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Having been a member of the Junior NRA during the late '50's where I achieved the rating of Sharpshooter 6th Bar, I am honestly able to state that I was pleasantly surprised and very pleased to see that you're still actively pursuing today's youth to continue the interest of sport shooting (which I still love).  Thank you and warm regards.
Ted K., SCPO, USN Retired
Thank you for a great news letter.
J. B.
I shot high expert in the Marine Corps in the 60's with the venerable Garand and hope someday to own one again. I like reading TFS and their informative articles. Thanks for the excellent site.
Sincerely, Fred C.
I attended the Houston Gun Collectors January Show, and truthfully, the CMP display was the high point of the show for me. I'm still trying to decide about buying a Greek Collector Grade M-1 rifle (I have too many Garands already), but when all is said and done, I think the decision to take the CMP to such major gun shows is a real winner.
Larry S.
The First Shot is a well put together, informative on-line magazine. Kudos' to the staff for the idea and content.
Col. Lance, USA-Ret.
PS Great revitalization and up grade of the old DCM.
Love these CMP Updates, faster than newsletters. Great info,
LTC Eaton, JROTC Lumberton H.S., Lumberton, N.C.
Hi,the Western CMP games sounds like a GREAT idea. I hope it works out as well as your matches do. I am hoping to shoot the Springfield Match along with the Garand Match this year. Again, I Thank all of you for being there for us shooters!
Warren W.
WONDERFUL IDEAS THESE WESTERN GARAND MATCHES , KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
JACK
Thanks for having an awesome site, I have never been disapointed.
Shane M.
Great website! I especially like the story about what you did for the 200th Red Horse Flight. I saw some of their previous work while in the Middle East last year.
Paul D., Lt Col, IN ANG, BSC
I think it is great. Keep it up
Don E.




Printable Version

Distinguished Shooters of Florida

By Dale Miles, CMP Writer


Recently, the Florida State Rifle Association published a 48-page book titled Distinguished Shooters of Florida.  It is a detailed, up-to-date list of Florida residents who earned Distinguished Badges in the various shooting sports disciplines, including the prestigious Distinguished Rifleman, Distinguished Pistol Shot and Distinguished International Shooter Badges.  This publication is the product of fifteen years of work and research done by the author, Jim Perkins.  A total of 113 photographs and biographies of Distinguished shooters are included.  The individual listings have brief biographical data, Distinguished badge numbers and dates when they were earned.  This paperback book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history of competitive shooting in Florida .  It will also be of interest to shooters and shooting history buffs from other states who would like to create something similar for their home states.

Mr. Perkins’ research is thorough and goes back to the beginnings of the Distinguished program.  The first Distinguished shooter listed in the book dates back to 1929 (75 years ago).  There are a total of 180 shooters listed in the following disciplines: 77 Pistol, 76 Rifle, 8 International Rifle, 5 International Pistol, 4 International Shotgun, 2 Action Pistol, 16 Smallbore Prone, 14 Smallbore Position and 19 Police Revolver/Automatic.  The book lists one Olympic gold medalist, 15 Distinguished females (three of whom are double Distinguished), one individual who is Distinguished in 5 disciplines, and the photo and bio of a Florida junior who was awarded his Distinguished Rifleman badge at the age of 14½, which is purported to be the youngest in the nation.

A page from Florida’s Distinguished Shooters shows Heulet Benner, Olympic Gold Medalist, Distinguished Pistol Shot and Distinguished International Pistol Shot and one of the most successful of American competitive marksmen.
The book presents data by categories for civilian and five military branches, and includes a President’s One-Hundred Rifle and Pistol count.  For those interested in statistics, an entire page is devoted to a summary report that provides an easy-to-read breakdown of eight shooting disciplines.  Another page in the book lists 13 civilians and 16 military shooters under the interesting category of “Who Distinguished First.”

There are a total of 18 Distinguished rifle, pistol and International line art badges published in the book that can be scanned for use in other publications.

Resources such as this are invaluable to developing a history of the shooting sport.  The CMP keeps a comprehensive list of all USA shooters who earned Distinguished Marksman, Rifleman, Pistol Shot and International Shooters Badges as well as holders of the newer Junior Distinguished Badge for three-position air rifle shooting.  The CMP Distinguished lists are found at http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions.htm#U.S.%20Distinguished%20International%20Shooter%20Badge.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Florida’s Distinguished Shooters contact Jim Perkins by mail at 8975 Wildwood Lane North, Seminole, FL 33776-2628, by phone at (727) 392-8843 or by email at Tamaroa@aol.com. Copies cost $10 per copy. This price includes shipping.

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