U. S. Marine Corps
1954 Southeastern Division Rifle & Pistol Matches

Rifle, Pistol Teams Leave For Lejeune

Parris Island's Rifle and Pistol Teams have gone to Camp Lejeune for a six-week practice period prior to competing in the Southeastern Division Matches late in April.

All units participating in the matches are required to spend six weeks practicing on the Lejeune range.

Maj. Horace W. Card, Jr., provost marshal, is captain of the Island squad. Also accompanying the teams is Maj. James K. Young, executive officer of Weapons Battalion and captain of the national Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol Teams.

The Southeastern matches will be conducted from April 26 to 30, with medalists qualifying for participation in the Marine Corps Matches at Quantico in May.

Members of the Island squad who qualify for the Marine Corps Matches will not return to the depot until after firing at Quantico.

Maj. Young stated that the firing at the Marine Corps Matches will determine members of the national teams.

The national teams will arrive at Parris Island around June 1 for practice sessions prior to entering various competitions. The season will be climaxed with the National Rifle and Pistol Association's Matches late in the summer.

An eight-man team representing Parris Island fired in the Mid-Winter matches at Tampa, Fla., earlier this month. The Marines took third place in a field of 25 teams, representing various services and a number of civilian groups.

The Parris Island Boot, Friday, March 26, 1954

Southeastern Matches End

Camp Lejeune - Monday morning, marked the final phase of the Southeastern Division Rifle and Pistol Matches being held here at the Rifle Range.

Preliminary rifle firing for approximately 400 Marine rifle sharpshooters representing 18 Marine Corps posts and stations in the southeastern region began at 7 a.m. on "A" Range's 200-yard line.

Tuesday and Wednesday mornings the final stages of the rifle competition took place. Wednesday afternoon preliminary pistol matches start. Yesterday morning the final round of the National Pistol Match course began at the 50-yard line.

This morning, presentation of awards take place.

Medal winners in the Southeastern Rifle and Pistol Matches will go to Quantico, Va., to compete in the Annual Eastern Division Matches.

Officials of the match are: Lt. Col. John L. Russell, executive officer; Capt. Frederick S. Knight, asst. executive officer; Capt. Gordon B. McPherson, chief range officer; 2d Lt. Joseph A. Kitzinger, statistical officer; and Lt. Col. Marvin C. Stewart, chief pit officer.

The Parris Island Boot, Friday, April 30, 1954