Significance of

The Fort Sill

Artillery OCS Hall of Fame

Durham Hall (Building 3025)

&

OCS Alumni Reunions

Significance of the Fort Sill Artillery Officer Candidate School

Hall of Fame in Durham Hall (Building 3025) and the OCS Alumni Reunions

Durham Hall (Building 3025) and the Robinson Barracks Archway at Fort Sill are historic icons.

They are symbolic of the school that trained and prepared 49,020 enlisted men to be officers.

OCS was in operation at Fort Sill from July 1941- December1946 (26,060 graduates) and from

February 1951- July 1973 (22,960 graduates).

The Hall of Fame is housed in the last remaining World War II era wooden barracks on Fort Sill.

Building 3025 was constructed in 1942 and served as an administrative and reception building during

the World War II expansion.

Building 3025 served as the OCS Brigade Headquarters from 1952 until August 1968 and thereafter

housed the Brigade Headquarters Battery staff until 1973.

The area occupied by the Artillery OCS was formally named “Robinson Barracks” and the Robinson

Barracks Archway was constructed in 1953 in memory of 1LT James E. Robinson, Jr., (Class 64-43)

posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor.

The Fort Sill Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame was established on June 29, 1968.

Building 3025 has been the home of the Fort Sill Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame

since August 13, 1984.

The Field Artillery Association identified the Hall of Fame as a “Special Project” in 1996 and made a

commitment to support the operation.

Building 3025 was memorialized as Durham Hall on May 20, 1999 in memory 2LT Harold Bascom

“Pinky” Durham, Jr., (Class 1-67) posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor.

The US Field Artillery Association and the Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter (previously known as the

Field Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter) have maintained the Hall of Fame under a lease agreement with

the Secretary of the Army since 1999.

The Hall of Fame honors officers commissioned through Artillery OCS at Fort Sill as well as other

artillery officers (Coastal Artillery, Field Artillery, Artillery and Air Defense Artillery) commissioned

through an Army OCS Program. The Hall of Fame honors the heroism and exceptional achievements

of those graduates and recognizes their outstanding contributions to their country and the Artillery. It

serves as an enduring source of inspiration and pride to alumni, family, friends and future Officer

Candidates. There are 1,082 members of the Hall of Fame.

Since being established in 1968, the eligibility criteria for induction has been expanded to include

graduates of any Army Officer Candidate School program commissioned in an artillery branch.

Input from Field Artillery School Historian Boyd Dastrup concerning the roots of the artillery

branches, the important contributions of Coast Artillery, Antiaircraft Artillery and Air Defense

Artillery to the history of America’s artillery force, and the need to preserve the legacy of the OCS

graduates in all of the artillery branches contributed to the changes. There is no Air Defense Artillery

OCS Hall of Fame.

The original changes (1968-1994) were approved by the Board of Governors of the Fort Sill OCS Hall

of Fame (the predecessors of the current Board of Directors of the Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter,

Inc.). The most recent changes (2013) were approved by the Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter Board of

Directors after consultation with and approval of the FA School Commandant, ADA School

Commandant and the Fort Sill Commanding General.

The Hall of Fame includes:

Two Medal of Honor recipients and 84 Distinguished Service Cross recipients

Five graduates who have attained the rank of Four Star General.

The Hall of Fame also memorializes the graduates who died in Service:

WWII – 932

Korea – 69

Vietnam – 315

Hall of Fame Timeline Summary:

Building 3025 was built in 1942

The Robinson Barracks Archway was constructed in 1953

Hall of Fame was dedicated on June 29, 1968 in building 3031.

Moved to building 3168 in 1969

OCS Collection stored in Building B441 from 1975-1984

Hall of Fame moved to building 3025 and opened on August 13, 1984

During 1996 The US Field Artillery Association identified the Hall of Fame as a Special Project”

and made a commitment to support the operation.

Building 3025 was memorialized as Durham Hall on May 20, 1999. From that day forward the

US Field Artillery Association (specifically the Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter) was tasked with

administration, upkeep (repairs and maintenance), and insurance. The USFAA signed the first 5-

year lease for the building with the Secretary of the Army in July 1999.

The Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter (previously known as the Field Artillery OCS Alumni

Chapter) was incorporated on June 10, 2002.

The Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter (previously known as the Field Artillery OCS Alumni

Chapter) was recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization on April 16, 2003.

Fort Sill Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame Criteria

Graduates of the Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill are proud of their heritage and fraternal

spirit that exalts among Artillerymen around the world. The Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of

Fame was established on 29 June 1968 to honor the heroism and exceptional achievement of its

graduates and recognizes their outstanding contributions to their country and the Artillery.

Individuals commissioned from any of the following programs are eligible for induction into the

Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame:

1. The Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma (1941-1973).

2. The Antiaircraft Artillery Officer Candidate School, Camp Davis, North Carolina (1941-

1944). The individual must have been commissioned Coast Artillery Corps and served

in an Artillery assignment after graduation.

3. The Seacoast Artillery Officer Candidate School, Fort Monroe, Virginia (1942-1944).

The individual must have been commissioned Coast Artillery and served in an Artillery

assignment after graduation.

4. The Army Officer Candidate School (AOCS) at Fort Benning, Georgia (1946-1947). The

individual must have been commissioned in an Artillery branch, completed an Artillery

branch officer basic course and served in an Artillery assignment after graduation.

5. The Ground General School Army Officer Candidate (AOC) Course, Fort Riley, Kansas

(1947-1953). The individual must have been commissioned in an Artillery branch,

completed an Artillery branch officer basic course, and served in an Artillery

assignment after graduation.

6. The Antiaircraft Artillery Officer Candidate School, Fort Bliss, Texas (1951-1953). The

individual must have been commissioned in an Artillery branch, and served in an

Artillery assignment after graduation.

7. The Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia (1973 - present). The individual

must have been commissioned in an Artillery branch, completed an Artillery branch

officer basic course, and served in an Artillery assignment after graduation.

8. Graduates of other officer candidate schools may also be considered. The individual

must have been commissioned in an Artillery branch, completed an Artillery branch

officer basic course, (or other Artillery branch qualification training) and served in an Artillery

assignment after graduation.

The graduate must meet one of these requirements for consideration:

1. Is the recipient of the Medal of Honor or the Distinguished Service Cross.

2. Attained the rank of Colonel (O-6) or Captain (O-6 for Navy/Coast Guard) while serving

on active duty or with a Reserve Component of the Armed Forces.

