Artillery Association to host induction ceremony for Class of 2023

The United States Field Artillery Association (USFAA) will host the induction of the U.S. Field Artillery Hall of Fame, Class of 2023 and Musical Tattoo on Nov. 4.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. in the Fort Sill Patriot Club, 500 Upton Road, Fort Sill. Keynote speaker will be Major Gen. Winston P. Brooks, commanding general, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill.

USFAA officials said the Class of 2023 will include 16 prior service members and civilians who have served the Field Artillery. Additionally, two members will be honored with a musical tattoo, the highest honor presented by USFAA.

“We designed this Hall of Fame to recognize, with distinction, a wider array of Field Artillery men and women, across various branches, of assorted ranks, and civilians or volunteers who have contributed greatly to the branch. There was also a need to recognize those former Red Legs who served and then, using the core values of the FA, went on to reach the top levels of their chosen profession” said Rachal Smith, executive vice president, USFAA.

Inductees include Stephen Cannon, CEO of AMB Group LLC, who runs the day-to-day leadership of Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army; and former Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe.

Lt. Gen. (retired) Kenneth W. Hunzeker and Major Gen. (retired) Mark McDonald, former Fort Sill commanding general, also be honored with a musical tattoo, a musical tribute that Smith said honors truly remarkable Field Artillerymen who have served, even after military retirement, in a truly exceptional standard.

Class of 2023 inductees are:

Lt. Gen. Kenneth Hunzeker, U.S. Army; Major Gen. Mark McDonald, U.S. Army; Gen. Richard I. Neal, U.S. Marine Corps; Lt. Gen. Edward G. Anderson III, U.S. Army; Lt. Gen. John C. “JT” Thomson III, U.S. Army; Col. L. Scott Lingamfelter, U.S. Army; Col. Frank J. Siltman, U.S. Army; Lt. Col. James J. Carafano, U.S. Army; Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston, U.S. Army; Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael A. Courson, U.S. Army; Chief Warrant Officer 5 Donald F. Cooper, U.S. Army; Command Sgt. Major James C. McKinney, U.S. Army; Command Sgt. Major Tommy A. Williams, U.S. Army; Stephen Cannon, U.S. Army (captain); and former Sen. James M. Inhofe, U.S. Senate.

The United States Field Artillery Association was founded in 1910 and continues as a non-profit association that supports, preserves, and perpetuates the esprit, traditions and standards of the Field Artillery.