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D 14.2:SE 6/2/2010 1 The Sergeants Major Army the of APR 2 9 2C11 asTMposiTORy' Daniel K. Elder Mark F. Gillespie Glen R. Hawkins Michael B. Kelly Preston E. Pierce Center ofMilitary History United States Army Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from University of Florida, George A. Smathers Libraries https://archive.org/details/sergeantsmajorofOOdani The Sergeants Major Army the of Daniel K. Elder Mark F. Gillespie Glen R. Hawkins Michael B. Kelly Preston E. Pierce Center ofMilitary History United States Army Washington, D.C., 2010 U.S. Army CenterofMilitary History Brig. Gen.John S. Brown, ChiefofMilitary History ChiefHistorian Jeffrey Clarke J. Chief, Histories Division Richard W. Stewart Editor in Chief John W. Elsberg LibraryofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The Ser—geants Major ofthe Army/ Daniel K. Elder . . . [et al.],general editors. Rev. ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. — — 1. United St—ates. Army Non-commission—ed officers History. 2. United States. Army Non-commissioned officers Biography. 1. Elder, Daniel K„ 1961- UB408.5.S476 2003 — 355.3'38 dc21 2003043521 —CMH First Printing ofRevised Edition, 2003 Pub 70-63-1 Forsalebythe SuperintendentofDocuments, U.S. GovernmentPrintingOffice Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: tollfree(866)512-1800; DCarea(202)512-1800 Fax: (202)512-2104Mail: StopIDCC, Washington, DC20402-0001 ISBN 978-0-16-084180-4 Foreword T he creation of the Office of the Sergeant Sergeant Major of the Army is no exception. Major ofthe Army in July 1966 repre- The noncommissioned officers chosen to be sented a major milestone in the devel- Sergeants Major of the Army all have been opment of the U.S. Army. For the first time in individualswho notonlyhave had extraordinary history an enlisted person assumed the role of careers,but who have demonstrated exceptional an adviser to the Chief of Staff on all issues dedication to the welfare of their fellow soldiers. pertaining to the enlisted force. Though not a This dedication makes them truly effective policy maker himself, the Sergeant Major ofthe advocates and spokesmen on enlisted-related Army (SMA) is well placed to represent the issues. interests of enlisted men and women at the The careers and life stories of the men who highestlevels ofthe Army.The establishment of have served as Sergeants Major of the Army are SMA the position reflected the importance of both inspirational and instructive, for through soldier-related issues in today’s Army and the them we gain an appreciation not just for the belief that havingan accomplished seniorenlist- SMAs themselves, but for all the enlisted men ed man in the Pentagon would facilitate com- and women who over the past two and a half munication and understanding between senior centuries have worked, fought, and sacrificed to officials and soldiers in the field.It also reflected make the U.S. Army the finest military organi- the Army’s appreciation for the growing profes- zation in the world. As we continue to trans- sionalism of the Noncommissioned Officer form the Army to meet the challenges of the (NCO) Corps and the key role it plays in the twenty-first century, it is particularly appropri- operation and administration ofthe Army. ate to look back and understand the role of the Offices and titles are essential in any large noncommissioned officers who have taken us to institution, but ultimately people are the key to the point we are today. an organization’s success; the Office of the JACK L.TILLEY Twelfth Sergeant Major of the Army iii Preface T he SergeantMajorofthe Army(SMA) knew and the experiences he encountered is a singular soldier in an especially over the course ofhis life; consequently, about demanding position. Although other half of each biographical chapter recounts the armies have sergeants major, few approximate life story of the SMA in question. With this the depth, breadth, and professionalism of the perspective in mind, the second half of each American Noncommissioned Officer Corps. biographical chapter examines his achieve- These attributes ofour noncommissioned offi- ments during his tenure as Sergeant Major of A cers make the position of Sergeant Major of the Army. chronological list ofduty assign- the Army both desirable and essential. ments and decorations can be found at the The first part of this book describes the end of each chapter. In addition, a list of fur- origin and growth of the Office of the ther readings and an appendix that outlines Sergeant Major of the Army. It explains why the Presidents, Secretaries of the Army, and some saw a need for such an office and tells Chiefs of Staff under whom the respective who supported it in its infancy, who made it Sergeants Major served provides context and work, and why it has succeeded as well as it framework. has. The history ofthe Sergeants Major ofthe Complementing this institutional story are Army is more than just a story of bureau- the personal stories of the soldiers who have cratic institutions and the men that led them, NCO occupied this important post over the past however. It is also a story of the Corps forty years. The book provides a biographical as a whole. The Army created the Office of essay on each of the Sergeants Major of the the Sergeant Major in part because of impor- Army.Through these sections the reader gains tant changes in the nature, structure, and insight into the character and motivations of responsibilities of NCOs. During the course the select group of men who became the of their careers the SMAs experienced these Sergeants Major of the Army. Many SMAs changes firsthand. They in turn helped shape NCO came from humble origins, joined the military the future changes the Corps would to serve their country and see the world, and encounter. only gradually decided to make the Army their Finally, the history ofthe Sergeants Major career. Some fought the Germans in World of the Army is a story of the Army itself. The War II. Others saw combat in such diverse Army has experienced extraordinary and locations as Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian diverse challenges over the past half-century. Gulf. All experienced the joys and heartaches Interspersed between repeated cycles of war of being an ordinary soldier, and all were and peace, mobilization and downsizing, have deeply affected by the men and women with been such momentous developments as the whom they served over