Larry Champion

The 562nd Air Defense Artillery (ADA) traces its lineage to World War II, when it was constituted as the 562nd Coast Artillery Battalion in 1942. The unit served with distinction in the European Theater, providing anti-aircraft defense for Allied forces. After the war, the battalion underwent several reorganizations and redesignations, eventually becoming the 562nd ADA. Throughout the Cold War, the 562nd ADA played a key role in continental air defense, operating missile systems and safeguarding critical assets in the United States and overseas.

The 44th Ordnance Company is a distinguished unit within the United States Army specializing in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). Originally constituted during World War II, the company has provided critical support in the detection, disarmament, and disposal of explosive threats in various theaters of operation, including Europe, the Pacific, and later conflicts such as Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East. Over the decades, the 44th Ordnance Company has been recognized for its technical expertise, adaptability, and dedication to safeguarding military personnel and civilians alike. Today, it continues to play a vital role in supporting Army missions both at home and abroad, maintaining readiness to neutralize explosive hazards wherever deployed.