A Green Beret’s Farewell to the Army Blue

Posted on March 9, 2022 by John Michael

A Green Beret’s Farewell to the Army Blue

 by 

A Green Beret’s Farewell to the Army Blue
by Daniel Hodne

In November 2017, my family and I returned to West Point, New York, for my class’s 25th Reunion. While I stood alongside my classmates on “The Plain,” and watched the Corps of Cadets execute a pass in review, I appreciated the opportunity to reflect. As my retirement date approached, this occasion took place in the twilight of my Army career. In a way, my military journey had come full circle, starting and ending at my “rockbound highland home.”

flag-salute-300x158 Daniel Hodne

It was the 1st of July, 1987, Reception Day for the United States Military Academy Class of 1991, when after quickly being plunged into a very efficient transformational and cultural immersion system known to cadets and alumni as “Beast Barracks,” I reported to the Cadet in the Red Sash, and then reported to the Cadet First Sergeant of India Company, for Cadet Basic Training for the first time as ordered.

In the tremendous uncertainty, overshadowed by tall, gray, stone walls,…the only thing for sure was that I had entered a new way of life in which I would continuously face unforeseen challenges; and my opportunities would be to learn, develop, and grow from them. I had also been issued barracks bags full of uniform and equipment items.

Sense of Purpose

The truth is…, although I would realize it years later, when I reported to West Point for Reception Day in 1987, up to that moment, up to that very day, I already had everything I needed. My parents, my role models, raised, nurtured, and inspired my brothers and me to live by the noblest of ethics, values, and beliefs, which were entirely consistent with the ideals of West Point, and the Army in which I would serve. From them, I gained a deep sense of purpose, which helped me as I made choices, which led to paths, that provided direction in my life.

My dad, a service-connected disabled veteran and paraplegic, through the love and support of my mom, improved the lives of other disabled veterans by leading the barrier-free design efforts for the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association.

Growing up, I enjoyed listening to fascinating stories of military service from my father and his friends and co-workers—other disabled veterans, paraplegics, quadriplegics, and amputees all of whom, in spite of their life-changing injuries and conditions, spoke so positively and proudly of their service.

Ability‑Not Disability

In them, I saw ability, not disability…and my Army Story would start from theirs. From these great men and my parents, I learned that in the face of challenges, what really matters, is how you face them.

Dad, you are the strongest man I know. I will always try to be just like you.

To the Officers, Noncommissioned Officers, Soldiers, Civilians, and Family members with whom I have served, I express my deepest gratitude.

I will always be thankful for the culture, camaraderie, and relationships, …

that forges the sort of trust that you could absolutely bet your life on,….

builds the level of teamwork that accomplishes the most dangerous, difficult, and hazardous of missions….

and solves the most complex, ambiguous, and challenging of problems,…

while making great friendships every step of the way.

It was a pleasure, a privilege, and a blessing, to have worked so closely with you.

This career, at times, was a wonderful voyage of discovery. More often than not, it was running the gauntlet.

But throughout, I was surrounded by dedicated professionals, who cared deeply about the mission,…and for each other, so I was always living the dream.

All through these years, my sense of purpose remained clear. It was made even stronger by key principles.

As a commissioned officer in the United States Army, I upheld an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

As a member of our Army’s Special Forces Regiment, a Green Beret, I committed myself to efforts that would free the oppressed and strove to be an exemplary member of our nation’s elite and chosen soldiery.

As a leader, I adhered to my philosophy of focusing on my mission, taking care of my people and their families, and always making my unit even better.

As a man, who became a husband, and a father, I pledged my love, my life to an extraordinary woman…

To my beautiful wife and love of my life, as I bid farewell to the Army Blue, I know that with you, our best, brightest, and most successful days still lie yet ahead…

Because I know that with your love and support, moving forward, I already have everything I need and so much more.

I wish for our Army, our joint force, and our special operations enterprise the very best and continued success; our Nation is counting on it.

I will always be proud to have been a member of your ranks.

Duty Shall Be Done, Army Strong, De Oppresso Liber…and May God Bless America.

Daniel Hodne is the Senior Planning Consultant at Moffitt Cancer Center. He earned his Bachelor of Science (BS) at the United States Military Academy at West Point, his Master of Arts (MA) at Louisiana State University, and his Master of Strategic Studies (MSS) at the U.S. Army War College (Executive Leadership School). Hodne was among the top 6% of the War College class, comprised of 385 specially-selected, high-performing senior officers, executives, and civilians, and was also recognized with an award for excellence in writing. He served as the Senior Strategic Planner, Senior Program Manager (Lead Planner), and also Director of Strategic Planning, Division Manager, Senior Program Manager at the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSCOM). He also served as a member of “Project Transition USA” to support transitioning military and vets.

© 2020 The Havok Journal

This first appeared in The Havok Journal on March 26, 2019.

