Major General Frank D. Merrill is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for extraordinary valor and outstanding leadership as commander of the 5307th Composite Unit, known as Merrill's Marauders. General Merrill took command of the Marauders in January 1944, with the mission of marching deep into the jungles of Burma behind Japanese lines to cut off enemy communications and supplies. General Merrill led the Marauders, over steep mountains to outflank the Japanese to block their retreat from Shadazup, which the Marauders later captured. The Marauders, many stricken by malaria, typhus and other dreaded diseases, marched 112 miles over mud slogged mountain trails as high as 6000 feet defeating the enemy twice enroute to the daring seizure of an enemy airfield and garrison at Myitkyina. Following World War II General Merrill served as Chief of Staff of the Western Defense Command, and later served as Chief of Staff and as Commander of the 6th Army. In 1947 he became deputy Chief of the American Military Advisory Mission to the Philippines. General Merrill's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, and Combat Infantryman's Badge. General Merrill's strength of character, superior leadership, and exemplary service to the nation have set the example for other Rangers to follow.

(1992) COLONEL GEORGE A McGEE

Colonel George A. McGee is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for extraordinary valor and exemplary service as commander of the 2d Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit, known as Merrill's Marauders. In August 1943 the War Department selected Colonel McGee to command a battalion-size unit formed from volunteers from the 33rd Infantry Regiment which was redesignated as 2d Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit. Colonel McGee served as battalion commander from the formation of Merrill's Marauders until their last mission at Myitkyina in June 1944. Colonel McGee led his battalion in missions behind enemy lines in the steaming jungles of Burma to sever Japanese communications and supply lines. Many of Colonel McGee's soldiers suffered from malaria, typhoid, malnutrition and other ailments, but fought gallantly against the Japanese in major battles at Walawbum, Nhpum Ga, Inkangawtaung, Shadazup, and Myitkyina, and were involved in over 30 minor engagements with the enemy. Though Colonel McGee served in many capacities during his twenty years of service in the Army, he considered his command of the 2d Battalion of Merrill's Marauders the highlight of his military career. Colonel McGee's dedication to duty and superb leadership continue to lead the way for Rangers past and present.

(1992) COLONEL LOGAN E. WESTON

Colonel Logan E. Weston is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for extraordinary gallantry and service to the nation. Colonel Weston was drafted into the Army during his third year in theological school in January 1942, received a battlefield commission on Guadalcanal and was promoted to First Lieutenant. He volunteered for duty with the 5307th Composite Unit, known as Merrill's Marauders. in September 1943. Colonel Weston served as a platoon leader with the Marauders from January through September 1944, and fought in twenty-three separate conflicts with the enemy. Many of Colonel Weston's soldiers were malnourished, and stricken by disease, but inspired by his leadership, they spearheaded the Marauders drive south from Tibet through northern Burma. Colonel Weston fought with distinction in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War as an infantryman, but also served as unit chaplain due to his theological training, which earned him the title, "The Fighting Parson." Colonel Weston's awards and decorations include two Distinguished Service Crosses, five Silver Stars, seven Bronze Stars with "V" device, six Purple Hearts, and the Legion of Merit. Colonel Weston's exceptional leadership, and exemplary service throughout his 28 year military career are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army Rangers, and provide an inspiring example for all who serve our great nation.

(1993) COLONEL CHARLES N. HUNTER

Colonel Charles N. Hunter is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for extraordinary courage and gallantry as a combat leader while serving with the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) known as Merrill's Marauders. In the fall of 1943, Colonel Hunter, the senior officer among the volunteers, was appointed commander of the battalion and he prepared the men for combat, and would serve as second in command under Major General Frank D. Merrill. The Marauders would become legendary for their trek through the jungles of China, Burma, and India, conducting operations behind enemy lines in the steaming jungles to sever Japanese communications and supply lines. Colonel Hunter's foresight, keen analytical mind, and thorough planning abilities had a direct and overwhelming impact on the success of the Marauders against the Japanese. Colonel Hunter led the 1st Battalion and the Chinese 150th Regiment known as "H Force" to capture the all weather airstrip at Myitkyina. This was to be the final victory of the 5307th Composite Unit. Following the capture of the airstrip the Marauders participated in a campaign to capture and secure an objective of great tactical importance, the town of Myitkyina. In 5 major and 30 minor engagements they met and defeated the veteran.-soldiers of the Japanese 18th Division. Colonel Hunter's dedication and proven combat abilities in service of our nation are in keeping with the highest traditions of selfless service.

