Bishop Presents Patriot Award to Major General White (Retired)

Columbus, GA – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-2) today presented Major General Jerry A. White (Retired) with the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) Patriot Award at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Columbus, GA. General White’s experience includes over 30 years in the U.S. Army and over 15 years as a leader in the U.S. military community.

General White has held a wide variety of key command and staff positions in the U.S. Army to include Commander of the United States Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Georgia; Commander of the 7th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Ord, California; Director of Operations, J-3, Forces Command, Atlanta, Georgia; Assistant Division Commander (Support), 7th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Ord, California; Commanding General, 2d Reserve Officer Training Corps Region, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Team Chief, National Military Command Center with the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, DC; and Chief of Staff and Commander, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. General White served two tours in Vietnam.

General White retired from the Army in November of 1994. In 1995, He returned to Columbus to serve as the President of United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley until 2002. General White now serves as the President of the National Infantry Association and Chairman of the National Infantry Foundation. He is a member of the Downtown Rotary Club and serves on many local boards and councils.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is a national organization dedicated to training and educating U. S. citizens in responsible uses of firearms and air guns through gun safety training, marksmanship training and competitions. The CMP is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) corporation that places its highest priority on serving youth through gun safety and marksmanship activities that encourage personal growth and build life skills.

CMP history goes back to late 19th century efforts by U.S. military and political leaders to strengthen our country’s national defense capabilities by improving the rifle marksmanship skills of members of the Armed Forces. The CMP traces its direct lineage to 1903 when Congress and President Theodore Roosevelt established the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice (NBPRP) and the National Matches. From then until 1996, first the Department of War and later the Department of the Army managed the program that became known as the “civilian marksmanship program.” During this period, program objectives shifted from military marksmanship to training civilians who might serve in the military to developing youth through marksmanship training. In 1996, Congress acted again to establish the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearm Safety that now governs the CMP. The CMP actively assists the mission of our armed services. As such, the organization created the Patriots Program, where outstanding citizens are recognized for their contributions to our country.

The Patriot Award is represented by the presentation of an actual M1 Garand, the rifle that, along with the G.I. and Rosie the Riveter, won WWII. Mr. Charlie Maddox presented the rifle to General White along with Congressman Bishop. Mr. Maddox, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the CMP, is a former Paratrooper and Korean War veteran. He also serves as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Emeritus.

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