The Sergeants Major of the Army - US Army Center Of Military History

262 Pages·2013·4.59 MB·English

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The Sergeants Major
of the Army
Robert M. Mages Daniel K. Elder
Mark F. Gillespie Glen R. Hawkins
Michael B. Kelly Preston E. Pierce
Center of Military History
United States Army
Washington, D.C., 2013
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Mages, Robert M.
The Sergeants Major of the Army / Robert M. Mages, Daniel K. Elder, Mark F.
Gillespie, Glen R. Hawkins, Michael B. Kelly, Preston E. Pierce. — Revised edition.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references.
1. United States. Army—Non-commissioned officers—History. 2. United States.
Army—Non-commissioned officers—Biography. I. Title.
UB408.5.S476 2013
355.0092'273—dc23
2013014546
First Printed 1995—CMH Pub 70–63–1
Foreword
ast year, we said good-bye to William O. My charge is to share with the enlisted corps
LWooldridge, our first Sergeant Major of concerns that are being worked on at the Army
the Army (SMA). I think it is fitting level and to bring back to the Pentagon matters
that, as we write a new chapter in the Office of affecting soldiers and their families.
the Sergeant Major of the Army, we celebrate Offices and titles are essential in any large
those who have come before us. Sergeant Major institution, but ultimately people are the key to
of the Army Wooldridge was a pioneer, blazing an organization’s success; the Office of the
a trail that thirteen of us have traveled. He was Sergeant Major of the Army is no exception. The
instrumental in the creation of this post, and we noncommissioned officers chosen to be Sergeants
will always remember his sacrifice and his con- Major of the Army have been individuals who
tributions. not only have had extraordinary careers, but who
The creation of the Office of the Sergeant have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the
Major of the Army in July 1966 represented a welfare of their fellow soldiers. This commitment
major milestone in the development of the U.S. makes them truly effective advocates and spokes-
Army. For the first time in history, an enlisted men on enlisted-related issues.
soldier assumed the role of adviser to the Chief The careers and life stories of the men who
of Staff on all issues pertaining to the enlisted have served as Sergeants Major of the Army are
force. Even after almost forty years, not much both inspirational and instructive because
has changed. The Sergeant Major of the Army through them we gain an appreciation for not
continues to advise the Chief of Staff on all just the SMAs themselves, but for all the enlist-
enlisted matters, including quality of life and ed men and women who over the past two-and-
pay concerns. a-half centuries have worked, fought, and sacri-
The establishment of the SMA position in ficed to make the U.S. Army the finest military
1966 reflected the importance then of soldier- organization in the world. As we continue to
related issues in the Army, and that emphasis transform the Army to meet the challenges of
continues today. I see myself as a scout for the the next twenty years, it is always appropriate to
Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Army. look back and learn from our history.
RAYMOND F. CHANDLER III
Fourteenth Sergeant Major of the Army
iii