(1993) MASTER SERGEANT ROY H. MATSUMOTO

Master Sergeant Roy H. Matsumoto is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for extraordinary courage and service with the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) known as Merrill's Marauders. In the fall of 1942, Matsumoto and many other young Japanese Americans incarcerated in internment camps, volunteered for service in the United States military. His unit would trek the jungles of Burma, conducting operations behind enemy lines in the steaming jungles to sever Japanese communications and supply lines. Master Sergeant Matsumoto accomplished many dangerous missions by infiltrating Japanese lines every night to listen and snipe. During the siege at Nhpum Ga on an intelligence gathering mission, he returned one night with news of an impending attack. The Marauders met the enemy with devastating fire. When the attack failed, Matsumoto stood and yelled in Japanese for the attack to continue. The next wave met the same fate as the first. The siege was finally lifted after ten days by an attack of the remaining Marauders. The Marauders continued to march and capture the all weather airstrip at Myitkyina where Matsumoto was in the last group of 17 men to be evacuated after the mission. He then joined the 475th Infantry "Mars Task Force" where he was attached to the Chinese Nationalist Army guerrilla forces behind enemy lines to serve as an Intelligence NCO near the French Indochina border. Master Sergeant Matsumoto's dedication and proven combat abilities in service to our nation are in keeping with the highest traditions of selfless service.

(1993) LIEUTENANT GENERAL SAMUEL V. WILSON

Lieutenant General Samuel V. Wilson is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for heroism, extraordinary achievement, and continued service to his country and the special operations community. General Wilson began his special operations service with the Office of Strategic Services and subsequently with the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), popularly known as Merrill's Marauders, in the China-Burma-lndia Theater during World War 11. As a highly decorated combat veteran, General Wilson returned to the United States where he entered the Army's Foreign Area Specialist Training Program. Upon completion of the program, he was assigned to various tours involving the Iron Curtain countries and the Soviet Union. His expertise was recognized quickly and he was assigned to several high level positions within the Department of Defense and Department of State. As a general officer, some of his assignments included: Assistant Division Commander (Operations), 82d Airborne Division; United States Defense Attaché to the Soviet Union; Deputy to the Director of Central Intelligence; and Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. General Wilson's expertise in the area of special operations has been recognized and he remains a consultant to the Secretary of Defense and the Congress for matters concerning both special operations and intelligence.

(1994) LIEUTENANT COLONEL WILLIAM C. GRISSOM

Lieutenant Colonel William C. Grissom is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his actions behind Japanese lines as a member of Merrill's Marauders during World War 11. Then, First Lieutenant Grissom commanded the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon of the 2nd Battalion 5307 Combat Unit Provisional (Merrill's Marauders.) As the Marauders always operated deep behind the enemy lines, in Burma Lieutenant Grissom constantly, at great risk, ranged far out in front of the two combat teams of the second battalion. He collected intelligence, scouted the enemy positions and strength, and picked the safest routes for the Marauders to travel. Lieutenant Grissom was involved in numerous skirmishes with the enemy and participated in the thirty-five battles that the Marauders were involved in during the campaign. Lieutenant Grissom fought with the Marauders until the main objective, the capture of Myitkyina the only all weather Air strip in Burma and the opening of the road into China from Burma and India was completed. Following his release from active duty Lieutenant Colonel Grissom continued to serve the military as a training officer with the Veterans Administration. His courage, strength, and willingness to face constant hardships and danger are in the finest tradition of the Rangers and the United States Army.