Daniel Hodne and John Michael

It was June 2009 when they crossed paths … Fort Meade, MD at the second Army Strong Experience, and at that time LTC Daniel Hodne was commanding the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit

Daniel Hodne

John Michael Kupik, assisted by Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, fires a round during a 9mm event during the U.S. Army Strong Experience at Fort Meade, Md., June 2, 2009. The event showcased several skills events

BUY THE BOOK

Images of America – Fort Myer is a pictorial chronicle of the first one hundred years of history containing over two hundred photographs, maps, and images.  Beginning in the 1860s and carrying through the 1960s it provides a view of what was over time.  An autographed copy of the book can be purchased at BUY THE BOOK.

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Admiral Stephen W Rochon – First & One of Nine

Posted on March 7, 2022 by John Michael

Who is Rear Admiral Stephen W Rochon?

Admiral Stephen W. Rochon

President George W. Bush welcomes U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Stephen W. Rochon to the Oval Office Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007. The New Orleans native was announced Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007, as Director of the Executive Residence and Chief Usher. He will be the eighth Chief Usher of the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper

Probably Telling George W and Barack Where to Go!

As the first African American Director of the Executive  Residence and  Chief Usher  (he was number eight since 1857!) for four years  2077 to 2011. Commanding a staff of nearly one hundred full-time employees and an equal number of contractors, he kept those two Presidents in line and the White House operating in an outstanding way.

United States Coast Guard Service

Since 1970 when he joined the USCG until he retired in March 2007, Admiral Stephen W Rochon held various different responsibilities and commands in the United States Coast Guard the “First sea service”.  With a love of history, he produced a video documentary honoring the late Alex Haley, USCG (Retired) — renowned author of the famous book, “Roots.”  The Admiral himself is writing a book about the all-black crew of the Pea Island Lifesaving Station for their daring rescue in 1896.

Why Admiral Stephen W Rochon?

Little did John Michael know that on Sunday 06 MAR 2022, he would have the encounter and meet Admiral  Stephen W. Rochon during a trip to the local grocery store.  After sharing some of the work each of us had done over the years. the Admiral honored John Michael with his coin.  It also seems that the admiral went home to read a couple of new books he was kind enough to purchase … Thank you for your support Admiral!

BUY THE BOOK

OVER 200 HISTORICAL IMAGES, MAPS & ILLUSTRATIONS

The book, Images of America – Fort Lesley J. McNair contains over two hundred historical photographs, images, and illustrations that chronicle the two hundred plus years of history among the acres of this US Army Post.

The book “Images of America – Fort Lesley J McNair”  is “a walk down memory lane” as one reader called it after he turned the last page.  Go beyond

Images of America – Fort Lesley J. McNairLesley J. McNair augment the website and read more of the history with your own copy – BUY THE BOOK offers the opportunity to get either a personalized & autographed copy from the author or purchase the book from one of the major resellers.

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Over 2,500 Reasons History Buffs Like Virginia

Posted on March 5, 2022 by John Michael

It’s the oldest program in the United  States that began nearly a hundred years ago.  Since 1927, the Commonwealth of Virginia  has been erecting historical markers – metal signs with black lettering on a silver background

The Virginia historical highway marker program documents facts, persons, events, and places prominently identified with the history of the nation, state, or region. DHR’s purpose in erecting markers is to educate the public about Virginia’s history, not to honor, memorialize, or commemorate persons, events, or places. Because highway markers are not honorific in nature, they do not serve the same purpose as monuments, statues, memorial plaques, or war memorials.

With their texts of black lettering against a silver background and their distinctive shape, Virginia’s state historical highway markers are hard to miss along the commonwealth’s roadways. There are now more than 2,500 of them erected in Virginia to highlight people, places, or events of regional, statewide, or national significance.

Virginia’s historical marker program is the oldest such program in the nation, beginning in 1927 when a handful of markers were erected along U.S. 1 between Richmond and Mount Vernon. Originally the Conservation and Economic Development Commission was tasked with creating historical markers. In 1949, the Virginia Department of Highways was assigned the responsibility for installing and maintaining new markers, and in 1950 the Virginia State Library took over researching and approving new markers.

Image
The 2008 dedication ceremony for The Great Indian (Wagon) Road marker in Winchester.

In 1966, management of the highway markers was transferred to the newly created Virginia Landmarks Commission, the predecessor agency of the Department of Historic Resources. Today VDOT retains primary responsibility for installing new markers and maintaining existing ones. In this capacity, VDOT is a vital partner with DHR in managing the marker program.

lick on the link below to read more and search for markers

Historical Highway Markers

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Throwback Thursday 24 FEB 2022 – Camp Sevier

Posted on February 26, 2022 by John Michael

Camp Sevier was a temporary cantonment site in Greenville County created to train federalized National Guard soldiers during World War I.

