December 2010 (6).qxd - United States Special Operations Command

Adm. Eric T. Olson unveils the official plaque for the SOCOM
Commando Hall of Honor at a ceremony Oct. 27, MacDill Air
Force Base, Fla. Photo by Senior Airman Anna-Marie Wyant.
countries worldwide. He credited them with developing
the tactics, techniques and procedures that make SOF
effective, and he said SOF culture evolved from their
actions. He also noted how the honorees successfully
used unconventional methods and innovation instead of
merely going by the book.
“Their team foresight helped them navigate the
bureaucratic processes of their day, and in some cases,
straddle the line between leading edge, military
innovation, and downright rebellion,” Olson said.
“They’re men who understood the conventional
processes and procedures were templates from which
they should knowingly and carefully deviate, and they
all had the audacity to bring their ideas to fruition.”
He continued, “They all asserted themselves; they
all broke the rules; they all invented and innovated.
They stuck to their guns and to their convictions, and
they broke trade. They are here because they did what
they did, and we are here because they did what they
did. We and our great nation are forever in their debt.”
Before unveiling the official plaque displaying the
names of the Commando Hall of Honor’s members,
Olson again voiced gratitude for the inductees leading
the way for SOF.
“The contributions of this inaugural class will be
forever remembered within this Hall of Honor where
they will serve as teachers and role models for us and
those who follow us,” he said. “Lessons of leadership,
of intellectual and operational agility, of physical
prowess and raw courage, are all worthy of our careful
attention.”
The following Commando Hall of Honor inductees
were present for the ceremony: retired Air Force Maj.
Gen. John R. Alison; retired Navy Master Chief Petty
Officer Rudolph Boesch; retired Marine Maj. James
Capers Jr.; retired Navy Capt. David Del Giudice; and
retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael I. Lampe.
The following Commando Hall of Honor inductees
are deceased and were posthumously awarded at the
ceremony: Army Col. Aaron Bank; Army Col. Charlie
A. Beckwith; Marine Brig. Gen. Evans F. Carlson;
Army Brig. Gen. William O. Darby; Army Command
Sgt. Maj. William R. Grimes; Army Lt. Col. Michael C.
Grimm; Navy Rear Adm. Draper L. Kauffman; Army
Maj. Gen. Robert A. McClure; and Air Force Col.
William E. Takacs.
Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster, commander, Air Force Special
Operations Command, talks with retired Maj. Gen. John R.
Alison, the first inductee in to the Commando Hall of Honor,
before the official ceremony. Alison, 97, a highly decorated
combat ace of World War II and veteran of the Korean War, is
considered the father of Air Force Special Operations. Photo
by Senior Airman Anna-Marie Wyant.
Tip of the Spear
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