Ranger Hall of Fame Inductees

Honorary and Distinguished Members of the Regiment Inductees

 

RANGER HALL OF FAME

BYLAWS

Updated 1 November 2002

ARTICLE I--NAME

Section 1. The name of the Hall of Fame shall be the Ranger Hall of Fame, hereinafter referred to as the Ranger Hall of Fame (RHOF).

ARTICLE II--OBJECTIVE

Section 1. To honor and preserve the contributions of the most extraordinary U.S. Rangers in American history, to identify and highlight individuals as role models for current era Rangers, and to educate the public on the culture of the U.S. Army Rangers.

ARTICLE III--CONCEPT

Section 1. The precepts of the Ranger Hall of Fame (RHOF) are impartiality, fairness, and scrutiny to ensure the most extraordinary contributions are acknowledged.

Section 2. Inductees will be selected impartially from the Ranger units representing each era and fairly among the qualified Rangers who have made extraordinary contributions to our nation and Ranger history.

ARTICLE IV--ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Section 1. At the time of nomination, the person must be deceased or separated/retired from active military service for at least three years.

Section 2. He must have served in a Ranger unit in combat or be a successful graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School.

a. Ranger unit is defined as those units recognized in Ranger lineage or history.

b. Achievement or service may be measured in terms of a Ranger who leaves the Armed Forces and serves the nation from a position in local, state or national government or displays the outstanding character and leadership in the private or business sector.

c. Medal of Honor recipients if otherwise qualified for induction into the RHOF will be inducted without regard to quota.

ARTICLE V--NOMINATION and SELECTION PROCESS

Section 1. The timeline for submission of nominations will be formalized as follows (timeline based on ceremony i.e.: C = Ceremony day):

a. C-240: Information packets containing the RHOF bylaws, the official format for submission of a nomination packet, and instructions for submission of nominations will be sent to the President of each of the Ranger Associations, Major Commands, and others as requested.

b. C-180: All nomination packets are due and must be received by the board recorder no later than 180 days prior to the RHOF Ceremony. Nominations will be screened for all requirements IAW the RHOF bylaws. Those nominations lacking required information will be returned to the nominating party for correction and must be returned to the board recorder NLT C-130. A copy of nomination packets will be forwarded to RHOF Executive Board members NLT C-130.

c. C-100: The RHOF Executive Board will convene at Fort Benning GA, review nominations, and select inductees IAW the RHOF bylaws. In accordance with section three of this article (see below), any Executive Board member unable to attend must ensure his absentee ballot is received by the board recorder NLT the date specified for the RHOF executive committee to convene. Only the board recorder and the president are authorized to see absentee ballots in order to tally the votes. If a board member from the RTB or the 75th Ranger Regiment is unable to attend the Honorary Colonel or CSM from that organization can attend and vote for the absentee member.

d. C-90: Upon completion, the board recorder will notify each inductee, or designated next of kin, of his selection both verbally and in writing. In addition, each nominating party will be likewise informed and given a copy of the minutes from the RHOF Executive Board meetings.

e. C-60: If required, nominating party will provide the name of the person designated to receive the RHOF medallion at the induction ceremony should the inductee be unable to do so. Information packets on the RHOF ceremony and associated rehearsals will then be sent to each inductee by the RTB. A courtesy copy will be sent to each nominating party.

f. Prior to the RHOF Ceremony: The RTB will conduct an information briefing and full dress rehearsal of the induction ceremony for inductees.

Section 2. Members of the RHOF Executive Board will be the President of each association or a representative designated by the President of each association.

Section 3. In the event a board member is unable to attend the selection meeting, he will contact the board recorder, to receive an absentee ballot. He will then fill out the ballot and return it. Only the board recorder and the President will view the absentee ballot to tally the votes. If a board member from the RTB or the 75th Ranger Regiment is unable to attend the Honorary Colonel or CSM from that organization can attend and vote for the absentee member.

Section 4. Each Ranger association and U.S. Army MACOM may submit a maximum of 3 nominations per year. Members of the Ranger Hall of Fame may submit 1 nomination per year. The President will convene a subcommittee to review nominees submitted by individual members of the Ranger Hall of Fame and narrow the total nominees to 3. The maximum number of inductees the Board can select is 15. Honorary nominations will not count against the 3 nominations for each association and MACOM(See Article X). In the event of a tie, the President will make the deciding vote. Note: The nomination of a Medal of Honor recipient who meets the eligibility criteria specified in Article IV is not counted as one of the three nominations allowed per year per unit/association (see Section 2, Article IV above) and is not counted as part of the 15 RHOF Candidates.