(1994) STAFF SERGEANT ANDREW B. PUNG

Staff Sergeant Andrew B. Pung is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for actions behind Japanese lines while serving with the 5307 Combat Unit Provisional (Merrill's Marauders.) during World War II. Staff Sergeant Pung distinguished himself in action at Walawbum, Burma. As a member of the Orange Combat Team his battalion swept around the Japanese right flank in a pincers movement that overran the enemy position. This maneuver killed over 800 enemy soldiers who were attempting to escape from the trap. Staff Sergeant Pung then climbed a tree and perched 50 feet off the ground. He kept his unit posted on the Japanese activity via a walkie-talkie radio. Upon seeing the Japanese advance he alerted his unit, then waited until the enemy was 50 yards away before giving the order to open fire. The Japanese soldiers running into a solid sheet of gunfire, broke and ran leaving another 200 dead behind. During this battle Staff Sergeant Pung's canteen was shot off his hip and his radio knocked out of his hand by a bursting artillery shell. Shakily he managed to climb down from his tree and rejoin his unit. He served with the Marauders until the completion of their mission, the capture of Myitkyina, the only all weather air strip in Burma, and the opening of the China road. Staff Sergeant Pung continued to serve with the United States Army in Korea and Germany. Staff Sergeant Pung retired in July 1967 after completing 30 years of dedicated military service, upholding the Ranger traditions and leading the way for future generations of Rangers to follow.

(1995) COLONEL CHARLES E. BEACH II

Charles E. Beach II was born May 5, 1908 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He enlisted in the National Guard in 1926 and was assigned to the 147th Infantry, 37th Division. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on January 14,1930. Colonel Beach was called into active duty on October 15, 1940, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel while he was on rest duty on the Island of Samoa, in late 1943. Shortly thereafter he volunteered to serve with "Merrill's Marauders" under General Frank Merrill and Joe Stillwell. He was given command of 3rd BN 5307 Composite Unit Provisional. He volunteered to lead the 3rd Battalion Marauders and two combat teams at the onset of the Burma campaign and continued on to the capture of the airfield at Mytkiana, the city, and the rail head. His schools and awards include, being a graduate of the Infantry Schools Company Officers Course, the Infantry Officers Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College. He received the Silver Star with Oaf Leaf cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Bronze Star. He was promoted to Colonel in 1946, and was very honorably discharged from active duty February 1, 1946. His service brings great credit to himself and the United States Army.

(1995) CAPTAIN PHILIP B. PIAZZA

Philip B. Piazza enlisted at Ft. Wheeler, GA, where he received basic training and was expeditiously promoted to the grade of First Sergeant in a period of eight months. Turning down a commission in the medical field, he was sent to the Infantry Officers Candidate School. He was commissioned in 1942, and was selected to ship out to combat duty in Africa, but a change in orders sent him to the Dutch West Indies then to Trinidad. Here he was assigned to the 33rd Infantry where he served as XO of Company E. In September 1943 he volunteered for a dangerous and hazardous mission somewhere, and later moved with elements of the 33rd back to the Zl only to ship out from Camp Stoneman on the Lureline to Bom Bay, India. The now First Lieutenant was placed in command of the heavy weapons of one platoon of the six combat teams composing the famous 5307 Provisional Unit known as Merrill's Marauders. The Combat mission behind enemy lines began with a 125 mile conditioning foot march and terminating about 750 miles behind the Japanese units that were confronting friendly Chinese troops in the Mogaung/Hukong valleys of north and central Burma. The unit got the orders to establish and hold a road block for 24 hours on the enemy M.S.R. They held for 38 hours. Finally being able to extract from combat due exclusively to the heavy weapons supporting fires of LT Piazza with disregard for his personal safety observing from an advance position for his mortar and machine guns. The success of this mission denied General Tanaka and the Japanese 1 8th Imperial Division to retake approximately 35 miles of the Hukong valley which had just been liberated by our aggressive position. At the south end of the Mogaung valley, the unit was hit by a series of banzai attacks. Once again, while observing the machine gun and mortar fire at his position from an advance location LT Piazza was hit in the head by two rounds of enemy small arms fire and in the leg by a mortar shell burst. Once again, the effectiveness of heavy weapons enabled the battalion to withdraw to safety. Capt. Piazza was litter borne about eight miles to an evacuation strip from which, seven days later, he was flown to the 20th General Hospital in India. He spent the next year convalescing before being discharged from active duty. Military awards include the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart with cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, and several campaign medals. Also awarded by the National Chinese Army is the Chinese War Memorial Medal.

