ JAMES G. STORTER
SSG HAROLD G. BENNETT CSM GEORGE HORVATH
CPT ROGER B. BROWN CSM FRANCISCO G. MAGANA HONORARY INDUCTEE
CW4 CHARLES W. ARUTH CSM JIMMIE W. SPENCER MR. PAUL E. VORHEES
CPT GEORGE M. GIVIDEN LTC WALTER M. SAUNDERS
LTC CHRISTOPHER M. GOOCH MR. ROBERT S. MUELLER III
2005 INDUCTEES
T4 ULYSSESS G. AUGER, SR. CSM JESSE G. LAYE CW4 CLEVELAND VALREY
MG DAVID L. GRANGE CPT JOHN F. MURPHY CSM FREDRICK E. WEEKLY, JR.
COL ROBERT L. HOWARD COL WILLIAM T. PALMER COL RODNEY J. WIJAS
SSG DANNY L. JACKS MSG HOAROLD L. RINARD 1SG TOM WILBURN
COL JOHN T. KENEALLY SGT TOM C. ROBISON
CPT JAME V. KIMSY CPT SIDNEY A. SALOMON HONORARY INDUCTEE
1LT JACK L. KNIGHT GEN HUGH H. SHELTON MR. B.G. “JUG” BURKETT
2006 INDUCTEES
MAJ HAROLD L. BARBER CPT EUGENE H. MADISON CSM CHARLES F. WATERS
SGT ROBERT L. BRYAN HON. JAMES C. MARSHAL LTC ALBERT C. WELCH
MAJ CHARLES L. CARRIER MG MICHAEL NARDOTTI
CSM KEVIN P. CONNELL COL BRIAN M. PENTECOST HONORARY INDUCTEE
LTC JAMES A. GARDNER CPT MICHAEL B. RANGER MG JOHN R. ALISON
SGT THOMAS E. HERRING MG JOHN K. SINGLAUB MR. TOM HANKS
GEN WILLIAM F. KERNAN MG JOHN G. VAN HOUTEN
2007 INDUCTEES
MSG GEORGE I. BEACH BG JAMES E. MACE COL STANLEY E. SHANEYFELT
SFC ROY BOATMAN HON. GORDON H. MANSFIELD
LTC ALVIN H. BUCKELEW GEN BARRY R. MACCAFFREY HONORARY INDUCTEES
LTG CHARLES W. DYKE MAJ WILLIAM MUSEGADES MSG GILBERT M. BERG
SGT JOHN W. FRANKLIN CPT VINCENT H. OKAMOTO SGT TOM BIGGS
1SG STANLEY KARBOWSKI CPT THOMAS W. PUSSER
BG WILLIAM LESZCZYNSKI MG EDISON E. SCHOLES
2008 INDUCTEES
CSM GEORGE CONRAD MAJ GORDON W. MEANLEY COL JOHN W. RIPLEY
PFC ELWOOD L. DORMAN SGM FRANK O. MOORE SGT ROBERT SCULLY
GEN JOHN R. GALVIN 1SG DOUGLAS M. PERRY COL LEO V. STRAUSBAUGH
COL JAMES HOLLAND MG JOHN C. RAAEN CSM RAMON RODRIGUEZ
LTG LAWSON MAGRUDER III PFC ELLIS E. REED
2009 INDUCTEES
MAJ JAMES J. ALIERI 1LT EDWIN L. DEAN DR. CARLTON G. SAVORY
LTC WILLIAM T. ANTON RANGER RUSSELL E. DODGE LTC KEITH P. ANTONIA
LTC ROBERT P. GRAY COL AJ “BO” BAKER CW3 STEVEN J. MURPHY
RANGER ALFORD M. BUKATY HON. JAMES B. PEAKE
2010 INDUCTEES
LTG JARED L. BATES CSM JOHN R. EDMUNDS GEN JOSEPH T. PALASTRA, JR.
