Four Inducted into Prestigious Audie Murphy Club

Photo By Spc. Christopher Grammer | Staff Sgt. Shawn Spencer, left, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Signal Brigade, awaits the beginning of the Sergeant Audie Murphy induction ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Jan. 24.  

CAMP ARJIFAN, KUWAIT

01.24.2008

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Central   

U.S. Army Central Public Affairs

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Four non-commissioned officers were welcomed into the esteemed Sgt. Audie Murphy Club during an induction ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

The most decorated Soldier in U.S. history, Sgt. Audie L. Murphy, became a legend in his own time by making a name for himself as a war hero on the battlefields during World War II. He earned every medal for valor including the military's highest award, the Medal of Honor.

It has been said that there is no greater honor for a Soldier than to be compared to Audie Murphy.
Attendees at the induction ceremony included Lt. Gen. Jim Lovelace, commanding general, U.S. Army Central, and Command Sgt. Maj. Luis Lopez, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) sergeant major.

Command Sgt. Maj. Sultan Muhammad, 507th Corps Support Group command sergeant major, was the guest speaker for the event.

"It is truly an honor to stand here and help you recognize the top one percent of our U.S. Army's non-commissioned officer and leaders," Muhammad said.

The four Soldiers who were inducted are Staff Sgt. Carolyn Chadwick, of the Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 160th Signal Brigade; Staff Sgt. Shawn Spencer, Headquarter and Headquarters Company; 160th Signal Brigade, Sgt. Danielle Spencer, 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery; and Staff Sgt. Arcelia Staggers-Vargas, 546 Transportation. The inductees so impressed board members that they were presented with three military coins each for their presentations.

"This is a high honor for these Soldiers, but it is an acknowledgement and celebration as well of the positive leadership that has brought these sergeants to where they are today," Lovelace said. "None of us can do it alone. Behind every outstanding Soldier is a caring chain of command...that exacts standards...expects excellence."

Danielle Spencer first heard about the Audie Murphy club when she arrived in Kuwait as a specialist. After she was promoted to sergeant, she wanted to be a member of the prestigious club.

"I look at the people who taught me – Master Sgt. Murray – she was a big influence on me trying to make it to where I am right now," said the Atlantic City, N.J., native. "It means that I can take everything that I had to learn and study and I can give it back to all my guys."

"As a leader, it's important because when you come on line with your Soldiers, and they know you're a member of this club, they already know you are one of the best," said Chadwick, a native of Cairo, Ga., who has waited five years to be a member of the elite club.

"Just from being in this club, they expect the best from you without a doubt," she said. "The Soldiers will accept your guidance, follow you, and listen to you because they know you're one of the best."

For five years, Staff Sgt. Shawn Spencer has wanted to be in the club. His first attempt was in the U.S. and his second was in Iraq. After his third attempt, here in Kuwait, Shawn was inducted.

"It gives me a drive to be able to lead, train and motivate my Soldiers," said the Colorado Springs, Colo., native. "Being a member of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club gives me a backbone to lead and train my Soldiers."

While Murphy lived and died before all of the candidates were born, his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of NCOs that have gone on to become official Sgt. Audie Murphy Club members, and become better NCOs in the process.

"You should be a leader no matter what. This club shouldn't make you a leader. This club is just an attachment and personifies the fact that you are a great leader," said Danielle Spencer.

• Date Taken: 01.24.2008
• Date Posted: 01.24.2008 14:08
• Story ID: 15751
• Location: CAMP ARJIFAN, KW