Hot Springs in Garland County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Sergeant Major Alford L. McMichael
United States Marine Corps
| | Hot Springs Arkansas Walk of Fame | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2024
1. Sergeant Major Alford L. McMichael Marker
Appointed 14th Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps June 28, 1999 First Sergeant Major in history of NATO, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe Inducted into Boys and Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame 2003 Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star
Hot Springs, Arkansas Inducted 2004
Erected by Hot Springs Arkansas Walk of Fame.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Military • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1999.
Location. 34° 30.632′ N, 93° 3.231′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It is at the intersection of Central Avenue (State Highway 7) and Spring Street, on the right when traveling north on Central Avenue. The marker is embedded in the sidewalk in front of the Hot Springs City Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 629 Central Avenue, Hot Springs National Park AR 71901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Ouachita Mountains. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Frank Broyles (here, next to this marker); Gail Davis (here, next to this marker); Rex Humbard (here, next to this marker); Twila Paris (here, next to
this page online
Also see . . . Alford L. McMichael (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Alford L. McMichael is a retired United States Marine who served as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from 1999 to 2003. He was also the first Staff Non-Commissioned Officer for Allied Command Operations for NATO (20032006). McMichael retired from the Marine Corps in 2006 after 36 years of service. On 1 July 1999, McMichael assumed his post as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, becoming the first African American to hold the post. In June 2003, deferring his planned retirement, McMichael assumed a newly created post as the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer for Allied Command Operations, becoming the senior enlisted advisor to General James L. Jones, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and Commander, United States European Command.(Submitted on January 13, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)McMichael was born on February 24, 1952, in
Hot Springs, Arkansas, and graduated from Hot Springs High School. In 2003, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America citing that "the Sergeant Major [had] come a long way from segregated Hot Springs, where the Club was the only colorblind place to play," named McMichael to its "Alumni Hall of Fame." In 2008, McMichael's memoirs were published under the title LEADERSHIP: Achieving Life-Changing Success From Within.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 20242. Sergeant Major Alford L. McMichael MarkerLooking east from Central Avenue; it is 2nd from the right of five markers in this photo. The Hot Springs City Visitor Center is in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 13, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
