Chick Inducted into FA OCS Hall of Fame

Chick Cecchini

In June, Chick is being inducted into the OCS Hall Of Fame of the U.S. Field Artillery.

About a year ago he was contacted on the phone by a Field Artillery officer at Ft. Sill who had been searching the internet trying to locate some of the early OCS class graduates. Noting that though I am a Finance Officer he wondered if possibly Chick was the same Cecchini who was graduated from FA OCS Class #1 in October 1941. I pled guilty. He asked for a bio which was sent to him a while later. Then just a couple of months ago Chick was notified that he was being nominated for induction into the FA OCS Hall of Fame based on attainment of O-6 rank and subsequent military and civilian career. It will be awarded in absentia inasmuch as he cannot make the trip to Ft. Sill for the same reason he will not be attending our next RAFINO/RAFINCO reunion.

Also by coincidence, Chick was awarded the Honorable Order of St. Barbara Medal resulting from his many years as an officer of the Society of the 89th Infantry Division, in charge of reunions for almost 22 years as well as being the principal administrative officer -- and currently handling the dissolution of the Society. One of two graduates of the Military Academy reporting to the Division Artillery and assigned to the battery Chick commanded -- who retired as a Lt. General after assignment as the CINC, Southern Command -- made the presentation at a luncheon this April.