Written by Samuel K. Fore

Camp Sevier was a temporary cantonment site in Greenville County created to train federalized National Guard soldiers during World War I. It was named in honor of the Revolutionary War hero John Sevier, a leader of patriot militia at Kings Mountain and later governor of Tennessee. Soldiers from South Carolina began to occupy the site, four miles northeast of the city of Greenville, on July 10, 1917. Construction began a week later, and the formal establishment of the post took place on July 18. During the next two months, various National Guard units from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee began to arrive at the camp. Before training could begin in earnest, the land had to be cleared and facilities constructed. Once all units had reported, soldiers were trained in a range of common infantry skills and in new modes of warfare, such as gas defense and the use of the machine gun. Covering some nineteen hundred acres, the camp provided ample room for artillery instruction as well. This first group of guardsmen was formed into the Thirtieth, or “Old Hickory,” Division, which trained at the post until May 1918 and was followed by the Eighty-first and Twentieth Divisions, respectively. In all, an estimated 100,000 men had undergone vital training at Camp Sevier by the spring of 1919. With the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918, the post was designated as a demobilization center on December 3 and was closed as a military training facility on April 8, 1919.

Doyle, Alex C. Completion Report of Camp Sevier, Greenville, S.C. Greenville, S.C., 1919.

Huff, Archie Vernon, Jr. Greenville: The History of the City and County in the South Carolina Piedmont. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1995.

Withington, Frances Marshall. “Camp Sevier, 1917–1918.” Proceedings and Papers of the Greenville County Historical Society 4 (1971): 76–85.

The Guns of August Paperback – March 8, 1994

by Barbara W. Tuchman (Author)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time

The Proud Tower, the Pulitzer Prize–winning The Guns of August, and The Zimmerman Telegram comprise Barbara W. Tuchman’s classic histories of the First World War era

In this landmark, Pulitzer Prize–winning account, renowned historian Barbara W. Tuchman re-creates the first month of World War I: thirty days in the summer of 1914 that determined the course of the conflict, the century, and ultimately our present world. Beginning with the funeral of Edward VII, Tuchman traces each step that led to the inevitable clash. And inevitable it was, with all sides plotting their war for a generation. Dizzyingly comprehensive and spectacularly portrayed with her famous talent for evoking the characters of the war’s key players, Tuchman’s magnum opus is a classic for the ages.

Praise for The Guns of August

“A brilliant piece of military history which proves up to the hilt the force of Winston Churchill’s statement that the first month of World War I was ‘a drama never surpassed.’”—Newsweek

“More dramatic than fiction . . . a magnificent narrative—beautifully organized, elegantly phrased, skillfully paced and sustained.”—Chicago Tribune
 
“A fine demonstration that with sufficient art rather specialized history can be raised to the level of literature.”—The New York Times
 
“[The Guns of August] has a vitality that transcends its narrative virtues, which are considerable, and its feel for characterizations, which is excellent.”—The Wall Street Journal

AND There Were More…

John Michael‘s book Images of America – Fort Myer highlighted  the  Remount Service of the United States Army and the companion website for the book drilled down even further to provide insight into the major remount depots –  there were just four and referred to the fact there were 39 substations across the United States When the US Army Moved by Horse

310 Auxiliary Remount Depot, Major Hayden W. Wagner, commanding, Camp Sevier, S.C., March 16th, 1918

310 Auxiliary Remount Depot, Major Hayden W. Wagner, commanding, Camp Sevier, S.C., March 16th, 1918

Camp Sevier contained one of the 39 substations that in addition helped prepare the United States for World War I with other units that were organized and trained within the camp.  What follows are some of those units.  for a more detailed view of the organization’s combat service during World War I, Combat_Service_of_Organizations_of_the_US_Army_in_the_WW I   (WARNING LARGE FILE !   OVER 8 MB) issued by the US Army War College in 1931 here.

105th Supply Train, Maj. J.W. Bradford commanding, Camp Sevier, S.C., March 13, 1918

105th Supply Train, Maj. J.W. Bradford commanding, Camp Sevier, S.C., March 13, 1918

A variety of units were constituted, organized, and trained for  deployment to the European theater

119th Infantry, Col. F. LeJ. Parker, commanding, Capt. John H. Manning, adjutant, Camp Sevier, S.C., March 8th, 1918

So it went beyond providing a remount service substation

120th Infantry, Col. William B. Cochran, commanding, Camp Sevier, S.C., March 16th, 1918

It is hoped that the display of these images shows the amount of effort and preparation that went into the United State Army’s contribution to winning World War I

West from "Y" 82, at Paris, Camp Sevier, S.C.

West from “Y” 82, at Paris, Camp Sevier, S.C.

100 years later, the Great War’s impact on Greenville remains evident

Courtesy of the Greenville Journal

January 18, 2018

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, a conflict that dragged nations from all across the globe into four years of unprecedented bloodshed.

Between the start of the war on July 28, 1914, and the end of the war on Nov. 11, 1918, more than 18 million people were killed and 21 million wounded. The American diplomat, George Kennan, described the war as “the seminal catastrophe of this century.”

However, the war did much more than cause a global massacre. It allowed millions of women to enter the workforce, featured the initial step of the United States as a world power, and helped to transform Greenville into the city it is today.

