Military

JEFFERSON CITY - Spc. Thomas Saltzman, of Columbia, received the Army Achievement Medal for his participation in the Missouri National Guard Soldier of the Year competition.

Soldiers participating in the three-day event were tested in several areas including physical fitness, a written exam, rifle qualifications, a 12-mile march, and day and night land navigation. The Soldiers were also tested on their general army knowledge.

"Soldier of the Year was difficult, but worth it," said Saltzman. "It feels good."

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (often referred to as MOLLUS) was a Civil War veterans organization founded in Philadelphia at the close of the war. The Missouri department of the Loyal Legion, known as the Commandery of the State of Missouri, was instituted in 1885. The members (or “companions” as they were known) of the Loyal Legion were commissioned officers and honorably discharged commissioned officers of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps, who served in the Civil War.

By Glen Blesi

The 20th century battles fought at Normandy, Guadalcanal, Seoul and Saigon had something in common. American heroes who served at those places used the M1 Garand rifle. General George S. Patton referred to the rifle as the “greatest battle implement ever devised” and said it won World War II.

In the photo, John C. Garand, who invented the Garand rifle, is pointing out features of his rifle to Major General Charles M. Wesson during the general's visit to Springfield (Mass.) Arsenal in July 1941. Brigadier General Gilbert H. Stewart is on the right.