1SG WILLIAM D. BLOCK CSM JOSEPH R. GAGNON 1SG EARL A. SINGLETARY
SGM AL BRASHIER MAJ JAMES T. JACKSON HON. EUGENE R. SULLIVAN
LTV CARMEN J. CAVEZZA CSM MICHAEL A . KELSO CSM JAMES E. VOYLES
PFC RAYMON N. DYE CWO GARY L. O’NEAL
2011 INDUCTEES
MG ELDON A. BARGWELL 1SG SEAN T. KELLY CSM JIM PICKERING
LTC DONALD C. BOWMAN COL PAUL R. LONGGREAR 1SG BONIFACIO M. ROMO
LTC GARY E. DOLAN COL KEITH M. NIGHTINGALE CSM ROBERT E. SPENCER
CSM STEVEN R. ENGLAND CSM LUIS C. PALACIOS LTC STANLEY WAWRZYNIAK
2012 INDUCTEES
SGM JAMES BARTON CSM GERALD KLEIN 1SG FRANK MATTIVI
CSM ALFRED G. BIRCH SFC STEVEN LANGMACK SSG ROBERT J. MILLER
LTG JAMES M. DUBIK SGM CARL LITTLEJOHN COL ROBERT C. MURPHY
CSM JOE HECKARD COL RICHARD J. MALVESTI COL ROBERT L. POWELL
2013 INDUCTEES
SGM MATTHEW J. BERRENA CSM JOSEPH MATTISON LTC FREDRICK SPAULDING
MSG THOMAS A. BRAGG CSM ANDREW MCFOWLER LTG GARY D. SPEER
LTC JAMES F. DABNEY MSG VINCENT MELILLO LTG CARLETON P. VENICIL
CSM ROBERT F. GILBERT MSG HOWARD MULLEN CSM CHARLES P. WILLIAMS
CSM DOUG GREENWAY GEN PETER SCHOOMAKER SGM PATRICK HURLEY
CSM WILLIAM M. SMITH
2014 INDUCTEES
CSM PETER BACERRA CSM JEFFREY L. GREER BG HERBERT J. LLOYD
MSG KENNETH BACHMAN COL ROBERT A. GUY SSG CALVIN D. ROLLINS
LTG DELL L. DAILEY LTG JOHN M. LE MOYNE COL ROBERT TONSETIC
CSM JAMES W. FOWLER
2015 INDUCTEES
GEN JOHN ABIZAID CSM MICHAEL T. HALL CW4 RUSSELL L. MCINTYRE
LTG STEVEN L. ARNOLD COL THOMAS M. HENRY CSM JAMES P. REGAN
MAJ ROBERT BISCHOFF LTC REX G. MASTERS LTC REMBERT G. ROLLISON
CSM JIMMY L. BROYLES SGM GREGORY A. MATTEO 1LT GEORGE K. SISLER
COL WARDE P. CHITTENDEN GEN STANLEY A. MCCHRYSTAL SFC TAFT YATES
COL JOHN P. GERACI
2016 INDUCTEES
BG WILLIAM G. BOND SGT GARY A. LINDERER SSG RAYMOND SCHUDER
CSM DAVID R. DALTON CPT STEPHEN C. MAGUIRE CSM TOMMY R. SHOOK
CSM JAMES E. GIBSON CSM JEFFREY J. MELLINGER CSM WILLIE W. SNOW
COL GELNN W. HALE MSG JESUS D. MONCADA LTC JAMES R. TUCKER
SGM RONALD E. HART SSG ROBERT E. PASSANISI COL ROBERT S. POYDASHEFF
GEN P.K. KEEN
RANGER HALL OF FAME
2017 INDUCTEES
SGM Tyrone J. Adderly
CSM Frank G. Ashe
1SG Herbert M. Baugh
1SG Ronald W. Grenier
MSG Gilbert H. Howland
SSG Ronnie N. Imel
CSM Richard C. Lamb
MAJ Larry D. Moores
Brigadier General James C. Nixon
LT (USN) Thomas R. Norris
MSG Leroy A. Petry
1SG Michael J. Ramsey
SGM John W. Roy
CH Jeffery D. Struecker
CSM Charles W. Thompson
Lieutenant General John R. Vines
CSM Matthew C. Walker
Sergeant Major Tyrone J. Adderly Sergeant Major Tyrone J. Adderly is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service and embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
Sergeant Major Tyrone J. Adderly’ s service career began in 1961 when he attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. In 1970 President Nixon personally awarded Adderly the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest award for valor, for his participation in the Son Tay Raid. The all-volunteer mission of this raid was to rescue American Prisoners of War in North Vietnam and is now viewed as one of the ten greatest raids in military history. Adderly continued to serve his country, around the world and at home, as a member of the 5th, 6th and 7th Special Forces Groups Airborne. Adderly also served with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and as a Counter Insurgency instructor. His combat tours where with the 82
ndAirborne Division, 1
st
Brigade, 101st
Airborne Division and the 5th Special Forces Group, Airborne. He was the First Ser-
geant and acting Command Sergeant Major, as an E-8, for an Infantry Battalion in the Second In-fantry Division, Korea. Adderly’ s career has resulted in numerous accolades. Among them the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the Meritorious Service Medal with Second Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device for heroism and First Oak Leaf Cluster. Adderly continued to serve his country with great devotion using his expertise to train and educate the next generation of servicemen. He served as Principle Drill Instructor, Special Forces Assignment, for the US Army ROTC program at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA and as the Chief Instructor, Special Forces Assign-ment, for the US Army ROTC Senior Program at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. He also serves as a trainer, teacher, mentor and a resistance leader for the Special Forces Unconventional Warfare training culmination exercise, Robin Sage. He is viewed as the catalyst for the transfor-mation of the Mission Rehearsal Exercise, which aims to prepare students to meet the challenges of the cultural and tactical operational environment. Adderly is also a Distinguished Member of the 1st Special Forces Regiment.
