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Gold Standard: Army Soldiers Achieve Mission of Earning
Olympic Gold Medals in Beijing
Elite Army Marksmen Return to Hometowns with Olympic Gold

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Army Strong Soldiers, Pfc. Vincent Hancock and Spc. Glenn Eller, are proudly returning to their hometowns to announce "mission accomplished.”  Their assignment: bring home a gold medal from the Beijing Olympics.  Both Soldiers are members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) based out of Fort Benning, Ga.

“Representing the United States is the ultimate honor. And to represent it in the Olympic games and to win a gold medal and to raise the flag for your country and then as well do it for the Army – there is no greater honor,” Eller said.

Spc. Eller will show off his gold medal at celebrations in his home state of Texas over the Labor Day weekend, including a barbecue bash in Houston on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Eatonton, Ga. will declare Friday, Aug. 29 Vincent Hancock Day and honor his achievement with a parade through his hometown. Pfc. Hancock will also be presented with a coveted key to the city on Saturday, Aug. 30.

“I’m very proud to be able to represent the Army and my country which is why I’m dedicating my gold medal to my fellow Soldiers. This is my mission and I’ve succeeded," said Hancock.

Hancock says winning the gold medal in a sudden death shoot off was like a dream come true and everything he imagined it would be. He is the youngest of his AMU teammates at 19.

"I've dreamt of going to the Olympics ever since I was 12, but I never really thought I would do it.  The Army has given me the confidence I needed to make it go from a dream to reality," Hancock said.

Hancock has distinguished himself in skeet shooting since he started competing at age 11.  By 16, the Eatonton, Ga., native was competing internationally. He earned accolades including USA Shooting's "Shooter of the Year" in 2006.  After graduating from Gatewood High School in Georgia, Hancock enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the AMU in 2007.

Eller set an Olympic record en route to winning his first Olympic gold medal in double trap, earning a score of 190 in the finals to top the previous record of 189. In the event, competitors fire their 12-guage shotguns at five different stations, where two targets are thrown simultaneously from an underground bunker at speeds upwards of 50 mph at set angles and heights.

The 26-year-old from Katy, Texas credits the Army with giving him the edge he needed during his third Olympic appearance.

"I started shooting when I was eight, and I've had a lot of success over the years, but I came in 12th in Sydney and 17th in Athens.  Since I joined [the Army] in 2006, I've had nothing but the best training facilities and the absolute best teammates to push and support me," Eller said. "It makes such a huge difference, and I truly believe they've helped me fulfill a dream.  I don't think this would've ever happened without them."

The athletes’ were welcomed back home to Fort Benning, Ga. by their large, proud Army family.

“The Army asked these young men to go and represent their military and the United States, and they certainly made us proud," said AMU commander Lt. Col. Frank Muggeo.

Muggeo was not just proud of their performance, but of their composure afterwards.

"They didn’t act like they've never won before, or they never expect to be there again – they were professional,” he said. “Although when we spoke seven hours later, each still had the grin on their face that was present at the medal ceremony."

The future road for these Army Soldiers could be lined with more gold according to three-time Olympic Army marksman Lones Wigger Jr. The 70-year-old retired Army Lt. Col. won two Olympic gold medals and one silver medal during his shooting career. He was also inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame this year.

“It was a tremendous honor to be the first shooter entering the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame,” Wigger said.  “I know that Spc. Eller and Pfc. Hancock have the same Army training and discipline to help them fulfill their wildest dreams too.”

Wigger says another honor awaits Eller and Hancock when they are eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame at the AMU. They will join 22 other Soldiers who medaled in shooting events at the Olympics since the unit was established in 1956.

To learn more about the U.S. Army athletes and training visit:
www.usamu.com
www.armyathletesolympians.com
www.goarmy.com/events/army_athletes/athletes.jsp

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Maj. Mike Kenfield
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