(1996) STAFF SERGEANT CLARENCE BRANSCOMB

Staff Sergeant Branscomb is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his actions as a member of Merrili's Marauders during World War II. Before volunteering to join Merrill's Marauders for what was termed "a very dangerous mission" by the President of the United States, Staff Sergeant Branscomb saw considerable action with the 161st Infantry at Guadalcanal and New Georgia in the South Pacific. While serving as a lead scout with the 1st Battalion Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon of Merrill's Marauders in Burma, he repeatedly moved out in front of his combat team, exposing himself to danger numerous times, reconnoitering the terrain, and the enemy's position, gathering information and selecting safe trails to travel by. In preparation for the main attack on the airfield and village of Myitkyina, Staff Sergeant Branscomb's unit was ordered by Colonel Hunter, the Deputy Commander of the Marauders, to move ahead and reconnoiter the strength and disposition of the enemy troops and to check the condition of the runway. He proceeded at night and found gun emplacements surrounding the field as well as a crew of laborers repairing the runway. Staff Sergeant Branscomb reconned the entire airfield and radioed that the airfield would not be safe for the gliders and DC-3s to bring in supplies and much needed medical equipment. He mapped out the position of the emplacements, noted the strength of the enemy, and reported back to his unit. His thoroughness in reconnaissance allowed the Marauders to close with and consistently destroy the remainder of a Chinese Division. Staff Sergeant Branscomb was a man of great experience and valor who exceeded the standard. His actions exemplify a soldier who "moves further, faster, and fights harder than any ether soldier.

(1996) PRIVATE FIRST CLASS NORMAN JANIS

Private First Class Norman Janis is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his extraordinary feats of courage and actions as a member of Merrill's Marauders during World War II. Assigned to the 3d Battalion, I and R Platoon, Private First Class Janis participated on patrol deep into the jungle clad spurs of the Himalayan Mountains in deep enemy infested Burma. Early in the Far Eastern Japanese campaign, Private Janis won the admiration and respect of all members of the platoon for his expertise as a scout and platoon sharpshooter. Private Janis demonstrated his sharp shooting skills by detecting enemy snipers. An example of this skill was demonstrated when the platoon was fighting from Hsam-Shingyang to Nhpum to relieve the 2d Battalion. The I and R platoon leader and combat team commander were standing in a small clearing studying a map when an enemy sniper, located in a tree, fired a single shot. Private Janis observed a slight movement in the vines not obvious to anyone and at a range of about 300 yards dropped the sniper in one shot. Later examination proved it to be a heart shot. Private Janis was awarded the Sioux Tribal Red Feather, equivalent of a Medal of Honor. This is the highest award bestowed by the Sioux Nation for exceptional valor in combat. In his unassuming, quiet manner Private Janis preferred to work alone and identified himself as a ferocious Ranger. Norman Janis is the Tribal Chief of the Sioux and lives on the Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota.

(1997) CAPTAIN DONALD W. DELOREY

Captain Donald W. Delorey is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his distinguished service with the Merrill's Marauders. Captain Delorey entered the Army on 2 June 1941. After completing basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, he attended Infantry OCS at Fort Benning, Georgia. He then volunteered to fight with Merrill's Marauders in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. On 29 July 1944, he was the platoon leader of a machine gun platoon attached to Company K, in action near Sitapur, Burma. Machine gun fire from the right flank of the company had held up its advance. After the leader of the right platoon was killed, Lieutenant Delorey, although wounded, went forward at great risk to his life and using a sub-machine gun, killed the enemy machine gun crew. This action allowed the company to continue the advance. Lieutenant Delorey secured the right of the line until a defensive perimeter was established. He was sent to the rear that night for medical care, but returned to action the following morning and led his platoon with skill and daring until he was wounded a second time and forced to leave the field. Lieutenant Delorey's gallant actions were an inspiration to all his comrades and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Armed Forces. Captain Delorey was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, Combat Infantryman's Badge and numerous campaign ribbons. He retired from the United States Army on 26 April 1947.

(1997) STAFF SERGEANT HENRY GOSHO

Staff Sergeant Henry Gosho is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his meritorious actions with the Merrill's Marauders in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. Staff Sergeant Gosho was a member of the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 5307th Unit. Staff Sergeant Gosho repeatedly exposed himself to extreme danger by infiltrating the Japanese perimeter and listening to the Japanese officers giving their orders. He was able to return to his platoon and inform his commanding officer of what was going to happen, so they were well prepared for any attack. He was fired on so many times by machine guns, that he was nicknamed "Horizontal Hank" for the number of times he had to hit the ground. Prior to his enlistment, Staff Sergeant Gosho and his family, including his pregnant wife, were forcibly relocated from their home in Seattle, Washington to a Japanese Internment Camp in Idaho. Even under these circumstances, he volunteered to fight for his country. The intelligence information that he repeatedly received was largely responsible for the success of his unit. He was seriously wounded, lost a kidney, and suffered innumerable attacks of malaria, typhus, and jungle rot, and was medically discharged from the Army. Staff Sergeant Gosho is the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman's Badge and numerous campaign ribbons. After the war, he was the first Japanese-American to be selected by the State Department, and served brilliantly for seventeen years until retirement. In 1954, he entered the U.S. Foreign Service and was assigned to the Public Affairs Office at the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. In this position, he was very instrumental in cementing relations between the United States and Japan during a period when it was crucial to the success of United States activities in Japan.

