CSM Gary W. Crisp  (June 18, 1948 – December 28, 2016)

Gary W. Crisp, was born on June 18, 1948, in Clay Lick, Kentucky to Arnold Lee Crisp and Bessie Ellen Isom-Crisp. He graduated from Rowan County Senior High School in 1966. Afterwards, he enrolled and took college classes at Morehead State University. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in Ashland, Kentucky on April 4, 1968 and attended Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY; and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, VA.

PFC Crisp was assigned to the 14th ACR, in Fulda, West Germany as a Helicopter Utility Repairman. In July of 1969 SPC Clark volunteered for duty in Vietnam. He was advanced to the rank of SPC/6 and was assigned to the 199th Aviation Company as a Technical Inspector. Next tour was Fort Rucker, AL, where he  served as an Platform Instructor for 7 years. Then SFC Crisp was assigned to the 193rd Infantry Brigade in 1977 in Panama, for a three-year tour; while there he participated in the Jamestown Guyana Disaster Relief and witnessed the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty.

​In July of 1980 SFC Crisp was assigned to 227th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, and participated in number of deployments to Honduras and South America. He led his Soldiers as a Platoon Sergeant, then as 1st SGT during his five-year tour with the 1st Calvary Division.

​Next SFC Crisp was with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in Fulda, Germany where he served as the 1st SGT S-Troop in the Blackhorse Regiment. In 1987 SFC Crisp was promoted to the rank of SGM. He did a PCS to Fort Bliss, TX to attend the Sergeants Major Academy in January of 1988. After he completed the SGM course he was reassigned as a Staff SGM to 3rd Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY for the next two years.

​ ​In July of 1990 he was reassigned to 2nd Infantry Division, 2nd Aviation Battalion at Camp Stanley, Korea as the Battalion CSM. There he led the unit on different field training exercises to include a Corps Emergency Readiness Deployment Exercise to Fort Bragg, NC. He became the CSM of 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, 31 August 1991.

He was moved from 4th Battalion to the Aviation Brigade on 26 May 1992, to work as a Brigade level Staff SGM until 1994.  He then served as CSM of the 101ST Aviation Brigade.

CSM Crisp was married to Sharon Johnson. He was the father of two daughters: Sharon Kay and Carol.

CSM Crisp served in the US Army for 27 years, 1968 to 1995.  In his honor, Fort Campbell Post 289 was renamed to American Legion CSM Gary W. Crisp Post 289 in 2017.

The quality that makes Post 289 unique is that it was renamed after one its own founding members, who passed shortly after its beginning.  The original name was Fort Campbell American Legion Post 289 on its temporary charter issued in February 2016.  Meetings were held at the Smokehaus Restaurant on Sportsman Lane on Fort Campbell. Our membership, decided that it would be a "dry" or non-alcoholic post.  In 2017  the post was permanently charters and renamed to memorialize CSM GARY W. CRISP.  Most of the membership has been composed of retirees and family members who have separated from the military.

After leaving the Smokehaus the post meetings have been held at Daymar College, 2691 Trenton Road in Clarksville.

Although the Post is only 6 years old, the last 4 years we have been involved in many community activities including starting a Boy Scout Troop, Ham Radio Club and an Honor Guard Unit.  We have also started our own American Legion Riders Chapter, as well as, our Sons of the American Legion.  Clarksville has seven JROTC High School Units and all are recognized by Post 289 with JROTC Awards for the last two years.

A Centennial Dance honoring the 100 year anniversary of The American Legion was held and the Post was asked by Department to host National Commander Brett Reistad during his visit to Clarksville. Of particular note was receiving the charter for our Auxiliary Unit during the National Commander visit.  The Charter was presented by Department President Leedy.

At the 6th District Convention on April 27, 2019 several honors were received.  Post Commander Willie Smith was elected as the 6th District Commander, the Post was presented with the yellow Honor Ribbon and recognized for reaching 100% membership goal by December 31, 2018.  Nine members attended the Convention.  This was the most participation of any posts in attendance.

American Legion CSM Gary W. Crisp Post 289 strives to support area veterans and communities by supporting the Four Pillars of Veterans Assistance and Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children and Youth.  Our success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism.  The organization  belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.