Section 5. Voting will be done by secret ballot using a numbered score for each candidate. Each voting member of the committee will place a numerical score on his ballot for each candidate. The scale will be 0 through 5, (0 being the lowest score and 5 the highest). Once voting is complete, the board recorder will tally the score for each candidate and place candidates on an order of merit list (OML) beginning with the candidate who achieved the highest total score and ending with the candidate who achieved the lowest total score. All candidates must meet the following criteria to be inducted:

Regardless of where a candidate is placed on the OML, the minimum total score required for induction is 27 points or higher. This is to maintain the prestige of the RHOF. The minimum score of 27 points is based on the mathematical average score derived from the total possible score that could be received from nine committee members. For example: if all nine members scored the candidate a "3" then his score would equal 27 points. Therefore any combination of votes totaling a score of 27 would be equivalent to the absolute average.

Section 6. The board recorder will prepare a memorandum for record detailing the proceedings of the selection process and will include attached copies of the minutes of the RHOF Executive Board meeting, the final order of merit list showing total scores, and a list of those inducted for that year. This memorandum and attachments will be forwarded to the RTB S5 for inclusion in the historical folder for that years RHOF induction ceremony.

Section 7. All voting ballots will be kept for one year by the board recorder once the RHOF induction ceremony is complete. The board recorder will also ensure that only authorized personnel (board members and board recorder) are present for all proceedings. All questions pertaining to the board proceedings will be referred in writing to the Executive Board President. No one else is authorized to discuss or disclose board proceedings.

Section 8. The Ranger Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will normally be held during the summer months and aligned with the change of command of either the 75th Ranger Regiment or the Ranger Training Brigade. Exceptions must be approved by the RHOF Executive Board and require a 2/3 majority vote.

Section 9. The total cost of the following expenses will be shared evenly by the Ranger associations. The Ranger Training Brigade will present a RHOF budget at the selection committee meeting. Here are the costs:

a. Cost of printing and purchase of RHOF programs.

b. Cost of procuring RHOF medallions and lapel pins.

c. Cost of engraving RHOF medallions.

d. Cost of framing pictures and citations for the RHOF displays.

e. Cost of a memento for the guest speaker (not to exceed $150.00 dollars).

Section 10. A 2/3 majority vote by the RHOF Executive Board is required to change any portion of these RHOF by-laws.

ARTICLE VI--NOMINATION FORMAT

Section 1. The following information will be forwarded to the RHOF Executive Board recorder, whose address will be listed in the first announcement mailed each year:

TAB A: A letter of nomination detailing the candidate's qualifications for induction.

TAB B: A Ranger career summary.

TAB C: A biography, which is limited to two pages, describing the candidate's civilian background, service with the U.S. Armed Forces, and achievements.

TAB D: Complete mailing address and phone number of nominee or closest relative, as applicable.

*TAB E: A proposed citation, which is limited to 25 lines, for display in the RHOF. The citation will have a specified font and will be addressed in the sample packet.

*TAB F: One 8"x 10" glossy photograph suitable for permanent display.

*Note: The RHOF program for the induction ceremony will contain one page for each inductee. That page will consist of a digitized copy of the 8"x10 "photo and the proposed citation that were both submitted with the nomination packet.

ARTICLE VII-RHOF EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The selection committee is the RHOF Executive Board and its roles are as follows:

a. President. The president of the Board will be a Ranger who has already been inducted into the RHOF. The president will be elected by the RHOF Executive Board by a simple majority vote. The President will serve a term of no more than 3 years, but there is no limit to the number of terms he may serve. He will serve as a non-voting member of the RHOF Executive Board unless there is a tie. He will not fill a dual role as an association representative. Upon being replaced as president of the RHOF Executive Board the outgoing President will hold the status of President Emeritus and perform duties as directed by the president.

b. The RHOF Executive Board will be made up of the following voting members:

1) President (non-voting, as discussed in Article VII, Section 1a above)

2) Commander, 75th Ranger Regiment

3) Command Sergeant Major, 75th Ranger Regiment

4) Commander, Ranger Training Brigade

5) Command Sergeant Major, Ranger Training Brigade

6) President, Merrill's Marauders Association /Representative

7) President, Ranger Battalions of WW II Association (RBA)/Representative

8) President, Ranger Infantry Companies (Airborne) of the Korean War Association (RICA)/Representative

9) President, The 75th Ranger Regiment Association, Inc./Representative

10) President, The United States Army Ranger Association, Inc. (USARA)/Representative

11) Board Recorder (non-voting member, as discussed in Article VII, Section 3c below)

Section 2. Each Association can appoint its own representatives to the RHOF Executive Board and he will serve at the will of the association.

Section 3. The responsibilities of the RHOF Executive Board are:

a. President: As discussed above.

b. Voting Members: Responsible for careful review of nomination packets and making recommendations in accordance with the board procedures.

c. Recorder: A non-voting member of the board who is appointed by the Commander, 75th Ranger Regiment, to carry out duties in accordance with these bylaws. The recorder is also responsible for the following specific actions:

1) Sending announcements and information IAW Article V.

