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82nd Airborne Division announces the All American Hall of Fame Class of 2024

By Staff Report, posted May 1, 2024 on BizFayetteville.com

The 82nd Airborne Division has announced the inductees for the All American Hall of Fame Class of 2024. The ceremony honoring the inductees will be held at 11 a.m. on May 22 at 82nd Airborne Division Hall of Heroes during All American Week.

Earlier this year, subordinate units within the Division submitted nominations for inclusion into the All American Hall of Fame. Those recommendations were presented before a board of senior leaders within the Division. Inductees’ selection was based on their service within the Division, their lifelong commitment to the Division’s values, valorous combat action or contributions to their chosen field outside of the Division. 

The following list of legendary Paratroopers are to be inducted into the All American Hall of Fame:

1. Retired U.S. Army, Lt. Gen. Carl A. Strock - Lt. Gen. Carl Strock served six years in the 82nd Airborne Division. His first tour was as Scout Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer in 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. After transferring to the Engineer branch he returned to the division, serving on the staff, and commanding its engineer battalion. Lt. Gen. Strock provided and directed all tactical engineer support and operations to the division’s three infantry brigades and three major brigade-level supporting commands. 

2. Retired U.S. Army, SEAC John Wayne Troxell - After 38 years of active service, SEAC Troxell routinely visits units on Fort Liberty conducting Physical Training with Paratroopers and hosting Leader Professional Developments. SEAC Troxell served as the third Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this role, he served as the principal advisor to the Chairman and the Secretary of Defense on all matters related to the troops of the United States Armed Forces to include the lethality, readiness, fitness, welfare and deployability of the force, as well as joint force development and education. Since his retirement, he has opened his own consulting firm, and has authored a memoir titled “Surrender or Die! Reflections of a Combat Leader.” He serves as the National Ambassador for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and serves as a strategic advisor and brand ambassador for the US Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes Foundation.

3. U.S. Army, 1st Lt. Turner B. Turnbull -1st Lt. Turnbull was assigned to the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment and served within the 82nd Airborne Division until his death on June 7, 1943. On June 6, 1943, 1st Lt. Turnbull landed in France, he and his battalion were ordered to divert from its mission to defend along Neuville Au Plain to the North of St. Mere Eglise and aid the 3rd Battalion, 505th PIR in securing St. Mere Eglise. Then Commander, Lt. Col. Vandervoort, made the decision to send Turnbull’s platoon to fulfill the battalion mission. Turnbull split his forces into three discrete elements. Turnbull moved from position to position directing fires and movement. In the early afternoon, Lt. Col. Vandervoort sent a messenger to Turnbull asking if he could hold. Turnbull’s reply was, “Don’t worry about me Colonel.” By 1630 hours, German mortar fire and combat attrition had reduced his force to 16 effectives, some of which were wounded. The platoon suffered nine KIAs and had 11 seriously wounded and/or immobile. Turnbull ordered a quick retreat with 16 men proceeding along a hedgerow until they reached a stone barn mid-way to St. Mere Eglise where they were almost surrounded when the 2nd Battalion, 505th PIR began to advance on the position and delivered withering fire on the German attackers. Turnbull and his men rejoined the main body and managed to secure St. Mere Eglise. 1st Lt. Turnbull’s actions earned him the Silver Star Medal.

4. Retired U.S. Army, Command Sgt. Maj. Angel Serrano - While assigned as the White Devil Scout/Recon Platoon Sergeant, then Sgt. 1st Class Serrano prepared all members in his platoon for Ranger School achieving the goal of being the only Scout/Recon Platoon in the Division having 100 percent Ranger Qualified Platoon members. Little did he know that this focus to train his formation would prove invaluable when his platoon conducted a combat airborne assault jump into Panama. For his actions in Panama, Sgt. 1st Class Serrano was awarded the Bronze Star and Master Parachutist Badge Combat Distinguishing Device. Later SFC Serrano and his Scout Platoon were in combat again as part of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. While serving as the A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th PIR First Sergeant, he was a member of a jumpmaster team when Green Ramp, on Pope Airfield, was consumed by fire from a C-141 Starlifter military aircraft explosion caused by a plane collision. 1st Sgt. Serrano reacted and began leading Paratroopers to extinguish fires, triage and evacuate the injured. Although he lost four Paratroopers from his company during the catastrophic explosion, he saved numerous others lives through his quick actions.

5. Retired U.S. Army, Command Sgt. Maj. Felix W. Acosta -During his 35 years of service, Command Sgt. Maj. Acosta consistently maintained a leadership role within the 82nd Airborne Division serving key positions including Command Sergeant Major of 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery Command Sergeant Major, and ultimately became the first artillerymen to be selected as the 82nd Airborne Division

Command Sergeant Major. After attaining all major roles within the Division, Command Sgt. Maj. Acosta was chosen to serve as the XVIII Airborne Corps Command Sergeant Major. This was the last position he held in his 35-year career in the United States Army. After his retirement, Command Sgt. Maj. Acosta continued his support by being a co-owner of the Armed Forces Service Corporation and as a Human Resource Manager aiding with communication projects to help deployed soldiers.

6. Retired U.S. Army, Command Sgt. Maj. Christino Nuñez -Command Sgt. Maj. Christino Nunez served in every leadership position from team leader to platoon sergeant between January 1979 to June 1992. His company deployed in support of Operation Golden Pheasant (Honduras), Operation Just Cause (Panama), Operation Desert Shield (Saudi Arabia), and Operation Desert Storm (Iraq and Kuwait) providing critical engineer support to the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He returned to the Division as the 307th Engineer Battalion Command Sergeant Major between July 1999 and June 2002. In his tenure, he cultivated excellence, challenging all ranks to seek enduring self and unit development. He instilled a culture of leader accountability and respect. Regardless of rank, every Paratrooper under his responsibility knew he demanded competence and leadership presence.

7. Retired U.S. Army, Command Sgt. Maj. LaMarquis Knowles - Command Sgt. Maj. Knowles served in several positions that directly affected the Army and Joint Force. He spent two years as a Ranger Instructor and served as the Command Sergeant Major of the Joint Readiness Training Center. Both opportunities allowed him to cultivate leaders across the Army and broadened his perspective in preparation for his time as the 82d Airborne Division Command Sergeant Major. Command Sgt. Maj. Knowles’ tenure as the Division Command Sergeant Major was extremely successful and impactful to the Division. He received a Distinguished Service Medal and multiple echelons of command recognized him for his efforts in setting the standards for execution in the 82nd Airborne Division. Following his retirement, he moved on to be the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Coach at the Joint Readiness Training Center.

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