Building a camp
When the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, Secretary of War Newton Baker ordered the construction of 32 training camps, according to local historian and documentary filmmaker Don Koonce. “Most of these cantonments or training camps were to be spread across the Southeast where moderate weather would provide more training days and shorter preparation time before sending the men overseas,” he said.

Local business leaders sensed an economic opportunity and began lobbying for a camp soon after. They were successful. In July 1917, the U.S. Army appointed Greenville’s J.E. Sirrine & Co. and Gallivan Construction to build a 1,900-acre training camp near the base of Paris Mountain for the newly created 30th Infantry Division, which was composed of National Guard soldiers from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

The division was nicknamed the “Old Hickory” division in honor of U.S. president Andrew “Old Hickory” Jackson, who was born near the borders of the three states.

Soldiers from the 1st South Carolina Infantry arrived in Greenville soon after and began to construct the camp, according to Koonce. About 20,000 additional soldiers arrived in the following weeks, and by Aug. 31 the camp was considered complete. It was named Camp Sevier in honor of John Sevier, a Revolutionary War hero, and Tennessee’s first governor.

The camp included divisional headquarters, drill grounds, YMCA facilities, stables, a chapel, a bakery, a post office, a library, more than a dozen warehouses, and at least four medical buildings. It was also equipped with electricity, running water, and telephone and telegraph lines. The camp, however, did not have barracks, according to Koonce. Soldiers instead lived in pyramidal tents, formed in rows along the camp’s dusty roads.

Read the rest of the article with more photographs at the Greenville Journal

BUY THE BOOK

Images of America – Fort Myer is a pictorial chronicle of the first one hundred years of history containing over two hundred photographs, maps, and images.  Beginning in the 1860s and carrying through the 1960s it provides a view of what was over time.  An autographed copy of the book can be purchased at BUY THE BOOK.

images of america fort myer

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Throwback Thursday 03 FEB 2022 – 10th Group SF Trojan Horse Badge

Posted on February 3, 2022 by John Michael

Trojan Horse Badge?

10th Group SF Trojan Horse Badge and John Michael

It is an honor and distinction that John Michael‘s ongoing mission among the United States military began with the United States Army Special Forces.  For over twenty years that mission has continued in some remarkable ways. Initially with photographing the final honors at Arlington National Cemetery and producing a memorial book of the ceremony for the next of kin, to later coverage of reunions, change of commands, and retirements.  Chosen by the commander of the  Army’s Accessions command to attend the Army Strong Experience in 2009 at Fort Meade, Maryland because of his influencer status.  Author of two books: “Images of America Fort Myer and Images of America – Fort Lesley J. McNair (with additional book projects in the works)  he continues the mission of “Preserving the memories so others will remember…”

Though rarely seen today among the United States Army Special Forces, the 10th Group’s Trojan Horse Badge is a significant piece of the “silent professionals’ ” history. The first time I saw one was at Fort Myer on the green beret of COL  Charles W. Norton Jr., an original member of the 10th Group and he was also my mentor.

The history behind the badge is quite fascinating and insightful and was featured in an article of Veritas – The Journal of Army Special Operations History written by Troy Sacquety who is one of the Associate Editors.  The badge was designed by Captain Roger M. Pezzelle in 1955
while serving with the 10th Special Forces Group in Bad Toelz, Germany. It complemented The Special Forces SSI that was designed
in 1955 by Captain John W. Frye, 77th Special Forces Group. Colonel William E. Ekman was the commander of the 10th Group at the time.

Trojan Horse Badge

Courtesy of VERITAS – Journal of The Army Special Operations History

trojan horse badge

trojan horse badge

trojan horse badge

trojan horse badge

 

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Operatives, Spies, and Saboteurs:

The Unknown Story of the Men and Women of

World War II’s OSS

OSS

BUY THE BOOK

Images of America – Fort Myer is a pictorial chronicle of the first one hundred years of history containing over two hundred photographs, maps, and images.  Beginning in the 1860s and carrying through the 1960s it provides a viewimages of america fort myer of what was over time.

An autographed copy of the book can be purchased at BUY THE BOOK.

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Throwback Thursday 20 JAN 2022 – Pentagram 2010 JAN 20

Posted on January 20, 2022 by John Michael

Pentagram 2010 JAN 20

NOTE:  WIN A FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF “IMAGES OF AMERICA – FORT LESLEY J. McNAIR” — Please see the details at the end of this blog post)

There was a time period when John Michael‘s travels kept him among the hallow acres of Arlington National Cemetery between capturing the final honors for a fallen veteran or their spouse… or in this case, tracking the missions of one of the 3d Infantry’s (The Old Guard) the premier unit – The Presidential Salute Battery.

This elite unit carries on a tradition of providing gun salutes for the President, heads of state, and generals of the United States  Army, United States Marine Corps, and Admirals in the US Navy.