3. Has been appointed or elected to an office of prominence in the National or State government.

4. Has rendered outstanding service to his nation, community or profession.

General Officers in the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame

Rank Last Name First Name Class # Year Inducted

1 BG Kennedy Thomas J 1 1941 Nov 1973

2 MG Bullard Kennedy C 2 1941 Aug 1977

3 BG Dean, Jr John W 3 1941 Aug 1969

4 MG Kalergis James G 4 1942 Oct 1970

5 MG Putnam George W 14 1942 Feb 1976

6 MG Cocklin Robert F 17 1942 Jan 1969

7 MG Brown Charles E 20 1942 Jun 30 1976

8 BG Burgoyne William T 20 1942 1970

9 MG McLeod William E 22 1942 Jul 1969

10 BG Hackbarth Herbert R 23 1942 Jun 1969

11 BG Nunally, Jr Van D 23 1942 Mar 24 1976

12 BG Taylor Edwin V 23 1942 Mar 1970

13 MG Fournier Maurice C 24 1942 Jul 1970

14 MG Weller William D 24 1942 May 1978

15 BG Wilson Leigh R 24 1942 1969

16 BG O'Sullivan Curtis Hooper 25 1942 Jan 1969

17 MG Menard, Jr Wilfred C 26 1942 Feb 23 1987

18 MG Mohr Henry A 26 1942 May 6 1994

19 BG Kaufman Jack D 28 1942 May 21 1998

20 BG Parsons Eugene F 29 1942 UNK

21 MG Scott Willie L 33 1942 Feb 1973

22 MG Tobiason Orville L 36 1942 Dec 1975

23 BG Cartwright Roscoe C 37 1942 1970

24 BG Courson Prentiss 39 1942 1969

25 MG Melhouse Laclair A 41 1942 Jul 1971

26 BG McLain John Howard 42 1942 Jun 11 1972

27 BG Mincks Eugene J 42 1942 Oct 1969

28 BG Bucki Walter O 45 1942 Oct 1969

29 BG Gorwitz Bertram K 48 1942 Nov 1969

30 LTG LeVan CJ Camp Davis 1942 May 7 2010

31 MG Cobb, Jr Henry H 64 1943 Jul 13 1982

32 MG Woodin Ronald R 72 1943 Jun 10 2005

33 MG Hixon Robert C 84 1943 Oct 1977

34 BG Cokinos Mike P 86 1943 Mar 1974

35 BG Elliott Robert K 89 1943 Dec 14 1991

36 BG Baum David C 90 1943 May 6 1994

37 MG Hodges Warren D Camp Davis 1943 May 26 1995

38 MG Knoll Marvin H Camp Davis 1943 May 6 1994

39 BG Toffler Alan R 94 1944 Apr 1971

40 MG Evans Merrill B 104 1944 Jun 11 1976

41 BG McKee John R 105 1944 Sep 1972

42 MG Carmichael Leston Neal 116 1944 Dec 19 1972

43 LTG Tighe Eugene F Camp Columbia 1944 May 13 2016

44 MG Stevens Story C 172 1946 1977

45 MG Fragner Berwyn 174 1946 Aug 13 1984

46 BG Merz Donald M 177 1946 Jul 16 1982

47 BG Cannon James W Fort Riley 11 1949 1971

48 BG Shea William L Fort Riley 13A 1949 Mar 1971

49 MG Coleman Vance 2 1951 UNK

50 BG Gorden, Jr Charles F 2 1951 Feb 1978

51 MG Lewis, Jr Vernon B Fort Riley 27 1951 Dec 1975

52 MG Martell Norman W 8 1952 UNK

53 MG Ensslin, Jr Robert F 11 1952 Jun 11 1976

General Officers in the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame

Rank Last Name First Name Class # Year Inducted

54 BG Graves Charles E 12 1952 2002

55 MG Freeze James E 17 1952 Oct 6 1976

56 MG Pearson Donald A 26 1952 Jun 11 1976

57 BG Dechert Robert C 27 1952 UNK

58 MG Wallace Carl D 30 1952 Mar 24 1976

59 BG Miller Harold A 33 1953 UNK

60 BG Agostinelli Nathan G 35 1953 May 6 1994

61 BG Harlowe Stuart E 35 1953 May 21 1998

62 GEN Merritt Jack N 35 1953 Jan 1978

63 BG Tarrant Joseph W 45 1953 May 26 1995

64 BG Cannon Joseph M Fort Bliss 10 1953 Jun 4 1993

65 BG Palermo, Jr Frank J 49 1954 May 26 1995

66 MG Falter Vincent E 52 1954 Jan 1974

67 BG Kent David T 55 1954 Dec 2 1987

68 MG DeMoss James R 58 1954 Jan 26 1977

69 BG Carlson John W NG1 1954 UNK

70 BG Mason Phillip H 64 1955 May 21 1998

71 BG Davis Sidney J 5 1956 Apr 8 1976

72 MG Brunelle Donald R NG1 1956 2006

73 BG Norman Billy R NG1 1956 Dec 15 1990

74 LTG Whiddon Orren Ray 1 1957 UNK

75 LTG Parker Ellis D 2 1957 1981

76 MG Jones Thomas J P 4 1957 May 1978

77 BG French, III Uri S 5 1957 Sep 14 1979

78 BG Duckworth Norman E 6 1957 UNK

