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.
Coming Soon.