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A Lot of Work Goes Into The National Matches

Another Camp Perry National Match program has been completed and new champions have been crowned for the coming year. The majority of competitive shooters have no conception of the amount of work that is involved in organizing and conducting this great shooting event.

Preliminary plans for the 1955 National Matches were begun upon the conclusion of the 1954 event. Serious preparations for this year's Matches began about the first of this year. Russ Warye of the NRA Staff, the Assistant Executive Officer of the 1955 National Matches, gave his full attention to the preliminary work for this year's matches after that date. This early planning stage involved National Matches conferences at NRA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at Camp Perry, Ohio. Present at the meetings were representatives from the NRA, Department of Civilian Marksmanship, Continental Army Command, the Ohio National Guard, and the Erie Ordnance Depot. Some of the issues discussed and planned were the selection of officials, the general program, the management as a whole, housing, sanitation, employees, fire department, and dispensary.

The National Match Staff arrived at Camp Perry on July 4 to set up the ranges. The range equipment for the smallbore ranges belongs to the National Matches per se, and is packed and stored at Camp Perry during the period between the National Matches.

The equipment had to be unpacked, repaired, and set up. Supplies had to be ordered, a logistics office set up to receive supplies, general repairs made around the Camp, Matches Headquarters established, and National Matches correspondence handled directly from the Camp Perry site — just a few of the jobs that had to be done by the National Matches Staff.

Here are a few points of interest which show the magnitude of work involved in organizing and conducting the National Matches.

Perhaps the above list of points of interest concerning the 1955 National Matches will give the competitor a little better understanding of the large scale planning and operation involved in running the Matches.

NRA Tournament News, Sep-Oct, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 2

Patch
Photo

[Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph]

Marine Corps Rifle & Pistol Team, Camp Perry, Ohio, September 7, 1955

Click here for full size image
Click here to view the team roster

Pistol Shoot Won by Major

CAMP PERRY, Ohio, Sept. 9 (AP) - Army Maj Ben C. Curtis, of Chattanooga, Tenn., yesterday became the first man in 44 years to win the national service pistol title for the second time.

Curtis, competing in the rifle and pistol contests under way here, fired a record-breaking 290 points out of a possible 300. The old record was 287, set in 1953 by Marine MSgt Jewell C. Palmer. Curtis first won the match in 1952 in Jacksonville, Fla., with 283 points.

Marine Maj John M. Jagoda, of Newark, N.J., placed second yesterday, with 287. Other standings: Army LtCol William Hancock, of Gridley, Calif., last year's winner, and Army Lt David C. Miller of Denver, both with 286; and Marine Lt William W. McMillan, of Turtle Creek, Pa., 285.

The Marine Corps team won the infantry trophy rifle team match with a score of 1,216, swamping the Army's score of 466.

Marine 1st Lt Charles Folsom, of Emerson, Neb., scored 242 points out of a possible 250 in the 50-shot contest with the M1 rifle at ranges of 200-600 yards. The contest was open to all citizens over 16 years old and about 900 persons entered.

Two other Marines tied for second, a civilian took fourth, and the best Army shooter finished fifth.

TSgt Martin H. Peak, of Kansas, and SSgt Michael Pietroforte, of Rockville Centre, N.Y., tied for second with 241. John C. Chandler, of Towson, Md., was fourth with 238, and Sgt Gordon M. Voss, of Palo Alto, Calif., was fifth with 237.9.

Today, the pistol shooters compete for the service pistol team championship, while the riflemen warm up for their big service match tomorrow with the enlisted men's trophy and Rumbold Cup matches.

Stars & Stripes, September 10, 1955

WELL IN AT PERRY

by Bill Frank

In National Trophy pistol individual and team matches, it was a little different. Marine Major John M. Jagoda, of Parris Island, tied the match record in the National Trophy Individual Pistol match at 287 but could only place second, three points behind the winner, Army Major Ben C. Curtis.

In the National Trophy Team Pistol Match, Marine Corps teams tied and broke the match record but could only place second and third behind the U.S. Army's Blue squad.

The Marine blue pistol squad, captained by Major Jagoda, fired a 1117 to break the match record, 20 points behind the winning team. Third was the Marine Corps Gray team No. One which tied the match record with an 1116.

In NRA Pistol matches, the Marine Corps Grey team, led by captain, coach and firing member Col Walsh, fired a 1155 to win the NRA .45 caliber team championship, eight points ahead of the second place Army Blue team.

Other members of the Marine Grey team were: Technical Sergeant Frederick W. Filkins, of San Diego, First Lieutenant William W. McMillan, Jr., of Parris Island; and First Lieutenant Robert E. Martin of 29 Palms.

