FORT BENNING, Ga., (Feb. 10, 2016) -- The Muscogee County School District held its JROTC Centennial Ball at the Columbus Trade Center Jan. 23 where veterans who have been inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans' Hall of Fame were honored.

Duke Doubleday, retired Col. Ralph Puckett Jr., Vincent Melillo and Robert Stephen Poydasheff were four of the 10 inductees of the Georgia Military Veterans' Hall of Fame toasted at the ball for their selfless service to the country and their support of the Fort Benning community.

Their pictures and biographies, along with 45 other inductees, are displayed in the Floyd Veterans Building in Atlanta.

Cadets from 16 Army JROTC and two Marine and Navy JROTC units arranged the joint 100th anniversary event. Approximately 1,000 cadets and guests attended the event.

U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop served as the keynote speaker.

Sgt. Maj. Judson Gee Jr., senior enlisted leader and operations sergeant major for the Muscogee County School District JROTC headquarters, said the cadets learned the importance of military traditions.

"The cadets were exposed to military customs, courtesy and tradition," he said. "The cadets set the missing in action, fallen comrade table ... to educate everyone on the freedoms they enjoy today have come at a great cost and sacrifice through the years.

"Cadets were seated with the Inductees and other military and civic leaders so they could gain a greater understanding of what it means to be a citizen, leader and a productive member of society."

Col. Andy Hilmes, Fort Benning garrison commander, said he enjoyed the event.

"It was great to see Doubleday, Puckett and Poydasheff honored at the ball since they are huge supporters of Fort Benning. They have sacrificed everything for our country and continue to do so for the installation."

Duke Doubleday, Valor

U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Duke Doubleday from Columbus was inducted into the 2014 class of the Georgia Military Veterans' Hall Of Fame for bravery and selfless sacrifice while serving as an armored cavalry regiment rifle platoon leader and aero rifle platoon leader in Vietnam. During his tour, he was decorated different times for valor and wounds, and received the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. Additionally on Dec. 1, 1968, while leading his platoon in a sweep operation through a north Vietnamese base camp, his unit suddenly came under an intense barrage of enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Doubleday instantly reacted in order to position his men so as to secure all escape routes available to the enemy. He then led his platoon in the systematic destruction of the enemy base camp. During this fierce engagement he twice, singlehandedly and furiously charged enemy bunkers and directed highly accurate fire into the firing holes and thus neutralizing the threat. His fearless action and exceptional leadership on that day contributed immeasurably to the success of his platoon's mission and the elimination of a heavily fortified, well-equipped, well-armed and well-manned enemy base camp. For his exemplary action, courage under fire and leadership against a determined and numerically superior enemy he was awarded the nation's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star.

Ralph Puckett Jr., Valor

Retired U.S. Army Col. Ralph Puckett Jr., originally from Tifton, Georgia, was inducted into the 2013 class of the Georgia Military Veterans' Hall of Fame for his selfless acts of bravery during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In Korea in November 1950, as a lieutenant commanding a Ranger company, he earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest award, for his bravery and leadership during six intense and relentless human wave assaults by the enemy. He was wounded three times during this action. He earned a second Distinguished Service Cross in Vietnam. In addition, he also earned two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star, 10 Air Medals and five Purple Hearts during these two wars. Puckett retired after 22 years of active-duty service while always leading from the front and taking care of Soldiers and their Families. Puckett has been inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame.

Vincent Melillo, Valor

U.S. Army Master Sergeant Vincent Melillo from Columbus was inducted into the 2013 Class of The Georgia Military Veterans' Hall of Fame for his selfless acts of bravery during World War II. He was an original member of the famed Merrill's Marauders, who fought over 1,000 miles deep behind enemy lines in Burma. He was awarded two Bronze Stars for his World War II service. During three combat tours during the Korean War, he was wounded on several occasions and was awarded two Purple Hearts. He retired after 21 years of active-duty service followed by another 18 years as a civil servant at Fort Benning. For 30 years he has been a devoted supporter of active-duty Soldiers and veterans, and provided invaluable inspiration to the active-duty Rangers stationed at Fort Benning. Melillo has also been inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame. Melillo died Dec. 24. His daughter, Jonnie Melillo Clasen, attended the JROTC Ball.

Robert Stephen Poydasheff, Service

Retired Army Col. Robert Stephen Poydasheff from Columbus was inducted into the 2014 class of the Georgia Military Veterans' Hall Of Fame for his outstanding leadership and his exemplary life of selfless service to our nation, his fellow Americans, Georgians, the citizens of Columbus and most especially, veterans. The son of a hardworking Russian immigrant father, Poydasheff entered and served in the army as a way to help pay back the precious gift of freedom that he was taught to love and respect at an early age. He was in the Army for over 24 years as a judge advocate, including a tour in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He held many very important positions to include the legislative counsel to the secretary of the Army. His integrity, honesty and love of country caused him to always hold high the honor and reputation of the service he so loved, the Army. After his retirement he became a lawyer in Columbus specializing in military law and often working pro bono with and for veterans. As a city councilman and later as mayor, Poydasheff was dedicated in his efforts to strengthen the ties of the Columbus-Fort Benning communities and was extremely instrumental in helping to establish the National Infantry Museum. As a veteran and as a true friend of veterans, Poydasheff has rightfully earned the high honor to be inducted in the Georgia Military Veterans' Hall of Fame.