Command Sergeant Major Douglas O.V. Rives

Command Sergeant Major Douglas O. V. Rives was born in Twitty, Texas on 3 October 1923. He graduated from Kelton High School, Kelton, Texas, on 31 May 1941 and began his military career on 23 February 1943 when he entered active duty with the US. Army during World War II.

He served with Company K, 377th Infantry, 95th Division until his discharge on 29 November 1945. He enlisted in Battery C, 474th Field Artillery, Texas Army National Guard, on 8 March 1951 and due to reorganizations, served in Company E, 2d Battle Group, 142d Infantry; Battery B, 131st Field Artillery and Headquarters, 2d Battalion (M), 142d Infantry, until his retirement on 2 October 1983.

During his 32 years as a Texas Guardsman, he was a full time military technician with the Guard serving in many capacities including 20 years on the support staff of the Texas National Guard Academy, Instructor at the National Guard Professional Education Center for eight years, member of the NGUS and USAR Command Sergeant Major Selection Board, co-author of the National Guard Handbook for Administration, and a member of the NGAT Board of Directors for six years. CSM Rives also devoted many hours and personal effort assisting various Texas National Guard units throughout the State of Texas other than his own.

As a true "Citizen Soldier", he has been active in his community, serving on various community projects, Boy Scouts of America, and in the Kiwanis. Since his retirement, he has served as Mayor of Shamrock, Texas, and has maintained contact with the Texas Guard and NGAT.

In recognition of his long and dedicated service, CSM Rives has' been awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star for Valor, the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, numerous other federal and state awards and serves as the honorary command sergeant major of the 142d Infantry Regiment.

This splendid soldier has served his state and nation in a clearly exceptional manner worthy of emulation by all citizens and soldiers of the State of Texas.

Texas Army National Guard

1990