Excerpt from the Leatherneck Magazine, November 1955

Document

National Trophy Individual Pistol Match
“General Custer Trophy”
10 shots at 50 yds., slow fire; 10 shots at 25 yds., timed-fire
10 shots at 25 yds. rapid fire. U.S. Caliber .45 M1911 pistol.
Place Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner Benjamin C. Curtis USAR 290
2nd John M. Jagoda USMC 287
3rd William A. Hancock USA 286
4th David C. Miller USA 286
5th William W. McMillan, Jr. USMC 285

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1 & WTBn MCB Quantico Index Card


National Trophy Pistol Team Match
“Gold Cup Trophy”
10 shots at 50 yds., slow fire; 10 shots at 25 yds., timed-fire
10 shots at 25 yds., rapid fire. U.S. Caliber .45 M1911 pistol.
(Four firing members per team)
Place Team Competitors Score
Winner USA 'Blue'
Team Captain: Leonard R. Robinson
Team Coach: Huelet L. Benner
William A. Hancock: 288
Lloyd G. Hummert: 283
David C. Miller: 283
William B. Blankenship, Jr.: 283
1137
2nd USMC 'Blue'
Team Captain: John M. Jagoda
John M. Jagoda: 285
William E. Wilson, Jr.: 276
Alfonzo Jurado: 276
Edmond S. Sarver: 280
1117
3rd USMC 'Grey'
Team Captain: Walter R. Walsh
William W. McMillan, Jr.: 294
Robert E. Martin: 278
Robert O. Jones: 279
Robert C. McIntyre: 265
1116

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


National Pistol Champsionship Match No. 204
“Harrison Cup Trophy”
Aggregate of Matches 205, 206, and 207
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Total
Winner - - Huelet L. Benner USA 2619
2nd - - Joseph C. White, Jr. USBP 2596
3rd - - William A. Hancock USA 2589
4th - - David C. Miller USA 2588
5th - - John C. Forman USBP 2582
Champion Woman Master Gertrude E. Backstrom Hoquiam, WA 2541
Champion Civilian Master Robert K. Fisher - 2542
Champion Police Master Joseph C. White USBP 2596
Champion Service Master Huelet L. Benner USA 2619
Champion Reserve Master George Roberts - 2551
Champion Air Force Master Thomas Kelly USAF 2549
High   Master Lee Chapman - 2580
High   Expert Gerard N. Letourneau - 2527
High   Sharpshooter Merriweather Jones USA 2520
High   Marksman Clarence W. Guelker USA 2448

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.22 Caliber Aggregate Championship Match 205
"Walker Trophy"
Aggregate of Matches 211, 212, 213, and 214
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - William A. Hancock USA 888
2nd - - Huelet L. Benner USA 885
3rd - - Gertrude E. Backstrom Hoquiam, WA 881 (298 RF)
High - Master Benjamin C. Curtis USAR 881 (293 RF)
High - Expert William B. Kirkpatrick - 869
High - Sharpshooter Merriweather Jones USA 858
High - Marksman Clarence W. Guelker USAR 825

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No.1


.38 Caliber Aggregate Championship Match No. 206
"Colonel Gillard H. Clarke Memorial Trophy"
Aggregate of Matches 215, 216, 217, and 218
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - David Cartes - 865
2nd - - John C. Forman USBP 864
3rd - - William B. Blankenship, Jr. USA 863
High - Master Harry Reeves - 861
High - Expert William B. Kirkpatrick - 849
High - Sharpshooter Anthony J. Viessman - 829
High - Marksman Clarence W. Guelker USA 802

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.45 Caliber Aggregate Championship Match No. 207
"Orton Memorial Trophy"
Aggregate of Matches 219, 220, 221, and 222
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - Huelet L. Benner USA 875
2nd - - Lloyd C. Hummert USA 874
3rd - - Joseph C. White, Jr. USBP 866
High - Master David C. Miller USA 861
High - Expert Roy L. Sutherland - 857
High - Sharpshooter Merriweather Jones USA 839
High - Marksman Clarence W. Guelker USA 821

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


Certificate
Internation Aggregate Match No. 208
Aggregate of Matches 209 and 210
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Free Pistol Rapid-Fire Total
Winner - - Huelet L. Benner USA 541 577-60 1118-60
2nd - - - - - - -
3rd - - - - - - -
4th - - - - - - -
5th - - - - - - -
High - Expert Roy Ratliff - - - 1052-59
High - Sharpshooter Merriweather Jones USA - - 1052-60
High
- Marksman Howard M. Harley - - - 926-58

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


International Free Pistol Match No. 209
60 shots, 50 meters, slow fire, 50 meter International target
(6 series of 10 shots each)
Place Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner Joseph C. White, Jr. USBP 543
2nd Huelet L. Benner USA 541
3rd Harry Reeves - 539
4th Leonard M. Rizzolla USN 537
5th Elmer W. Hilden USBP 536

