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Reader Comments:
Great website! I especially like the story about what you did for the 200th Red Horse Flight. I saw some of their previous work while in the Middle East last year.
Paul D., Lt Col, IN ANG, BSC
I think it is great. Keep it up
Don E.
Excellent update!! Look forward the next one. Keep up the great work.
Richard T.
Thanx much for a great newsletter & other info.
Dave J.
With all the poor information sent on the internet this publication is one that I
open first. This is information I like to read and enjoy. Keep up the good work.
As an added section or article you might want to include something like a short
article on the M1 or 1903 or A3. thanks
Paul
I look forward to every issue of "First Shot" Keep them
coming!
Dan E.
Great publication! I always look forward to receiving
it. Is like a breath of range time when stuck behind the desk at
work.
Clint M.
I certainly applaud the CMP staff for sending packages to our folks in Iraq. I just sent a goodies and pogy bait package to the 1st Bn 9th Infantry. All of you are to be congratulated for your hard work, patriotism, and concern for our GIs. Well done. (Oh - and the M1903, MK I Springfield arrived only two weeks after I mailed in the order and it is a keeper! Thanks for that too!)
Jim R.
I like it!! Keep it
coming ! Can't be more pleased to see this on the internet.
George
Thank you for making the Newsletter
available. Very much appreciated.
Alan M.
Being a Basic-trainer from The Netherlands I was searching the internet for shooting information (especially about training juniors) and I came across your site. With much interest I have read several articles. Especially the ones that give advice on "How to..." are very good, because in The Netherlands very little is known about training juniors aprox. 10 to 16 years of age.
For example, I have shown the pattern "how to make a kneeling roll" to my athletes and several are now using them.
I hope you will continue this fine series of articles!
With kind regards,
Albert B. T.
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Marksmanship in the U.S. Army: A History of Medals, Shooting Programs and Training
By William K. Emerson
A Book Review by Dale Miles, CMP Staff
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There is a saying in the shooting industry, “Shooters don’t collect and collectors don’t shoot.” The means, supposedly, that true shooters are only interested in equipment that will help them hit their targets more accurately, while true collectors are not interested in shooting their guns because this could lessen their value. However, this is not entirely true. More and more, shooters are beginning to appreciate the history of their sport; many are becoming interested in researching and collecting memorabilia important to shooting’s past.
This trend is reflected in numerous books published today discussing the many shooting related artifacts people collect, from guns to targets to spotting scopes, iron sights, ammunition, ammunition boxes and especially shooting medals and trophies. One collecting sub-category that is attracting increasing interest from shooters and collectors is marksmanship medals. The history and details behind target shooting medals is a fascinating part of the sport.
William K. Emerson of Madison, Alabama has written a large-format, 256 page book titled Marksmanship in the U.S. Army: A History of Medals, Shooting Programs and Training. This new publication details not only the various military marksmanship awards awarded over the years, but also the philosophies behind marksmanship training in the Army and the role that competitions such as the National Matches played in this evolution. Emerson describes marksmanship competition as a way of encouraging excellence, from its beginnings in the 1800s, to its present day contests. Not only does he discuss competitions in rifle and pistol shooting, but also in artillery and machine-gunning. He provides extended descriptions and numerous photographs of the medals, awards and trophies awarded through the years. Of particular interest to National Match competitors is the latter half of the book where he examines the institution of the National Matches and the medals and awards that go with the rich history of this competition.
Emerson’s book is highly detailed and well-researched. Information about the medals and awards is chronicled in words and photographs. Numerous tables and charts are provided to facilitate the comparison of similar medals and awards. Particular detail and attention is given to the history of the Distinguished Marksman Badge program as it began in the Army and was expanded to include Distinguished Pistol Shot and Distinguished International Shooter Badges. Little known Distinguished badges such as the Distinguished Aerial Bomber and Distinguished Aerial Gunner Badges are also detailed.
The author is a retired U. S. Army officer who has researched and written about U. S. Army uniforms and insignia for over forty years. His many articles have appeared in magazines, journals and U. S. Army publications. He has provided instruction to U. S. Army museum curators, military collectors and historians. Emerson acknowledges receiving assistance from the Army Marksmanship Unit, the Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, the NRA and the CMP in researching his book and obtaining photographs.
Marksmanship in the U.S. Army successfully bridges the gap between shooters and collectors by providing information of interest to both. This hardcover edition will make a welcome addition to any shooter or collector’s library. Not only is the book highly informative, it is interesting and the kind of read welcomed by shooters on winter days when the coming shooting season is months away. It is the kind of book that collectors devour in order to be more informed about future purchases for their collection. In short, Emerson’s book is the kind of publication anyone interested in marksmanship, competition or gun collecting will enjoy and who, after reading it, will have a renewed appreciation for the traditions and history of American marksmanship.
Marksmanship in the U.S. Army was published by the University of Oklahoma Press. To order a copy, contact the publisher at 800-627-7377. The cost is $64.95 plus $4.50 for shipping the first book and $1.50 for each additional book. Interested persons can also go to the OU Press website at http://www.oupress.com and type in "Emerson" or "marksmanship" to find the book.
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