In my opinion, they have the second most hard-working mission within the 3d Infantry Regiment only topped by the esteemed Caisson Platoon.  The Guns Platoon are the keepers of the last of the fully operational WW II M5 3″ antitank guns.  Painted in shiny black with US ARMY emblazoned on the tubes, these guns are called into duty a few hundred times a year, yet they are rarely seen, but always heard.

The most visible missions are offered twice a year when they provide the cannon fire for the 1812 Overture – Once on the 4th of July at the Capitol with the Washington Symphony Orchestra, and the second with The United States Army Band (TUSAB) – ” Pershing’s Own when they perform the 1812 Overture.

Pentagram 2010 JAN 20

Things That Go Boom!  AND FLASH!

In the Pentagram 2010 JAN 20, the photograph below appeared. It was captured by John Michael at one of the locations where the Presidential Salute Battery meticulously places their M5s – 3″ antitank guns.  Known as “Miles”, it is on the cul-de-sac near the Miles Mausoleum within Arlington National Cemetery, one of four locations where the guns are fired from.

Pentagram 2010 JAN 20

In And Over for Naval Admirals – Marines Generals Too!

In rendering gun salute final honors, All Generals and Admirals receive the same number of gun salutes based on rank when their remains are over the graveside.  However, United States Navy Admirals and the United States Marine Corps Generals receive an additional number of gun salutes on the way from the procession origin point to the gravesite.  Something referred to as “In and Over”  A member of the Presidential Salute Battery is embedded within the procession and as he passes a marker placed the day before that indicates a salute should be fired, he communicates to tie Officer in charge (OIC) to fire a salute.

NOTE:  WIN A FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF “IMAGES OF AMERICA – FORT LESLEY J. McNAIR”

HOW TO WIN:  ANSWER THE FIVE QUESTIONS BELOW AND SUBMIT THE ANSWERS IN A COMMENT.  THE CONTEST ENDS AT MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 31, 2022. ENTRIES AFTER THAT ARE DISQUALIFIED,

THE FIRST PERSON TO GET ALL FIVE ANSWERS CORRECTLY WILL WIN THE FREE AUTOGRAPHED BOOK

  1. Where in Arlington National Cemetery was the published photograph taken?
  2. How many gun salutes does a Lieutenant General in the United States Air Force receive?
  3. What is the name of the artillery that the Presidential Salute Battery uses to conduct the gun salutes?
  4. What public performances are the Presidential Salute Battery most visible and name the composer?
  5. How many gun salutes does the prime minister of Great Britain receive when visiting on an official visit to the United States?

BUY THE BOOK

Images of America – Fort Myer is a pictorial chronicle of the first one hundred years of history containing over two hundred photographs, maps, and images.  Beginning in the 1860s and carrying through the 1960s it provides a view of what was over time.  An autographed copy of the book can be purchased at BUY THE BOOK.

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Throwback Thursday 23 DEC 2021 – CHRISTMAS 2011

Posted on December 23, 2021 by John Michael

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011!

It was a very interesting time in my life.  It was the year that I juggled the demands of capturing final honors at Arlington National Cemetery and becoming a published author of the first book ever written about a very historical US Army post known as Fort Myer.  This was in addition to creating and composing a growing assortment of notecards and later Christmas cards which highlight a variety of US ARMY HERALDRY.

Old  Guard and John Michael

Major General (ret.) Donald Hilbert, who was then Executive Director of Knollwood had sponsored and introduced me to the Old Guard Association and I have been an Associate member ever since.

Images of America – Fort Myer Released

Call it serendipitous, but the release date of the book was 13 JUN 2011 just one day before the US Army’s birthday.  It was after over two and one-half years of research and writing to pack the book with over 200 historical photographs that were hardly ever seen or organized to begin to tell the story of this Civil war era fort that is still performing its mission over 150 years later to defend the Capital city of Washington DC

CHRISTMAS 2011  GREETINGS

CHRISTMAS 2011

COINS AWARDED – A CHRISTMAS 2011 PRESENT

CHRISTMAS 2011

IMAGES OF AMERICA – FORT MYER PUBLISHED

After two and one-half years of research and writing, the first book about this Civil War era US Army Post was published by Arcadia

CHRISTMAS 2011

CHRISTMAS 2011

TWO CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

I, John Michael,  am blessed with a dual ancestry.  On my mother’s side is my Polish ancestry.  On my father’s side is my Russian ancestry. so when it comes around to holidays like Christmas, I get the benefits of celebrating TWICE!  Once on 25 DECEMBER for traditional Christmas and again on 6 January for Traditional Orthodox Christmas  (you need to read “10 Signs You Celebrate Christmas the Orthodox Way“).  My father’s name was Nicholas, so he also was very gift-giving on Saint Nicholas’ Day.

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Throwback Thursday 16 DEC 2021- 1962 Fort Benning Doughboys

Posted on December 16, 2021 by John Michael

Football and the US ARMY

Ever hear of the Fort Benning Doughboys?

