Significance of The Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame Durham Hall (Building 3025) & OCS Alumni Reunions

Transcription

1 Significance of The Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame Durham Hall (Building 3025) & OCS Alumni Reunions

2 Significance of the Fort Sill Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in Durham Hall (Building 3025) and the OCS Alumni Reunions Durham Hall (Building 3025) and the Robinson Barracks Archway at Fort Sill are historic icons. They are symbolic of the school that trained and prepared 49,020 enlisted men to be officers. OCS was in operation at Fort Sill from July December1946 (26,060 graduates) and from February July 1973 (22,960 graduates). The Hall of Fame is housed in the last remaining World War II era wooden barracks on Fort Sill. Building 3025 was constructed in 1942 and served as an administrative and reception building during the World War II expansion. Building 3025 served as the OCS Brigade Headquarters from 1952 until August 1968 and thereafter housed the Brigade Headquarters Battery staff until The area occupied by the Artillery OCS was formally named Robinson Barracks and the Robinson Barracks Archway was constructed in 1953 in memory of 1LT James E. Robinson, Jr., (Class 64-43) posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor. The Fort Sill Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame was established on June 29, Building 3025 has been the home of the Fort Sill Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame since August 13, The Field Artillery Association identified the Hall of Fame as a Special Project in 1996 and made a commitment to support the operation. Building 3025 was memorialized as Durham Hall on May 20, 1999 in memory 2LT Harold Bascom Pinky Durham, Jr., (Class 1-67) posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor. The US Field Artillery Association and the Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter (previously known as the Field Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter) have maintained the Hall of Fame under a lease agreement with the Secretary of the Army since 1999.

3 The Hall of Fame honors officers commissioned through Artillery OCS at Fort Sill as well as other artillery officers (Coastal Artillery, Field Artillery, Artillery and Air Defense Artillery) commissioned through an Army OCS Program. The Hall of Fame honors the heroism and exceptional achievements of those graduates and recognizes their outstanding contributions to their country and the Artillery. It serves as an enduring source of inspiration and pride to alumni, family, friends and future Officer Candidates. There are 1,082 members of the Hall of Fame. Since being established in 1968, the eligibility criteria for induction has been expanded to include graduates of any Army Officer Candidate School program commissioned in an artillery branch. Input from Field Artillery School Historian Boyd Dastrup concerning the roots of the artillery branches, the important contributions of Coast Artillery, Antiaircraft Artillery and Air Defense Artillery to the history of America s artillery force, and the need to preserve the legacy of the OCS graduates in all of the artillery branches contributed to the changes. There is no Air Defense Artillery OCS Hall of Fame. The original changes ( ) were approved by the Board of Governors of the Fort Sill OCS Hall of Fame (the predecessors of the current Board of Directors of the Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter, Inc.). The most recent changes (2013) were approved by the Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter Board of Directors after consultation with and approval of the FA School Commandant, ADA School Commandant and the Fort Sill Commanding General. The Hall of Fame includes: Two Medal of Honor recipients and 84 Distinguished Service Cross recipients Five graduates who have attained the rank of Four Star General. The Hall of Fame also memorializes the graduates who died in Service: WWII 932 Korea 69 Vietnam 315 Hall of Fame Timeline Summary: Building 3025 was built in 1942 The Robinson Barracks Archway was constructed in 1953 Hall of Fame was dedicated on June 29, 1968 in building Moved to building 3168 in 1969 OCS Collection stored in Building B441 from Hall of Fame moved to building 3025 and opened on August 13, 1984 During 1996 The US Field Artillery Association identified the Hall of Fame as a Special Project and made a commitment to support the operation. Building 3025 was memorialized as Durham Hall on May 20, From that day forward the US Field Artillery Association (specifically the Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter) was tasked with administration, upkeep (repairs and maintenance), and insurance. The USFAA signed the first 5- year lease for the building with the Secretary of the Army in July The Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter (previously known as the Field Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter) was incorporated on June 10, The Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter (previously known as the Field Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter) was recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization on April 16, 2003.