(1998) COLONEL WILLIAM OSBORNE

COL William Osborne is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for outstanding service as a Ranger Officer. COL Osborne's Army career is a sage of quiet heroism in combat and unswerving devotion to his country. Cadet Captain and ROTC Honor Graduate from UCLA in 1936. Commissioned in 1940 in the Regular Army as 2nd lieutenant in the 7th Inf. Div Ft Ord, CA on Sept 1, 1941. He was sent to Luzon as a Company Commander of a Philippine Scout Company. On Dec 7, 1941 at the outbreak of WWII he was given command of the 2nd Battalion, 51st INF Philippine Army, a unit of the Philippine Reserves called to active duty. Bataan surrendered April 9, 1941. Knowing it to be certain death if later captured, he and 3 of his surviving men, not wanting to be a Japanese POW, played cat and jungle mouse with the Japanese for weeks, working their way through the jungle, toward the beach. Hidden in a Nipa Hut for the next 2 months by Philippine partisans, he linked up with an AF pilot, LT Damon Guase, who had soldiered until the fall of Corregidor as an infantryman. He located an old 22 foot sailboat with a one cylinder engine. With a National Geographic map and an Army field compass as navigational instruments, they set sail for Wyndham, Australia. After a 3000 mile hazardous journey through Japanese patrolled open seas, buffeted by storms and a typhoon, and strafed by enemy planes and patrol boats, they reached there destination. They were both awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General Douglass Macarthur personally for their exploits and logging detailed notes of Japanese troop dispositions, enemy shipping, names of service men who had not surrendered, including their serial numbers, and the state of Philippine morale. COL Osborne then volunteered, at the request of President Roosevelt, for a "dangerous and hazardous unknown mission" with Merrill's Marauders, where he was Commander of the First Battalion Red and White combat teams. He distinguished himself with his leadership during the long campaign behind enemy lines, leading to the capture of the airfield and City of Myitkyina.

(1999) LIEUTENANT COLONEL CAIFSON JOHNSON

Lieutenant Colonel Caifson Johnson is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for extraordinary service to the nation. He joined Merrill's Marauders first campaign in Burma as commanding officer of the white combat team, 1st battalion. After the capture of the airfield at Myitkyina, and having participated in 35 battles without any relief or replacements, the Marauders were decimated form battle casualties, sickness, and disease. Although he was eligible to be rotated home, LTC Johnson elected to remain with his men and assumed command of the 1st Battalion. The remnants of the Regiment were reformed and reorganized into the 475th Infantry Regiment for the next phase of the arduous campaign and continued onto China. His leadership, according to Major General Ernest Easterbrook, the Commanding Officer, was so dynamic that many soldiers volunteered to stay on the mission. He commanded with great distinction, always leading the way, and on many occasions was seen to carry multiple packs and rifles of men who had become too exhausted on the treacherous mountain trails. He was a true leader. Shortly after his retirement from the Army, after 30 years of service, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was honored in July, 1965 by the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge with the George Washington Honor Medal.