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


International Rapid Fire Pistol Match No. 210
2 5-shot strings, 8 seconds per string
2 5-shot strings, 6 seconds per string
2 5-shot strings, 4 seconds per string
(Twice over the above rapid fire course
at 25 meters on the International silhouete target)
Place Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner William A. Hancock USA 581-60
2nd Offutt Pinion USN 580-60
3rd Chester T. Harvie USA 579-60 (45-10's)
4th Theron N. Rinehart USMC 579-60 (40-10's)
5th Huelet L. Benner USA 577-60

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.22 Caliber Slow Fire Match No. 211
20 shots, slow fire, 50 yds.
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - Josiah C. Blackford Los Angeles Police 195
2nd - - Benjamin C. Curtis USAR 194
3rd - - William A. Hancock USA 194
High - Master William E. Guiette - 192
High - Expert Gerard N. Letourneau - 191
High - Sharpshooter Nancy J. Ellifrit USNR 186
High   Marksman Shirley Trezise - 179

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.22 Caliber Timed Fire Match No. 212
20 shots, timed fire, 25 yds.
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - Huelet L. Benner USA 200 (1-9 6th ST)
2nd - - Thomas Kelly USAF 200 (1-8 6th ST)
3rd - - Gertrude E. Backstrom Hoquiam, WA 200 (1-9 5th (ST)
High - Master Whitman Cross, II - 200 (2-9 5th ST)
High - Expert Joseph Grego - 199
High - Sharpshooter Anthony J. Viessman - 199
High - Marksman John E. Hummel - 195

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.22 Caliber Rapid Fire Match No. 213
20 shots, rapid fire, 25 yds.
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - Gertrude E. Backstron Hoquiam, WA 200
2nd - - C. E. Boomhower - 199
3rd - - Huelet L. Benner USA 199 (Lost Shoot-Off)
High - Master Frederick W. Filkins USMC 199
High - Expert R. F. Hoskins - 198
High - Sharpshooter William D. Booker - 198
High - Marksman Clarence W. Guelker USA 191

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.22 Caliber National Match Course Match No. 214
National Match Course
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - William A. Hancock USA 298
2nd - - Donald D. Thorne USMC 295
3rd - - Joseph C. White, Jr. USBP 294
High - Master Charles P. Coleman USMC 294 (Lost Shoot-Off)
High - Expert William B. Kirkpatrick - 292
High - Sharpshooter David A. Dewey USA 286
High   Marksman Henry G. Price - 283

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.38 Caliber Slow Fire Match No. 215
20 shots, slow fire, 50 yds.
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - John W. Hurst Los Angeles Police 194 (98 2nd ST)
2nd - - J. P. Shelton - 194 (96 2nd ST)
3rd - - Harry Reeves - 193
High - Master Gertrude E. Backstrom Hoquiam, WA 191
High - Expert Gerard N. Letourneau - 188
High - Sharpshooter Edward W. Bailey - 187
HIgh - Marksman Charles E. Sanmann - 179

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.38 Caliber Timed Fire Match No. 216
20 shots, timed fire, 25 yds.
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - Lawrence E. Enterkin USA 199 (50 4th ST)
2nd - - Huelet L. Benner USA 199 (49 4th ST)
3rd - - David Cartes USA 198 (50 3rd ST)
High - Master James Hurt - 198 (49 3rd ST)
High - Expert George V. McNally - 197
High - Sharpshooter Anthony J. Viessman - 195
High - Marksman Richard A. Hitchcock - 188

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.38 Caliber Rapid Fire Match No. 217
20 shots, rapid fire, 25 yds.
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - Edmond S. Sarver USMC 196 (0-8)
2nd - - William O'Keefe - 196 (1-8)
3rd - - Leonard R. Robinson USA 195
High - Master Robert O. Jones USMC 195 (48 4th ST)
High - Expert Tetsue N. Takasumi USA 191
High - Sharpshooter Johnnie M. Martin - 190
High - Marksman Richard O. Culver, Jr. - 187

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.38 Caliber National Match Course Match No. 218
National Match Course
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - Frederick J. Keifer USA 289
2nd - - William B. Blankenship, Jr. USA 288 (49 2nd ST R)
3rd - - Walter L. Dolmseth - 288 (48 2nd ST R)
High - Master Milton G. Klipfel - 288
High - Expert William B. Kirkpatrick - 287
High - Sharpshooter William R. Foley - 279
High - Marksman Clarence W. Guelker USA 274

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.45 Caliber Slow Fire Match No. 219
20 shots, slow fire, 50 yds.
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - Raymond H. Berlo - 190
2nd - - Maurice E. Belisle USA 189 (1-8)
3rd - - Benjamin C. Curtis USAR 189 (2-8)
High - Master Huelet L. Benner USA 189 (1-6)
HIgh - Expert Floyd E. Coleman USA 184
High - Sharpshooter Thomas C. McNeal USAF 186
High - Marksman Clarence W. Guelker USA 174

