Command Sergeant Major Jimmie W. Spencer, USA, Ret.
Director, Noncommissioned Officer
and Soldier Programs
As I reported to you in the March 2005 issue of AUSA NEWS, AUSA’s Fort Lewis Chapter plans to erect a bronze, sculpted statue of 1st Sgt. John Ordway.
The statue will be placed in the Fort Lewis Memorial Park located at the post’s main gate.
John Ordway was the senior noncommissioned officer, the first sergeant, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Corps of Discovery, 1803-1806.
Capt. Meriwether Lewis was fortunate to have this experienced 28 year old regular Army sergeant.
Ordway volunteered in December 1803 to go with the captain and his co-commander, Capt. William Clark, on the three year exploration from the Mississippi River boundary of the infant United States to the Pacific Ocean, then returning to the starting point near St. Louis.
As the group’s first sergeant, Ordway was third in the chain of command behind the two captains. Ordway’s knowledge of drill and ceremony was critical to the success of the mission.
He was responsible too, for the training of the 25 volunteers for this dangerous mission. His important daily duties included maintaining the book of detachment orders, writing daily activities in the official journal and managing the distribution of rations and other supplies.
Ordway was the only member of the Corps of Discovery to make a journal entry every day, which has become the most complete record of the journey – providing valuable insights for today’s historians.
If you are thinking the duties of a first sergeant haven’t changed much in over two centuries, you’re right.
The role of the senior noncommissioned officer is and always has been the key to success in any unit.
The noncommissioned officers are the heart, soul and backbone of America’s Army.
This statue will be the Army’s first – and long overdue – statue to a specifically named enlisted soldier.
A bronze plaque, affixed to the granite pedestal, will be a tutorial and memorial to the important service of all Army first sergeants.
Maj. Gen. John Hemphill, USA, Ret., chairman of the Fort Lewis Memorial Park Committee said, “The statues of Capt. Meriwether Lewis and his dog, Seaman, and the four pedestal plaques were turned over to Fort Lewis in June and dedicated in September 2005.”
Adding, “The statue of 1st Sgt. John Ordway will be the same size as that of Captain Lewis and will be located about 15 feet to the left. Both statues will be mounted on granite rock pedestals with four bronze plaques attached to the pedestals.
“A larger bronze plaque – listing the complete roster of the permanent party – will be located near the Ordway statue.”
Fundraising for this project is under way. The process to sculpt the statue has begun and the plan is to have it completed for dedication next summer.
The Association’s Fort Lewis Chapter is raising funds to purchase the Ordway statue and its plaques.
Donations are tax exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Checks should be made payable to: Fort Lewis Chapter, AUSA, P.O. Box 33181, Fort Lewis, WA 98433. For more information, contact Carroll Dickson, carrollz@prodigy.net, or visit the web site at www.sergeantordway.com.
The Fort Lewis Chapter deserves our support and gratitude for taking on this important project.
History remembers the generals and other great captains, but hardly ever is recognition given to enlisted soldiers for their selfless service to the nation.
Still Serving!