People have had a fascination with round and oval objects and turned them into games that were at first entertaining and then became the added attraction of betting on the outcome.  The evolution has sad to say become somewhat infused with politics because of certain protest actions taken before the “game”.

Back when … over sixty years ago, football was a sport that the US Army welcomed to provide recreation and sport for the troops.  Each post fielded a team that competed with other posts or nearby colleges and universities.

One post, in particular, Fort Benning had its Fort Benning Doughboys that provided some outstanding results.  Specifically the 1962 Doughboys team

Fort Benning Doughboys

Every Team Needs a Stadium

Fort Benning Doughboy Stadium

Fort Benning Doughboy Stadium

Fort Benning had its own stadium named of course “Doughboy Stadium” located at 153 Sigerfoos Rd, Fort Benning, GA 31905

Who was Brigadier General Edward Sigerfoos?

Brigadier General Edward Sigerfoos

Brigadier General Edward Sigerfoos

He has the distinction of receiving a promotion from Lieutenant Colonel to Brigadier General posthumously by an act of the US Congress,  and the highest-ranking officer killed in World War I.

Fort Benning Doughboys Staduim

Fort Benning Doughboy Stadium

The 1962 UNDEFEATED AND ALL SERVICE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

1962 Fort Benning Doughboys

I John Michael, have a connection to the team since one of them,  #42,  Wallace Johnson was the “second older brother I never had“.   Wally loved to tell of his escapades with the Fort Benning Doughboys, most specifically he would pound his chest and say in a very confident voice “WE BEAT QUANTICO!’

Wally Johnson’s service in the US Army was varied but after decades he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel spending many years in Special Forces.  I met him when he was President of the local chapter of the Special Forces Association – Chapter XI.

Based upon the fine work that I had done capturing the final honors of Special Forces veterans who were laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, I was made an honorary member of  the Special Force Association – Chapter XI

 

Fort Benning Doughboy

 

 BUY THE BOOK …

Fort Benning (Images of America)

by Kenneth H. Thomas Jr. (Author),

Deputy to the Commanding General Don Sando (Foreword)

ALL ABOUT THE BOOK:

Established outside Columbus, Georgia, in October 1918 by the United States Army as Camp Benning, the base was moved to its permanent location, nine miles south, in June 1919. In 1922, the post was made permanent and was named Fort Benning. Created as the new location of The Infantry School of Arms, Fort Benning became the training post for many of the country’s future leaders, as well as a major part of the military experience for hundreds of thousands of American soldiers.

The post’s current size, more than 180,000 acres, has long made it recognized as one of the largest infantry bases in the world. Named for Gen. Henry L. Benning of Columbus, the installation has had a major impact on the economic and social life of nearby Columbus. Images of America: Fort Benning features vintage photographs and postcards, mostly from 1918 to 1978, showcasing the first 60 years of the base’s 85-year history. Included are scenes of the temporary encampment on Macon Road and the early wooden encampment on the Main Post. The permanent buildup from the late 1920s to the early 1940s is shown in photographs of The Infantry School, the Officers’ Club, Main Post Chapel, Doughboy Stadium, Gowdy Field, the Jump Towers, Lawson Field, the Cuartel Barracks, and the officers’ quarters, as well as Riverside, the Commandant’s Home, formerly the Bussey Plantation. Activities and events include military reviews, visits of presidents, and the National Infantry Museum’s dedication. Generals who served there and are featured include Bradley, Eisenhower, Marshall, and Patton. This centennial edition features a new foreword by Don Sando, deputy to the commanding general.

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The Historic US Army Forts!  Part II

Posted on December 15, 2021 by John Michael

The Historic US Army Forts!  Part II

Over the past two decades, John Michael has immersed himself in the study of the US military, specifically the US ARMY. Today’s ARMY is a far cry from what was a hundred years ago.  As the United States population pushed west, many US Army posts emerged to provide protection and safety to what was once wilderness and danger.  John Michael is the author of books that chronicle the history of two of these forts = Fort Myer and Fort Lesley J. McNair.  Many other authors have seen the value in documenting and chronicling this unique military history.  So without further rambling, here is the first installment of books for your personal library shelf or as gifts for someone special.

Intrigued by the past?  Need a great collection of books for your library or kindle?  Then there are several selections to choose from

Fort Leavenworth (Images of America)

by Kenneth M. LaMaster  (Author)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

On March 17, 1827, Col. Henry Leavenworth received orders from Washington. Along with four companies of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, he departed from the Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis, traveled up the Missouri River, and selected a site for a permanent settlement. Cantonment Leavenworth was established on May 8, 1827, and renamed Fort Leavenworth on February 8, 1832. Since then, it has grown and met the demands of the U.S. Army. From the protection of pioneers along the Santa Fe Trail to peacekeeping missions among the Native Americans, the fort’s role in the nation’s expansion westward is second to none. Fort Leavenworth has continually reinvented itself to meet the challenges facing the nation. From training units during the Civil War to army education during Operation Enduring Freedom, the fort’s many schools have stood true to their motto: Ad Bellum Pace Parati (prepared in peace for war).

