Cmd Sgt Maj Jerry T. Alley

One of two "co-Interim" Sergeants Major of the Army when the 10th Sergeant Major of the Army was removed. Served as the Forces Command Command Sergeant Major. Also see James C. McKinney.

Cmd Sgt Maj Alexander Anderson

CSM Alexander S. Anderson (1919–1975 )was born on November 12, 1919. He was one of the first African-American paratroopers and served in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. According to George L. Washington, director of pilot training at Tuskegee, Anderson executed the first parachute jump at Tuskegee and later became a pioneer in the use of parachutes. On March 25, 1940, Anderson received one of the highest scores on the standard written examination required of all CPTP students at Tuskegee and was featured in the March 1941 edition of Popular Aviation.

Cmd Sgt Maj Leroy Arceneaux

CSM Leroy Arceneaux, CSM at 30 years old (Redstone Arsenal)

Sgt Maj Knox Bellingham

Knox Bellingham who served as a First Sergeant for 15 years and was crowned by Army Times as the champion First Sergeant in 1959. Interviewed by Today Show host Dave Garroway in 1957.

Sgt Daniel Bissell

Of the 2d Connecticut ,was one of three awardees of the Badge of Military Merit badge,  awarded for "any singularly meritorious Action." It was the "Figure of a Heart in Purple Cloth or Silk edged with narrow Lace or Binding." and was affixed to the uniform coat above the left breast and permitted its wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge and to have his name and regiment inscribed in a Book of Merit. The Badge specifically honored the junior ranks, where decorations were unknown in contemporary European Armies. Also see: Brown and Bissell.

Sgt William Brown

Of the 2d Connecticut, was one of three awardees of the Badge of Military Merit badge,  awarded for "any singularly meritorious Action." It was the "Figure of a Heart in Purple Cloth or Silk edged with narrow Lace or Binding." and was affixed to the uniform coat above the left breast and permitted its wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge and to have his name and regiment inscribed in a Book of Merit. The Badge specifically honored the junior ranks, where decorations were unknown in contemporary European Armies. Also see: Churchill and Bissell.

Sgt Elijah Churchill

Of the 5th Connecticut Regiment, was one of three awardees of the Badge of Military Merit badge,  awarded for "any singularly meritorious Action." It was the "Figure of a Heart in Purple Cloth or Silk edged with narrow Lace or Binding." and was affixed to the uniform coat above the left breast and permitted its wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge and to have his name and regiment inscribed in a Book of Merit. The Badge specifically honored the junior ranks, where decorations were unknown in contemporary European Armies. Also see: Brown and Bissell.

Sgt Maj Kennth W. Cooper

Former 1st Cav Div Sgt Maj killed on Jul 7, 1970 along with 1st Cav Div Cdr Maj Gen George Casey Sr.

Cmd Sgt Maj Theodore (Ted) Dobol

Command Sergeant Major Ted Dobol, who served with the 26th Infantry Regiment from 1940 to 1966. First NCO promoted to Sgt Maj.

Cmd Sgt Maj William J. Gainey

First Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

1st Sgt Henry Hogan

1st Sgt Henry Hogan, Double MOH awardee

Sgt Maj Carolyn H. James

Carolyn James First female MSG in 1959, first female promoted to Sgt Maj in 1960. Korean War vet.

Sgt Heather L. Johnsen

First woman to earn the prestigious tomb guard identification badge, March 1996.

Sgt Maj William McBryar

McBryar was an African American who first served in the 10th Cavalry in Arizona. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1890 for his part in the capture of a group of Apaches who had retreated to a cave after a five-day, 200-mile pursuit. Under fire, McBryar maneuvered to a position where he could ricochet his bullets into the cave, forcing surrender. His was the first Medal of Honor awarded to a 10th Cavalry Soldier. Article: NCOs Inducted in to the Leavenworth Hall of Fame.

SMA Gene C. McKinney

10th Sergeant Major of the Army, the first African-American to serve at the post.

