ROTC to Induct Retired Colonel into Hall of Fame
9/23/2011
West Virginia State University ROTCTo Induct Alumnus/ Retired Colonel Into Hall of Fame
The West Virginia State University Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 30 in the Fannin S. Belcher Theater of the Davis Fine Arts theater. The ceremony is to recognize those with a WVSU connection who have served their country in the armed forces. This year one person was selected to be inducted, Colonel (Ret) Gary Allen Blackhurst, WVSU ‘ 76 . The event is a part of the University's Homecoming celebration the week of September 26 - October 2.
Colonel Gary Allen Blackhurst is from Charleston, West Virginia. He graduated from West Virginia State University in 1976 with a BS in Industrial Technology . He was commissioned through the WVSU ROTC program in August 1976. In 1999, he received a MS degree in Environmental Science from Marshall University Graduate College. His military education includes the US Army Airborne School; Field Artillery Officer Basic and Cannon Battery Officer Courses; Special Weapons Maintenance and Assembly Officer Course; Special Forces Qualification Course (RC); Infantry Officer Advanced Course; and Command and General Staff College.
Colonel (Ret) Blackhurst served on Active Duty from September 1976 to March 1980. His major Active Army assignments include
8 inch Special Weapon Maintenance/Assembly Team Leader, 15th US Army Artillery Detachment (FA), Paderborn, Germany; Detachment Executive Officer / Security Officer, 15th US Army Artillery Detachment (FA), Bergen-Hohne, Germany.
He joined the West Virginia Army National Guard in August 1980 and served until his retirement in August 2007 with 31 years of total service. Colonel (Ret) Blackhurst currently serves as the Environmental Programs Manager for the WV Army National Guard. In this capacity, he manages and directs the day-to-day activities and tasks his staff performs to keep the WV Army National Guard’s operations and facilities in compliance with Federal and State environmental laws and regulations. He also serves as advisor to the Adjutant General for issues relating to environment protection and enhancement. He has served full-time in this capacity since February 1991 as a Federal civilian technician.
Colonel (Ret) Blackhurst has received the numerous awards and decorations including Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster); Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters); National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star); Humanitarian Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass Device) Minuteman Ribbon.
He and his wife Kimie, a WVSU alumna, reside in So. Charleston. They are the parents of two daughters and have one grandchild.