(1999) SERGEANT MAJOR ARTHUR A. WERNER

SERGEANT MAJOR ARTHUR A. WERNER Sergeant Major Arthur A. Werner is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for outstanding service to the nation. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1941 at age 16 and was assigned to the 35th Infantry Washington National Guard in Hawaii. Sergeant Major Werner was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. Afterwards, he was sent to Solomon Islands where he fought the Japanese at Guadalcanal. Promoted to corporal, he led recon patrols and ambush patrols into the enemy infested jungles of Bloody Ridge and Hill 27. For his gallantry in action at Guadalcanal, he received his first award for outstanding courage in attacking a strong point ring of fifty Japanese pillboxes and resisting repeated attacks by an Infantry regiment. This action lasted for three weeks until a decision was made to use a tank to break up the positions. He then volunteered to lead a patrol following the tank to protect its occupants from antitank grenades and he volunteered to join the famed Merrill’s Marauders for a secret mission behind the enemy lines in Burma. While the 2d battalion (Marauder’s) were surrounded on the Hill at Phpum ga, he repeatedly led patrols to try and break through and carried some of his wounded men to safety despite being wounded trying to knock out a machinegun nest. After three years in action in the pacific war zone, he returned to civilian life in Tacoma, Wa. In 1948, he joined the California National Guard, was promoted to 2d Lieutenant, and later volunteered to go to Korea when war broke out. Discharged from the Army in September 1952, he then joined the reserves. In 1955, he again joined the active Army as a sergeant. In 1966 he deployed to Vietnam as the First Sergeant of Company B, 2d Battalion, 22nd Infantry where he served two tours between 1966 and 1967, and in 1969, volunteered again for a third tour. After 30 years, he retired from the Army. His awards include CIB with 2 stars, two Silver Stars, one Bronze Star for valor, four Bronze Stars for Meritorious Service, two Purple Hearts, and numerous campaign and service decorations.

(2000) STAFF SERGEANT WARNER KATZ

Staff Sergeant Warner Katz is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his heroic actions while a lead scout for the I&R platoon of Merrill's Marauders 3d Battalion. After volunteering at the request of President Roosevelt, for what was termed a "dangerous and hazardous mission", Staff Sergeant Katz repeatedly demonstrated his experience and keen observation abilities by detecting trip wires and scattered mine emplacements which he scouted out, marked, and planned by-pass routes through the dense jungle. His actions saved innumerable additional casualties. A number of times in various situations, he left his safe position within the perimeter to drag wounded comrades to safety. He was the first Marauder to kill an enemy and also the first to be wounded but he refused to be evacuated. Prior to his service with the Marauders he saw considerable action in the South Pacific in combat with the Americal Division in the Solomon Islands. Sergeant Katz exemplifies the motto of the Marauders," Sua Sponte", of their own accord, and the Rangers, Rangers Lead the Way". Sergeant Katz' decorations include the Bronze Star with cluster, purple Heart with cluster, Presidential Unit Citation and numerous service awards.

(2001) 1st Lt. EDWARD A. MC LOGAN

Lieutenant Edward A. McLogan is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his exemplary conduct and actions in combat while serving with the 5307th Composite Unit Provisional (Merrill’s Marauders) in Burma in World War II. As a platoon leader he repeatedly risked his life rallying his men to stand off repeated Banzai attacks. At the Battle of Nhpum Ga, while the Marauders were surrounded for two weeks, at one time he pulled his men back 100 yards, booby trapped their former foxholes, and strategically positioned his men so that when the enemy attacked, they were completely surprised. After repeated attacks by the enemy and fierce hand-to-hand engagements, the Japanese retreated leaving over 50 bodies behind. After this action, the Marauders nicknamed it McLogan’s Hill in his honor. Prior to volunteering for a dangerous and hazardous mission behind enemy lines with the Marauders, Lieutenant McLogan served with the 35th Infantry Regiment in battles in the South Pacific at Guadalcanal and his platoon was selected to lead the way in the first wave of the invasion of the Soloman Islands at the Beach Head. He exemplifies the code of the Army Rangers in leading the way, and is a credit to his country and his unit. His awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

