Hall of Fame

Inducted November 3, 2012

Brigadier General James E. Bonner assumed command of the 20th CBRNE Command on July 19, 2017, at a ceremony on McBride Parade Field, Aberdeen Proving Ground-Edgewood Area.  Brigadier General Bonner is the 7th commander of the U.S. Army 20th CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and explosives) Command.  As commander of the Army's and Department of Defense sole CBRNE organization, he is responsible for the manning, equipping, and training of more than 5,300 Sodiers and civilians assigned across two Explosive Ordnance Disposal Groups, one Chemical Brigade, and a CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity.  Brigadier General Jim Bonner is a native of Anna, Illinois and received a Regular Army commission in May 1988 as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Southern Illinois University. His military education includes the Chemical Officer’s Basic and Advanced Courses, Basic Airborne Course, Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, Pathfinder School, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Naval War College. He holds a Master’s Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.

COL Bonner’s previous assignments have included Battalion Chemical Officer, 1^st Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment; Platoon Leader, 91^st Chemical Company, 24^th Infantry Division (Mech); Brigade Chemical Officer, 3^rd Brigade, 505^thParachute Infantry Regiment, 82^nd Airborne Division; Battalion Operations Officer, 83^rd Chemical Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps; Company Commander of the 101^st Chemical Company, 83^rd Chemical Battalion; Plans and Policy Officer J-5 and as a Counter proliferation Planner J-3, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC); Special Assistant for Countering WMD Terrorism, Counterterrorism Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Battalion S3 and Battalion Executive Officer for the 23d Chemical Battalion; the LTC/Major Assignment Officer and Chief of Chemical Branch at the Human Resources Command, Battalion Commander of the 23d Chemical Battalion, Deputy Commander, 3d Chemical Brigade and Executive Officer for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Joint Operations (DCOSJOPS), International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC).

While assigned to the 1^st Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment, COL Bonner deployed to Panama as part of Task Force Red-Tango, he participated in the parachute assault and seizure of Torrijos-Tocumen Airfields during OPERATION JUST CAUSE.

While as the Battalion Commander for the 23dChemical Battalion, COL Bonner deployed the battalion in support of the 82^nd Airborne Division (CJTF-76) to Afghanistan during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM 06-08.

While assigned to 3d Chemical Brigade, COL Bonner was selected to redeploy back to Afghanistan OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in order to assist with the establishment of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC) where he served as the Executive Officer for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Joint Operations (DCOSJOPS).

COL Bonner’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster. National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Arrowhead, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal (ISAF), Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge with Combat Star, Pathfinder Badge, Thailand, Australian, and German Parachutist Badges. He wears the 1^st Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment Scroll as his Combat Patch.

Inducted December 14, 2012

Colonel Michael C. Birchfield is a native of West Frankfort, Illinois and a 1982 graduate of Southern Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice.

Colonel Birchfield enlisted in the Army in 1976 as an Infantryman, serving a total of four years in the 1^st Ranger Battalion, 101^st Airborne Division, and 2^nd Infantry Division. He transitioned into the Army Reserves and enrolled in SIUC in 1980, while serving with the 12^th Special Forces Group (SFG). He was a member of the first SIUC Army ROTC class to receive commissions in 1982. COL Birchfield has commanded at the platoon, company and battalion level. His assignments as a commissioned Infantry officer while serving with the Army Reserve and Army National Guard include the following: Platoon Leader with 7^th Infantry Division; Operations Officer at Joint Readiness Training Center and with the 7^th SFG (A); Company Commander, C Company, 3-130 IN; 10^th PSYOP BN; 101^st Airborne Division; Commander Police Transition Team Iraq; 205^th IN BDE (Counter IED and COIN training center); Task Force Paladin Afghanistan; Commander 1^st BN, 335^thIN; Deputy Director of Operations for the 101^st Airborne Division and Combined Joint Task Force 101^st Regional Command East; Chief of Operations for Afghan National Security Forces; Combined Joint Task Force -101^st Liaison to United States Forces Afghanistan.

Colonel Birchfield has one deployment to Bosnia, two combat deployments to Iraq, and three combat deployments to Afghanistan. His military schools include the Special Forces Qualification Course, Reserve Component (enlisted); Infantry Officer's Basic Course; Infantry Officer's Advanced Course; Combined Arms Staff Service School; Psychological Operations Officer Course; Joint Psychological Operations Staff Planning Course and the Command and General Staff College. His commendations include the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, and Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Army Reserve Achievement Medal. He has earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Special Forces Tab, Basic Parachute Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Korean Parachute Badge.

Colonel Birchfield retired from military service in June 2012. He is also a retired police Lieutenant from the West Frankfort Police Department. He, and his wife Jamie, live in West Frankfort. Jamie attends SIUC where she is majoring in University Studies with minors in Photojournalism and Psychology.