Command Sergeant Major Frank G. Ashe Command Sergeant Major Frank G. Ashe is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his
service and embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
Ranger Franklin G. Ashe is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for outstanding leader-
ship and exemplary service in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Ranger Ashe served as Mortar Section
Sergeant on Operation Eagle Claw, and he has deployed numerous times in support of Operations
Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. In 1st Ranger Battalion, Ranger Ashe held every position in the mor-
tar sections to include Weapons Platoon Sergeant Company A, 1/75th. He completed his service
in the 75th Ranger Regiment as the Commandant of the Ranger Training Detachment, where he
had a direct impact on the training and assessment of leaders at all levels in the Ranger Regiment.
He went on to serve as a Command Sergeant Major in the 25th Infantry Division at Battalion, Bri-
gade and Division levels to include duty as the CJTF 180/76 CSM. His final duty assignment was
as the CSM of 3rd Army ARCENT where he was directly responsible for the welfare of the Soldiers
in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Ranger Ashe's more than 32 years of dedicated mili-
tary service is a clear testament to having lived Abrams' charter and the Ranger Creed. His impact
on the 75th Ranger Regiment and United States Army is still felt today by the outstanding leaders
that Ranger Ashe continues to have an impact on.
First Sergeant Herbert M. Baugh First Sergeant Herbert M. Baugh is honored in the Ranger Hall of Fame for embodying the
Ranger Creed throughout his military career. In 1969, 1SG Herbert M. Baugh volunteered for the
US Army and was assigned to Troop B, 1/17th Calvary, 82nd Airborne Division. He then volun-
teered for deployment to the Republic of Viet Nam and was assigned to Troop E, 1/17th Calvary,
173rd Airborne Brigade as a M60 Gunner. In November 1970 he was awarded the Vietnam Cross
of Gallantry. He volunteered for and was reassigned to Company N (Rangers) 75th Infantry in De-
cember 1970 where he served on Teams Alpha & Bravo as a Scout Observer and RTO. CPL
Baugh was frequently augmented to Heavy Teams for critical missions requiring more than the tra-
ditional 6 man team. During a Hunter-Killer mission, CPL Baugh was wounded, yet continued the
mission. After returning to the unit he completed his tour.
Baugh redeployed with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, to Fort Campbell, KY in August 1971
and was reassigned to Troop E 17th Calvary as a Team Leader. In February 1972, Baugh was re-
assigned to Troop D, 2/17th Calvary, 101st Airborne Division, as a Team Leader and Squad Lead-
er. In June 1974, Baugh was selected as original cadre of the 1st Ranger Battalion and remained a
key NCO through April of 1977. He served as a Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader, and Platoon
Sergeant. SFC Baugh was then assigned to Company B, 1/7th SFG, at Fort Bragg, NC, serving
with ODA 732 Halo/Scuba (Greenlight) Team as a Weapons Leader and Intel Sergeant. In Octo-
ber 1979, Baugh was reassigned to Company B, 1/10th SFG, in Bad Tolz, Germany with ODA 10
(Greenlight) as an Intel Sergeant and Team Leader. From June 1981 to October 1983, Baugh was
reassigned to the PCT (Rangers) Special Forces Detachment (Europe) in Bad Tolz, Germany as a
Senior Instructor and 1SG. From October 1983 to May 1985, Baugh was assigned to the 2nd
Ranger Company, Ranger Department, as the Chief Instructor, Mountaineering Branch. In May
1985 he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division as a 1SG HHC 2/22nd Infantry and NCOIC of
the Division's Light Fighters School.
In August 1990, Baugh medically retired, earned his college degree, and became a teacher
of at-risk youth and the founder of both youth and veteran organizations. Baugh is an excellent ex-
ample of a Ranger that always led the way.
First Sergeant Ronald W. Grenier First Sergeant Ronald W. Grenier is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service
and embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
1SG Ronald Grenier is recognized for performance, courage, and leadership in critical and sensitive positions. In 1967 he began his extraordinary career ending with 26 years of service. In 1978 1SG Grenier was assigned to the first Ranger Battalion and in August of 1979 he graduated from Ranger School. This assignment helped set the foundation of him being a model Ranger that many would encounter and remember as an ideal Ranger. He was instrumental in the success of the 75th Ranger Regiment's Ranger Indoctrination Program known as "RIP" as well as their Pre-Ranger Course. He was also instrumental in helping with the formation of the newly formed 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in October 1984. While assigned to C Co, 4th Ranger Training Battalion, 1SG Grenier was instrumental in helping train thousands of future Army Ranger Leaders. He certified countless new Ranger Instructors on Ranger course doctrine, techniques, and Periods of Instructions. He was also a key factor in spearheading the revision of the Army Hand to Hand demonstration techniques. He helped improve the battalion's physical health through relationship with Martin Army Community Hospital Orthopedic Physicians. He also remod-eled the Ranger Gym which later came known as the "Ranger Muscle Factory". Ranger Grenier is the epitome of a Ranger.