(2002) Sgt. ROBERT CARR

Sergeant Robert L. Carr is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for valorous service to his country while with Merrill’s Marauders in Burma. He volunteered for the Marauders as a muleskinner in a pack artillery unit waiting in Australia to take part in the New Guinea fighting. While in Burma, Japanese forces trapped a Marauder battalion and under severe attack for several days, two 75-millimeter artillery pieces were parachuted in to aid the rescue units. Sergeant Carr volunteered with other former muleskinners to assemble and man the guns. He then volunteered to leave his position as a lead scout in an infantry platoon to serve as forward artillery, two of his fellow infantrymen were wounded. Sergeant Carr left his radio to drag each of the wounded through heavy fire to an aid man. Then he crawled forward throwing grenades toward Japanese lines to draw fire upon him so as to expose enemy positions and radioed back range and azimuth data for establishing fire. At that point, SGT Carr radioed, “Move in 10 yards and if you don’t hear from me, you’ll know I got too close”. Instead, Marauder shells wiped out an enemy heavy machine gun nest only 30 yards away from him, and were able to dig the enemy out of their holes all across a hill that had been their strong point. Marauder soldiers then drove through to free the trapped Marauder unit after a 10-day blockade that had exacted heavy American casualties forcing Japanese forces to beat a broad retreat. Sergeant Carr returned as a lead scout with the Marauders until their closing battle at Myitkyina, where he was evacuated with scrub typhus requiring a long hospitalization. Two officers told him they had put him in for a Silver Star for his role in effecting the breakthrough. But a mule carrying the records fell off a cliff en route over a 5,800-foot high mountain range to Myitkyina and all records were lost. When he was discharged after World War II, SGT Carr worked in a steel mill, then as a passenger boat captain, and in heavy construction, rising in 30 years to supervisor of major projects and retirement as a company vice president. Sergeant Carr’s determination and remarkable bravery in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds exemplify the Rangers’ resolve to complete the mission.

(2002) Dr. JAMES E. HOPKINS

Dr. James E. Hopkins is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his outstanding conduct and actions while in combat with the Merrill’s Marauders during the China-Burma-India Theater in World War II. When War was declared, he left his surgical practice at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and volunteered for military duty in the Army Medical Corps. While serving in the Fiji Islands and seeing the many battle casualties in Guadalcanal, Dr. Hopkins left his plush assignment and volunteered for duty with a forward combat unit in various Soloman Island battles where he served as battalion surgeon with the 148th Regiment, Ohio National Guard. When the call came from the president for experienced combat troops for a dangerous and hazardous mission, he volunteered again and went with the unit that would eventually be known as the Merrill’s Marauders, where he gained the highest respect from the men in his battalion during that entire campaign he marched step-by-step with the men ministering to their many needs and although unarmed, repeatedly exposed himself to care for the wounded by documenting all his medical records during the entire operation during a period of 7 months behind enemy lines. He worked with the War department and was instrumental in the improvement of the helmet to protect head and neck and also in his concern for the safety of GI’s was instrumental in the development of the lightweight combat vests. Dr. Hopkins is a true patriot and well deserving of this award. His decorations include the Bronze Star, Combat Medical Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and American Defense Medal.

(2003) Lt Col MELVIN R. BLAIR

Lieutenant Colonel Melvin R. Blair Lieutenant Colonel Melvin R. Blair is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for displaying exceptional valor in two wars. He enlisted in the Army in 1934 and served in the 13th Horse Cavalry Regiment at Fort Riley, Kansas, until assigned to the Cavalry ROTC unit at Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont. In 1942, he was commissioned upon his graduation and served as a platoon commander in the 10th Horse Cavalry Regiment at Camp Lockett, California. In World War II, he volunteered for Merrill’s Marauders and, upon arrival in Burma, was assigned as a reconnaissance platoon leader in the 209th Combat Engineers. When a patrol under his leadership was pinned down by machine gun fire, he crawled alone to the rear of the enemy position and killed the gun crew with his carbine. Three days later, when two members of his patrol were wounded, he crawled out under heavy enemy fire and brought them back. He earned a battlefield promotion to captain and was appointed the Executive Officer of the 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment. Shortly thereafter, he was wounded by enemy action but rejoined his unit in China. Following World War II, he attended the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Armor School, Fort Knox, Kentucky; and the G-2 course at Fort Leavenworth. He was then assigned to the G-2 staff in General Headquarters, Tokyo. During the Korean War, he served as a battalion commander in the 25th Infantry Division. After one of his companies lost all but one officer to enemy fire, he took over. He led one platoon in a successful counter-attack; organized a perimeter defense with 50 men; and inspired them by word and deed to hold the position, despite four Banzai attacks by more than 400 enemy soldiers. With ammunition running out, he ordered the withdrawal of his unit while personally guarding its rear with six men. Although wounded, he remained until sure that the main body and other wounded were able to withdraw safely. After his recovery, he held assignments in the Pentagon, Fort Bragg and Fort Benning and retired from military service in 1954. For extraordinary heroism in two wars, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, with Oak Leaf Cluster; the Silver Star; the Bronze Star, with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; the Purple Heart, with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge with Star.