FORT LEE, Va. (May 21, 2015) -- The U.S. Army Ordnance School paid tribute to its 2015 Hall of Fame inductees during a retreat ceremony May 14 at Whittington Field.
This year it welcomed 12 new members who made significant contributions to the Ordnance Corps throughout their careers.
"This retreat ceremony serves as an opportunity for our troops to honor our inductees in a public forum," said Brig. Gen. John F. Haley, Chief of Ordnance and Ordnance School commandant. "It also is intended to inspire our military members and Department of the Army Civilians and to reinforce the principal of the Army as a profession."
During the ceremony, the customary inspection of troops included Hall of Fame inductee retired Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Allen as he joined Haley and Regimental Command Sgt. Maj. Edward C. Morris as they inspected the formation.
After the inspection, the inductees were called to the field to be introduced to the attendees. The 12 honorees represented each of the ranks -- general officer, officer, warrant officer, noncommissioned officer and civilian.
Inductees are awarded hall of fame status by having made positive and significant contributions to the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps. The program was established to maintain and enhance the legacy of the Corps and promote cohesiveness and esprit de corps.
"On behalf of the 2015 inductees, we are very happy to be here," Allen said, while addressing the capacity audience. "By wearing the uniform, people may not know your name, but they know you are somebody special."
The ceremony concluded with the lowering of the American flag followed by a pass and review with the inductees standing in front of the reviewing platform. The 12 honorees were given a formal award presentation later that evening.
The inductees were broken down into two categories; historical and contemporary. They are:
Historical -- Maj. Gen. Christian Patte, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Karl Saul and Ralph Campoli.
Contemporary -- Col. Kevin Lutz, Col. H.W. Suchting III, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Patrick Endicott, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert Vachon, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ralph Williams III, Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Allen, Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Brooks Jr., Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Gerecht and John Masengarb.
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