2) Preparing and mailing nomination packets for review by voting members.

3) Serve as the focal point for all questions or problems concerning the nomination and selection process.

4) Send an acknowledgment of receipt of nomination packets IAW Article V.

5) Destruction of voting ballots IAW Section 7, Article V.

6) Preparation of a record of selection board proceedings for historical files to include who was nominated, a complete order of merit list with total scores assigned, and who was selected for induction.

7) RTB will prepare a cost estimate for the Ranger Hall of Fame Ceremony and will present it at the selection meeting.

ARTICLE VIII--APPEALS AND OBJECTIONS

Section 1. Any appeal or objection to the RHOF selection results will be directed to the President of the Board, in writing NLT C-30. An appeal against a nominee can be presented to the President in writing 30 days prior to the ceremony.

Section 2. If there is dissatisfaction with the President's response, appeals or objections will be forwarded with the president's decision to the senior Ranger qualified General Officer stationed at Fort Benning who shall serve as the appellate authority. His decision will be final. All appeals or objections will be completed prior to the induction ceremony.

ARTICLE IX--EMERGENCY INDUCTION PROCEDURES

Section 1. The purpose of the emergency induction is to honor a future Ranger Hall of Fame nominee prior to his demise.

Section 2. The procedures outlined below will be followed.

a. Notify a current voting board member and provide a nomination packet with as much information as possible.

b. Upon notification, the president will contact all available board members. A minimum of five members is required. The senior Ranger qualified General Officer on Fort Benning may be used to achieve five members.

c. Board members will vote a simple "YES" or "NO."

d. The nominee must receive a unanimous "YES" vote to be inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame.

ARTICLE X--HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. The distinction of membership in the RHOF may by conferred on individuals in the private sector who do not meet the normal eligibility criteria. Honorary induction is in recognition of extraordinary contributions to Ranger units, the Ranger Memorial Foundation, or the Ranger community in general.

Section 2. Each association, MACOM, and RHOF Members can nominate one honorary candidate for selection to the Ranger Hall of Fame. Only two honorary nominees may be inducted per year. A nomination for honorary membership will not count against an Association's and MACOMs 3 nominations in Article V section 4.

Section 3. Voting will be done by secret ballot using a numbered score for each candidate. Each voting member of the committee will place a numerical score on his ballot for each candidate. The scale will be 0 through 5, (0 being the lowest score and 5 the highest). Once voting is complete, the board recorder will tally the score for each candidate and place candidates on an order of merit list (OML) beginning with the candidate who achieved the highest total score and ending with the candidate who achieved the lowest total score. All candidates must meet the following criteria to be inducted:

Regardless of where a candidate is placed on the OML, the minimum total score required for induction is 27 points or higher. This is to maintain the prestige of the RHOF. The minimum score of 27 points is based on the mathematical average score derived from the total possible score that could be received from nine committee members. For example: if all nine members scored the candidate a "3" then his score would equal 27 points. Therefore any combination of votes totaling a score of 27 would be equivalent to the absolute average. In the event of a tie, the President will make the deciding decision. The nomination format will only include applicable information from the standard form.

Section 4. Honorary members will receive the same recognition as normal RHOF members.

ARTICLE XI--HALL OF FAME

Section 1. The Ranger Hall of Fame will be located at the Ranger Training Brigade Headquarters, Fort Benning, Georgia until such time that a more suitable Ranger Hall of Fame facility is identified and made available.

Section 2. The induction ceremony will be run by the RTB.

Section 3. Following display at the induction ceremony, induction awards (photo with citation) will be hung in the Ranger Hall of Fame in alphabetic order, by induction year.

Section 4. To honor the contributions of RHOF inductees, a medallion and lapel pin will be presented to each, or to the closest living relative during induction ceremony.

Section 5. Each inductee's name will be engraved on the Ranger Memorial Wall.

ARTICLE XII-POST OPERATION CEREMONY

Section 1. The 75th Ranger Regiment and Ranger Training Brigade will both conduct an after action review (AAR) following the event and place the findings in a historical folder. The historical folder will contain the following items: AAR's from both units, a list of key POCs, a RHOF induction ceremony program, and the memorandum prepared by the RHOF Executive Board recorder IAW Section 2c6, Article VII. Storage of the above historical information will be maintained at the Ranger Training Brigade and is the responsibility of the unit S5.

ARTICLE XIII-REMOVAL OF RANGER HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

Section 1. The Ranger Hall of Fame Executive Board may remove a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame because of actions that bring dishonor to the RHOF.

Section 2. The board will convene a meeting to vote on the removal of a Ranger Hall of Fame Member. A 2/3 majority vote by the RHOF Executive Board is required to remove a member from the Ranger Hall of Fame.

Ranger Hall of Fame Inductees

Honorary and Distinguished Members of the Regiment Inductees