4 Fort Sill Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame Criteria Graduates of the Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill are proud of their heritage and fraternal spirit that exalts among Artillerymen around the world. The Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame was established on 29 June 1968 to honor the heroism and exceptional achievement of its graduates and recognizes their outstanding contributions to their country and the Artillery. Individuals commissioned from any of the following programs are eligible for induction into the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame: 1. The Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma ( ). 2. The Antiaircraft Artillery Officer Candidate School, Camp Davis, North Carolina ( ). The individual must have been commissioned Coast Artillery Corps and served in an Artillery assignment after graduation. 3. The Seacoast Artillery Officer Candidate School, Fort Monroe, Virginia ( ). The individual must have been commissioned Coast Artillery and served in an Artillery assignment after graduation. 4. The Army Officer Candidate School (AOCS) at Fort Benning, Georgia ( ). The individual must have been commissioned in an Artillery branch, completed an Artillery branch officer basic course and served in an Artillery assignment after graduation. 5. The Ground General School Army Officer Candidate (AOC) Course, Fort Riley, Kansas ( ). The individual must have been commissioned in an Artillery branch, completed an Artillery branch officer basic course, and served in an Artillery assignment after graduation. 6. The Antiaircraft Artillery Officer Candidate School, Fort Bliss, Texas ( ). The individual must have been commissioned in an Artillery branch, and served in an Artillery assignment after graduation. 7. The Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia ( present). The individual must have been commissioned in an Artillery branch, completed an Artillery branch officer basic course, and served in an Artillery assignment after graduation. 8. Graduates of other officer candidate schools may also be considered. The individual must have been commissioned in an Artillery branch, completed an Artillery branch officer basic course, (or other Artillery branch qualification training) and served in an Artillery assignment after graduation. The graduate must meet one of these requirements for consideration: 1. Is the recipient of the Medal of Honor or the Distinguished Service Cross. 2. Attained the rank of Colonel (O-6) or Captain (O-6 for Navy/Coast Guard) while serving on active duty or with a Reserve Component of the Armed Forces. 3. Has been appointed or elected to an office of prominence in the National or State government. 4. Has rendered outstanding service to his nation, community or profession.

5 General Officers in the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame Rank Last Name First Name Class # Year Inducted 1 BG Kennedy Thomas J Nov MG Bullard Kennedy C Aug BG Dean, Jr John W Aug MG Kalergis James G Oct MG Putnam George W Feb MG Cocklin Robert F Jan MG Brown Charles E Jun BG Burgoyne William T MG McLeod William E Jul BG Hackbarth Herbert R Jun BG Nunally, Jr Van D Mar BG Taylor Edwin V Mar MG Fournier Maurice C Jul MG Weller William D May BG Wilson Leigh R BG O'Sullivan Curtis Hooper Jan MG Menard, Jr Wilfred C Feb MG Mohr Henry A May BG Kaufman Jack D May BG Parsons Eugene F UNK 21 MG Scott Willie L Feb MG Tobiason Orville L Dec BG Cartwright Roscoe C BG Courson Prentiss MG Melhouse Laclair A Jul BG McLain John Howard Jun BG Mincks Eugene J Oct BG Bucki Walter O Oct BG Gorwitz Bertram K Nov LTG LeVan CJ Camp Davis 1942 May MG Cobb, Jr Henry H Jul MG Woodin Ronald R Jun MG Hixon Robert C Oct BG Cokinos Mike P Mar BG Elliott Robert K Dec BG Baum David C May MG Hodges Warren D Camp Davis 1943 May MG Knoll Marvin H Camp Davis 1943 May BG Toffler Alan R Apr MG Evans Merrill B Jun BG McKee John R Sep MG Carmichael Leston Neal Dec LTG Tighe Eugene F Camp Columbia 1944 May MG Stevens Story C MG Fragner Berwyn Aug BG Merz Donald M Jul BG Cannon James W Fort Riley BG Shea William L Fort Riley 13A 1949 Mar MG Coleman Vance UNK 50 BG Gorden, Jr Charles F Feb MG Lewis, Jr Vernon B Fort Riley Dec MG Martell Norman W UNK 53 MG Ensslin, Jr Robert F Jun