79 BG Paulson Theodore W NG1 1957 UNK

80 BG Reiff William H NG1 1957 Aug 14 1987

81 LTG Jones Donald W 6 1958 Aug 1978

82 MG Krausz George M 3 1959 May 9 2008

83 GEN Shalikashvili John M 4 1959 UNK

84 MG Miller James M R2 1959 Oct 6 1986

85 MG Page William C R2 1959 Jun 4 1993

86 MG James Nathaniel RSP 1959 Apr 8 1986

87 MG Hagwood, Jr Henry M 3 1960 UNK

88 LTG Owens Ira C 3 1960 1988?

89 BG Anderson Benny P R1 1960 Mar 1983

90 BG Ballard Terry O R1 1960 Jun 1989

91 BG Harris Michael H R1 1960 Jun 7 1991

92 BG Hoppes Ronald A R1 1960 Aug 14 1987

93 BG Poirot Robert J R1 1960 Jun 15 1990

94 BG Schulz Anson W 3 1961 2006

95 BG Runyon Floyd L 4 1961 1983?

96 MG Gay David W R1A 1961 May 6 1994

97 BG Wharton Richard W 6 1963 Jan 14 1986

98 MG Carmona James M 2 1964 Oct 6 1986

99 BG Seely Michael L 4 1964 May 21 1999

100 BG Blysak George J 5 1965 Jan 12 1989

101 MG Huffman Walter B R1 1965 May 6 1994

102 MG Maynard Gary D R1 1965 Dec 15 1990

103 BG Bilo William C 1 1966 Oct 6 1986

104 BG Boyd Morris J 5 1966 Jun 15 1990

105 MG Simpson Kenneth W 8 1966 Dec 11 1986

106 MG Alexander Willie A 20 1966 May 29 1992

General Officers in the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame

Rank Last Name First Name Class # Year Inducted

107 BG Melancon Steven L 21 1966 Apr 26 1996

108 MG Miller Frank L 22 1966 UNK

109 BG Schmidt Eugene W 2 1967 Jun 7 1991

110 MG Robles, Jr Josue 4 1967 Aug 14 1986

111 GEN Franks Tommy R 5 1967 2001

112 BG Bender Lyle D 7 1967 May 1 2015

113 LTG Petrosky Daniel J 20B 1967 Jun 15 1990

114 BG Avila John, Jr 25A 1967 UNK

115 BG Townsend John G 26A 1967 2008

116 MG Kiefer William N 27A 1967 UNK

117 MG Bambrough Craig 35A 1967 Jun 4 1993

118 BG Holden Terry L 40A 1967 UNK

119 BG Whitfield Walter J 6 1968 Apr 16 1996

120 MG Gaddis Evan R 501 1968 May 22 1997

121 BG Gandy, Jr Raymond E 505 1968 May 26 1995

122 BG Enright John L 3B 1968 2006

123 MG Tobin Alfred E R1 1968 UNK

124 BG Cooper Billy R 1 1969 Jun 4 1993

125 GEN Byrnes Kevin P 7 1969 May 6 1994

126 BG Fry Alan K 13 1969 May 21 1998

127 MG Thomas John D 19 1969 UNK

128 LTG Boutelle Steven W 4 1970 Jun 4 1993

129 MG Baxter Leo J 6 1970 1990

130 BG Goode Joseph A, Jr. 6 1970 1-May 2015

131 GEN Brown Bryan D 10 1970 2006

132 BG Shane, Jr James E 12 1970 May 3 1990

133 MG Stricklin Toney 12 1970 May 6 1994

134 BG Winter Brian D 13 1970 May 3 2013

135 MG Johnson Alan D 15 1970 May 4 2012

136 BG Le Peilbet Michael CMA OCS 1977 May 1 2015

137 MG Wells Jimmie Jay Fort Benning 1981 May 3 2013

General Officers Nominated for 2017

138 BG Arey Stephen E 10 1969

139 LTG Green Stanley E Fort Benning 1971

140 BG Fryc Donald Fort Benning 1985

Known OCS General Officers Eligible for Induction to be nominated

141 BG Davis Oral L 13 1942

142 BG Smith Charles F 81 1943

143 MG Gelston George M 51 1943

144 BG Castro Bienvenido Fort Riley 18 1949

145 BG Leszczynski Joseph 45 1953

146 BG Ice Thomas J R2 1967

147 MG Wyman Arthur H 37A 1967

148 BG Dillon Howard A, Jr. 46B 1967

149 BG Marrero-Corletto Roberto 4 1969

150 BG Shields Roger L Fort Benning R2 1970

151 BG Dudney Lawrence E Fort Benning 1978

152 BG Chambers James E Fort Benning 1979

153 BG Ferrari Steven Fort Benning 1982

154 MG Horlander Thomas A Fort Benning 1983

155 BG Montoya Kenny C Fort Benning 1983

156 BG Smith Rufus J Fort Benning 1983

157 MG Salazar Hugo E Fort Benning 1983

Some Distinguished Graduates of Artillery OCS at Fort Sill 1942 Major General (Retired) George W. Putnam, Jr., last Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam Major (Retired) Charles M. Brown, Jr, the Army’s first Black Aviator