the years. end of the draft, the establishment of the vol- The actions that each SMA took while in unteer Army, and the unrelenting advance of office were inevitably shaped by the people he technology. Each Sergeant Major of the Army experienced these and other challenges first- perspective from which to appreciate the past. hand, as did the dedicated corps of noncom- This past undoubtedly will shape the Army’s missioned officers that makes the Army work. future, even as the Army once again endeavors Their trials and triumphs underscore those of to transform itself into an even more effective the entire Army over the past half-century. institution with which to serve the American Thus this book gives today’s soldiers a useful people in both peace and war. JOHN BROWN S. Brigadier General, U.S. Army ChiefofMilitary History vi Acknowledgments his book is a new version of a Center patient adviser and as my link to the Center at of Military History (CMH) publica- large. Dr. Robert D. Bouilly, the historian for tion originally produced in 1995. the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Several people contributed to the writing of acted as my mentor and was often quick to the 1995 book. Maj. Glen Hawkins wrote the offer sage advice and research material from first part, which recounts the history ol the afar.The ChiefofMilitary History, Brig. Gen. Office of the Sergeant Major of the Army John S. Brown, and Dr. Richard W. Stewart, (OSMA). When Hawkins retired, Maj. the chief of CMH’s Histories Division,whole- Michael Kelly took on the project, coordinat- heartedly supported my efforts, and I am ing interviews and writing three of the bio- grateful to both of them for entrusting me graphical chapters. Upon Major Kelly’s retire- with this project. Diane M. Donovan edited ment, Maj. Preston Pierce, an Individual the manuscript, while Arthur Idardyman, Beth Mobilization Augmentee, authored another MacKenzie, John Birmingham, and Teresa three biographies. Finally, Maj. Mark Gillespie Jameson accomplished the book’s design and wrote two sections and brought the original layout. Still, as important as the contributions book through to publication in 1995. Sgt. Maj. by these dedicated professionals may have (Ret.) Erwin Koehler also played a critical role, been, none gave as much to the project as my as the interviews he conducted with seven for- wife Gloria and daughters Danielle and mer Sergeants Major of the Army provide Courtney,who voluntarily sacrificed their time much ofthe material for the initial volume. with me to ensure the book was completed in In 2002 I was assigned to revise and a timely fashion. Last, I would like to thank expand the book, to include writing new chap- Sergeant Major of the ArmyJack L.Tilley and ters on the three men who had served as SMAs all the former Sergeants Major of the Army, since 1995. Many people assisted me in this for without their faith, guidance, support, and endeavor, a few of whom deserve special men- encouragement, this publication would not tion. Dr. Andrew Birtle of CMH’s Military have been possible. J. Operations Branch served as an exacting and DANIEL ELDER K. Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army General Editor Preface to the First Edition T his history of the Sergeants Major of Korea and swelteringVietnam,of the all-volun- the Army fills a long-standing gap in teer Army, of the garrison and post Army, hut the history of the United States Army. most importantly they speak of, for, and to the The Army’s noncommissioned officer corps has men and women of the Army. always stood proudly in the front ranks to serve The first part ofthis book describes the ori- the nation in war and peace, in good times and gin and growth of the Office of the Sergeant bad. For too long, though, this selfless service Major of the Army (OSMA). It explains why has passed unnoticed. In one sense the lack of someone saw a need for such an office and tells recognition of the NCO is a testimony to his or who supported it,who made it work, and why it her professional dedication and sense of duty. succeeded so well. Each Sergeant Major of the The NCO was always there when needed. The Army made lasting contributions to the office NCO always did what was needed. And the during his tenure. The sections on individual NCO was all too often taken for granted. SMAs uncover their motivations, goals, and The advent of high technology warfare accomplishments.About half ofeach section is a placed new demands on all ranks, perhaps none generalaccountoftherespective SergeantMajor’s more so than NCOs. Not only did they have to service. The other half focuses on his role as train soldiers, they had to learn along with their Sergeant Major of the Army. The insights and squads, platoons, companies, and battalions as perspectives ofthe Sergeants Major ofthe Army the U.S. Army adapted its doctrine and warf- come from years of experience, training, profes- ighting to meet the demands of the twenty-first sional development, and individual dedication to century.Yet manyofthe Sergeants Major ofthe the Army.At the end of each section is a chrono- Army cut their teeth during World War II. logical list ofeach SMA’s duty assignments.The They served in Korea and Vietnam during hot appendix to this book gives a table showing the wars and everywhere from Germany to Presidents, Secretaries of the Army, and Chiefs Indonesia during cold wars. of Staff under whom the respective Sergeants Their stories are the centerpiece of this Major served. book. None enlisted or was drafted with the The project was initially beset by changing promise ofbecominga future SergeantMajorof organizational parameters and/or lack of author the Army. None received special treatment. continuity. However, in 1992 Col. Fred Van Some left the Army only to reenlist later. Horn, then commandant of the Sergeants Major Others thought about leaving the Army. But Academy,approached Brig. Gen. Harold Nelson, each one ofthem made the Armyhis career and the chief of military history at that time, about reached the top of his profession. Again and reviving the long dormant project. Since then, again they credit an NCO who impressed them under the direction of professional historians, in basic training and became a role model for four officers share the credit for compiling and them. They speak of the bygone massive Army writing this volume. Maj. Glen Hawkins began ofWorld War II, of the Army at war in frozen the work, organized the concept, and wrote the viii