6 General Officers in the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame Rank Last Name First Name Class # Year Inducted 54 BG Graves Charles E MG Freeze James E Oct MG Pearson Donald A Jun BG Dechert Robert C UNK 58 MG Wallace Carl D Mar BG Miller Harold A UNK 60 BG Agostinelli Nathan G May BG Harlowe Stuart E May GEN Merritt Jack N Jan BG Tarrant Joseph W May BG Cannon Joseph M Fort Bliss Jun BG Palermo, Jr Frank J May MG Falter Vincent E Jan BG Kent David T Dec MG DeMoss James R Jan BG Carlson John W NG UNK 70 BG Mason Phillip H May BG Davis Sidney J Apr MG Brunelle Donald R NG BG Norman Billy R NG Dec LTG Whiddon Orren Ray UNK 75 LTG Parker Ellis D MG Jones Thomas J P May BG French, III Uri S Sep BG Duckworth Norman E UNK 79 BG Paulson Theodore W NG UNK 80 BG Reiff William H NG Aug LTG Jones Donald W Aug MG Krausz George M May GEN Shalikashvili John M UNK 84 MG Miller James M R Oct MG Page William C R Jun MG James Nathaniel RSP 1959 Apr MG Hagwood, Jr Henry M UNK 88 LTG Owens Ira C ? 89 BG Anderson Benny P R Mar BG Ballard Terry O R Jun BG Harris Michael H R Jun BG Hoppes Ronald A R Aug BG Poirot Robert J R Jun BG Schulz Anson W BG Runyon Floyd L ? 96 MG Gay David W R1A 1961 May BG Wharton Richard W Jan MG Carmona James M Oct BG Seely Michael L May BG Blysak George J Jan MG Huffman Walter B R May MG Maynard Gary D R Dec BG Bilo William C Oct BG Boyd Morris J Jun MG Simpson Kenneth W Dec MG Alexander Willie A May

7 General Officers in the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame Rank Last Name First Name Class # Year Inducted 107 BG Melancon Steven L Apr MG Miller Frank L UNK 109 BG Schmidt Eugene W Jun MG Robles, Jr Josue Aug GEN Franks Tommy R BG Bender Lyle D May LTG Petrosky Daniel J 20B 1967 Jun BG Avila John, Jr 25A 1967 UNK 115 BG Townsend John G 26A MG Kiefer William N 27A 1967 UNK 117 MG Bambrough Craig 35A 1967 Jun BG Holden Terry L 40A 1967 UNK 119 BG Whitfield Walter J Apr MG Gaddis Evan R May BG Gandy, Jr Raymond E May BG Enright John L 3B MG Tobin Alfred E R UNK 124 BG Cooper Billy R Jun GEN Byrnes Kevin P May BG Fry Alan K May MG Thomas John D UNK 128 LTG Boutelle Steven W Jun MG Baxter Leo J BG Goode Joseph A, Jr May GEN Brown Bryan D BG Shane, Jr James E May MG Stricklin Toney May BG Winter Brian D May MG Johnson Alan D May BG Le Peilbet Michael CMA OCS 1977 May MG Wells Jimmie Jay Fort Benning 1981 May General Officers Nominated for BG Arey Stephen E LTG Green Stanley E Fort Benning BG Fryc Donald Fort Benning 1985 Known OCS General Officers Eligible for Induction to be nominated 141 BG Davis Oral L BG Smith Charles F MG Gelston George M BG Castro Bienvenido Fort Riley BG Leszczynski Joseph BG Ice Thomas J R MG Wyman Arthur H 37A BG Dillon Howard A, Jr. 46B BG Marrero-Corletto Roberto BG Shields Roger L Fort Benning R BG Dudney Lawrence E Fort Benning BG Chambers James E Fort Benning BG Ferrari Steven Fort Benning MG Horlander Thomas A Fort Benning BG Montoya Kenny C Fort Benning BG Smith Rufus J Fort Benning MG Salazar Hugo E Fort Benning 1983