Brigadier General (Retired) Roscoe C. Cartwright, first Black Field Artilleryman to achieve General Officer rank and the third Black General Officer in U.S. Army history (after Benjamin Davis and Benjamin Davis Jr) Lieutenant General (Retired) James G. Kalergis, directed the 1973 reorganization of CONARC 1943 Robert M. Gardiner, former Chairman and CEO of the Dean Witter Financial Services Group

1st Lieutenant James E. Robinson, Jr, awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II

1944 - H. Malcolm Baldrige, former Secretary of Commerce 1945 - Dale E. Wolf, 70th Governor of the State of Delaware 1952 - Colonel William B. Nolde, the last American killed in Vietnam before the 1973 cease-fire 1953 - General (Retired) Jack N. Merritt, former US representative on the NATO Military Committee 1955 - Martin R. Hoffman, former Secretary of the Army 1959 - General (Retired) John M. Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 1965 - Ambassador Charles Ray, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs 1966 Major General (Ret) Kenneth W. Simpson, former Commanding General of the US Army Recruiting Command

George L. Skypeck, military-historical commemorative artist, author of the poem “Soldier”

1967 2nd Lieutenant Harold Bascom “Pinky” Durham, awarded the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War

Hyrum W. Smith, Co-founder and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Franklin-Covey

Lieutenant General (Retired) Daniel J. Petrosky, Army Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee

General (Retired) Tommy R. Franks, former Commander, United States Central Command

Major General (Retired) Craig Bambrough - Former Deputy Commanding General US Army Reserve Command

Robert G. Davis, former USAA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Major General (Retired) Josue Robles, former USAA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

1969 - Lieutenant General (Retired) Kevin P. Byrnes, former TRADOC Commander

1970

Lieutenant General (Retired) Steven W. Boutelle, former U.S. Army Chief Information Officer

Major General (Retired) Alan D. Johnson, former Commanding General, Japan

Major General (Retired) Leo J. Baxter, former Commanding General Fort Sill

Major General (Retired) Toney Stricklin, former Commanding General Fort Sill

General (Retired) Bryan D. Brown, former Commander United States Special Operations Command

1973 – Ross W. Branstetter III, former General Counsel for the Missile Defense Agency

Comments from OCS Alumni about the significance of Artillery OCS and Durham Hall:

Guy Wilhelm, Class 2-59 sums up why Durham Hall is worth preserving:

“I graduated from OCS on March 17th, 1959 and I did not return to Fort Sill until over forty years

later when my son graduated from Basic Training there.

I went, back to Robinson Barracks and walked up and down the street where I had marched so

many years before. I went to MB 4 and was turned back by an "Off Limits" sign. I was surprised at

the flood of emotions I felt. All the old buildings were torn down and gone except for one. I wanted

to cry, but I was so thankful that the Robinson Barracks Gate and the one building had been spared.

No other experience has had as much positive influence in preparing me for life and defining who I

am as the six months I spent at Robinson Barracks.

I am so thankful that a remnant of OCS has been preserved in the Hall of Fame, a place where we

can go to reflect and reminisce on this very significant phase in our lives.”

Wayne P. Hunt

COL (Ret), MS, MDARNG

Clinical/Aeromedical Psychologist

Chief, Behavioral Health - a graduate of Class 21-70 offers this:

As Artillery OCS graduates, we are all aware of the importance of the building and its Hall of Fame,

our meeting and sharing experiences on a yearly basis, and the importance of having a lasting

monument to those who completed Artillery OCS, went on to fight, and either returned from war or

died for our Country.