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.45 Caliber Timed Fire Match No. 220
20 shots, timed fire, 25 yds.
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - Lloyd C. Hummert USA 200 (49 Shoot-Off)
2nd - - James L. Wade USA 200 (46 Shoot-Off)
3rd - - Roy L. Sutherland USA 199
High - Master Huelet L. Benner USA 198
High - Expert Gasper P. DeFino USN 198
High - Sharpshooter William D. Booker - 195
High - Marksman Clarence W. Guelker USA 195

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.45 Caliber Rapid Fire Match No. 221
20 shots, rapid fire, 25 yds.
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - Joseph C. White, Jr. USBP 198
2nd - - William W. McMillan, Jr. USMC 197
3rd - - Rawson R. Weaver - 196
High - Master Huelet L. Benner USA 195
High - Expert Donald J. Wright USA 195
High - Sharpshooter Merriweather Jones USA 193
High - Marksman Clarence W. Guelker USA 182

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


.45 Caliber National Match Course Match No. 222
National Match Course
Place Division Class Name Agency/Branch Score
Winner - - Lloyd C. Hummert USA 294
2nd - - Huelet L. Benner USA 293
3rd - - William C. Joyner USBP 292
High - Master David C. Miller USA 291
High - Expert Roy L. Sutherland - 289
High - Sharpshooter William D. Booker - 277
High - Marksman Clarence W. Guelker USA 270

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


National .22 Caliber Team Championship Match No. 223
“High Standard Trophy”
National Match Course
Place Division Class Team Competitors Score
Winner - - USA 'Blue' Huelet L. Benner
Benjamin C. Curtis
William A. Hancock
David C. Miller
1159
2nd - - USA 'Grey' - 1156 (396 RF)
High - Master USN 'Blue' - 1156 (387 RF)
High - Expert 6th Army Area - 1134
High - Sharpshooter 5th Army Reserve Pistol Team - 1095

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


National .38 Caliber Team Championship Match No. 224
“Smith & Wesson Trophy”
National Match Course
Place Division Class Team Competitors Score
Winner - - USA 'Blue' Huelet L. Benner
William A. Hancock
Oscar K. Weinmeister
William B. Blankenship, Jr.
1142
2nd - - USMC 'Grey' Walter R. Walsh
William W. McMillan, Jr.
Robert E. Martin
Frederick W. Filkins
1140
High - Master USMC 'Grey' - 1139
High - Expert 3rd Army 'Gold' - 1115
High - Sharpshooter 5th Army 'Blue' - 1077

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


Photo

Official Marine Corps Photograph

(l. to r.) TSgt Frederick Filkins, 1stLt William W. McMillan, Jr., unknown Captain, 1stLt Robert E. Martin and LtCol Walter R. Walsh.

United States Marine Corps Grey Team won the .45 NRA team pistol championship at the 1955 National Rifle and Pistol matches at Camp Perry, Ohio.

Photo

Official Marine Corps Photograph

Colt Trophy, awarded for winning the .45 Caliber National Rifle Association Team Championship, was presented to Lieutenant Colonel W. R. Walsh by Admiral Morton A. Mumma (Retired), Director of NRA. Other members, left to right: 1st Lieut. R. E. Martin; TSgt. F. Filkins and 1st Lieut. W. McMillan.

Leatherneck, November, 1955

Medal

National .45 Caliber Team Championship
1st Place Team Medal

National .45 Caliber Team Championship Match No. 225
“Colt Trophy”
National Match Course
Place Division Class Team Competitors Score
Winner - - USMC 'Grey' Walter R. Walsh
William W. McMillan, Jr.
Robert E. Martin
Frederick W. Filkins
1155
2nd - - USA 'Blue' - 1147
High - Master USBP 'Blue' - 1145
High - Expert 3rd Army 'Red' - 1111
High - Sharpshooter 5th Army 'Blue' - 1067

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1


Mayleigh Cup International
Pistol Team Match
20 shots, slow-fire, 20 yds.
Place Name Agency/Service Score
1st Josiah C. Blackford - 189
2nd Huelet L. Benner USA 187
3rd Benjamin C. Curtis USA 186
4th William E. Guiette - 186
5th Charles P. Coleman USMC 185
6th Robert C. McIntyre USMC 183
7th William C. Joyner USBP 182
8th William A. Hancock USA 179
9th Lee Chapman - 178
10th Charles K. Millsap - 175

Source: NRA Tournament News, Jul-Aug, 1955, Vol. 6, No. 1

Alternates:
Team Captain: Walter R. Walsh
Team Adjutant: William T. Toney, Jr.
Official Witness:
Mayleigh Cup International
Pistol Team Match
Team Scores
Place Country Score
1st United States 1830
2nd - -
3rd - -

Source:


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