National Infantry Museum: Difference between revisions
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The National Infantry Museum does not receive federal, state or city funding. Through its lease agreement with the Foundation, the Army reimburses the Foundation for approximately 30 percent of the mueum’s annual operating expenses. The museum relies on donations, memberships and revenue-generating attractions such as the IMAX Theatre, Combat Simulators, Fife and Drum Restaurant, Soldier Store and catering to cover operating expenses. |
The National Infantry Museum does not receive federal, state or city funding. Through its lease agreement with the Foundation, the Army reimburses the Foundation for approximately 30 percent of the mueum’s annual operating expenses. The museum relies on donations, memberships and revenue-generating attractions such as the IMAX Theatre, Combat Simulators, Fife and Drum Restaurant, Soldier Store and catering to cover operating expenses. |
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In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, the National Infantry Foundation is an equal opportunity provider and is prohibited from discriminating on the |
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, the National Infantry Foundation is an equal opportunity provider and is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or disability. |
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==Former exhibit honored a rare achievement== |
==Former exhibit honored a rare achievement== |
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Specific eligibility requirements are enumerated in the article [[Combat Infantryman Badge]] and Army Regulation 600-8-22. |
Specific eligibility requirements are enumerated in the article [[Combat Infantryman Badge]] and Army Regulation 600-8-22. |
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The Combat Infantryman Badge has been a prized award of the United States Army Infantry since its 1943 authorization. It has been said, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is the infantryman's most prestigious award, next to the Medal of Honor.<ref name="INFANTRY">INFANTRY magazine July–August 1996 The Combat Infantryman Badge by Lieutenant Colonel Albert N. Garland</ref> Although Army Regulations provide for a fourth award possibility, the Army has |
The Combat Infantryman Badge has been a prized award of the United States Army Infantry since its 1943 authorization. It has been said, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is the infantryman's most prestigious award, next to the Medal of Honor.<ref name="INFANTRY">INFANTRY magazine July–August 1996 The Combat Infantryman Badge by Lieutenant Colonel Albert N. Garland</ref> Although Army Regulations provide for a fourth award possibility, the Army has made it nearly impossible to earn a fourth. In addition, to receive more than two is difficult according to Lieutenant Colonel Albert N. Garland in his 1996 article ''The Combat Infantryman Badge''.<ref name="INFANTRY" /> |
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'''Honoring a Rare Achievement''' |
'''Honoring a Rare Achievement''' |
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Revision as of 01:17, 10 May 2013
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| Established | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Location | Fort Benning, Georgia |
| Website | www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com/ |
The National Infantry Museum is a museum located in Columbus, Georgia, just outside Fort Benning, the home of the Infantry. The museum honors the history of infantry forces in the United States Army.
The 190,000-square-foot museum opened in June 2009 on a 200-acre tract of hardwoods and pines just outside the gates of the Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence. It is one of the Army’s largest installations, the home of the Infantry.
Prior to closing in April 2008, the National Infantry Museum was housed in an old Army hospital on Fort Benning. Space and conditions for the museum’s enviable collection of artifacts were inadequate. There was a failed attempt to raise money for a new museum in the 1970s. In 1998, the 501 (c)(3) National Infantry Foundation was formed for the sole purpose of planning, raising funds for and operating a new museum. The Foundation has since formed a formal partnership with the Army to manage the facility and its priceless contents.
Each week, Fort Benning graduates hundreds of soldiers on a parade field just behind the museum. These graduations draw friends and family members from all over the country. A visit to the museum is an integral part of the curriculum for every new Soldier.
The Museum is modeled on modern and traditional museum outlay, in the spirit of British Army Regimental museums. Stored within the museum are thousands of historic artifacts and interactive exhibits. The museum has become the cultural and spiritual home of the US Army Infantry since it opened, and has welcomed thousands of veterans.
In April 2012 — less than three years since opening — the National Infantry Museum welcomed its 1,000,000th visitor. It has received coverage in national and foreign media and is the recipient of the prestigious Thea Award by members of the themed entertainment industry.†
The National Infantry Museum does not receive federal, state or city funding. Through its lease agreement with the Foundation, the Army reimburses the Foundation for approximately 30 percent of the mueum’s annual operating expenses. The museum relies on donations, memberships and revenue-generating attractions such as the IMAX Theatre, Combat Simulators, Fife and Drum Restaurant, Soldier Store and catering to cover operating expenses.