Preface
he Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) This essay describes the family life and
Tis the premier noncommissioned offi- early career of these exceptional soldiers and
cer (NCO) of the United States Army highlights the events that molded their points
and serves as one of the nation’s senior soldiers. of view and drove their desire to build a better
The office of Sergeant Major of the Army has Army. With this perspective in mind, the sec-
evolved into a position of great influence and ond half of each biographical chapter examines
responsibility, largely as a result of the hard the achievements of each Sergeant Major of
work and exemplary service of the soldiers who the Army. Lists of duty assignments and deco-
have occupied the post. rations are at the end of each chapter. In addi-
The Sergeants Major of the Army is an tion, further readings and an appendix that
important volume in the official history of the outlines the Presidents, Secretaries of the
United States Army. The first part of this Army, and Chiefs of Staff under whom the
book describes the origin and growth of the respective Sergeants Major served provides
Office of the Sergeant Major of the Army. It context and framework.
explains why some saw a need for such an The history of the Sergeants Major of the
office and tells who supported it in its infancy, Army is more than just an account of bureau-
who made it work, and why it has succeeded cratic institutions and the men that led them.
as well as it has. It is also a story of the NCO Corps as a whole.
The second part is a collection of bio- The Army created the Office of the Sergeant
graphical essays that document the personal Major in part because of important shifts in
and professional lives of the soldiers who have the nature, structure, and responsibilities of
occupied this important post. Through these NCOs. During the course of their careers, the
sections, the reader gains insight into the char- SMAs experienced these changes firsthand.
acter and motivations of the select group of They, in turn, helped shape the future of the
soldiers who became the Sergeants Major of NCO Corps.
the Army. Many SMAs came from humble Finally, the history of the Sergeants Major
origins, joined the military to serve their coun- of the Army is a story of the Army itself. The
try and see the world, and only gradually Army has experienced extraordinary and
decided to make the Army their career. Some diverse challenges over the past half-century.
fought the Germans in World War II. Others Interspersed between repeated cycles of war
saw combat in such diverse locations as Korea, and peace, mobilization and downsizing, have
Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. All experi- been such momentous developments as the
enced the joys and heartaches of being an end of the draft, the establishment of the vol-
ordinary soldier, and over the years all were unteer Army, and the unrelenting advance of
deeply affected by the men and women with technology. Each Sergeant Major of the Army
whom they served. Each has used these lessons faced these and other potential barriers, as did
to help shape the Army. the dedicated corps of noncommissioned
v
officers that makes the Army work. The cad- will shape the Army’s future, as the Army
re’s trials and triumphs underscore those of once again endeavors to transform itself into
the entire Army. Thus this book gives today’s an even more effective institution with which
soldiers a useful perspective from which to to serve the American people in both peace
appreciate the past. This past undoubtedly and war.
ROBERT J. DALESSANDRO
Chief of Military History
vi
Acknowledgments
his book is the third edition of a U.S. the first edition of this book could not have
TArmy Center of Military History been published.
(CMH) publication originally pro- A number of individuals deserve recogni-
duced in 1995. Each edition adds another tion for their important contributions to the
chapter to the proud history of the Office of book’s second edition, published in 2003.
the Sergeant Major of the Army. Several Command Sergeant Major Daniel K. Elder
people contributed to the writing of the 1995 revised and expanded the volume, writing new
volume. Maj. Glen Hawkins wrote Part I, chapters on the men who served as SMAs
which recounts the history of the office. from 1995 to 2002. Dr. Andrew J. Birtle of
When Hawkins retired, Maj. Michael Kelly CMH provided valuable advice and assistance
took on the project, coordinating interviews during the project’s research and writing.
and writing three of the biographical chap- In 2011, I was assigned to revise and expand
ters. Upon Major Kelly’s retirement, Maj. the book, to include writing a new chapter on
Preston Pierce, an Individual Mobilization the career of Sergeant Major of the Army
Augmentee, authored another three biogra- Kenneth O. Preston. Many people assisted me
phies. Finally, Maj. Mark Gillespie wrote two in this endeavor, a few of whom deserve special
sections and guided the project to publica- mention. Stephen J. Lofgren, chief of CMH’s
tion. Historical Support Branch, served as a patient
Others outside the Center contributed adviser and editor. Dr. Robert D. Bouilly, the
greatly to the first edition. Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) historian for the U.S. Army Sergeants Major
Erwin Koehler interviewed seven of the eight Academy, provided much-needed research
former Sergeants Major of the Army for the material. I am grateful to the Chief of Military
book. His questions form the basis of the indi- History, Robert J. Dalessandro; Chief Historian
vidual essays. Sergeant Major of the Army Dr. Richard W. Stewart; and Dr. Joel D.
William O. Wooldridge’s section is a compos- Meyerson, chief of the Histories Division at the
ite of an earlier interview and published time, for entrusting me with this project. Also I
remarks in various Army journals. Both want to acknowledge the individuals involved in
Sergeant Major of the Army Richard A. Kidd the production of this volume: Beth F.
and Army Chief of Staff General Gordon R. MacKenzie, chief of CMH’s Historical Products
Sullivan provided wholehearted support for Branch; Diane Sedore Arms, editor; and Gene
this project. Without their generous assistance, Snyder, graphic designer.
ROBERT M. MAGES
General Editor
vii
Preface to the First Edition
his history of the Sergeants Major of Korea and sweltering Vietnam, of the all-volun-
Tthe Army fills a long-standing gap in teer Army, of the garrison and post Army, but
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 of this 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 of each section is a
placed new demands on all ranks, perhaps none general account of the respective Sergeant Major’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 of the Sergeants Major of the Army
the U.S. Army adapted its doctrine and war- come from years of experience, training, profes-
fighting to meet the demands of the twenty- sional development, and individual dedication to
first century. Yet many of the Sergeants Major the Army. At the end of each section is a chrono-
of the Army cut their teeth during World War logical list of each SMA’s duty assignments. The
II. They served in Korea and Vietnam during appendix to this book gives a table showing the
hot 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 of becoming a future Sergeant Major of 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 of them made the Army his 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
of World War II, of the Army at war in frozen the work, organized the concept, and wrote the
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