Master Sergeant Gilbert H. Howland Master Sergeant Gilbert H. Howland is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service
and embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
Ranger Gilbert H. Howland is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in recognition for his
dedicated service as a WW II Merrill’s Marauder in the China-Burma-India Theater. As a member
of the 2nd Battalion, Green Combat Team, 5307th Composite Unit Provisional, he took part in the
Marauders’ long range penetration mission to ambush and block supply lines of the much larger
and better-equipped Japanese 18th Imperial Division in Burma from Feb 1944 until May 1944.
Ranger Howland was a heavy weapons NCO in charge of 16 men and two machine guns. He took
part in actions at Walabum and Inkangahtawan. When the 2nd Battalion was surrounded for al-
most two weeks by the Japanese at the battle of Nphum Ga, Ranger Howland’s heavy weapons
squad helped block the enemy advance up the Tenai River Valley by guarding two vital trails and
fighting off numerous Japanese attacks on their positions. Midway through the siege at Nphum Ga,
Ranger Howland was wounded by enemy artillery fire. After the emaciated 2nd Battalion was res-
cued 9 April - Easter Sunday - 1944, Ranger Howland was evacuated to the 20th General Hospital
but returned in May 1944 to help defend the captured Myitkyina Airfield. Ranger Howland was dis-
charged from the Army in August 1945 but reenlisted in June 1946 and remained in the Army,
fighting in the Korean War and serving two combat tours in Vietnam, until his retirement on 31 De-
cember 1971. Ranger Howland is one of 300 Infantrymen to have earned the third award of the
Combat Infantry Badge. Throughout his distinguished career, Ranger Howland showed the world
that he was a specially selected and well trained soldier, setting the example for others to follow
and displaying the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the objective and complete the mission.
Rangers Lead the Way!
Staff Sergeant Ronnie N. Imel Staff Sergeant Ronnie N. Imel is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service and
embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
Staff Sergeant Ronnie N. Imel is inducted into the United States Army “Ranger Hall of
Fame” for his forty-years as a distinguished Ranger both in war and peace. He is recognized for
his commitment to the military; proficiency as a leader; uncommon valor and courage under fire;
and as a civilian, his selfless deeds as a Veterans Advocate. While serving in the Republic of Vi-
etnam with “I” Company 75th Rangers he was a highly respected Team Leader that no Ranger
hesitated to follow. His preparation for missions and debriefing is legendary in the unit. He was a
mentor to his men: they valued his competency, knowledge and guardianship. Although a sea-
soned warrior, not once in his tenure as a combat leader did he lose a soldier in battle. During one
of many firefights, with disregard for his own safety, Ranger Imel displayed heroism for which he
earned the Silver Star, but in addition, while serving as a Ranger he would also accept two Bronze
Stars and the Air Medal. After Staff Sergeant Imel ended his military duty he became a successful
businessman and in 1995 he recognized many Rangers were suffering from wounds of war and
were having difficulty navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs for assistance. Continuing to
uphold the Ranger Creed “Never Shall I Fail My Comrades”, Ranger Imel would educate himself to
be “The Authority” on veteran’s issues becoming a Veterans Advocate for combat soldiers. Ranger
Imel, now a “Citizens Soldier,” unselfishly has handled over hundreds cases to their successful
conclusion and continues to fight for those requiring assistance. Each soldier’s case is a personal
mission for him and although the process is long and tedious, he does not surrender to defeat.
Ranger Imel has never accepted compensation for his work, all of his expenses, including travel,
are donated personally. Ranger Imel sets an example for all of us; that a Ranger is not a title, but
an action. The enormity of his dedication to his fellow Rangers in combat and as a Veterans Advo-
cate is that of nobility. Staff Sergeant Ronnie N. Imel’s life personifies, that indeed, Rangers Lead
The Way.