8 Some Distinguished Graduates of Artillery OCS at Fort Sill 1942 Major General (Retired) George W. Putnam, Jr., last Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam Major (Retired) Charles M. Brown, Jr, the Army s first Black Aviator Brigadier General (Retired) Roscoe C. Cartwright, first Black Field Artilleryman to achieve General Officer rank and the third Black General Officer in U.S. Army history (after Benjamin Davis and Benjamin Davis Jr) Lieutenant General (Retired) James G. Kalergis, directed the 1973 reorganization of CONARC 1943 Robert M. Gardiner, former Chairman and CEO of the Dean Witter Financial Services Group 1st Lieutenant James E. Robinson, Jr, awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II H. Malcolm Baldrige, former Secretary of Commerce Dale E. Wolf, 70 th Governor of the State of Delaware Colonel William B. Nolde, the last American killed in Vietnam before the 1973 cease-fire General (Retired) Jack N. Merritt, former US representative on the NATO Military Committee Martin R. Hoffman, former Secretary of the Army General (Retired) John M. Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ambassador Charles Ray, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs 1966 Major General (Ret) Kenneth W. Simpson, former Commanding General of the US Army Recruiting Command George L. Skypeck, military-historical commemorative artist, author of the poem Soldier nd Lieutenant Harold Bascom Pinky Durham, awarded the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War Hyrum W. Smith, Co-founder and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Franklin-Covey Lieutenant General (Retired) Daniel J. Petrosky, Army Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee General (Retired) Tommy R. Franks, former Commander, United States Central Command Major General (Retired) Craig Bambrough - Former Deputy Commanding General US Army Reserve Command Robert G. Davis, former USAA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Major General (Retired) Josue Robles, former USAA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lieutenant General (Retired) Kevin P. Byrnes, former TRADOC Commander 1970 Lieutenant General (Retired) Steven W. Boutelle, former U.S. Army Chief Information Officer Major General (Retired) Alan D. Johnson, former Commanding General, Japan Major General (Retired) Leo J. Baxter, former Commanding General Fort Sill Major General (Retired) Toney Stricklin, former Commanding General Fort Sill General (Retired) Bryan D. Brown, former Commander United States Special Operations Command 1973 Ross W. Branstetter III, former General Counsel for the Missile Defense Agency

9 Comments from OCS Alumni about the significance of Artillery OCS and Durham Hall: Guy Wilhelm, Class 2-59 sums up why Durham Hall is worth preserving: I graduated from OCS on March 17th, 1959 and I did not return to Fort Sill until over forty years later when my son graduated from Basic Training there. I went, back to Robinson Barracks and walked up and down the street where I had marched so many years before. I went to MB 4 and was turned back by an "Off Limits" sign. I was surprised at the flood of emotions I felt. All the old buildings were torn down and gone except for one. I wanted to cry, but I was so thankful that the Robinson Barracks Gate and the one building had been spared. No other experience has had as much positive influence in preparing me for life and defining who I am as the six months I spent at Robinson Barracks. I am so thankful that a remnant of OCS has been preserved in the Hall of Fame, a place where we can go to reflect and reminisce on this very significant phase in our lives. Wayne P. Hunt COL (Ret), MS, MDARNG Clinical/Aeromedical Psychologist Chief, Behavioral Health - a graduate of Class offers this: As Artillery OCS graduates, we are all aware of the importance of the building and its Hall of Fame, our meeting and sharing experiences on a yearly basis, and the importance of having a lasting monument to those who completed Artillery OCS, went on to fight, and either returned from war or died for our Country. No experience has meant as much to me, has contributed more to my character, or has given me the sense that I could accomplish that which I thought impossible. Further, I now know I am not alone in having experienced these changes. Durham Hall is a physical manifestation of our experiences as Artillery OCS men. Just as attendees at any reunion gain insight and pride from walking the halls of their alma mater, we are enriched by seeing and experiencing a place that means so much to us now. As a lasting monument to those who served and were trained in Artillery OCS, Durham Hall is not only important to us, but also to future generations of service men and women. Just as we have a common bond with each other, we also are bonded with those who came before and with the next generation of officers as well. This historic site represents that bond. For future generations, the building and its artifacts promote the traditions of 20th-Century Artillery history, and, for current soldiers, we graduates provide a living history of events that helped shaped those traditions. No one can know the future importance of a monument or historic building, but we do know that once it is gone, it is gone forever.