Cmd Sgt Maj James C. McKinney,

One of two "co-Interim" Sergeants Major of the Army when the 10th Sergeant Major of the Army (who was his twin brother) was removed. Served as the Training and Doctrine Command Command Sergeant Major. Also see Jerry T. Alley

Sgt Maj Florence G. Munson

The First Sergeant Major of the WAC Training Battalion (1959-64) Sgt. Maj.Florence G. Munson was honored by having the headquarters and classroom building for the WAC Training Battalion dedicated in her honor in October 1965. She was the only WAC to have a building named for her at the Ft McClellan WAC Center.

Cmd Sgt Maj Yzetta  Nelson

First female Cmd Sgt Maj. Yzetta Nelson First female CSM

Sgt John Ordway

The United States Army now has its first statue to a named enlisted soldier. Sergeant John Ordway was the first sergeant of the famed Lewis and Clark Corps of Volunteers for Northwest Discovery. Army's first Statue to a named enlisted Soldier.

Sgt Maj Hugh O'Reilly

Hugh O'Reilly formed a famous relationship between the 27th US Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds" and the Holy Family Home orphanage in Osaka, Japan. The movie "Three Stripes in the Sun" was made by Columbia Pictures in 1955 based on Sgt Maj O'Reilly.

Cmd Sgt Maj Basil L. Plumley

Plumley served as the Sergeant Major of 1/7 Cav in the I Drang Valley alongside his commander then-LTC Hal Moore at LZ XRay and memorialized in the book and movie We Were Soldiers Once, and Young. He and Moore served together as Sergeant-Major and Commander for over two years at Fort Benning and in Vietnam. Plumley made all four combat jumps with the 82nd Airborne in World War II and one in Korea. Received three awards of the Combat Infantryman's Badge and a number of awards, including two Silver Stars.

1st Sgt Pascal C. Poolaw

First Sergeant Pascal C. Poolaw is the most decorated Indian soldier in the US military, he was full-blooded Kiowa. Among his medals are four Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars. He also earned three Purple Hearts, one for each of the wars in which he fought, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.  1SG Poolaw was killed attempting to rescue his Battalion Commander and his staff from an overwhelming enemy assault. As 1SG Poolaw was carrying a wounded soldier to safety, he was struck by a rocket propelled grenade and killed. For his heroic actions 1SG Poolaw was awarded his fourth Silver Star and third Purple Heart posthumously.

Sgt Elvis A. Presley

During his active military career Presley served as a member of two different armor battalions. Between March 28 and September 17, 1958, he belonged to Company A, 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armor, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. During this assignment he completed basic and advanced military training. History of Elvis Presley's military career, CMH

Cmd Sgt Maj Cynthia Pritchett

The first female command sergeant major of a sub-unified combatant command. First female nominated to compete for Sergeant Major of the Army. Article: Ground-breaking senior NCO shares her experiences

1st Sgt George Washington Roosevelt

First Sergeant George Washington Roosevelt (Uncle of President Theodore Roosevelt and Grandfather of Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.)

1st Sgt John Ryan,

1st Sgt John Ryan, Custer's First Sergeant

Cpl Paul Scaletta

Last awardee of Certificate of Merit was awarded on 5 May 1918

CSM Lynell Sullivan

First female nominative command sergeant serving a two-star general at the Industrial Operations Command, reported in the NCO Journal.

Sgt Maj Joseph A. Venable

On 11 Sep 1968 elements of the 1st Infantry Division got into a developing engagement at Loc Ninh in Binh Long Province. Two days into the three-day fight, on 13 Sep 1968, B Company, 1st Aviation Battalion, provided the command and control helicopter (UH-1H tail number 67-17552) for the Division's Commanding General, Major General Keith L. Ware and Division Sergeant Major, Sgt Maj Joe Venable. The Huey was carrying a crew of four and the CG's party of four passengers when it exploded in mid-air and crashed southeast of Loc Ninh with no survivors.

Sgt Maj William (Billy) Waugh

Awarded eight purple heart medals (tied for highest number of PH medals) and 3 Silver Star medals. An SF legend.

Sgt Samuel Woodfill

SMA William O. Wooldridge

First Sergeant Major of the Army. First NCO promoted to CSM.