Command Sergeant Major Richard C. Lamb Command Sergeant Major Richard C. Lamb is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service and embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
Command Sergeant Major Richard Lamb’s service career began in 1978 when he attended Basic Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He continued to serve our country across the globe for twenty-six years. He put his life in jeopardy during Operation Gothic Serpent, when he engaged in a 12-hour street battle that became known as the Battle of Mogadishu. He has lead soldiers in military operations ranging from Peacetime Engagement to War in over thirty-seven countries, across five continents and in six Geographic Combatant Commands. He has spent more than twelve years overseas and has executed major combat operations spanning Operation Eagle Claw through Operation Iraqi Freedom. CSM(R) Lamb’s career serves as an exemplar of post-Vietnam era combat operations. He has received the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart over the course of his career. CSM Lamb retired from Military Service in 2003 and was then recruited by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to participate in Special Operations for Life. Since then he has been nominated to cross train as a Defense Intelligence Agency analyst. Lamb’s work has been instrumental in creat-ing a multi-national directorate. His career bears witness to pivotal moments in Special Operations and Ranger history. He has distinguished himself through a lifetime of service to his country as a soldier, leader and civilian. Having been wounded in battle and twice decorated for valor and gal-lantry in action, his contributions to this country have put his life at risk. He is a recipient of the Joint Civilian Commendation Medal and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Medal. Command Sergeant Major Richard Lamb continues to display that he is a specially selected and well-trained non-commissioned officer who rises to the needs of our country.
Major Larry D. Moores Major Larry D. Moores is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service and embodi-
ment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
Major (Ret) Larry D. Moores is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his consistent out-standing service as both an Officer and an NCO. During the course of a 21-year career, Ranger Moores served with distinction in combat with two different Ranger Battalions. As a young Private, he was a member of C Co 1/75 during a combat assault onto Point Salines DZ during Operation Urgent Fury. As part of that operation, he conducted a CSAR mission to rescue a downed 160th SOAR pilot. Following that, he participated in the raid on Calivigny Barracks.This was the first time Ranger Moores would “move to the sound of the guns” but it was not the last. Following assign-ments in Panama and Korea, Ranger Moores returned to 1st Ranger Battalion and served as a Rifle Squad and Weapons Squad Leader in A Co 1/75. In early 1991, Ranger Moores began the next phase of his career by attending and graduating OCS. After an initial posting as a Bradley Platoon Leader, Ranger Moores was assigned as a Platoon Leader in Bravo Company 3/75. Here he took part in Operation Gothic Serpent as a member of Task Force Ranger. His steady leader-ship and courageous actions during that battle resulted in Ranger Moores receiving a Bronze Star with Valor device. Prior to the cancelled Invasion of Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy, Ranger Moores served as a Support Platoon Leader and was once again instrumental in preparing men and materials for combat. Upon his promotion to Captain and completion of the Infantry Of-ficer Advanced Course and the Combined Arms Staff Service School, he was reassigned to Fort Bragg, NC and the 2/504th where he served as an assistant Operations Officer prior to a Company Command. Following command, he was reassigned as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command, where he served for 18 months including two de-ployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His next assignment was at Fort Leaven-worth, Kansas as a member of the Command and General Staff College Class of 2003. He retired from active duty on 1 March 2003 after 21 years of service.
Brigadier General James C. Nixon Brigadier General James “Craig” Nixon is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his
selfless service and embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
Over a 29-year career, BG Ret Nixon, a Ranger graduate, served in seven Special Opera-
tion Assignments including four tours in the 75th Ranger Regiment, and commanded a Ranger
Company, Ranger Battalion and the Ranger Regiment. During his career, he participated in com-
bat operations during Operation JUST CAUSE (Panama), Operation GOTHIC SERPENT
(Somalia), and seven rotations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 1989 as a Captain in 3d Ranger Battal-
ion, He participated in the Airborne Assault into Rio Hato, Panama and was awarded the CIB and
the Purple Heart. In 1993 as a Major serving as the 3d Ranger Battalion Operations Officer in So-
malia, he was charged as the emergency QRF leader for Task Force Ranger during the Battle of
the Black Sea in Mogadishu, and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in combat in the face of
hundreds of armed Somali rebels. Following a tour at Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)
and after commanding a US/Korean Battalion in the Korean DMZ, BG Ret. Nixon returned to 3d
Ranger as the Battalion Commander from 2000-2001, preparing the Rangers for their eventual en-
trance into the Global War on Terror (GWOT) in October 2001. His performance at JSOC and in
the Rangers resulted in his selection for the most influential operational assignments available at
his rank and grade during the GWOT and he was selected as the Director of Operations for JSOC,
where he led special operations planning and execution efforts in Afghanistan and the invasion of
Iraq. BG Ret. Nixon was then selected as the 13th Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment and
served from August 2003 until July 2005. He was the first modern day Ranger commander respon-
sible for combat deployed Rangers every day of his command and was instrumental in restructur-
ing the Ranger Regiment to meet the demands of the GWOT. Following command, he served as
the Director of Operations for United States Special Operations Command and after serving as the
Deputy Commander for the 25th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division North in Iraq he re-
tired from the Army in 2011. BG Ret. Nixon continues to lead the way for America's service mem-
bers as a national advisory board member to veteran support organization Team Red, White and
Blue.
