New York Army National Guard Infantryman Compete in Rifle Match Saturday, Oct.3 at Camp Smith

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Spec. Alex Rodrigues, a 1-69th Infantry Soldier fires an M4 during the annual Logan-Duffy Rifle Match in 2010.

CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. (10/02/2015)(readMedia)-- Members of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry compete this weekend against fellow infantrymen of the Massachusetts National Guard's 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry in the annual Logan-Duffy Shooting Match.

The National Guard battalions, which both trace their roots back to Irish-American Civil War regiments, first began competing against each other in 1936.

The 69th Infantry has companies in New York City, Long Island, and Camp Smith. The 182nd Infantry, is headquarters in Melrose, Massachusetts.

The Logan-Duffy rifle match gets its name from the commanding officers of the two regiments during the Spanish American War, Brig. Gen Lawrence Logan of Massachusetts and Brig Gen. Edward Duffy of New York.

The winner of the match takes the Logan-Duffy trophy back to their home armory for display until the regiments compete again.

WHAT: Opening shots and marksmanship competition for the 2015 Logan Duffy Rifle Match.

WHO: Commanders and Soldiers from the 69th and 182nd Infantry. Each team will have four Soldiers competing.

WHEN: 12:30 pm, Saturday, October 3. Opening volleys and initial competition begins at 1 pm.

WHERE: Camp Smith Training Site, in the Town of Cortlandt Manor located near the intersection of routes 202 and 9.

Media Opportunity:

Interviews with Soldiers competing in the Rifle Match. Imagery of the competition firing line as Soldiers compete for best marksmanship.

For access to this secure military facility, news media must contact Ma. Al Phillips at 315-882-5496.

Background:

The relationship between the National Guard's 182nd Infantry and 69th Infantry and the origins of the Logan-Duffy Rifle Match began over a century ago during the Civil War. In July 1861, Colonel Michael Corcoran of the 69th Infantry, New York State Militia, rode out of Fort Corcoran, Arlington, Virginia, to visit neighboring Fort Cass. While there, he paid his respects to Colonel Thomas Cass of the 9th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The Fighting 69th of New York had met the Fighting Irish of Boston, and from this meeting was begun a regimental friendship that has endured for nearly 150 years.

During the 75th anniversary celebration of the founding of the 101st Infantry, Massachusetts National Guard (the descendent unit of the 9th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry) in June 1936, Colonel Francis V. Logan, the Commander of the 101st suggested to Colonel Alexander E. Anderson, Commanding Officer of the 165th Infantry (69th New York), New York National Guard that a regimental rifle team be formed by each organization for annual competition. The purpose of the annual match was to encourage competitive marksmanship with the rifle, the principal weapon of the Infantry, and to enhance and develop the spirit of camaraderie between the two military organizations of similar background and heritage.

The first match for possession of the trophy was fired in October 1936 at Camp Curtis Guild in Reading, Massachusetts. The match was won by the 101st Infantry. In 1937 the match was held at Camp Smith, near Peekskill, New York and the 69th Infantry emerged as the victor.

In the fall of 1940, both regiments were called to active duty for service in the coming World War.

The competition was reinstated in 1958, with the 101st returning the trophy to Boston.

The match remained an annual event between the 69th and the 101st until 1996 when the 101st Infantry merged with the 1-182nd Infantry to become the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry (Mechanized).

Matches were suspended in 2001 due to the events of September 11th, with numerous overseas combat deployments of forces from both units. The annual competition resumed on October 2, 2010 and the historic tradition continues to this day.