Ceremony recognizes former Sergeant Major of the Army and Army’s 250th Birthday

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, TX - This year marks the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army 250th and special remembrance for the family former Sergeant Major of the Army Leon L. Van Autreve. The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, Medical Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, along with the SMA Leon L. Van Autreve Chapter, Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, honored Van Autreve during a retreat ceremony at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Command Sgt. Maj. JennyAnne Bright, Command Sergeant Major U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, had the honor of serving at the keynote speaker.

Van Autreve was the fourth sergeant major of the Army and a highly decorated soldier who participated in the invasion of Port Lyautey, Africa, and served in Vietnam. He joined the Army in 1941 from Delphos, Ohio, and retired in 1975 with 31 years of service. He passed away in March 2002. The Medical NCO Academy was renamed the Van Autreve Hall in September 2002, six months after Van Autreve's death, in honor of his contributions to MEDCoE and support to the academy's mission. Mrs. Rita Van Autreve, widow of former Sergeant Major of the Army, was actively engaged during her husband's career supporting Soldiers and their families, and she and her family continue their devotion to the Army, Fort Sam Houston, and the San Antonio military community.

In her remarks Bright highlighted Van Autreve's most lasting legacy, what we now know as the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development System. “This system didn’t just build competent sergeants, it built a professional, adaptable, and ethical corps of leaders who would guide our Army into the modern age,” said Bright. “Because of his bold reforms, today’s NCOs are not simply the backbone of the Army, they are its conscience, its standard-bearers, and its front-line leaders in warfighting, combat readiness, and professional transformation.”

Andy Watson, Supervisory Historian at the U.S. Army Medical Department Center of History and Heritage, also spoke at the ceremony. He elaborated on Van Autreve’s tenure, starting his Army career in the National Guard, and for most of his service he was with the Engineer Branch. During World War II he detected and neutralized mines, recovered from malaria, and worked on railway operations. In Vietnam, as an engineer brigade sergeant major, he led from the front with jungle clearing teams that were often under attack. His career advanced and his perspective on Army operations and personnel increased. He was picked as the Sergeant Major of the Army over many other candidates and many questioned his qualifications.

“SMA Van Autreve was a steady voice for soldiers and NCOs. He continued to push for educational processes and systems as well as improved quality of life for troops and dependents. He knew that career soldiers, which were of great benefit to the Army, had to be developed,” said Watson.

Van Autreve's grandson Ryan Shipkey spoke for his family and thanked them for the many years of support. He played an audio recording of the poem In Flanders Field recited by his grandmother who was not able to attend the ceremony. “They say by speaking their names and sharing their stories they never die,” said Shipkey. “For those that never met him I can promise my grandfather was every bit of the legend and soldier that you have heard. His legacy now lives on in today’s Army, especially for the NCOs he loved, leading from the front each and every day.”

This ceremony was one of many events honoring the Army’s 250th birthday. Shipkey noted the significance and how much they ceremony means for his family. “Thank you all. From myself, and the Van Autreve family, we are eternally grateful. Thank you for continuing this tradition. And most importantly, a very special happy 250th birthday to the greatest fighting force this world has ever known.”

About the MICC

Headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the Mission and Installation Contracting Command consists of about 1,500 military and civilian members who are responsible for contracting goods and services in support of Soldiers as well as readying trained contracting units for the operating force and contingency environment when called upon. As part of its mission, MICC contracts are vital in feeding more than 200,000 Soldiers every day, providing many daily base operations support services at installations, facilitating training in the preparation of more than 100,000 conventional force members annually, training more than 500,000 students each year, and maintaining more than 14.4 million acres of land and 170,000 structures.