Lieutenant (U.S. Navy) Thomas R. Norris Lieutenant Thomas R. Norris is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service and
embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
Lieutenant (RET) Tommy Norris is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serv-
ing as a Ranger qualified Seal Advisor with the strategic technical directorate assistance team in
Vietnam. During the period 10 to 13 April 1972, Lieutenant Norris completed an unprecedented
ground rescue of two downed pilots deep within heavily controlled enemy territory in Quang Tri
Province. Lieutenant Norris, on the night of 10 April 1972, led a five-man patrol through 2,000 me-
ters of heavily controlled enemy territory, located one of the downed pilots at daybreak, and re-
turned to the forward operating base (FOB). On 11 April 1972, after a devastating mortar and rock-
et attack on the small FOB, Lieutenant Norris led a three man team on two unsuccessful rescue
attempts for the second pilot. On the afternoon of the 12th, a forward air controller located the pilot
and notified Lieutenant Norris. Dressed in fishermen disguises and using a sampan, Lieutenant
Norris and one Vietnamese traveled throughout that night and found the injured pilot at dawn. Cov-
ering the pilot with bamboo and vegetation, they began the return journey, successfully evading a
North Vietnamese Patrol. Approaching the FOB, they came under heavy machine gun fire. Lieu-
tenant Norris called in an air strike which provided suppression and a smoke screen, allowing the
rescue party to reach the FOB. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, undaunted cour-
age, and intestinal fortitude in the face of extreme danger, Lieutenant Norris enhanced the finest
traditions of the Army Rangers and set the example for others to follow.
Master Sergeant Leroy A. Petry Master Sergeant Leroy A. Petry is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service and
embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
MSG Ret. Leroy Petry is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in recognition to his 15-year
career spent in the 75th Ranger Regiment marked by professional excellence and a champion of
wounded, injured, and ill Warrior Care programs across the Department of Defense. During his
eighth combat deployment in 2008, MSG Ret. Petry was a Ranger squad leader in Company D, 2d
Ranger Battalion. While on a special operations raid on May 26, MSG Ret. Petry moved to clear
the courtyard of a house that potentially contained high-value combatants. While crossing the
courtyard, MSG Ret. Petry and another Ranger were engaged and wounded by automatic weap-
ons fire from enemy fighters. Still under enemy fire, and wounded in both legs, MSG Ret. Petry led
the other Ranger to cover. He then reported the situation and engaged the enemy with a hand gre-
nade, providing suppression as another Ranger moved to his position. The enemy quickly re-
sponded by maneuvering closer and throwing grenades. The first grenade explosion knocked his
two fellow Rangers to the ground and wounded both with shrapnel. A second grenade then landed
only a few feet away from them. Instantly realizing the danger, MSG Ret. Petry, unhesitatingly and
with complete disregard for his safety, deliberately and selflessly moved forward, picked up the
grenade, and in an effort to clear the immediate threat, threw the grenade away from his fellow
Rangers. As he was releasing the grenade it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist and
further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds. Although picking up and throwing the live gre-
nade grievously wounded MSG Ret. Petry, his gallant act undeniably saved his fellow Rangers
from being severely wounded or killed. MSG Ret. Petry received the Medal of Honor for his ac-
tions. Most importantly, MSG Ret. Petry continues to use his platform to educate the American
public on the needs and opportunities to assist the wounded, injured and ill service members from
across the Department of Defense.
First Sergeant Michael J. Ramsey First Sergeant Michael J. Ramsey is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service
and embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
1SG Michael J. Ramsey is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his immeasurable con-
tributions to U.S. Army Rangers. 1SG Ramsey has served our Nation in uniform and the communi-
ty for more than 40 years and continues to serve even today. His contributions to Rangers are leg-
endary and he has personally inspired thousands of Rangers in their quest for excellence. As a
leader he has few peers, and his pursuit of excellence to the highest Ranger standards is apparent
in everything he does. A leader in combat and peacetime, 1SG Ramsey has always sought out
tough and demanding duty and reserved the toughest and most dangerous tasks for himself.
