Junior Wins At 2017 Talladega D-Day Matches

Above: PVT Sammy Richardson, a junior marksman, won both the EIC Rifle and Garand matches at the Talladega D-Day Matches.

The CMP Talladega D-Day Matches welcomed rifle and pistol competitors from around the country, June 2-4, 2017, at the Talladega Marksmanship Park. The matches are held to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the Allied Forces D-Day landing at Normandy Beach during World War II as well as to provide a space for competitive marksmanship fun to a variety of individuals.

Nearly 200 competitors overall turned out for the match, firing on Talladega’s electronic targets, which utilize LED monitors next to each competitor that instantly display shot scores. Fathers and sons, talented females, old friends and new acquaintances gathered together for the D-Day Matches—some attending the facility for the very first time. There were even those who dressed in period clothing to help celebrate the spirit of the event, to honor those who fought for our freedoms.

One adorned competitor, in D-Day paratrooper garb, gave a number of remarkable performances over the weekend. PVT Sammy Richardson, 19, of the U.S. Army Reserve (Helena, AL), overtook both the Rifle EIC Match and the Garand Match as a junior competitor. Sammy, a Distinguished Rifle marksman, was also the High Junior of the Carbine Match.

Congratulations also to James Hall, 33, (Anniston, AL), who won the .22 Rimfire Pistol EIC Match and legged out to earn his .22 Rimfire Pistol Distinguished Badge.

Competitors who fired in the Vintage Sniper Match on the final day of competition may remember hearing, “Target 32—32—3-2!” coming from the mid-high end of the range. The hollering was from Don Rutherford, who teamed up with his brother, Alfred—doing his best to make sure his partner was staying on the right target (32, of course). Evidently, the pair’s boisterous support made other competitors reconfirm their firing point was not 32 and also gave them a laugh. Though comical, the coaching was effective as Alfred finished the 300-yard string with a score of 99-6X.