WEST POINT, N.Y. -- U.S. Army Garrison West Point and Balfour Beatty Communities at West Point, dedicated a new office complex and community center to the late Command Sgt. Maj. Mary Sutherland, Aug. 20.
Sutherland, whose U.S. Army career spanned 35 years, holds the distinction of being the longest serving woman in the history of the U.S. Army and the first woman Command Sergeants Major to hold the senior enlisted position for the Corps of Cadets and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Maj. Ashlie Christian, now a math instructor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was influenced by Sutherland during her time as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy. Christian said, "It is very fitting that West Point recognized her impact on so many cadets, officers and Soldiers and honored her dedication and service by naming the community center after her."
Sutherland, a native of Welch, West Virginia, emerged from basic training and took the only assignment available to women enlisted Soldiers at that time, a clerk typist in the Women's Army Corps.
During her career she completed 16 years of overseas service and served as the Senior Enlisted Adviser at Fort Ord, California, 22nd Support Group, Vicenza, Italy and the 1st Armored Division, Division Support Command, Germany before coming to West Point. The last seven years of her career were spent at West Point.
"Command Sgt. Maj. Sutherland spent a lifetime devoted to service of the nation and the Army, and later to West Point and the community. She was a role model for women in the military as well as officers, non-commissioned officers and Soldiers. She had a tremendous influence on me and many other cadets during our time here, and was a devoted Army softball fan!" Christian said.
Upon her retirement Sutherland moved to Pigeon Forge, West Virginia. Sutherland passed away Aug. 14, 2005 and is buried at the West Point Cemetery.
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