30th Troop Command honors Col. Basham

Courtesy Photo | Col. Martin Basham, commander, 230th Digital Liaison Detachment, Tennessee Army National Guard, was rendered honors.  

TULLAHOMA, TN, UNITED STATES

03.12.2015

Courtesy Story

Tennessee National Guard Public Affairs Office

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. - The Tennessee National Guard's 30th Troop Command, headquartered in Tullahoma, Tennessee, recently honored a fallen hero, Col. Martin Basham, the commander of the 230th Digital Liaison Detachment based in Memphis, Tennessee. A memorial service was held at the Tullahoma Armory on March 7.

Col. Basham, of Jacksonville, Florida, died unexpectedly after a brief illness on Feb. 10, at Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida. Basham was on his way home after completing a National Guard drill weekend when he became ill. He served as the commander of the 230th DLD since 2013.

During the memorial ceremony, Col. John G. Krenson, commander of 30th Troop Command shared with the audience one of the many attributes he admired about Basham. “Col. Basham was a Soldier’s Soldier, he never forgot what it was like to come up through the ranks. He understood their perspective and what they needed," he said.

The ceremony ended with a final roll call for Basham, taps was played and Soldiers from across the brigade rendered honors by giving their final salute in front of Bashams’ fallen soldier memorial cross, a tradition at Soldier's memorial services comprised of combat boots, a rifle, identification tags and a Kevlar helmet, often accompanied by a picture of the Soldier.

Basham began his military service in 1975 as a field artillery cannoneer. He served in both the United States Army and in the Tennessee Army National Guard. In 1985 he received his commission from the Tennessee Military Academy and was branched into field artillery. He served in many capacities throughout his career, to include commands at both the battery and battalion levels.

Basham served two tours of duty supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in support of Operation New Dawn. In 2005, he deployed to Iraq as the executive officer of 1st Squadron, 278th Regimental Combat Team. Basham’s second deployment was also to Iraq in 2008. This time as the commander of the 1-181st Field Artillery Battalion (HIMARS). He deployed to Iraq for a third time in 2011 as the deputy commander of the 230th Sustainment Brigade.

In his 40 years of service Basham received numerous awards to include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (third award), Meritorious Service Medal (third award), Army Commendation Medal (second award), Army Achievement Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, the Tennessee Distinguished Service Medal, the Tennessee War Service ribbon (third award), and other various awards.

Basham leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Inez Basham; five sons, his mother, five brothers and several nieces and nephews. He also has family in Whitwell, Tennessee, and the surrounding area. He will be greatly missed by the many Soldiers he has served with in his long and distinguished career.

• Date Taken: 03.12.2015
• Date Posted: 03.12.2015 13:48
• Story ID: 156782
• Location: TULLAHOMA, TN, US
• Hometown: JACKSONVILLE, FL, US