RELEASE NUMBER: 141022-01
DATE POSTED: OCTOBER 22, 2014
MEDIA ADVISORY: USAJFKSWCS to host regimental induction ceremony
USAJFKSWCS Public Affairs Office
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Oct. 22, 2014) – The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, the U.S. Army’s Unconventional Warfare Center of Excellence, will host a Regimental Induction Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 31 in Kennedy Auditorium, Kennedy Hall, 3206 Ardennes Street.
The Special Forces Regiment has tapped three of its own for honors as Distinguished Members of the Regiment: Col. John H. “Scotty” Crerar, U.S. Army, Retired, Captain Claude O. “Bud” McBroom, U.S. Army, Retired, and Sergeant First Class Melvin Morris, U.S. Army Retired. All three men are Vietnam-era Special Forces Soldiers.
Morris is one of 19 Soldiers who were awarded the Medal of Honor on March 18 for actions dating back to World War II. The gallant acts of these Army veterans were overlooked previously due to their racial or ethnic backgrounds. The ceremony resulted from a 12-year Pentagon review ordered by Congress into past discrimination in the ranks.
The Psychological Operations Regiment will induct five individuals as Distinguished Members of the Psychological Operations Regiment: Capt. Robert Asti, Capt. Alfred J. de Grazia, Cpl. Barbara Lauwers Podoski – all deceased World War II-era veterans of the Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner of Special Forces. Additionally, Doug Elwell and Master Sgt. Timothy Hill, U.S. Army, Retired, will be inducted. Hill has been tapped to fill the civilian position of the Deputy Chief of Staff, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) (Provisional).
Caryn Bain, a career civilian employee of the Department of Defense, will join the Psychological Operations Regiment as an Honorary Member.
FOR THE MEDIA: Media wishing to cover the induction ceremony must contact the USAJFKSWCS Public Affairs Office by calling 910-396-9394 by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Please provide the number of news team members, video/still photographers, live-feed trucks and other special equipment you plan to bring. Special needs or interview requests should be submitted in advance.
Media should meet representatives from the USAJFKSWCS PAO office at 9 a.m. on Friday at the All American Gate.