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Old Fort Jackson (Images of America)

by Laura Seifert (Author)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Fort James Jackson has been the silent sentinel protecting Savannah, Georgia, for over 200 years. Never taken by force, its soldiers also never fired a shot in anger, only in celebration. On Halloween in 1863, Confederate President Jefferson Davis received a 21-gun salute while touring the Savannah River defenses on the steamer Beauregard. However, the soldiers at the fort faced many challenges, including disease, cold, heat, mosquitoes, poor nutrition, and stress. Active during wartimes, the fort was often quietly abandoned between wars. Union soldiers last fired the fort’s guns on April 11, 1865, when Savannah got news of the fall of Richmond and the war’s end. After the Civil War, the fort’s longest wait began, despite 1870s renovation attempts. The mid-1960s saw renewal through historic preservation and archaeology as the fort became a museum. The fort was even a filming location for the movie Glory, which was appropriate as the 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, an African American unit, was briefly stationed here.

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Fort McHenry

and

Baltimore’s Harbor Defenses (MD)

(Images of America)

by Merle T. Cole (Author), Scott S. Sheads (Author)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Few residents or visitors to the Baltimore metropolitan area understand the strange concrete structures they routinely pass when crossing the Francis Scott Key Bridge or glimpse while fishing or boating in the Patapsco River, but the treasured heritage associated with these noble structures is a part of our collective past. Fort McHenry and Baltimore’s later harbor defenses played significant roles in our nation’s evolving military history and in the greater American drama. Many books have celebrated the defense of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and the birthplace of our national anthem, but no other provides the wealth of imagery contained within these pages. The fort’s military history from its construction through the British bombardment, the Civil War, and two World Wars, as well as its unique status as the only fort to be designated a National Monument and Historic Shrine, are explored through the valuable visual record that remains. Following the Civil War, when advances in technology had rendered brick forts such as Fort McHenry obsolete, the United States Army constructed three forts- Fort Armistead, Fort Smallwood, and Fort Howard-and renovated a fourth – Fort Carroll – to protect Baltimore’s harbor. The architecture, weapons, daily life of soldiers, and changing military uses of Fort McHenry and these “modern” forts, some of which now serve as waterfront parks, are the focus of this illustrated retrospective.

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Fort Clark

and

Brackettville: Land of Heroes (TX)

(Images of America)

by Bill Haenn (Author)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The story of Fort Clark and Brackettville began with a quiet pool of water, Las Moras Spring, named by the Spanish conquistadors for the mulberry trees lining its banks. The discovery of gold in California and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo precipitated the opening of the Lower Road from San Antonio to El Paso. To protect the spring and the travelers on the road, the U.S. government established a fort on the high ground above the spring. The town of Brackettville grew with the fort, and the area soon played host to an honor roll of American heroes. Revealed in some 200 images, many never before published, are some of the fort’s most famous alumni, including Stuart, Longstreet, Sheridan, Sherman, Bullis, Patton, and Wainwright, in addition to the little-known Medal of Honor recipients buried there. Captured here are the deeds of a legion of unsung heroes, as well as the fort and town’s historic past, highlighting the Indian War era, the Seminole Scouts, and the quiet time between the World Wars. Culled from the collections of the Library of Congress, the National Archives of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, and pioneer photographer Eugene O. Goldbeck, this book is a testament to American soldiers throughout the country.

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Fort Hood

in World War II

(Images of America)

by David Ford  (Author)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

On January 14, 1942, Col. Andrew D. Bruce announced that the location of the new Tank Destroyer Tactical Training and Firing Center was to be near Killeen, Texas. This announcement put into motion a whirlwind of activity and construction that resulted in the creation of one of the largest military bases in the world. On September 18, 1942, Camp Hood was officially opened. Eight short months after the opening of Camp Hood, the base nearly doubled in size. Building from scratch, the spirit of a black panther, as depicted on the tank destroyers shoulder patch, was channeled into anti-tank combat teams. These teams were trained to fight the formidable might of Germany’s panzer divisions.

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World War II

in Fort Pierce

(Images of America: Florida)

by Robert A. Taylor (Author)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Few Florida communities felt the impact of World War II as much as the Atlantic-coast town of Fort Pierce. With a population that soared along with its economy, the small city made an important contribution to Allied victory by hosting a major military training base. Prior to that, the war had come only as close as the German submarines stalking targets off the southern coast of the peninsula. In 1943, however, the U.S. Navy commissioned its newest
amphibious training base in Fort Pierce, and tens of thousands of young men would eventually prepare for combat on the town’s sunny shores. The intensive physical and mental training was hardly “a day at the beach,” and within a few months, Fort Pierce had become a major military post with a national reputation. It also became the training site of some of the most elite units of the armed forces, including the Scouts and Raiders, U.S. Army Rangers, and the legendary “frogmen.”