Equally at home on the battlefield or in the local community, his demeanor and confidence serve to
inspire everyone he interacts with whether they are a Ranger or not. His Ranger career was bal-
anced between demanding tours in the Ranger Regiment and the Ranger Training Brigade. He
was an integral part of the formation of the Ranger Regiment and the transition of the Ranger De-
partment to the Ranger Training Brigade. As the Principal Instructor, he personally oversaw the
Desert Phase of Ranger School as it transitioned from Fort Bliss Texas to Dugway Proving
Grounds, Utah. His combat experience and unmatched field craft made him the perfect man for
the job to create the balance needed to challenge and train the Rangers of this era. Dangerous
tasks in any environment, live fires, and complex parachute assaults for Ranger students required
an experienced hand with extraordinary skills and judgment. Using his experience from his combat
parachute assault onto Point Salinas airfield on the Island of Grenada in 1983, he was able to rep-
licate the same intensity for Ranger students in training that would allow them to successfully con-
duct this type of operation numerous times in the following years. Continuing to serve the commu-
nity and his fellow man, 1SG Ramsey retired from the Army in 1994 and transitioned to a career in
law enforcement that spans another 20 years and continues to this day. As the Chief Deputy of the
Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office in Dahlonega, Georgia, he continues to stand watch while de-
manding a Ranger standard of his officers in uniform.
Sergeant Major John W. Roy Sergeant Major John W. Roy is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service and
embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
During SGM John Roy's career, he strove to live up to the high standards he saw reflected
in the outstanding soldiers with whom he served. In the parlance of the time, John was a STRAC
troop. Everyone called him "Ranger Roy" out of respect for his dedication to being a top soldier.
John joined the Army because he admired his older brother who was a paratrooper with the 82nd
ABN in WWII and made two combat jumps into Normandy and Belgium. John began his career
just when the modern day Rangers and Special Forces began and served with both units as a sol-
dier and an instructor. He also helped to pioneer early Military Free Fall doctrine. As a Ranger in-
structor, he met and trained many of the soldiers who went on to become great leaders in their ca-
reers. John counts many of them as personal friends. He instructed and fought behind the lines in
Korea, Laos, and Vietnam. John avoided the limelight and gave credit freely to others. Coming
from a humble background, John appreciated the value of education and put his knowledge to use
as an instructor. He always said that knowledge was a key to survival as a soldier. Hard work and
a sense of humor have always been his hallmarks. If John knew a subject, he knew it completely.
The importance of details in planning and endurance that he learned as a Ranger early in his ca-
reer, became the way he conducted himself as a soldier.
John cares about people and has a tremendous memory for names and places. If he met you
once, he would remember you in detail years later. If John were your friend, you could always
count on him to help you. If John didn't know you, but you needed help, he would be the first to
hold out his hand in friendship. John represents the best that America produces.
John joined the Army to become a paratrooper, but it was his training as a Ranger that made
him into the outstanding soldier he became.
Chaplain Jeffery D. Struecker Chaplain Jeffery D. Struecker is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service and
embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
Ranger Struecker is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in recognition of distinguished
service as a Ranger Leader and Army Chaplain within the Ranger Regiment and Ranger Training
Brigade spanning over two decades of army service. Ranger Struecker earned the Bronze Star
Medal with 'V' device for his courageous and lifesaving actions during Operation Gothic Serpent.
His combat service within the Ranger Regiment includes Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert
Storm, Operation Gothic Serpent, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Ranger Struecker exhibited the greatest display of technical competency and physical prowess
winning the Best Ranger Competition in 1996. Serving as a RIP Instructor from 1994-1997,
Ranger Struecker positively impacted the Ranger Regiment by exemplifying and inculcating the
Ranger ethos into the lives of thousands of Rangers. Ranger Struecker answered a higher calling
by receiving his Masters of Divinity and ordination within the Southern Baptist Convention. He re-
sponded to the prophetic call of 'Here I am send me', returning to the Ranger Regiment as a chap-
lain during the Global War on Terror. As a Ranger chaplain, Chaplain Struecker accompanied
Rangers during combat operations, fortified the souls of Rangers through pre-mission prayers and
worship services, counseled Rangers through various life crises, and strengthened Ranger family
bonds through world class retreats, and comforted families and units when Rangers paid the ulti-
mate price in combat by leading memorials and funerals. Chaplain Struecker continues to avail
himself to the Ranger and Fort Benning community as the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. His
love for Rangers is evidenced in repeated speaking engagements on Fort Benning, supporting Co-
lumbus' Mogadishu Mile, and faithfully pastoring Ranger and Fort Benning families that attend Cal-
vary Baptist Church. Chaplain Struecker's demonstrated Ranger competency and ethos, exempla-
ry character, and pastoral service have inspired and impacted thousands of Rangers and their
families making him a worthy candidate of the Ranger Hall of Fame. RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!
