Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brad Mincey | Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Harold (Eric) Seymore (center) was inducted into the...... read more read more
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EASTOVER, S.C. — Warrant officers are known as the “quiet professionals,” as they often go about their work without a lot of fanfare but are frequently looked upon by officers and enlisted Soldiers alike as the subject matter experts in their career fields. Perfectly illustrating that quiet professionalism and dedication to duty were the three Soldiers of the 2015 induction class into the South Carolina National Guard Warrant Officer Hall of Fame, as they were honored April 12, 2015, at the McCrady Training Center.
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Harold (Eric) Seymore, Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael C. Bibb and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gene A. Norris, Jr. were inducted for their outstanding achievements and service to the South Carolina National Guard. They join an elite class of 28 warrant officers currently in the Hall of Fame.
A native of Beaufort, South Carolina, Seymore joined the United States Army in July 1970 and flew helicopters in Vietnam. After completing his combat tour, he joined the South Carolina Army National Guard in June 1972.
During his extensive aviation career, he flew 16 models of seven different airframes. Seymore also has the distinction of being the last retired Vietnam veteran from the South Carolina National Guard, having retired Jan. 31, 2014.
He was instrumental in the organization of the second Apache Battalion in the Army National Guard at McEntire in 1989. He was also involved in the introduction of the LUH-72 Lakota helicopter to the S.C. Army National Guard and went to the Operators Emergency Medical Skills course in Texas. He was one of the first aviators to qualify in the Lakota in the S.C. Army National Guard.
His last assignment was as command chief warrant officer, where he reported directly to the adjutant general and was directly involved with Warrant Officer policies, working with National Guard Bureau to assist in career management decisions for the warrant officers in the organization.
Among his many awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with 2 device, Army Commendation Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and Master Army Aviator.
“I am truly honored and humbled by this honor and to join these two men in the Warrant Officer Hall of Fame,” said Seymore.
Originally from Seneca, S.C., Bibb began his military service in January 1981 as an enlisted Soldier and was appointed as a warrant officer in February 1991.
In August 1996, Bibb re-classed as a signal warrant officer and served in multiple capacities within the 111th and 151st Signal Battalions. While serving as the 111th Signal Battalion’s C&E officer, he personally developed the tactical and technical communication architectures for the 111th Signal Battalion, 228th, 30th, and 48th Signal Brigades in support of National Training Center and numerous other missions that greatly contributed to overall mission success.
While deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2003-2004, Bibb worked with members of the 11th Signal Brigade, 22nd Signal Brigade and V Corps on the installation and management of the largest tactical communications network ever deployed by the U.S. Army.
Bibb continues to serve the Army and the SC National Guard as a civilian contractor supporting the 263rd AAMDC mission in Anderson, S.C.
Some of Bibb’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
“I never thought I would be standing here today,” said Bibb. “This is a great honor.”
Like his fellow inductees, Norris, a native of Greenwood, has had a long and distinguished career as a warrant officer and still serves today.
Norris began his military career in February 1983 as a medical specialist. He completed Officer Candidate School in August 1986, and was initially appointed as a Field Artillery Officer. After deciding he was better suited as a technical and tactical expert in aviation, then Capt. Norris chose to resign his commission and accept a new commission as Chief Warrant Officer 2 March 6, 2003.
Since becoming a warrant officer, Norris has established himself as a technical and tactical leader and subject matter expert in all facets of U.S. Army Attack Aviation. Norris has served the 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion in key positions at unit and battalion level to include his current positions as both a standardization instructor pilot and battalion Master Gunner.
Additionally, Norris serves as a Command Support Council member at the battalion and brigade level advising units in order to prevent loss of equipment and personnel. He also serves as the chief warrant officer of the Battalion for the 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) and has been awarded The Honorable Order of Saint Michael Bronze Award by the Army Aviation Association of America.
Other awards Norris has received include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal w/3 device, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with one Silver Hourglass, National Defense Service Ribbon with Bronze Service Star and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
“Being in the Guard and being an aviator is difficult,” Norris said. “I would most like to thank my family and my extended family in the 1-151 ARB.”
“I want to express my appreciation and admiration,” said Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr., the adjutant general of South Carolina. “You have to be special to earn induction into the Hall of Fame. Thank you so much for your service.”
| Date Taken: | 04.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.13.2015 14:22 |
| Story ID: | 159850 |
| Location: | EASTOVER, SC, US |
| Hometown: | BEAUFORT, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 501 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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