10 William L. Ford s Remarks at the May 20, 1999 dedication of Durham Hall, the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame (Building 3025) General Baxter and Honored Guests: It is an honor and a privilege on behalf of the Officer Graduates, the Tac Officers, Staff of OCS as well as the U.S. Field Artillery Association to accept Durham Hall, which was the former Officer Candidate School Headquarters and now home of the OCS Hall of Fame Building, as a lasting tribute to the accomplishments of its Graduates. All of us today want to especially thank not only General Baxter for his leadership and helpfulness on this project, but also Anna Lou Johnson, COL Daniel J. Bonney, LTC Clyde W. Ellis, LTC Jefferson G. Ewing, CPT Larry D. Poole, and CPT Dale Davis It now seems long ago, but at one time we were all Lieutenants and the memory of this location is lasting and meaningful. It was one of the most important times in our lives when we accepted the challenge and responsibility of leadership. Quoting from the Armed Forces Officers Handbook, published in 1950, Being a Commissioned Officer is a lasting obligation to cherish and protect our Country and to serve its Armed Forces and to serve the welfare of our fellow American. This was the meaning of our Commission and was not modified by any reason of assignment nor was the obligation lessened on the day we put the uniform aside and returned to civilian life." This OCS program effectively trained over 47,000 young men to be Field Artillery Officers during its existence from the beginning of WWII through the Korean War, and to the end of the Vietnam War. Words such as determination - mission oriented - courage - love of Country - devotion to duty - attention to details - were all a part of the program whose traits we still carry today. This building represents the success and dedication of the Officers of the Program, and these Officers served their country with distinction both militarily and many later into their civilian professions. It is virtually impossible to list the accomplishments of the Graduates, but this Hall of Fame says in a special way to each one, THANK YOU for all you did and are still doing for this great Country of ours. This is truly an honored place. It is our hope that future Officers, relatives, and friends will continue to show the respect and recognize the contribution of the OCS Graduates, and especially honor the memory of those Graduates who gave their lives for their Country. Their memory must always be preserved, and each of us today honors them and will always hold the memory of OCS in our hearts. Thank you General Baxter and we thank the U. S. Army - what a privilege it has been to serve our Country. I salute you one and all... Sincerely yours, William L. Ford OCS TAC Officer 1966

