Artwork by Jess Cauthorn who served under 2nd Lt. Robert Viale in WWII which depicts 2nd Lt. Viale’s heroic act that saved the lives of five of his men. 2nd Lt. Viale was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor Posthumously.

On 29 July 2006 a Viale Range Rededication Ceremony took place to mark the conclusion of a nine month renovation project that yielded a complete reconstruction of the range’s berm and pits. The day not only marked the reopening of Camp Perry’s renowned Viale Range, but it was also an opportunity to honor 2nd Lt. Robert M. Viale, a World War II hero for whom the range is named. 2nd Lt. Viale was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during WWII. He received this distinction for a series of heroic actions that culminated when he jumped on a live grenade to save the lives of five of his men. His acts of extraordinary bravery was captured in a drawing by Jess Cauthorn who served under 2nd Lt. Viale in WWII. Cauthorn’s artwork was included in the program for the event.

BG (Ret) Charles R. Viale, son of 2nd Lt. Robert Viale, was the guest of honor at the Rededication Ceremony and fired the first shot on the rebuilt range.

In attendance for the rededication ceremony was 2nd Lt. Viale’s son, Brigadier General Charles R. Viale (USA, Ret.), who made brief remarks and fired a ceremonial first shot on the rebuilt range. Speakers at the event included COL James Chisman, Camp Perry Commander, Chaplin (MAJ) Don Zapsic; Christie Sewell, CMP Competitions and Affiliations Manager; Mike Krei, Deputy Director, NRA Competitions; and BG Matthew Kambic, Assistant Adjutant General for Army, OHARNG.

The reconstructed Viale Pits got plenty of use during highpower week at the National Matches. The hundred year old pits were completely rebuilt and new target frames were installed.

Construction began on the Viale Range Project last September with the dismantling of the 100-year-old berm and pits. Through the winter and spring, construction crews worked to rebuild the berm and install new target carriers in the pits. With the National Matches looming, crews pushed to stay on schedule and the mild winter at Camp Perry certainly helped keep everything on track. Another improvement to the range was the addition of a new road on the west side of the range that provides an additional access route to the pits.

The ceremony marked the beginning of the National Matches highpower phase, with the EIC M16 Match being the first event held on the reconstructed range. For photos of the reconstruction project visit http://www.odcmp.com/Photos/05/Viale_Range/index.htm, for photos of the completed pits and Rededication Ceremony visit http://www.odcmp.com/Photos/06/Viale_Range/index.htm.