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, the National Infantry Foundation is an equal opportunity provider and is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or disability.
Former exhibit honored a rare achievement
The National Infantry Museum stores a memorial to the Soldiers who have been awarded three Combat Infantryman Badges (CIB) in the course of their Army careers; having meet the basic and specific requirements for award of the CIB for each instance award was made. At a minimum the Soldier must:[1]
- a. Be an Infantryman satisfactorily performing Infantry duties.
- b. Be assigned to an Infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat.
- c. Actively participate in such ground combat.
Specific eligibility requirements are enumerated in the article Combat Infantryman Badge and Army Regulation 600-8-22.
The Combat Infantryman Badge has been a prized award of the United States Army Infantry since its 1943 authorization. It has been said, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is the infantryman's most prestigious award, next to the Medal of Honor.[2] Although Army Regulations provide for a fourth award possibility, the Army has made it nearly impossible to earn a fourth. In addition, to receive more than two is difficult according to Lieutenant Colonel Albert N. Garland in his 1996 article The Combat Infantryman Badge.[2]
Honoring a Rare Achievement
Major General David E. Grange, Jr. was the Commanding General at Fort Benning, Georgia between 15 June 1979 and 2 August 1981 and a recipient of the 3rd award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. He understood being awarded three Combat Infantryman Badges was a rare achievement and thought a list should be compiled to celebrate these men of distinction. With his urging the Infantry Museum at Fort Benning began collecting names of known 3rd CIB recipients.
By 1983 the museum had collected and set to bronze the names of two hundred and thirty men and the unveiling of a memorial to these Soldiers and the unknowns was conducted at Fort Benning. An additional 94 names have been added to the bronze plaques.
The List
The list of recipients is not considered the "definitive" list, and is not sanctioned by the U.S. Army as 'Official'.[3] A complete list may never be fully known as the Army does not keep records of the number of CIB's that have been awarded to individuals. Only the individual Soldier's record would list this information. Identification today is in the hands of the recipient or his family.
Although many men served long tenures in the Army, not all found themselves in a shoot back situation that also met the other requirements for award of the CIB. There are publicly known to be 324 men who have received three Combat Infantryman Badges. These men would have had to have seen combat in World War II, the Korean Conflict (sic), and the Vietnam Conflict (sic).[2][4] The War on Terrorism (Afghanistan, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM) and (Iraq, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM) are also qualifying periods for award of one CIB. Hypothetically a twenty-year-old Soldier in 1953, who also fought in Vietnam. would have to have a fifty-year career to be eligible in 2003 for a third CIB.[5]
In 2009 the museum opened in its new location off of Fort Benning and the exhibit showing the list has not been re-established. Plans for it to be included in some way are being developed.
Below is the alphabetical listing of recipients of three Combat Infantryman Badges.
-
ACUFF - DESOTO -
DEXTER - LAMAR -
LARCK - PRICE -
PUHR - WALLACE -
WANN - WYCKOFF
Soldiers being added to the list must have proof of receipt of the award in the form of a copy of the issuing order showing award of the CIB 3rd Award. Individual award orders issued by an authorized headquarters which publishes the award indicate the number of the award being awarded to the Soldier. Additionally, Soldier's DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty should list the award with the identifier "3d AWD" or a variation thereof. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the museum at;The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus, Georgia 31903
External links
Notes and References
- ^ Army Regulation 600-8-22
- ^ a b c INFANTRY magazine July–August 1996 The Combat Infantryman Badge by Lieutenant Colonel Albert N. Garland
- ^ Note: The original list was researched and compiled by Colonel Donald A. Sibert, later the National Infantry Museum staff amended the list
- ^ Note: Service in the Republic of Vietnam Conflict (2 March 1961 to 28 March 1973 combined with qualifying service in Laos; Dominican Republic; Korea on the DMZ; El Salvador; Grenada; Joint Security Area, Panmunjom, Korea; Panama; Southwest Asia Conflict; and Somalia, equate to a singular award, regardless of whether a Soldier has served one or multiple tours in any or all of these areas. The Republic of Vietnam Conflict Era officially terminated on 10 March 1995.)
- ^ Institute of Heraldry's official CIB page http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/UniformedServices/Badges/combat_infantryman.aspx
- Putnam, Walter, "Powell salutes soldiers at museum opening", Military Times (Associated Press), August 3, 2009.
- Williams, Chuck, "Colin Powell speaks at Infantry Museum grand opening", Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, June 20, 2009.