Command Sergeant Major Charles W. Thompson
Command Sergeant Major Charles W. Thompson is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame
for his service and embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
CSM (R) Charles W. Thompson served in the United States Army for over 28 years in the
Special Operations community. From the beginning of his career in A Company, 2d Ranger Battal-
ion he embodied the Ranger Creed. He served in 5th Special Forces Group (A) before being se-
lected for a Special Mission Unit. During his time with the Special Mission Unit he served on nu-
merous classified operations operating alone in hostile fire zones. He was Command Sergeant
Major of the Joint Special Operations Command where he served from 2001 until his retirement in
2005. During his tenure at JSOC CSM (R) Thompson was the 75th Ranger Regiment’s biggest ad-
vocate and mentor to many senior NCO’s of the Regiment. He is currently still serving as the civil-
ian Deputy of the Intelligence Directorate (J2) at JSOC HQ. CSM (R) Thompson still serves the
Ranger community and this nation to this day with the same drive and dedication that he exhibited
as a young Ranger and exemplifies the Ranger creed every day.
Lieutenant General John R. Vines Lieutenant General John R. Vines is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his service
and embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
LTG Ret. John Vines is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his 35-years of leadership
as an Army Ranger devoted to the readiness and welfare of America’s Soldiers. Throughout his
illustrious career, LTG Ret. Vines was selected time and again for command assignments at the
cutting edge of battle. Upon commissioning from the University of Alabama in 1971, LTG Ret.
Vines completed Ranger School and served in assignments with the Ranger Department, US Ar-
my Infantry Center and with 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment as a Company Com-
mander and Operations Officer. Upon its activation of 3d Ranger Battalion in 1984, LTG Ret. Vines
was selected as the unit's first Executive Officer. LTG Ret. Vines served as Commander, 4th Bat-
talion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, during its combat parachute assault in Operation Just
Cause and later when the unit was deployed as the first ground combat unit in Operation Desert
Shield. LTG Ret. Vines commanded the 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and then
the 82d Airborne Division from August 2000 until October 2002. LTG Ret. Vines participation in the
Global War on Terror includes command assignments at Coalition Task Force 82 in Afghanistan
from September 2002 until May 2003; and then Commander, Combined Joint Task Force 180,
Bagram, Afghanistan, until October 2003. From January 2005 until January 2006, LTG Ret. Vines
became the first general officer to command forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan as Commander,
Multi-National Corps – Iraq in Baghdad. Under his command, LTG Ret. Vines' Iraq force comprised
178,000 Soldiers from 27 nations. Following his retirement in 2007, he was a Department of De-
fense senior mentor to military commanders prior to deployment to combat zones. LTG Ret. Vines
continues to grow leaders today as the as the Chief of People Officer at McChrystal Group where
he advises, coaches, and mentors senior executives. He also serves as an Advisory Board mem-
ber for the Patriot Foundation, a veteran service organization committed to provide support for the
families of Airborne, Air Assault and Special Operations soldiers, and other selected warriors
killed, wounded, and injured in the Global War on Terrorism.
Command Sergeant Major Matthew C. Walker Command Sergeant Major Matthew C. Walker is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for
his service and embodiment of the Ranger Creed throughout his military career.
Ranger Matt Walker entered the army in March 1985 as an Infantryman and culminated his
career 25 years later as the Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army Infantry School.
He continues to serve as a Department of the Army Civilian responsible for all Small Arms devel-
opment for the Infantry.
Ranger Walker’s career consisted of serving in multiple light Infantry and Ranger assign-
ments to include leadership positions at the Squad, Platoon, Company and Battalion level in the
75th Ranger Regiment and at the Brigade level for the Ranger Training Brigade. He served in the
most demanding Instructor position, that of Drill Sergeant, in Infantry One Station Unit Training at
Ft Benning.
Ranger Walker's service to the Ranger was as the Weapons Squad Leader and Platoon
Sergeant for, 2d Platoon, 3d Ranger Battalion, as the Team Sergeant for Team 3 of the Regimen-
tal Reconnaissance Detachment, as the 1SG for Alpha Company, 2d Ranger Battalion, as the
Command Sergeant Major of the 3d Ranger Battalion. He also attended numerous schools and
courses of instruction being named Distinguished Honor graduate many times living up to the
Ranger Creed in all he attempted to do.
Ranger Walker served 25 years as an Infantryman and Ranger earning multiple awards and
decorations and trying to make those around him better. He was an inspirational leader and stand-
ard for all who sought to be the best. Ranger Walker, a dedicated Soldier, defined the Ranger
Creed.
2
3rd
RANGER CREED Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my
chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and
high esprit de corps of the Rangers.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite Soldier who arrives at the
cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my
country expects me to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other Sol-
dier.
Never shall I fail my comrades I will always keep myself mentally alert, physi-
cally strong, and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the
task whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some.
Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well trained Sol-
dier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress, and care of equipment
shall set the example for others to follow.
Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the
field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is
not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of
the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger
objective and complete the mission, though I bet the lone survivor.
RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!