Photo By Staff Sgt. Brian Calhoun | The S.C. Army National Guard Warrant Officer Hall of Fame welcomed three new members...... read more read more
EASTOVER, S.C. - Known as “quiet professionals,” warrant officers are vitally important to the success of the South Carolina National Guard. They are relied upon by both officers and enlisted Soldiers for their subject matter expertise in a wide-array of specialties.
Exemplifying this professional standard and dedication to duty were the newest class of warrant officers inducted into the SCNG Warrant Officer Hall of Fame, April 3, 2016, at the McCrady Training Center in Eastover, South Carolina.
This year’s honorees include retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 James M. Simmons, retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Bennie Yarbrough and retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ray Collins, who were inducted for their outstanding achievements and service to the South Carolina National Guard. They join an elite class of 31 warrant officers currently in the SCNG Hall of Fame.
“I congratulate all inductees on this distinguished honor,” said Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr, the Adjutant General for South Carolina. “Warrant officers are people who often work in the background and they make things happen.”
Simmons was a native of Ashton, S.C., and entered the military in 1952 as a light weapon infantryman. He received a direct appointment to the rank of chief warrant officer two in 1974 and was assigned to the 163rd Support Battalion as a supervisory mechanized supply technician and became the property book officer for the 218th Mechanized Infantry Brigade.
He was the first to lead a collaborative project between the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the South Carolina Army National Guard called REEF-EX. This project consisted of donating demilitarized equipment from the SCARNG, such as armored personnel carriers, tanks, shipping containers and combat engineering vehicles for deployment onto 45 artificial reef sites maintained by the South Carolina DNR. For the last 18 years, the state has benefited from this project as its recreational fishing and diving opportunities have been greatly enhanced as a result of this partnership.
Simmons passed away March 26 at the age of 77. On his behalf, his son Butch said, “He was so excited when heard he was going to be honored. He didn’t make it to the ceremony, but I know he’s here today.”
South Carolina National Guard Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kent Puffenbarger said, “In my last conversation with him, he said how much this honor meant to him.”
A native of Honea Path, Yarbrough began his military career in 1960 as a teletype operator with the 116th Signal Company in Belton, S.C. He was appointed as a warrant officer in 1979 and assigned to Detachment 1, 116th Signal Company as a communication security officer.
In 1990, he was transferred to Headquarters, 151st Signal Battalion as the military personnel technician. He served on the brigade staff personnel section and was the focal point for the Overseas Duty Tour (ODT) Bright Star 94 and 96 in Egypt. He was an integral part during the deployment and throughout the exercise by streamlining administrative functions.
Yarbrough retired from the South Carolina National Guard Technician Program in 1997 but remained with the South Carolina National Guard as a traditional M-Day Guardsman assigned to the SCARNG Family Programs. In November 1999, he retired with 39 years of honorable, distinguished and dedicated service to his State and Nation as a member of the SCNG and United States Army.
“I’d like to thank my family for their support because without them, I would not have achieved this honor,” said Yarbrough.
Like his fellow inductees Collins, who is a native of Central S.C., had a long and distinguished career as a warrant officer. He enlisted into the SCNG in 1961 and rose through the enlisted ranks to sergeant first class and battery mess sergeant.
During his service, Collins served on the State Installation Menu Board for 15 years and was directly responsible for the statewide transition from the TISA/ Local purchase system to the Prime Vendor Food Service Distribution System. He was also instrumental in HHC, 1-263 Armor BN, being awarded National First Runner up in 1995 and winner in 1996 of the Phillip A Connelly Award by the Department of the Army for Best Food Service Operations in the Reserve Component
While his many accomplishments were and still remain a foundation of the SCNG food service operation, Collins’ greatest contribution to the SCNG was his mentorship and dedication to training Food Service Soldiers. He conducted dozens of workshops attended by hundreds of Food Service personnel that remains evident in the success of the SCNG Food Service operations today. Collins retired in 2003 after 42 years of dedicated service to the SCNG.
“It’s been a long road since 1961,” Collins said. “Some of the best people I’ve ever known were in the Guard with me and many of them are here today. I will cherish this honor as long as I live.”
| Date Taken: | 04.03.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2016 21:48 |
| Story ID: | 194242 |
| Location: | EASTOVER, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 372 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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