11 BG (Ret) Terry Holden, Class 40A-67: As with the Museum system, Durham Hall is a great public relations tool for reflecting what the military system has been to train its future leaders. COL (Ret) Harvey Glowaski, Class 1-67, classmate of posthumous Medal of Honor recipient 2LT Harold Bascom Pinky Durham, Jr., offers this: The post leadership probably needs to be briefed on all this and made aware of its importance. From The Ninety-Day Wonders OCS and the Modern American Army by Milton M. McPherson, Ph.D. Infantry OCS Class 16-52: OCS was the only program during which the candidate is under constant scrutiny by the TAC officers and fellow candidates. The strain is hellish and unrelenting. It is being exhausted most of the time. It is sleeping on the floor for fear that you could not make up the bed so well again. It is returning from a day s training activities, to find your cubicle mate gone, washed out, perhaps never to be seen again. But OCS for those who made it was also the defining moment of their lives you wouldn t ever do it again but you re proud as hell you did it once. OCS was integrated from the beginning it was the first deliberate experiment with formal integration in the twentieth century. By far the largest source of commissioned officers during World War II. OCS during the Vietnam War was designed to place the candidate under physical, mental and emotional stress, simulating as closely as possible the stress and fatigue of combat. OCS is the only source of commissioned officers capable of rapid expansion, OCS stands ready to serve the country in the future as it has served it so well in the past. The current officer candidates are heirs of a proud tradition of the United States Army. The following is a summary of a background briefing concerning the change eventually made to the induction criteria in The proposal was discussed with many former and current FA and ADA officers and the FAOCS Alumni Chapter Board of Directors prior to taking that step - the feedback was 99 % positive.

12 (The briefing was provided to the Field Artillery School Commandant, Air Defense Artillery School Commandant and Fort Sill Commanding General over a three-month period) The last class of Artillerymen graduated from OCS at Fort Sill on July 6, No records are readily available to determine how many of those 26 graduates were commissioned in the Air Defense Artillery Branch. Nearly every OCS class at Fort Sill commissioned some officers in the ADA branch from January 18, 1969 through July 6, Class 1-69 graduated on December 20, It was the first class to commission graduates in the Field Artillery Branch (crossed cannons) since The Artillery Branch insignia was crossed cannons with the surmounted missile from and more than a third of those who were commissioned Artillery went to the Air Defense Center at Fort Bliss for further training. Class 2-69 graduated on January 18, It was the first OCS class to commission graduates in the newly created Air Defense Artillery Branch. All officers commissioned Air Defense Artillery through the OCS program at Fort Sill from January 18, 1969 through July 6, 1973 and meeting the criteria for induction are currently eligible for the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame. All officers commissioned Field Artillery through the OCS program at Fort Benning from January 1973 to present and meeting the criteria for induction are currently are eligible for the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame. Note: Officers commissioned Air Defense Artillery through the OCS program at Fort Benning from January 1973 to present were not eligible at the time of the 2013 briefings. Officers in that category became eligible on March 10, 2013, with unanimous consent of the Alumni Chapter Board of Directors, Fort Sill Commanding General and both Artillery Branch Commandants. The Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery Branches trace their roots back to the time when the Artillery Corps was split into two components: Coast Artillery and Field Artillery. This was followed by the development of Anti-Aircraft Artillery as part of the Coast Artillery and later the eventual consolidation of Anti-Aircraft Artillery and Field Artillery into the Artillery Branch. By 1968 the Army recognized that with evolving technologies the divergence of missions was too great to maintain one branch and the Air Defense Artillery Branch was established. The Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame expanded its eligibility (since being established in 1968) to include graduates of the Camp Davis OCS (branched Coast Artillery), Fort Riley, Fort Bliss and Fort Benning OCS (branched Field Artillery). It is time for the Alumni Chapter to take the lead in forging a relationship with the Air Defense Artillery Branch. Although there were many Fort Sill OCS graduates commissioned Air Defense Artillery beginning in 1969, there was never an Air Defense Artillery OCS and as such there is no Hall of Fame for Air Defense Artillery officers commissioned through OCS. Fort Sill is the Fires Center of

13 Excellence and the initial branch training location for all Fort Benning OCS graduates commissioned in Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery. An ADA icon, the former CG of Fort Bliss and Commandant of the ADA School is a member of the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame. LTG CJ LeVan, a 1942 graduate of the Antiaircraft Artillery OCS at Camp Davis, North Carolina, was inducted posthumously in BG Mathews, who was the ADA School Commandant at that time accepted on behalf of the ADA School and the LeVan family. There are many other ADA officers in the Hall of Fame inducted under the current criteria. Expanding the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame eligibility criteria to include all OCS graduates commissioned in an Artillery branch is a logical step in the right direction, since both Artillery branch schools are at now at Fort Sill.