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The United States Army

at Fort Knox (KY)

(Images of America)

by Matthew D. Rector (Author)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Located in north-central Kentucky, Fort Knox is one of the army’s major installations and is home to several commands, including the United States Army School and Center and the United States Army Recruiting Command. The fort’s history dates to 1903, when a series of military maneuvers was held by the United States Army in West Point, Kentucky. When World War I required the establishment of additional military training facilities, Camp Knox was created. The post closed as a permanent installation in 1922, but it remained an active training center for army programs and, briefly, a national forest. On January 1, 1932, Camp Knox was made a permanent installation again and has since been known as Fort Knox. In 1940, the Armored Force was established, paving the way for the continuing evolution of armed warfare. The United States Bullion Depository chose its location because of its proximity to this post.

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The United States Disciplinary Barracks

by Peter J. Grande (Author)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

On May 21, 1874, Congress approved the establishment of the United States Disciplinary Barracks (USDB), formerly the United States Military Prison at Fort Leavenworth. The original prison was once a quartermaster depot, supplying all military posts, camps, and stations in the Indian Territory to the West. It has been the “center of correctional excellence” in the military for over 130 years, housing the most notorious service members in the armed forces, including maximum-custody inmates and those with death sentences. On October 5, 2002, retreat was played for the last time in front of the eight-story castle inside the old USDB, and another era started with the occupation of a new modern correctional facility.

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More Books???   Click on the link below:

Historic US Army Forts  PART I

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Throwback Thursday 09 DEC 2021 – CHRISTMAS 2011

Posted on December 9, 2021 by John Michael

CHRISTMAS 2011

The year 2011 was an exciting year for that is the year that John Michael became a published author of the first book about Fort Myer entitled  “Images of America – Fort Myer”

BUY THE BOOK

Images of America – Fort Myer is a pictorial chronicle of the first one hundred years of history containing over two hundred photographs, maps, and images.  Beginning in the 1860s and carrying through the 1960s it provides a view of what was over time.  An autographed copy of the book can be purchased at BUY THE BOOK.

images of america fort myer

What follows below was the “Christmas letter ” that he sent out with Christmas cards that year.

CHRISTMAS 2011

CHRISTMAS 2011

CHRISTMAS 2011The Spy and the Traitor:

The Greatest Espionage Story

of the Cold War

Paperback – August 6, 2019

by Ben Macintyre (Author)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The celebrated author of Double Cross and Rogue Heroes returns with his greatest spy story yet, a thrilling Americans-era tale of Oleg Gordievsky, the Russian whose secret work helped hasten the end of the Cold War.

“The best true spy story I have ever read.”—JOHN LE CARRÉ

Named a Best Book of the Year by The Economist • Shortlisted for the Bailie Giffords Prize in Nonfiction

If anyone could be considered a Russian counterpart to the infamous British double-agent Kim Philby, it was Oleg Gordievsky. The son of two KGB agents and the product of the best Soviet institutions, the savvy, sophisticated Gordievsky grew to see his nation’s communism as both criminal and philistine. He took his first posting for Russian intelligence in 1968 and eventually became the Soviet Union’s top man in London, but from 1973 on he was secretly working for MI6. For nearly a decade, as the Cold War reached its twilight, Gordievsky helped the West turn the tables on the KGB, exposing Russian spies and helping to foil countless intelligence plots, as the Soviet leadership grew increasingly paranoid at the United States’s nuclear first-strike capabilities and brought the world closer to the brink of war. Desperate to keep the circle of trust close, MI6 never revealed Gordievsky’s name to its counterparts in the CIA, which in turn grew obsessed with figuring out the identity of Britain’s obviously top-level source. Their obsession ultimately doomed Gordievsky: the CIA officer assigned to identify him was none other than Aldrich Ames, the man who would become infamous for secretly spying for the Soviets.

Unfolding the delicious three-way gamesmanship between America, Britain, and the Soviet Union, and culminating in the gripping cinematic beat-by-beat of Gordievsky’s nail-biting escape from Moscow in 1985, Ben Macintyre’s latest may be his best yet. Like the greatest novels of John le Carré, it brings readers deep into a world of treachery and betrayal, where the lines bleed between the personal and the professional, and one man’s hatred of communism had the power to change the future of nations.

CHRISTMAS 2011

CHRISTMAS 2011

BUY THE BOOK

OVER 200 HISTORICAL IMAGES, MAPS & ILLUSTRATIONS

The book, Images of America – Fort Lesley J. McNair contains over two hundred historical photographs, images, and illustrations that chronicle the two hundred plus years of history among the acres of this US Army Post.

The book “Images of America – Fort Lesley J McNair”  is “a walk down memory lane” as one reader called it after he turned the last page.  Go beyond

Images of America – Fort Lesley J. McNairLesley J. McNair augment the website and read more of the history with your own copy – BUY THE BOOK offers the opportunity to get either a personalized & autographed copy from the author or purchase the book from one of the major resellers.

BUY SOME OMAHA STEAKS

YUMMY …  STEAKS!!!

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