Inducted May 10, 2013

Colonel John E. Box was commissioned a Distinguished Military Graduate through the ROTC program at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. Upon completion of the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course at Fort Huachuca Arizona, COL Box was assigned to the 106th Military Intelligence Battalion, 6th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Richardson, Alaska where he served as the Executive Officer of the Long Range Surveillance Detachment, a Ground Surveillance Radar Platoon Leader and served as a Signals Intelligence Platoon Leader. Upon completion of these three assignments, COL Box was selected as Aide-de-Camp for the Assistant Division Commander for the 6th Infantry Division (Light), a position held until his attendance at the MI Officer Advanced Course in 1994. COL Box was then assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas where he served as an Assistant Brigade S-2 in 3rd Greywolf Brigade and as Battalion S-2, 2nd Battalion, 7th U.S. Cavalry and Company Commander, HHC, Engineer Brigade. He was next assigned to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California where he served as the Assistant Brigade S-2 Trainer and Military Intelligence Senior Company Trainer on the Bronco Team. After the National Training Center, COL Box was assigned to his second Company Command for 26 months as the Commander of the Downers Grove Company, Chicago Battalion in 2000. After graduating from the Command and General Staff College in 2003, COL Box was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF I) as the G2 at al Taqaddum near Fallujah and as the 82nd ABN DIV ACE Chief in Ar Ramadi in Al Anbar Province. Upon redeployment, COL Box continued duties as the 82nd ABN Division ACE Chief and was subsequently selected as the S3, for the 313th Military Intelligence Battalion where he deployed in support of Hurricane Katrina and served as the S3 for the 2^nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB), 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd ABN DIV. He was subsequently assigned to HHC, C2, III CORPS, assigned as the CORPS G2 Chief of Operations prior to his deployment to Camp Victory Baghdad in support of Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) for 15 months. COL Box is currently the Commander of the 3^rd Recruiting Brigade, United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

COL Box earned his Bachelor's degree from SIU-C in Business Administration in 1990. COL Box holds Master's Degrees in Strategic Studies at the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA in 2012 and an MPA in Human Resource Management from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA in 1999.

COL Box's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Recruiting Identification Badge. COL Box has three sons, Christopher 21, Jon 15, and Andrew 10.

Inducted December 12, 2014

COL Michael J. Glisson received his commission in May 1988 at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.  He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Metalsmithing from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale and a Masters degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.  He Joined the Illinois Army National Guard in February of 1990 as a Fire Support Team Chief assigned to the 2-123 Field Artillery (FA) and attached to the 3-130 Infantry (IN).

His professional military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Staff Services School, Infantry Captains Career Course, Joint Firepower Course, Joint Operation Fires and Effects Course, Air Mobility Operations Course, Command and General Staff Officer Course, Reserve Component National Security Course, and the United States Army War College as well as the Joint Task Force Commander’s Training Course.

COL Glisson’s previous assignments include Fire Support Officer, 3^rd Battalion, 130^th Infantry Regiment; Service Battery and Bravo Battery Commander, 3^rd Battalion, 123^rd Field Artillery; Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer, 3rd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery; Fire Support Coordinator, 33^rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT); Battalion Commander, 2^nd Battalion, 123^rd Field Artillery; Brigade Operations Officer and Executive Officer 33^rd IBCT; and Plans Branch Chief, G3, Illinois Army National Guard.  COL Glisson currently serves as the Commander for the 65^th Troop Command. 

He has deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle as the Chief, Army Liaison Section, United States Air Force – Air Mobility Command Security Forces, and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the CJ7, Director of Afghan National Security Forces Development, Combined Joint task Force Phoenix VIII.  He has also been part of multiple state active duty and overseas training missions as well as support to the 2012 NATO summit.

COL Glisson’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Illinois Medal for Merit, Illinois State Active Duty Ribbon, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

As a civilian, he is a self-employed artist blacksmith and resides in Festus, MO with his wife Laura and his two sons Connor and Dylan.

Cadet Command Hall of Fame Inductee for Most Distinguished Civilian
29 April 2016
Saluki Strike Battalion Hall of Fame Inductee
10 June 2016

Larry Garman was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas and raised in Clarksville, Tennessee. 
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and MBA from Georgia Southern University. He transferred to SIUC in 1983 and entered ROTC after earning a National ROTC Scholarship. 

He received his commission as an Aviation Officer in 1985. After completing Rotary Wing Flight Training and the Aviation Maintenance Officer courses, he was assigned to 4th Squadron, 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment in West Germany. Assignments included; Scout Platoon Leader, Regimental Aviation Officer and Aviation Unit Maintenance XO. Following reassignment to Fort Rucker, Alabama he held various training development positions with the Army Aviation School until leaving active duty in 1992.

Larry and his family relocated to Middle Tennessee where he joined CPS Corporation as production supervisor in early 1993. CPS was a major holiday gift wrap manufacturing corporation located in Franklin, Tennessee. Following a position as Final/Test supervisor with Peterbilt Motors during 1995 and 1996 he returned to CPS Corporation in late 1996 as Assistant Pressroom Manager. He was promoted to Manufacturing Manager in 1999 and then to the position of Manufacturing and Press Manager in 2001 following the acquisition of CPS by American Greetings. In 2005 he joined International Greetings in Midway, Georgia holding positions as Manufacturing Manager and Director of Manufacturing. 
Larry is the current Vice President of Operations supporting all Midway manufacturing, distribution and administrative functions. 

Larry has been recognized throughout his career for the ability to develop leaders and effective teams. His focus on continuous improvement, as a manufacturing and operations cornerstone, has led to consistent improvement in areas such as cost reduction, productivity and efficiency, inventory control, safety and customer service. He has led successful teams through periods of explosive growth, a manufacturing facility closure, major equipment installations and automation implementation projects.

Larry’s also holds an Associate Degree in Aviation Maintenance from Spartan School of Aeronautics and Diploma from Nashville Auto-Diesel College with a focus in automotive and heavy equipment maintenance. His FAA licenses and ratings include: Commercial Helicopter Pilot, Fixed-Wing Single Engine Land Pilot, Airframe and Power plant Mechanic.

Larry and his wife, Robin, reside in Savannah, Georgia. Their daughter, Ashleigh, is currently teaching English as a second language in Kuwait.