14 Why the Artillery OCS Alumni Reunions are Important (Tradition and Fraternity) Many graduates bring family and friends to share memories at Fort Sill. Visiting Durham Hall and attending reunions gives them an opportunity to share their OCS experiences. It lets spouses see another side of the person they may never have known about. It gives attendees a chance to interact with those serving today. These visits leave a very positive impression on all involved. Many graduates have been separated and out of touch for an extended period of time and are finally able to share in the camaraderie. What makes this reunion unique? 1. Held at Fort Sill for the past 33 years. 2. Hall of Fame is maintained by the Alumni Group on a volunteer basis. 3. Planned and coordinated by the Alumni Group. 4. Mutually beneficial interaction with current active duty soldiers of all ranks. 5. Educational opportunity for families and guests. 6. Honor and remember all those who graduated from OCS. 7. Immersion in the current activities and the rich history of Fort Sill. Attendees are: 1. Fort Sill OCS Graduates from (42 to 74 years ago). 2. OCS graduates from other programs (1941 to present). 3. All Ranks 2LT to General. 4. Guests include spouses, family members, friends and military buddies. Many of the attendees have not been back to Fort Sill since the day they graduated from OCS. They encounter a younger self during the reunions and remember the inner drive they summoned up in order to complete the course. As a result of the OCS experience alumni have changed in ways that they did not fully understand until meeting and speaking with other reunion attendees. The reunions offer a time honor and grieve for those OCS graduates who died in defense of Freedom. It is a Homecoming for the vast majority and a chance to share the common bond of the OCS experience and selfless service to the nation. Until meeting fellow alumni and talking about shared experiences, some have actually doubted that many of the events they remembered could have actually happened. Some attendees suffer from varying degrees of PTSD and each year there are those who are helped by the brotherhood and camaraderie they are able to share.

15 Nobody is a stranger for very long. Being a former OCS graduates makes you a distinct member of a very special fraternity. People discover old comrades and make new friends. Attendees are important and influential members of their respective military and civilian communities. They are re-charged at the reunions and return to their communities to spread the word about the great things going on at Fort Sill and the fine young men and women in uniform they encounter during the reunion. Alumni travel from nearly every state and abroad. Attendees are ambassadors for the Military, the Army, Fort Sill and the Artillery Branches. OCS graduates, like many veteran groups share a bond that only a select few can truly understand. The OCS Alumni reunions are special occasions that fortify the bonds of brotherhood. There is pride in coming home to the Fires Center of Excellence. The FAOCS Alumni Chapter understands and appreciates the value of such gatherings and looks forward to continuing the event at Fort Sill for many years to come. With so many distractions and problems in the world, the annual reunion offers a chance to reflect on the duty, honor, and service that bonds veterans of our country together. The families who have shared this experience have expressed not only how important it was for their graduate, but also for them. Many have never been on a military installation or attended a military reunion before. The 2014 reunion was typical of an average OCS Alumni Reunion: Attendee Statistics: 181 graduates (100 of this total were retired from the military and 60 are in the Hall of Fame) 95 guests (75 of this total are spouses or sons and daughters, grandchildren, nieces or nephews) Retired Rank Breakdown: General Officer or equivalent - 7 Colonel - 41 Lieutenant Colonel - 27 Major - 16 Captain - 8 Sergeant First Class - 1 Attendees included a 1943 graduate who served as a liaison pilot during the Battle of the Bulge, a 1952 graduate who served as an air observer during the Korean War and a graduate of the last Fort Sill OCS class in 1973, recently retired as General Counsel for the Missile Defense Agency. In addition to the above statistics many local alumni participate in one or more of the activities or events during the reunion and offer a unique perspective concerning life in the Lawton Fort Sill Community. Attendance at the Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony averages at or near 400.