No experience has meant as much to me, has contributed more to my character, or has given me the

sense that I could accomplish that which I thought impossible. Further, I now know I am not alone

in having experienced these changes.

Durham Hall is a physical manifestation of our experiences as Artillery OCS men. Just as attendees

at any reunion gain insight and pride from walking the halls of their alma mater, we are enriched

by seeing and experiencing a place that means so much to us now.

As a lasting monument to those who served and were trained in Artillery OCS, Durham Hall is not

only important to us, but also to future generations of service men and women. Just as we have a

common bond with each other, we also are bonded with those who came before and with the next

generation of officers as well. This historic site represents that bond. For future generations, the

building and its artifacts promote the traditions of 20th-Century Artillery history, and, for current

soldiers, we graduates provide a living history of events that helped shaped those traditions.

No one can know the future importance of a monument or historic building, but we do know that

once it is gone, it is gone forever.

William L. Ford’s Remarks at the May 20, 1999 dedication of Durham Hall, the Fort Sill

Artillery OCS Hall of Fame (Building 3025)

General Baxter and Honored Guests:

It is an honor and a privilege on behalf of the Officer Graduates, the Tac Officers, Staff of OCS as

well as the U.S. Field Artillery Association to accept Durham Hall, which was the former Officer

Candidate School Headquarters and now home of the OCS Hall of Fame Building, as a lasting tribute

to the accomplishments of its Graduates.

All of us today want to especially thank not only General Baxter for his leadership and helpfulness

on this project, but also Anna Lou Johnson, COL Daniel J. Bonney, LTC Clyde W. Ellis, LTC

Jefferson G. Ewing, CPT Larry D. Poole, and CPT Dale Davis

It now seems long ago, but at one time we were all Lieutenants and the memory of this location is

lasting and meaningful. It was one of the most important times in our lives when we accepted the

challenge and responsibility of leadership. Quoting from the Armed Forces Officers Handbook,

published in 1950, “Being a Commissioned Officer is a lasting obligation to cherish and protect our

Country and to serve its Armed Forces and to serve the welfare of our fellow American. This was the

meaning of our Commission and was not modified by any reason of assignment nor was the obligation

lessened on the day we put the uniform aside and returned to civilian life."

This OCS program effectively trained over 47,000 young men to be Field Artillery Officers during its

existence from the beginning of WWII through the Korean War, and to the end of the Vietnam War.

Words such as determination - mission oriented - courage - love of Country - devotion to duty -

attention to details - were all a part of the program whose traits we still carry today. This building

represents the success and dedication of the Officers of the Program, and these Officers served their

country with distinction both militarily and many later into their civilian professions. It is virtually

impossible to list the accomplishments of the Graduates, but this Hall of Fame says in a special way

to each one, THANK YOU for all you did and are still doing for this great Country of ours.

This is truly an honored place. It is our hope that future Officers, relatives, and friends will continue

to show the respect and recognize the contribution of the OCS Graduates, and especially honor the

memory of those Graduates who gave their lives for their Country. Their memory must always be

preserved, and each of us today honors them and will always hold the memory of OCS in our hearts.

Thank you General Baxter and we thank the U. S. Army - what a privilege it has been to serve our

Country. I salute you one and all . . .

Sincerely yours,

William L. Ford

OCS TAC Officer 1966

BG (Ret) Terry Holden, Class 40A-67:

As with the Museum system, Durham Hall is a great public relations tool for reflecting what the

military system has been to train its future leaders.

COL (Ret) Harvey Glowaski, Class 1-67, classmate of posthumous Medal of Honor recipient

2LT Harold Bascom “Pinky” Durham, Jr., offers this:

The post leadership probably needs to be briefed on all this and made aware of its importance.

From “The Ninety-Day Wonders – OCS and the Modern American Army”

by Milton M. McPherson, Ph.D. Infantry OCS Class 16-52:

OCS was the only program during which the candidate is under constant scrutiny by the TAC

officers and fellow candidates. The strain is hellish and unrelenting. It is being exhausted most of

the time. It is sleeping on the floor for fear that you could not make up the bed so well again. It is

returning from a day’s training activities, to find your cubicle mate gone, washed out, perhaps never

to be seen again. But OCS for those who made it was also the defining moment of their lives – you

wouldn’t ever do it again but you’re proud as hell you did it once.

