Artillery OCS
Four graduates retired with the rank of Four Star General
1953 Jack N. Merritt, former United States Military Representative to the NATO.
1959 John M. Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
1967 Tommy R. Franks, former Commander in Chief, United States Central Command.
1970 Bryan D. Brown, former Commander, United States Special Operations Command.
Click on the pictures to view the biographies of Artillery OCS Four Star General Officers.
Four graduates retired with the rank of Four Star General
1953 Jack N. Merritt, former United States Military Representative to the NATO.
1959 John M. Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
1967 Tommy R. Franks, former Commander in Chief, United States Central Command.
1970 Bryan D. Brown, former Commander, United States Special Operations Command.
Click on the pictures to view the biographies of Artillery OCS Four Star General Officers.
"Boy on the Bridge:
The Story of John Shalikashvili’s American Success."
The Story of John Shalikashvili’s American Success."
Andrew Marble, PhD, is the author of "Boy on the Bridge: The Story of John Shalikashvili’s American Success." The book is the first-ever accounting of how a European prince-turned-stateless-penniless-WWII refugee rose to become chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest-ranking officer in the world’s most powerful military. The biography is part of the University Press of Kentucky’s American Warrior Series, put out in conjunction with the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) was published in October 2019. His life and career were the embodiment of the American dream. Born in Poland, John Shalikashvili (1936–2011) descended from aristocratic European families that served with distinction in both battle and government for centuries. After barely surviving the Warsaw Uprising, he and his family fled to Germany during World War II to escape advancing Soviet troops and emigrated to the United States in 1952. Shalikashvili was drafted into the army as a private in 1958 and rose steadily through the ranks, serving in every level of unit command from platoon to division. In 1993 Shalikashvili was tapped by President Bill Clinton to replace General Colin Powell as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, becoming the first immigrant, first draftee, and first Officer Candidate School graduate to hold the position.
Q&A with Andrew Marble, PhD, Author of Boy on the Bridge: The Story of John Shalikashvili’s American Success. Randy Dunham (Artillery OCS Class 10-69) talked to Dr. Marble about the new book prior to publication.
Click here for Questions and Answers with Randy Dunham and Andrew Marble
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Reviews from Artillery OCS Graduates:
"Andrew Marble's historical tour de force of a penniless European refugee who became the highest-ranking general officer in the US military is far more than a biography of one man. Rather, it's the story of a family of strong-willed people steeped in aristocratic traditions working to survive, as a unit, during one of the most turbulent times in world history. A story of good fortune, of misfortune, of human flaws, of opportunities taken as well as missed, and how all those factors combined to influence the development of one little boy and the extraordinary man he would become."
Col. (Ret.) Jon C. Schreyach, (Artillery OCS Class 4-65)
Former DivArty Operations Officer and Commander 6th Bn/14th FA, 1st Armored Division
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Great Book of a Man I Knew as a Fellow Private:
Andrew Marble's book, "Boy on the Bridge," is a most enlightening account of General Shali's life. It is easy reading, and difficult to lay down until finished.
I had the privilege of soldering with Shali when we were privates in the US Army. We were fellow Trainee Platoon Sergeants in basic training at Ft Leonard Wood, MO in 1958. Following the Korean Conflict, the US Army was at a very low peacetime strength level. There was a serious shortage of cadre at most training facilities. Trainees who had any prior military experience were asked to serve in leadership roles and performed an important function in the training process. We got the troops up in the morning, put them to bed, organized barracks clean up, and generally maintained platoon order in the absence of more experienced adult supervision.
In basic training, Shali was a special person, but I never had any idea just how special he really was. It was easy to notice his leadership skills. He was physically fit, a good organizer, a marksman, and he led by example. We had no idea of Shali's family history and background. At that time, getting through basic training with minimal harassment was foremost on our minds. His story was a real eye opener.
After basic training, our advanced training went in separate directions. In 1959, both of us were selected for OCS. He reported to OCS at Ft Sill, OK in January, and I followed at the Ft Sill OCS later that summer. After OCS Shali accepted a Regular Army Commission and his career advanced from there. I completed my active duty obligation and returned to Purdue University to pursue a hardwood forestry and wood utilization technology career. I too eventually retired from the US Army Reserve.
Shali and I drifted apart as we pursed our own versions of the "American Dream." Then, one afternoon while watching the evening news, I learned Shali was Presidents Clinton's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. I remember telling my wife, I know that guy! I was elated.
I would like to thank the author for having written such an engaging and accessible account of John Shalikashvili's dramatic rise through the military. Thank you.
Larry R. Frye, USAR [Retired] (Artillery OCS Class 2-60)
Q&A with Andrew Marble, PhD, Author of Boy on the Bridge: The Story of John Shalikashvili’s American Success. Randy Dunham (Artillery OCS Class 10-69) talked to Dr. Marble about the new book prior to publication.
Click here for Questions and Answers with Randy Dunham and Andrew Marble
**********
Reviews from Artillery OCS Graduates:
"Andrew Marble's historical tour de force of a penniless European refugee who became the highest-ranking general officer in the US military is far more than a biography of one man. Rather, it's the story of a family of strong-willed people steeped in aristocratic traditions working to survive, as a unit, during one of the most turbulent times in world history. A story of good fortune, of misfortune, of human flaws, of opportunities taken as well as missed, and how all those factors combined to influence the development of one little boy and the extraordinary man he would become."
Col. (Ret.) Jon C. Schreyach, (Artillery OCS Class 4-65)
Former DivArty Operations Officer and Commander 6th Bn/14th FA, 1st Armored Division
**********
Great Book of a Man I Knew as a Fellow Private:
Andrew Marble's book, "Boy on the Bridge," is a most enlightening account of General Shali's life. It is easy reading, and difficult to lay down until finished.
I had the privilege of soldering with Shali when we were privates in the US Army. We were fellow Trainee Platoon Sergeants in basic training at Ft Leonard Wood, MO in 1958. Following the Korean Conflict, the US Army was at a very low peacetime strength level. There was a serious shortage of cadre at most training facilities. Trainees who had any prior military experience were asked to serve in leadership roles and performed an important function in the training process. We got the troops up in the morning, put them to bed, organized barracks clean up, and generally maintained platoon order in the absence of more experienced adult supervision.
In basic training, Shali was a special person, but I never had any idea just how special he really was. It was easy to notice his leadership skills. He was physically fit, a good organizer, a marksman, and he led by example. We had no idea of Shali's family history and background. At that time, getting through basic training with minimal harassment was foremost on our minds. His story was a real eye opener.
After basic training, our advanced training went in separate directions. In 1959, both of us were selected for OCS. He reported to OCS at Ft Sill, OK in January, and I followed at the Ft Sill OCS later that summer. After OCS Shali accepted a Regular Army Commission and his career advanced from there. I completed my active duty obligation and returned to Purdue University to pursue a hardwood forestry and wood utilization technology career. I too eventually retired from the US Army Reserve.
Shali and I drifted apart as we pursed our own versions of the "American Dream." Then, one afternoon while watching the evening news, I learned Shali was Presidents Clinton's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. I remember telling my wife, I know that guy! I was elated.
I would like to thank the author for having written such an engaging and accessible account of John Shalikashvili's dramatic rise through the military. Thank you.
Larry R. Frye, USAR [Retired] (Artillery OCS Class 2-60)
