On April 17, Special Operations Command inducted 18 new members into the Commando Hall of Honor. The Hall of Honor was created by Adm. Eric Olsen in 2010 and "recognizes those who have served with great distinction and have demonstrated leadership and selfless service within the SOF community."
This year, a number of Medal of Honor recipients were inducted, including Vice Adm. John Duncan Bulkeley, Lt. j.g. (SEAL) Joseph R. Kerrey, Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor, LT. (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy, Lt. (SEAL) Thomas R. Norris, Seaman David G. Ouellet, Lt. Cdr. Arthur M. Preston, Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Britt Kelly Slabinski, and Lt.(SEAL) Michael E. Thornton.
The other special operators inducted this year include Air Force Col. Stephen L. Baker, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Lewis H. Burruss, U.S. Army Col. Jerry M. King, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Craig S. Kozeniesky, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen.
Wesley H. Rice, U.S. Navy Capt. William M. Shepherd, U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Peter Stalik, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William P. Tangney, and U.S. Air Force Lt Gen. Marshall B. Webb.
"It’s just a real honor to be inducted to the Commando Hall of Honor," said Lewis H. Buruss. "I know there are so many more deserving, but I am still honored and proud." Buruss served in Special Forces during Vietnam, including time with Mike Force conducting direct action missions against the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army. He was also one of the original members of Delta Force and took part in Operation Eagle Claw.
Marshall Webb served for 38 years in Special Operations, leading helicopter pilots and crews, including inserting Special Operations teams during combat. He also assisted in the non-combatant evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Liberia.
"This induction ceremony is so unique to SOCOM because it reaches back 8 generations, inducting people from World War II. You could see pride in the face of the families seeing their relatives inducted into the hall," Webb said. “For me personally, it is an honor to be in the company of these heroes."