OCS was integrated from the beginning – it was the first deliberate experiment with formal

integration in the twentieth century.

By far the largest source of commissioned officers during World War II.

OCS during the Vietnam War was designed to place the candidate under physical, mental and

emotional stress, simulating as closely as possible the stress and fatigue of combat.

OCS is the only source of commissioned officers capable of rapid expansion, OCS stands ready to

serve the country in the future as it has served it so well in the past.

The current officer candidates are heirs of a proud tradition of the United States Army.

The following is a summary of a background briefing concerning the change eventually made to

the induction criteria in 2013. The proposal was discussed with many former and current FA

and ADA officers and the FAOCS Alumni Chapter Board of Directors prior to taking that step -

the feedback was 99 % positive.

(The briefing was provided to the Field Artillery School Commandant, Air Defense Artillery School

Commandant and Fort Sill Commanding General over a three-month period)

The last class of Artillerymen graduated from OCS at Fort Sill on July 6, 1973. No records are readily

available to determine how many of those 26 graduates were commissioned in the Air Defense

Artillery Branch.

Nearly every OCS class at Fort Sill commissioned some officers in the ADA branch from January 18,

1969 through July 6, 1973.

Class 1-69 graduated on December 20, 1968. It was the first class to commission graduates in the

“Field Artillery” Branch (crossed cannons) since 1957.

The Artillery Branch insignia was crossed cannons with the surmounted missile from 1957-1968 and

more than a third of those who were commissioned “Artillery” went to the Air Defense Center at Fort

Bliss for further training.

Class 2-69 graduated on January 18, 1969. It was the first OCS class to commission graduates in the

newly created Air Defense Artillery Branch.

All officers commissioned Air Defense Artillery through the OCS program at Fort Sill from January

18, 1969 through July 6, 1973 and meeting the criteria for induction are currently eligible for the Fort

Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame.

All officers commissioned Field Artillery through the OCS program at Fort Benning from January

1973 to present and meeting the criteria for induction are currently are eligible for the Fort Sill

Artillery OCS Hall of Fame.

Note: Officers commissioned Air Defense Artillery through the OCS program at Fort Benning

from January 1973 to present were not eligible at the time of the 2013 briefings. Officers in that

category became eligible on March 10, 2013, with unanimous consent of the Alumni Chapter

Board of Directors, Fort Sill Commanding General and both Artillery Branch Commandants.

The Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery Branches trace their roots back to the time when the

Artillery Corps was split into two components: Coast Artillery and Field Artillery. This was followed

by the development of Anti-Aircraft Artillery as part of the Coast Artillery and later the eventual

consolidation of Anti-Aircraft Artillery and Field Artillery into the Artillery Branch.

By 1968 the Army recognized that with evolving technologies the divergence of missions was too

great to maintain one branch and the Air Defense Artillery Branch was established.

The Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame expanded its eligibility (since being established in 1968) to

include graduates of the Camp Davis OCS (branched Coast Artillery), Fort Riley, Fort Bliss and Fort

Benning OCS (branched Field Artillery).

It is time for the Alumni Chapter to take the lead in forging a relationship with the Air Defense

Artillery Branch. Although there were many Fort Sill OCS graduates commissioned Air Defense

Artillery beginning in 1969, there was never an Air Defense Artillery OCS and as such there is no Hall

of Fame for Air Defense Artillery officers commissioned through OCS. Fort Sill is the Fires Center of

Excellence and the initial branch training location for all Fort Benning OCS graduates commissioned

in Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery.

An ADA icon, the former CG of Fort Bliss and Commandant of the ADA School is a member of the

Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame. LTG CJ LeVan, a 1942 graduate of the Antiaircraft Artillery

OCS at Camp Davis, North Carolina, was inducted posthumously in 2010. BG Mathews, who was the

ADA School Commandant at that time accepted on behalf of the ADA School and the LeVan family.

There are many other ADA officers in the Hall of Fame inducted under the current criteria.

