FORT BENNING, Ga. – More than 300 soldiers, civilians and family members, past and present, of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit gathered to celebrate the USAMU’s 52nd birthday. The Military Marksmanship Association is conducting a reunion in honor of the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the Army Marksmanship Unit Oct. 16 to 18 at the USAMU Headquarters and ranges.
Formed in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the unit claims to produce America’s best competitive shooters and the Army’s greatest custom gunsmiths.
The unit is composed of a support staff, a Custom Firearms Shop, and six competitive shooting sections – Service Rifle, Service Pistol, International Rifle, International Pistol, Shotgun and Combat/Action Shooting.
Four personnel will be inducted into the Support Hall of Fame and six into their respective shooting section halls of fame. Inductees are: Marvin O. Aldrich, Support Hall of Fame; retired Sgt. Maj. Max Barrington, Service Pistol Hall of Fame; Sgt. 1st Class Shawn C. Dulohery, Shotgun Hall of Fame; Sgt. 1st Class James Todd Graves, Shotgun Hall of Fame; retired Sgt. 1st Class Lance S. Hopper, Service Rifle Hall of Fame; retired Sgt. Maj. Laurence “Red” Mosely, Support Hall of Fame; retired Sgt. 1st Class Bill Reitz, Support Hall of Fame;retired Maj. Ed Suarez, International Pistol Hall of Fame; Sgt. 1st Class Daryl L. Szarenski, International Pistol Hall of Fame; and the late retired Sgt. 1st Class Robert Walsh Sr., Support Hall of Fame.
White was the guest speaker at the USAMU Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The three inductees to the 2008 U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Hall of Fame are: Retired Master Sgt. Burl Branham, former Shotgun Team Coach; retired Lt. Col. Sally Carroll, former International Pistol shooter; and retired Capt. Glen A. Dubis, former International Rifle shooter.
