A late Ottawa man is going into a very prestigious Hall of Fame. The Late, Retired Master Sergeant Gregory Gilroy will be inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame on November 7th. Gilroy was a lifelong resident of Ottawa, graduating from Ottawa High in 1965. Th joined the Kansas National Guard’s Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 127th Field Artillery, in Ottawa in 1966, serving that unit for 36 years, before retiring in 2002. During his career, he served as the Battery Clerk, Legal Clerk, Intelligence Sergeant, Personnel Staff Noncommissioned Officer, First Sergeant for Headquarters Battery and Battalion Operations Sergeant.
His Military Awards and Decorations were so numerous, we can’t mention them all here. Gilroy was instrumental in fielding and training many artillerymen who were later mobilized for the global war on terrorism.
Active in many local, State and National Organizations, he may have been best known in Ottawa as being active in Cub Scouts and the leader of Boy Scout Troop 127, promoting memberships, activities, leader recruitment and training, financial support for scouting and development of scouting campouts, activities and events. Gilroy was active as a member of the Ottawa and Lawrence Model Railroad Clubs and was heavily involved in running the Train Room at the Old Depot Museum.
The Induction Ceremony will be held Sunday, November 7th, on the Nickell Armory Drill Floor in Topeka.
