William o wooldridge biography of martin

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 7, 2012) -- Today, the U.S. Army pays homage to the life of Sgt.

Maj. William O. Wooldridge, the First Sergeant Major of the Army, who died at age 89, Mar. 5, 2012 in El Paso, Texas.

Wooldridge was sworn in as the SMA July 11, 1966, and served until his term ended in August 1968.

William o wooldridge biography of martin tn

"Sergeant Major of the Army Wooldridge was a one-of-a-kind noncommissioned officer selected to be the first Sergeant Major of the Army because of his initiative, intelligence, experience and drive to excel," said current Sgt.

Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler. "His legacy lives on in the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, the centralized NCO promotion system and our professional NCO Corps."

"He was an innovator, a true inspiration to Soldiers and the epitome of a professional warrior.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Patty [his wife] and the rest of the Wooldridge family during