With collective service that spans from World War II to current operations, seven people became part of ammunition history as they were inducted July 17 into the Ammunition Hall of Fame at Picatinny Arsenal's Lindner Conference Center.
The Picatinny ceremony was hosted by three senior leaders: Barbara Machak, the acting director of Picatinny's Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center; James Shields, the acting Program Executive Officer for Ammunition; and Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French, the commanding general of the Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command.
The Ammunition Hall of Fame was created in 2011 to honor former military and civilian personnel who have made their mark in the U.S. Army's ammunition mission and exceeded expectations in improving ammunition for the Warfighter.
ENTERING THE HALL OF FAME
To be eligible for nominations, a person must have made significant contributions to the ammunition mission and either is retired, separated or positively discharged from his or her military or civilian service ammunition position for at least two years from the date of the nomination.
The nominee may also still be employed in a different career or branch of the Army or, if deceased, will be immediately eligible. However, attainment of high rank or position is not indicative of a significant contribution to the mission.
This year, a selection board of 10 members reviewed 19 nominations and provided induction recommendations to French. From these 19 nominations, seven people associated with Picatinny Arsenal who helped to create the ammunition enterprise were selected: James Barton III, Leo Hillard, Ralph Campoli Sr., Carmine Spinelli, Victor Lindner, Col. (Ret.) Kilbert Lockwood, and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) John C. Raaen.
Three other people were also inducted at other Army installations. Albert Ehringer and Richard Janik were inducted July 9 at the Joint Munitions Command in Rock Island, Ill., while William Melton was inducted July 22 at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo.
AMMUNITION HEROES
"Before there was ever a Life Cycle Management Command, these inductees that we have today were the heroes, applying their skills and talents to lead the ammunition enterprise and develop and deliver world class engineering," said Shields. "It's my honor and privilege to join general French and Ms. Machak in inducting into the hall of fame the most esteemed individuals."
During the ceremony, each inductee received a glass award, a certificate signed by all three senior leaders, as well as a commander's coin to acknowledge the inductee's significant achievements, lasting contributions, and dedication to the ammunition mission.
Family members accepted on the behalf of the inductees who were not present at the ceremony.
LEAVING A LEGACY
Over his 57-year career, Lindner conceptualized weapon systems, munitions, and technology to develop and field ammunition systems. He developed an entire array of non-nuclear munitions systems, including high performance anti-tank munitions, extended range mortar projectiles, and the 40-millimeter grenade launcher. He was 95 when he passed away in 2012.
"Mr. Lindner…he was everybody's mentor. He mentored two tech directors. He filled in when we didn't have tech directors," said Machak. "We named this conference room in honor of him and put it out as the Lindner Conference Center. We [at Picatinny] are a technical prowess and he was Mr. Ammunition with 57 years of service and mentorship.
"You left a legacy. You put us on the map," Machak told the inductees. "You gave us superior products. You mentored the workforce and you mentored leaders."
Lockwood, a former commander of Picatinny, shared some of his experiences.
"My main function at Picatinny Arsenal was to find ammunition for the troops in Vietnam," said Lockwood. "Now, I recognize that it was because the dedicated service in selected ammunition, and the dedicated service of all the people at Picatinny that I'm standing here today. Without you and without the people there, I certainly could not have done it."
Lockwood began working with ammunition in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, where he was responsible for all army missiles, rocket, and ammunition procurements. In 1975, he became commander of Picatinny.
Lockwood directed all aspects of personnel, financial management, installation planning and technical program management. He also played a major role in establishing the program manager for selected ammunition before he served in that position, managing projects and directing the fielding of items such as the scatterable mine projectile.
Photos of the new 10 inductees will be on display at the Ammunition Hall of Fame in Rock Island, Ill.
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