CMP Presents Personalized M1 Carbine to COL James H. Chisman

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – On Thursday, 2 December, Gary Anderson, Director of Civilian Marksmanship Emeritus, made good on the CMP’s plan to present a retirement gift to COL (Ret.) James H. Chisman for his years of service as former Ohio National Guard Fort Ohio Installations and Camp Perry Training Site Commander.

COL (Ret) James H. Chisman, left, is presented a Standard Products M1 Carbine rifle by Gary Anderson, Director of Civilian Marksmanship Emeritus in recognition of Chisman’s military service.

“We had planned to present COL Chisman a personalized M1 Carbine at his retirement party, but he didn’t stop working long enough to plan a party,” Anderson said.

“I’m going to have some fun with that,” Chisman said as he examined the carbine. “I carried one like this when I was in Vietnam. I’ve got a place to start shooting in the spring and I’m planning on shooting in the carbine match this summer.”

“We appreciate the great support and great relationship CMP had with you and Camp Perry and the Ohio Guard while you were here,” Anderson said upon presenting the commemorative M1 Carbine.

The CMP presented COL Chisman an M1 Carbine with a personally-engraved stock. The carbine had been in storage for two years waiting to be presented.

The rifle, equipped with a receiver originally manufactured locally by Standard Products Co. of Port Clinton, bears an engraving on the butt stock that reads “Col. James H. Chisman, American Soldier & Patriot.”

“Thank you and members of the CMP Board so much. I’ve said it so many times, it was a privilege to be around you folks and be a part of this up here and all that you do for our youth and to support shooting activities. You do an absolutely wonderful job,” he said.

DCME Anderson and COL Chisman examine some of the finer points of the M1 Carbine, a small rifle that historically was used in the military by rear-echelon officers, paratroopers, medics and others who required a small firearm with longer range and more knockdown power than a pistol.

COL Dean Brown replaced Chisman at a Change of Command ceremony, also known as the “Changing of Colors,” on Saturday, 26 July, 2008. Chisman had served as the Fort Ohio and Camp Perry Commander since 2005. He retired after 39 years of service in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard.

As a private contractor, Chisman quickly took on the role of Ohio National Guard alumni affairs coordinator at Guard headquarters at Beightler Armory in Columbus and didn’t slow his pace until completely retiring from military, contractor and civilian work in July 2010.

The highly-decorated Army veteran was assigned to Fort Ohio command after returning from deployment in Kosovo, where he served with distinction. During his remarks at the change of colors ceremony in 2008, Chisman said he was privileged and honored to be able to serve as the Camp Perry Commander.

At 62, Chisman said he is enjoying being at home with his wife Lynda in Dublin, Ohio as empty-nesters. The Chismans have a son residing in Columbus and a daughter in Washington, D.C. In 2008 Chisman and his wife each received commendations from the State of Ohio for their selfless service to the Ohio National Guard. Mrs. Chisman received the Ohio Commendation Medal for her support of her husband and the military during the colonel’s years of service.

COL Chisman plans to bring his rifle back to Camp Perry to compete in the National CMP Games Matches in 2011.

“Every day that I was up here was a picnic,” Chisman said fondly. Asked what he missed most about commanding Fort Ohio and Camp Perry, Chisman didn’t hesitate.

“I really miss being around the soldiers. I was in uniform for almost 40 years and that’s what you miss. In fact, some of the stuff I’m doing on the side has me in some of the armories and I look forward to listening to the soldiers talk,” he said.

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