Alumni spanning over a decade of classes of the First for Freedom Battalion Chattanooga Central High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and members from East Ridge High School JROTC met Saturday to honor Sergeant Major James McCosh and Sergeant Major Clarence Jones with the Order of Saint Maurice and add them to the ranks of Centurions.
The Order of Saint Maurice is awarded by the National Infantry Association and the Chief of Infantry Brigadier General Larry Q. Burris in recognition of the significant contributions of infantrymen.
The awardee must be a present or prior infantryman, demonstrated a significant contribution in support of the infantry and must represent the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence and dedication to duty.
SGM Jones spent 20 years in the U.S. Army Infantry with two tours in Vietnam. He served as a senior military instructor at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. He received numerous awards, including Bronze Star and Meritorious Service medals. After his active duty military career, he served another 19 years as a JROTC instructor at Chattanooga Central High School.
SGM McCosh spent 22 years in the U.S. Army Infantry, serving two tours in Vietnam. He served as the senior military instructor at Gannon University. He received numerous awards, including the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit and Bronze Stars for both valor and service. After his active duty military career, he served an additional 22 years as a JROTC instructor at Ooltewah, Chattanooga Central and East Ridge high schools.
Officials said, "As JROTC instructors, they went beyond teaching a class. They taught us to be better versions of ourselves. They pushed us to get out of our comfort zones, to try rappelling, white water rafting or taking leadership positions within the battalion. SGM Jones was the rifle team coach, and SGM McCosh was the Raider team coach for many years. They motivated us somehow with the right words to touch our hearts or, in some cases, the metaphorical kick in the butt to get us back on the right path."
SGM Randy McCoin, a former St Maurice medal recipient who nominated the two men, had a simple message in the front of his leadership book, “What Would SGM McCosh Do?” This highlights the impact these men had on their cadets over the years.
"All the former students in attendance greeted the two men like the heroes they are - kind of giddy; many not wanting to cry from the emotions of over 20-plus years of wanting to say thank you in some way," officials said. "All of the former students have been changed by these two men. The battalion's mission statement over the door reads to prepare cadets to be better citizens. Many former cadets have gone on to successful careers in the military, doctors, lawyers, teachers, police and EMS, mothers and fathers."