Members of the 2024 Hall of Fame Class are (l-r); Thomas L. Sherbakoff (’81); James C. Mills (’93); Mrs. Rene Johnson representing her husband, William (’58); Christopher M. Ford (’93); and Justin Howe.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Army ROTC Alumni Council conducted its sixth Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dining-Out on Friday, November 1. Council members and their guests, along with 58 Rocky Top Battalion cadets, met at the Foundry to honor the inductees’ exceptional service to our nation.
The 2024 Hall of Fame class included:
- Colonel Christopher M. Ford, retired (’93)
Colonel Ford first served in the Ordnance Corps and concluded his 27-year career in the Acquisition Corps. - Mr. William M. Johnson (’58)
Johnson was selected as a co-captain for the 1957 Volunteer football squad and wore number 66. He was UT’s first All-American and Academic All-American and was also chosen for the Torchbearer Award, UT’s highest student honor. He served in the US Army Reserve and the Tennessee Army National Guard. Johnson passed away in 2020. - Colonel James C. Mills, retired (’93)
Colonel Mills first served as an Army aviator and concluded his 30-year career in the Acquisition Corps. - Colonel Thomas Lee Sherbakoff, retired (’81)
Colonel Sherbakoff was commissioned in the Field Artillery and concluded his 30-year career in civil affairs. - Lieutenant Colonel Justin Howe, retired (5th honorary member)
Lieutenant Colonel Howe served as the UTK Army ROTC Professor of Military Science from 2018 to 2023. He served for 25 years as an Air Defense Officer.
This year’s class was also recognized the following day during the UT-Kentucky football game. The Hall of Fame program respects the many contributions of its inductees and celebrates UT’s rich military history.
UT’s military program was among the first formed in the nation. In 1844, Albert Miller Lea, UT faculty member and West Point graduate, organized an infantry company and adopted the dragoon uniform for the cadets. Tennessee has been the Volunteer State since the War of 1812, but it was not until the Mexican-American War that the Volunteer name caught on. When Tennessee Governor Aaron Brown issued a call for 2,800 troops to fight against Mexico, 30,000 Tennesseans volunteered, including UT’s Dragoons. Their uniform, modified slightly, is still worn by color guards at home football games.
