HISTORY OF THE SGT AUDIE MURPHY CLUB
In The Beginning.....
(The three prototypes to the right were considered as the Fort Sill logo. The final selection is featured on the HomePage.)
The Saga Continues.....
In 1991, then III Corps Commander Lieutenant General Pete Taylor and Command Sergeant Major Richard B. Cayton expanded the Fort Hood installation club to include all of III Corps. This included Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Polk, Louisiana and Fort Carson, Colorado.
In 1993, CSM Cayton was voted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club by the membership and then became the Forces Command Command Sergeant Major. Soon thereafter, the club became FORSCOM-wide, including the Reserves and National Guard.
In 1994 at a Sergeant Major of the Army conference, the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club spread Army-wide, to all commands with installations retaining the selection process for their own NCOs.
Since the beginning, FORSCOM NCOs assigned to IIId Armored Corp Artillery have had the opportunity for selection at Sill. Currently under the supervision of CSM Lash L. Sturdivant, this strongly supported program continues to improve and develop.
Under the guidance of USAFACFS CSM William J. Perry III, the selection process for Fort Sill's TRADOC NCOs began in early June 1997. The first induction ceremony, in October, was attended by a strong representation from FORSCOM and IIId Armored Corp Artillery (IIId ACA), Medical Activity Command (MEDDAC), Dental Activity Command (DENTAC), Law Enforcement Command (LEC), Artillery Training Center Command (USAFATC), Field Artillery School Training Command (USAFAS), Personnel and Support Battalion (P&SB), and the Lawton community in attendance.
The Redleg Chapter was created after two different forces joined into one. Former First Sergeant Roy Greenwood of Headquarters Battery, 75th Field Artillery Brigade had been trying to organize a club from SAMC NCOs he spoke with. The Fort Hood Chapter was well known, but Sill had nothing. Staff Sergeant George Keck of Headquarters, Personnel and Support Battalion was command directed by former Post CSM, Command Sergeant Major William J. Perry, to create a screening/selection program and an induction ceremony for Sill NCOs assigned to TRADOC units. The TRADOC CSM had recently been granted permission by FORSCOM to include their NCOs in the SGT Audie Murphy Club NCO Recognition Program. CSM Perry wanted to present an opportunity for Chains of Command and NCO Support Channels in TRADOC units to recognize their deserving NCOs. After the program was established and running, the new TRADOC members and FORSCOM members wanted to start a mutual chapter for Sill. 1SG Greenwood and SSG Keck were put together, presented a proposal to new Post CSM Willaim J. Kermode, and the Redleg Chapter was established in April 1998. Over 200 members attended the first meeting. The first Redleg Governing Council officers were nominated and elected.
***They were:
President-SSG George Keck of HHB, P&SB, S-2
Vice President-1SG Charles Green of A, 2/2nd FA
Treasurer-SSG Paul Blakey of C, 1/78th FA
Secretary-SSG Mira Blakey of HHB, P&SB, DOIM
PAO Representative-SSG Mike Easterly of B, 2/80th FA.
Where We Are Today.....
Terry M. Murphy, Audie's older son, is President of the Audie Murphy Research Foundation. Receiving quarterly updates of our program, he or Larryann Willis writes back occasionally to acknowledge Fort Sill's continuing effort to honor Audie. Terry always sends his thanks and wishes us continued success. Ms. Larryann C. Willis, Executive Director of the Research Foundation, has been an avid supporter of the Fort Sill program from the beginning. Special thanks to SSG (R) Stan Smith of the Audie Murphy National Fan Club; Richard Rodgers of the Audie Murphy Memorial Website; Artist Don Moore of Killeen, Texas; Adrien Witkofsky and Joyce Delgado of the American Cotton Museum; Hunt County Judge Joe Bobbitt and Shawna Padilla of Greenville and Nadene, Billie Jean and Eugene Murphy for their magnificent support and encouragement.
Professionalism, Loyalty, Caring, Discipline. These are still the watchwords for this group of modern day warriors. Taking care of our soldiers while accomplishing world-wide missions has always been our duty. These SGT Audie Murphy(s) are the leaders we want guiding our soldiers along The Cutting Edge" into the 21st century....and beyond.