Fort Hood inducts 10 new Audie Murphys

Erin Rogers, Sentinel Staff
Thursday, July 12, 2012

Ten Fort Hood Soldiers were inducted into the Sergeant. Audie Murphy Club during an awards ceremony held at the Phantom Warrior Center Friday.

Sgt. Audie Murphy is known as the highest decorated Soldier in American history, and one of the most famous Soldiers from World War II.

The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club began at Fort Hood in 1986, and only enlisted noncommissioned officers are eligible to be inducted into the organization. NCOs who are inducted go through a rigorous board examination process by their NCO chain of command, and must exemplify high leadership standards and performance merit to be recommended.

“Thank you for being here today as we recognize 10 superb, superior, outstanding noncommissioned officers who are being inducted into the Audie Murphy Club,” Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, said. “This ceremony highlights the best of the best, and celebrates their outstanding achievements.

“You all further the description of Audie Murphy through the heroism you’ve displayed, the courage that you’ve displayed and the service you continue to provide to this nation … Audie Murphy demonstrated leadership, courage and skill needed to help he and his Soldiers defeat the enemy. These qualities are at the heart of these Army noncommissioned officers’ professional spirit and the basis for becoming a member of the very prestigious Audie Murphy Club.”

After Campbell finished letting the audience know how just how significant an Audie Murphy induction is, he handed the microphone over to the Soldiers who were introducing their Audie Murphy inductees. The introduction of inductees by their fellow Soldiers is a tradition at the Audie Murphy ceremony, making it more special because their introduction is by someone with whom they work closely.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for this position and to be inducted into such a prestigious organization,” Staff Sgt. Dante Copeland, III Corps NCO Academy, said of his induction in to the club. “What attracts me to the Audie Murphy Club is all the work they do for the Fort Hood community and the surrounding communities. Sergeant Audie Murphy left quite a legacy – a legacy which I plan to follow as best I can.”

Other recipients included four Soldiers from 1st Cavalry Division: Sgt. 1st Class Kenton Cory, Staff Sgt. Mark Galdo, Staff Sgt. Jose Rivas and Sgt. Ryan Redner; from Division West: Sgt. 1st Class Cass Long; two Soldiers from 36th Engineer Brigade: Staff Sgt Julian Gonzales and Staff Sgt. Diana Vasquez; and from 1st Medical Brigade: Staff Sgt. Matthew Webb.

The 10th SAMC inductee was Sgt. Lori Henderson-Singer, 89th Military Police Brigade. In addition to Henderson-Singer’s entrance to SAMC, she is also Fort Hood’s NCO of the Year after being named 89th MP Bde.’s NCO of the Quarter earlier this year.

“Earning this induction sets you apart and tells everyone in the Army that you are an expert among the best. You are what your country expects you to be – the best trained Soldier in the world,” Campbell said. “You will never fail your country’s trust, because you are mentally tough and you are physically strong.”