Expanding the Fort Sill Artillery OCS Hall of Fame eligibility criteria to include all OCS graduates

commissioned in an Artillery branch is a logical step in the right direction, since both Artillery branch

schools are at now at Fort Sill.

Why the Artillery OCS Alumni Reunions are Important

(Tradition and Fraternity)

Many graduates bring family and friends to share memories at Fort Sill. Visiting Durham Hall and

attending reunions gives them an opportunity to share their OCS experiences. It lets spouses see

another side of the person they may never have known about. It gives attendees a chance to interact

with those serving today. These visits leave a very positive impression on all involved.

Many graduates have been separated and out of touch for an extended period of time and are finally

able to share in the camaraderie.

What makes this reunion unique?

1. Held at Fort Sill for the past 33 years.

2. Hall of Fame is maintained by the Alumni Group on a volunteer basis.

3. Planned and coordinated by the Alumni Group.

4. Mutually beneficial interaction with current active duty soldiers of all ranks.

5. Educational opportunity for families and guests.

6. Honor and remember all those who graduated from OCS.

7. Immersion in the current activities and the rich history of Fort Sill.

Attendees are:

1. Fort Sill OCS Graduates from 1941-1973 (42 to 74 years ago).

2. OCS graduates from other programs (1941 to present).

3. All Ranks – 2LT to General.

4. Guests include spouses, family members, friends and military buddies.

Many of the attendees have not been back to Fort Sill since the day they graduated from OCS. They

encounter a younger self during the reunions and remember the inner drive they summoned up in order

to complete the course.

As a result of the OCS experience alumni have changed in ways that they did not fully understand until

meeting and speaking with other reunion attendees.

The reunions offer a time honor and grieve for those OCS graduates who died in defense of Freedom.

It is a Homecoming for the vast majority and a chance to share the common bond of the OCS

experience and selfless service to the nation. Until meeting fellow alumni and talking about shared

experiences, some have actually doubted that many of the events they remembered could have actually

happened.

Some attendees suffer from varying degrees of PTSD and each year there are those who are helped by

the brotherhood and camaraderie they are able to share.

Nobody is a stranger for very long. Being a former OCS graduates makes you a distinct member of a

very special fraternity. People discover old comrades and make new friends.

Attendees are important and influential members of their respective military and civilian communities.

They are re-charged at the reunions and return to their communities to spread the word about the great

things going on at Fort Sill and the fine young men and women in uniform they encounter during the

reunion.

Alumni travel from nearly every state and abroad.

Attendees are ambassadors for the Military, the Army, Fort Sill and the Artillery Branches.

OCS graduates, like many veteran groups share a bond that only a select few can truly understand. The

OCS Alumni reunions are special occasions that fortify the bonds of brotherhood. There is pride in

coming home to the Fires Center of Excellence. The FAOCS Alumni Chapter understands and

appreciates the value of such gatherings and looks forward to continuing the event at Fort Sill for many

years to come.

With so many distractions and problems in the world, the annual reunion offers a chance to reflect on

the duty, honor, and service that bonds veterans of our country together. The families who have shared

this experience have expressed not only how important it was for their graduate, but also for them.

Many have never been on a military installation or attended a military reunion before.

The 2014 reunion was typical of an average OCS Alumni Reunion:

Attendee Statistics:

181 graduates (100 of this total were retired from the military and 60 are in the Hall of Fame)

95 guests (75 of this total are spouses or sons and daughters, grandchildren, nieces or nephews)

Retired Rank Breakdown:

General Officer or equivalent - 7

Colonel - 41

Lieutenant Colonel - 27

Major - 16

Captain - 8

Sergeant First Class - 1

Attendees included a 1943 graduate who served as a liaison pilot during the Battle of the Bulge, a 1952

graduate who served as an air observer during the Korean War and a graduate of the last Fort Sill OCS

class in 1973, recently retired as General Counsel for the Missile Defense Agency.

In addition to the above statistics many local alumni participate in one or more of the activities or

events during the reunion and offer a unique perspective concerning life in the Lawton Fort Sill

Community.

Attendance at the Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony averages at or near 400.